Chapter 83 - 82: The Invitation

Words : 1252 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 83: Chapter 82: The Invitation The sun sat low in the sky when Lumberling rode past the old familiar markers that lined the edge of Uncle Drake’s village. Behind him, the forest stood quiet, too quiet. Even the birds kept their distance lately, disturbed by the echoes of distant war and monster migrations. He dismounted slowly, stretching his legs as he looked around the village. It still looked peaceful, unchanged in its humble charm. But peace was a fragile thing. He left Skitz in charge of the operations back home and had brought only Jen and Old Man Dan with him. "You sure about telling them everything?" Dan asked as they approached the central hut. "I am," Lumberling said. "They need to know. We don’t have time for secrets anymore." Jen glanced up at him, hesitating. "Do you think they’ll come?" "I think they’ll hesitate. But I hope they understand." It had been over a year since Lumberling last stepped into the village. The place looked the same, wooden fences lined with vines, shutters creaking softly in the breeze, and the faint scent of hearthfire lingering in the air, and the familiar slope of the main hill where Uncle Drake’s house still stood. But time had settled its weight on everything: more children running barefoot, new fences patched into old ones, a few faces gone, a few new ones in their place. The moment they reached the edge of the central path, a familiar voice boomed from across the yard. "Lumberling?!" Uncle Drake stepped out from the porch, one hand shading his eyes. A second later, a wide grin split his face. "I’ll be damned," he said, already striding forward. "You came back." Lumberling barely had time to brace before he was pulled into a tight, back-pounding hug. "You’ve gotten bigger," Drake said, pulling away to look him over. "And heavier. What’ve you been eating, wolves?" "Close enough," Lumberling replied with a dry grin. Behind him, Jen gave a small wave, and Old Man Dan offered a stiff but respectful nod. Aunt Celine stepped out next, her hands dusted with flour. "Oh gods," she said, smiling warmly. "You brought them too. Come in, come in. We’ll fix something up." "No need to fuss," Lumberling said. "Nonsense," she waved him off. "You’ve been gone for over a year. If we don’t fuss, we might explode." They were ushered inside like family returning from war. Warm bread and stew were served with a speed that suggested she had half-expected them someday. The air smelled of thyme, onions, and wood smoke. Uncle Drake sat back in his chair with a long sigh. "You missed a lot. We’ve been... happy, actually. Quiet. Stable. The fields gave good harvests, no bandits, no sickness." Then he grinned, almost shyly. "And... well, we have some good news." Celine gave him a playful elbow in the ribs. He coughed, sheepish. "We’re expecting. Two months in." Lumberling blinked. "You’re...?" "Pregnant," Celine finished, her hand gently resting on her belly. "Took us all by surprise too. But the gods were kind." Jen gasped and leaned forward. "That’s amazing!" Old Man Dan chuckled. "It’s about time something good happened." Lumberling smiled, but it was a quiet smile. Warm. Faint. He meant it. "I’m happy for you," he said, voice softer than usual. "Truly." Drake tilted his head. "But that’s not why you came back, is it?" The table went still. "No," Lumberling said. He straightened a little, eyes scanning the familiar wood grain of the table before meeting theirs again. "I’ve come to ask something serious of you. Of all of you." Drake raised a brow. Celine leaned in. Orrin had already entered by then, arms folded, listening. "I want to invite you to my village. The one I’ve built." "Thought you were already living in one," Orrin muttered. "I am. But it’s... different." Lumberling took a breath. "It’s a goblin village." The air in the room changed. Not hostile, just still. "You’re serious," Uncle Drake said at last. "I am." "You’ve been living with goblins?" Celine asked, not accusing, just baffled. "And kobolds. And wolves. And monsters. Leading them, training them. Building something real." Jen glanced around the table, worried for a moment at how they’d take it. "I’ve seen it," she said. "They’re not what you think." "They fought for each other," Old Man Dan added. "They bled for us. Some died protecting the village. They’re people. Just... different." Drake looked into Lumberling’s eyes for a long moment. "You’ve changed," he said. "But you’re still my friend." "I haven’t come here to trick you," Lumberling said. "The war’s spreading. Monster migrations are getting worse. Bandits are moving through the region. This village may be safe now, but it won’t stay that way." Orrin’s frown deepened. "You think we can’t defend ourselves?" "I think you shouldn’t have to," Lumberling said gently. "I’m offering you a place. Protected, fortified, hidden. Not just safety. A future." "And in return?" Celine asked quietly. Lumberling didn’t hesitate. "In return, you swear never to speak of what you see. The village. The monsters." "That all?" Drake asked, arms crossing. "No. I’m also asking for your help." He turned toward each of them. "We’re strong in battle, but we’re lacking in knowledge. Teach us what you know. Advanced farming, pottery, weaving, construction, midwifery, sewing, everything your village has passed down. Help us grow." Orrin scoffed, crossing his arms tightly. "And if the Empire finds out?" The table went still. "They don’t ignore traitors. Or monsters. What you’ve built, it’s impressive, sure. But it’ll burn the moment a Knight finds it." Lumberling didn’t flinch. "Then we fight. Together." Orrin stared at him hard, like he was trying to read through him. Then, with a slow exhale, he leaned back in his chair. "You’re insane," he muttered. "But maybe that’s what we need." Orrin tapped the table once, thinking hard. "You’re not asking for followers. You’re asking for teachers." "Yes." Uncle Drake sighed. "And if we say no?" Lumberling didn’t flinch. "Then I’ll help fortify your village. I won’t leave you unguarded. But I won’t lie, if Sengolio soldiers find this place, or a Knight decides to pass through, I may not be able to protect you in time. I want you with us... because I want to keep you." Jen stepped forward. "Please, Uncle. I’ve seen them. They’re... odd. Rough. But they listen. They learn. And they follow my brother like he’s their lord. That kind of loyalty... it’s rare." Old Man Dan nodded. "This isn’t a whim. It’s already working." Uncle Drake looked across the table at his friend Orrin, at his wife, then finally at Lumberling. "I’ll go see it. I won’t promise anything until I do. But I’ll look." "You’ll have your chance," Lumberling replied. "And Eldric?" Orrin asked. "He’s not back yet. When he returns, you can tell him the truth too. Or not. That’s your call." Aunt Celine finally smiled, just faintly. "Well. I always knew you’d do something strange with your life." Lumberling chuckled. "Strange isn’t the half of it." Silence hung for a moment. Then Celine laughed softly. "You want to make goblins into citizens." "I want to make them into something better," Lumberling said. "And maybe us along with them." Celine smiled. "Well, if we’re going to raise a child, we might as well raise them in a place worth protecting." Orrin just gave a grunt. But no one said no. And that, Lumberling knew, was enough, for now.

Chapter 83 - 82: The Invitation

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