Wade stood dumbfounded, watching as the light of the cane in his hand faded and returned to its original inconspicuous dark brown. Lena grabbed him by the tail and led him all the way to the kitchen door, screaming and throwing his cane on the floor.

Jin Yue quickly picked it up and hugged it tightly. Despite the fright, her eyes were still clear when she looked at Robert and Stone, and it was clear that she was thinking quickly. Her partner spoke a few words out loud in their language. She shook her head, and he waved and frowned. She answered, and her companion immediately shut up, his face looking very gloomy.

"We decided to go with you. She said to Stone in Mandarin. "Thank you for your help. ”

"Go this way!" said Roberta, who led them to the kitchen door, following Lena and Wade. He looked back and saw some of the crowd coming forward, but not actively.

The cook stared at them and burst into the kitchen. Calamon and Rodlis were already standing at the exit. The so-called exit was nothing more than a hole in the floor with a sturdy rope tied to it, which hung down to forty feet below the ground.

"Ah!" said Wade with a laugh, "this is where the ale comes up and the garbage goes down." He grabbed the rope and slipped down easily.

"I'm so sorry," Lena apologized to Scarlet Moon, "but that's the only exit." ”

"I can climb the rope and go down. The woman laughed, and then added, "I haven't played this trick in many years." ”

She gave her companion the cane and climbed down slowly and skillfully, and when she reached the ground, he threw it at her and slid down herself.

"Little brother, how are you going down?" asked Calamon, his face full of concern. "I can carry you down-"

Rodrith's eyes were filled with anger. "I can go down on my own!" the mage hissed. Before he could stop him, he jumped into the hole. Everyone gasped, terrified of seeing the mage clump into a mess of flesh.

However, to their surprise, everyone saw the mage descending slowly, his robe dancing slowly, and the crystal ball at the top of the staff emitted a dazzling light.

"It's a cold sweat. Hubble complained to Robert.

"Hurry up!" Robert pushed the old dwarf towards the rope. Hubble then slid down, Calamon close behind, his weight making the rope creak.

"I'll be the last one to go. Stone said, holding the unsheathed sword in his hand.

"Good. Robert knew that it was useless to argue. He hung his longbow and quiver behind his back, grabbed the rope and slid it down. Suddenly, there was an unsteady, and he kept sliding down. The skin of his hands was constantly torn by the rope.

When he hit the ground, he couldn't help but feel a little frustrated as he looked at the cracked, bleeding skin. But there was no time to worry about it, and he looked up to see Stone sliding down the rope.

Lena's face appeared upstairs where the opening was made. "Go to my lodgings!" she silently pointed in a certain direction in the woods, and then vanished.

"I know how to go!" Wade volunteered. "Follow me. ”

They followed the Kanders as they made their way forward, and the sound of the guards climbing the inn's stairs was heard. Robert, who was not used to walking on the ground in Willow, soon got lost. He looked at the overhead skybridge and streetlights, almost completely disoriented. But Wade is still moving forward with confidence. The sound of the inn faded away.

"We're going to hide in Lena's house for the night today. Robert whispered to Stone as he walked through the trees. "lest anyone recognize us and search our house. Tomorrow morning everyone will forget about it. I will bring these plains back to my house for a few days. Then we can take the two of them to Haven's Seeker Council and have them cross-examined—maybe I'll go with me myself, I'm curious about the crystal staff. ”

Stone nodded. Then he smiled at Robert, which was rare and slightly melancholy. "Welcome home. The knight said.

"You too. The half-elf smiled.

Then, almost at the same time, they collided with Calamon, who had stopped.

"I guess we're there. Calamon said.

Under the street lamp, Wade can be seen climbing trees with the agility of a dwarf.

The others climbed slowly, and Calamon helped his brother climb the tree. Robert endured the pain in his hands and slowly climbed up the trunk of the tree, where the leaves were thinning.

Wade went up to the porch like a snitch, and when he saw that there was no one around, he made a safe gesture to the others.

He then looked at the lock, laughed, and opened the lock in a few moments, and he didn't know what he could find in the bag.

"Please come in. He said in the voice of his master.

They were all crammed into the cramped treehouse, and the tall wildlings were forced to shrink their heads so as not to hit the roof. Stone found a chair for the woman to sit down, and the tall wild man quickly stood behind her. Wade closed the curtains. Rodlis lit the fire of the fireplace.

"Be vigilant. Robert said. Calamon nodded. The warrior had already stood at the window, keeping an eye out of it. The light of the street lamps filtered through the curtains into the house, and there was a long silence. Everyone looked at each other.

Robert sat down, and he turned his head to look at the woman. "The blue crystal staff," he said quietly, "healed him, what's going on?"

"I don't know. She hesitated. "I- I've only only had it a short time ago. ”

Robert looked at his palm. They still have blood stains and wounds from the rope torn apart. He held out his hands to her. Slowly, the woman palely touched him with her cane. The cane began to glow blue.

Robert felt a slight irritation pass through his body—he watched as the blood on his hands vanished, the wound healed, and the pain disappeared completely.

"It's god!" he exclaimed.

It was the trolls who fought Karamon and broke his sword. Trolls are usually carnivorous creatures that can be found in forests and underground. They look very thin on the outside, but they have amazing powers.

Trolls walk hunched like old men, but they are able to climb trees and move at great speeds in any terrain. They are not afraid of death and possess extremely high regenerative abilities.

Piranhas' severed limbs can even continue to attack enemies. Only the flames and strong acids make them incapable of regenerating. After fighting the trolls, Calamon was still alive to talk and laugh, which shows the strength of his martial arts.

——

Rodrith sat down by the fire, rubbing his thin hands in the faint light of the fire. His eyes stared directly at the blue crystal staff on the other side of the room, and his golden eyes glowed brighter than the flames.

"What do you think?" asked Robert.

"If she's a vaudeville, she's really admirable. Rodlis said thoughtfully.

"Presumptuous, how dare you insult the chief's daughter as a vaudeville!" the tall barbarian took a big step in the direction of Rodlis, frowning. Caramon let out a low growl in his throat and walked behind his brother from the window.

"River Breeze ......," the woman put her hand on his arm as he approached. "Don't do that, he has no ill will. They don't take it for granted that they don't believe us. They don't know us. ”

"We don't know them either. The man whispered.

"Can I check it out?" asked Rodris.

Scarlet Moon nodded and handed the crystal staff out. The mage hungrily reached out his thin hand to take the crystal staff.

As soon as Rodlis touched it, there was a burst of blue flashes and crackles. The mage let out a cry of pain. Calamon was about to rush forward, but was stopped by his brother.

"Don't get me wrong, Calamon. "This lady has nothing to do with this. ”

The woman also looked at the crystal staff in her hand with a puzzled expression.

"What's going on?" asked Robert. "A cane that can hurt and heal at the same time?"

"It's just about protecting itself. Rodrith licked his lips, his eyes shining. "Look. Calamon, pick up the crystal staff. ”

"I don't!" the warrior stepped back as if he had seen a viper.

"Take it!" Rodrith ordered.

Calamon reluctantly held out a trembling hand. The closer his fingers got, the more his arm trembled. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, ready to endure extreme pain. He put his hand on the crystal staff, but nothing unusual happened.

Calamon opened his eyes in surprise and grabbed the crystal wand and played with it, a smile on his face.

"Look!" said Rodris, like a magician announcing the answer. "Only those of good heart and pure character," he said, with a clear sarcasm in his tone, "can touch this crystal staff." It is indeed a sacred rod of healing, blessed by God. It's not magic, and I've never seen a magic item with healing properties. ”

"Be quiet!" said Wade, who was standing by the window watching the wind. "The guards who look like the Grand Priest are here. He whispered.

No one spoke up. They could hear the footsteps of goblins walking on the overpass.

"They're searching the street!" Robert said incredulously, as he heard a knock on the door of a nearby room.

"The seeker is coming in!" said a gruff voice. After a pause, the same voice asked, "No one is home, are we going to kick the door open?"

"It's better not to be. Another voice said. "We'd better report the situation and have the High Priest kick in the door himself. If the door is not locked, we will go in ourselves. ”

Robert's gaze shifted to the opposite door. He felt the hairs on his back stand on end. He remembered to close the door and lock it when he came in...... Now a crack has opened!

"The gate ......," he whispered, "Calamon—"

The warrior quickly moved to the door and reached out to close the door......

Footsteps stopped outside the door. "The seeker is coming in!" the goblin was about to knock on the door, but was surprised to find that the door opened with a slight push.

"This house is unoccupied. One of the guys said, "Let's go to the next room." ”

"Gru, you really don't have any imagination," said the other fellow, "and this is our best chance to spend some money!"

A goblin sticks its head out of the crack in the door. His eyes rested on Rodrith, who was sitting quietly with his staff on his shoulder.

The goblin grunted a few times and laughed happily.

"Oh! look what we've found!, a cane!" the goblin's eyes sparkled. He took a step closer to Rodrith, his companion following closely. "Give me the cane!"

"Of course!" the mage whispered. He handed the staff forward. "Schlack. He said. Suddenly, the crystal ball at the top of the staff lit up. The goblin screamed and covered his eyes, clumsily trying to draw his sword.

As soon as it was too late, Calamon grabbed them by the neck and slammed them together. The two guys fell to the ground, emitting a smoky stench.

"Is it dead?" Robert asked Calamon, who was looking down in the light of his staff.

"It looks like it is. The big man sighed as he spoke. "I overtried my head. ”

"It's messed up. Robert said heavily. "And the soldiers who killed two more high priests. It's hard to avoid the limelight, and he's going to search the town thoroughly.

We need to get out of here quickly!, you two"—he turned to look at the two savages—"and you'd better come with us, too." ”

"It doesn't matter where we go. Hubble grumbled in an exasperated whisper.

"Where are you going?" asked Robert.

"We were going to Haven. The barbarian replied reluctantly.

"I've heard there are a lot of wise men there," Scarlet Moon said. "We want them to explain what this crystal wand is capable of. Remember the song I sang?—— it was true: this crystal staff saved our lives. ”

"You'll have time to speak slowly," Robert interrupted. "If these guards don't report back within the allotted time, the entire Goblin Force of Vero will flood into the trees. Rodrith, extinguish your light. ”

The mage pronounced another word, and the light of the "domark~" crystal flickered and then went out.

"What do we do with these corpses?" Calamon asked, kicking the dead bodies on the ground. "What about Lena, will she get in trouble too?"

"Leave the body behind. Robert's thoughts raced. "Cut down the door. Stone, go knock over a few tables. We had to make it look like someone had broken into the door and got into a fight with these guys. That way it won't get her in trouble, Lena is a smart girl - she knows what to do. ”

"We also need food. Wade rushed into the kitchen and began to stuff the bread on the shelf, or anything that seemed to be edible, into his bag. He threw Hubble a whole leather bag of wine.

Stone knocked over a few chairs, and Calamon laid the body as if it had been a fierce battle. The two plainmen stood in front of the fireplace where the flames were gradually extinguishing, looking at Robert in confusion.

"Alright. And now?" Ston asked. "Where are we going now?"

Robert hesitated, considering all the possible options before him. These two plains were from the East, and if what they said was true, and their people intended to execute them, then they would not have thought of going East.

They could also travel south and take refuge in the Elven Realm, but Robert was very reluctant to return to his homeland. Because he knew that the elves would be very unkind to strangers who intruded into their mysterious realm.

"Let's go north. He finally spoke. "We escorted the two to the next fork in the road. Then decide where you want to go next. If they wished, they could walk the road southwest to Haven. I plan to go further north to investigate the rumored gathering of the northern army. ”

"Or you can meet Ella. Rodrith whispered. Robert blushed. "Is that okay?" he asked.

"You're not the oldest of us, but you're the smartest. Stone said—"Just like before, we'll follow you all the way." ”

Calamon nodded, and Rodrith had already walked to the door, Hubble carrying the wine bag and muttering quietly.

Robert felt a pair of delicate hands touch his arms. He looked back at the woman's clear eyes.

"We are grateful. Scarlet Moon said slowly, not yet accustomed to expressing gratitude. "You're risking your life for us, and we're just strangers. ”

Robert smiled and shook her hand. "My name is Robert, and the brothers are Calamon and Rodrith. The knight's name is Stone Brightbred, the wine is carried by Hubble Stove, and our awesome little locksmith is called Wade Bervolt. Your name is Scarlet Moon, and he's River Breeze. Now - we are no strangers. ”

Scarlet Moon smiled thoughtfully. She patted Robert on the arm and walked out the door, leaning on the blue crystal staff, which had once again looked inconspicuous. Robert looked at her, then looked up to see River Breeze glaring at him as expressionlessly as if he were wearing a mask.

"Oh!" said Robert, in a barely audible voice, "at least most of us are no longer strangers." ”

Soon, everyone walked out of the house under Wade's leadership. Robert stood quietly inside the room, staring at the goblin's corpse in a daze. After years of traveling, it was supposed to be a warm and happy homecoming.

He missed the comfort of his room, thinking about what he had planned to do—what he was going to do with Ella.

He imagined a long winter night, telling stories in front of the fireplace in the inn, coming home, talking and laughing in a warm blanket, and waking up to find that the outside was covered with snow.

Robert kicks the embers apart. Ella won't be coming back. Goblins have invaded this peaceful town. And he is fleeing in the middle of the night to escape a group of religious maniacs, and may never have the chance to return to his homeland.

Elves generally do not notice the passage of time, and their time is measured in centuries. For them, the change of seasons is like an afternoon shower. But Robert is still half of human blood, and he can feel the changes, just as humans would feel uneasy before a storm.

He sighed and shook his head wistfully. He left the room without looking back, leaving only the half-collapsed door shaking in the wind.

These goblins are small, foul-smelling creatures with flat faces, wide noses, large mouths, and pointed ears.

They are evil by nature, but their combat effectiveness is pitifully low, and if it weren't for their large numbers, I'm afraid no one would have noticed their existence at all. [.]