The early morning sun spilled across the forest road as it opened to the familiar silhouette of the village's stone walls. As Lumberling and Jen drew near, the gates groaned open, revealing a cluster of guards waiting at attention.
"Welcome back, my Lord," one of them said, bowing low.
Lumberling inclined his head in acknowledgment, his eyes already drawn to the unusual stir beyond the gates. Villagers, especially the humans, were gathered in a tight circle near the center square, murmuring in low excited voices. The air carried a mix of curiosity and tension.
"What's the commotion?" Lumberling asked as he passed through.
One of the goblin guards glanced toward the crowd. "A human arrived yesterday. Someone Drake and Orrin knew."
Lumberling's brow lifted slightly. He already had a good guess. 'Chief Eldric,' he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
