The caravan had been proceeding smoothly for a while - the sun would probably hit the horizon in a couple of hours. All of the small animals knew well enough to keep distance, but that didn't mean there couldn't be hungry or bored feral creatures and monsters that could be hiding just out of sight.
The scout was able to make sure the road stayed clear, but there were plenty of places in the foliage that couldn't be fully searched as the caravan proceeded. That's why Marcus and Ryans had to stay vigilant - even when bringing up the rear. They were almost to the crossroads between Pinmanivega to the East, Relama to the South, and Lombarvo to the North.
Marcus heard a single whistle - the scout up ahead must have found something. The caravan began to slow and William turned to Marcus and Ryans and frowned, "you guys stay here and keep an eye out - I need to pivot to the front while Jorgen checks in with the scout."
Now that the horses had come to a stop, the woods seemed quiet - even more so since William had gone silent too. Ryans wasn't the most talkative of company, but Marcus was glad to have the extra body and set of eyes.
Marcus could still hear a couple of birds whistling to each other, but when he looked at Ryans, he saw he was looking towards the bird calls - the full red helmet echoing its owner's quiet focus.
Marcus looked to where Ryans was focused, thinking. Was there something wrong? Wait, birds? How many birds weren't scared off by the caravan? Marcus frowned and put his hand on the hilt of his blade.
Suddenly, something whizzed by Marcus's head, and he heard a metallic clang behind him. He immediately turned around to see Ryans' greatsword in hand, and a small arrow in the ground beside him.
Marcus flipped back to the brush. Goblins perhaps? What else would be out this way? He brought his own sword to bear and approached slowly. With Ryans nearby, he could at least be confident his back was safe.
All of a sudden, something sprang from the bush!
With teeth bared, Marcus swung his sword, colliding with something hard, as the object rebounded to the ground on his left.
Its green face belied his opponent. A goblin indeed. Marcus frowned - if the others were still close by.... Was it connected?
Marcus saw this one had a small dagger, but no bow - he glanced quickly at Ryans to see him still approaching the bush that the first one jumped from. At least he wouldn't have to worry about getting tag teamed.
But the goblin wasn't going to give him time to get his bearings. On swift approach it made another swing, but Marcus stepped back, evading the swing and countering with one of his own before the green-skinned menace could regain its balance.
With a meaty impact, the goblin lost its balance once more. Snarling, it came at him again, but its small blade couldn't get through his chain mail. With narrowed eyes, Marcus thrust this time, but was only able to graze it.
With more blood spattering the ground, it openly growled this time as it rushed forward, its anger heightening its drive to retaliate. Marcus was surprised he missed his parry this time, and grimaced as he felt the small metal shiv part his flesh. With one more quick swing of his blade, he sent the goblin back to the ground, this time for good.
Marcus turned to the bush to see Ryans flinging the other goblin out of the bush with his blade. With such a deep gash across its chest, it was unquestionably dead.
"Thanks for the help, Ryans," Marcus said. Ryans merely nodded in response, turning to make sure the caravans were okay.
They both circled the wagons, but neither found any sign of further ambushers. As they neared the front of the caravan, they saw Jorgen approaching from the road. "You two okay? The fallen log's taken care of, and the goblins responsible are being cleared off the road now."
Marcus nodded towards the two corpses they'd just left, "looks like yours were just the distraction. But we cleaned them up without much trouble."
Jorgen nodded, "Good work. There's no visible damage to the wagons, and the client's unharmed. We'll set up camp at the crossroads, and head out again at first light."
Marcus nodded and wiped his blade clean. He knew the trip had been too easy so far.
But the short walk to the crossroads and camp setup was eventless, and the rest of the night proceeded without issue.