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Events of the 14th of Limestone.
"Without fail, traders always think they know best." muttered BingBing as he followed up the rear.
Acama walked with him.
"Now, now. You know that this is well known as a profitable traderoute, as mysterious as it might be. Just look at the fort on the horizon! Do you think beggars could build such a thing?" she asked.
"Humph. I suppose you're right. That doesn't make it any warmer, though! Why did they see fit to build here, anyway?"
"Some say it was all due to a broken wagon wheel." said Acama.
"Sounds like rubbish to me." replied BingBing.
"Well, that's what I heard. Now I'm just going up to the front to see how glorious leader Id is doing."
Acama wandered up to the front of the Caravan and began talking to Id.
The conversation was jovial and the air was relaxed. Only BingBing had his weapon readied. The solid feel of the crossbow gave him reassurance in this frightening land.
All of a sudden the goblins were upon them, having leapt out from snow covered sheets.
They were still too far from the fortress to expect any help, and would have to fight for their lives on their own.
But the goblins were more after the caravans than their throats, and it must have seemed to the traders that it was a poor idea to have only a single guard for each caravan on this trip.
And yet, they merely faced a squad of goblin lashers, commanded by a green (hah!) looking goblin axeman.
BingBing lifted his crossbow even as the others fumbled for their weapons.
He opened fire, but the goblins were numerous, and hid behind the very wagons they were attacking. His bolts found home in only a few of their hides, and the goblins utilized their precious moments of surprise, toppling one of the wagons over.
The driver thought his chances better on foot, and jumped out, racing to another wagon, leaving the horses and goods to the goblins.
"Away!" shouted a merchant, and began steering the caravan back the way it came.
More goblins sprung out into their path, met by stern resistance from Id and Acama.
BingBing marched forward, constantly firing his crossbow. He hoped there were more bolts in his quiver than their were goblins, or he would be forced to start using it as a club.
A second wagon was toppled, and the last remaining abandoned the other merchants to what its driver must have imagined would be a grisly fate.
The mercenaries watched it disappear into the distance as the goblins advanced.
Acama and Id fought back to back against an entire squad as BingBing moved towards them, firing at the goblins surrounding his two comrades.
Steel scourges scraped against their armor as they fought the goblins back.
The goblins had the advantage of numbers, however, and although their blows were landing, the dwarves couldn't hit all of them at once.
All the while they had not noticed that they were moving closer to the fortress walls, and the battle had not gone unnoticed by the dwarves within.
"HAVE AT YOU!" screamed Bomrek, emerging from the fortress gates.
The mercenaries were appalled. Here they were, fighting for their lives, and all they got to help them was a single warrior.
This single warrior though, charged their position and slaughtered two goblins in a single strike, allowing the mercenaries to finish off those remaining with little difficulty.
"Thanks for your help." said Id, nodding.
Bomrek nodded back, and said "Your wagon is gone."
The mercenaries turned to look for the wagon, but it was nowhere in sight.
"We can't go back. We'd die in the snow!" said BingBing.
"You'd best come in then." said Bomrek. "Quickly now, the goblins are more devious these days."