*********************

  Near the Entrance to the Campgrounds

  “Commander,” the sergeant said, lowering his voice as they approached the clearing, “why would people set up tents and lodgings this deep in the forest? And why do they look so… strange?”

  The armored commander did not slow. His gaze remained fixed ahead, jaw set beneath his helm.

  “That is not your concern,” he replied. “You have your orders. Fan out. Secure the humans. Protect them from harm—especially their own.”

  The sergeant hesitated only a heartbeat. “Sir, yes sir.”

  He turned sharply to the assembled ranks, steel and white tabards gleaming in the early light.

  “Men! Fan out and destroy the monstrosities. For the One Light! One Truth! One Order!”

  A roar answered him. Swords rose. Spears leveled. Bows were drawn in practiced unison.

  “BY RADIANCE—WE PURGE!”

  The soldiers surged forward, armor clashing, faith and steel carrying them into the campgrounds.

  ********************

  James had just managed to push his family back into the RV, black blood smeared across his hands. His dogs panted at his side, both cut and bruised from the scuffle with the creatures. While his back was still turned toward the open campsite, one of the creatures squared up behind him, raising a crude knife to stab.

  He turned just in time to see an arrow bury itself into the side of the creature’s head. It faltered, swayed, and collapsed with a wet thud.

  James looked up—and froze.

  A man straight out of a fantasy novel stood there: bow raised, another arrow already nocked. He released. Another creature dropped. Before the body even hit the ground, the archer had another arrow ready.

  “What are you gocking at? Get inside!” the man barked.

  James just nodded, shoved himself through the RV door, and slammed it shut.

  More figures joined the fantasy archer. First came a man with a sword and shield, chainmail showing beneath a leather chestplate. Then a shorter, broad-shouldered warrior wearing heavier armor that somehow didn’t seem to slow him down. A massive hammer was strapped across his back, and a single-handed axe rested in his grip. Lastly came a tall, lithe man who carried an air of age and wisdom despite looking no older than his late twenties. He wore no armor—only robes that screamed “wizard” and a wide-brimmed hat. A long walking stick covered in glowing runes rested in his hand, and a book hung from his belt. His pointed ears bobbed with each step.

  The family also noticed that each of them wore a leather pouch strapped to one thigh—something like an oversized phone holster, almost tablet-sized.

  The mage strode toward the RV, raising his staff. The book at his hip lifted on its own and opened beside him. As he circled the RV, glowing lines etched themselves into the ground behind him, forming a complete ring.

  Meanwhile the rest of the party darted around the campsite, cutting down wave after wave of creatures. But the moment the mage completed the circle, the creatures seemed to lose interest entirely. The party regrouped at the RV door.

  ********************

  Elsewhere in the RV Park

  The advance was methodical.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Soldiers moved in tight formations, cutting down anything that resisted or fled. Creatures were slain where they stood. Humans were dragged free, disarmed, and herded toward a central pavilion under shouted orders they could not understand.

  Questions were ignored. Pleas went unanswered. No one was permitted to leave.

  A lieutenant stood near the pavilion, overseeing the aftermath as bodies were pulled aside and sorted. Fires were lit. Corpses—human and otherwise—were fed to the flames without distinction.

  “Sir,” a soldier reported, consulting a marked scroll. “Expected count was fifty. Forty-nine accounted for. Thirty living. One is unaccounted for—absent or fled. Shall we continue the search?” looking to his Lieutenant for guidance.

  The lieutenant grimaced, eyes flicking toward the tree line. “No. We’re too deep beyond the border already. We leave before patrols notice. Burn what remains of the grounds.”

  He turned. “Sergeant. Distribute the Gifts.”

  The sergeant approached the survivors, his voice calm, almost gentle, as he produced a bundle of black necklaces.

  “Put these on,” he said. “They will keep you safe,” he said, and did not specify from what.

  Some complied without thought—still half-drunk, half-dazed from the night before. Others recoiled. Those were forced down by guards, held still as the clasps were snapped shut around their necks.

  The effect was immediate.

  Spines slackened. Eyes dulled. Resistance vanished as if drained away.

  “Form them up,” the lieutenant ordered. “We return to the carriages. Back to the border.”

  The surviving humans were marched out beneath heavy guard, their steps synchronized not by discipline—but by obedience no longer their own.

  ********************

  Back at the RV

  The family had witnessed everything through the windows—every fire, every forced collar, every soldier marching away. Confused and shaken, they couldn’t fathom why they were the only ones left untouched.

  James stepped out of the RV as the adventuring party turned toward him. The man with the sword raised a hand in greeting.

  James reached out instinctively to shake hands. The group stared for a moment—confused—before taking his hand.

  “Thank you for helping us,” James said. “Obviously we have questions.”

  The swordsman answered first. “We have questions of our own. But it’s not safe to linger in a monster zone.”

  “Monster… zone?” Christine asked, stepping down from the RV.

  “Yes,” the swordsman said. “You’re at the entrance to the Goblin Zone. Rank F. Why would you camp here?”

  “Rank F? Dad, what is he talking about?” Nikki asked as she squeezed out the doorway.

  “James, what kind of camping trip did you agree to?” Christine added sharply.

  “It was just supposed to be a couple days up the mountain,” James said defensively. “There was some event Kyle won, but he couldn’t go. He offered us the spot and let me borrow the RV. No one said anything about goblins.”

  The mage tapped his staff. “We need to move. My ward was thrown together quickly—just enough to hide us from the soldiers while we figured out what was happening.”

  “Right,” the swordsman said. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.” His gaze moved to James’s arms. “You’re bleeding. Ruron—help him.”

  The shorter armored man stepped forward. The axe at his belt glinted as he raised his hands. A soft glow radiated from his palms, and the cuts on James’s arms sealed instantly.

  “Magic,” James whispered.

  “You fought well,” Ruron said. “Most folk just hide from goblins. They’d have wandered off eventually—they’re pretty dumb.”

  The swordsman introduced each of them: “I am Arther. That’s Robert with the bow. Cyrrion is our mage. And this is Ruron our healer.” “not officially trained mind you.” added Ruron

  “Odd names,” James said. “Don’t hear many like those where we’re from.” He introduced his own family: his wife Christine, their daughters Nikki and Jessie, and their son Luke.

  After introductions, Arther helped them clear debris from around the RV. James explained that it could be driven out if the path was cleared. The destroyed gate was left behind.

  Robert moved to the goblin bodies the soldiers had not burned and began cutting off their ears.

  Luke gagged. “Why are you doing that?”

  “Proof of kill,” Robert said simply. “Hunters and loggers in nearby areas pay for culling goblins. They tend to wander out of their zones and cause trouble.”

  “Paid by who?” Jessie asked.

  Robert flicked an ear into a pouch. “The Guild puts up commissions from time to time,”he said with a sigh “but anyone who brings in proof will get paid even a few coppers each.”

  “Robert, are you just about done?” called Arther, “we need to get moving” “yea, finishing up now, looks like more are spawning anyway, time to move” in the distance goblin screeches could be heard and nearby a tree started to split and an arm thrust out. “Are they coming out of the trees?” Nikki asked. “First time?” asked Robert.

  “Everyone out of the pop outs” James called as he activated the controls to retract the extensions on the RV, “everyone in, it might be tight with everyone but we should all fit. I need someone to guide me up front, and someone to show me the way in the copilot seat.” Luke tried to call shotgun to no avail. And James started the RV up with a loud roar of the engine kicking in causing a jump from the assembled party, Ruron looked on in awe from outside as the wheels started to rotate and Robert took the seat next to the driver in the main cabin area while everyone else took seats, Cyrrion sat near the back bedroom door on the floor content to sit in a meditative state. And with that the group slowly rolled out of that area.