"Interesting," Kirath murmured, studying Silver with new respect. "Dragons have a natural dominance over lesser beasts, regardless of size. Your familiar may be small, but it's still a dragon. The wolf recognized a superior predator."
"So he can scare away animals?" Silas asked.
"Some, perhaps. Those with strong instincts for the natural order. It won't work on more intelligent creatures, like goblins." Kirath shook her head. "Don't rely on this trick too much. It's not foolproof."
Silas nodded, but he couldn't help feeling a surge of pride in his tiny companion. Perhaps Silver wasn't as useless as he'd feared.
They continued walking, now keeping a more careful eye on their surroundings.
The sun was beginning to set when Silas finally spotted it. An opening in a rocky hillside, partially concealed by thick undergrowth. A faint light glowed from within, and he could hear rough voices speaking a language he didn't understand.
"That's it," he whispered. "The goblin cave."
Kirath nodded. "Remember, I can advise, but the fighting is yours. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes," Silas said, with more confidence than he felt. "Let's find a good vantage point first."
He crouched behind a large boulder about fifty paces from the entrance, studying the situation. Two goblin guards stood at the entrance. Green-skinned humanoids about two-thirds his height, wearing mismatched armor and carrying crude spears. They looked bored, occasionally kicking stones or scratching themselves.
From inside, Silas could hear more voices and see the flickering light of what must be a fire. How many goblins were in there? He couldn't tell from this distance.
"We need a closer look," he murmured.
Silver chirped questioningly.
"No, not you," Silas said. "You're too noticeable with those silver scales. I need to sneak closer myself."
Silver puffed up indignantly.
"I know you scared off the wolf, and that was impressive," Silas conceded. "But we don't know if your intimidation trick will work on goblins. Let's not take unnecessary risks."
"A wise decision," Kirath said quietly. "Caution before combat is the mark of a true warrior."
Carefully, Silas removed his small backpack and placed it behind the boulder. "Stay here with Kirath," he told Silver. "I'm going to circle around and see if there's another entrance or at least a better place to observe from."
Silver reluctantly hopped off his shoulder and perched on the backpack, looking unhappy but compliant.
"Be careful," Kirath warned. "Goblin scouts patrol the perimeter. They're not as strong as the warriors, but they carry alarm horns. One blast, and the entire cave will know we're here."
Silas nodded and moved through the underbrush with as much stealth as he could manage. He circled the base of the hill, looking for another opening, but found none. The cave appeared to have only one entrance.
However, he did spot a tree with low branches that grew near the hillside, its crown offering a view of the cave entrance from above. Perfect for reconnaissance.
Silas was about to head for the tree when a twig snapped behind him. He whirled around to find himself face to face with a goblin. Not a guard, but a scout, judging by its lighter armor and short bow. The goblin's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed as it reached for a horn at its belt.
An alarm. If it sounded that, every goblin in the cave would be alerted.
Silas lunged forward without thinking, tackling the goblin before it could raise the horn to its lips. They tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs. The goblin was stronger than it looked, its fingers clawing at Silas's face as they struggled.
[Combat Initiated]
Silas managed to pin one of the goblin's arms with his knee while he fumbled to equip his claw weapons. The goblin used its free hand to punch him hard in the stomach, knocking the wind from him.
[Damage Received: 5]
[Health: 95/100]
Gasping for breath, Silas finally got one claw weapon onto his right hand and slashed at the goblin's chest. The sharpened metal tore through the light leather armor, drawing a line of dark blood.
[Critical Hit]
[Damage Dealt: 18]
[Enemy Health: 42/60]
The goblin shrieked in pain, bucking wildly to throw Silas off. Its free hand found a rock and smashed it against Silas's shoulder.
[Damage Received: 7]
[Health: 88/100]
Silas slashed again, this time catching the goblin across the throat. Blood spurted from the wound, and the creature's struggles weakened.
[Damage Dealt: 15]
[Enemy Health: 27/60]
One more solid strike should finish it, but Silas had to act fast before the goblin's cries attracted attention. He raised his clawed hand for a final blow.
Suddenly, something small and silver streaked through the air and landed on the goblin's face. Silver, ignoring the order to stay behind, had come to help. The tiny dragon latched onto the goblin's nose with its feet and began clawing at its eyes.
The goblin forgot about Silas entirely, both hands now trying to dislodge the dragon from its face. Silver held on with surprising tenacity, his tiny claws drawing blood wherever they touched.
[Familiar Attack: 8 damage]
[Enemy Health: 19/60]
Seizing the opportunity, Silas drove his clawed hand directly into the goblin's chest, ending the fight.
[Critical Hit!]
[Damage Dealt: 22]
[Enemy Defeated]
[EXP Earned: +15]
[Skill Effect: Increased Experience has granted +1.5 bonus EXP]
[Total EXP: 92/100]
[Silver has gained +2 EXP]
[Total EXP: 9/10]
Silver released his grip on the now-dead goblin and hopped onto Silas's shoulder, looking immensely pleased with himself despite being covered in goblin blood.
"I told you to stay hidden," Silas whispered, though there was no real anger in his voice. "But... thanks."
Silver chirped softly and nuzzled against Silas's cheek, leaving a smear of blood.
"Gross," Silas muttered, wiping it away.
He turned to see Kirath approaching silently through the underbrush, her expression a mixture of concern and approval.
"Not bad for your first real combat," she said quietly. "Though your familiar seems to have a mind of its own. That could be dangerous."
"He saved me some trouble," Silas admitted.
"Indeed. But we should return to our hiding spot before the guards realize their scout is missing."
They retreated to the boulder where Silas had left his pack. The goblin guards at the cave entrance were still at their post, apparently unaware of what had happened to their comrade.
"That was too close," Silas said quietly. "We need a better plan than just sneaking in."
He looked at Silver, who was preening his scales clean of goblin blood.
"You know, I think I might have an idea. But it's going to depend a lot on you, little dragon. Think you're up for being a distraction?"
Silver looked up from his grooming and tilted his head questioningly, but his eyes gleamed with what could only be described as eagerness.
"What do you have in mind?" Kirath asked.
"Something that plays to our strengths," Silas replied. "And maybe a goblin weaknesses too."