Discovery

One day later...

After taking care of those invading goblins, Daniel made sure to stabilize the situation before summoning both Markus and Beck to see him.

"We greet the lord!" said the two men.

Nodding his head, Daniel went straight to the point and said "what else have you find out about the refugees?"

Nudging his elbows at Beck, Markus is giving the signal that he should be the one to report.

Understanding his general intentions, Beck said "reporting to the lord, after further investigation. We found out that the refugees came from a place called alcott mountain. They were attacked by the goblins and forced to run away. All of them originated from a single large tribe."

"Then where is their chieftain? and where is this alcott mountain located?" asked Daniel.

"We look into that matter as well but none of the refugees came out to claim leadership and no further information was given. It is possible that their chieftain have fallen in battle. Regarding the location of alcott mountain, they said that it is very far to the north."

"Don't you think this is a little odd?"

"Lord?" asked Beck.

"Think about it, we are located in the west and hidden by the narrow mountain entrance but these people came all the way from the far north. Why here? if their chieftain died then why didn't they tell you? Also, why would the goblins chase them this far west?" said Daniel.

The room instantly fell silent because what their lord said made sense. Their are way to many unanswered questions and the information given by the refugees are full of holes.

This give rise to further suspicions towards the refugees.

Waving his hand, Daniel ordered a nearby soldier "go and bring a few refugees here."

"Yes lord."

Having his men bring a few refugees into the fortress main hall. He begin to question them one by one and looking for any kind of deceit from them.

Sitting at the main seat with Markus standing on his right and Beck on his left, Daniel said "first explained to me where you came from and how did you get here?"

Although he got the reports from the messenger and Beck, it is still good to hear from the refugees in person. If the information is the same then a different approach is needed. But if what they said are different from the original report, then it will prove his suspicion correct.

Shaking nervously, one of the refugees that was called upon by Daniel to speak said "lo..lord, please spare us. We are only here to seek shelter and didn't mean to offend you or your people."

After witnessing what this man in front of them did to the goblins together with that giant beast. They no longer have the courage to act out of line.

Looking into the eyes of those refugees, Daniel said "you don't need to worry, I won't harm the innocent. So speak."

Seeing Daniel emotionless eyes, the refugee gulped nervously and said "we are from a place called alcott mountain and were chase by the goblins all the way here."

"Are you from multiple different tribes or a single large tribe?"

"We are from a single large tribe lord."

"Where is your chieftain? and why did the goblins chase you so far west?" asked Daniel.

"That's...that I do not know lord, during the chaos. Everyone was busy running for their life to care about something like that." answered the refugee while rubbing his left arm.

Raising his eyebrows at the refugee remarks, Daniel suspicion is getting stronger.

"How did your tribe survive and so long without being noticed? I'm sure your tribe population didn't grow to that number overnight, it must be tough."

These refugees are wearing nothing but rags on their bodies. How could such a big tribe go unnoticed by the dark forces and survive to that level while being so poorly supplied.

Unconsciously rubbing his left arm once again, the refugee said "By hiding deep inside the mountains and we rely on foraging along with small game hunting to survive."

'That's the second time...' thought Daniel.

Paying close attention to all of the refugee movements. Daniel can see the changes immediately when the man started to act differently.

Ignoring the refugee answer, he pointed at the man left arm and said "lift up your sleeve on the left arm."

Hearing what Daniel said, the man came to a realization that he have made a big mistake. Cursing his own stupidity before saying "this lowly one is dirty and doesn't dare to ruin your mood by showing my disgusted body further."

"I don't mind, now show me your arm. Otherwise, I will have my men stripped you entirely. And if I find out that you are hiding something then your head will roll."

No longer in the mood to entertain this man since his excuse has already confirmed Daniel suspicion. With nothing to hide, a man have no need to be so afraid. Giving him options till now is already very nice of Daniel.

Releasing a sigh, the man lifted the sleeve on his left arm showing a branded mark of a fist.

"Explain" ordered Daniel coldly after seeing that mark.

As a man from modern day earth, he knows it when a slave mark is right in front of him. With earth rich history in slavery, this is nothing new to Daniel.

With no other choice, the man said "we are forced to come here by the master and pretend to be chase by his goblin soldiers. Our task is to get inside the fortress and sabotage it defenses. If we fail then our families will be butchered, we didn't have a choice but to follow the command."

"I will take it that you are all slaves of this so called master but why send so many? and is it normal for an orc to own so many human slaves?" asked Daniel.

"That's not it lord...we are actually from a human farm. And why he sent so many of us, none of us knew either."