Silent Infiltration

Nightfall draped the forest in darkness, the canopy above blotting out most of the moonlight. The distant glow of torches flickered from the outpost ahead, their faint light barely reaching past the wooden walls. The scent of burning wood mixed with the damp earth, carrying the presence of men who thought they were safe in the wilds.

I crouched near a thick tree, my hand gripping the shaft of my spear, though I had no intention of using it unless necessary. My team had gathered silently, each of them prepared for what lay ahead. The goblin scout knelt in the shadows, his enhanced stealth ability allowing him to blend seamlessly into the night. The Shadeborn woman stood just behind me, her presence nearly undetectable. The two goblin warriors, though not as quiet, remained still, awaiting my command.

I turned to my scout, keeping my voice barely above a whisper. "How many guards patrol the perimeter?"

He blinked, then murmured, "Four. One at the front gate, two along the walls, one near the back path."

I glanced at the Shadeborn, who nodded slightly. "Their pattern is lazy. They don't expect an attack here," she said. "The smuggler's route remains the weakest point."

That was the path we would take. If we moved fast and stayed low, we could slip in, gather intelligence, and leave without ever being noticed. This wasn't about conquest. Not yet.

I signaled to the group, and we moved as one, our footsteps nearly silent as we circled toward the western side of the outpost. The closer we got, the more details emerged. The walls were hastily built, logs bound together with crude reinforcements. It wasn't designed to hold off a siege—just to keep beasts and wandering raiders out.

The smuggler's path was narrower than I expected, little more than a well-trodden strip of dirt winding around the back. The wooden fence had a weak point, a section where two logs had begun to split apart, leaving just enough space for a smaller figure to slip through.

I motioned to the scout. "Go first. Signal if it's clear."

He nodded, slipping through the gap with practiced ease. A few seconds later, a faint rustle from inside signaled the path was open. One by one, we followed. The Shadeborn moved effortlessly, the goblin warriors squeezed through with some effort, and I went last, my system-enhanced agility allowing me to slip through without a sound.

Inside, the outpost was quiet. The central fire pit crackled, illuminating the rough wooden structures that made up the barracks and storage buildings. A handful of men sat near the flames, eating, talking in hushed tones. They were relaxed, unaware that five intruders now stood among them in the darkness.

I motioned for my team to spread out, each taking a different vantage point. The scout crept toward the barracks, listening for useful information. The Shadeborn disappeared into the shadows, her ability to move unnoticed almost supernatural. I positioned myself behind a stack of barrels near what looked like a supply depot, scanning the area for anything useful.

The goblin warriors stayed hidden near the fence, ready to intervene if things went wrong.

A quiet ping in my system caught my attention.

[New Objective Unlocked: Identify the Outpost Commander]

That made sense. If I could find out who was in charge here, I'd have a better understanding of who I was up against.

The Shadeborn reappeared at my side, her voice barely a whisper. "The commander's office is in the main structure. One guard outside. Possibly more inside."

I glanced toward the larger wooden building at the center of the camp. It was sturdier than the others, with reinforced doors and a small window near the top. A single man leaned against the entrance, his posture bored but alert.

I considered my options. We could take him out quietly, but that risked drawing attention. Instead, I turned to the goblin scout, who had just returned from his own search.

"Any other way inside?" I asked.

He nodded and pointed toward the side of the building. "Small window. Can fit through."

I exhaled. That was our best bet. I signaled to him and the Shadeborn to move with me while the warriors remained on standby.

We slipped through the shadows, staying out of the torchlight as we moved along the side of the command building. The window was narrow, barely large enough for a smaller figure to squeeze through.

I nodded to the scout. "Go."

Without hesitation, he pulled himself up, wriggling through the gap and landing softly inside. A moment later, the wooden door creaked slightly, then cracked open just enough for us to slip in.

The interior was dimly lit, a small lantern flickering over a desk covered in maps and reports. A wooden chest sat in the corner, locked but not heavily secured. Along one wall, a rack held several swords and a crossbow. The place smelled of ink, leather, and stale sweat.

The commander sat at the desk, his back turned to us, muttering under his breath as he scratched something onto parchment. He was older, perhaps in his forties, with graying hair and a scar running down the side of his jaw. A longsword rested against the desk within his reach.

I exchanged a glance with the Shadeborn. We had two choices—eliminate him quietly or take the risk of capturing him alive for information.

Before I could decide, the commander stiffened slightly, as if sensing something was off. He turned just enough to reach for his sword.

The Shadeborn was faster.

In a single fluid motion, she moved behind him, one hand clamping over his mouth while the other pressed a dagger against his throat. His eyes widened in panic, his muffled shout dying in his throat.

I stepped forward, lowering my voice to a whisper. "Stay quiet, and you live."

His breathing was ragged, but he nodded. The Shadeborn loosened her grip slightly, allowing him to speak.

"You… you're not bandits," he hissed, his voice shaking. "Who are you?"

I ignored his question and gestured to the documents on the desk. "Who do you work for?"

He hesitated, then clenched his jaw. "Lord Carridan."

A new name. My system pinged, confirming an important discovery.

[Updated Intelligence: Lord Carridan – Territorial Lord]

I pressed further. "Why is this outpost here? What purpose does it serve?"

His eyes flickered toward the door, weighing his options. The Shadeborn pressed the dagger harder against his throat, and he winced.

"It's a checkpoint," he said quickly. "For trade and… and messages. Carridan uses it to control movement along the western border."

That lined up with what I had learned from the Shadeborn's knowledge. This place was valuable, but not just for its defenses.

I took a step back, considering my next move. I had the information I needed, but there was still one question left.

"Does your lord know about me?"

The commander hesitated, then shook his head. "No. Not yet."

I exhaled. That was good. It meant I still had time before Carridan turned his attention this way.

The Shadeborn glanced at me, waiting for my decision. I had a choice now—kill the commander and send a message, or leave him alive, keeping my presence a secret a little longer.

After a brief moment, I made my call.

I leaned in and whispered, "You never saw us. You never heard of me."

His breath was shaky, but he nodded. "Understood."

The Shadeborn released him, and we vanished into the night, leaving the outpost intact—for now.

As we slipped back into the shadows, my system pinged once more.

[Mission Complete: Shadows Before War]

+200 Gold Earned

+Faction Intelligence Unlocked