The midday sun beat down on the nascent garden, the parched earth a testament to its desperate need.

  Noah surveyed the scene, a mix of hope and concern etched on his face.

  "We need water, Arthur," he reiterated, gesturing to the cracked soil.

  "A garden can't grow without it."

  Arthur, a goblin with dirt ingrained beneath his fingernails and a perpetual air of bewildered concentration, grunted in understanding.

  "Grok. Grok plants need grok."

  "Exactly," Noah agreed, his tone encouraging. "So, we need a ditch. All the way around the garden."

  Arthur nodded, pointing a gnarled finger. "Grok ditch. Grok grok grok."

  "Good," Noah said. "But the ditch needs water. And the river... the river is far." He held his hands apart, indicating a considerable distance. "Grok long way."

  Arthur scratched his moss-covered head, his brow furrowed in thought.

  "Grok river... grok two grok." He mimed digging. "Grok... grok path. Grok grok river grok ditch." He tapped his knuckles together thoughtfully. "Grok grok grok. Grok long grok, but grok do."

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  Noah smiled, a flicker of genuine warmth in his eyes.

  "That's what I like to hear, Arthur. If we get the water, we'll have the biggest, best garden in the valley."

  Arthur grinned, a flash of sharp teeth illuminating his face. "Grok Arthur! Grok goblins! Grok grok garden!"

  *****

  The half-finished water channel gleamed under the midday sun. Noah, ever watchful, guided Arthur and six goblin guards into the dense forest.

  Their hunt: goblins, particularly females, to bolster Arthur’s personal guard.

  Each captive would face a choice: bend the knee to Arthur or become a sparring partner.

  The forest teemed with possibilities – potential recruits and dangerous wild goblins.

  Noah’s role was clear: protect Arthur, but only as a last resort. He believed in Arthur’s cunning, despite the goblin king’s weakness for shiny trinkets.

  “This expedition is a trial,” Noah muttered to himself, “a lesson in leadership. He’s clever, capable of more than his fascination with glittering objects suggests. This is his chance to prove it.”

  The rustling leaves and eerie silence of the deep forest served as a fitting backdrop to Arthur's first real test of kingship.

  Noah had diligently trained Arthur and his guards in basic swordsmanship and formations.

  He had demonstrated various sword techniques, including his signature Sword Strike.

  Arthur's reaction to this particular technique had been nothing short of astonishing.

  After witnessing Noah perform the complex maneuver just twice, Arthur flawlessly replicated it.

  This extraordinary feat highlighted Arthur's exceptional observational abilities, rapid muscle memory development, and innate swordsmanship aptitude.

  His talent promised a future as a truly remarkable swordsman, a king who could not only command but also fight.

  Noah watched with a mixture of pride and anticipation, hoping this nascent talent would blossom into true leadership.

  The forest held its breath, waiting to see what kind of king Arthur would become.