{"id":4323,"date":"2018-05-12T08:54:24","date_gmt":"2018-05-12T08:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=4323"},"modified":"2025-12-24T00:57:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T00:57:38","slug":"4-34","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/12\/4-34\/","title":{"rendered":"4.34"},"content":{"rendered":"

Six Goblins. Twenty goats. It wasn\u2019t a heroic battle, the kind you\u2019d hear about in stories. It wasn\u2019t one anyone would celebrate or long remember. But it was<\/em> a proper Goblin\u2019s battle. Close, intense, and perhaps meaningless. But the Goblins fought as if it were the battle to end all battles.<\/p>\n

Because it was that or die. And while this might be the place that they did<\/em> die, so long as one Goblin was standing, the Redfang warriors refused to fall.<\/p>\n

Headscratcher\u2019s weapon was a shortsword. It had been a regular sword before he\u2019d been a Hob. Now it stabbed into a goat\u2019s side and his other hand was free, so he grabbed the goat and pulled it onto the blade, spearing it.<\/p>\n

It kept moving. The Eater Goats were inhumanly tough, which was understandable, but they were also tougher than any goat had a right to be. They swarmed the six Goblins, and it was only their teamwork that kept the Redfang warriors alive in the first charge.<\/p>\n

Stand in a circle. Keep moving\u2014defend each other\u2019s backs, watch the flanks. The Redfang warriors had fought hundreds of battles like this, and they slashed at the goats, keeping them at bay while they tried to score a critical blow.<\/p>\n

Fast. The goats leapt and weathered cuts with their bodies, screaming, darting in to try and bite a leg or arm. Have one on you and it wouldn\u2019t let go until it had eaten you or died, Headscratcher knew.<\/p>\n

He spun and kicked as, beside him, Bugear punched a goat into the ground and hacked at it. The goat Headscratcher was aiming at glanced off his leg, and he slashed futilely at it as it bounded away.<\/p>\n

Too slow! Headscratcher raged against his own weakness as he took a step back, watching three goats circle around him, all waiting to pounce. This wasn\u2019t right. He was stronger than before! But his body was so very weak. He was hungry. Headscratcher fought the feeling down. A weak Hob was still stronger than a Goblin.<\/p>\n

A goat leapt at the same time as two of its companions. Headscratcher dodged the first and knocked the second away with his sword, but the third bore him to the ground. He shouted as its gaping mouth was suddenly inches away from his face, biting\u2014<\/p>\n

Someone pulled the goat off him. Headscratcher rolled away and saw Bugear hurling the Eater Goat to one side. The other Hobgoblin never saw the second goat until it had leapt on his back. He whirled, and there was a brief flash of metal, a ripping motion, a spray of blood. The Eater goat leapt away, and Bugear stumbled.<\/p>\n

His throat was missing.<\/p>\n

Headscratcher rose. A goat charged him. He kicked it. Bugear was stumbling, swinging weakly. He fell. Headscratcher ran forwards as Badarrow and Shorthilt charged into the goats, screaming, and scattered them.<\/p>\n

He caught Bugear. Headscratcher looked into his friend\u2019s eyes as Bugear clutched at the remains of his throat. The other Goblin met his gaze and squeezed his hand, then turned. He grabbed his blade and rose. An Eater Goat fell as he drove the blade into its side. Bugear made a sound as his ruined throat bubbled with blood. He charged into the goats, mouth open in a silent scream.<\/p>\n

So many. The formation was lost. Badarrow snarled as he slashed at a goat, a dagger in one hand, a shortsword in the other. Headscratcher ran after Bugear as the Hobgoblin was swarmed. No, no!<\/em><\/p>\n

Headscratcher threw one goat to the ground and stomped on it. The goat broke. He turned and another caught his arm. It bit down to the bone and tore a chunk away as Headscratcher raised his sword. He knocked the goat away and speared it to the ground with his sword.<\/p>\n

The Hob turned and roared<\/em>. The goats ran towards him and he cut them down. One. Two. Three. He was burning with rage. But the goats kept on coming. They were fearless. And he\u2014<\/p>\n

Something knocked him to the ground. Headscratcher fell. A goat was on top of him, and he was fighting it. And then he heard a whistling sound, heard and felt the thunk<\/em>. The goat stiffened on top of him and he pushed it away.<\/p>\n

A knife was buried in the goat\u2019s back. Headscratcher looked around. Who had thrown it? He saw a girl, standing in the melting snow, staring at him. Then she raised a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis way! Hurry!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hobs looked up. Five of them, now. The Eater Goats were savaging Bugear. They all saw the girl and there was a second of hesitation. Just a second. Then they ran, and the goats followed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin was the first to react after the first Eater Goat leapt the walls. She hurled her knife and the goat dodged<\/em>. It skipped left and the blade bounced off the ground. Then it ran at Erin, screaming.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the houses! Lock the doors!\u201d<\/p>\n

Wirclaw loosed an arrow at the goat. It pierced the goat\u2019s side, making it stumble, but the goat came on. The other villagers ran for the doors. A few raced out as the rest barricaded themselves in, holding pitchforks, a cleaver, a rake\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cTake this!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin had a small vial in one hand. She hurled it, and the goat caught it in the face this time. The vial exploded<\/em> as it broke on impact, and the miniature fireball roasted Erin\u2019s face. She yelped, turned, and ran. That was wise, because after a second the goat charged out of the flames. It was burning, and part of its face had been blown away. But it was still coming.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMonster!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

A huge furry hand caught the goat as it leapt for Erin. Wirclaw hurled the goat to one side and both he and Erin rushed over. Before the goat could get up they kicked and stomped on it. They only stepped back when it stopped moving.<\/p>\n

\u201cDead gods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wirclaw bent over the goat, chest heaving, eyes wide. He had clearly never seen anything like it before. Erin looked towards the walls and scrambled for her knife lying on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore are coming! Hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n

She and Wirclaw ran up to the watch post above the walls again. This time Wirclaw loosed arrows as fast as he could, aiming at the goats before they could perform their jumping trick. Erin was with him, another small vial in hand. She\u2019d only thought to bring two! She saw the goats breaking away, leaving only six or so of their number behind. Why?<\/p>\n

Then she heard the laughter. It was fierce, distant. She turned, and saw the Goblins.<\/p>\n

Hobgoblins. They stood in a line, six of them. One was loosing arrows at the Eater Goats; the others were waiting for the goats to charge. Wirclaw spotted them and lowered his bow for an instant in astonishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblins? Why are they here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I think they\u2019re\u2014helping us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cImpossible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll shook his head, but Erin was sure. She grabbed Wirclaw\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes! They\u2019re drawing the goats away!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will be slaughtered. These goats are monsters!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll pointed to one of the goats below. The horrible thing had eight arrows lodged in its side, but it was still running about, bleating and screaming. Erin stared at the goats. She stared at the Goblins. Then she uncorked the second vial. Wirclaw recoiled as a viscous smell rose from the vial.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAcid. Octavia makes it. It\u2019s strong, so keep back. And cover me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin walked down and went to the gates. She unbarred them with one hand as Wirclaw roared at her. The gates opened, and the villagers behind Erin shouted as the six goats charged her.<\/p>\n

Erin raised the vial in her hand. She tossed the acid onto the faces of the first two goats who ran towards her, and raised her fist.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Minotaur Punch]!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another goat went flying. The remaining three were outnumbered, and the villagers charged them, weapons raised. The danger was in their numbers as much as their insane resistance to damage! Erin ran out of the gates, hearing Wirclaw\u2019s arrows thunk<\/em> into the ground behind her. She turned and saw the Hobgoblins fighting for their lives. And behind them\u2014something else.<\/p>\n

Erin stared at the distant figures and waved her hands. She pointed once, and ran towards the goats and Goblins. She hoped they\u2019d gotten the message.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now.<\/em><\/p>\n

They all ran. The Human girl, the young woman, waved her arms once and then raced away. Not towards the village, but just away, through the snow. The Goblins followed her, because they had no other choice.<\/p>\n

The goats gave them a few seconds of lead as they fought over Bugear and their comrades. Then, sensing their prey might get away, the rest turned and ran.<\/p>\n

There were eleven or so now, all injured, but Eater Goats never gave up. And they were quick! Headscratcher turned as one raced behind him. He shouted, and Badarrow twisted. The goat bounced off his raised arm. Numbtongue spat as he lifted one of the two swords in his hands and threw it. The goats dodged around the sword, slowing them down.<\/p>\n

Now Numbtongue was down a sword. That meant he ran faster. The Hobgoblins were nearly caught up with the girl, and so were the goats. She was floundering in the snow. Headscratcher turned, ready to fight, to die\u2014<\/p>\n

An arrow shot past his head. It curved around<\/em> Rabbiteater who was in the rear and struck a goat in the head. The goat dropped. His buddies halted and looked around.<\/p>\n

On a snow-covered hilltop sixty feet away, Bird lowered his bow and reached for another arrow. He fumbled as he grasped for it, and his fingers brushed one of the newly-healed wounds on his chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Beside him, Lyonette turned anxiously. She and Drassi were standing in the snow. So was Mrsha, despite Lyonette\u2019s attempts to keep her in the inn. All three had potions and other alchemist weapons in their hands. Bird nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the arrowhead of one of the arrows is lodged in my carapace. It will not bother me when shooting.\u201d<\/p>\n

As he spoke he loosed another arrow. This one caught a goat leaping for Erin\u2019s legs. It fell too.<\/p>\n

Erin and the Goblins were all running towards them. Lyonette gulped. She turned to Drassi.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady? When they come\u2014throw!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake was pale-faced but she nodded. Mrsha lifted a bottle and Lyonette would have grabbed it if her hands weren\u2019t full, too. More arrows were flying from the direction of the village, but the suicidal goats kept coming.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cErin! This way! Duck!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette waited until Erin and the Hobgoblins were twenty feet away before throwing. Drassi threw at the same time. The Human girl and Hobgoblins covered their heads and ducked as they ran. The Eater Goats looked up and saw two vials spinning towards them through the air\u2014<\/p>\n

They turned as the vials plopped into the snow and exploded into crackling lightning and a shower of thorny spines several feet away. Bird stared at the [Barmaids] as he reached for another arrow. And then Mrsha tossed.<\/p>\n

Her aim was good. Her arm was terrible. The red vial with a shining orange center spun lazily down, just above one goat. It would have missed. Would have, but the goat, eternally hungry, leapt up and bit<\/em> the vial in midair.<\/p>\n

It exploded. Fire and bits of goat rained down. The other goats scattered, and then backed away as Mrsha, Lyonette, and Drassi threw again.<\/p>\n

A tripvine bag exploded, catching two goats in the thorny tendrils that raced along the ground. A vial of pepper potion was swallowed by a goat that hadn\u2019t learned the lesson the first time. That goat rolled around, shrieking. And Lyonette\u2019s vial of Silverfrost missed everything and exploded into a frozen cloud next to the Hobgoblins.<\/p>\n

Bird loosed an arrow. Erin turned. She had no knives, but she raised her fists anyways. The five Hobgoblins turned. They saw two goats tangled up in vines, chewing their way out, one rolling around on the ground, and a final goat, charging at them and bleating.<\/p>\n

The final goat stopped. It looked back and saw a trail of its fallen friends, arrows sticking out of their heads, a flaming bit of snow where one of its friends had exploded, and another goat riddled with arrows from Wirclaw. It looked at the Hobs.<\/p>\n

To its credit, it didn\u2019t hesitate as it charged. The Hobs cut it down in moments and then turned to the three immobilized goats. They butchered all three with swift, precise blows.<\/p>\n

And then it was over. Erin bent, panting, forehead covered with sweat despite the cold air. The Hobgoblins stood, blades dripping with gore, staring at each other and the odd company on the hilltop. Bird carefully drew another arrow and aimed it at Badarrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin said it first to Lyonette, and then to the Goblins. They stared at her. Lyonette was the one who spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014we\u2019re okay, Erin. We found Bird lying on the ground a few minutes ago and he told us there were Goblins\u2014we saw the goats attacking the village from a distance and came here. But what\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblins? Wait, why was Bird\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey shot me, Miss Erin. I regret to inform you that I did not manage to kill any of them. However, that may be good since your rule stipulates not killing Goblins. However, they are Hobgoblins<\/em> so I did try. But they had better teamwork and so I was shot and fell off the roof. It was quite painful, but fortunately Miss Lyonette had healing potions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird calmly aimed at Badarrow as he spoke. Erin\u2019s eyes widened and she looked at the Hobs. They glanced at each other and Shorthilt covered his face as Badarrow glowered at Bird.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, but they saved<\/em> me! I mean, the village we were in was under attack by those goats. Why did they attack you, Bird?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium hesitated. He looked at the Goblins and they, remembering, glared back. Bird didn\u2019t exactly meet Erin\u2019s eyes. He shuffled his feet before he spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI may have tried to shoot them from afar.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glanced at Erin and hunched his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am<\/em> supposed to hunt monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they\u2019re Goblins! Wait\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin closed her eyes as she held up a hand. Everyone looked at her. She took a breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. I think I get it. Lower your bow, Bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Erin!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Lyonette. Trust me. Bird, lower your bow. These Goblins aren\u2019t going to attack. Right?\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced over her shoulder. The Hobgoblins blinked at her, and then edged away from her and the others. They glanced back across the snowy plains. One of them took a step away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

They turned to look back at Erin. The Goblins stared at her, and one raised a hand. Drassi screamed and Mrsha hid behind Erin as the Hob who\u2019d raised the hand glanced at her. He turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cAncestors, Ancestors, oh Ancestors\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrassi!\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette grabbed the shaking Drake. Drassi had faced down the Eater Goats despite her fears, but close proximity to the Hobgoblins was making the Drake tremble like a leaf. Erin called out after the Goblins as they trudged away, and then saw a group of Gnolls and Drakes heading her way.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh oh. I\u2019d better deal with that\u2014come on!\u201d<\/p>\n

The others followed her as she jogged through the snow. The villagers led by Wirclaw caught up with her, holding bloody weapons. None of them were hurt, which was a relief. Wirclaw half-raised his bow as he spotted Bird, and then glanced towards the Hobs in the distance.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Erin! Are you unharmed? Why did you leave? Those Goblins\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey saved your village, Wirclaw. No, don\u2019t argue about it. Look, Lyonette and Mrsha and Drassi here helped you all. Can you take them back to your village for a little bit? I want to bring back the milk with them, and I think Drassi needs to sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin turned to Bird, ignoring the Gnoll.<\/p>\n

\u201cBird, you go with them. Keep your bow out just in case I guess, but don\u2019t shoot anyone unless they attack! Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium nodded. He looked at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what will you do, Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin squared her shoulders and then twisted her neck with a grimace. She must have twisted something while she was running or fighting. A healing potion would sort that out. But first things first. She turned and looked towards the five Goblins. They were standing around the spot where they\u2019d first fought the goats. There had been six of them, then. Erin nodded to the Goblins and looked around at everyone staring at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to talk to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bugear lay on the ground. Or rather, what remained of him lay there. Most of his body was gone but his head had been mostly spared from the savaging. Headscratcher knelt in the muddy ground and snow and picked it up. Bugear\u2019s expression had slackened in death, but Headscratcher could still remember his wordless snarl as he charged the Eater Goats.<\/p>\n

He had known he wouldn\u2019t survive, so he\u2019d thrown himself into the fighting to distract the goats. It had bought them enough time to survive. The other Goblins knew it. They stood around Bugear in silence.<\/p>\n

There were no recriminations. No words of reproach for Headscratcher, or indeed, no words of any kind. It was done. They\u2019d fought and now they were fewer. Again.<\/p>\n

Redfang warriors did not weep for the fallen. They were warriors; they knew what their fates were. They did not cry, because their leader, Garen Redfang, didn\u2019t believe in it. So the five Goblins did not weep for their brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, hello?\u201d<\/p>\n

A timid voice interrupted their moment of silence. The Goblins turned. Headscratcher wiped at his eyes that weren\u2019t full of tears. He stopped and stared.<\/p>\n

A girl stood in the snow. The same girl who\u2019d helped save them, the one whom they\u2019d seen on the walls of the village. She stared at them. How could she know what thought was running through their minds? What memories, what tragedies?<\/p>\n

There were no words. And Redfang warriors did not weep. So the others brushed a bit of sweat, maybe melted snow water from their eyes as they looked at her. She was Human, an enemy most of the times, prey others. But they had met one who was neither. Once.<\/p>\n

How could she know? She couldn\u2019t. But the young woman saw their tears. And because she stood in front of them without a sword or spell blazing in her hands, they listened. The Redfang warriors had no hope of anything in particular. They were just lost and very tired.<\/p>\n

And the young woman looked at them, at the head in Headscratcher\u2019s arms, and did something they had never seen a Human do before.<\/p>\n

She bowed.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin bowed to the five Goblins. The snow was stained red, and when she raised her head, she saw they had mostly wiped their tears away. The five Goblins stared at her. She said it again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. You saved us. I owe you my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence. The Goblins looked at each other. Erin looked at them.<\/p>\n

Five Goblins. Five\u2026Hobs. She had only ever met two Hobs before in her life. Erin remembered the Goblin Chieftain, a lifetime ago, and the other Hob who she had met with Rags. These five were not like either.<\/p>\n

They were ragged. They had loincloths, ill-fitting pieces of armor that were too small on their bodies, and weapons. Their blades were well looked after, but obviously well-used as well. Erin thought they were good iron, rather than steel.<\/p>\n

And each of the Hobgoblins was injured. One, the one carrying the head, had a huge chunk taken out of his arm and a bad gash down one leg, but he didn\u2019t seem to notice the blood running from him. Erin did.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said it a third time, mostly because she had no idea of what to say next. The Goblins looked at her, and then each other. One, the only Goblin carrying a bow, growled and turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other Goblins looked at Erin, and then at the head of their companion. They said not a word. Another Goblin broke away from Erin. The rest just stared at her as if they\u2019d never met a Human before. Or rather, never talked to a Human before.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

What could she say? Thanks? She\u2019d said that. I\u2019m sorry? Ditto. Erin didn\u2019t know what<\/em> she should do. The Goblins had saved her. If they were anyone else\u2014a group like the Horns of Hammerad for instance\u2014she would have offered them money, asked where they were from and so on. But these Goblins\u2026<\/p>\n

One of them, the one with the bow, was retrieving arrows from the goats and butchering them at the same time. He glanced up and growled something at the others. Two more broke away and began helping him. His look was the least friendly as he stared at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you\u2026hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

That was the only explanation Erin could think of. The goat meat didn\u2019t look good and she would have bet it was stringy, but the Goblins were cutting them up quickly. Her words made the Goblin with the bow look up. This time he rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I got that. <\/em>You\u2019re hungry. Do you want something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Five growling stomachs answered her. Erin stared at the Goblins. She knew she shouldn\u2019t. She knew it might be a bad idea. But they were staring at her, and there was nothing simple in their eyes. One of them, the Goblin cradling the head of their friend, was staring at her like\u2014like\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to come with me? I have food to eat. You can have it. Free. You don\u2019t have to pay.\u201d<\/p>\n

It popped out of her mouth, and once said, it was impossible to take back. The Goblins all turned. The one with the bow straightened. The one with the head dropped it, and then scrambled to pick it up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014I have an inn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin felt she should explain as the Goblins looked at her. She pointed, and they stared across the rolling snow-covered hills towards her inn in the distance. They exchanged a look.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can go there if you\u2019re hungry. I have food. Lots of food. And you could bury your friend\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin\u2019s voice trailed off. The Goblins were just staring at her. There was nothing hostile about their gazes, but they were so bewildered. So lost. She coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what? Meet me there. No one will hurt you, I promise. I\u2019ll have food. You don\u2019t have<\/em> to come, but if you do\u2026food, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

She mimed walking to her inn. The Goblins stared at her. One nodded. Erin stopped pretending to walk, feeling silly. They weren\u2019t stupid.<\/em> Rags had never been stupid. If she were here, she would have been rolling her eyes, making rude gestures and telling Erin she got it already.<\/p>\n

But she wasn\u2019t. So Erin pointed again, and slowly backed away. Then she went to find Lyonette and the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe might be having guests in a bit. You all okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

They stared at her. Erin pointed at her sled, still carrying all the milk she\u2019d bought.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, let\u2019s go back. Bird, I\u2019ll pull the sled. Mrsha can ride on it. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

She turned and pulled by momentum more than anything else, her employees and Mrsha following. Erin walked slowly back to her inn, hearing Drassi burst out into nervous chatter after a while and Lyonette soothing Mrsha. But her eyes were on the Goblins all the while. And when she made it to her inn and paused at the open doorway, she could tell they were still watching her.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the Redfang tribe, stories were still told of Garen Redfang and how their Chieftain had once walked through Human cities, often wearing a mask and a hood to conceal his features. He had spoken with Humans and other species, traded with them, and fought as a Gold-rank adventurer for a time. More than a few Goblins had dreamed of doing the same, but only dreamed.<\/p>\n

It was a legend, a myth. No real Goblin would ever walk through a city unless they were there to be executed, or if their tribe was raiding it. And while the Redfang warriors had entered Human dwellings before, they had never gone into one without swords in hand.<\/p>\n

Now they stood outside of an inn just a short distance away from Liscor and stared up at it. Not one of the five Goblins had a sword in their hands. It was a surreal experience. Headscratcher hesitated at the wooden door to the inn for several minutes before he pushed it open. Numbtongue stared up at the inn\u2019s name as the other Goblins walked in.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re here!\u201d<\/p>\n

The instant they stepped through, a voice shouted. The Redfang warriors flinched and braced themselves, but all they saw was a girl. The<\/em> girl. And she was smiling at them.<\/p>\n

True, it wasn\u2019t a great smile. It was tinged with nerves and a bit of fear, a bit of uncertainty, but it was<\/em> still a smile. The Redfang warriors were too afraid to smile back.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in, don\u2019t be shy. Sit. Here\u2019s a table\u2014sit down. I\u2019m just going to get\u2014Lyonette!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goblins jumped as the young woman ran through a door behind a counter. They looked at the table and hesitantly pulled at the chairs. Chairs were another odd thing, but the five Hobgoblins perched on them tentatively. Rabbiteater\u2019s ears kept twitching, and he turned his head sharply a moment before the Human girl rushed back into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere. I have this\u2014I know you need it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had an armful of potions. The young woman carefully approached the table and the Goblins just as carefully leaned back. She hesitated and then dumped them onto the table. Headscratcher caught one before it could roll off and onto the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The young woman froze at the same time the Goblin did. He\u2019d reflexively started to hand the potion back to her, and she\u2019d unconsciously begun to take it. It was a universal experience, and they stared into each other\u2019s eyes for a moment before breaking away.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep it. It\u2019s for you. For your injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n

The young woman backed away as Headscratcher lowered his hand. She pointed to his arm. He started, and then glanced at the crimson bandage he\u2019d tied to his arm. The other Redfang warriors blinked too, and then recalled.<\/p>\n

Yes, their injuries. Some were quite terrible. Headscratcher might lose that arm to infection or never regain its mobility, such was the damage. Badarrow had bites that went down to his bones on his legs, and the other Goblins were just as injured. And the potions were\u2014<\/p>\n

Healing potions? They had to be, but for them? The Goblins stared at the young woman, expecting, suspecting a trap. They eyed the bottles on the table.<\/p>\n

Remembering the ones that had exploded earlier, the Goblins were hesitant, but then they recognized the liquids within. Most Goblins couldn\u2019t read, so they identified potion types by their appearance. And these looked<\/em> like healing potions.<\/p>\n

But who would give healing potions to a Goblin? That was what made the Goblins sure it had to be a trick. Not that they suspected the young woman of tricking them, but\u2014<\/p>\n

Logic warred with the evidence before their eyes. It was Numbtongue who moved first. He picked up a vial and squinted at the tiny label on it. After a moment he nodded and the others immediately uncorked the vials and bottles and poured them on their injuries. Then they received another surprise.<\/p>\n

The healing potions were high quality. Headscratcher gaped as the chunk of flesh missing from his arm regrew over the course of a minute. This was good<\/em> stuff! He looked at the young woman. She smiled hesitantly at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood? Use more if you need to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mind boggling. The Goblins treated their wounds and then hesitantly recorked the bottles and pushed them together on the table. They felt guilty, as if they\u2019d used too much, and eyed the diminished potion levels in the bottles uncertainly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re done? Cool. Let\u2019s\u2014why don\u2019t I sit? I\u2019ll sit here and we can\u2026talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

So saying, the young woman scooted a chair out from another table and sat facing the Goblins. They looked at her. She looked back. The silence was unbearable.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am Erin. Erin Solstice. I\u2019m an [Innkeeper].\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goblins stared at Erin. She coughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. I know I said thanks, but thanks again. You saved me. I don\u2019t know where those evil goats came from, but you were just in time. And I know your friend died\u2026I\u2019m sorry. And I\u2019m also sorry that Bird shot at you. He\u2019s the Antinium. The one on the tower.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silence. Erin shuffled her feet. The Goblins wondered if they should say something. And if so, what? They looked at Numbtongue. He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you with the\u2014the Goblin Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n

Every head snapped back to Erin. She leaned back a bit and raised her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot that I\u2019m angry if you are. It\u2019s just\u2014I hear he\u2019s not a great guy. But if you think he is, that\u2019s fine! I\u2019m not judging. But I just uh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

All five Redfang warriors shook their heads at the same time. Erin looked relieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? That\u2019s great! You know, I thought he was a jerk, especially when his soldiers shot arrows at my inn, but I was thinking, here\u2019s a bunch of Goblins and his army was just here, so\u2026ahem.\u201d<\/p>\n

She broke off, and Headscratcher looked at the others. He raised a hand and crooked it towards her, tilting his head and baring his fangs. It was a quick statement, but he\u2019d conveyed a general surprise that any<\/em> building would have been left standing after the Goblin Lord had passed by. Shorthilt\u2019s raised eyebrow and glance at one window told the others that his personal opinion was that this building had to be enchanted in some way.<\/p>\n

The Human got none of this. She was fidgeting, glancing around, muttering under her breath. She looked at them and all five Goblins snapped back to attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. This might be weird, but\u2026do you know a Goblin named Rags?\u201d<\/p>\n

Four jaws dropped. Badarrow\u2019s eyes narrowed. Erin glanced from face to face. Her eyes widened. Rabbiteater nodded fractionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Redfang warriors glanced at each other. How did she know Rags,<\/em> let alone by name? Erin was bombarding them with questions while Badarrow kicked Rabbiteater under the table. He nodded to Erin, and then twirled his finger around, indicating the room as a whole.<\/p>\n

The other Redfang warriors followed his gaze. They stared at the Human girl, looked around the inn, her<\/em> inn, and put the pieces together at last. The five Hobgoblins shuffled their feet and exchanged awkward glances.<\/p>\n

This was so embarrassing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, Erin had no idea what they were thinking. She only saw their postures.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, what\u2019s wrong? It\u2019s not Rags, is it? Is she okay? I haven\u2019t seen her in a long time\u2014is she mad at me? Or\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, the Goblins shook their heads. How could they explain the inter-Goblin politics that had seen Rags absorb every tribe in the area to repel the Goblin Lord? Erin stared at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know where she is?\u201d<\/p>\n

They shook their heads. She hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. But is she well?\u201d<\/p>\n

They shrugged. Erin had to think.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you\u2026where are you going? Do you know where you\u2019re going?\u201d<\/p>\n

They shook their heads again. Erin looked from face to face. Each Redfang warrior met her eyes, and then looked away. It was just a moment, but somehow, each felt like she\u2019d seen a bit of the pain and despair they carried with them. Just for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Okay\u2026um\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She wavered. As she did, Rabbiteater\u2019s belly rumbled. Everyone stared at him. Erin shot to her feet. Rabbiteater nearly tumbled out of his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so sorry! I totally forgot. I promised you food, right? Wait right here!\u201d<\/p>\n

She dashed into the kitchen. The other Goblins exchanged a look of wild surprise. Food? They\u2019d buried a lot of the Eater Goat meat in the snow just in case, and they were hungry. But after the potions, they had to wonder. Would she actually feed them? Actually? With\u2014with forks<\/em> and the fancy tools Garen had told them all about?<\/p>\n

Would there be anything to drink?<\/p>\n

They heard banging in the kitchen, and Erin\u2019s raised voice, arguing with someone else. The Goblins stared at the kitchen anxiously. All but one.<\/p>\n

There was a blackboard with words written on it in chalk hanging from a ledge above the bar\u2019s counter. It was a menu, although it had only been written once and never updated. Most people ignored it, but one of the Redfang warriors had spotted it.<\/p>\n

Numbtongue studied the words written on the menu written above the bar\u2019s counter. He nudged Shorthilt, grunted and pointed. Shorthilt stared blankly at the letters. He shrugged. Numbtongue sighed. He carefully studied the words written on the menu until Erin came back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere! Food, as promised!\u201d<\/p>\n

She had a huge platter and five plates awkwardly stacked on them. They were thick, filled with heaping mounds of spaghetti pasta, and covered with little black things. The other Goblins had no idea what the black things were. They were squishy, and looked edible, and that was good enough. Rabbiteater reached for one of the plates as Erin carefully placed it in front of him, but Numbtongue caught his hand. He shook his head and the other Redfang warriors, seeing the motion, froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin looked at them, concerned. Numbtongue hesitated. He sucked in his lips, and then scowled. He hated doing this. Reluctantly he opened his mouth and pointed to the plates and black things on them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAcid flies? Blue\u2026fruit?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone stared at him. Erin\u2019s jaw dropped. She stammered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did\u2014buh\u2014I mean, I don\u2019t have any acid flies. Those are olives! They\u2019re healthy, I swear\u2014I didn\u2019t know they existed, but\u2014this is spaghetti and olives! It\u2019s uh\u2014I\u2019m out of blue juice too. Did you\u2014can I get you something\u2014wait, I have more!\u201d<\/p>\n

She rushed into the kitchen. The other Goblins stared at the olives. Badarrow picked one up and sniffed at it with deep suspicion. Rabbiteater gave in to his stomach and popped one into his mouth. He chewed, brightened, and began to shovel spaghetti into his mouth. The other Goblins looked at him, and then seized spaghetti in both claws.<\/p>\n

Erin came back to find the Goblins shoveling spaghetti down their throats with incredible speed. If not delicacy. Watching Shorthilt tilt a plate back and slide all the spaghetti into his waiting mouth was an education in itself. The amazing bit was that not a single speck of spaghetti or olive was dropped. The Goblins cleaned their plates.<\/p>\n

Slowly, the Human girl approached and the Goblins stopped eating. They stared at the mugs in her hands. Erin smiled and weakly raised the mugs filled with ale.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve uh, got drinks! Does anyone want a second helping?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Erin had watched eating competitions on television when she was younger. It was a thing. She hadn\u2019t exactly liked<\/em> seeing someone wolf down over forty hotdogs in one sitting, but she had to admire the speed at which it was done.<\/p>\n

However, one of the things Erin had objected to was that in a food eating competition, none of the contestants ever seemed like they liked<\/em> eating the food. It was about getting as much food as possible inside them as they could, not savoring the food.<\/p>\n

By contrast, the Goblins sitting in the common room of her inn were a joy to watch eating. Because they clearly loved every bite. Oh, they still ate like starving wolverines, but every now and then one would pause and close his eyes while chewing, or make a grunting sound that expressed pure satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Erin got to see only a bit of this, because she was rushing into the kitchen and out of it every few seconds. The Goblins didn\u2019t stop with the spaghetti, or the meatloaf, or the lasagna, pizza, or even the steak! They ate and ate, and ate!<\/em><\/p>\n

Erin kept going into the kitchen and coming back with more pre-made dishes and watched them disappear. The Hobgoblins ate as if they were starving, which they must have been. They didn\u2019t look<\/em> that scrawny, but Erin realized that if she compared them to the Hobgoblin she\u2019d met before\u2014the one who\u2019d come in with Rags that one time\u2014they were definitely a lot thinner.<\/p>\n

She was worried they\u2019d puke or their stomachs would get full, but the Goblins seemed to be able to digest the food as quickly as they ate. Their thin bellies inflated very slowly. As Erin grabbed a whole fried chicken seasoned with hot peppers, she decided she had to take a break. She turned to the Drake who was shakily cleaning dishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrassi, I need you to take over. Take this chicken out to the Goblins, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake jumped. Her pale scales grew paler and she raised her clawed hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin, I can\u2019t. I can\u2019t even\u2014I don\u2019t know how you can have them here! Here!<\/em> At least have Bird come downstairs with his bow! We should be calling the Watch, or, or\u2014I can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust serve them, okay Drassi? They won\u2019t be dangerous and Bird is right there! Lyonette\u2019s upstairs with Mrsha\u2014I need to make more food or we\u2019ll run out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2014but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo out. Like this\u2026hi guys! This is Drassi. She\u2019s going to put the chicken down on the table. I said down<\/em> on the table<\/em>, Drassi\u2014okay, why don\u2019t you put it on this <\/em>table?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin managed to get Drassi to put the chicken down on the table and get her back into the kitchen. Drassi was trembling so hard she\u2019d nearly dropped the whole thing. Erin had a suspicion that if she had, the Goblins would have picked it off the floor or just sat down and eaten it there.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, was that so hard?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi glared at her. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you did it. Just put the food on another table, okay? I\u2019ve got to make more food. Uh\u2026where\u2019s the butter? And sprouts? They could probably use some greens with all the heavy food they\u2019ve been eating.\u201d<\/p>\n

She began to fry greens, put together a soup, and start a few loaves of bread all at once. Drassi took out a few more dishes very reluctantly, but reported the Hobgoblins did indeed seem to be slowing now. Erin let her finish putting all the food onto platters for later and tending to the soup\u2014and mountains of finished dishes, and walked out into the room.<\/p>\n

Five pairs of eyes instantly focused on her. Erin froze, and then waved. One of the five Goblins waved back. The others just watched her.<\/p>\n

Drassi\u2019s fear was understandable, Erin felt. Each time she moved, the Goblins all stared at her. Erin waved at them and pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just going upstairs. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t reply, but watched her as she climbed the stairs. Erin found Lyonette and Mrsha\u2019s room and hesitated before knocking on the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cLyonette? Mrsha? Are you two okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErin?\u201d<\/p>\n

She heard a lock turn and then the door opened. Lyonette opened the door a crack.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin edged into the room and saw that Lyonette was sitting on her bed with Apista and Mrsha. The bee was crawling onto her pillow and Mrsha was shivering in Lyonette\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Mrsha okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so. She\u2019s not that afraid any longer, are you Mrsha? She\u2019s just\u2014she can smell the Goblins downstairs, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette didn\u2019t quite look at Erin as she ran a soothing hand over Mrsha\u2019s back. The Gnoll flinched when she heard the word \u2018Goblin\u2019. Erin paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrsha had her past with Goblins. Erin had almost forgotten that. She sat by the bed. Mrsha looked at her. Erin offered her a hand and the Gnoll licked it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Mrsha. They\u2019re not bad, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette spoke for the both of them. Erin hesitated. She looked at Lyonette. She realized she\u2019d made a mistake. She\u2019d assumed Lyonette would understand the Goblins being here, but the other girl was clearly as upset as Mrsha was. Erin paused, stroking Mrsha\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never really knew Rags, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember seeing her and screaming. But I didn\u2019t, no. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. And she was only here\u2026look Lyonette, I know you\u2019re nervous. Drassi definitely is. But these Goblins aren\u2019t dangerous. I\u2019d feel it with my [Dangersense] if they were. And they helped us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lyonette nodded, but she didn\u2019t look convinced. She stared at the floorboards, and then Apista as the bee crawled up a wall. She took a breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know your friend\u2014Rags\u2014was a guest here. But Erin, I have to say it. These aren\u2019t normal Goblins. They\u2019re Hobs<\/em>. They lead other Goblins and they\u2019re very, very<\/em> dangerous. One Hob is a match for most Silver-rank adventurers. More than a match, sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get that. But Lyonette, they saved us. They saved me, and they didn\u2019t have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. I saw. They saved you from the goats, but they also shot Bird. I was the one who heard him fall. Erin, he would have died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin nodded. Her hand clenched. Bird was upstairs. He had a small room on the third floor and she\u2019d ordered him to rest after his near-death experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. But it was self-defense. And I owed them something. Look, I\u2019ll feed them for now and we\u2019ll see what happens, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the boss.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was a bad answer, and Lyonette clearly wasn\u2019t happy about it, but it would have to do. Erin nodded, relieved. Then she bent down to Mrsha.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know they\u2019re\u2014I know they\u2019re Goblins, okay Mrsha, honey? But they\u2019re not like the other ones, I promise. They won\u2019t hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Gnoll was still shaking, but she raised her head as Erin spoke to her. Erin was prepared for tears or fear, but that wasn\u2019t what was in the Gnoll cub\u2019s gaze. Her eyes blazed. They narrowed as Mrsha stared at Erin. There was anger there. Anger and deep reproach.<\/p>\n

She had no words. But Mrsha made her opinion clear. Erin froze.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrsha? They\u2019re going to stay a bit longer. But they won\u2019t come upstairs. Got it? If they cause any trouble, they\u2019re gone. I promise. Just wait here, okay? I\u2019ll get Drassi to come up with food\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

For once the promise of food didn\u2019t satisfy Mrsha. The Gnoll swiped at Erin\u2019s hand and she stared at Erin until the young woman left the room. Erin walked down the stairs and took a deep breath. Then she groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. What now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone had entered the common room ahead of her. An Antinium was holding a bow, and the room had frozen. Drassi was standing, shaking, mugs in hand, and the Goblin warriors had frozen, half of them about to leap out of their seats.<\/p>\n

\u201cBird!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin ran down the stairs. The Antinium turned his head, but his arms kept the bow trained on the Goblins.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Erin, they were attempting to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin looked at the Goblins. They hesitated. One pointed towards the doors.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to go? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Again, hesitation. The Goblin pointed down. Everyone stared at his crotch. Erin\u2019s face went slack until she realized what he meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cPee? You want to\u2014Bird, he just wants to go to the bathroom!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. That was the reason I descended as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium slowly lowered the bow. The Goblins relaxed just as slowly. Erin strode between them, raising her hands, trying to play peacemaker again.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s all calm down. We don\u2019t want any accidents\u2026especially the yellow kind. There\u2019s outhouses for everyone. The bathroom\u2019s right outside. Here, I can show you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

That seemed to be unnecessary. The Goblin shook his head as he walked towards the door. He put a hand on the handle and pulled it open. The door revealed a startled Jelaqua Ivirith, her hand raised to push at the door. She stared at the Goblin, and her eyes went wide. The Goblin stared back.<\/p>\n

Jelaqua backed up. Her face was always dead white, but now she seemed to be stunned. Horrified. She opened her mouth and stared at the Hobgoblin standing in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cGaren?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goblin stared back. He recognized the word, Erin saw. He opened his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cRedfang?\u201d<\/p>\n

A giant hand reached past Jelaqua. Moore grabbed the Goblin and threw<\/em> him across the room. The Hobgoblin crashed into a wall. Jelaqua sprinted into the room as the other Hobgoblins shot to their feet.<\/p>\n

The Goblin who\u2019d been thrown struggled upright. He swung wildly at Jelaqua\u2014she grabbed one arm and then brought his head down to meet her knee. The Hobgoblin stumbled, and she knocked him flat with one punch. Jelaqua stood over the downed Hobgoblin and looked around. Then she looked at the unconscious Goblin at her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. It\u2019s not Garen. I was worried there for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other Hobgoblins leapt over the table at her, roaring. One jerked<\/em> as Seborn clotheslined him in midair and slung him to the ground. The Drowned Man leapt on the Hobgoblin and started beating him down with his fists.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop, stop!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin shouted, but Moore\u2019s staff was already spinning. He flattened one Hob, and kicked the other. Jelaqua\u2019s gauntleted fists flashed and the final Hobgoblin jerked back, stumbling from her punch. He feinted and jabbed at her; the Selphid let both punches meet her armor and hit him in the gut and chest with solid, heavy blows that made the Goblin stumble.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin\u2019s shout this time was backed up by more than just sound. The air in the inn cracked<\/em> and the floor rumbled. The Halfseekers paused, eyes wide, and the two Goblins still on their feet halted as well.<\/p>\n

Slowly, very slowly, Erin turned to look around the room. Jelaqua\u2019s eyes flicked to the Hobgoblins, to Drassi poking her head out of the kitchen, and Bird who opened the door and paused when he saw the chaos. She looked at Erin and groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease tell me this isn\u2019t what it looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other two Halfseekers looked around. Moore shook his head. Seborn got up slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Solstice, I believe we\u2019re owed an explanation.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin looked from face to face and tried to smile weakly. The normally jovial Halfseekers didn\u2019t return the smiles. Right. They didn\u2019t like Goblins either. She gestured to the tables.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t we all sit. Does\u2014does anyone want a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The drinks did help, but barely. The Goblins sat in a corner of the room, their injuries healed once again with Erin\u2019s potions. Jelaqua shook her head grimly as Erin finished the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd so you invited them in. Why am I not surprised?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just\u2014they saved my life, Jelaqua.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin spread her hands helplessly. Jelaqua turned and glared at the Goblins. They flinched. There was a clear distribution of power there, and they could tell they were on the losing end of it. The other two Halfseekers looked just as grim.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like all kinds of species Erin, but our group has its problems with Goblins. You do know we lost<\/em> half our members to one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelaqua\u2019s statement made the other Goblins sit up at their table. Moore\u2019s eyes were shadowed as he watched them. Seborn\u2019s gaze could have fried the egg in front of him. Erin waved her hands, trying to defuse the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know! But these are good Goblins, guys! Just give me a moment. They might not be here long. I\u2019m just feeding them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. Well, you\u2019d better explain that to the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jelaqua glanced towards the door. Erin looked as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat others?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour usual crowds. Who else? I saw the Horns finishing up their request at the Adventurer\u2019s Guild a while back. They\u2019ll be here soon too, and a bunch of people from Liscor. You\u2019d better have a good explanation ready for them, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no. Wait here. Drassi! Go to Celum and make sure no one comes through! Jelaqua, Goblins\u2014stay here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin ran for the door. She threw it open and saw the Horns of Hammerad and a number of other people trudging towards her inn through the snow. Her dinner crowd, as usual. Erin raced down the hill towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re closed! Go away! Shoo!\u201d<\/p>\n

The people heading towards her inn hesitated as Erin ran towards them. She shouted, waved her arms. Ceria frowned as Erin shouted at the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin? What\u2019s going on? What do you mean you\u2019re closed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes this mean there is, in fact, no food?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces peered at Erin, looking concerned. She grinned desperately.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right! No food! We have a\u2014a thing going on. A thing with the food! I\u2019m sorry, but you\u2019ll have to come back later! Not you, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

She grabbed Pisces as he turned around and dragged him back. The other Horns of Hammerad clustered around Erin as she whispered to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a minor thing in the inn, okay? We\u2019ll all go up and nobody scream, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblin!\u201d<\/p>\n

Every head turned. A Drake who\u2019d approached the inn from a different spot on the hill backed out of the door, scales pale. He turned to them and ran down the hill, waving his arms and screaming.<\/p>\n

\u201cHobs! There\u2019s five Hobgoblins in there! It\u2019s an invasion! Run for your lives!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin groaned. She saw her guests turn and began fleeing towards Liscor\u2019s gates. Alerted by the commotion, the guards on the walls began shouting down at the people below. In moments, horns were blowing.<\/p>\n

Ceria looked at Erin. Yvlon, Ksmvr, and Pisces did likewise. Slowly, Erin turned and grinned weakly at them. Ceria crossed her arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin. What have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHuman!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin flinched as the door to her inn slammed open. The five Redfang warriors would have jumped to their feet, but the two adventurer teams kept them seated. They tensed as a group of heavily-armed guardsmen led by Zevara herself stormed into the room. The Drake Watch Captain halted when she saw the Hobgoblins, and then rounded on Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t believe it when I heard it. I thought even a Human, even you<\/em> wouldn\u2019t be stupid enough for this. Harboring five<\/em> Hobgoblins? Now? While the Goblin Lord is marching on our cities? Have you lost your mind?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can explain!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin strode forwards quickly and put herself between Zevara and the Goblins. She saw Relc standing behind Zevara with a group of Drakes in full plate armor. He and the other guardsmen were ready for a fight. But it couldn\u2019t come to that.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeak quickly, Human.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara lashed her tail as she stared at the Hobgoblins. Her sword was half out of its sheath, and the [Guardsmen] behind her looked ready to fight. Relc\u2019s eyes smoldered as he stared at the Goblins. They were tense, but they waited for Erin to speak.<\/p>\n

She explained as fast as she could. Zevara was incredulous.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were attacked by goats?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEater Goats, Captain. They have to be. Those buggers are nasty. If there\u2019s a herd coming down from the High Passes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the guardsmen murmured to Zevara. She turned to Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll inspect the bodies. But if these Hobs fought them, so what? Monsters fight monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they did it to save the village! I\u2019m sure of it! They attacked the goats when they were about to jump over the walls! Look, Captain, I know they\u2019re Goblins, but remember Rags?\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind Zevara, Relc twitched. Zevara glanced at him, then at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember a group of Goblins starting to raid the roads around Liscor before they vanished. If that\u2019s your argument\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese Goblins aren\u2019t a danger! I promise!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHah! And I\u2019m supposed to let five Hobgoblins sit here while\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s five<\/em> Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFive Hobs!<\/em> Do you understand how dangerous that is? A Silver-rank team wouldn\u2019t be a match for them! And why are they without a tribe? They could be spies, saboteurs\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did they sit in my inn and eat food for the last two hours, then?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara hesitated. She eyed the Goblins. One waved at her. Another raised his middle finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be a Goblin ploy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on. Really?\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the guardsmen shifted behind Erin. One murmured.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has a point, Captain. That would be stupid, even for a Goblin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey might have heard there\u2019s a softhearted Human with a fondness for Goblins around here. Maybe they lured the Eater Goats here themselves. I don\u2019t know, but I\u2019m not having them here! And you, why would you think this is a good idea?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake Watch Captain glared at Erin. She glared back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t you seen the sign outside my inn? Didn\u2019t you read what it says? It says, \u2018no killing Goblins\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin glared at her. She rounded on the other Drakes and Gnolls in the Watch, raising her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you think that was a joke? That I wasn\u2019t serious? I am. Unless the Goblin is attacking me or other people, or stealing or\u2014or being a jerk, I won\u2019t let you harm them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara\u2019s eyes narrowed dangerously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Watch business, Human. You may not be in Liscor, but you\u2019re close enough to fall under our jurisdiction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what, you\u2019ll kill them right here and now because you think they might be a threat?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drake hesitated. She eyed the Goblins. They were watching her. At last, she nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was our intent.\u201d<\/p>\n

All five Redfang warriors shifted at once. The Watch did likewise. Zevara held up a hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t have a fight here. I\u2019d rather force these Goblins to leave the area than risk any deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, the Redfang Goblins relaxed their grips on their weapons. But Erin was the one who objected this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re starving. Can\u2019t you see?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed at the Goblins. The Redfang warriors glanced at her in astonishment. Erin spread her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were hungry when they came in, and I think they\u2019re on the run. They aren\u2019t allied with the Goblin Lord\u2014I think they\u2019re part of Rags\u2019 tribe. Look, Captain Zevara, why can\u2019t I let them stay in my inn for a day or two?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone was gaping at her. Zevara shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really are as crazy as Relc says. I won\u2019t allow it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I won\u2019t let you lay a hand on these Goblins! Give me a day or two and I\u2019ll let them go\u2014maybe out of Celum. But no one\u2019s hurting them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zevara stared incredulously at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what will you do if we decide to move them? Stop us? By yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced around the inn. Both the Halfseekers and the Horns of Hammerad were present, but they didn\u2019t seem inclined to stand up for Erin the same way as they had before. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Someone in the group of guards people laughed. Zevara stared at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cStand aside. We\u2019re removing the Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTry it.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a heart-thundering second, Zevara\u2019s hand tightened on her sword\u2019s hilt and every warrior in the room tensed. Then the door opened. Half a dozen swords cleared their sheaths, but the figure standing in the doorway made everyone hesitate.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough. Watch Captain Zevara, stand down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zel Shivertail stood in the doorway. He glanced around, pinning the Redfang warriors with a glance. The Drakes backed up and he strode forwards to speak with Zevara. The two Drakes bent their heads. Erin couldn\u2019t hear anything, but she saw Zevara\u2019s tail lashing and caught a few words.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014on my authority\u2014can\u2019t be s\u2014quite. The situation\u2014won\u2019t allow\u2014follow orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

At last, Zevara turned. She looked like she was ready to blast Erin with flames, but she held back. She clenched her claws into fists and glared pure murder at the Goblins.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they hurt anyone, it\u2019s on your head, Human!\u201d<\/p>\n

She whirled and stormed out of the room. Slowly, the guardsmen followed her. In the newfound stillness, Zel Shivertail looked at Erin. He sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cA word, Miss Solstice?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

They stood outside and spoke in the cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for helping me. I don\u2019t know what would have happened if you hadn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zel inclined his head slightly. He glanced through a window into the inn, where the Redfang Goblins were still sitting, tense, watched by both adventurer groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cTruthfully, I don\u2019t know if I should have. Goblins are dangerous, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that. But I think these ones are good. Why did<\/em> you help me, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zel grimaced.<\/p>\n

\u201cCall it instinct. Not mine. Yours. You picked out Regrika Blackpaw and her associate\u2019s treachery. If you can do that, perhaps you\u2019re right about these Goblins. But truthfully, I have ulterior motives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich are?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin studied Zel, but he didn\u2019t meet her gaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry. But I can\u2019t say. Regardless, I managed to convince Watch Captain Zevara to back down. However, if those Goblins cause any kind of disturbance\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make sure they won\u2019t. And they won\u2019t necessarily stay here. I just\u2014I couldn\u2019t leave them alone, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin shrugged helplessly. The Drake [General] eyed her and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you really couldn\u2019t, could you? Well, I will let you handle this at your discretion\u2014however many misgivings I have. But if you\u2026no. I\u2019m afraid, though, that if you do intend to shelter the Goblins, I won\u2019t be staying at the inn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin stared at him. Zel Shivertail paused.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fought Goblins back in the Second Antinium war, and countless times before and since. They\u2019re monsters to me, I\u2019m afraid. I wouldn\u2019t be able to sleep under the same roof as them. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019ve seen what they can do, and while I can trust your word\u2026I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at Erin. She hesitated, and then nodded slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get it. But I think\u2026I think I will offer them a place to stay for now. I don\u2019t think they have anywhere to go. And I\u2026want to know about Rags.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zel nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case, I\u2019ll move out before tonight. I wish you luck, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned. Erin called out behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did<\/em> you do it? Stand up for me? And why were you sure I\u2019d give them a place to stay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zel looked back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kind to strangers, Erin Solstice. That\u2019s all. And that\u2019s not a bad thing. If you can prove some Goblins are worth living, well, who am I to stop you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he walked into the inn. After a second, Erin followed him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you\u2026have names?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin sat with the Redfang Goblins. They stared at her, and glanced behind her. Zel Shivertail was talking quietly with Lyonette, who was upset with Erin, and he was talking to Mrsha, who was clinging to his leg. Sitting around the room were the Horns of Hammerad and the Halfseekers, who were both watching them as well.<\/p>\n

Erin tried to ignore all of them. She focused on the Goblin ahead of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Erin. But you know that. Do you have names?\u201d<\/p>\n

They hesitated. The Goblins looked at each other, and shrugged. They weren\u2019t proper names, not like Rags had. But they were something. Erin looked at Headscratcher and pointed to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, what\u2019s yours?\u201d<\/p>\n

He scratched his head. She waited. The Goblin looked at her and scratched his head again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head and then pointed to it. He slowly and deliberately scratched his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeadscratching?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pisces coughed. He cleared his throat as Erin looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe, Miss Solstice, that the answer is far simpler. That is his name. And rather than Headscratching, I believe you would call him\u2026Headscratcher?\u201d<\/p>\n

Headscratcher nodded in relief. Erin stared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, really?\u201d<\/p>\n

The skepticism in her voice hurt more than any ridicule. Headscratcher drooped and Erin tried to reassure him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, it\u2019s a great name! I\u2019m just surprised. You\u2019re Headscratcher. That\u2019s cool. And uh, what about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pointed at Shorthilt. The other Goblin began to pantomime as well. Erin\u2019s brows furrowed as she tried to work his name out.<\/p>\n

\u201cShort. Right. I got that. Short\u2026short\u2026sword? No? Short hilt? Shorthilt? That\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave her a short nod and stared challengingly at her. Erin sucked in her lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. It\u2019s uh, a good name! Very original. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Slowly, she went around the table, getting each name from each Goblin. Rabbiteater and Numbtongue were hardest to figure out, especially because Erin had neither rabbits nor numbing agents in her inn. But they got there.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to meet you all. Headscratcher, Shorthilt, Badapple\u2014sorry, sorry! Badarrow, Rabbiteater, and Numbtongue, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

They all nodded. All four Goblins had repeatedly elbowed Numbtongue throughout the conversation, but he\u2019d refused to open his mouth. Now Erin smiled at them. Goblin hearts did odd things in their chests and more than one Goblin poked at his heart experimentally.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to meet you all. Sorry about everything earlier. Let\u2019s do this properly. I\u2019m Erin, this is Ceria, Pisces, Ksmvr, Yvlon\u2014Drassi\u2019s hiding in the kitchen. She\u2019s the Drake. Lyonette and Mrsha are upstairs\u2026Mrsha\u2019s the cute little Gnoll. And uh, this is Jelaqua\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid leaned over her table. She wasn\u2019t smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Garen Redfang? How do you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Redfang warriors looked at her. Her eyes were fixed on them. Slowly, Headscratcher raised one finger. He pointed at himself and the others, spoke a word.<\/p>\n

\u201cRedfang.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin stared blankly at Jelaqua. The Selphid frowned. Someone else spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey must be his tribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Halfseekers turned and looked at Yvlon. The armored woman cleared her throat as everyone stared at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know a bit about them. I don\u2019t know about Garen Redfang himself, but the Redfang tribe\u2026they\u2019re a notorious Goblin tribe around here. They\u2019ve been active for years and no one\u2019s managed to defeat them or find their lair. They live in the High Passes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seborn shifted in his seat. His gaze hadn\u2019t shifted from the Goblins since he\u2019d sat down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe heard about that. What else do you know?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

Yvlon conferred with Ceria for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re supposed to be the most dangerous Goblin tribe around the High Passes. The best at fighting\u2014some of them ride Carn Wolves, and they\u2019re rated as a threat that no single Gold-rank team should try to handle alone. By all accounts, they\u2019ve done away with several Gold-rank teams and quite a lot of Silver-rank teams over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other Redfang warriors looked proud. Headscratcher kicked them under the table and they paused, and then shuffled their feet. Jelaqua shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what we heard. But I only care about Garen Redfang. Your leader. Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked at Headscratcher. He and the others all shook their heads and shrugged at the same time. Jelaqua made a sound of disgust and rose to her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat. I can\u2019t sit here. Moore, come on. Seborn, you stay in case something happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stomped out of the inn. Erin watched her go. Then she looked at the Goblins.<\/p>\n

Now then. Now, after all the drama\u2026she still didn\u2019t know what to do with them. Part of her wanted to go tell Zel that they were leaving and he could stay. The rest of her knew that she\u2019d made up her mind as soon as she\u2019d seen them.<\/p>\n

Goblins. Hobgoblins. Did it matter? The five who sat at the table warily eying her and the others in the room were like Rags and unlike her in so many ways. They were bigger, all male, and clearly trained warriors, but their eyes were the same. There was the same hurt there, the same curiosity when they stared at her magical chessboard or saw something new.<\/p>\n

And they had seen too much. She remembered seeing their wounds and they had too many scars. They had been starving. Their stomachs were bulging, but they still looked like they could eat.<\/p>\n

And one more thing made Erin sure. A memory. That last time she had seen Rags, she had turned her away. This time\u2026Erin closed her eyes. She took a breath, and looked at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know a lot of people came by and threatened you. However, you all don\u2019t seem to know where you\u2019re going, am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Redfang warriors shuffled their feet. Shorthilt nodded. Badarrow kicked him under the table. Erin smiled for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that case\u2026stay, okay? No one\u2019s going to kill you. Not while I\u2019m here. Stay. If you\u2019re looking for Rags, well\u2014you can stay here for a while at least. You need to eat, and sleep. I promise you, if you stay, you\u2019ll be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goblins looked at her incredulously. So did the Horns of Hammerad, Lyonette, Drassi, and everyone else in the room. Zel just sighed and hefted his pack onto his back. Erin hesitated. She looked into Headscratcher\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Was she making a mistake? Yes. No one would come to an inn with Goblins. No one. The door to Celum had opened twice despite Octavia\u2019s attempts and the people had fled screaming upon seeing the Goblins. Zevara was angry, Relc was angry\u2014Erin had no idea if Klbkch and the Antinium would be too. This was not smart. And yet\u2014<\/p>\n

A Goblin\u2019s tears. She looked into Headscratcher\u2019s eyes and remembered. Crying for their friend. Who\u2019d died to help protect her. Without thanks, without a grave. Without a word spoken.<\/p>\n

\u201cStay.\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached out and offered her hand. The Goblins stared at her. Slowly, Headscratcher raised his hand. He raised it and slowly extended it. His palm was callused, his grip as tentative as a feather. His blood pulsed beneath his skin, and he looked Erin in the eye.<\/p>\n

She smiled. And then she turned and looked around the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho else is staying?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It might be no one. Lyonette was willing to stay, but Mrsha might have to go to the city, in which case Lyonette would go. Erin wanted to try a single night at the inn, but she wasn\u2019t sure. As for the Horns of Hammerad, they had a quiet discussion in a corner. Ceria was very upset, which in turn made Erin upset.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, just be cool, okay? They can stay in the\u2014in the basement for tonight. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErin! We <\/em>sleep in the basement! And these are Hobs!<\/em> I get Rags, I really do, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCeria. It\u2019s not a discussion. I\u2019m sorry, but if you really can\u2019t deal with them you\u2019ll have to go somewhere else. But look\u2014they\u2019ll be in the basement but you won\u2019t.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria frowned. Erin smiled weakly at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI finished upgrading my inn, remember? And I have all those new rooms\u2014I was going to offer them to you anyways. You\u2019ll get rooms on the second floor if you stay. Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Elf looked at Erin uncertainly, and exchanged a glance with Yvlon. Beside her, Pisces\u2019 eyes lit up. He nudged Ceria in the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the offer, Springwalker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on. You can\u2019t be serious, Pisces\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

The half-Elf turned and glared at him. He glared back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would live with a Creler<\/em> in the basement if it meant a private room for myself, Springwalker. Five Goblins is a small price to pay for an upgrade.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus, you\u2019ll all get separate rooms! And mints on your pillows as soon as I learn how to make them! Please? Come on Ceria, you remember Rags. She was cool! These guys are cool too! Probably.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin pleaded and begged, and in the end Ceria gave over, mainly because rooms at Erin\u2019s inn were infinitely preferable to cramped rooms in Celum or Liscor, especially with the prices they might have to pay. That was one issue solved.<\/p>\n

The other one was more serious. Erin had two new hires, and she suspected both objected to the Goblins in no uncertain terms. At least, she knew Drassi did. She hadn\u2019t seen Ishkr for a while. He was still in mourning.<\/p>\n

In any case, Ishkr was still missing, but Drassi was on the roster for tomorrow and the day after as well. Erin sat with her as the Goblins\u2026did something in the basement.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, Erin, I don\u2019t know if I can. I\u2014it\u2019s not that I don\u2019t like you or trust you, but having monsters<\/em> under this roof\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get it, Drassi, I do. And I know you\u2019re upset, Jelaqua, Moore, Seborn. I wouldn\u2019t blame you if you left, but please give this a chance?\u201d<\/p>\n

She was begging with the Halfseekers as well. They were hesitating for the same reasons as Ceria had. There weren\u2019t many places that catered to Selphids and half-Giants both. Still, Jelaqua\u2019s jaw was clenched and she kept glancing towards the trapdoor leading to the basement.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust tell us why, Erin. I get that they saved your life, but a meal\u2019s thanks enough. So these Goblins are lost. So what? What makes them worth trusting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019re monsters. I think they\u2019re lost. They look<\/em> lost, Jelaqua. And so\u2026so sad. I couldn\u2019t just tell them to wander off and get killed by adventurers or monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you trust them? You trust them not to slit your throat in the night? Because they could. You\u2019re in danger, and everyone in this inn. You might trust them, but\u2026how sure are you? Are you willing to bet your life on this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid eyed Erin. Drassi looked at her as well. Erin bowed her head. Then she raised it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am. I believe in people. I believe that Goblins are more than monsters. Because they act like people. They might act like monsters, but\u2014don\u2019t people say that about Selphids? To a Human like me, a Drake might be a monster. Or a Gnoll. But they have feelings. And so do the Goblins. They might not speak, but they cry<\/em>. And I think that if you can cry, you\u2019re a person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin clenched her hands on the table. Drassi looked at her, and then blew her nose\u2014or rather, nose holes\u2014noisily on a handkerchief. Jelaqua stared at her, and then looked at Moore and Seborn. Moore brushed at his eyes. The Selphid sighed. Seborn looked at his human hand and his crustacean side. All three Halfseekers had the same look, bordering on tears of their own in their eyes. They nodded. Jelaqua made an unhappy face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you put it like that\u2026how can we up and leave? We\u2019ll stay too. Just in case you need us. But we won\u2019t hang around with them, Erin. I just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get that. I can serve you breakfast whenever, or make up a bag\u2014thank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin rose and grasped Jelaqua\u2019s hands. The Selphid laughed and shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know how many people shudder when they hold my hands? Do you know how many people think Moore eats people? A chance. Dead gods, I guess I\u2019ll try anything once.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce upon a time, I remember you saying the same thing when a Hobgoblin wanted to join our group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moore\u2019s eyes were distant. Seborn nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were betrayed once. But remember what Ukrina said? \u2018If <\/strong>we<\/strong><\/em> do not give other species a chance, what hope is there for the rest of the world?\u2019 Once more, Jelaqua.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Selphid turned to Erin and gave her a crooked smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard them. Sentimentalists, that\u2019s us. Okay, let\u2019s do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014-<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And that evening, Erin stood in her common room and felt a strange sensation creeping up on her. A familiar feeling.<\/p>\n

Emptiness. Silence. Isolation.<\/p>\n

Her inn, normally bustling, was deserted. Her upper floors were almost empty. Mrsha, happy Mrsha, refused to come downstairs. Drassi was hiding in the kitchens and the fire in the common room was low.<\/p>\n

And yet, she didn\u2019t feel terrible. Erin stood in the common room and felt a chill. She brushed her arms and realized only part of that was coming from the fire. She went over and fed it fuel, but the feeling persisted.<\/p>\n

Rags. Goblins. A dying Goblin lying in her kitchen. The smell of burnt oil. Erin couldn\u2019t give the feeling in her heart words, but perhaps. Perhaps what Zel, what Jelaqua said was true. Was she making a mistake or\u2014<\/p>\n

A foot creaked<\/em> as it met a floorboard. Erin whirled, and saw a big shape hunched by the open trapdoor. A Goblin crouched, crimson eyes on her. Erin stepped away from the fire, heart pounding, and the figure was cast into relief.<\/p>\n

Headscratcher crouched by the trapdoor, frozen in place. He stared at Erin. She stared back. He wasn\u2019t holding a weapon or anything. And he wasn\u2019t wearing anything. That was very apparent.<\/p>\n

Her eyes travelled down. Headscratcher was very<\/em> naked. Erin raised her voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrassi? Go into the city and buy some pants, would you? I think the Goblins need extra pairs. Their loincloths are, um, bloodstained.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Pan\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Drassi poked her head out of the kitchen and stared before screaming. Headscratcher shuffled down the trapdoor, looking very embarrassed. Erin turned away and heard the trap door open and close. She hesitated, and then went into the kitchen to calm Drassi.<\/p>\n

When that was over, Erin laughed to herself. Silly Goblins. For some reason that reassured her. If you could be silly, if you could be embarrassed, you weren\u2019t a monster, right? You were only a monster if people called you that.<\/p>\n

Her eyes travelled back across her empty room. Yes, the word had spread. Now everyone in both cities knew. She had Goblins. Erin laughed. So what? They weren\u2019t evil, she was sure.<\/p>\n

And this time, Erin swore, she\u2019d treat them better. As Drassi hurried out of the inn, Erin found the sign that had been buried all winter in the snow. She eyed it, dug it out of the frozen ground after much swearing, and replanted it. Right in front of her inn, by the door. For the world to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my inn. Mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin spoke to the warming world, into the darkness. She rested a hand on the cold wood. Yes, this was who she was. What her inn was.<\/p>\n

The Wandering Inn. It had one rule. No killing Goblins. Erin smiled to herself. Yes. This time she\u2019d do it right. She\u2019d be better. And show them\u2014show everyone\u2014there were some Goblins who weren\u2019t evil.<\/p>\n

She turned and froze. Headscratcher, Badarrow, and Shorthilt all froze as they crept through the snow. They were all naked, and all, apparently, in dire need of the outhouse. She stared, and then shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut some pants on!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Six Goblins. Twenty goats. It wasn\u2019t a heroic battle, the kind you\u2019d hear about in stories. It wasn\u2019t one anyone would celebrate or long remember. But it was a proper Goblin\u2019s battle. Close, intense, and perhaps meaningless. But the Goblins fought as if it were the battle to end all battles. Because it was that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693084,349],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693133],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-4323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-4","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n4.34 - The Wandering Inn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2018\/05\/12\/4-34\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"4.34\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Six Goblins. Twenty goats. It wasn\u2019t a heroic battle, the kind you\u2019d hear about in stories. It wasn\u2019t one anyone would celebrate or long remember. But it was a proper Goblin\u2019s battle. Close, intense, and perhaps meaningless. But the Goblins fought as if it were the battle to end all battles. 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