{"id":5485,"date":"2019-01-29T15:22:51","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T15:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=5485"},"modified":"2025-12-24T00:58:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T00:58:25","slug":"5-55-g","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2019\/01\/29\/5-55-g\/","title":{"rendered":"5.55 G"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 10<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the tenth day, it was three Goblins who made a difference. As the sun rose, the Humans led by Tyrion Veltras drove the Goblin tribes south once more. Today was the day that they moved by the entrance to the High Passes, the home of Garen Redfang\u2019s tribe and one of the most inhospitable environments for people of any kind to settle. If the Humans were going to push the Goblins into the pass or trap them there, it would be today.<\/p>\n

No one expected them to. Everyone who was anyone knew that they would be turning and marching along the flatlands, following the mountain range to the second pass that ran through Liscor instead. And in just three days, they would be at the city, and if all went according to the various plans in motion, Liscor would be under siege.<\/p>\n

Everyone knew that. [Spies], [Informants], and [Scouts] were all watching the movement of the army, relaying each move Tyrion Veltras made to interested parties. Hundreds of thousands of Drakes were marching north, some flying or riding at breakneck speed to get to Liscor in time. The Antinium were digging. Magnolia Reinhart was kicking over tables and swearing. The Necromancer was meditating. Again, everyone knew.<\/p>\n

Except the Goblins. They woke up pretty much as usual. By now, some were even sleeping through the morning\u2019s volley of fireballs and had to be kicked until they got up. They ate, began to march, and generally trusted that their leaders would sort things out. When you had death behind you and no way to escape, there was really nothing else you could do.<\/p>\n

However, if you were one of the leaders, life wasn\u2019t that easy. And it was Pyrite who woke up worrying, which was his wont.<\/p>\n

Actually, it wasn\u2019t his wont. He didn\u2019t want <\/em>to worry at all. Pyrite had lived a very happy life as a [Mining Chieftain] with his Goldstone Tribe for years, and he had devoted energy and effort into ensuring his life was as stress and death-free as possible. He\u2019d hidden away from most Humans, cultivated an interest in rocks, and kept from massacring the occasional Silver or Bronze-rank team that was sent to slaughter his tribe. Of course, he\u2019d been running away, but it had been fun while it lasted.<\/p>\n

Now though, Pyrite regretted the months he\u2019d spent chipping away at stones and finding gemstones to give to the children of his tribe. He\u2019d leveled of course; he had quite a number of Skills, all of which allowed him to find gemstones, cut and polish them\u2014even find the extremely rare stones that glowed or had magical auras, the ones infused with mana. Like the ultra-rare teleporting citrine he\u2019d found just once\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cStupid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite sighed as he walked along, battleaxe on his shoulder. One of the smaller Goblins gave him an affronted look, and Pyrite flicked a finger, indicating that it wasn\u2019t about them. Reassured, the Goblins moved around him. Pyrite trudged on, feeling the weight of the enchanted fiery battleaxe on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Yes, he\u2019d leveled, but he\u2019d gotten the wrong Skills and he knew it. If Greydath were here\u2014he\u2019d\u2014he\u2019d\u2014<\/p>\n

Probably laugh and pat Pyrite on the head. He would understand. He\u2019d never told Pyrite what to do. He\u2019d given the young Goblin a chance, that was all. And Pyrite had squandered it.<\/p>\n

\u201cPyrite. Chieftain wants to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Goblin rode up to Pyrite on a Carn Wolf. Pyrite didn\u2019t have to look to know it was Redscar. The Hob grunted and looked around. Normally, it would be easy to spot Rags, distinctive as she was, but today was a bit different. Because today, their small tribe of thousands had\u2026<\/p>\n

Pyrite\u2019s forehead wrinkled. What was the word? If you took something and multiplied it by eleven, what would you call that? Double, triple\u2026what came after that?<\/p>\n

Elevenuple.<\/em> Pyrite decided that was the word, though it didn\u2019t sound good to him. Yes, they\u2019d elevenupled<\/em> yesterday. Tremborag had fallen. His tribe had split in three parts, and the lion\u2019s share had gone to Rags. Pyrite was just a bit proud of that.<\/p>\n

And worried. There were now thousands of Hobs marching in the Flooded Waters tribe and regular Goblin warriors who had served Tremborag. Not to mention Ulvama and a handful of [Shamans]. All of them were new, and all looked to Rags. And Pyrite didn\u2019t like it one bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere Chieftain?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up at Redscar. The smaller Goblin was looking about with much the same look on his face that Pyrite felt. He had to be wary too; both had seen the strange Goblin politics of Tremborag\u2019s mountain and the way treachery and infighting had turned the Goblins there into something else. He pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere. We go together. Chieftain wants us.\u201d<\/p>\n

By \u2018us\u2019, he clearly meant Poisonbite and Noears as well as himself and Pyrite. The Hob nodded and began walking in the direction of the small Goblin on the back of the Carn Wolf. Redscar let his mount pad alongside him, and the other Goblins got out of the way as the two walked forwards. Redscar lay on the back of his wolf, speaking quietly to Pyrite.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTremborag\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded absently, completely failing to carry his end of the conversation. He was too busy thinking.<\/p>\n

Redscar, now there was a Goblin who\u2019d done the right thing, at least in how Pyrite understood classes and leveling. Greydath had never been too clear on the subject no matter how Pyrite asked. Pyrite suspected that Greydath hadn\u2019t known as much about that subject either\u2014probably because he didn\u2019t pay attention to any class outside of combat-related ones. But he had been clear on what made someone strong, and Redscar was an example of that.<\/p>\n

He had only two classes as far as Pyrite knew. [Beast Tamer] and [Raid Leader]. Both were directly useful to whatever Redscar wanted to do, and all his Skills were highly practical. Pyrite had seen Redscar fighting, and short of Garen Redfang, Reiss, or Eater of Spears, he thought Redscar was the best fighter among all<\/em> the Goblins marching here.<\/p>\n

If it came to a fight between Pyrite and Redscar, well, Pyrite would win if he and Redscar both had more or less equal footing. But only the first time, because Redscar would be caught off guard. And because Pyrite would go for his wolf, Thunderfur, first.<\/p>\n

Anyways, the point was that in terms of potential, Redscar had done himself all the favors he needed to keep getting stronger. Pyrite was certain that in time his two classes would merge if Redscar lived long enough. He\u2019d become a\u2014[Beastraider Leader] or something. Pyrite didn\u2019t know. He was bad with coming up with names.<\/p>\n

But what would Pyrite be? He had a mining<\/em> class, and he wasn\u2019t going to put that to use any time soon. He had to fight. He had to be strong<\/em>, and he\u2019d wasted half his levels and Skills. All he had to show for it was his pouch of shiny gemstones, which were<\/em> shiny but\u2014<\/p>\n

Pyrite was feeling at the little pouch of gems for one of the magical gemstones he had left\u2014he\u2019d lost the teleporting citrine years ago\u2014when he felt someone poke him. He looked up and saw Redscar was glaring and poking him with the tip of his sheathed sword.<\/p>\n

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

The Hob realized he\u2019d abandoned the conversation. He shrugged apologetically.<\/p>\n

\u201cMountain City tribe will be trouble. But Chieftain can probably handle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But needs protect.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Reiss? Garen? No\u2014Pyrite realized Redscar meant from Tremborag\u2019s Goblins stabbing Rags in the back. He scratched at his belly.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue. But not yet. Tremborag Goblins will wait and see how strong Chieftain is. Form alliances. Or try. At least a few days before stabbing in back. Or challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded. Redscar relaxed slightly. He grinned, exposing his teeth.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know. You<\/em> were in tribe once. With Greydath.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the name almost reverentially. Pyrite winced. For someone like Redscar, meeting Greydath of Blades had to be awe-inspiring. Pyrite nodded warily.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid.\u201d<\/p>\n

He did not elaborate, and Redscar didn\u2019t press him, despite clearly wanting to. The Goblin warrior just nodded and urged his Carn Wolf to keep up. Pyrite shut his mouth.<\/p>\n

Secrets.<\/em> It was un-Goblinlike to have them. But Pyrite had as many secrets as he had gemstones. He wished he could tell Redscar everything. And Rags. Especially Rags. It would make things so much easier.<\/p>\n

And why not? It wasn\u2019t like they were grand secrets. It was just that they were private things. Shameful. Mysterious. Clues that had made Pyrite doubt Greydath when he\u2019d heard them, had driven him from Tremborag\u2019s mountain. Knowledge that hurt<\/em> and made Pyrite wonder whether Velan had been betrayed. Or whether he and Greydath had known something about Goblin Kings that no one else did.<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t matter. Not right now. Rags was all that mattered.<\/em> Pyrite forced himself back to reality. He looked up as he and Redscar approached their Chieftain. The little female Goblin was issuing orders as she rode. She was so small. So young<\/em>. And yet, she led them. And Pyrite saw in her something worth following. A leader, or the makings of one worth fighting for. He only wished he were strong enough to be her second in command.<\/p>\n

\u201cPyrite. Redscar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags looked up at the two of them and gave her customary put-upon scowl. She waved at another duo of Goblins, Poisonbite and Noears, as they approached. The five Goblins stood together, and Pyrite realized that he was the only Hob among them.<\/p>\n

Of course, Quietstab had been one of the lieutenants as well. But it was something, that a tribe this large and this strong could be led by more regular Goblins than Hobs. Pyrite walked alongside Noears on Rags\u2019 left, nodding to the Goblin [Mage] and getting a grin in response. Rags muttered to herself as Poisonbite and Redscar took a position on her right and then came out with her first grievance.<\/p>\n

\u201cFood is low! More Goblins means more eat, and fat Tremborag ate too much!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded. The Goblins who\u2019d flocked to Rags\u2019 tribe had brought their supplies, but a quick inventory had revealed that they\u2019d stockpiled a lot less than Rags had. They\u2019d relied on the herds of cattle and supplies the Humans drove or dropped into their path for food, which wasn\u2019t wise. Rags pointed at Noears, who was in charge of the bag of holding.<\/p>\n

\u201cNoears has problem with Hobs. What?\u201d<\/p>\n

The [Mage] frowned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Mountain City Hobs keep asking for a snack, Chieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo snack!\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSaid that, Chieftain. But they said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He broke off as Rags waved her arms in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo snacks! Eat when time to eat! If want snack, dig up bugs while marching or shoot birds! And move in formations! Must practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redscar nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan practice tonight before sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Poisonbite looked uneasy.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey not like that. Tremborag Goblins don\u2019t practice. Only if lieutenants do. Not together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad. They practice or go away. Redscar, you and Redfangs in charge of Mountain City tribe. They march in formation or you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags mimed smacking the back of a head. Redscar grinned and nodded. Rags turned to Pyrite.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed to figure out how to fight. Big tribe. Different strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded. That was Rags. She\u2019d already realized they couldn\u2019t operate like they used to\u2014holding ground with pikes and using the Redfangs and Hobs to break enemy lines while the crossbows operated from the back. Now, she had a bunch of Goblins with traditional weapons who weren\u2019t able to move and conduct her precise tactics. He leaned in.<\/p>\n

\u201cMountain City tribe does know how to fight, Chieftain. But knows Tremborag way of fighting. You saw. Regular Goblins go in, then Hobs. Can teach them how to fight Flooded Waters tribe style with same tactics. Just have to make groups with leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike they have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redscar and the others looked at Pyrite. He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut different. Make factions\u2014sword and shield faction, archer faction, naked Hobgoblin [Shaman] faction\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags snorted and glanced towards Ulvama. The [Shaman] was riding on a wagon, having refused to walk. Pyrite didn\u2019t know why she\u2019d joined Rags instead of Garen\u2014the Hob would have never gone to Reiss, he was certain\u2014but he regarded her as a huge asset, albeit a dangerous one. Rags nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood idea. But will work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAppoint strong Goblins as leaders. Choose from old lieutenants for new ones. Other Goblins fight them instead of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags brightened up at the prospect. She looked at Pyrite approvingly and nodded. Redscar, Noears, and Poisonbite all liked the idea too.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood! Will do. Send Tremborag lieutenants here. They compete. I pick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags cackled, and Pyrite wondered if she\u2019d have an impromptu competition on the march. It wouldn\u2019t be the worst idea. She pointed around, giving orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cRedscar, go tell Tremborag Goblins. Have Redfangs divide up. Noears, go to supplies and hit stupid Goblins trying to steal. Poisonbite, go solve problems over there.\u201d<\/p>\n

She waved a claw. The other three Goblins nodded. Poisonbite sighed as she got what was the worst job in any tribe\u2014being the one the Hobs went to when they encountered a problem they couldn\u2019t solve. That was how it worked. Regular Goblins solved a problem or went to a Hob, who in turn solved it or went to a smarter Hob or a leader like Poisonbite in this case. And if she<\/em> couldn\u2019t solve it, it went to Rags.<\/p>\n

The others dispersed, leaving only Rags and Pyrite for a moment. And the hundreds of Goblins marching around them in earshot, but they didn\u2019t count. Pyrite and Rags glanced at each other. Then, both simultaneously looked across the heads of marching Goblins.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite pointed out two figures, marching on their left and right respectively. One was a Hob riding a Carn Wolf, leading a much smaller tribe, most of whom were mounted. Garen Redfang looked furious as he stared at Rags\u2019 suddenly engorged tribe. And on the right rode another Hob, seated on the back of a headless undead spider. Reiss, the Goblin Lord. His army had grown as well, but now it was rivaled by Rags\u2019 tribe. He stared ahead, lost in thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cGaren angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags smiled gleefully. Pyrite nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not cause trouble now. Too small.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was odd thinking of the famed leader of the Redfang tribe that way. But in a very real sense, yesterday had shown that to everyone. Garen hadn\u2019t inherited Tremborag\u2019s warriors as he\u2019d clearly expected. They\u2019d gone to Rags instead, and even to Reiss. Because, in a way no Goblin could quite articulate, for multiple reasons, Garen was wanting as a leader. The Hob was a mighty warrior, perhaps the strongest of all the Goblins who rode here. Certainly in physical combat now that Tremborag was dead. But he could not be a Chieftain like Rags or Reiss. But the Goblin Lord\u2014<\/p>\n

Rags\u2019 smile faded as she looked at Reiss. If Garen was not a danger now, at least in the sense of threatening her tribe, Reiss was a different matter. She looked at Pyrite.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast night. What he do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite stared at Reiss. Last night after Tremborag\u2019s death, the Goblin Lord had been possessed by something. They\u2019d all seen it. At first, it hadn\u2019t been clear, but as Reiss had begun walking around and looking at the Humans, at the Goblins here, he\u2019d started talking to himself. Only, one of the voices that left his mouth wasn\u2019t his own. And his posture, his way of moving, all of it, had changed.<\/p>\n

It might not have been obvious to another species, but to Goblins, it had been apparent that someone else<\/em> was in Reiss. Talking to the Goblin Lord. And it had not taken any stretch of the imagination to figure out who. When they\u2019d realized what was going on, all the Goblins\u2014even Reiss\u2019 own tribe\u2014had given him a wide berth.<\/p>\n

Pyrite remembered Rags wavering over going up to Reiss last night. He\u2019d talked her out of it, not least because when Garen had found out what was happening, he\u2019d drawn his sword and stared Reiss down. The Goblin Lord and Necromancer had both ignored him, though. Pyrite had wondered if Garen would charge Reiss, but the other Hob had held himself back.<\/p>\n

It was wise, too; Pyrite had never felt so ill at ease around another Goblin. Whatever had been looking out of Reiss\u2019 eyes had been cold and dangerous. It had been late last night when Reiss had finally stopped talking to himself. Near the end, his words had gone silent, and Pyrite suspected he\u2019d cast a spell to avoid being overheard. But whatever he\u2019d discussed with his master, the Necromancer, nothing had come of it so far.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he would ask his master about Humans. About what they do. Think he knows?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags looked speculatively at Reiss. Pyrite shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould ask. Want me?\u201d<\/p>\n

He saw Rags hesitate. Then she shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask later. After choose new lieutenants. You go ahead, lead tribe forwards.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Chieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded. He wasn\u2019t sure if he was relieved or not. He stared again at Reiss and then glanced at Garen. Now that Tremborag was dead, there were only three Chieftains left. And while Rags was in a better place than before\u2014Pyrite didn\u2019t like it. As her second-in-command, he felt her position was precarious. Both from within, with Tremborag\u2019s Goblins, and from the other two tribes.<\/p>\n

\u201cChieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags paused as she began to ride towards Redscar, who had already marshaled Tremborag\u2019s old lieutenants and had them moving her way. She shot a quizzical glance back at Pyrite. He nodded to the approaching Goblins.<\/p>\n

\u201cTremborag Goblins think like Tremborag did. Respect strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

She scowled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill respect me.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Chieftain. But need to see tribe is strong. Chieftain is strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

A worried look crossed Rags\u2019 face. She was strong, for a Goblin of her age, but both she and Pyrite knew she was far, far weaker than someone like Reiss or Garen. Or even Redscar.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can show?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite smiled. She didn\u2019t see that she\u2019d already done some of the showing, in the brief attack against Tremborag\u2019s forces yesterday. He dipped his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Chieftain. After choose lieutenants, let me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags studied Pyrite. Then she nodded slowly. He walked away, keeping his back straight. The enchanted battleaxe felt heavy on his shoulder. That was right. He had chosen poorly with his classes, his Skills, and he had wasted too many years of his life. But he could still be her second-in-command. He could still show Tremborag\u2019s Goblins what they needed to see. And when he couldn\u2019t, when his mistakes caught up with him\u2014<\/p>\n

Well, that was why Redscar was around, wasn\u2019t it? Pyrite moved faster, striding through the Goblins until he reached the front. And at last, he stared ahead and saw not the backs of Goblins and Hobgoblins, but the open sky, the High Passes\u2014<\/p>\n

And the Humans.<\/p>\n

There was an advance force moving ahead of the Goblins, guiding them and ensuring that if they made a break for it, they\u2019d be penned in. There were smaller groups of riders to the left and right as well, acting as guides, while the vast majority of Humans marched behind the Goblins. Pyrite stared ahead at the Humans, who were leading them on a track right past the High Passes. He shrugged, sighed, and began to trudge after them.<\/p>\n

Rags had ordered him to lead the tribe while she handled matters. It sounded like a lot of work, but in fact, it was the easiest thing to do out of all the jobs\u2014assuming nothing came up. In fact, it was easy.<\/p>\n

Here was how Pyrite did it. He walked, and the tribe followed. The Hob set an easy pace; thanks to Rags\u2019 Skill, the tribe could fast walk rather than jog and still move fast enough for the Humans\u2019 needs. Every time he moved left or right, the entire tribe rippled <\/em>as it changed directions to follow him, wagons turning, Goblins riding horses moving left, smaller Goblins changing course, following the Goblins ahead of them.<\/p>\n

Pyrite kept walking, undeterred by the importance of his job. He glanced at Reiss\u2019 army keeping pace with him and saw a tall figure approaching him. He grinned. Someone had noticed he was in front and was coming to see him.<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears strode towards Pyrite, followed by Reiss\u2019 army. Pyrite walked left, and the two met, both of their tribes walking side-by-side now. He glanced up at the much taller Hob and grunted. Eater of Spears flicked his ears and gave Pyrite a pleased grin.<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears was slowly striding along, and the Goblins in armor were marching hard to keep up. The huge Hob was the biggest that Pyrite had ever seen\u2014aside from Tremborag. He looked like someone had carved muscles out of a green wall and only added a head as an afterthought. But Eater of Spears was deceptive. Much like Pyrite, actually. Perhaps that was why the two got along so well.<\/p>\n

\u201cPyrite.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEater of Spears.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two nodded at each other. They didn\u2019t need to say much. Both understood the economy of words, and so they kept their chatter to a minimum. But they did touch on important topics, delicately saying what they could without betraying their Chieftains\u2019 trust. Pyrite nodded back towards Reiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cNecromancer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears looked troubled. Pyrite nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHappen often?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes. Is good stay away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDangerous?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMhm. Drake got hit by spell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm. But also good.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Necromancer uses Goblins. How good?\u201d<\/p>\n

At this point, Eater of Spears had to break their nearly monosyllabic rapport.<\/p>\n

\u201cReiss is wise. Necromancer does not know all. He sees, but not everything. But he tells Reiss what he knows, about the Humans. About their plans. And now, Reiss has his<\/em> plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite\u2019s ears perked up. A plan?<\/em> He didn\u2019t like that. Not one bit. Casually, he looked at Eater of Spears.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob looked down at Pyrite and shook his head reluctantly. He was barehanded, unlike Pyrite who carried an battleaxe. He didn\u2019t need weapons; Pyrite thought he could kill anything he needed to just by punching it. If Redscar had to fight Eater of Spears, he might lose unless that enchanted sword he had was capable of slicing through the Hob\u2019s bones. If Pyrite had to fight\u2026well, he\u2019d want the drop on Eater of Spears. Preferably from the top of a cliff with a bow and arrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cCannot say. Reiss will say to your Chieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded. He\u2019d expected as much. But he silently glanced back towards Reiss. If he had to fight Reiss or if Reiss fought Rags\u2026Pyrite didn\u2019t enjoy playing out life-and-death battles in his head. But as Rags\u2019 second-in-command, he had to protect her. Which meant he had to assume the worst.<\/p>\n

He noticed Eater of Spears looking at him and realized he was staring at Reiss for too long. Pyrite said a few Human curse words inside his head. He\u2019d fallen for the same trap people usually fell into around him! Never forget the big Hob isn\u2019t stupid. To cover for his mistake, he fished at his belt and pulled out a sack. When he opened it, Eater of Spears sniffed. A savory smell was coming from the bag, the scent of roasted meat. Pyrite pulled an object out and held it up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWant snack?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears stared down. Pyrite was holding a rat. A dead and roasted rat. He blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere find that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnderground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite grinned. After a second, Eater of Spears laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood place for them. You dig?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMhm. Have more. Here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite handed the morsel up to Eater of Spears, who delicately crunched<\/em> the morsel whole. The Goblins from both tribes looked jealous, so Pyrite opened his bag and passed more rats around, much to the delight of all present. He had over three dozen rats in his sack, many small, but some of a good size. Pyrite was relieved to get rid of them as they were heavy, but he\u2019d been saving them for this purpose. He supposed this was one use of his Skills, a small boon.<\/p>\n

That was because for Pyrite, digging was easy. Pyrite had found a nest of burrowing rats practically right next to him when he\u2019d settled in for a nap. With his ability to hunt for gemstones, locating their nest and plucking them out had been easy. The real trick had been finding a [Cook] willing to accept only two of the rodents in exchange for roasting them. Most wanted three or four, but Pyrite knew the value of a good rat.<\/p>\n

\u201cMm. Good. I have nothing to give.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears looked guilty. He tried to object, but Pyrite made him take three more rats. The former Goldstone Chieftain shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t hard to get rats. Digging easy. Not like rocks. Have to use pickaxe for that. Very tricky to get.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t make?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cStone ones break too easy. Need iron or steel. Have to take from Humans. Very hard to sneak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet shiny gold rocks. Dump in mining camp. Shout. Let Humans find and start huge fight. Then grab pickaxes and run.\u201d<\/p>\n

He winked, and Eater of Spears grinned. Both Hobs laughed, and Eater of Spears slapped his chest, making a thwacking <\/em>sound that one didn\u2019t normally expect to come from flesh. Pyrite eyed the Hob. Now those<\/em> were muscles. Pyrite was confident of his strength, but sometimes he wished he\u2019d been able to turn into a pillar of physical might like Eater of Spears or even Tremborag.<\/p>\n

Greydath had told him that Tremborag\u2019s ability to turn into a monster hadn\u2019t been due to a Skill or class. He\u2019d probably been enhanced by his class, but his ability was actually part of Goblin heritage, albeit largely unknown. In fact, Tremborag had been weak<\/em> according to Greydath, which was why he couldn\u2019t maintain the transformation. But Eater of Spears was in his prime, and so he had to be getting close. If Pyrite told him\u2014<\/p>\n

No. They were friends, but Pyrite wasn\u2019t sure. The Hob kept his mouth shut as Eater of Spears finished laughing and spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy tribe, Rockbreakers Tribe, was not so good as yours. I told you. Not enough food for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He indicated Pyrite\u2019s layers of fat, clearly envious. Pyrite nodded, although he privately thought that any tribe that could sustain someone of Eater of Spears\u2019 size had to be doing well. He and Eater of Spears had swapped stories before. Apparently, before he\u2019d joined Reiss, Eater of Spears had led a tribe of less than eighty Goblins, almost all Hobs. They\u2019d been the terror of the cliffs and beaten Wyverns to death for food. Eater of Spears crunched another rat and went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyways. One time, had to get healing potions for bad injury on many after big fight with Wyverns. So went to Drake city. Small city, but dangerous. Had to scare away Drakes on walls, but not enough stones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo what did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite smiled. Eater of Spears grinned and flexed an arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot dead Wyvern heads. Threw them. Drakes scream and run, and we climb walls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite chortled. Eater of Spears smiled, and then his face fell, grew somber.<\/p>\n

\u201cHad to kill many Drakes after that. Got potions, but Drakes sent army. Tribe had to flee. Go high up into mountains. Bad things there. Worse than Wyverns. Over half tribe died.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two Hobs fell silent. Pyrite had known similar disasters. He searched for something to say and then raised his voice lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne time, when mining, I found a shiny yellow gem. When I reach for it, it disappeared. Found it lying on ground behind me. Teleporting magic stone. I chase after it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears brightened a bit as Pyrite told the embellished story of how he\u2019d nearly died when chasing after the elusive teleportation stone and figured out a way to stop it from moving about. The two Hobs kept swapping stories for nearly an hour as they walked until both spotted something unusual happening ahead of them.<\/p>\n

The High Passes was a gaping rift, a steep incline that quickly became cliffs, leaving only a valley between two mountains. It was clearly the result of some fissure in the mountains, perhaps caused by a seismic rift in the past. Whatever the case, it was narrow, winding, and jagged. The Humans had been steering the Goblins past it without issue\u2014until something came out<\/em> of the High Passes for a snack.<\/p>\n

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

Eater of Spears pointed at the advance group of Humans. They were blowing their horns and racing about, clearly fighting something. Pyrite checked his grip on his battleaxe.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know. Redfangs!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He bellowed, and both Garen\u2019s tribe and the Redfang warriors in Rags\u2019 tribe looked around. Pyrite pointed, and a pair of his warriors took off. Not to be outdone, Garen pointed, and a band of his warriors raced ahead as well. Both Pyrite and Eater of Spears exchanged a look and stopped, halting the progress of the Goblins. It was risky, but they weren\u2019t about to advance without knowing what was going on.<\/p>\n

The scouts came back within minutes. The pair of Redfangs Pyrite had sent halted in front of the two Hobs. One of them pointed towards the fighting Humans.<\/p>\n

\u201cEater Goats!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEater Goats?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite and Eater of Spears exchanged a look, Pyrite\u2019s of concern and Eater of Spears\u2019 a blank one. Pyrite knew of the dangerous, all-consuming goats of the High Passes. He\u2019d killed a few that had wandered into his tribe\u2019s territory, and he knew the goats, while not individually as powerful as, say, a Hob, were more than capable of ripping anything to shreds given enough numbers. They could eat a Gargoyle,<\/em> and they were without fear.<\/p>\n

And there were lots of them. Thousands, in fact. They\u2019d charged into the Humans from the side, completely ignoring the spells and arrows that had blown a number of their brethren apart. Now they were engaged, and the Humans were getting the worst of it. Their horses were not<\/em> at home fighting enemies that low to the ground, and the Eater Goats could jump and chew through armor. Plus, they screamed.<\/p>\n

The Goblins listened to the report with no lack of satisfaction. At last, the Humans were in trouble! Pyrite was about to suggest to Eater of Spears they get moving and let the Humans shield them when he heard horns blowing from behind. He saw the Humans break up and race away.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears grumbled. The Humans were running, and the Eater Goats were breaking away from their pursuit of the faster horses. They\u2019d just spotted their second dinner in the form of the Goblin army, and they were charging towards them, never mind that there were only a few thousand goats and hundreds of thousands of Goblins. To them, that just meant there was more to eat.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblins!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears roared, and the Goblin Lord\u2019s army turned to face the goats. Pyrite strode through the ranks of his Goblins as well and heard a familiar voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cCrossbows and bows front! Big shields forwards! Hobs and warriors behind! Redfangs to side!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags surged forwards, shouting and pointing. Her tribe set itself up, preparing for the goats. They were right in the path of the oncoming monsters. Pyrite took his position behind the line of pikes, thinking fast. Rags was employing both her old and new Goblins, but she was relying on a rank of Goblins with tower shields to slow the goats down while the bows went to work. She screamed an order, and the first ranks of crossbows and bows fired.<\/p>\n

A stream of arrows rained down and struck the first wave of goats, eliciting braying screams. Some fell, but even the ones with arrows sticking out of their legs and torsos kept running. Rags shouted, and another volley fell, and another. The first rank of Eater Goats struck the Goblins with shields and bounced back. Some leapt but were skewered before they landed. The Eater Goats circled as they tried to find a way into the defensive formation. They nipped and bit\u2014the Goblins with tower shields held their ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait! Wait!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags shouted at the Goblins warriors pushing the goats back. Pyrite saw a wing of her archers and warriors moving to the left side. She was going to pin the Eater Goats down and shoot them to death without risking her warriors. That was a smart move. Someone\u2014Redscar\u2014must have told Rags how dangerous it was to fight Eater Goats up close.<\/p>\n

Pyrite saw it all happening as the Eater Goats began biting through the shields. Goblins shouted and screamed as they tried to force the goats back. He knew some of them would fall, but this tactic Rags had come up with was the safest. Only\u2014Pyrite looked around.<\/p>\n

Every eye was on Rags. Tremborag\u2019s former Goblins were assessing her. They could see she was a genius when it came to strategy, but like Pyrite had told her, it wasn\u2019t enough. They needed to see strength as well as intelligence. Pyrite stared at the Eater Goats fighting the Goblins with shields. Then he groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy turn.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hobs around him looked confused. Pyrite turned to them and took a deep breath. He bellowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHobs!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

They straightened. Pyrite pointed ahead and roared.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharge! Shields back! Archers back! Hobs charge behind me! Redfangs charge!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goblins gaped, and Pyrite heard an exclamation from Rags. This was not<\/em> part of the plan! But Pyrite was already moving. He charged forwards, and Goblins scattered in front of him. The first rank of shields was folding as the Eater Goats leapt up, biting, ripping at the wood and metal shields. Pyrite thrust a terrified Goblin aside and raised his battleaxe.<\/p>\n

There were thousands of the goats. They screamed, a hoarse, piercing shriek magnified from a thousand throats. Pyrite roared and charged at them. The Eater Goats didn\u2019t expect that.<\/p>\n

\u201cForwards!\u201d<\/p>\n

The enchanted battleaxe left Pyrite\u2019s shoulder. He swung it, and flame burst from the edge of the axe. Five Eater Goats leaping for him were caught by the swing, and the pieces landed around Pyrite. He charged forwards, kicking a goat head-over-hooves and bringing his axe down on another. The goat gurgled, and Pyrite swept his axe.<\/p>\n

\u201cForwards!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Hobs charged through the ranks of Goblins behind him. They clashed with the front rank of Goblins, but Pyrite was still running forwards. Eater Goats were all around him. They leapt, and Pyrite swung his axe. Greydath had taught him how to use weapons. Swinging with huge strikes would get Pyrite killed. And it wasn\u2019t necessary\u2014his enchanted axe could cut through the goats easily. He swung the axe as fast as possible instead, covering the area ahead of him. High, low, high, low\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

It was like he was a farmer with a scythe and the Eater Goats were wheat. But the wheat moved and bit.<\/em> Pyrite roared as a goat got past his guard and tore a chunk out of his shoulder. But he didn\u2019t stop. He kept moving, swinging the axe with one arm as he tore the goat\u2014and more of his flesh\u2014off and hurled it to the ground. If he stopped, they\u2019d swarm him. He could only move forwards and trust the Hobs to his back, forwards and forwards, screaming that one order.<\/p>\n

\u201cForwards! FORWARDS!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Where were the Redfangs? He should have called them up earlier. Something bit Pyrite on the leg, and he kicked, <\/em>shaking it off. Blood ran down his arms, and he could smell burning, the stench of cooked meat. At the very least, they\u2019d have food. Pyrite saw the goats leaping at him, swinging his axe. He slipped\u2014<\/p>\n

And a bounding red wolf leapt and bit<\/em> the Eater Goat, snatching it out of the air. The massive wolf, Thunderfur, worried the goat and threw it to one side. On its back, Redscar turned, his blade flashing. He leaned down and sliced an Eater Goat across the neck, killing it instantly, then turned and stabbed a leaping goat through the mouth. Redfangs bounded past him, screaming war cries and attacking the goats from the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cPyrite!\u201d<\/p>\n

Redscar bellowed. Pyrite stood up and raised his axe. He swung it wide, and the goats in front of him vanished. Redscar blinked as Pyrite pointed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttack! Don\u2019t stop attacking!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He charged forwards, and Redscar and the Redfangs were with him. The Hobs could barely keep up as they scythed through the Eater Goats. Pyrite kept running, swinging the heavy axe though his arms burned and his chest hurt. He only stopped when he looked around and realized there was nothing ahead of him. He looked back and saw the last of the Eater Goats being finished off behind him.<\/p>\n

A red trail marked his passage through the monsters. Pyrite leaned on his axe, gasping, then remembered. He stood up straight as Redscar rode back towards him. The [Raid Leader] had an odd look in his eyes as he fished something from his belt and tossed it at Pyrite.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite caught it and blinked down at the green healing potion. He looked down and realized the goats had torn chunks out of his arms, shoulders, and legs. Absently, he drank the potion and tossed the bottle down.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many lost?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFew. Eater Goats got surprised. No good when defending. Think they started to run.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redscar grinned. He patted Thunderfur and let the Carn Wolf begin to eat one of the goat corpses in front of him. But he was still looking at Pyrite. He wiped his blade with one hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was\u2014good. Impressive. Not like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded to Pyrite. The Hob silently wiped blood from his arms and chest. He was drenched in it. Pyrite nodded shortly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. Had to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cTo show them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite pointed. The Hobs were panting while the Redfang warriors of Rags\u2019 tribe were cleaning their weapons or letting their Carn Wolves eat, tending to their injuries. But the Goblins behind them\u2014the Hobs from Tremborag\u2019s tribe\u2014they were all staring at Pyrite. At the Hob who\u2019d just cut a hole through a thousand Eater Goats by himself.<\/p>\n

Redscar grinned at Pyrite. He understood. It was only Rags who didn\u2019t. She rode up to Pyrite, swearing and looking ready to murder him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat that?<\/em> That was not plan! Why attack?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPyrite showing off, Chieftain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redscar grinned and saluted Rags with his sword. She gave him an evil look and then looked at Pyrite.<\/p>\n

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

Pyrite shrugged tiredly. His arms hurt<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave to show them, Chieftain. Show them you are smart, but also strong. I am second-in-command. Have to be strong. Show them\u2014and show others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOthers?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags looked around blankly. Then she noticed the other tribes.<\/p>\n

The Eater Goats had split up in their attack. Most had gone for Rags\u2019 tribe, but two groups had split off and attacked the other two tribes. The last of them were dying on Reiss\u2019 side now.<\/p>\n

The Goblin Lord\u2019s troops had fought the Eater Goats well, although without half as much flashy tactics or aggression as Rags\u2019 tribe. Eater of Spears was pounding the Eater Goats flat while the warriors in black armor supported him. On the other side, Garen\u2019s warriors were already dissecting the Eater Goats that had attacked them.<\/p>\n

\u201cFast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite murmured. He hadn\u2019t even seen Garen\u2019s tribe fight. Redscar shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t attack. Garen attacked them<\/em> when he saw you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He mimed Pyrite swinging his axe. Rags and Pyrite both looked confused.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not attack?\u201d<\/p>\n

Redscar looked a bit sad. He glanced over at Garen then tapped a streak of red on his green skin. He had a slash of crimson paint running down his left cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cWarpaint. Garen tribe has it. Mark of Redfangs. Eater Goats see, they don\u2019t attack. Know it means death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags blinked. Pyrite saw Redscar was right\u2014every Goblin in Garen\u2019s tribe was wearing their signature war paint. Rags frowned, musing.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to know. Could use, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she looked over at Pyrite and scowled again. She poked one of his healing wounds, and he winced. Redscar chortled as he left them alone to order the Goblins to butcher the dead goats for food. Rags and Pyrite looked at each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cTook big risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Chieftain. But did show them. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite felt at his shoulder, pulled out a tooth so the flesh could regrow. He flicked it to the ground and looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid it work? Did it seem strong?\u201d<\/p>\n

He hoped it had or else he\u2019d taken a big risk for nothing. Rags hesitated, then smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooked like scary monster to me. Scary, big, fat Hob.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not smelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not smelly.\u201d<\/p>\n

They laughed. Pyrite walked back, noting the difference in the way the Goblins looked at him. One of the Hobs he recognized, a lieutenant of Tremborag\u2019s, had been part of the fighting. Pyrite slowed and stared at him. What was his name?<\/p>\n

\u201cHammersteel?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob blinked. He nodded slowly. He had a wicked maul and steel cuirass on his front as well as a reputation for picking fights.<\/p>\n

\u201cPyrite. Good fight. Knew Flooded Waters tribe was right choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite tilted his head quizzically. Hammersteel grinned and spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink so! Garen not smart, but Chieftain Rags is<\/em>. Better than traitor lord. And has strong second! Pyrite with the axe!\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed to the axe and cackled. Pyrite smiled a bit. Hammersteel looked envious. He made a circumspect gesture.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hold?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite nodded. Hammersteel approached\u2014and was promptly shoved out of the way. Ulvama appeared, smiling widely. Pyrite blinked. The [Shaman] of Tremborag\u2019s tribe wore very little in the way of clothing and instead had colorful paint on her skin. She smiled seductively at Pyrite as she kicked Hammersteel, forcing him back.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrong Hob. Didn\u2019t know so strong! Good second for Chieftain Rags. I am Ulvama. You are Pyrite? We should talk. Meet each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laid a hand on Pyrite\u2019s arm, brushing at the blood and ignoring the flies buzzing around Pyrite. He noticed the flies though and resolved to wash himself as soon as possible. He hated being dirty. Pyrite stared at Ulvama\u2019s soft touch and grunted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have met before. Long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama\u2019s smile slipped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMhm. Back in Tremborag tribe. I was Goblin. Small. You were small Goblin too. Apprentice to Chief Shaman. Remember you getting in trouble for using paints.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulvama\u2019s jaw dropped. Hammersteel cackled with laughter. She turned and pointed a finger at his groin, and he yelped as the air grew subzero rapidly and fled. Ulvama turned back to Pyrite. She tilted her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were Tremborag\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite met her eyes. Ulvama hesitated. He could see her thinking. Her gambit to tie herself to the highest-ranked Goblin in Rags\u2019 tribe wasn\u2019t going well. But she didn\u2019t give up\u2014mainly because she had no choice. Noears had been in Tremborag\u2019s tribe, so he was well aware of Ulvama\u2019s ways\u2014and he didn\u2019t get along with Tremborag\u2019s Goblins to begin with. It was why he\u2019d left and why he was called Noears to begin with. Poisonbite was female, as was Rags, and neither of them were interested in other females in a way that would help Ulvama. And Redscar liked male Goblins. So Ulvama tried again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want sex?\u201d<\/p>\n

Goblins didn\u2019t do much subtlety. Ulvama\u2019s first attempt had been as subtle as it got. Pyrite shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

She stared at Pyrite suspiciously. He shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo busy. And don\u2019t like you. You go back to wagons now. We keep moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shooed Ulvama away, ignoring her hissing and threats. Pyrite walked back to the front of his tribe. Eater of Spears was there, rubbing at a chunk taken out of one bicep. Pyrite nodded and began walking. The tribe marched after him, hurriedly packing away the meat from the dead goats. It was just one thing in a day.<\/p>\n

But it mattered. Pyrite could sense Eater of Spears looking at him. The Hob absently swatted a fly trying to lick blood from his skin.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNever saw that before. Strong. Cut goats apart so quick even Garen Redfang looked scared. Why do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite paused. He looked around and saw Garen Redfang was staring at him. He shrugged and looked ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a warning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo Garen? To Tremborag Goblins?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite looked up at Eater of Spears. The Hob paused. Then he nodded. The two walked on. Pyrite found his waterskin and tried to wipe off the blood with a little bit of water. Eater of Spears silently offered him his waterskin, and Pyrite grunted in thanks. He noticed Eater of Spears hadn\u2019t healed the bites he\u2019d taken\u2014not that the Eater Goats had been able to do much damage to his skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeed potion?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Have, but not waste. Will heal quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob shook his head and tapped a bottle on his belt. He had three potions, actually. A sign of how important he was. For the first time, Pyrite noticed that Eater of Spears had a number of objects on his belt. A little band of feathers, a token of some sort, his own belt pouches, the waterskin\u2014and two glittering hatchets.<\/p>\n

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

Eater of Spears blinked down at his belt. Then he grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrowing axes. Weak enchanted. Sharp. <\/em>Reiss gave as reward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny good with axes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite was intrigued. He glanced back at Reiss, then at Garen and had another thought. Another bad idea or, perhaps, a good one. He raised his eyebrows, and Eater of Spears grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave Skill. And class! Was a [Thrower] before. Can hit flying Wyverns with rocks. Don\u2019t level class much anymore, though. But this good for [Mages]. Threw at fast-fast flying pink thing, but missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flying pink what? Pyrite decided to ignore that. He pursed his lips and then spoke casually.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have another class. [Blademaster]. Only Level 3, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[Blademaster]?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears\u2019 brows shot up. He looked impressed, as anyone might. Pyrite shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas taught by Greydath of Blades. You know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do. He taught you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. But no good with sword. Axes better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite sighed. No matter how hard he\u2019d tried, he hadn\u2019t been able to get past Greydath\u2019s \u2018basic\u2019 training. Which was still something. He looked speculatively at Eater of Spears and decided to tell him another secret.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrained a bit. Didn\u2019t learn much, but\u2026in fight. I can see when someone is going to hit. And where, sometimes. Not a Skill. I learned it from Greydath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears was fascinated. His eyes flickered, and Pyrite was sure that information was going straight to Reiss later. Not necessarily maliciously\u2014but it was definitely important. The big Hob looked at Pyrite, and the Hob waited. Wait\u2014wait\u2014<\/p>\n

He saw the movement and raised a fist to block as Eater of Spears threw a fist. The Hob stopped before he hit Pyrite, which was a relief. Pyrite had known the punch was coming, but blocking it\u2014<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears blinked, and some of the Goblins who\u2019d been watching and listening murmured in awe. No doubt they\u2019d pass this on as well. That was how the Goblin social network functioned. But Pyrite didn\u2019t care about them. He focused on Eater of Spears and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTold you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob grinned, delighted. He nearly forgot to keep walking as he stared at Pyrite.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow? Can teach?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery hard. Took long time to master, even with Greydath show. All about muscles. Arm position. Stance. Easy on Eater of Spears because muscles are easy to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pyrite smiled, and Eater of Spears laughed. The Hob laughed too. And in his mind, from his glittering treasury of secrets, Pyrite plucked a pair of gems and offered them up. Two secrets he\u2019d given. And in return, he gained something back, invisible though it might be.<\/p>\n

Trust. Eater of Spears quizzed Pyrite on how the trick worked and about Greydath. Pyrite answered politely without going into details and then casually pointed at Eater of Spears\u2019 axes when he found a break in the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreydath taught more than just sword. Like axes. Not Skill, but can throw. Let me try?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears hesitated, but then he willingly unhooked an axe and handed it to Pyrite. The Hob grunted as he lifted the throwing axe. It was superbly balanced, and it felt sharp enough to cut through anything. A gift indeed. He looked around, spotted a target, and then turned and hurled<\/em> the axe. Eater of Spears roared in surprise, and Goblins looked up and threw themselves flat.<\/p>\n

Ulvama was sitting in her wagon, growling to herself, when the blade of the axe embedded itself into the wooden frame next to her. Pyrite winced\u2014he hadn\u2019t meant to throw it that close. He saw the [Shaman]\u2019s eyes go wide.<\/p>\n

Ulvama screeched, leapt away from the quivering axe, and then stared across the heads of Goblins at Pyrite. She started screaming insults at him. Pyrite ignored her as he lowered his hand. He looked around and saw that every Goblin around him, Reiss\u2019 Goblins and Rags\u2019 tribe, were staring at him with open mouths. He looked up at Eater of Spears, who was gaping at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood at throwing things too. Want to play game?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob blinked, then he bellowed with laughter and slapped Pyrite on the back, nearly knocking him over. The axe was returned, and Eater of Spears handed it to Pyrite. The two began throwing at objects ahead of them, aiming at birds, rocks, any target that came to mind.<\/p>\n

Pyrite threw economically, Eater of Spears with less accuracy but enough force to split almost any object in two or shatter stone. It was just as well the axes were enchanted. So the two Hobs walked together, and Pyrite knew he was at the center of attention. He\u2019d done all he could. He\u2019d prepared and sent\u2026a warning. As clear as he could make it.<\/p>\n

He just hoped it would be enough.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201c[Deathbolt].\u201d<\/p>\n

The black light had struck Osthia. She had fallen as it sapped the life, the very core of energy from her. She lay on the ground, motionless, breathless, eyes still open wide and mouth slightly agape. The Necromancer studied her for a moment, then walked off.<\/p>\n

It took a while for the Goblins to dare retrieve her body. When they did, she was loaded onto a wagon with other dead Goblins and animals, to be made into food for later. After all, they couldn\u2019t waste food. There Osthia lay as night passed to day until the wagon was bumping and threatening to knock her onto the ground.<\/p>\n

The Goblin driver was dozing until Snapjaw rode over and snapped an order. The Hob leapt onto the wagon and found Osthia\u2019s corpse. She eyed the black ring on Osthia\u2019s claws, bent, tugged it off, and waited.<\/p>\n

Nothing happened. Snapjaw scratched her head anxiously. She bent to listen by Osthia\u2019s mouth and heard no intake of breath. She poked Osthia in the chest, then poked her in the cheek. Snapjaw gulped, then saw one eye swivel towards her.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob nearly leapt off the wagon. She lurched back as Osthia sat up, gasping and coughing. The Drake spat\u2014several dead flies shot out of her mouth. She looked around, blinked at the sunlight streaming down, and then turned to Snapjaw.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in the name of the Ancestors\u2014how long was I out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHalf day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snapjaw shrugged. Osthia gaped.<\/p>\n

\u201cHalf a day?<\/em> Your leader told me I\u2019d be recovered in minutes! Do you know how dangerous it is to keep someone under the [False Death] spell that long? Why the hell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot.\u201d<\/p>\n

The female Hob picked at her teeth with one claw, looking embarrassed. Osthia inhaled and spat another fly out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou forgot? You forg\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNecromancer took long time to go. Long time. So forgot. Remembered before you got eaten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Snapjaw said it as if that righted all wrongs. Osthia balled her claws into a fist, then looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gone? Then where\u2019s Reiss?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Hob glared at the Drake. She enunciated her words carefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoblin Lord Reiss<\/em> is busy. Big thinking after plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlan? What plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

Osthia looked at Snapjaw. The Hob closed her mouth. Osthia tried to sit up, but her body refused to obey her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat<\/em> plan? What are the Humans going to do? What is the Necromancer doing? What is Reiss\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She was trying to get up. Snapjaw scratched her head and then brightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh! Remember the second thing I was supposed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Osthia turned to glare at her. Snapjaw scooted forwards. She picked up the black ring, its charge exhausted, and then looked at Osthia. Reiss had come up with the ring after worrying she might be killed. He was reasonably certain she could survive a single [Deathbolt]\u2014it killed all those under Level 30 when Az\u2019kerash used it, and all those under Level 15 when he used it\u2014which meant it would take multiple casts to kill Osthia. But he hadn\u2019t wanted to risk it. She didn\u2019t know why he liked the Drake so much, but orders were orders.<\/p>\n

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

The Drake glared at Snapjaw. The Hobgoblin shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis.\u201d<\/p>\n

She brought her head forwards and head-butted Osthia. The Drake\u2019s head snapped back, and she reeled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried to spit acid, but Snapjaw struck her in the face with a second head-butt, then a third. She shook her head as Osthia fell back, unconscious. Snapjaw looked down at the prone Drake and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cReiss says sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she turned to the Goblin driver.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut in chains. Hands, feet, mouth. Hobs guard. Don\u2019t let run.\u201d<\/p>\n

She hopped off the wagon and onto the back of her waiting horse. Snapjaw rode away, rubbing her aching head. She headed straight for Reiss, visible on the back of his shield spider. Snapjaw couldn\u2019t wait for him to tell the others, so she could tell Poisonbite. It was time. It was finally time. She grinned, showing all of her metallic, enhanced teeth.<\/p>\n

Time for war.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The second Goblin was Reiss. He sat on his Shield Spider and thought. He thought about tactics, about a city called Liscor, about the undead and the Chosen of Az\u2019kerash. And most of all, he thought about Garen. He didn\u2019t look up, lost in thought as he was. When Eater of Spears sent a Goblin to relay his curious exchanges with Pyrite, Reiss barely took notice, though the news would have fascinated him another time. When Snapjaw told him about Osthia, he just looked up.<\/p>\n

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

She grinned at him. Reiss did not smile back. He couldn\u2019t feel happy about Osthia. But it had to be done, and he didn\u2019t have the courage to confront her. She would not understand. Or worse, she might understand all too well. Either way, she would have tried to kill him. Because he was going to take Liscor. Reiss was only afraid\u2014<\/p>\n

That he\u2019d have to kill Garen to do it.<\/p>\n

Tell them. Force them to kneel, and bring one army to take Liscor. <\/em>His master\u2019s last injunction echoed in Reiss\u2019 mind. He knew it had to be done. His army was strong, but Rags had an army roughly two thirds as large as his. And Garen? Well, his warriors were few, but they were elite.<\/p>\n

How had it happened? Tremborag\u2019s tribe had gone to Rags rather than Reiss or Garen. It had shocked him, although his conversation with Az\u2019kerash had put it out of his mind. Now, Reiss wondered. He supposed it made sense; Tremborag\u2019s tribe blamed him for losing their mountain, but why had they passed over Garen?<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t matter. Both tribes had to ally with him. They didn\u2019t have to be his\u2014his master was wrong there. Forcing Rags to submit to him would be close to impossible, and Garen would be truly impossible. They just had to fight together. He could convince Rags of that when he told her the full scope of the plan, Reiss was certain.<\/p>\n

Garen would be the obstacle. That was why Reiss hesitated to tell him. When Garen Redfang learned of Az\u2019kerash\u2019s plans, he would oppose them on principle, regardless of how they made sense. He might even try to kill Reiss. Or run.<\/p>\n

If they fought\u2014if Reiss had to kill him\u2014the Goblin Lord closed his eyes. They were brothers<\/em>. Brothers still, after so long.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will not come to that. He will see reason. I just need\u2014to force him to agree. If Rags agrees, he must.\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019d surround his tribe. In the night. Give him an ultimatum and force him to agree. And if he fought, if he resisted\u2014they could capture him. Alive.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t as if his tribe was necessary in the battle. Important, but not necessary. And it might not come to that. Garen was stubborn, but he wasn\u2019t a complete idiot.<\/p>\n

Reiss told himself that again and again. Then, at last, he decided it was time. Rags had to know, then Garen. He forced himself not to tremble as he sat up and directed his Shield Spider to crawl towards Rags\u2019 tribe. It was time. Time at last! Time for war. Time to take Liscor and find a home.<\/p>\n

\u201cChieftain Rags! Gather your lieutenants. I must speak with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss shouted at the small figure riding on Carn Wolf. He saw Rags\u2019 head turn and felt a hush go through both his and her tribe. The Goblins could tell something was happening, even if most did not know what. He saw Rags hesitate, then nod. She rode to join him with her four most trusted lieutenants. Eater of Spears and Snapjaw joined Reiss. He wished the others were here. But they had died at Invrisil, in battle. So many dead. But the end was in sight.<\/p>\n

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

Rags stared up at Reiss, her eyes narrowed. She knew he had spoken with Az\u2019kerash. But not about what. The Goblin Lord took a steadying breath. Garen was watching suspiciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have spoken with my master. He has discovered the Humans\u2019 plans. What they intend. My master is certain they are moving us to Liscor. Not to slaughter us there, but to use us. With trebuchets, they will tear open Liscor\u2019s walls. Then, they mean to force us to take the city. And once it has fallen, rush in and slaughter us to the last.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goblins went silent. Rags\u2019 eyes went wide, and Noears uttered a curse. Redscar turned to look at the Humans, Poisonbite gulped, and Pyrite narrowed his eyes and glanced at his Chieftain. Fear, sharp and electric, ran through all the Goblins around Reiss. He could feel it, but kept calm. So did the Goblins in his army, sensing his confidence, drawing resolve from it.<\/p>\n

Snapjaw ground her teeth together, almost dancing from foot to foot with glee, and Eater of Spears waited silently. They knew what was coming next. Rags looked pale as she looked at Reiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. That bad. Necromancer has a plan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. We will take the city and hold it. With his aid. He will resurrect every warrior that falls in battle. He will provide us with his elite undead warriors, his Chosen. With them, we will take Liscor, and when the Humans attack, we will hold it and beat them back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss saw the eyes of the Goblins widen around him. Some reacted in shock, others horror or disbelief. Rags just blinked. Reiss went on, outlining the plan Az\u2019kerash had given to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiscor can be taken. It can fall. With your tribe and mine, we can secure the city. My master can raise walls of bone to hold the breaches, seal the Humans in when they attack and cut their army in two. Chieftain Rags, join your Flooded Waters tribe to mine and claim Liscor. Your home. It will be the first city of Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags\u2019 eyes flickered. She looked at Reiss, then at Snapjaw\u2019s grin, Eater of Spears slowly nodding. She looked around at Reiss\u2019 warriors, who were caught up by his words, and then at her own uncertain tribe, who looked to the Goblin Lord with apprehension and a bit of\u2014hope. Reiss waited, his eyes going to Garen. What would he say? What would he do? Would he run if he heard the news being spread? No, he\u2019d come to say something even if it was a refusal. Would he\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The word was quiet and so soft Reiss\u2019 thoughts kept going until they got tangled up on the word. The Goblin Lord blinked. He looked down at Rags.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNo. We will not fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags folded her arms. Her lieutenants looked at her. Poisonbite in disbelief, Noears frowning, Redscar uneasily. And Pyrite? The Hob smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are not serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss refocused on Rags. She had to be telling a joke. But the little Goblin just shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you. Goblins live in circles. We kill Humans. Humans kill us. We kill Drakes, Drakes kill us. Adventurers come to kill us, we kill them, so more come. It never ends. That is the circle of Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCycle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss automatically corrected her. Rags shrugged as if to say the words were the same. Reiss scrambled to say something.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know. But this<\/em> will break the cycle. Chieftain Rags\u2014taking Liscor will mean a safe haven for Goblins! If we hold Liscor, no one will be able to take it. It is one of the most defensive cities on the continent\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMhm. So Humans and<\/em> Drakes both want it. And not very safe if we can take it. Sounds like we put big \u2018stab me\u2019 sign on back. Not doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The little Chieftain scratched at one ear. Reiss stared at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have a choice. The Humans will slaughter all of us to force us to attack Liscor. Tyrion Veltras wants to take the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? Let him. We won\u2019t fight. We will run. Into mountains, maybe. Fight big battle while other Goblins climb.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags pointed to the mountains. They were high and practically impassable. Reiss tried to imagine forcing over two hundred thousand Goblins up the slopes. They\u2019d have to abandon everything while they held the Humans off.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cOkay. Then another plan. We go into dungeon. There is cave. Dungeon is\u2026probably big. Could hold some. Or go around Liscor. Fight Humans and get away. But not attack city. Bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will die if you attempt that. Why not take Liscor? Why not fight to hold it? With all the advantages my master can bring to the battle\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss stared down at Rags. She scratched her ears, not looking directly at him or anyone else. Finally, she muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t want to kill people in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

This time, the question was a chorus. Everyone stared at Rags. Her points about not fighting had been good, if scattered. But this? Reiss shook his head, growing angry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat has Liscor done for you? Chieftain\u2014the Drakes care nothing for you! They have killed our people for thousands of years, just like the Humans!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have. And they are stupid poos. Especially Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags agreed. She sighed and scrubbed at the back of her head. Then she looked around. Two tribes stared at Rags, hanging on her words. She looked at Reiss, who was trembling, unable to believe what she was saying. Rags sighed louder, then raised one claw.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. This is why. There is a Human there. In Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone stared at Rags. She raised her voice as she went on, not speaking just at Reiss, but to Pyrite, to Redscar and Poisonbite and Noears and all the others. She spread her arms, speaking to the hundreds of thousands of Goblins who listened to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer name is Erin Solstice. And she is good. She lives in Liscor\u2014in a little inn outside it. And she likes Goblins. She is my\u2026my friend. And no one is going to kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA Human? That\u2019s not\u2014Humans aren\u2019t friends with Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss whispered. Rags shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was what I thought! But\u2014she is different. She kills, but only to defend. She does not attack. And she does not let others attack. She has\u2014she has a sign by her inn! I have seen it! It says \u2018No Killing Goblins\u2019. No killing Goblins in her inn. She is my friend,<\/em> and she is friends with Antinium and Drakes and Gnolls. She is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other Goblins stared at Rags. A friend? A Human as a friend? It sounded like a joke. Some of Tremborag\u2019s former Goblins began grinning, but Rags didn\u2019t laugh. She was as serious as could be as she met Reiss\u2019 eyes. And slowly, it dawned on the other Goblins.<\/p>\n

She was telling the truth<\/em>. Because, after all, Goblins didn\u2019t lie. There was a Human in Liscor who was friends with a Goblin. The murmurs began to spread. Reiss looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is one Human. One Human cannot save you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags agreed readily. She nodded, looking around.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t expect her to. But she could help. She could do\u2026something. Anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss raised his voice. He heard the sarcasm in his tone, the anger. He couldn\u2019t help it. He pointed down at Rags.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat could one Human do? What could any<\/em> Human do?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged. It was the most classically Goblin thing she could do. She looked up at Reiss and smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know. But she is my friend. You have your Necromancer. I have Erin. You have your Human, and I have mine. I will not fight Liscor. I will run or hide or do whatever it takes. But I will not fight. The destiny of Goblins is a circle. And it must stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a second, Reiss couldn\u2019t speak. He was lost with fury, indignation at the stupidity<\/em> of what Rags was saying. Then he heard a cheer.<\/p>\n

Everyone\u2019s head turned. They saw a little Goblin standing on a cart, cheering and waving. It was alone at first, and then a Hob raised her arms and bellowed as well. Goblins around them began to cheer too. Reiss stared as Rags\u2019 tribe began to laugh and shout. They were cheering. Cheering her, celebrating.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t want to fight.<\/em> He looked and saw more Goblins on their feet. And they were shouting.<\/p>\n

\u201cRags! Rags! Rags!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Her name. Rags flushed with pride and looked around, puffing her chest out. Her lieutenants took up the call. Reiss stared around. He saw thousands of Goblins cheering and Garen\u2019s tribe staring. Garen Redfang himself sat on the back of his Carn Wolf, staring at Rags. He was glaring. The Human army had halted, perhaps wondering what the strange cheering was for.<\/p>\n

Rags turned away. Her lieutenants dispersed, and the Goblins moved ahead, hurrying to keep going before the Humans started throwing spells. Snapjaw and Eater of Spears stayed back, looking anxiously at Reiss. He didn\u2019t move. At last, they left too. Reiss sat on his undead spider\u2019s back as the Goblins flowed past him. And only darkness filled his mind.<\/p>\n

A Human for a friend? Breaking the cycle? Running?<\/em> It was unacceptable. They had to fight. They had to take Liscor. His master would not accept anything else. He<\/em> would not accept anything else. It was right in front of them. A city. A kingdom! And she was wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n

Something black was in Reiss\u2019 chest, making his heart beat faster. It was welling up in him, dark intentions. He looked around and saw his army marching ahead of him. And Rags\u2019 lieutenants and his people.<\/p>\n

They\u2019d all gone back to each other. His tribe and Rags\u2019. His lieutenants and hers. Snapjaw and Poisonbite were talking to each other, arguing, but talking, riding on her horse. And Eater of Spears was throwing axes with Pyrite, speaking. Reiss\u2019 heart hurt.<\/p>\n

Eater of Spears spoke with no one as closely as he was speaking with Pyrite. There were so few Hobs like him, but he had found a kindred spirit in the fat Hob. And Reiss was going to\u2014<\/p>\n

No.<\/em> They could still walk together and smile. Nothing needed to change. It was just her. Reiss looked up. At Rags, who was riding along, arguing with the [Shaman], Ulvama. She was the one who led this tribe. And she was the one who was wrong.<\/p>\n

A home for your kind.<\/em> His master\u2019s words echoed in Reiss\u2019 mind. It was so close. He had sacrificed so much<\/em> for it. And Rags would run? No. No, it couldn\u2019t be. It wouldn\u2019t be. He would not let her.<\/p>\n

Slowly, Reiss rode his Shield Spider forwards. This time, he was fixated on Rags. Something dark whispered to him. It sounded like his master, but it had his voice. Reiss felt pitch blackness spilling forth, beating from his heart, in his veins, his blood. He was rigid with the horror of what he was going to do. But he was going to do it anyways.<\/p>\n

\u201cRags.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time, when she turned, Rags paused. The Goblins around her paused as well. They stared back at Reiss\u2019 face and grew silent. Snapjaw looked up. Eater of Spears paused, pointing out a target for Pyrite to hit. Rags looked back at Reiss.<\/p>\n

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

Reiss was calm. Very calm. And cold. He looked at Rags and then past her, at the mountains and the sky. Not a few hours past midday. Plenty of time. He spoke pleasantly, feeling the magic growing in him, running down his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember my dream?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout Goblin kingdom? Yes. Silly dream. But nice one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rags nodded. Reiss smiled. He looked down at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is. But there\u2019s something I didn\u2019t tell you about it. I have that dream some nights. A dream of a Goblin kingdom, a place where Goblins are safe and live in peace. But in that dream, the Goblins have no faces.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo faces?\u201d<\/p>\n

She blinked. He nodded. The magic ran down into his fingers and gathered there, as thick as sin, as dark as midnight.<\/p>\n

\u201cNone. I look around in my dream and see no one I recognize. Not Eater of Spears. Not Snapjaw. Not even me. I look at my reflection and see another Goblin\u2019s face. Do you know why?\u201d<\/p>\n

She held still, looking at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reiss smiled sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is because for my dream, I would sacrifice anything. Anything and anyone. I have my dream, and it is worth all the pain in the world to make real. So I am sorry for this.\u201d<\/p>\n

He raised his hand. Rags blinked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor wh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c[Deathbolt].<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The black energy shot through Reiss\u2019 fingers, coalescing into a line of energy that sucked away the light. It shot through Rags at point black range. She swayed, gasping, her face drained of color. She swayed, put a hand on her saddle.<\/p>\n

She was still alive. Reiss had hoped she\u2019d die right away. She kept looking at him, kept trying to say something. But there was nothing left to say. She was trying to turn her Carn Wolf, but she was too weak. The Goblins around her were just staring, shocked by the suddenness of it all. Reiss raised his fingers and pointed at Rags\u2019 chest. Then he looked up. He heard something.<\/p>\n

A whirring<\/em> sound. Something tugged at his hand. Reiss blinked and stared at the silvery axe that softly thunked<\/em> into the breast of a Hob standing next to him. The Hob blinked and fell. Reiss stared at the axe. He\u2019d given that to Eater of Spears. Then he felt an odd sensation. He looked down at his hand. He couldn\u2019t see it.<\/p>\n

It was missing. Reiss stared down at the stump of his hand as blood began to gush from the severed arteries. He looked around and saw the Hob. The second axe passed by his face, and Reiss nearly fell from the back of his undead spider. He blinked and stared at the thrower.<\/p>\n

Pyrite. The Hob straightened. He saw Reiss catch himself, saw Rags reeling backwards and her Carn Wolf bounding backwards in fright, howling. He looked up and saw Eater of Spears staring at him, face white. Pyrite sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTold you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reached for his battleaxe. His hands closed around the haft too slow. Eater of Spears grabbed Pyrite and roared<\/em>. Pyrite felt something slam into him and saw the world spinning around him until he slammed into the ground. Goblins screamed, and both the Flooded Waters tribe and the Goblin Lord\u2019s army broke ranks and began to fight as everything descended into chaos.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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

Day 10 \u00a0 On the tenth day, it was three Goblins who made a difference. As the sun rose, the Humans led by Tyrion Veltras drove the Goblin tribes south once more. Today was the day that they moved by the entrance to the High Passes, the home of Garen Redfang\u2019s tribe and one of […]<\/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":[11693085,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693134],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-5485","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-5","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5.55 G - 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\/2019\/01\/29\/5-55-g\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5.55 G\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Day 10 \u00a0 On the tenth day, it was three Goblins who made a difference. As the sun rose, the Humans led by Tyrion Veltras drove the Goblin tribes south once more. 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