Queen of Swords 2


    Now that all of her minions were solidly behind her, Herad started organizing them. Her short ck hair fell over her forehead, as she leaned forward over the table in front of her sofa and gave out her orders.


    Corveyn, youre in charge of defenses. I want work parties organized and this ce fortified as much as possible. If you need funds then youll have them, she said.


    Not a problem. I already have a few surprises in mind for our guests when they arrive, a man who cknail assumed was Corveyn replied.


    He was one of the men who had joined the tribe after theyd arrived in Daggerpoint. All these new hires were beneath cknails notice, unless they had something he wanted, so he hadnt bothered to learn their names. He was Herads favorite after all, and they were just rookies.


    Saeter, I want you to get in touch with some of your old contacts. See if you can recruit a few more good men, or at least convince as many as possible not to join up with Zelena when she starts spreading that coin of hers around. They cant spend it if theyre dead, the chieftain told cknails master.


    Saeter nodded calmly in acknowledgment, and cknail stepped out from where hed been hiding behind him. The hobgoblin then smiled hopefully at his mistress. He wanted a job too!


    However, Herad didnt even nce his way as she issued orders to the other bandits. cknail pouted sulkily as he gazed Herads way. Why hadnt she given him a job? He was far more useful than most of thesezy humans. Surely, there was someone who needed killing, or maybe some pies that needed stealing?


    Herad happened to nce back his way, and she noticed his demeanor. The bandit chieftain rolled her eyes disdainfully, but then gave him a wicked grin. The hobgoblin returned her smile hopefully.


    Dont worry, cknail. Im sure an opportunity will present itself and Ill find someone for you to hunt. It might even be someone in this room if they disappoint me enough, she chuckled darkly and loudly enough that everyone in the room undoubtedly heard her.


    Muted muttering broke out between the bandits as several people looked cknails way, and the hobgoblin heard his master grunt in disapproval. He wasnt sure why Saeter wasnt pleased, though. cknail was d that Herad trusted him to hunt her enemies for her, and he enjoyed the fearful looks he was getting.


    The new members were barely part of the tribe anyway. None of them had been around nearly as long as him! Hed joined the tribe a whole um lots of months ago! That was practically forever.


    In a tribe it was natural for the weak to fear the strong, and for them to be kept in their ce. Everyone was certainly very afraid of Herad!


    The fact that the chieftain had mentioned cknail personally obviously meant she considered him to be only one step below herself in position and toughness. Maybe his master was jealous?


    Alright, thats enough gabbing from you lot; its time to get to work. Get on out of here, Herad announced loudly.


    Her voice cut through themotion around her, and everyone else instantly grew silent and jumped to obey her. Soon, all of the bandits were walking through the doors and exiting the room. .


    Saeter let most of the other bandits leave, and get out of the way, before heading out himself. cknail followed him closely, and as soon as they were alone in the hallway Saeter turned to him.


    Listen cknail, you shouldnt be happy about being picked out like that by Herad, the old scout told the hobgoblin seriously.


    cknail frowned at his mastersment. He didnt understand why Saeter was upset.


    It means she trusts me, and that Im dangerous! the hobgoblin bragged cheerfully.


    Maybe, but it will also make your ownrades afraid of you, the grey haired scout replied.


    They should be afraid of me; Im much faster and smarter-ss than them. None of them could challenge me, cknail pointed out arrogantly.


    Thats not the point, cknail. Herads words were meant to set you against the rest of the tribe. If theyre too afraid of you then they will see you as a threat, and then they wont have your backter, or they might even try to take you out, Saeter exined.


    The hobgoblin gave his master a confused look. Wouldnt most of them do that anyway?


    Obviously, Im stronger than them so I dont-ss need their help, and they wont dare attack if theyre afraid of me, he replied as if he was stating the obvious.


    And if they gang up against you, or simply leave you to die somewhere? Saeter asked.


    cknail squinted and scratched his long green nose, as he considered that idea. He didnt like it. Humans sure were a sneaky race. How was a poor hobgoblin supposed to keep himself safe?


    What do you think I should do? he asked his master reluctantly.


    You need to show them youre more than just a killer, and that theyre yourrades and friends, the old scout replied.


    So I need to outsmart and trick-ss them cknail mused aloud. That should be easy; Im a great actor!


    Saeter sighed in resignation, and gave the hobgoblin an annoyed look.


    Sure, whatever works, he told cknail as he shook his head.


    You sure are tricky, master! cknail replied happily.


    Go get your mask and gear, cknail. I may as well get started on recruiting for Herad right away, and that means youll being with me, Saeter told him irritably, as they moved.


    Where are we going? the hobgoblin asked curiously.


    Were going to a bar. Theres some people there I should talk to, Saeter replied.


    Why? the hobgoblin asked.


    I need a drink; talking to you has given me a headache. Also, I used to move between the smaller bands a bit before I joined up with Herad, so I know some of the people. The kind of coin Zelena has will seem awfully tempting to them, but most should listen to reason, Saeter exined.


    Bah, why is Herad worried about a few tribeless humans? She should just kill them all, if theyre going to be our enemies, cknail suggested.


    Thats a bloody stupid idea! Try to actually use that skinny green head of yours, cknail. Fighting them would just hurt us, and were trying to recruit some of them, remember? Saeter replied heatedly.


    Oh, youre right-ss, sorry master, cknail responded. So first we recruit, and then-ss we make the new members fight the others for-ss us. If they die we dont even have to give them shinnies!


    Saeter turned around and swatted the hobgoblin atop his head. cknail hadnt been expecting it, so he didnt manage to dodge the blow in time.


    Ouch, he whined, as he took a step back and rubbed his now sore ear.


    Saeter red at him furiously, and cknail wilted under his gaze. What had he said wrong? Hed thought that was a great idea


    Were trying to avoid making more enemies, cknail. Daggerpoint is a pretty immoral ce, but even here bloody killing sprees in the streets are frowned upon, Saeter exined.


    Why would anyone-ss care what we do to our enemies? the hobgoblin asked with honest curiosity.


    Saeter sighed in frustration and gave the hobgoblin a brooding look. cknail met his gaze with a confused expression. It seemed like his master was thinking deeply about something unpleasant. He hoped he wasnt about to be smacked again


    You cant just go around killing everyone, even in the North Saeter exined a few secondster. This piss poor excuse for a city is still a city, and it needs to stay at least somewhat civilized. If everyone just started killing everyone else then Daggerpoint would fall apart. No one would be able to buy food, clothes, or build shelter. Soon after that almost everyone would be dead or have left.


    But the strongest would-ss hold the territory; it would all be his, cknail countered.


    So what? Its the people that make the city valuable, Saeter replied. Its not like the wilds, were you can make most things for yourself. In a city you need lots of people to buy, sell, and make things. An empty city is worth less than a mud pit.


    The hobgoblin tried to wrap his head around that. It sort of made sense to him, maybe.


    So, if I were to kill-ss the maker of tasty pastries then he couldnt make any more-ss of them, and if I were to start killing too many people he might-ss run away, the hobgoblin muttered thoughtfully.


    Saeter rolled his eyes.


    Kind of; its a bit moreplicated than that, though. If you scare away or kill too many other people then who will buy his goods? If theres no one to sell pastries to then hell leave. The city is sort of like an animal. It can take a few cuts and scrapes, but if you wound it too deeply or hit the wrong spot then it will die, Saeter told him.


    cknail nodded at his masters words. He could picture that. All the people in a city were kind of like the different squishy bits inside a rabbit, they were even the right color.


    The hobgoblin frowned as another thought urred to him. Were there green bits inside animals? He then shook his head to clear his thoughts. He should probably concentrate on Saeters words; he could always search through the insides of a rabbitter.


    I think-ss I understand, master, but I still think there must be a less boring way-ss to do this, cknail told the old scout.


    If you cane up with one then knock yourself out, Saeter replied condescendingly.


    cknail was a smart hobgoblin, so he knew his master didnt want him to actually bash himself across the head. His words were just a weird way humans gave people permission, or so Khita had exined when cknail had woken up after the first time Saeter had used that expression.


    So, we cant do anything too scary I know! Theyre weak and alone without a tribe, so Ille back at night and kill them from the shadow where no one can see, cknail announced proudly.


    Saeter eyed him critically.


    Im not sure you understand how many of them there are. Were talking about a good part of the people in the city. Even you couldnt pull that off, and some of them are very skilled. I used to be one, remember, he told the hobgoblin.


    How about just their leaders then, so the others will flee in terror? cknail mused thoughtfully.


    Sure, that sounds fine, Saeter replied.


    Really? cknail asked hopefully.


    No, thats a bloody stupid idea! Theres still far too many of them for that to work, Saeter answered scathingly.


    Fine whatever, you said they all live in their own part of the city? cknail asked sulkily.


    There had to be some way to solve this problem that wasnt as boring as talking. It wasnt like humans were usually all that hard to murder.


    Well, they can hardly live in an area controlled by a gang leader, and the Governors territory is too expensive for them, Saeter replied.


    Ha, its simple then. Well just burn all their homes down in the middle of the night, and kill them as they flee before us, cknail suggested gleefully.


    Creepily enough, that might actually work. Were not going to do it, though. That would definitely count as too much damage to the city, and every time you kill someone you might be making someone else your enemy. Saeter told him.


    but the mes would be so pretty, cknail muttered to himself.


    This was veryplicated. He supposed his master had a point though. Killing that one woman who had been with Galive had made Luphera angry. There were just so many humans shoved into Daggerpoint that he supposed they all knew each other or something.


    So if we cant kill people then what do we do? he whined.


    I already told you. Im going to go talk to some people, and youre going to follow me, his master replied.


    That doesnt sound very fun, cknailmented darkly.


    In fact, it sounded very boring, and over thest few days the hobgoblin had slowlye to realize that talking wasnt one of his strong points.


    Not everything is supposed to be fun; think of this as a chore if you want. Personally, I think sharing a few drinks with some old acquaintances sounds bloody great right now, so get moving, and stop asking me these damned annoying questions, Saeter crankily replied.


    cknail grumbled to himself but quickly headed over to his room to get dressed. A few minutester he rejoined his master and together they left their bands base and headed out into the city.


    Saeter led cknail towards their destination. It was only just after noon, so Daggerpoint was busy and the streets were full of its myriad colorful inhabitants.


    Merchants hawked their wares from stalls or store fronts. The more sessful ones had bodyguards at their sides, to prevent theft or other problems. The others simply red suspiciously at everyone that approached, and kept one hand on a weapon.


    Small groups of thugs, and what passed for normal citizens, were also walking around. It could have been a scene from any other city, except everyones clothes were rough and practical looking, and almost everyone was visibly armed. Knives and swords appeared to be the weapons of choice, but several people had clubs, and one man was even walking around with a spiked mace in his hand.


    The hobgoblin and Saeter weaved their way through the crowds while keeping their distance from most of the other people. The only interruption was when Saeter had to stop and drag an errant cknail away from where he was attempting to purchase an unidentifiable piece of meat on a stick, using money he had somehow acquired from another mans pocket after bumping into him.


    Saeter then took them off the main roads and through the less travelled alleys and narrower residential streets. They were about to walk around a tight corner when cknail realized they were surrounded, and about to be ambushed. Theyd walked right into a trap.


    The hobgoblin''s ears went t against his head, as he hissed a loud warning to his master. Saeter flinched and dropped his hand towards his sword hilt. Before he could draw his weapon though, several figures burst out hiding and rushed towards the pair, several very small figures.


    The street children ran over and quickly surrounded the two bandits. They kept their distance though, and stayed out of attack range. Their clothes were ragged and filthy. cknail could see their ugly pink skin through the holes in it.


    Please sir, do you have any coins to spare? My sister is sick and I cant afford food for us both, a taller male begged with wide desperate eyes.


    My parents beat me unless I bring home enough coins, please help me, a smaller girl whined.


    I dont have any parents, they were killed by a gang of thieves, a third said, in a clear attempt to upstage the others.


    Saeter sighed and began to pull out his coin pouch, but he wasnt as fast as cknail. The hobgoblin had also reached into a pouch, but he pulled out a handful of small stones, and then hurled them towards several of the children.


    The youngsters saw the projectilesing and quickly scrambled out of the way. The stones bounced off their turned backs and raised arms, or flew harmlessly past. cknail then hissed and charged them. He reached for the closest annoying little things neck, but was stopped by a swift tug on the back of his cloak.


    The children took this opportunity to make a break for it. They gasped, shrieked, and fled from cknails masked form as fast as their little legs could take them.


    What in all the hells do you think youre doing? Saeter swore angrily at cknail, as he held his cloak.


    Chasing away-ss the little thieves! If you let the small ones close theyll take-ss your stuff, cknail replied wearily. His master seemed really angry.


    Theyre street children, you shouldnt attack them! They might be annoying, but if you give them a few coins theyll leave, Saeter exined scathingly, as he red furiously at cknail.


    But-ss, if I just chase them away then I dont need-ss to give them any of my shiny coins, cknail pointed out reproachfully. That was justmon sense.


    Listen carefully, cknail. I know you dont understand morality, but by the gods youre going to understand this. You dont need your coins as much as those children do. You dont even spend most of them; you just hoard them! Saeter growled angrily.


    I dont understand, a startled hobgoblin replied with wide eyed confusion.


    Its called charity, cknail. You give some coins to others who need them more than you. Those children will starve or freeze in the winter without the money they get from begging, if they arent murdered by a random thug, the old scout exined.


    They look fat-ss and healthy to me, cknail countered defensively.


    Thats because youre a stupid hobgoblin. Humans arent supposed to be dressed in rags and that thin Saeter told him.


    But, theres food everywhere-ss here. You humans pile it in the street. Look right-ss over there, theres a cat! A morsel-ss like that is a tasty feast for a little goblin or person, and theyre not that hard to catch, cknail pointed out.


    Humans dont eat that stuff, Saeter exined irritably.


    Why wouldnt they, if theyre hungry? Theyre just spoiled by human food, the hobgoblin replied dismissively, as he nced in the direction most of the children had run.


    Theyd get sick, cknail! Human children arent goblins. They cant eat garbage and hunt cats through the streets! Saeter eximed.


    They could if you gave them slings, theyre not that slow and weak, cknail replied.


    Saeter sighed in defeat, and then gave cknail a hard intense look.


    Forget it, cknail. Just dont hit any more children, ever. If you do then Ill give you the worst beating of your life, and then get Khita to nurse you back to health, Saeter told the hobgoblin.


    Fine, but Im not giving them shinnies I mean coins, cknail replied darkly, before shuddering at the thought of being stuck defenseless with Khita for days. His master was a very scary human.


    Saeter just grunted and continued walking down the now empty alley. cknail cast another suspicious nce back towards the way most of the small humans had fled, before hurrying after his master.