Rolling the Dice 3


    cknail, the hobgoblin, snarled as the unidentified humans in front of him drew closer. They had weapons in hand and looked ready for a fight. Well, if it was a fight they wanted then that was what they were going to get. No stupid humans would be getting their dirty hands on his tasty cheese without a fight!


    We must defend the loot! cknail growled loudly to hispanions.


    Behind the hobgoblin, those of his fellow bandits that hadnt already taken out their weapons did so. The ranger Wyre pulled out a bow and hurriedly strung it. It wasnt a particr long bow but next to his short stature it lookedrge.


    Why are we listening to the bloody hobgoblin? one of the bandits whined with an edge of panic in his voice. When did that start to make sense? Theyre murderous savages! Maybe the horse has some tactics it would like to share as well?


    Were not listening to the hobgoblin. Were doing what Herad ordered us to, bring this wagon back to base, Wyre responded in a harshmanding voice.


    We should leave the wagon and head into the forest. This must be a trap! There are probably more of theming up behind us, the scared bandit said as he threw a nervous look backwards down the road.


    cknail growled. If the coward was allowed to run then the others would follow, and that was no good. The humans had to stay here and fight to protect his cheese!


    I dont hear anyone behind us and they havent surprised us. How could it be a trap, stupid human? the hobgoblin pointed out scornfully.


    What does a beast like you know? We need to run! the man shot back.


    cknail growled again in annoyance, and stepped up beside the man.


    If you run-ss youll never make it. Something terrifying out in the woods will kill-ss you slowly and painfully, me! he whispered to the cowardly man.


    The bandit paled and took a step back from the hobgoblin. He then threw a nervous look towards Wyre. The scout was too far away to have heard cknail, but he noticed the other mans reaction.


    Stand your ground, both of you, Wyre ordered. Theres no need to run yet. cknails right. I see no sign of us being encircled and they seem just as surprised as us to have run intopany here.


    cknail did as he was told. Not because Wyre was his boss, he wasnt, but because it was what he wanted to do anyway.


    Up ahead, one of the unidentified people detached from the rest and walked forward. His hand was raised up to shield the sun from his eyes. He appeared to be trying to get a good look at cknail and the bandits.


    Hey, I think thats Boots! the female bandit standing next to Wyre eximed. Theyre not enemies at all; theyre from Herads camp. Weve got reinforcements!


    cknail turned and looked. He squinted at the approaching man but could only make out the blurry outline of a face. Well, most humans looked alike anyway.


    It seems we hit a spot of good luck after all. Come on, get the wagon moving. Lets see what brings our fellows out this way. Not that Imining, Wyre announced as he started to walk forward.


    There was a loud neigh and the creaking of straining wood as the horse hitched to the wagon was signalled into motion again. cknail and several other bandits put away their des and followed after Wyre.


    Most the tension from earlier had already faded away. Now everyone seemed relieved and excited.


    Soon, the other group came into focus, and it became obvious they were from Herads camp. cknail recognized several of them, even if he had never bothered to learn most their names. Most bandits with less status than him werent that important.


    cknail quickly recognized the man leading the other group, though. It was his master, Saeter. The hobgoblin perked up and smiled happily. Now he could brag about all the amazing things he had done on this mission! His master was sure to proud of him!


    Youre early. Did you forget to pack enough food or something?  Saeter yelled their way.


    And youre not supposed to be out here at all. We almost ended up charging you! Wyre shot back. Did Herad finally kick you out, or did you just miss us?


    Bah, more likely you were about to piss yourselves and run, and who would miss your faces? cknails the best looking out of all of you, Saeter replied. No, one of the patrols ran across some signs of movement so were checking it out.


    cknail grinned smugly to himself after hearing his masters words. He was an amazingly handsome hobgoblin after all. Obviously, none of the humans could match the beauty of his long pointy nose. It was just the perfect length and shape.


    We... Wyre started to say before cknail cut him off.


    Im right here, master, the hobgoblin shouted as he waved enthusiastically in his masters direction. I saved everyones lives like twice! I also killed some enemies, snuck around a lot, and found some cheese!


    Im d you had fun, the old scout replied as he rolled his eyes and signalled for Wyre to speak up.


    cknails feelings were a bit hurt, but he would have plenty of time to talk to his masterter.


    As I was saying, on our way back we ran into some unexpectedpany, which would exin the signs of activity you found. It seems Werrick is on his way here, the other scout exined.


    Saeter frowned as he and Wyre met in the middle of the road. The pair began talking andparing notes. Neither of them looked happy.


    cknail found their talk boring. He already knew all that stuff. As he idled away the time, the hobgoblin saw a hint of something that might be a berry bush off to one side of the forest. All the walking had made him hungry, so he decided to investigate.


    Stay here, Saetermanded the hobgoblin, after only a brief nce his way.


    cknail sighed in annoyance but did as he was told. He spun around and made his way back over to the wagon. He had some snacks tucked away on it. No one couldin if he ate those now.


    A few minutester, after cknail had finished shoving half a loaf of bread down his throat, Saeter and Wyre decided on a course of action. The pair of scouts called all the other bandits over, and they gathered around.


    Theres no point sticking around, Saeter told everyone. We have no idea how many men Werrick has here. That camp may not be the only one, and we need to get the wagon back to base.


    Later, Im sure Herad will want to send a few squads out to watch and harass the enemy, but thats not our job right now, Wyre added.


    No one argued with them. All the other bandits simply nodded or said nothing. Most of them were deserters, and they hadnt left the army because it didnt fight enough.


    After a bit more instruction, everyone got moving again. The two groups of bandits melded seamlessly into one and started back down the road towards camp.


    Saeter had a rearguard put together to protect the wagon but no one attacked them. The only sign of the enemy was a single horseman off in the distance that observed them for awhile before disappearing. It was rather disappointing to cknail, really.


    The walls of thick bushes and trees that nked the road eventually widened to reveal a barricade of tall,shed together stakes. cknail gave the men guarding it a friendly wave, they were also part of Herads tribe.


    Behind the crude wally cknails home, the camp of the bandit chieftain Herad. The barrier was pulled to the side and the captured wagon rolled in, along with all the men and women apanying it.


    Saeter and cknail took a minute to unpack their gear and settle down after the trip. The hobgoblin had to make sure all his prizes and tasty treats were hidden away where hed left them.


    Youre all back early, Red Dogmented as he walked over to them. Should I be concerned?


    cknail looked over from where he was prying open one of the sacks on the wagon.


    Red Dog was the lieutenant whom Herad had left in charge of the camp when she had gone to Daggerpointst fall. Red Dog had been very disappointed to see cknail return with her. He had hoped that the hobgoblin had run off into the wild, never to be heard of again except in unsettling campfire stories.


    We need to talk to Herad. Things are moving quickly and not in a good way. It looks like some of Werricks men are moving into our territory, Saeter told him.


    So I should be concerned, Red Dog replied with a sigh. Damnation, I was hoping for another easy spring of robbery. Shit like youre talking about is how honest bandits like myself get themselves killed.


    Honest bandits? Wyre asked in amusement.


    I dont pretend to be anything else, Red Dog replied with a shrug.


    And here I thought you were without virtue, Saetermented. But enough chitchat, we need to report to Herad.


    Ill let you talk to her, Wyre added. She seems to like you best.


    The older scout gave the younger one an annoyed re but didnt say anything. Instead, he turned back to RedDog.


    Where is she? he asked the other man.


    The boss is at Vorschas cabin, right now. Theyre talking about supplies and stuff, Red Dog answered. I might as well go with you. It sounds like this is going to throw all our ns up in the air.


    Come along then, Saeter grunted as he started off towards Vorschas cabin.


    cknail followed his master as they marched though the camp. Crudely constructed wooden cabins of various sizes littered the clearing. They had all been builtst year as shelter from the winter that had just passed. Many of them wererge barracks-like structures that housed groups of bandits.


    The grass that had once dominated the clearing had long since been trampled down into dirt that was dusty in dry weather and muddy after the rain. In the center of the camp stood the old farmhouse Herad had taken as her own. Along the edges of the camp the tall trees of the northern forest loomed, reminding everyone that they were far from true civilization here.


    Herad was indeed talking to Vorscha. The pair of them were standing out front of her cabin as they conversed. Of the two women, Herad was very much the smaller. She was only of average size.


    When Saeter and the others came around the corner of another building, Vorscha saw them and pointed their way.


    What brings all youzy bastards back so quickly? I hope for your own sake that you actually followed my orders, Herad asked as she turned towards the new arrivals.


    I certainly did, as always. The men you sent with cknail ran into some trouble after taking their spoils and hurried back here with news, Saeter exined in a carefully neutral tone.


    By the time he had finished a cold look had appeared on Herads face. Well, colder than usual. Herad always looked like she was one step away from violence. cknail tried to attract her attention as little as possible, unless he had something to brag about.


    The Bandit chieftain ran her fingers through her short ck hair as she considered Saeters words. Her dark eyes stood out from her pale skin and were narrowed in thought.


    Well, this isntpletely unexpected. We thought it likely that Werrick, and the fucking bloody bastards that he has backing him, would move against us, the bandit chieftain replied as she scowled.


    Theyre moving very quickly, though. Faster than we thought they would, Vorscha pointed out.


    Therge brte women spoke with a hint of concern in her voice. She was wearing a loose cloth shirt, and crossed her arms in front of her in a way that highlighted both her lean muscles and her ample chest.


    Doesnt matter, Herad responded. The longer he waits the more men and equipment Werrick can rally. Having him move this early is to our benefit, not his. The impatient fool is underestimating me.


    Youre right, and that has me worried. Why is Werrick moving so quickly? He knows you wont be easy to beat in your own territory. He must be very confident for some reason, Saeter pointed out.


    Id be confident to if I had the kind of backing he did, Vorscha countered. With those crooked merchants behind him he can probably afford to lose his entire army and then just buy a new one. Manpower isnt hard toe by out here, with all the deserters feeling the southern wars.


    True, in Daggerpoint his lieutenant Zelena used mercenaries. I would be very surprised if Werrick hasnt hired a few more, Saeter added.


    If he relies on outside forces too much the other bands will never ept him, Herad replied with a disdainful sneer. He cant just buy himself an army and use it to control the North. That would make him too much like a conquering outsider out to crush all banditry.


    That wont do us much good if were dead, Red Dog muttered.


    If Werrick doese against me with a mercenary host then Ill retreat and wait," Herad replied as she drew one of the many daggers she had tucked around her person. Idly, the bandit chieftain toyed with it as she spoke.


    Hell have to leave eventually to deal with other bands and then well raid the forces he leaves behind. He wont be able to conquer the North with strength of arms alone. He needs to convince the other bands to follow him, and to do that he has to convince them hes one of them, she told her subordinates.


    Saeter nodded in agreement. A sh of annoyance gleamed in Herads eyes for a second in response. The old scouts approval always seemed to anger her for some reason.


    Most the ouws Ive worked with came North to escape the rule of Kings, Saeter exined. They wouldnt fall to their knees and ept Werrick as their master if he looked like a southern puppet out to destroy their livelihood and freedom.


    Which means we just have to worry about Werricks band and maybe a little outside support. He must have left some men behind but he undoubtedly still has more than us, Vorscha pointed out skeptically.


    Im not too worried if thats all he brings to the table, Herad said. We have the defensive advantage. We know the terrain, have fortifications up, and are building more. Ive outmaneuvered him before and this time will be no different.


    We need to be prepared. We should speed up construction, double our patrols, and cancel all leave. Every man in camp should be assigned to a job until Werrick is defeated, Vorscha suggested.


    Practical as always, Vorscha. Herad responded approvingly. Ill leave organizing that up to you."


    Off to one side, Red Dog sighed regretfully and grimaced to himself. cknail took a not so casual step behind Saeter, where he was harder to notice. He wanted avoid being given a job.


    The talksted for a few more minutes before Herad dismissed everyone. Saeter and cknail were given the rest of the day off, and they headed back towards their camp site.


    They lived in a pair of tents off to one side of the encampment, near the forest, instead of one of therger buildings. Both of them had spent the winter in Daggerpoint and liked to live simply. Everything Saeter owned could be packed up in a few minutes.


    As soon as they arrived, cknail happily ran over to his tent and began to unpack all his stuff. All the yummy snacks, shiny trinkets, and hard won loot he had acquired from hisst mission had to be put away. If he just left it out then a despicable thief would probably steal it! Some people were just savages.


    The hobgoblin took off his cloak and outer garments, flipped open the door to his tent, and crawled inside. The interior was small, but once inside cknails body heat immediately started to heat the ce up. Beneath him a small collection of nkets carpeted the floor, and his own familiar scent filled the air.


    The hobgoblin gave out an unexpected yawn and copsed onto the ground. He leisurely shifted the nkets beneath himself as he closed his eyes and smiled. It was sofy and warm here. If it wasnt for the need to eat and drink he would never leave.


    cknail gathered up a clump of nkets and rested his head on them like a pillow. One of the sheets was little more than a beat up rag but the hobgoblin didnt care. In fact, that rag was his favourite by far. It had been given to him by his master when cknail had been nothing more than a little goblin.


    His memories from way back then were blurry and confused but when he held the nket close and smelled it he was ovee by a sense of security and... something else. Was itfort and appreciation? It was a nice feeling anyway. It made him feel warm inside.


    A few secondster, cknail let out a deep breath and opened his eyes. He wanted to rest some more but knew he had things to do. Reluctantly, he reached into his pockets and started removing the best of his new acquisitions.


    A small metal figurine was taken out and ced off to one side. The tiny warriors bronze surface was dull but it still had a slight shine to it. Next, a ss eye was put down beside it. cknail snickered to himself as he remembered how hed gotten that. Fun times!


    Oh, there was also a little bit of biscuit in there. cknail pulled the chunk out of his pocket and shoved it into his mouth. He chewed on it as he slipped out of his tent and back outside.


    Up in the sky, the sun was a fair bit past midday peak. Small fluffy clouds were scattered around it but they didnt block its light.


    The hobgoblin looked down and at the human dwellings around him. He had a thoughtful expression on his face.


    The first thing that had to be done was chores, so cknail went to find the person hed told to do them all.