Rolling the Dice 5


    cknail stared at the goblin in the cage before him. The creature was hard to see in the shadowy corner of theb. The only light was pale and came from the magic crystals across the room. Beside him, Mahedium continued talking.


    I keep it locked up most the time, Mahedium exined casually. I was afraid I was going to have to drug it or have it trained, but that hasnt been necessary. For some reason it seems mostly content as long as I keep it up high where it can see most of whats going on.


    The small creature in the cage was thin for a male goblin, but not unhealthily so. Itsnky form was hunched over as it regarded the hobgoblin that had suddenly appeared in front of it.


    Its eyes were what drew cknails attention. Not only were they bright red but they shone with something more than animal cunning: patient intelligence. cknail didnt like that one bit.


    As the two stared at each other, a smug grin suddenly appeared on the goblins lips. cknail growled softly in response. How dare this pipsqueak smirk at him! He was like three times his size!


    A secondter, the goblin turned away andid down in the far corner of the cage. The hobgoblin frowned at the unexpected action. Was that a sign of submission? Was it just crazy? cknail wasnt sure...


    Anyway, why had Mahedium brought this weird goblin here? This was cknails territory. Humans shouldnt be bringing goblins into camp without asking him!


    He wanted to yell at the stupid human but he tried to keep calm. He had seen the mage blow up buildings before and set dozens of men ame. There was no telling what type of Mana crystals he had tucked away on him and cknail didnt want to find out the hard way. It would be better to keep things polite.


    Stupid human! Why do you need a goblin? There are enough goblins here! cknail asked with a hint of anger in his voice.


    Red Dog would agree with you, Mahedium chuckled. Dont worry, I only take it out for short walks and experiments. I have to keep it healthy if I want to draw blood from it. Its very convenient to have another source of mage blood and not have to constantly cut myself. Maybe I should get an apprentice? Anyway, my fingertips havent been this smooth in years!


    cknail nced at the lock on the cage door. It was a doubletch. There was no way the goblin didnt know how to open it! The only reason it was still in the cage was because that was where it wanted to be!


    It just watches you do magic-ss and stuff? cknail asked doubtfully as he turned to face Mahedium.


    I guess. Its just a feral goblin though, so it probably doesnt even know what magic is. It probably just likes the fire and shing colors, the mage replied with an indifferent shrug.


    cknail threw a quick nce over his shoulder, back towards the cage. The goblin within was staring intensely at Mahediums bubbling ss jar and the crystal inside it, but it quickly looked away when it noticed the hobgoblins attention. Theplete fascination and intelligence in that gaze unnerved cknail.


    The hobgoblin was more than willing to bet that the goblin understood a lot more than Mahedium thought it did. Stupid humans! How could they be so blind?


    It even responds to one or two basicmands, the mage added appreciatively.


    I see, cknail replied tly.


    This goblin was deeply suspicious! Goblins didnt normally act like that! The hobgoblin squeezed his fist shut as he tried to rein in his anger.


    I dont like it. Can I kill it? the hobgoblin asked politely.


    Killing the goblin would simplify cknails life greatly.


    What? Theres no need for that. Here Ill show you, the surprised mage replied.


    The mage then reached down and utched the cage. The door swung open with a creak but the goblin didnt attempt to leave. Instead, it just looked up and gave Mahedium an inquisitive look.


    Out. Heel. The mage ordered it.


    Almost immediately, the little goblin stepped out of the cage and scampered over to Mahediums side. It looked up at him with a dutiful expression, which didnt fool cknail for a second. Suspicious!


    Much to the hobgoblins surprise the goblin then raised a green arm and offered it to the mage. Mahedium just shook his head, though.


    Hmm, I dont need to draw a blood sample today. Good boy, back into your cage now, the mage said as he pointed towards the pen.


    Sure enough, the goblin quickly hustled back into the enclosure it had juste out of. It kept its eyes downcast in a sign of submission to both cknail and the mage the entire time.


    See, the little thing is remarkably well behaved and incredibly beneficial to my research. Including the production of your Elixir, Mahedium told the hobgoblin proudly.


    cknail sighed in annoyance. The new goblin was a lot more obedient and useful than Scamp. Of course, cknail couldnt shake the feeling that it was just bidding its time until it could murder everyone in their sleep. No one was perfect, though.


    The goblin was more of a prisoner than a member of the tribe, no matter how well it behaved, so cknail didnt feel the need to beat the snot out of it so it understood the hierarchy. He was just going to have to keep an eye on the creepy little thing.


    Anyway, hed delivered the letter so he didnt see any reason to stay around here. cknail eyed the bubbling liquid on the table warily. Something might explode, and not in a fun way but more likely in a burning liquid in your eyes kind of way.


    Fine, its your problem-ss. Im leaving, cknail told the mage.


    The hobgoblin then threw the little goblin an annoyed grimace and stalked out of the room. It was gettingte now, so he decided to look for Saeter. His master should be starting to cook supper soon.


    By the time cknail arrived back at his tent, hed somehow managed to pick up a few new interesting trinkets, including a small coin pouch. It was weird how people just left themying around everywhere...


    cknail found Saeter seated next to his campfire. The old scout was stirring the contents of a big iron pot with a wooden spoon. The smell that rose from the pot as it cooked above the mes was heavenly. The hobgoblins mouth immediately began watering.


    Youre making stew! cknail eximed happily.


    The hobgoblin loved his masters cooking! Usually, he had to make his own food, and it was never as good as the stuff Saeter could cook.


    Weve done a fair bit of walking recently, so I thought we should put some weight back on our bones, the old scout replied.


    cknail eyed the big iron pot. It was almost full. That was a lot of food! It was time to stuff himself silly.


    His delicious thoughts were interrupted by the sound of people approaching. cknail had to fight a sudden urge to spin around and hiss threateningly. It was his food! They would have to fight him for it!


    Instead, cknail just looked over his shoulder and scowled at the neers. It was Geralhd and Vorscha. What did they want?


    Vorscha was his sword instructor, so he knew fighting her could only end badly for him. Geralhd also had to be handled carefully. The man kept cknail well supplied with snacks. cknail didnt want to scare him away. Hopefully neither of them was after his food.


    What are you two doing here? Saeter asked suspiciously as he looked up from the pot.


    Do we need a reason to visit a good friend such as you? Geralhd countered courteously.


    Yes, Saeter grunted in reply. You werent invited.


    Its too nice of an afternoon for anyone to be spending it alone. We just felt like stopping by and enjoying the pleasure of yourpany, the younger man exined with a smile.


    Plus, you make really good stew, and Im hungry, Vorscha added. we could smell it from across the camp.


    Too bad, Saeter told them. Leave.


    cknail wants us to stay, Geralhd told the old scout.


    The hobgoblin frowned. He really didnt want any such thing.


    I doubt that, Saeter replied gruffly.


    Do you? Vorscha asked as she grinned smugly and winked at Geralhd.


    cknail, we brought cheese scones! her lover announced.


    The hobgoblin ears perked up and oriented themselves towards Geralhd. The rest of his head quickly followed. His eyes instantly locked onto the bundle of cloth the younger man had just taken out from behind his back.


    They can-ss stay! cknail dered quickly.


    Saeter glowered at both visitors, highlighting the lines of his weathered face. He looked like he was trying to think of some way to get rid of them.


    Ugh, fine, he sighed in defeat a few secondster.


    Yeah, scones! cknail giggled happily.


    This meal was going to be so great, maybe even the best ever! Rabbit stew with cheese scones! He couldnt wait.


    Vorscha smiled and Geralhd ced the rolled up cloth on a rock next to the fire. The pair grinned at each other as they settled down on the other side of the campfire from cknail and his master.


    Saeters fire pit was a quiterge, even if it was just a shallow hole in the ground surrounded by a ring of round stones. Two nearby t rocks could be used as chairs, and there was also a nearby collection of cut up logs for people to sit on.


    Wait, why did his master have so many seats around his campfire if he didnt want visitors? cknail couldnt figure it out. Was the old scout going to use them for something?


    Bah, I suppose I cooked enough food to share, Saeter grunted as he started stirring the stew again. It goes bad quickly, anyway.


    His masters speech, and the intense stare cknail was directing towards the yet unwrapped scones, distracted the hobgoblin enough that the voice from behind him was a surprise.


    Whats going on here? a newly arrived woman asked.


    No! cknail hissed in rm as he realized who it was and spun around.


    It was Khita! She had probablye to steal some of his delicious scones and stew. Well, he wasnt going to let her! She was useless.


    There you are, Vorscha announced as Khita walked closer. Take a seat.


    I didnt say she could-sse, cknail whined.


    Shes with us, Vorscha replied as she gave the hobgoblin a t stare.


    cknail froze under her gaze. Good natured or not, there was a steely edge to her gaze. She clearly wasnt going to ept anyints from him. Why was the big woman always sticking up for Khita? She was useless.


    Whats one more mouth to feed? She may as well join us, Saeter remarked sarcastically as he sat down on his favourite stump.


    Thanks, your stew usually tastes nice, the young woman remarked.


    Saeter frowned at Khita and pursed his lips. Clearly, he was insulted.


    Nice... he huffed as he shook his head. Ive been perfecting this recipe since before you were a fire in your fathers loins.


    Its the nectar of the gods itself, if thats what you want to hear, Vorscha told the old scout as she rolled her eyes.


    Khita took a seat next to cknail. The hobgoblin groaned and shuffled away. The cheese scones had better be bloody delicious!


    Hey, cknail! How did yourst mission go? Khita asked cknail. Herad and Vorscha never let me go on any important missions. Im either stuck here in camp or Vorscha is watching my every movement.


    It was alright. I snuck around, met a new friend, and killed a bunch of people, cknail remarked offhand as he waited for stew.


    He didnt mention the food hed looted from the wagon. He wouldnt put it past Khita to steal it.


    Sharp! Thats what Im talking about, the young woman eximed happily. I want to go on a mission like that!


    I dont think killing people is a good measure of sess, Geralhd interjected unhappily.


    It is if youre a hobgoblin, Saeter told the other man.


    Is the food ready? The smell is making me hungry, Khita suddenly asked.


    Close enough, Saeter replied as he got up.


    The old scout reached into a sack and pulled out a bunch of wooden bowls. One by one he filled them with stew from the pot and passed them out.


    While he was doing that, Gehd finally unwrapped the cloth bundle he had been holding to reveal the scones within. It only took a few seconds for him to toss them around. cknail grinned as he caught his and took a bite. They were bloody delicious, so cheesy and yet so smooth and rich.


    There was silence as everyone ate, if you didnt count the hobgoblins smacking. cknail thought that this was fine, but Geralhd apparently found it awkward. The young man looked thoughtfully around at everyone else seated by the fire.


    Up in the sky, the sun was starting to set behind the western clouds. The clouds glowed a deep red as darkness started to set in. All around, the shadows grew thicker as flickering firelight filled the camp.


    So Saeter, what do you think of our current situation? From what I hear, Werrick ising and hes bringing more than few men, the young man asked to break the silence.


    I think there is going to be a fight, Saeter replied stonily.


    Ugh, I dont want to discuss fighting right now, Vorscha interjected sourly. Here we are enjoying a great meal among friends! Why bring up violence?


    Imagine what will happen if she wins, though, Gerald pointed out. Shell basically hold dominion over all the North! All its wealth will be at her fingertips and part of that will be ours!


    Thats a good point, Vorscha remarked as she smiled. Retiring from the bandit life with a chest full of gold sounds great to me. I could really use a nice mansion full of servants.


    That does sound nice, Geralhd mused.


    It would have to be in Daggerpoint, or somewhere else beyond the Kings writ, but it would still be much nicer than my current cabin. Especially if you were there with me, Vorscha told her lover.


    He looked uneasy and smiled sadly before responding.


    That does sound wonderful. Unfortunately, as you know, I need to be heading home as soon as possible. My parents and sister need me back down South, Gehd replied.


    Youre still a wanted man, Vorscha pointed out.


    The warrant for my arrest will eventually expire, especially if I get my hands on enough coin to grease the right hands. Bribes are the only reason I was ever charged in the first ce. All I did was win a fair duel! the young manined.


    And kill a man, Vorscha added dryly.


    There are duels all the time where Ie from, back in Eloria proper. Some of them are even to the death, yet rarely is anyone arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, Geralhd eximed angrily.


    Ha, youre allzy or cowards. I dont n on retiring ever! Im going to work my way up to be Herads most trusted lieutenant and maybe even eventually be her sessor! Khita bragged.


    There was a lot of eye rolling and skeptical looks from everyone else present. cknail tried to picture Khita as the leader of anything and failed. How could anyone ever be stupid enough to ept her as their chieftain?


    I dont think Herad trusts anyone, especially not her lieutenants, Saeter grumbled to himself as he got up and refilled his bowl.


    I dont think thats very likely. Everyone retires eventually, Vorscha told Khita. You really should be trying to figure out how to escape the criminal life.


    It will be an adventure! Khita replied defensively. Besides, I wont be alone. cknail wont be retiring to some stuffy mansion. Hes a hobgoblin and they know how to have fun!


    cknail looked up from where he was eating thest of his scone. Bits of crumps fell off his chin.


    Ill go where Master Saeter goes, he replied simply.


    This caused everyone to look Saeters way. The old scout just frowned and sat back down.


    Bah, having dreams like yours is just a good way to be disappointed. Only fools believe in happy endings. Youre better off just epting things the way they are, he told the others.


    cknail put his empty bowl down and gave his master a questioning look. He seemed to remember Saeter saying something else a while ago.


    I thought your wanted-ss to make Herad Queen of the North and kick the southern king person in the balls. Didnt you say that? I think-ss you did... cknail mused aloud as he tried to remember.


    Gehd suddenly snorted in amusement and a huge grin appeared on Vorschas face. For some reason, Saeters face grew noticeably redder. The old scout winced and looked off to the side.


    I never said anything like that! Stop lying, cknail. Youre imagining things, you stupid hobgoblin, he quickly argued.


    Ambitious, but I like it, Vorscha remarked.


    Ha, so much for not having any dreams! Geralhdughed. I should have known you had a reason for sticking around here.


    I wouldnt mind kicking a king or two in the nuts, Khita mused as she smirked. Those fancy bastards have never done anything for me.


    That was just something I said once as a joke, Saeter protested.


    Of course it was. Dont worry, Saeter. We all know you didnt mean it, Vorscha joked.


    As Saeter glowered, cknail looked around at everyones smirks. He didnt get it. What was so funny?


    It quickly grew dark as the bandits talked andughed. Soon, the only light was from their campfire or that of other nearby groups. By the time Saeters guests left, almost everyone else in the camp had turned in for the night.


    With happy yawn, cknail went to bed. An owl hooted off in the trees as he walked over to his tent and crawled inside. Feelingfortable, cknail curled up and fell asleep.


    However, his rest was disturbed by unpleasant dreams, and cknail tossed and turned in his sleep.


    A green maze of twisted trees surrounded him, and there was only a single path through it. Skulls and swords littered the ground as he walked. Coins slipped from his fingers no matter how hard he tried to hold them and eventually he was all alone in the darkness. The hobgoblin looked up and saw a white light shinning down the forest path in front of him. He reached out towards it...