Into the Green 8


    After the goblins ambush, the trek through the forest was uneventful. The feral hobgoblin led the way for around half an hour, and they soon emerged from out of the trees into an overgrown clearing full of thick bushes that were too tall to see over.


    cknail instantly recognized the area. The main road wasnt too far from here. Last year, during his trip to Daggerpoint he had been attacked by the hobgoblin that had ruled this territory. After a long brutal fight to the death where cknail had been forced to use all his impressive cunning and skill, hed then had to stop and rest with the local tribe for a while before moving on.


    Gob hadnt been around then. cknail eyed the hobgoblin suspiciously out of the corner of his eye. Gob must have been a mere goblin during cknailsst visit, and only transformed into a hobgoblin after cknail had left to catch up with Herad and Saeter.


    Well, the important thing was that the tribe should have plenty of food. cknail had spent a fair amount of time teaching the goblins here how to trap animals and smoke meat. If the stupid little critters had already forgotten his lessons then cknail was going to be very mad. One way or another, they were going to be providing him with as much food as he wanted to eat.


    A breeze swept through the trees as cknail began to push his way through the bushes in front of him. His new goblin followers were right behind him, but a sudden low growl which was followed by a fearful yelp stopped his advance. He turned around to see what was happening and sighed. It was probably something dumb and annoying. His minions had problems with even the simplest instructions.


    The people behind cknail had stopped moving. Gob was growling menacingly at Geralhd while standing in his way. The humans had backed away from the suddenly hostile hobgoblin and were looking nervous. Their posture was tense and a few of them had started to reach for their weapons. Scamp and Imp stood off to the side and watched.


    What now? cknail mumbled to himself as he walked back to see what all themotion was about. It didnt look like Gob was going to attack anyone but he was obviously upset about something.


    What did you do? cknail called out to Geralhd.


    Nothing, he just wont let us pass! the young man replied with obvious exasperation.


    As if in response, Gob growled again and red at Geralhd menacingly. The hobgoblin wasnt brandishing his weapon though, so cknail carefully observed the situation for a few moments before a possible exnation urred to him.


    Ah, you need to bow! cknail dered with sudden understanding as he met Geralhds gaze. It all made sense now.


    What?


    The hobgoblin ranger rolled his eyes. How could anyone possibly survive long enough to reach adulthood without knowing this sort of thing? It was so basic.


    Gob is angry because youre strangers. You need to join the tribe before hell let you near hisir.


    And how do we do that? Geralhd asked.


    Bow before me, your great leader, like Gob did before.


    Why did he have to exin this? It was really obvious and he had just answered this question a second ago.


    Im not doing that, a blonde woman replied as she grimaced distastefully.


    There must be an easier way to show him that were not a threat, Geralhd remarked.


    Sometimes goblin leaders piss on their... cknail started to suggest before he was interrupted.


    Bowing it is, the blonde woman quickly cut in.


    What happens if we do neither? a bearded bandit whose name cknail kept forgetting asked.


    Then you stay here while I go get something to eat, cknail replied callously. He was a little annoyed at being cut off.


    After a lot of unhappy grumbling, all the bandits knelt in front of cknail, even if they did it reluctantly and as quickly as possible. cknail couldnt stop himself from smirking the entire time. It was just too satisfying to see all his hard work and sacrifice pay off. He was finally being treated like he so rightly deserved to be, as the chief. When thest human had finished bowing, Gob nodded happily to himself and got out of the way. cknail felt a little better about having the hobgoblin around now. He was proving to be useful.


    Now that you have joined the tribe you can enter, cknail told everyone before turning around and leading the way into the clearing. All the goblins except for Scamp and Imp had already gone ahead.


    I swear to the gods, there had better actually be food here or Im going to kill someone, a bandit remarked bitterly as he followed cknail. There was also a bit more grumbling from some of the others, but none of them decided to stay behind. They all trailed after cknail as he headed towards the goblinsir.


    A few minutester, a sense of nostalgia washed over cknail as he pushed aside thest bush. The goblinsir had changed a lot since hisst visit but it was still recognizable. The tribe had built their home atop the old ruin of arge human dwelling. The worn down remnants of the buildings walls could be seen encircling it. The goblins had reinforced the breaks in the old brick wall with wooden stacks so that they had a defensive barrier. When cknail had been here before the walls interior had been almost bare. There had only been a few small structures made up of loosely piled branches leaning up against the walls, but now arge new building was visible.


    This new structure lookedrge enough to hold a dozen men, even if they had to slouch over because of the low roof. It was made up of branches that had been carefully woven together and reinforced with twine. Layers of bark had been tied to the roof and walls to block out the wind and rain, although a few spots used tarp or bits of cloth that had obviously been stolen from humans.


    The rest of the goblin camp was mostly packed dirt and a few tiny dwellings, except for where arge fire pit sat in the center of the site. Right where cknail remembered it, a huge old pot was hanging over the fire pit.


    Incredible, I didnt know goblins still made things like this, Geralhd remarked breathlessly as he looked around.


    I showed them how to do stuff like that, cknail bragged.


    Ya, its great if you love dirt and twigs, another bandit observed sarcastically.


    Wheres the food? Khita asked. Her priorities were clear.


    Just wait. Soon we will have a feast to celebrate my great leadership! cknail responded as he looked around.


    The feral goblins were lurking around the edges of the camp. They were staring at the humans but also giving them plenty of room. In sharp contrast, Gob was sticking close to the intruders. He slowly circled them while ring suspiciously their way, and his attitude clearly unnerved some of the bandits. cknail ignored all that. He quickly walked over to the fire pit and examined the pot. He was intent on nning his victory celebration. A great chieftain deserved a great feast.


    The first thing cknail needed to do was round up some goblins, so thats what he did. He stalked over to the closest one and grabbed it before it could escape. Then, he hoisted it up into the air and shook it a few times to get its attention. When he was sure the goblin knew who was the boss, he gestured towards the pot and then in the direction where he knew a creeky. The goblin seemed to understand because it nodded along enthusiastically, so cknail dropped it.


    Soon, Gob was leading a group of goblins over to the creek to fetch water. Through various physical threats,plicated gestures, and bouts of angry hissing cknail got a few more parties of goblins working on other jobs. Most importantly, he sent them out to gather food, or at least he hoped thats what they were doing. It was either that or they were going to set fire to the forest. He would find out soon enough.


    You really should be trying to teach them some Elorian, it would make this much easier, Gehd said as he observed cknail work. All the bandits that hade with cknail had found ces to sit and rest at one end of the camp. They watched the goings-on with wary attention.


    Whats Elorain? cknail asked doubtfully.


    Its thenguage we are speaking right now, Geralhd exined with obvious amusement. There was a slight smirk on his lips.


    Oh, right, I knew that. Im just too busy right now for more lessons, the hobgoblin replied.


    Then maybe Ill do it. Scamp learned it fairly quickly, the young man mused aloud as he looked towards therge hut the goblins had built.


    Go ahead, cknail said distractedly as the first of goblins began to filter back in.


    It wasnt long before the big pot was filled with water and hauled up above the fire pit by Gob and a few goblins. Piles of leaves, roots, firewood, and small game where piled up off to one side. The goblin tribe was quite skilled at hunting rabbits, birds, and squirrels.


    The feral tribe quickly grew excited as cknail began throwing ingredients into the pot. He had cooked for them during hisst visit as well, and apparently they had liked it. They goblins slipped past the nearby humans in order to peer over his shoulder, and he had to smack a few to keep them out of his way.


    Its done! cknail announced happily a few minutester. The smell of the stew now filled the air.


    As the feral goblins fought amongst themselves over the few bowls they possessed, the bandits began serving themselves. They were briefly interrupted when a growling Gob forced his way to the front of the line. However, no one tried to fight the hobgoblin, so he took his food and withdrew peacefully.


    Huh, this isnt half bad, Elyias remarked in surprise after sitting down and tasting the food.


    Its the nectar of the godspared to the stuff we were eating yesterday, another bandit added.


    Ya, if I went another day eating nothing but raw leaves I was going to go crazy, a third agreed. That and shit my brains out.


    When all the humans had gotten out of the way, an unruly crowd of goblins ran over to get their own food. Scamp and Imp had been behind thest bandit so they were in the swarms way. Scamp had to fight his way through the mob. He hissed and scratched anyone who got too close to the bowl he had pressed protectively against his chest. In sharp contrast, none of the ferals bothered Imp. Whenever one got too close he directed a cold stare their way and they scurried away.


    Of course, cknail had taken the first bowl for himself. He just finished slurping the meal down when the feral goblins finished emptying the rest of the pot. However, since there were still plenty of ingredients left it didnt take him very long for him to get another batch going. He was almost finished when his cooking was briefly interrupted by a loud screech from Khita that hurt his ears.


    Hey, thats mine! the redhead yelled as she jumped to her feet.


    A goblin had somehow managed to get its hands on her knife. The little creature quickly ran off into the bushes outside of the camp and Khita disappeared after it. cknail snickered in amusement at the sight. What kind of idiot let her stuff get stolen by goblins?


    After he had finished cooking, cknail yawned and decided to take a nap. He had stuffed himself and his full stomach was making him more than little sleepy, but before he could nod off he was interrupted.


    cknail, what are we supposed to do now? Geralhd asked nervously after walking over to his side.


    Sleep, the hobgoblin replied crossly.


    Where should we do that? Geralhd enquired in a frustrated tone. We need shelter and I dont want to anger our... hosts.


    We also need some way to prevent the goblins from slitting our throats while we sleep, Elyias added. The young bandit sounded nervous and he kept ncing around every time there was the slightest of noises or movement by a goblin.


    cknail sighed and sat up. Couldnt the humans do anything for themselves? Did they really need him to tell them where to sleep?


    After a brief conversation, cknail led Geralhd on a tour of the feral goblins camp. The young bandit was surprised when cknail pulled open a makeshift trapdoor to reveal a staircase that led downwards into the ground.


    Oh, this must be an old root cer, Geralhd observed as they walked down into a fair sized room with stone walls. There were a few goblins lurking about, but cknail hissed and they quickly disappeared into a small tunnel in one of the walls. This was where the hobgoblin had slept thest time he was here.


    It was getting dark outside and there wasnt much light in the underground chamber, so cknail walked over to the firece he had dug into the wall during hisst visit. There was already a tiny bit of dry wood and grass inside, so it only took a few seconds to get a fire going using sparks from a piece of flint and steel.


    Yes, its a little dirty, but will work quite well, Geralhd remarked as he looked around. We can seal that hole there easily enough and then there is only one way in. I dont mean to offend your... friends, but I know well all sleep sounder in a secure location.


    I dont trust goblins either, cknail replied indifferently. Why would you ever trust a goblin? Of course, humans were just as bad in their own way. cknails heart twisted painfully for a second as several memories suddenly overcame him. The only human he had ever really trusted had been Saeter, and now his master was dead. That meant cknail was the only trustworthy person left. Being so loyal and incredibly amazing was a lonely burden.


    Im going to sleep now. Dont bother me, cknail announced before getting his nket out and curling up in one corner of the room.The humans could sort everything out now, and he didnt really feel like interacting with feral goblins right now, not even the female ones. For some reason, he just wasnt as interested in them as he had used to be. They were kind of short and t-chested... Wait, why was he thinking about this?


    It wasnt long before all the bandits starteding down into the cer. Some of them brought wood to feed the fire. The flickering mes lit the room as everyone set up for the night.


    It was several hours after that when Khita finally showed up again. cknail awoke to the sound of her stomping down the stairs. Her clothes were covered with mud and her exposed skin had scratches on it. She looked like shed gotten into a fight with a thorn bush.


    Did you get your knife back? he asked her snidely.


    Fuck you, you miserable bastard, she snarled in reply before going to sit over by the fire. cknail was fairly sure that meant she hadnt gotten her knife back.


    After an otherwise uneventful night, cknail led the bandits out of the root cer and back up to the fire pit. He sighed as he observed how nervous and fearful they were acting. Why were they so afraid of a few goblins and one hobgoblin? They were a bunch of big humans with steel weapons!


    Gob greeted his new chieftain by kneeling on the ground before him, which pleased cknail greatly. Maybe the hobgoblin wasnt so bad after all, and that meant there was no reason to kill him and make it look like an ident. cknail had spent some timest night thinking about the best way to go about that. Goblin chiefs werent supposed to kill their subordinates but it happened all the time, especially when those subordinates got uppity.


    Hey thats my knife! Khita eximed when she noticed the item tucked into the side of the hobgoblins loin cloth.


    She reached over to take it, but Gob stepped back and hissed at her. The redhead and the hobgoblin then stared at each other. Neither seemed likely to back down.


    Dont start anything, Geralhd warned her. He clearly didnt want a fight to break out.


    Make him give it back, Khita told cknail.


    Get it back yourself, cknail replied. He didnt like the tone of her voice. He was the leader and didnt take orders from anyone.


    Is this some sort of hobgoblin test? To see if Im sneaky enough to steal it back and prove myself? the redhead asked as her eyes narrowed with sudden suspicion.


    No, I just dont care, cknail remarked tly. If Khita couldnt hold onto her own stuff then that wasnt his problem.


    Youve be kind of an asstely, cknail, Khita huffed in reply as she scowled at him.


    Nope, wrong, the hobgoblin replied dismissively. He waspletely sure he hadnt changed at all. There was just no one around to force him to do stupid things anymore, like care about Khita or take baths.


    Life was better when you were the leader.