Hearts and Homes 5


    The corpse of the man cknail had just killedy on the ground. Blood leaked from his torn open throat. The other two men the hobgoblin had poisoned had also stopped choking and gone still. A mere minute ago, they had been talking in a friendly manner with cknail, and then the hobgoblin had killed them without mercy or warning.


    There was a look ofplete horrified shock on Elyias face. His eyes were wide with terror as he took a fumbling step back away from cknail. Oh gods! What the hells? Have you gone crazy? Are you going to kill me now? I knew this was going to happen, but no one listened to me. Oh gods, why didnt they listen?


    Youre fine, cknail reassured his minion. Didnt I tell you about this part of the n? I thought I had told you


    n? You cant just kill people!


    They betrayed the rest of the band, so its fine. Thats the kind of people youre supposed to kill. Herad did it all the time.


    You were the one that convinced them to do that! You led them out here, so youre just as responsible as them.


    Dont be silly. Im the leader; I cant be a traitor. It was a test and they failed, cknail replied as he rolled his eyes in a condescending manner. Humans sure could convince themselves of some crazy things.


    Elyias stared ck-jawed at cknail. He didnt seem to know what to say at first but then he opened his mouth. Why did you bring us out here if you were just nning on killing them? It makes no sense. Youre insane!


    It makes lots of sense, too much sense for a minion like you, cknail answered. Youre here to help me carry things, and I brought them out here because they were in the way of my n.


    What n? Is it to see how many humans you can lure out into the woods and murder? Elyias yelled. His voice echoed through the trees.


    No, thats dumb. That n is forter. I dont want to kill you humans. Youre part of my tribe and Im trying to help you.


    By lying to us and poisoning our food?


    Phh, Im trying to help <em>most</em> of you, the ones that deserve it. Like you, youre a good minion. Arent you? cknail asked as he stared meaningfully at Elyias. The human minion got the message.


    Er, yes? he responded carefully in much lower voice.


    Good. Going to Daggerpoint through the forest was just a stupid idea. We all would have died, cknail replied. Elyias was always fun to have around. His reactions were so amusing and he was easy to control with threats.


    You still havent exined your n at all.


    And Im not going to right now. Theres a lot to do and you need to get to work.


    Despite the mans obvious reluctance and residual fear, cknail ordered Elyias to help him move the bodies somewhere out of sight and to gather up their valuables, including all the coins they had stolen from the other bandits.


    What do you even want all this money for? Elyias asked as he picked up thest coin purse.


    Nothing. I just dont want other people to have it, cknail replied.


    When they were done, the hobgoblin led the way back. Elyias had no option but to follow him. They were in the middle of the forest and Elyias wasnt anything remotely like a woodsman.


    Shouldnt we have gotten back by now? Elyias asked after a few hours of hiking at a steady pace. He had arge pack on his back and the effort of carrying it had tired him out. His brow was sweaty and he was breathing heavily.


    We would have reached the vige if that was where we were going, cknail answered without slowing or turning around.


    Where are we going? Elyias asked in surprise. He didnt sound happy.


    Youll see soon, cknail replied.


    After only a few more minutes of walking, the pair arrived at the caves where the goblins lived. Gob was standing at the base of one of the hills and supervising a group of goblins. He noticed cknail right away and hurried over to meet him.


    Where did all these goblinse from? Elyias asked cknail as he looked around. There are a lot more of them here than before. Even goblins dont breed this quickly.


    I conquered them. It was a great battle! I had to fight a ten foot tall hobgoblin with a poison spear, cknail replied proudly.


    Do hobgoblins get thatrge?


    Of course. I think I know more about hobgoblins than you, cknail replied.


    Alright, but what are we doing here? Why didnt we go back to the vige?


    Im not doing anything here. Im leaving. Youre going to stay here, though, the hobgoblin exined.


    What? Im not staying out here with a bunch of goblins!


    Im the leader so you dont have much of a choice.


    You cant just imprison me!


    Yes, I can. Im the leader and you betrayed the tribe. If you try and run Ill hunt you down and skin you alive.


    Elyias was overwhelmed by indignant horror. He could only gape as Gob arrived and cknail turned towards the other hobgoblin.


    Guard this human. Make sure he doesnt go anywhere and keep this gear safe. I dont want any goblins stealing anything, cknail told Gob as he shoved Elyias his way.


    Nothing appeared about to explode or catch fire so cknail saw no reason to stick around. It was alreadyte in the afternoon. He dropped all the stuff he had taken from the bandits hed killed and got ready to leave.


    Yes, chief, Gob replied as he nodded and grabbed Elyias shoulder. The smaller grayish hobgoblin was being his usual obedient self, but Elyias still seemed to find him threatening.


    Hey, where are you going? Gods damn it all. You cant leave me here! What if they eat me? Elyias wailed.


    Dont let anyone eat him, cknail yelled at Gob as he began to jog away. There was a wordless scream of frustration from behind him but he ignored it.


    The next stage of n was to talk to Geralhd again. cknail ran back over to the vige. He was really doing this way too muchtely. All the running back and forth was getting very tiresome. When the hobgoblin reached the clearing that contained the vige, he pushed aside the bushes and saw something unexpected. There was a figure sitting on a chair over by the gate. After peering at the man for a few seconds cknail realized it was Geralhd. He didnt appear to be injured or in distress, so why was he sitting there?


    What was going on? This wasnt something cknail had predicted would happen, and it certainly wasnt part of his n. cknail had been nning to wait until dark and then sneak back in, but somehow a stupid human had already managed to mess things up. The hobgoblin stared at Geralhd for a few seconds before shrugging, pulling up his hood, and stepping out of the forest. He didnt really have any other option but to go and talk to the man.


    Tentatively, cknail walked over the barren fields and into sight of the walls. Before he got halfway there was a sudden jerk of movement from Geralhd as the man noticed cknail. He jumped to his feet and stared at the hooded hobgoblin.


    There you are! Thank the gods. I was afraid you had disappeared as well. Ive been out here for hours. I didnt know what else to do. Im sorry I missed the meeting this morning but some unfortunate events urred, Geralhd eximed as cknail walked closer.


    Geralhd had missed the meeting this morning as well? That was convenient. cknail had originally been nning on iming he had been distracted by a crisis. He had spent a fair amount of timeing up with the best excuse possible - like getting into a fight with another hobgoblin - but apparently that had been aplete waste of time.


    You answer my questions first. What are you doing out here? the hobgoblin asked as he threw a suspicious nce towards the vige walls. There was probably someone watching from there.


    I had to get your attention somehow. There are things you need to know and I didnt want you trying to sneak into the vige.


    cknail stared at Geralhds face. The man didnt seem suspicious at all, and he actually even sounded apologetic.


    Whats going on? the hobgoblin asked coyly. There was no point incriminating himself.


    Four of ourpatriots disappeared this morning. We think they stole some things and then ran off. As if that wasnt bad enough, the whole mess has made Tannin unduly suspicious of our group. He has the entire vige on lock-down, which is why sneaking in would be a terrible idea.


    cknail tried to look surprised and outraged. They took stuff and headed off into the forest, by themselves? Who? Why?


    Rhgalt, Helf, Elyias, and Abjar are gone. The sons of whores must be headed back to civilization by themselves. I dont know what they could possibly be thinking but they couldnt have gone anywhere else.


    Elyias? That traitor! I thought he was loyal. I have been betrayed, cknail hissed dramatically.


    I thought they all were. Have you seen any sign of them?Geralhd asked.


    No, but I can check for their trail. If they left towards Daggerpoint there will be signs. Do you want me to hunt them down or will we all go after them together when we leave?


    Geralhd grimaced before replying. We wont be leaving anytime soon.


    What? cknail asked with fake outrage. This actually sounded exactly like what he had been aiming for.


    On top of the stealing, the deserters also destroyed quite a few pairs of boots and other gear. Following after them would be very hard, if not impossible, Geralhd replied. cknail had to hide his smirk. He had enjoyed cutting that stuff up.


    How long of a wait? cknail asked as he pretended to glower angrily.


    Geralhd grimaced and looked ufortable before replying. Thats the thing some of the men want to stay for a while now. The men who left were some of the most vocal advocates of leaving, and without any coin even if we get to a city we will basically be on the streets. Laying low here for a while sounds pretty tempting to some of the men and women, especially since Tannin has made it clear that we are wee.


    So we arent leaving?


    Probably not anytime soon, no.


    You dont get to decide that! Im the leader, and I dont want to stay here, cknail hissed furiously, if ingenuously.


    I uh... dont think we have much choice. I certainly dont enjoy the thought of dwelling out here in these boonies for a second longer than we have to. They dont even have an inn! Its nothing but a collection of shacks, but whats the other option? We have no money.


    The first solution that popped into cknails head was that they could rob someone. That was an activity they had some experience with. However, bringing that up wouldnt serve cknails purposes, so instead he took a step forward until his face was only a few inches from Geralhds and growled. Fine, but you all owe me. This is a debt that must be paid.


    Geralhd flinched as the hobgoblins hot breath hit his face. There was a hint of fear in his eyes as he responded. Um, what do you want?


    Cheese, cknail whispered fervently as he stared into Geralhds eyes. The vige has cheese and as long as we are here you and the others will bring it to me.


    Not a problem. Im sure I can get that for you, Geralhd replied nervously as he took a step back.


    A smile appeared on the hobgoblins lips. His n wasing along perfectly, and his cheese supply had been acquired. Youd better. Now exin why you met up with me in sight of the vige. Thats not very sneaky.


    Like I said, Tannin is paranoid. I had to negotiate to leave the vige at all. He thinks we might have allies hiding out in the forest and that were nning to attack the vige from within and without at the same time. I had to reassure him that there was only one person out in the forest and that I needed to talk to him.


    You told him about me? cknail asked. Geralhd had been the one telling the hobgoblin to keep his presence a secret.


    I told him youre a ranger that hates being around people and didnt want to stay in the vige. The story is that your face was mutted by a run in with a bear and thats why your voice is so unique. You can keep your hood up and rap a scarf around your jaw when you meet him.


    Meet him? Why would I do that?


    Um yes I had to promise him a quick conversation with you, so that he would know I was telling the truth. It shouldnt be big deal. Well just head to the gate and you can say a word or two.


    This wasnt part of cknails n. He didnt think it was going to be too big of a problem though.


    Fine, the hobgoblin agreed as he pulled on a pair of gloves. Geralhd handed him a scarf which he then wrapped around his face.


    That done, the pair got up and headed over to the gate, which began to open as they approached. Someone had indeed been watching. When the gate swung open, Tannin stepped out. The bearded older man had a smoke pipe in his mouth, and there was a hard expressionless look on his face as he studied cknails hooded form.


    See, theres no reason to be concerned. Its just as I exined. There is no one out here but our scout, and he is no threat to you or yours, Geralhd said with false cheer as they came to a stop in front of Tannin.


    That remains to be seen, the older man replied before turning back to cknail. So youre this mysterious scout of theirs. I thought I noticed one of you slipping away yesterday, and the young ones mentioned a creepy cloaked fellow.


    Yes, cknail replied in his best imitation of a human voice. Its high hiss-like tone still left something to be desired.


    Youre not exactly talkative, are you?


    No.


    Tannin grunted in dissatisfaction. I hear youre a sodomite.


    Geralhd let out a startled cough. cknail didnt react. He wasnt familiar with that word, but it sounded like an insult. Normally he would have responded violently to such a disy of disrespect, but he was trying toy low and killing or injuring Tannin would probably ruin his ns. Cheese was worth a few unkind words.


    What? Preposterous. Why do think that? Geralhd asked with obvious surprise.


    The youngssie you kidnapped before, Joan, mentioned some of the things your bunch said around her. Like how this one here wasnt interested in women.


    Thats a misunderstanding, and arge one. Like I said, cknail just isnt social at all. His injuries were rather extensive


    cknail, thats an interesting name. I dont believe youve mentioned it before. Tannin said as a sly smile appeared on his lips.


    Yes, the hobgoblin responded dead-pan. Tannin was clearly trying to annoy him so that he would talk, but that wasnt going to work because cknail was too smart. Also, he still had no idea what they were talking about. Every time cknail thought he had learned every human word they came up with a new one.


    cknail is but a silly nickname. We all have them, Geralhd said as he shrugged. He had obviously intended for the gesture to look nonchnt but he couldnt disguise his nervousness.


    Oh, it sounds like there is an interesting story there. Care to share it?


    I have a ck toenail, cknail exined slowly.


    I see Tannin responded cautiously as he puffed on his pipe. He seemed to be at a loss for words.


    There was a few seconds of silence as both Tannin and cknail stared at each other. Neither one of them spoke up and a hostile atmosphere began to build up. Their staringpetition was interrupted by an unexpected yell from someone within the vige.


    cknail, there you are! Khita shouted as she ran over.


    The young redhead was smiling joyfully. cknail felt a shiver of dread work its way up his spine, and Tannin frowned at the intrusion. He clearly didnt know how to handle the young woman.


    I was beginning to think you were avoiding me, Khita said as she came to stop in front of the hobgoblin. cknails answering grimace was hidden by his scarf. He had been avoiding her.


    So you and this man are friendly, are you? Tannin asked with obvious interest.


    Of course, we go way back, Khita replied cheerfully. Weve fought together a dozen times, and his master used to train me as well.


    No, cknail said.


    His master? Tannin enquired before blowing some smoke from his pipe. He looked thoughtful.


    She means Saeter, the ranger that trained him, Geralhd quickly interjected.


    Was this before or after he was maimed by the bear?


    Before, Geralhd responded just as Khita said, after.


    There was an awkward moment of silence and Tannin grinned smugly. He obviously wasnt convinced by Geralhds cover story.


    This is all beside the point. Khita shouldnt be here, Geralhd argued.


    Shes half the reason Im inclined to trust your group. If you truly meant me and mine harm then I doubt she could keep it a secret from me, Tannin replied.


    Well, then you should extend that same trust to cknail. He really is just a ranger that likes to keep to himself. Youve met him and had a nice little chat so he probably wants to leave now, Geralhd argued.


    Yes, cknail agreed sinctly.


    Ya, lets go, Khita added.


    We? the hobgoblin asked as he experienced a growing sense of horror. He needed to get out of here.


    Well, Im not staying here while you have adventures. That stupid kid Hassiol keeps bugging me, and these dirty bumpkins want me to do chores.


    We <em>are</em> giving you a house. How do you expect to earn a living without working? Tannin pointed out in exasperation.


    Its not my fault this stupid mud heap isntrge enough to support a proper gang.


    Why would we want a street gang? Tannin replied as he glowered at Khita.


    It doesnt matter, because Im joining cknail. I can be a forest ranger with him and scout out all the secret trails while we find hidden treasure.


    This idea didnt seem to impress any of the other people listening to her. The young redhead had managed to annoy and drive everyone else to exasperation in under a minute. There was no way cknail was going to let her apany him.