Out of Darkness 2


    cknail was walking through the forest. He had left the goblin settlement behind him and was headed to Shelter. There were things he had to talk to the humans about and he wanted to get some distance from the other hobgoblins. He had mostly gotten used to having them around but they still made him a little uneasy. It was nice to get away and rx sometimes. When he had firste up with the idea to create a small group of hobgoblin minions to help keep his human ones in line hed failed to realize howplicated dealing with them would be. He had just nned on killing a few as an example. Herah alone caused him quite a bit of anxiety.


    As he followed the thin dirt trail, cknail ducked under a leafy branch and jumped over a muddy puddle. He was almost to the vige now. Suddenly, the hobgoblin noticed something out of the corner of his eye. There was a track in the mud, and it belonged to a wolf. Suspiciously, cknail leaned over and brushed aside a few nearby nt leaves as he scanned the ground for any more signs. However, after sniffing the ground and only detecting one unique scent he decided that there was only one wolf nearby. It was probably a survivor from the pack of the mutant he had in in glorious battle. The track was fresh but a single wolf wasnt much of a threat  cknail had easily defeated the Alpha after all - so he continued on his way. He wanted to reach Shelter before too long.


    A few more minutes passed. cknail was just about to reach the edge of the forest when he heard a noise from off in the distance. The hobgoblin looked around but didnt see anything. Had another hobgoblin followed him? If they had then they were going to get smacked aside the head.


    cknail still didnt see anyone so he listened carefully. It sounded like someone was talking off in the forest, so he stepped off the path and headed over to find the source. If there was something going on he wanted to know about it. Hunters sometimes left Shelter but the hobgoblin never had a problem detecting and avoiding them.


    Carefully, cknail peeked out from behind a tree. He quickly spotted the source of the noise. It was one of the human children from the vige, the unimportant young male with brown hair. Aris was his name. He was leaning against a tall tree with rough bark and there was a frustrated scowl on his face.


    cknails first instinct was to sneak up, knock him over the head, and see if he had any items worth iming, but that was beneath him now. He was a great leader! If he wanted something he just ordered his minions to hand it over. His second instinct was to leave the human alone, but there was a wolf around. Bringing the stupid human back with him seemed like a good way to earn some good will. The hobgoblin pulled his hood up and wrapped his scarf around his face. His frighteningly handsome face and green skin were nowpletely concealed.


    She didnt have to turn me down so quickly, Aris muttered to himself before kicking a rock into a clump of bushes. Stupid girls. Why am I always the one left out?


    cknail took the opportunity to step out from behind the tree and call out to the human. You shouldnt be out here by yourself. Something might decide you look tasty.


    The hobgoblins voice startled the young man. He jumped and spun around to see who had spoken. His eyes went wide with fear when he spotted cknail but then he calmed down as he realized who the hooded figure had to be.


    Ah, how much of that did you hear? Aris asked cknail tentatively. His cheeks had turned more than a little red from embarrassment.


    Um, less than all of it but more than nothing, cknail remarked as he stepped closer and scratched the side of his head through his hood. What kind of dumb human question was that?


    Anyway, youre not the boss of me, so you cant tell me what to do, Aris replied surly.


    Im the boss everyone I say I am, and I can tell you what to do because youre dumber than me. If you had any smarts at all then you wouldnt be out here alone. Its dangerous for a useless person like you.


    Its not that dangerous and Im not useless.


    Saying that just proves how useless you are. The Green is always dangerous. That was the first thing my master taught me, that and how to braid twine. I spent a lot of time making rope


    This part of the forest is as safe as it gets. Thats all I meant. Youre the neer here. Ive lived here my entire life, asshole, Aris huffed in reply.


    So you know there are hungry wolves about? I just found some fresh tracks, but if you think its safe you can stay here, youngling, cknail countered. If the annoying little human wanted to die then cknail wasnt going to go out of his way to save him.


    I, um


    Just follow me. I will take you back to Shelter, cknail told him as he stopped in front of the young man and motioned in the direction of the vige. The sooner he got this young idiot back to the vige the less he would have to listen to his drivel.


    Fine, but how much of what I said earlier did you hear?


    You were whining about girls, cknail replied without interest as he turned and started walking again. Aris winced and reddened again at cknails blunt response but he didnt deny it.


    Its just that Joan hasnt had any time to do anything with me for the past while. Shes always busy doing some stupid pottery stuff or getting up to the gods know what with Khita, the young man exined.


    I didnt ask.


    Ive barely seen her for days. We grew up together and Khita is just a neer, a total stranger! Aris continued as if cknail hadnt said anything.


    Why do you people keep telling me these things? cknail asked. He seriously wanted to know. He had no interest in the minutia of human existence but they kept telling him about it.


    I guess you just seem like a good listener. Youre veryidback and quiet. You also seem to always know what you are doing.


    cknail sighed to himself in resignation before responding. If Aris was going to keep asking these questions then he might as well give his honest opinion. Do you have a real question?


    I was just wondering if you have any advice on girls.


    After thinking about the question for a few moments cknail voiced his thoughts on the matter. They are trouble. You need to watch them carefully so that they cant stab you in the back.


    Ya, I think I see what you mean. Joan really shouldnt be ditching me like this, Aris replied with obvious frustration. The pair then walked in silence for a few brief moments. cknail didnt think Aris had really understood what hed meant.


    So umcknail, Id like to go with you, the young man asked after a few all too brief seconds.


    Probably, getting back to the vige will be much safer with me.


    No, I mean when you leave the Shelter.


    You want to go to my camp?


    No, when you leave the vige for good! I want to apany you and your friends when you go South. I know you will be leaving eventually.


    Sure.


    Really?


    Ya, I could always use another human minion.


    Why did you just mention the fact that Im human?


    Because you are?


    I guess thats true but youre still weird. Also, youre not supposed to agree with me. Youre supposed to tell me to stay in the vige and do as the elders tell me.


    Why would I do that? Will the elders kill either of us if we disobey them?


    Um, no. They will probably just scold me and give me chores.


    Then what they want doesnt matter. You should do whatever helps me the most. cknail would kill people who disobeyed him.


    Youre very honest.


    Always. I was taught that lying to people you dont intend to kill is a bad idea. It makes you look bad, cknail exined as he nodded sagely. The other trick was lying in such a way that you never got caught. cknail was an expert at that.


    When they reached the vige gate cknail parted with the Aris and went to find Tannin. As he was walking through the vige, he spotted a goblin sitting on a barrel. It was right out in the open and appeared to simply be resting as it leisurely looked around. An older vige woman passed it by and didnt give it a second nce. It seemed like the goblins had already beenpletely epted by the vigers. That was good. It would make talking to Tannin much easier.


    It only took cknail a few minutes to find Tannin. The vige elder was talking to some men in the vige center. cknail waited for them to leave before approaching. Much to cknails surprise, it didnt take much effort to convince Tannin to try using the goblins as farmborers. Tannin seemed impressed by what the goblins had managed so far.


    You know, thats a clever idea you got there. Ive been trying to figure out how to get some of the old workednds productive again, Tannin exined enthusiastically. The fact that year after year the fields have been getting smaller has been weighing down on me like a fat sow. We just havent had the manpower we need to keep the forest back.


    Goblins can definitely help you there. Being forced to do simple repetitive things is their specialty. They can also dig well.


    Thebor is nice but its the increased safety that really intrigues me. Tannin exined. We cant afford to lose any vigers to the dangers of the forest, but if we use goblins to do most the dangerous work


    Exactly, theyre also great that way. There are always more goblins! cknail agreed.


    Yes, I think this is a great idea with lots of potential, Tannin replied as he nodded along happily. Thank you for suggesting it; it sounds so crazy that I would have nevere up with it myself. However, the goblins you got us have proven so useful as pest control already. There hasnt been a single loss of stores since they settled in. Some people are even teaching them tricks.


    Goblins can do a lot. They even use them to clean sewers in some ces. I know a lot about that.


    I thought you said your master was the one who started training goblins.


    He was, but Im from the South and Ive seen them work there.


    Oh, where exactly do you hail from?


    cknail stiffened. He had been telling the truth. He really dide from a city in the South. He had spent most of his life there, but he had no idea what it was called. Names hadnt mattered much to him back then.


    Southmantown? he suggested.


    Ive never heard of it, Tannin replied dryly.


    Well, they have big sewers there and they use goblins to clean them. They keep the rats out. Rats are tasty if youre a goblin, which Im not.


    Er.. right, Tannin replied uncertainly. There was an awkward silence as cknail and him stared at each other for a few moments.


    Hey, cknail! There you are, someone suddenly yelled from off to one side. The hobgoblin turned to see Geralhd and another banditing down the street towards him. Looking closer, cknail realized that the second man was Beardy, he had simply trimmed his beard so that it was much smaller now.


    We need to talk to you, Geralhd announced as he walked over.


    Ill just leave you fellows alone then. I got business of my own I need to get to, Tannin remarked before nodding politely and wandering off.


    That left cknail alone until the other two bandits got to him. He considered running off for a second, but swiftly discarded that idea. He had a good idea of what Geralhd wanted, and it wouldnt be problem. cknails n was already in motion.


    Hello, friends, cknail said as he waved at the neers.


    Its about time you showed up, Beardy growled. Weve been waiting around here forever.


    Ive been busy. Surviving in the Green is hard. You need to do a lot of difficult hunting and stuff, cknail replied as he shrugged indifferently.


    Still, it was beginning to look like you were avoiding us, Geralhd told him. Weve been wanting to talk to you, but when you do enter the vige you always slip away without contacting me or any of the others.


    You could just ask Khita.


    Were not going to have a serious conversation by passing messages through that maniac. Every new dawn that sees her still alive is a minor marvel, Beardymented as he glowered.


    This is serious, is it? cknail asked innocently. This caused Beardys frown to deepen, but that had been the point. It was fun to needle him.


    Its serious enough. Youre our bands ranger and an important part of our group. We need to be able to reach you, Geralhd told him.


    Im the leader, so thats very true. Now what do you want, my faithful minions?


    Geralhd rubbed his forehead and looked down for a second. Beardy just grunted in annoyance. Their reactions continued to amuse the hobgoblin. He had to stifle a smile. Humans could be so predictable. They always thought they were smarter than him. A momentter, Beardy threw Geralhd a meaningful look that seemed to say that the other man should do the talking.


    Weve been here in this little backwater vige long enough. Its time to leave. Weve managed to repair our gear and gather supplies so there is no reason to stick around any longer, Geralhd said.


    Exactly. Its time to hit the road, Beardy interjected.


    Right now? cknail asked with fake confusion.


    No, in a day or two. We just need to make sure youre ready to guide us and lead us.


    And dont tell anyone about this. We n on slipping away at the crack of dawn when the vige is asleep. They might get upset if they find out, and there is no reason to upset them, Beardy added.


    Alright, if thats what you want. Im tired of this ce as well. I want to go somewhere with a better selection of cheese, and Im sick of staying out in the forest where I have to hunt. Ugh, camping is so much work, cknail told them as he scowled in distaste and kicked the ground for extra effect.


    He was fine with the bandits n. They had said exactly what he thought they were going to say and he had already ounted for their actions. The third phase  or was it the fourth? - of cknails ingenious n would probably kick in before the date of departure, and if not then cknail could just stall them. It wasnt like they could go anywhere without him. It might be amusing to fake an injury or something


    Im d you agree with our unworthy idea, wise leader, Beardy remarked as he rolled his eyes. cknail suspected he was being sarcastic.


    Hmm, its nice to finally have a n in ce, Geralhd said as he smiled cheerfully. I was afraid I was never going to feel the sweet taste of fine wine on the tip of my tongue ever again.


    Yes, it is nice to have a n. You can aplish anything, and kill anyone, if you have a good n, no matter how long it takes, cknail replied as he pulled down his scarf and gave the bandits a vicious smile that revealed all his teeth. He couldnt help but gloat a little. He had been bottling in his feelings for so long. He wanted to kill!


    This statement didnt appear to please either of the bandits. Geralhd grinned back uncertainly and Beardys face went carefully neutral. He seemed to be thinking something over.


    cknail, what is it that you actually want? I just realized that I dont know? Geralhd asked a secondter.


    I just want to help you! the hobgoblin answered as he spread his hands out in a friendly manner. His humans just didnt know what they really needed. It was lucky for them that their leader did.


    That is incredibly unlikely, Beardy muttered to himself sourly.


    Suddenly, there was bout of yelling from the direction of the vige gate. It was swiftly followed by the sound of a horn. The long bellow echoed out over the roofs of the vige, and immediately drew everyones attention. They all turned to look toward the gate.


    What was that? Geralhd asked.


    Since neither of hispanions knew, the trio quickly decided to head for the gate and find out. No one blew a horn like that for no reason. Before they got to their destination they encountered Tannin. He was huddled with a dozen other men from the vige. They all looked uneasy and upset.


    Whats going on? Geralhd asked them as they jogged over.


    That was our warning horn. There is arge group of armed men crossing the field, and they look about as friendly as a troll with an arrow up its ass, Tannin cursed. His face was uncharacteristically pale and there was a fearful tremor to his voice.


    Oh, hey! The enemy was early. cknail stepped behind Beardy and did a little happy dance. Elyias must have done a good job. That man deserved a reward. cknail hoped he was still alive.