The Noble Thirst 2


    The darkness of night enveloped cknail. Off in the murk, insects chirped and an owl hooted forlornly. cknail was leaning up against a tree and studying a distant source of light. Through the trees and down a hill, someone had lit a campfire. This was the deep Green. Humans didnt camp out here unless they were very brave or very lost.


    Is that the man you are looking for? Scamp asked. A dozen hobgoblins and two humans stood behind cknail.


    Its a little too far away to tell, cknail answered disdainfully. What a dumb question.


    Khita stepped forward. This is the right ce. The vigers we asked said he was out here. Although, I guess they could have been lying. They were mucking hostile, like everyone else in this dumb ce.


    Lets go see if its him, cknail said as he began walking forward.


    cknail and his followers had travelled west for weeks to get here. They hade to find one of the few famous bandits that still hadnt allied with Werrick. There werent many holdouts ording to what cknail had learned from Luphera, but they were far from Werricks territory here.


    It had taken cknail a few days to rest after getting back from Daggerpoint. He had used that time to study all the changes that had taken ce in the goblin camp and to n for this excursion. There were a lot of new hobgoblins to intimidate and new building to explore. He had also visited Shelter and met with Tannin. The vigers had thrown him a feast! They had been grateful for all the gifts hed brought them from Daggerpoint, especially the two cows. However, cknail had to leave and head east to fulfill the next stage of his n.


    After reaching the town of Westwatch, cknails group had resupplied and asked around. The people there had been more than willing to discuss the bandit chief that both raided the area and asionally sent people to buy supplies there. Humans were weird. However, in the next vige they had reached the people hadnt been willing to talk to strangers. They had practically run Elyias and Khita out of town. cknail had thus been forced to track down the Red Hand himself, and their quarry had proven elusive.


    What do you want us to do? A hobgoblin asked as he fell in behind his chieftain.


    cknail kept walking. Sneak around and take out any sentries you find, but dont hurt them unless you have to, and dont reveal yourselves. Anyone who gets caught will get a kicking.


    Yes, boss, the hobgoblin responded as he and several others dashed off into the shadows.


    Soon, cknail reached the bushes at edge of the light. He hid among the leaves as he studied the figures around the fire. There were easily over thirty humans in the camp. Several had set up tents but most of them were sleeping under the outstretched branches of trees. Around half a dozen of them were still awake and moving around, most of whom were sitting around the fire.


    cknails eyes were drawn to one man in particr. He sat alone, and cknail smelled leadership on him. Not with his nose, but with his instincts. It was obvious this man was the boss. Everyone else made sure to give him space, and they kept ncing at him out of the corner of their eyes, as if they were worried he would disapprove of something they were doing.


    There was no doubt as to the nature of the men in the camp. These were cknails kind of people, bandits. Each of them was armed and they swaggered around like they owned the space they walked through and were daring someone else to say otherwise. In fact, most of them were better armed than Herads men had been. cknail saw several steel breasttes and bits of heavier armor.


    cknail smiled. Alright, lets go introduce ourselves, Elyias. Everyone else stay here and watch.


    Elyias flinched. What? Why me?


    Ya, why him? Khita asked. I want to go.


    cknail rolled his eyes. Thankfully, he knew how to handle the young redhead. No, you stay here. I need minions who can fight to cover my escape path. Use your bows if things get violent or if I give the signal.


    The hobgoblins nodded and the ones with bows readied them. Khita wasnt happy about the orders, but she didnt raise any more objections, and she stayed put with the rest of the hobgoblins when cknail and Elyias stepped out of the bushes.


    At first no one in the human camp noticed them, and those that did dismissed them, but then someone realized they were out of ce. By this time, cknail and Elyias were almost to the fire and had passed through half the camp unseen.


    Wait. Who are you two? a tall man near the fire eximed as he jumped to his feet and drew his weapon.


    Intruders? another bandit asked as he looked up. There was a nervous look on his face.


    As all the nearby men reacted, cknail strode a few feet closer and then came to a stop. The bandit leader calmly leaned back and studied the neers. He was of average build and height, but he had a heavy presence. His shoulder length ck hair had been slicked back and his eyes were hard and cold. They reminded cknail of Herads eyes, except they seemed gloomier, and also they were red. That was an unusual color for a human. cknail wondered if it meant something.


    You have a lot of guts to just walk in here, the bandit leader remarked evenly. He didnt seem concerned about their presence or even all that interested.


    As Elyias trembled, cknail shrugged. Thanks for thepliment. I came to speak with the leader of these bandits.


    And what makes you think that we wont just murder you? a bandit asked.


    Because arrows kill people, cknail replied as he signaled to the hobgoblins in the woods with a hand gesture.


    Two arrows instantly burst out of the darkness and mmed into the ground beside the fire. Bandits swore and scrambled away from the impact site. Even Elyias flinched and hed known they wereing.


    Im not afraid of arrows, the bandit leader observed. cknail believed him. He hadnt even flinched. His cold eyes just studied the arrows for a moment and then moved back to cknail.


    So what is it that you want? the leader asked.


    cknail poked Elyias shoulder hard. This was his job! Elyias face was pale as a sheet. He sputtered and then quickly began reciting the speech cknail had ordered him to memorize.


    My master, cknail, is a notorious and terrible killer. He is a powerful bandit lord from the east and he demands a meeting of equals, so that he may discuss matters of grave importance with the bandit chief known as the Red Hand."


    And where is this master of yours? the man known as the Red Hand asked. He looked and sounded annoyed.


    Im right here, cknail answered.


    The man frowned and looked the hobgoblin over again. Really? Youre a little odd, arent you?


    True, a lot of people say things like that about me, some of them even more than once, but its usually because of my skin color, cknail said as he lowered his hood. I think most of them are just jealous of my handsome nose.


    There was a moment of shocked silence as all the bandits took in cknails face. It was green, and it definitely belonged to a hobgoblin.


    Hells, what is that? someone cursed. There was muttering from several more men as they flinched away or reached for weapons.


    This <em>is</em> a new twist, the leader said as he stood up. None of the other messengers have been hobgoblins. He looked interested now.


    Im not anyones servant orckey. Im a leader, cknail huffed. I also havent sent any messengers.


    A man representing the Wolf showed up. I killed him, the ck-haired chief replied with cruel smile. cknail couldnt help but notice that he had rather long and pointy teeth for a human.


    cknail stood tall and smiled back to show off his own impressive teeth. They were even pointier. Good, I hate that guy. Thats one of the things I wanted to talk to you about, killing him together. Also, what should I call you? The Red Hand sounds silly.


    My name is sir Ilisti Vang. You may address me that way, hobgoblin. This sudden interest in me from people in the east puzzles me. Why now?


    cknail shrugged. Things are changing. Werrick wants to be king of the North, while everyone in the South is too busy fighting to stop him. Also, there is me. Im doing some stuff.


    The Silent Reaches change little. It has stayed much the same over the centuries. It was set up that way by the original settlers.


    Thats this ce? cknail asked. Hed never heard that name before.


    Thats what we westerners call ournds. It is a ce of refuge for exiles. We dont much like outsiders - such as you - prying into our business.


    Well, Im not here to pry into your embarrassing secrets. I just want to help you make friends, conquer newnds, and kill the Wolf.


    Ilisti looked skeptical. Why would I want to ally with you? Are you offering me anything more than vague promises?


    Ah, a negotiation. cknail scratched the side of his head. He didnt have a lot of practice with these, except for the ones where he offered not to kill people in return for material reward.


    Im a great ally. You help me and then Ill help you kill your enemies. Im the most dangerous killer in the world, and I have a lots of hobgoblin minions. We could have killed half your men before you knew we were here and then slipped away into the night.


    And you think I need your help to y some enemy you imagine I have? Ilisti asked as he crossed his across his chest.


    cknails grin deepened. I know enough about humans to understand that they dont like hanging out in forests with dirty clothes and almost no women around. Youre here because you have a powerful enemy.


    A hint of smile appeared on the mans face. Thats a fair enough point.


    I have lots of points. Now, how can I help you? Who is this man that needs to be murdered?


    Ilisti frowned and rubbed his chin. His posture rxed as he fell into thought. Warily, cknail watched him. The hobgoblin had been smiling and talking freely, but something about the man in front of him put him on edge. His scent was a little off, and he reeked of blood.


    Without warning, Ilisti lunged forward. His de flew free of his scabbard and sliced toward cknails face. cknail jerked backwards and burned a bit of Elixir he had ingested back in the forest. The swords tip barely missed his nose as he drew his own de. It slid free just in time for him to block Ilistis next attack, however cknail was slightly off bnce and the strength of the blow knocked him backwards an inch. He grimaced and desperately shifted his weight in preparation for the next blow, but it didnte. Cautiously, cknail held his sword up high in a guard.


    Not bad. I was expecting worse, Ilisti remarked as he took a step back and sheathed his weapon. Youre even faster than you look and certainly stronger than your scrawny frame suggests.


    You''re fast for such a fatty, cknail hissed back as he lowered his de slightly. He didnt like being surprise attacked. That was his thing.


    Ilisti smiled. It was a test, nothing more. I wanted to see if you were as formidable as you imed you were.


    It was rude, cknail replied.


    So it was. I apologize. It has been a while since I entertained proper guests.


    All the nearby bandits were on their feet now and several had drawn weapons. Ilisti turned to them and motioned them away. Give us some space. I wish to talk to the hobgoblin alone.


    As you wish, sir, the closest man replied. All the bandits then bowed and hurried away, leaving cknail alone with Ilisti at the fire, except for a still frozen Elyias. cknail waved him away, and he ran off into the forest.


    I believe we were discussing our enemies, Ilisti said as he sat back down.


    You first, cknail replied as he also took a seat across the fire. He was still wary.


    Very well, you were right. I do have a powerful enemy. I was not always andless exile. In my youth I was heir to my familys ancestralnds, but a powerful neighboring noble stole my birthright. My familys blood sworn knights fled the castle with me while my father bought them time.


    And you want me to kill this noble?


    Much to cknails chagrin, Ilistiughed. You would find that difficult. I dont doubt your might or skill, cknail, but my enemy is an ancient Vympir. His wounds heal in seconds and he is strong enough to rip a man in half. It is said his gaze can kill, that the darkness obeys him, and that he once killed a troll with his bare hands.


    That did sound difficult, and it raised some important questions. cknail sniffed the air and frowned as an unusual but familiar earthy scent filled his nostrils. Hes a mutant, like you.


    That is a rather unttering way to describe the hallowed power granted by the ancient blood, but notpletely inurate, Ilisti admitted with shrug of his shoulders.


    If you dont want my help killing your enemy then what do you want? cknail hadnt known that humans could be mutants. Could hobgoblins? Suddenly, he had a lot of questions that need answered.


    As he leaned back, Ilisti sighed dramatically. There is nothing for me here in the West. With what remains of my Bloodsworn, I have spent years surviving on the fringes while I wait for my blood to grow in strength and for some other noble to grow weak so that I mays seize hisnds. That hasnt happened, and I grow weary.


    So? cknail asked. He was getting a lot of information he hadnt asked for.


    In normal times, I would never even think of going east, but your presence suggests an opportunity. My people have remained apart from the eastern kingdoms for good reasons. The cults tend to dislike our existence and your gathering of the wise agrees with them. They are jealous of our power, so they turn the lowborn against us and hunt us, but I dont think they are your allies either.


    No, I dont like those people much, but it hardly matters. They rarely show up in the North. Its mostly just the farmer type of humans and violent stealing types. Although there arent a lot of people outside the cities anymore.


    Yes, which suggests the time is ripe for me to visit and perhaps carve out a ce for myself. My kind have long thrived were we can offer our protection to the abandoned and forgotten.


    cknail shrugged. Its what everyone else is doing. Help me kill the Wolf and Ill help you take somend.


    That sounds a profitable basis for an alliance, Ilisti remarked with a smile. His eyes had warmed up a little, but they were still dark and brooding.


    cknail agreed with him. It sounded like Ilistis interests aligned with his. Werrick wanted to rule all the North and it didnt sound like the Vympir would ever willingly serve the Wolf.


    There is one thing I should probably mention, Ilisti said. As a Vympir I asionally need to feed on the blood of other men.


    That sounded inconvenient. cknail frowned. You cant just eat animals like everyone else? People dont taste all that good.


    Its not a matter of taste, but of need. My bite paralyses people, and slowly changes their blood, so that I may returnter and feast upon it.


    More like slurp. Blood isnt a food, its a liquid, cknail mused aloud.


    The Vympir sighed. I would not tolerate such disrespect from a man, but I have no idea if you''re being serious.


    cknail ignored him. This new bit of information did create some problems. He had been looking for a human to serve as a figurehead because humans didnt seem to trust hobgoblins, but a Vympir would also probably not inspire trust. Still, cknail had found a useful tool here. He would just have to find some other human to be his puppet. He liked puppets.


    Alright, I will be your guide east, cknail said as he looked up. I can exin how things work there and introduce you to some people. Im also an expert at hiding, so you wont have to worry about the cults or anyone else.


    Good, then we have a deal. I will help you fight the Wolf, Ilisti said as he stood up.


    The Vympir walked over to cknails side and extended an open hand. cknail stood up and took it. As they shook hands to seal their agreement, their inhuman eyes met and they both smiled. cknail liked Ilisti. He seemed like a straightforward guy.