The Noble Thirst 3


    After cknail and Ilisiti had finished their conversation, the vympir went to prepare for the journey he had agreed to undertake. Since all his men were ring suspiciously at cknail and none of them looked like great conversationalists anyway, the hobgoblin wandered off into the woods to meet back up with the minions. They were right were hed left them.


    Oh, good. You didnt run off into the forest, cknail remarked when he saw Elyias was with the hobgoblins and Khita.


    Khita huffed in annoyance. He tired. I grabbed him before he got himself lost.


    That man was a monster. A vympir! Elyias eximed as he stepped forward. He was still pale and shaking.


    cknail put a hand on Elyias shoulder to steady him. What do you know about vympirs? They seem like mutant humans to me.


    An excited gleam appeared in Khitas eyes. Really a vympir? Those are real?


    I just said they were. What do you know about them? cknail responded. Her sudden enthusiasm was a little unsettling.


    Just that theyre evil, Elyias exined darkly. Most people think theyre myths from hundreds of years ago. There are lots of tales of evil nobles with strange powers who prey on peasants, or of strangers who arrive in a vige and pick the people off one by one.


    I like the stories about vympir princes who fall in love with maidens and abduct them so they can be together forever. Usually the woman dies horribly, but it is still romantic! Khita added as she smiled manically.


    They are terrible monsters that devour people and cause disasters, Elyias hissed. They hunt people at night and feed on them like beasts!


    So, you think they are a lot like hobgoblins, eh? cknail replied thoughtfully.


    A startled look appeared on Elyias face. Er


    While Elyias tried to figure out what to say, one of the nearby hobgoblins took the opportunity to speak up. So does this mean we wont be attacking them and taking their stuff? They have some nice stuff.


    No, they are probably our allies now, cknail told him.


    The hobgoblin picked his nose. So, what do you want us to do with the sentries we caught?


    cknail hadpletely forgotten about them. You better let them go.


    What about their stuff? Can we keep that?


    No, give it back. We dont want to upset our new allies.


    I think one of them ising over here, another hobgoblin remarked as he stared past cknail at the camp behind him.


    The hobgoblin chieftain turned to see what his minion was talking about, and sure enough there was a human walking out to the edge of the forest. He was easy to see with the fire behind him, and he cast a long shadow. It was a man with a sword at his waist, but he didnt look like Ilisti.


    My lord has sent me to talk to the one known as cknail, the man announced formally once he reached the trees. His eyes roamed the darkness in search of the hobgoblins, and he didnt seem afraid of the forest or the hobgoblins within it at all.


    Im right here, cknail replied as he stepped out of the shadows. He was feeling festive and light hearted. It wasnt every day that you made an important new ally, and he was d thating to this depressing ce had turned out to be productive after all.


    The young man took a second to study the hobgoblin. He was calm, and didnt flinch or look afraid at all. cknail found that unppable demeanor to be annoying. He was used to getting reactions from people. Physically, the young man had short ck hair, a clean-shaven face, and a patient look that spoke of a type of discipline most banditscked. He was shorter that his master, but he had the same red eyes.


    Youre a mutant too, cknail remarked inquisitively.


    My name is Garen, and Im a vympir, not a mutant. To call us such is an insult to our bloodline, and will not be tolerated.


    How many of you are there? Mutants dont usually get along. In the wild, cknail had never encountered more than one mutant in the same ce. Hed always assumed they ate each other.


    I am the only vympir in service to lord Vang, and as I said, we are not simple mutants. Ours is an ancient power that stretches back to the first emperors of man.


    Oh, that sound impressive. How did you be one? cknail asked. He wanted to know what he was dealing with.


    In my childhood, I was offered up by my vige as a sacrifice to my lords family. However, I survived the offering of life and the ancient blood took root in me. Since the young lord Vang had no bond servants I was put into his service, where I have served him loyally ever since, Garen exined. How did you be such as you are? You are an umon hobgoblin.


    cknail frowned. No one had ever asked him that before. It was sort of aplicated question. Although, most of it probably wasnt important.


    I was taken in by a bandit named Saeter to be his helper. He taught me everything I know, like how to fight, but he died, so now Im trying to get revenge. That covered the important bits.


    Garen nodded in understanding. Seeking vengeance against the enemies of your in lord is a true servants duty.


    cknail nodded along. Also, Im very angry with them and want to enjoy pulling their tongues out with my ws.


    Traditionally, I believe grim determination is the appropriate emotion for such tasks, but I dont think anyone has ever actually said you cant have fun doing it.


    Thats good, but those rules probably dont apply to me. Most rules dont.


    Ah, you might have a point there. Most rules of honor werent designed with hobgoblins in mind, Garen admitted as he looked thoughtfully to the side.


    What were you here for, again?


    Garen looked embarrassed. I apologize. I was momentarily distracted by your unusual demeanor.


    Plus I look funny, cknail added helpfully. If he couldnt scare the man then he could still catch him off guard in other ways.


    Er Garen seemed rather uncertain of what to say now, but he collected himself and determinedly pressed on. I was sent by my master to ask about several of our men who have disappeared.


    Oh, them. I just gave orders for them to be returned. They should all be fine.


    That is good. I would hate for our alliance to be marred by the stain or blood.


    Ya, the smell is hard to get rid of, and you humans bleed everywhere.


    Yes. Garen replied with careful neutrality.


    Silently, cknail and him stared at each other for several very awkward seconds. The hobgoblin didnt blink. Surprisingly, Khita took this opportunity to walk over and join the conversation. The surprising thing was that she hadnt butted in earlier.


    So, youre a vympir? Is that why your eyes are red? Khita asked as she walked up beside cknail and beamed happily at Garen. I didnt think you guys were real.


    Who is this? Garen asked cknail. It was subtle, but he was definitely leaning away from the redhead. It was reaction the hobgoblin understood.


    Shes Khita. Someone fed her, so now she follows us around and wont go away.


    Khita ignored the hobgoblin and focused on Garen. I hear you drink blood. That doesnt sound very appetizing. Does it taste different to you?


    The taking of life is a sacred activity, that I shall not discuss with you, Garen replied sourly.


    Khita walked right up to him and looked him over. This caused Garen to look ufortable. Apparently, cknail wasnt the only one who was used to being feared.


    Have you ever kidnapped a maiden? Khita asked him.


    A stiff smile appeared on Garens lips. Having fulfilled my masters request, I will be leaving now.


    Bye, cknail replied as the man walked out of the shadows and back to the campfire.


    He wasnt very polite, Khita observed as she watched him go.


    With nothing else to do, cknail and his minions waited in the darkness under the treetop for Ilisiti to get back to them. It took almost an hour for him to appear at the edge of the light, but when he did, cknail went to meet him halfway.


    I just finished conversing with my subordinates and making n. There is still lots to do, but I should be able to start heading east before noon tomorrow, Ilisiti announced as he walked over to cknail.


    How many men do you have? the hobgoblin asked.


    I have fifty-two armsmen in my service.


    I thought you would have more. Thats not very many.


    Quality is more important than quantity, little green monster. I could have more if I wished, but taking care of them would have been difficult. Once Ive created a base of operations I can recruit from around my familys oldnds. There is no shortage of men there that would join my cause.


    cknail shrugged. You can have both quantity and quality, big pink monster.


    An amused grin appeared on Ilisitis face. He seemed to have a much stronger sense of humor than Garen. We will leave tomorrow, after I send someone to gather supplies from the vige.


    Will they deal with you? They were rather rude to us, and youre a bandit.


    Im a vympir, even though they dont owe me fealty, the people here know better than to aggravate me. The proper respect for the ancient blood has been instilled within them for generations. Being raided by me is practically an honor.


    Neat. It would nice to buy some supplies before we leave tomorrow. How about you send someone with us?


    Very well. Ill send Garen with you. You shouldnt have any problems with the vigers then.


    Alright, that sounds good, cknail replied. It also sounded fun. He should bring Khita. Amusement was hard toe by in the Green, and not to be wasted.


    After talking to the vympir for a few more moments, cknail went off to set up his own camp. He didnt fully trust his new allies yet, they had just met, and Ilistis men werent used to being around hobgoblins anyway. Sharing a camp overnight was thus probably a bad idea, so instead cknail selected a spot that was several minutes away. It was a defensible position in a small grassy clearing. They had checked it carefully for mimics before moving in, and found one right at the far edge. However, it was out of the way and mimics didnt move much at night. If they set a watch the creature probably wouldnt be a problem, and might even act as protection.


    What do you think of our new friends? cknail asked his nearby minions when they had finished scouting the campsite. Around him, hobgoblins were trampling the grass and setting up the fire.


    Khita shrugged. I dont see why we need their help, but they seem interesting anyway. We could do worse. It is sort of sharp to have vympirs on our side.


    Theyre vympirs! We cant trust them, Elyias shot back. They will probably try to creep into our camp during the night and drink our blood while we sleep!


    Dont worry about that. Several hobgoblins will be watching over you while you rest, cknail responded cheerfully. From what I saw, my minions are better rangers and sneakers than the vympirs.


    The hobgoblins in questions had just finished stomping down most the tall grass. Lurking animals could have used the nts as cover to approach unseen, so they had to be ttened.


    But you dont know what they can do! They are mutants, Elyias replied darkly. Maybe Ilisti can turn into mist or put our sentries to sleep with magic!


    Huh, thats not a bad point, cknail admitted reluctantly. He hadnt thought of that.


    Every mutant that cknail had ever fought had used some sort of weird magic. Vympirs undoubtedly had one as well. Did they each have different magic abilities or did they all share one?


    The hobgoblin chieftain turned to look at Khita and Elyias. You two have heard of vympirs before. Do you know any stories about them using magic like a mutant?


    Nah, all the myths Ive heard give them a whole bunch of abilities, Khita replied. In some, they turn into wolves or bats, and in others they can enve peoples minds. Most of the stories are obvious shit meant to frighten children.


    Sometimes they can fly or go invisible, Elyias added after ncing quickly upwards. He still looked rather spooked. cknail didnt see how vympirs were worse than any other mutants that lived in the Green. They certainly were far from the biggest.


    By now, the hobgoblins had managed to gather arge stack of wood. They had also managed to get a small fire going, and the flickering light from the mes illuminated the clearing. Shadowy branches reached out from the trees at the edge. cknail turned to study the small tree that he knew was actually a mimic lying in wait, but it hadnt moved.


    Maybe I can trick Ilisiti or Garen into telling me, cknail mused aloud. He was rather smart.


    They might show their power if they get in a fight, Khita remarked.


    cknail turned to look at Elyias. Do you feel like challenging Garen to a duel? If you insult his master Im sure he would ept.


    Ha! As if he would need to use some hidden power to beat me. You should do it. Youre the only one here who could give him a real challenge.


    cknail frowned. That would probably ruin our alliance, so it wouldnt work.


    Im sure we will see them fight before too long, Khita pointed out.


    cknail agreed with her, and since there wasnt much else for them to discuss, he ordered everyone to bed down for the night. As everyone else fell asleep, he took first watch with another hobgoblin.


    While his minion patrolled the edge of the clearing, cknail sat with his back to the fire and stared out at the forest. In the dark, the trees were a mass of shifting shadows. All the talk of mutants had put him on edge, and if anything was going to attack it would probably be during first watch. However, the forest was silent except for the chirping of insects and gentle rustling of leaves. Above the hobgoblin chieftain, the asional cloud floated across the starry sky and briefly nketed the moon and stars. cknail looked, but he didnt see any vympirs flying up there.


    Off to one side, Khita began snoring. Thankfully, a quick nudge from the toe of cknails boot caused her to roll over and shut up.


    Now that there was no one else around to distract him, cknail begin to wonder if he was on the right path. He had a n to get his revenge, and he was following it, but was that what he really wanted to do? What would Saeter have thought of his actions? cknail had no idea. Saeter had been aplex man. He would have wanted Herad to be avenged, but he hadnt been a big fan of unnecessary violence. He had also seemed to care a lot about the people of the North.


    cknail wasnt sure if what he was doing benefitted the North the way Saeter had seen it. On one hand, he was about to start a war, but on the other he was making friends and protecting people! As cknail stared out into the darkness, he decided to just keep following the n. He had already started it, and he couldnt honestly think of anything else he wanted to do. Now that Saeter was dead, vengeance was the only force that propelled him forward. Without it he had no purpose.


    The night grew colder, and cknail went to sleep after waking his recement. Early the next morning, he led his followers back to Ilistis camp site. The vympir greeted them, and as promised, sent Garen to guide them to the vige.


    They know youre a bandit, right? Khita asked as they walked off the main road and through the entrance of the vige. cknail followed them with his hood up.


    There were only a few people visible on the streets of the settlement, noticeably less than you would have seen in an eastern vige at this time of day. There were also several other obvious differences. The buildings had a different style, with rounder sides and taller roofs. There were also weird fetishes made from twisted sticks in a lot of doorways and windows. Most of them were circr and braided into intricate web-like patterns. The entire ce had an eerie feeling, as if something dangerous was hiding just out of sight, but it looked prosperous. The streets were clean, and the buildings wererge and well maintained.


    Geran shrugged as he answered Khitas question. They know I am of noble blood and that is all that matters. They fulfil their duties to us and we fulfill ours to them, even if my master doesnt hold thesends.


    What exactly are your duties? Khita asked. To only suck a few of them dry? To only feast on them when youre really hungry?


    This earned her a scowl from Geran. We protect them, from everything that would destroy them. Our might keeps both gue and the beasts of the forest at bay, and we rarely feed on vigers. Unless we are wounded or forced to expend ourselves, we can go over a year without having to take a new thrall, and most thralls are taken in battle besides.


    Two vigers that had been standing down the street noticed the neers. They both stiffened, and after a brief conversation, the woman hurried away while the man drew closer. As if they had received some subtle signal, all the other vigers slipped out of sight as well. As Garen and the others stopped in the middle of the road, the man hurried over. He was middle aged, dressed in a grey robe, and there was a soft cap on his head. He looked like some sort of administrator.


    He immediately focused all his attention on Garen, and gave him a respectful bow. How may I serve you, lord.


    Garen turned to cknail. See, acquiring the things you need will be simple. Tell the man what you want, and we will soon be on our way.


    "Yes, it certainly is convenient to be so feared," cknail replied.