Will of Iron 6


    The gathered horde of hobgoblins and goblins continued to feast until thest bit of food was gone. Too stuffed to move, most of them sat around the bonfires and rxed. The scratchy sound of goblin conversation could be heard over the low sound of the drums, and a few hobgoblins even began singing. Acting swiftly, cknail used a club and excessive levels of violence to stomp it out before it started. He didnt want to listen to that. Hobgoblin throats were not made for singing.


    Once everyone had been given some time to digest their meals, cknail announced the next event. The night wasnt over yet. Not even close. Now, cknail would be publicly testing the first few hobgoblins that wanted warrior marks. As everyone watched, an area next to the bonfires was quickly cleared of goblins and a circle was drawn in the dirt around it.


    When the ring wasplete, cknail and one of Gobs minions entered the circle. Both of them wore leather armor and were holding blunt short swords. cknail was nning on putting on a show, so that everyone was reminded about how awesome he was. The test itself was simple. The applicant would duel the examiner and try impress him with his sword skills. Once the duel was over, the examiner would decide if he passed or failed. Harming the examiner was forbidden, but cknail had taken a swig of Elixir just in case. You couldnt be too careful around hobgoblins, and it was more than possible for them to be dangerous because of stupidity or ipetence rather than malice.


    Raising his de, cknail smiled at his opponent. The hobgoblin seemed nervous and unsure of himself so cknail took the initiative and attacked first. He opened with a few easy and controlled swings that forced the hobgoblin to concentrate and dodge. After several of his blows were blocked, cknail increased the speed and power of his attacks. However, the hobgoblin was able to block or dodge them all using the basic sword techniques hed been taught.


    To pass you need to attack me, cknail said as he advanced.


    The hobgoblin grimaced but moved forward to meet cknail, and after dodging his chieftains next attack, he shed at cknails arm. cknail easily stepped out of the way of the attack and countered by extending a leg and tripping his off-bnce minion. The surprised hobgoblin stumbled and cknail easily tapped his back with the tip of his de.


    You need to do better. Try again, cknailughed as his embarrassed opponent nodded and steadied himself.


    They sparred for a few more minutes without the hobgoblin getting a blow on cknail. That was to be expected, though. cknail had trained for much longer than any of his minions, was a Vessel, and was also a total genius at everything. Still, this hobgoblin had shown a solid understanding of the basics, so cknail ended the fight and awarded him with a pass. Smiling in relief, the hobgoblin initiate bowed to cknail and then stepped out of the ring. The nearby hobgoblins shouted encouragement as he passed. Watching the fight had gotten everyone excited.


    After a quick break, the next hobgoblin looking to be tested entered the circle and began to spar with cknail. This fight and the next both went very simr to the first. The hobgoblins passed, but they werent able to hit cknail or even challenge him all that much.


    The fourth hobgoblin to enter the circle was quite tall. Much to cknail annoyance, he was even slightly taller than him. Ignoring his height, his head was decorated by two curved horns and short brown hair. He also didnt seem as nervous as the others had been. Instead, he was actually smiling in excitement. Weird. Looking him over, cknail decided that he wasnt going to go quite so easy on this applicant. A few smacks would probably do him good.


    As soon as his opponent had taken up a guard position, cknail rapidly glided forward to attack. He unleashed a swift sh at the hobgoblins head meant to force him to block, so cknail could push him off bnce with the next move. However, much to cknails surprise, the tall hobgoblin didnt try to block. Rather, he managed to lean out of the way of the attack and counter at the same time. The hobgoblins de sliced toward cknails side and he was forced to jump back. Scowling, cknail brought his guard back up and reassessed the skill of his opponent. Clearly, this hobgoblin was better than the ones before.


    Aggressively but not without caution, the tall hobgoblin stepped forward to keep the pressure on. cknail didnt give ground, so they quickly exchanged a series of blows and shes, with neither of them gaining the advantage. cknail stopped holding back. Without burning Elixir, he used all his speed and power. When his opponent failed to buckle under the pressure of his blows, he then began to use every dirty trick he knew. Although a few techniques caught the tall hobgoblin by surprise, he swiftly adjusted and managed to avoid being hit. The fighters danced around the circle as they relentlessly hacked and shed at each other. Their des sliced through the air and met with violent ngs that caused the myriad watchers to flinch. The rowdy mob of watchers that encircled the ring began to grow quiet as everyone became entranced by the fight and the dance of shing des.


    However, cknail eventually began to tire, since this was his fourth match. How could this hobgoblin possibly be so good at sword fighting? Where had he learned to fight like this? It didnt make any sense. cknail grimaced as he deflected a stab toward his gut. As the leader, there was no way he was going to back down. He still had a trick or two left anyway.


    Scowling in determination, cknail pressed the attack. Heunched a series of quick feints and shes at the space around his opponents head. The hobgoblin dodged the first few strikes but was eventually forced to take a step back. That was what cknail had been aiming for. Instantly, he swung his de around and shed at the hobgoblins trailing front leg. His sword sliced through the air but missed its target by less than an inch as it the hobgoblin pivoted on his back leg. At the same time, his sword came back around and struck toward cknails shoulder.


    Cold surprise shot up cknails spine as his eyes locked on the iing de. For a timeless moment, the sword seemed impossible to stop and cknail stood frozen. Then, Elixir burned away cknails doubt as he tapped into its power, and he burst into motion. With new speed, he leaned away from the blow as he raised his weapon, and then he struck. His de leapt toward his opponents side and hit him squarely in the ribs. At thest moment, cknail pulled the blow and twisted his sword so that he hit with the t of the de, but it still struck with enough force to send the hobgoblin stumbling backward, and there was a loud thud from the impact.


    Grinning in satisfaction - even though hed maybe, sort-of cheated a little tiny bit -cknail let his de drop. Hed won, and that was the important thing. Of course, it hadnt really been apetition Well, whatever. Hed won.


    As a cheer broke out and the watching mob began screaming cknails name, the fallen hobgoblin groaned and stiffly climbed to his feet. He kept his de arm low and clutched his injured side, so it didnt look like he wanted to keep on fighting. That was fine with cknail.


    So, did I pass, boss? the tall hobgoblin shouted so that he could be heard over all the shouting.


    Oh, right. This was a test. cknail nodded. Ya, good job. Where did you learn to fight like that? Youre much better than everyone else but me. Its a little weird.


    The hobgoblin shrugged, and then winced as the action caused him pain. Lots of people taught me. Ive been learning from every human and hobgoblin that would teach me, and fighting all the people who wouldnt. The redheaded human female has been very useful.


    I doubt that, but good job. Your swordsmanship is impressive, cknail replied. He was one of the few hobgoblins cknail had ever met who would probably be able to defeat a human in a fair duel. Was he some sort of genius or something?


    The hobgoblin bowed his head in thanks. The shinning sword is all. The way of the de is the knowledge you gave us. It had allowed me to be better than my rage. It has transformed me. Now, I am the de itself. I have given it my everything and it has given me my everything in return.


    Neat, cknail replied with a tight smile. Ah, so he had another one of these. At least it was a very straight forward and useful obsession. Most the others were much more roundabout when it came to using them for murder. Although, the tricky part was going to be not getting murdered himself.


    Hmm, I dont know your name. Do you have one? cknail asked.


    The hobgoblin nodded. They call me


    cknail cut him off with a wave of his hand. I shall call you shi. Thats your name now, and its a great one, so you should thank me.


    The hobgoblin now known as shi looked unsure and hesitated a moment for replying. Thank you?


    No problem. Im awesome at naming things! cknail replied as he gave shi a friendly pat on the shoulder.


    Unsteady on his feet, shi then departed the ring and thest challenger entered. cknail scowled as he realized who it was. What was Herah doing here? Had she always been part of the event? cknail had no idea if she was any good with a de. Wait. Was that Khita standing over by where Herah hade from? Seriously, why was she here? The stupid redhead had definitely not been invited. No humans had been.


    What are you doing here? cknail asked Herah as she walked over with de in hand.


    She gave him a curious look. Im here for the test. I want a warrior mark.


    Alright fine, but Gob didnt mention that you were one of the candidates. I would have probably remembered that.


    Herah shrugged. Yes, one of initiates he suggested was injured in an unfortunate ident, so I volunteered to rece him.


    What exactly happened to this unlucky hob? cknail asked. He was suspicious.


    Something hard hit the back of his head and knocked him unconscious, Herah answered deadpan.


    I see cknail replied carefully. Well, lets get the test started.


    He wasnt sure what Herah was up to, but Khita was undoubtedly involved in it up to her scrawny pink neck. Why else would she be here?


    Herah nodded in acknowledgement and raised her de as she took a stance, so cknail did like-wise. A momentter, he began the spar with a high sh meant to draw her out. She hesitated but didnt take the bait, so cknail pressed the attack.


    The sparring match continued for several minutes after that. Herah seemed to be at the same level as the first two hobgoblins or maybe slightly higher. cknail quickly began to get tired, so he wrapped the fight up fairly quickly. After tapping Herahs shoulder he stepped back away from her.


    Fine, you pass. You can have the warrior mark, cknail told her as he took a few deep breaths to fill his lungs and speed his recovery.


    A happy grin appeared on Herahs face. Oh, thank you, great chief. You are as wise as you are handsome!


    I know, cknail replied as he turned away from her.


    There was a loud chorus of cheers from the watchers around the ring as they realized the fight was over, and cknail went to find somewhere to sit down. His arms were stiff, and he was breathing heavier than normal after all the sparring.


    Herah happily trailed after him. When he turned to look at her, she gave him a friendly grin. Would you like some food, boss? I can grab some for you.


    Why would you? cknail asked suspiciously.


    Youre the chief and Im your minion. I live to serve you, and besides, you worked so hard to set up the test.


    cknail considered her words for a moment. Alright, fine. I do feel like having some more meat.


    Right away, boss! Herah replied. She winked and then turned to run off back the way shede.


    Feeling a little confused, cknail went to find a ce to sit. There was a nice wooden bench sitting just the right distance from one of the bonfires. The only problem was that it was upied by three hobgbolins, but that was easy enough to fix. Yawning, cknail simply walked over and shoved them off the bench from behind. Once the startled hobgoblins saw who it was that had pushed them, they swiftly vacated the premise without a word. cknail nodded in satisfaction as he sat down on the bench. It was nice to be respected properly.


    After cknail had been sitting down and enjoying the waves of heating off the fire for a few minutes, Herah returned with a te of meat. cknail wasnt sure were shed gotten it since almost everything had already been eaten. She must have had it squirrelled away somewhere.


    Here you go, best boss, she said as she handed it to him.


    Thank you, cknail replied as he took the te. He had to push himself up since he was lying on his side.


    Herah quickly sat down beside him and gave him another grin. Do you want me to feed you? You seem very tired.


    Hmm, alright, cknail replied after thinking it over. Her idea would prevent him from having to get up, and it was unlikely that she was trying to poison him. He was fairly sure he hadnt done anything to enrage hertely. In fact, she had been unusually quiet these past few days.


    Without dy, Herah began cutting up the meat and using a fork to bring the meat up to cknails mouth where he could eat it. She smiled down at him as cknail ate, and cknail got a whiff of her scent. It smelled like shed been rolling in flowers or something. Weird. By the time the te was empty, cknail was feeling very full. His belly stuck out and felt heavy. He had already eaten earlier after all.


    Looking around, cknail saw that the field around the bonfires was emptier now and the sky overhead had be pitch ck and peppered with stars. It had grownte and many of the goblins and hobgoblins had wandered off back to their homes. Since cknail had already eaten as much as he possibly could, it was probably time for him to do the same and head home for the night. Groaning, cknail begin to get up.


    Where are you going? Herah asked with a pout. She seemed to have been enjoying herself, although cknail had no idea why.


    Im going to sleep now. See you tomorrow, cknail answered as he began to walk away from the bonfires and out into the darkness.


    Instead of staying behind, Herah quickly followed after him. Ill walk with you.


    cknail waved her away. No, stay here.


    As Herah stopped and pouted again, Khita suddenly emerged from out of nowhere and walked over. She cane with me. Im going to the cave as well.


    cknail stopped in his tracks and turned to scowl at her. Khita had a bed in his cave because back when hed first imed the ce it had been one of the only safe ces she could have slept, but she had rarely used ittely. Still, it was obviously too dark for her to go back to Shelter now, and she had to sleep somewhere.


    Why are you even here? he asked her.


    I never miss a party or a fight, and this was both. Where else would I be? the redhead replied with a smug smile.


    Fine, whatever. Neither of you better ruin my sleep, though, cknail replied as he began walking again.


    For some reason this made Khitaugh as she joined up with Herah. Together, the pair strolled after cknail and whispered quietly back and forth. cknails ears twitched as he tried to listen in, but he couldnt quite make out what they were saying. cknail huffed in annoyance. It was probably stupid nonsense anyway.


    When cknail got to his cave and walked inside, Khita and Herah both followed him. Narrowing his eyes in suspicion, cknail sat down on his bed and stared at them. It was obvious that they were up to something. The pair were obviously co-conspirators in some sort of scheme, although cknail wasnt sure what the goal of it was.


    As cknail watched, the pair whispered to each for a few moments, and then Khita suddenly spoke up. Sure, you stay here. Ill go grab theb. I want to show it to you anyway.


    The redhead then turned and gave cknail a quick mischievous grin before running out of the cave. Suspicious! cknails brow wrinkled as he watched her go. What was she ying at? He hoped it wasnt going to interfere with his sleep. He didnt have the time or patience to deal with all this nonsense right now.


    As cknail focused on Khita leaving, Herah tentatively walked his way. cknail frowned and turned to look at her, and she gave him a nervous smile.


    Theres something I want to show you, Herah announced.


    What is it? cknail asked.


    That was when Herah pulled off her shirt of and untied her belt. Both her shirt and her pants hit the floor at the same time, revealing her naked body. cknail stared, too surprised to think.


    My breasts have gotten bigger, havent they? Herah asked as she put her hands on her hips.


    Slowly, cknail brain began to work again. Hed figured out what was going on now. It was an ambush! The problem was he wasnt sure he even wanted to avoid the trap.


    Do you like what you see? Herah asked him as she stepped closer and wiggled her hips. Even in his current state of mind, cknail knew there was only one answer to that question.


    Yes, youre nice to look at, cknail found himself saying. It was true. Herahs chest had filled in a little, even if it was still nothingpared to that of certain humans, including one that cknail wasnt even going to think about right now. Bad idea.


    cknail hesitated as Herah leaned in closer, and he smelled the flower scent again. It wasnt particr strong, but it did smell refreshing. Stop. He had to focus, and not on Herahs enticing green body. Something else.


    Was it safe to mate with Herah? cknail had been sure that hed had good reasons not to but he couldnt remember what those were right now. Most importantly, it seemed unlikely that this was a plot to assassinate him. Herah was loyal, and would gain nothing from killing him since everyone would know it was her. Unless someone else was behind the plot... but who?


    Suddenly, Herahs lips met his own, and cknails brain shut off again. Burning need zed up from below his core and sent his heart into overdrive. He growled softly as the feeling consumed him, and he reached over to pull Herahs thin body closer