Twists and Turns 5


    Why in all the hells would we do that? Ralphi asked as he scowled at cknail furiously.


    Geralhd and Khita also looked unconvinced that attacking Daggerpoint would be a good idea. Obviously, cknail needed to better educate the humans about why they were so wrong.


    We need to attack something, and its there. He wont be defending it, the hobgoblin exined, as if it wasnt obvious.


    There is a good reason for that. He doesnt technically own it, Geralhd pointed out.


    He has more troops there than anyone else and everyone else has to do what he says. He owns it, cknail countered.


    Thats not really true, and attacking people who technically dont work for Werrick will make you enemies. Youre supposed to be trying to separate them from Werrick.


    They all work for him, even if they pretend they dont, like little cowards. They think that makes them safe, but Ill show them it doesnt.


    Ralphi grimaced. We wouldnt be able to seize the city, let alone hold it. We dont have enough men to deal with so many civilians and so many buildings where hostiles could hide. Your hobs also would make a terrible garrison. That wouldnt work at all. Wed have revolts before the first day was over.


    So, we raid them and leave before Werrick even hears about it. Lots of loot there we could win.


    But its all hidden away or in the hands of organized cutthroats. Wed lose a lot of troops if we let them loose to loot.


    Im the boss here, and I think its a good idea. It would be impressive, cknail told them defensively.


    It would make everyone reconsider how much of a threat you were, and thus their own loyalty to Werrick, Geralhd admitted.


    Ralphi shook his head. Thats not really enough payoff for something so risky.


    I have a lot of hobs sitting around not doing anything. I cant just wait here for Werrick to move next year. That would be more boring than watching food get moldy.


    cknails human followers raised a few more objections, but hed already stopped listening and quickly dismissed them. He was the leader, so they had to do what he said. If they didnt agree, they were wrong.


    Of course, his decision had a cost, more work. Ugh. All his troops now had to be marshalled and made ready to move. cknail decided put that off until tomorrow. It was already starting to gette and he was getting hungry again. His first supper of the night ought to settle his stomach, so he headed over to the kitchen to see what was left in the pantry. He hoped there was pie.


    However, just as hed found some morsels that smelled tempting, a hobgoblin messenger burst through his front door and began yelling for him.


    Sighing, cknail put down the food and yelled for the hobgoblin to shut up. He then went to see what the hob wanted. This had better not dy his n to attack Daggerpoint.


    When he saw cknail, the hob immediately began bbering and waving his arms around. Boss, the enemy ising! Theres an army. A human army is almost here!


    cknail eyed the hysterical hobgoblin. Was it possible hed eaten some bad food, gotten delirious, and was seeing things that werent there? That happened sometimes. None of the other scouts he had watching Werricks territory had seen any sign of movement and a human army would be hard to miss. They werent all that stealthy.


    Where is it and how do you know about it? cknail asked his minion skeptically.


    That was when another pair of hobgoblins ran up to the door and began shouting about a human army that had been sighted by the scouts. It was still possible some bad food was going around, but unfortunately, the army was probably real.


    A little worried now, cknail grilled his minions for details, and soon a picture emerged. The army wasing from the south, and although it was small, it didnt sound like Werricks normal troops. The forceprised about hundred men, all of which were mounted. They were also carrying banners and wore a lot of shiny armor, but the hobgoblin scouts hadnt recognized the banners. That wasnt a surprise, since most the hobgoblins had transformed less than a year ago and had never been outside cknails territory.


    Of course, cknail had no idea what to make of it either. Did Werrick have so much money that he was able to hire a host of well-equipped mercenaries? However, if that was the case, why not move to support them?


    Confused, cknail quickly sent his minions to assemble his lieutenants. Despite its small size, this approaching force was still dangerous, and cknail didnt like it when humans began acting oddly. Usually, they were very predictable creatures and lovely prey.


    Ralphi and Geralhd arrived quickly and joined him outside the homes door. Khita came a momentter, but cknail ignored her.


    No, it doesnt sound like a mercenary force, Ralphi remarked as he scratched his hairy chin. They field mostly infantry, since proper military horses cost so much to feed and care for. Sometimes theyll have some mounted knights in charge, but its never most thepany.


    Geralhd nodded in agreement. Judging by those banners and the description of those riders, Id say its a nobles levy of household knights.


    What does that mean? cknail asked them.


    Khita grinned snidely. It means you wont be heading to Daggerpoint anytime soon.


    cknail ignored the obnoxious redhead. She wasnt funny and her opinion didnt matter.


    I have no idea what brought this on, Geralhd admitted. Its more than little strange to tell you the truth. Were far from thends of any noble, and they have no reason to be interested in us. Undoubtedly, they have no shortage of problems to distract them back closer to home. You know, peasants to draft and send to the king for ughter and such.


    Could they be Werricks allies? Ralphi asked.


    Theyre a little outnumbered. Why wouldnt Werricke along and help them? Khita pointed out.


    Ralphi scrunched his face up so he looked confused. Then maybe they are just here to fight cknail, since hes a hobgoblin and a menace? Nobles get all noble sometimes.


    Unsure, cknail turned to look at Geralhd. He had nothing to add. He was a menace, a great one. The best.


    Gehd looked uncertain. So, they are looking for us, but dont know how outnumbered they are? Thats a weirdly benevolent motivation for a country noble in these hard times. Not to mention, its highly risky with no reward even if he wins. If whoever this is had the troops to im thesends, they would have done it a long time ago.


    Khita scowled and nodded enthusiastically. Ya, those blue bloods stick to their fancy towers and mansions except when they want blood or coin from their folk.


    It seemed like none of his humans had answers for cknail. He needed better humans, or at least more of them. The problem with that was that humans needed a lot of care, so having too many was a chore. They were always wandering off and getting themselves in trouble, like being eaten by forest beasts.


    Well assume they areing to fight us. So, well have to be smart and prepare instead of going to Daggerpoint right away, the hobgoblin chieftain said as he ignored Khitas chuckle. Well fortify the town, but well also make some ns to retreat into the Green and regroup if they take the gate. There are some animal trails there that are too small for those big horses, and I dont want to fight knights head on.


    cknail had fought the shiny human riders before, when hed been one of Herads minions. He wasnt eager to repeat the experience, and he didnt have any illusions about how his hobs would fare against a charge. Stupid foul horses. Someone should poison them all.


    Ralphi quickly agreed that cknails n sounded like the best thing to do, and the others bowed to his greater experience with such matters. He was the only one of them that had been an actual solider.


    Since the enemy was mounted and cknails forces were upying a walled town, holding the gate was the priority. Work crews had already repaired it, mostly, but cknail quickly dispatched more minions to reinforce it. Wagons and junk could be piled behind the gates to prevent them from being easily opened. cknail also had archers and a group of spearmen hide out in the forest near the road. If the enemy became bogged down or managed to get through the gates, they could assault them from behind. If nothing else, they would be a great distraction.


    Soon, the town of Aldhara thrummed with activity as hobgoblins ran around in every direction. cknail had taken up position in the town square and was yelling at everyone to move faster. They were all a bunch of slow ckers and there was a lot to do before the enemy arrived.


    Several hours passed this way, and cknails minions got their tasks aplished, mostly because of cknails wonderful ability to give great motivational speeches while chasing them around with his sword. Only one hobgoblin was seriously injured this way, and that had been an ident.


    Despite that small set back, when the enemy arrived, cknail was ready for them. He had plenty of warning from his scouts and was able to observe from the watchtower near the gate. Herah and Geralhd were with him, while Gob and Ralphi were down below with the troops. Two of the supply wagons, piles of crates, and more than a few barrels had been pilled behind the gate, sealing it shut. Most of cknails troops were lined up behind the walls, where the enemy cavalry couldnt charge them. He had a few troops out in the forest and there were a few back ways into the town that would be very hard for massed cavalry to use.


    As cknail peered out over the wall, the forefront of the enemy came into sight. They rode around a bend in the road off in the distance and appeared from out behind the green expanse of trees. A column of riders moving at a quick pace, with dust billowing out behind them. Even from so far away, cknais eyes caught glimpses of the armor they were wearing. The metal gleamed when it caught the sun. A few secondster, as the stream of horsemen grewrger, the first of their banners came into sight. The pping length of cloth was mounted on a tall spear and pictured a golden crown on a blue field.


    Huh, thats the royal heraldry, Geralhd remarked in surprise. That means this group of riders is acting under the authority of the king himself. Its missing the red rose though, so none of the royal family are actually present.


    So, these are the big human boss guys, cknail mused thoughtfully as if he was deep in thought. He had no idea what that meant. Hed never really understood how the whole human king thing worked. All the humans seemed to do what they wanted regardless. Like with hobgoblins, the person giving the orders was usually the one who had the most fighters avable to back him. Fancy metal hats were nice, but gave very little in the way of actual authority.


    Geralhd sighed. Er, perhaps. There are several groups that can act with the authority of the king. Itsplicated. All it really tells us is that this group doesnt belong to an ambitious border noble, its been organized by someone in the capital and thus has far more authority than a backwoods lord could ever hope for.


    But were not in the southern kings territory; were in mine. I took it, nice and fair, by conquest, cknail reminded his human minion as he red at the g.


    The entire force of horsemen had emerged from behind the trees now, and their vanguard was much closer than before. Behind the royal banner, cknail saw another one bearing a stag that he recognized as belonging to a local noble. Why didnt cknail have a g? What would he put on it? Hmm


    As the enemy approached the thunder-like sound of hundreds of horse hooves hitting the ground filled the air. It was intimidating, and cknail felt himself began to grow nervous and sweaty. It looked like there were just over a hundred enemies, which wasnt all that many, but their mounts were ratherrge, so at first nce they looked quite numerous and dangerous. They certainly filled up a lot of space.


    The sound of bugles rang out, and a momentter, the riders slowed. cknail watched as they slowly came to stop just out of bow range of the towns walls. It seemed like they werent going to attack right away, and since they were human, that meant they probably wanted to talk. If nothing else, theyd want to brag and yell a lot before getting down to the fighting. cknail could understand that.


    Several of the horsemen near the front of the line broke ranks and gathered together. They were too far away for cknail to hear, but they were obviously talking about something, and it took them a while. It wasnt until almost a quarter of an hourter that they stopped. Then, two of the riders advanced to the front and dismounted. cknail studied them as they began walking toward the gate. One was a tall knight in very shiny armor, while the other was wearing a long brown robe. The knights face was concealed by his helm, but the man in the robe was bald and clean shaven. He had the look of a priest, who were a type of human cknail usually found quite annoying. They talked a lot even for humans, and they were always going on about things you shouldnt do. cknail did whatever he wanted.


    After walking about halfway to the gate, the pair stopped and conversed for a moment. The tall knight then turned to the towns walls and began yelling in an oddly familiar voice. Hail the town. Wee in peace to parley. We seek the one named cknail, and weve been told he upies this town.


    This was unexpected. If they werent here to fight, why were they here? Maybe this was just part of the usual bragging and yelling? cknail turned to look at Geralhd, but the man just shrugged unhelpfully.


    Go out and talk to them, cknail ordered the man. Thats what he got for being so useless.


    Why me? They want you!


    Exactly, so lets not give them what they want yet, in case its bad. Besides, youre smart about human stuff. Youll be able to tell me more if you meet them, cknail exined. Humans were generally better behaved with other humans, since they were pack animals.


    Sighing, Geralhd did as he was told and began climbing down thedder that led up to the watchtower. He then hustled over the gate, which could still be opened enough for him to squeeze through after some of the junk around it had been shifted.


    cknail watched as Geralhd headed out to meet the two human spokesmen. He really hoped he wasnt about to be killed horribly. That would make cknail sad.


    Once hed reached the intruders, Geralhd began waving his hands around and yelling. The priest-like fellow immediately began waving his hands and yelling right back, but the knight remained calm and no one attacked each other. Several minutes passed this way, and then Geralhd turned around and headed back through the gate, while the two visitors stayed behind. cknail climbed down to talk to him.


    What did they say? cknail asked him once they met.


    They said they had been sent by the kings council to meet with you and make a judgement in the kings name. Other than that, not much. I tried getting more out of them, but they remained tight lipped. They said theyd only talk to you, and that it was of the utmost important. I also noticed something. Judging by the knights armor, Im certain he is a pdin of a religious order.


    They fight monsters, dont they? Instead of other people, like everyone else, cknail remarked. Hed run into a pdin before, way back.


    Broadly, yes. The pdins are supported by not only the southern kings and the cults, but the mage guilds as well. Theyre all sworn to seek out and destroy inhuman evil and to withhold themselves from the disputes of men. All full members are also Vessels and warriors of some renown.


    Alright, lets see what they have to say. It should be interesting, cknail said before nodding and beginning to walk over to the gate.


    Geralhd hurried over to his side. What? Youre just going to go out there?


    Yes, cknail replied as he squeezed through the gate. He was curious now, and he had some idea of who he was dealing with.


    As Geralhd followed him like a good minion, cknail calmly walked out of the town and over to the waiting humans. The armored knight was about the same height as him and would be a difficult opponent to fight since he was a Vessel, but cknail wasnt too worried.


    The pdin raised a hand in greeting as the hobgoblin mutant approached. It was an oddly polite greeting, considering the armored war host behind the tough looking man. The knight then pulled his helmet off, revealing a face cknail recognized and been expecting. Greeting. The gods have brought us together again, cknail the hobgoblin.