Bane of Humanity 2


    There were two armed guards on either side of the door cknail had just walked through, and hed been disarmed. Thus, he didnt immediately charge Werrick, despite the rage that had suddenly boiled up within him. He took a deep calming breath instead. Vengeance would be his eventually, as long as he stayed in control of his emotions.


    Werrick was seated at a table that dominated the middle of the room. It was oddly shaped, like a half-circle. Over a dozen chairs sat all along the round edge, while only a single one had been ced in the middle of the straight side. Since Lord Lavista was upying that lone chair, and facing all the others, cknail assumed this was another human intimidation thing, and promptly chose to ignore it. He was unimpressed. It was rather weakpared to the normal hobgoblin intimidation technique of killing someone and impaling their head on a stick.


    Please have a seat at the table. Your escorts can sit at one of the side tables, the servant that had led cknail into the room said as he motioned to the side. There were several small tables scattered at both ends of the room. Some of them were empty, but there were people sitting at others. They had the look of minions, so cknail ignored them and turned back to Werrick.


    Your trantor can also join us, Lord Lavista added from where he was sitting. He had two guards standing behind his chair, and one of them was Sir Masnin.


    I want to sit at the big table with the important people, Khita said. Im one of cknails most important lieutenants and deadliest fighters, after all. Soon, I will rule a massive territory of my own, and everyone will tremble at the mention of my name!


    Not a chance, Ralphi snorted as he grabbed her shoulder and dragged her over to an empty table. Theres already way too much that could go wrong here for my liking, even without you introducing your particr brand of messy stupidity. Everyone else in cknails group except for Geralhd followed them to the table.


    Werrick looked different than thest time cknail had seen him, mostly because he wasnt wearing armor or his wolf helm. Instead, his clothing didnt stand out from any of the other people at the table. He wore a grey shirt and some ck trousers that looked simple but stylish. cknail guessed that he was trying to fit in among the other humans from the south. His rough face and prating gaze made him stand out though, especially now that he was scowling at cknail. The hobgoblin met his gaze and grinned savagely.


    Despite his resolve, Werrick flinched at the raw hunger that shone through cknails eyes. He quickly recovered, but he was clearly rattled by the hobgoblins appearance. That was to be expected. Thest time the two had met, Werrick had cut down cknail and left him for dead on a battlefield. However, not only had cknail survived, but it was that brush with death that had triggered the hobgoblins transformation into a mutant. cknail was significantlyrger and more dangerous now. The fires of his hatred also burned stronger.


    Ah, youre alive after all, Werrick remarked. Hobgoblins must be made of different stuff than men.


    Im just special, cknail replied.


    So, I can see, Werrick said as he nced at the hobgoblins horns. Ill have to keep that in mind.


    You wont have to worry about it for long


    Lord Lavista interrupted the pairs staring contest. cknail, please have a seat so that we may begin the meeting.


    Hmm, sure, the hobgoblin replied as he turned his attention to the other people at the table.


    Two were clearly mages from two different guilds. Their amulets and robes marked them as human spellcasters. There was also a man who was clearly a priest and quite a few people that looked like nobles of some sort. Some of them were dressed in frilly and colorful clothing that made what Geralhd usually wore look in, but some wore more practical clothing that marked them as having martial experience. Except for Werrick and sir Masnin, cknail was sure he could take them all.


    I dont think it will matter who we sit next to, Geralhd whispered. None of these people are likely to see us as peers or treat us courteously. Just choose a random ce.


    Nodding, cknail led Geralhd toward the closest two empty chairs. As he moved, he considered his next move. He knew he had one huge advantage over Werrick here, he didnt care what these southern humans thought of him at all. They were idiots, and he only needed their cooperation in the short term, while Werrick was obviously nning on starting a permanent rtionship with them. That had always been the Wolfs n to cement his rule, but cknail had other resources he could tap.


    Suddenly one young noble in a red jacket spoke up as cknail walked past him. Were dealing with disgusting savages now? I must protest!


    Oh, good. A challenge! Smiling to himself, cknail stopped and turned to look at the man. There wasplete silence from everyone else in the room as most people tensed up expectantly. Even Lord Lavista seemed willing to wait and see what cknail did.


    Sneering, the noble that had insulted cknail raised a hand as if to punctuate his next words, but cknail acted first. Quickly and smoothly, he stepped closer and leaned down so that his face was only a foot away from nobles. Then, he grinned savagely as he seized an invisible blob of magic from his core and mmed into the mans mind like it was an iron spike.


    Move, cknail hissed right before the man squealed and toppled over backward.


    The magical terror had caught the manpletely off guard ripped into his mind without resistance, overwhelming him and making incapable of controlling the fear that now surged within him.


    The stupid noble hit the floor back-first and then scrambled away. Still smiling, cknail simply grabbed the mans chair and pulled it closer.


    Thanks for the seat, cknail giggled as he sat down. Geralhd sighed and took the seat next to him that had also suddenly be vacant.


    Looking around the table, cknail saw that most the humans present were studying him. Their expression varied from shock to outright hostility. Lord Lavista was the only person present who hadnt really reacted to his little disy at all. He still had a carefully neutral expression that conveyed authority and control.


    Now, let the conference officially begin, Lavisita announced as he stood up and gave everyone before him a cursory examination. You all know why you are here. A time of great trial and tragedy has engulfed Eloria. The gue threatens all of humanity and it is being spread by these ck creatures that some call boggarts.


    Has that actually been confirmed? one noble asked respectfully.


    Yes, beyond a doubt. Our agents have observed them transporting diseased flesh and captured ghouls from city to city in order to weaken us for invasion, the lord answered. It is no coincidence that our forces engaged in fighting the gue are ambushed by boggarts either.


    There was murmuring from gathered humans as they took in this information.


    So, why are you here dealing with us? Shouldnt you be back at home fighting these things? someone eventually asked. I cant see how the answer to your problem lies in the North, and youve never cared about thisnd before.


    The Kings representative simply nodded in acknowledgement. That is true. However, this is everyones problem, and we are reaching out to all our neighbors. Weve even ended all conflict with Hulgaron. Communication is ongoing, but it seems likely that a full peace treaty will be signed soon.


    This caused everyone to begin talking amongst themselves even more. Geralhd whistled as if impressed. I suppose it would take something as catastrophic as a massive gue outbreak and an invasion by unknown monsters to stop that war. The death of countless thousands certainly didnt seem to concern them much. I suppose even the nobles realize they need some peasants alive to rule over and that the gue wont discriminate against blue blood.


    Oblivious to what Geralhd was whispering, a porky noble in a frilly red shirt spoke up. But what brings someone so high in the kings esteem here to see us? Many of us are already owe Eloria our fealty and the others are no real threat to the realm, especially now.


    I am here for several reason. First, Ie seeking information. Rumor and spection say that the boggarts emerged from the North, the councilor replied.


    If anything, it seems there are less boggarts in the North, a stern looking older noble replied.


    The fat man in red shrugged. Maybe they dont like the cold.


    How bad is it near the capital, I havent heard any details. What exactly are we dealing with? someone else enquired.


    This time it was Sir Masnin that answered. He looked sullen as he spoke. Almost every city of note is struggling to contain a full ghoul outbreak, while raids by boggarts striking from below ground weaken us. Already, the city of Persepulis has fallen to the dread gue and the royal army was forced to set it ame to contain the infection and prevent a horde of ghouls from being released on the countryside. Many other cities are predicted to fall soon as well if nothing changes.


    There was deathly silence as everyone contemted the pdins words. Many of the humans looked pale. Even Werrick looked shocked by the dire straits of the southern cities. cknail wished he could have been there to see the fire. He had always wanted to see what a human city would look like after being set ame.


    And the boggarts arent content to simply let the gue devour us either, the elderly councilor added. Our scouts report that the creatures are building structures above ground. They are consuming everything from timber to farm animals in order to build settlements of some unknown ck material. Where once there were farming viges, now eerie ck spires are beginning to rise.


    And the royal army is doing nothing? a noble asked in disbelief.


    They were caught off guard by this sudden attack, Sir Masnin exined. As you can imagine, most of the army was stationed at the border or actively engaging in action against the Hulgarons when the gue first appeared. They were swiftly withdrawn to help contain the outbreak but are now busy with that duty and have no time to spare to assault these new fortifications.


    These creatures seemed to have nned this all disturbingly well, a scowling noble with a military bearing observed.


    Yes, we are not dealing with mindless beasts here. This is a well-organized campaign by minds that understand long-term nning.


    The fat noble looked very nervous now. What can we do against that? No one here has armies to spare, despite out rtively secure position here. If the gue does strike, we will have a demons time just containing it.


    Lord Lavista nodded. Yes, but the council hase up with a n that will require your aid. Thus, as our first order of business, I would like to secure everyone heres cooperation and get an official oath of alliance. Eloria will reward you handsomely for your effort, of course.


    Everyone began talking amongst themselves again. cknail couldnt help but notice that the old man hadnt specified what aid he actually wanted. The hobgoblin was thus willing to bet his weight in cheese that it was going to be costly or incredibly dangerous. It would be best not to get tricked into making any promises.


    Suddenly, Werrick broke his silence. Thats why Im here. Your messenger mentioned getting official crown recognition of thends I hold. Is that still on the table?


    There was a nod from the councilor. Yes, take the oath and the king will acknowledge your holdings and grant you title over them.


    Youre a bandit and a murderer. You shouldnt be demanding anything of the nobility, a southern lord huffed dismissively at Werrick. He was a middle-aged man who was starting to go bald, but he was wearing more jewelry than anyone else, as if to disy his wealth.


    Now, lets not be to hasty. Someone as useful and powerful as the Wolf would make a great ally, regardless of the situation, a younger - and less impressively dressed - noble countered. What does recognition really cost the crown? Nothing.


    Bah, youre simply saying that because you basically work for the Wolf there already. Dont think I dont know about the deal youve made with him or the gold he sends your way. Dealing with bandits, despicable!


    Many of the nobles began arguing. cknail watched with interest. It appeared that Werrick had a lot of influence on the poorer northern lords, but that most the southern lords looked down on him. Of course, cknail was unpopr with everyone, so he was in an even worse position. Lord Lavista also noticed the pull Werrick had with certain parts of the nobility, and he didnt appear to like it. He frowned thoughtfully as he studied the bandit lord, who seemed willing to let others argue his case for him now.


    What about that green savage sitting right over there! someone suddenly yelled, drawing cknails attention. Surely, having someone like the Wolf on the border is a much better option than letting an inhuman monster like him squat there. Why is such a creature even here?


    Off to the side, Werrick smiled. cknail was fairly certain this noble was acting under the Wolfs orders.


    Lord Lavista quickly spoke up though. The hobgoblin is here because I wish it. He is a power in the North, as well as a vital source of information. In fact, I have heard that he engaged the boggart creatures in battle and vanquished them before they evenunched their campaign against Eloria.


    A noble sniffed disdainfully. Of course, the monster knows much about other monsters.


    cknail said nothing. No one had actually asked him a question yet, and he was busy studying all the humans. They were all looking at him now, including Werrick who was nodding in sudden understanding. He seemed to have made some connections.


    The kings councilor didnt remain silent for long. Now, before I go on, I must get oaths of alliance from you. We will be discussing many secrets and vital ns, and those that refuse the oath must leave.


    King Namirius already has my allegiance. My sword is yours, to do with as you will, one noble immediately replied as he stood up and gave the older man a formal bow. Several others immediately did the same before sitting back down.


    If you hold to you word then I will aid you, Werrick added. We should stick together in these hard times regardless.


    What about us border nobles that already havend and title. What are you offering us? a scowling man in shabby clothing asked.


    When this time of chaos is over, there will be plenty ofnd where the owners have fled or been lost to the gue. Those that aid the king can expect first im when thesends are reassigned.


    This offer quickly got the rest of the attendees to offer the councilor their allegiance, which left only cknail. Lavista gave the hobgoblin an enquiring look, but cknail kept his mouth shut. He was probably necessary for Lavistas n, so there was no chance of him being kicked out. He could afford to y it safe and not offer any sort of promise that couldnd him in troubleter. Hed hate to have to lie or murder someone to get out of a badly thought out promise.


    When everyone else had agreed to the oath, the elderly councilor looked toward cknail, and everyone else followed his gaze. To start, would you tell us about your sh with the boggarts and all youve learned about them?


    Frowning, cknail considered this question. After being insulted so much he wasnt feeling very helpful, but Lord Lavisita seemed to be the only person here whos opinion really mattered. Being unpopr with the other nobles wouldnt affect his n at all.


    Alright, cknail replied a few momentster. I ran into boggarts several timesst year, but it was this winter that that I first really fought with them. It doesnt count as a real fight unless people on both sides die.


    It took cknail quite a while to finish recounting his battle against the boggarts, especially since he had to go into so much detail about his own fighting skills and how hed used them to turn the tide of battle several times. He was amazing.


    Also, he had to remember to leave a lot of things out of the story, like about the specific types of magic his mages wielded and about the forest people and lurkers. That stuff would just have distracted the humans, and he didnt want Werrick knowing of all his capabilities.


    And were supposed to believe this fairy tale is even remotely rted to the truth? a noble asked in an exasperated tone once cknail was finished. There were murmurs of agreement from many of the other people present.


    Lavista quieted them with a re. Several parts of my guests tale have been independently verified, and it also contains scraps of knowledge about the boggarts that weve only recently discovered ourselves. For instance, some of our agents have sighted these humanoid boggarts from a distance. I would not have wasted your time with this story if I didnt believe it to be true.


    I find all this mention of uncontrolled magic disturbing, even if it is in inhuman hands, one of the mages remarked.


    The fat noble in red make a thoughtful noise. The hobgoblins story would exin why the creatures are rarer in the North, which no one else has an exnation for.


    In fact, the closer you get to this cknails territory the less reports of boggart activity you get, the militaristic noble added.


    Yes, because I hunted the boggarts down through the dark paths and ughtered them in their nest like vermin, cknail exined as he rolled his eyes.


    But why havent they moved against the North since then?


    They are probably busy fighting you now. Also, they need food, like everyone else. I destroyed the underground farm near their nest and my hunters kill the scavengers they send out into the Green. They cant grow an army without food.


    They might have trouble moving one without readily avable scavenge as well.


    Yes, well none of us are in any position to flood the dark paths with troops or even send hunters out on mass to stalk the Green. That would be folly. The dark paths are no ce for men.


    And most humans make terrible rangers and hunters, cknail added helpfully.


    Some cities use goblins to keep sewers clean of sewers. Could we use hobgoblins for something simr in the dark paths? one of the southern nobles suggested.


    The fat man snorted. Gee, what a wonderful idea. Lets just flood the tunnels under all our cities with armed hobgoblins. That would solve our boggart problem alright, and what could go wrong?


    Order please. This conversation is long past the point of usefulness, Lord Lavista announced in amanding tone.


    Then get to it already please, the fat man replied coldly. Youve been awfully vague about what you want from us, but weve all taken your oath, so why dont you tell us what you are really here for?


    The councilor scowled in displeasure at the tone, but he nodded a momentter. After much deliberation, the king and his council havee up with n to help secure our cities. We need silver to create the cure for the gue and fortify our troops against it. Only then can be risk going on the offensive against the boggarts. However, there has been a shortage of silver in the southern realms ever since the fall of Coroulis, where most of it was mined.


    Lord Lavista paused for a moment before continuing. Thus, I am here tounch an expedition to Coroulis in order to seize the silver we need.