Bane of Humanity 7


    Why do you suppose the ancient hobgoblins built this circle? Darlin asked as cknail and him walked out of the ring of stones.


    The man was one of thebat mages attached to the expedition, and although hed avoided cknail before this, he couldnt resist questioning the hobgoblin about the standing stones. He was a solidly built man who wore a breastte over his grey mages robe. From what cknail could tell, he was the leader of thebat mages. Despite that, he had a youthful face and short brown hair.


    cknail shrugged. I dont know. Maybe theyre for fighting in. Hobgoblins like fighting and I dont know what else youd use a big circle for.


    After their first day in the Green, the expedition to Coroulis had camped within the circle of standing stones over the night. Now, they were ready to leave and get moving again.


    That seems unlikely, the mage replied. I think the stones have been carefully ced to line up with the sun. Did ancient hobgoblins worship the sun?


    I dont know, cknail told him as he grimaced sourly. He was getting tired of everyone asking him about this stuff. He didnt know anything about the standing stones but what Saeter had told him long ago, which was that theyd been built by hobgoblins. Humans hadnt been around back then, and the forest people hadnt built things from stone.


    Darlin nced to the side. What do you make of the carvings though? Surely you have an opinion on them?


    Theyre a bunch of blurry lines. I think I could draw much better than that.


    Although the circle of standing stone was ancient and had been weathered greatly by time, some carvings on their surfaces had survived. Many of the humans had studied these carvings with great interest, even though they were little more than some collections of lines that vaguely looked like people and animals. Except for some little horn-like things on the heads of a few of the figures, you couldnt even tell if most the figures were supposed to be hobgoblins. Many of them were indistinguishable from humans or forest people.


    Looking to get away from annoying questions about old rocks which hed already answered, cknail left the humans behind and went out into the Green to scout the way forward with some of his hobs. Thankfully, Sir Masin was able to get everyone moving before too long, and the rest of the expedition was soon following in cknails footsteps. Really, what was the humans fascination with those standing stones? cknail had personally built  or at least ordered built - things that were much more impressive, like his mansion or Ferrars furnaces, and humans didnt gather around those and whisper to each other. Homes and furnaces were actually useful, but they were far more interested in staring at some old rocks with badly drawn pictures on them. Stupid humans.


    It wasnt like cknail hated the stones. Actually, he rather liked them. They gave off an aura of ageless endurance that he foundforting, and he enjoyed seeing proof that hobgoblins could build things tost, since many of his ns required that to be true. Sometimes he wasnt so sure that was possible. Like every time Ferrar blew up his workshop, when his hobs started cking off and fighting amongst themselves whenever he turned his back, or every time he remembered Scamp existed. Thankfully, that wasnt often these days. Scamp was far away, working at the hunting lodges outside Ironbreak.


    It was mostly the humans reaction to the standing stones that annoyed cknail. They made everything about either humans or hobgoblins, like they were two big groups that all thought alike. That was clearly not the case, and dealing with their stupidity was annoying. He was just cknail.


    He could have done without the weird dreams though. They were also somewhat responsible for his bad mood. Despite their calming presence, there was something about the stones that had disturbed cknails sleep. He remembered fragments of the chaotic dreams. There had been a storm of snow. In the dream, cknail had followed a bloody trail towards it, passing snow-covered bodies along the way. The massive blizzard had spun and twisted in on itself as it tore apart everything near it. White had drowned out everything, except at the center of the storm. There, where it had been eerily calm, cknail remembered seeing a glowing pir of ice. It had radiated cold blue light, and then the dream had ended.


    What a dumb dream to have on a chilly spring day! Why couldnt he have dreamed of cheese and fur nkets?


    cknail was following an animal trail that wound through the trees, when he noticed a patch of dried mud that was covered in prints. So, he took a moment to crouch down and study the tracks. Most of them were from rabbits, deer, or other critters. But, he saw one track that sent a jolt through his bones. It was clearly from a boggart. Looking around, cknail found several more boggart tracks nearby, next to bushes and tree roots. They looked to be almost a week old, but it was still concerning that boggarts were moving around in this part of the Green.


    Scowling, cknail headed back to report to Sir Masnin. Hed want to know about this development.


    Show me, the pdin replied as soon as he heard about the tracks.


    cknail simply nodded and led him and two of his guards over to the footprints. He then pointed them out for the humans, since he doubted theyd be able to find them on their own.


    What do you think this means? Sir Masnin asked after studying the prints in the dirt.


    I might be nothing, cknail answered. Boggartse up from the dark paths to hunt for food in the Green a lot. These tracks probably belong to a foraging party like that.


    We move on then, but be on the lookout for more signs of boggart activity, and report everything you find to me.


    cknail nodded. I will.


    Sir Masnin then headed back to the main body of the expedition and they started moving forward again.


    Several hourster, cknail stumbled upon a new problem. The expedition had been following the old overgrown road north, but now the way forward was blocked by a raging river. The winding torrent of water had been flooded by the spring melt and was now impossible to cross. White frothy water gushed over its banks as it rushed along its path. There was no way anyone would be able to swim through that, and next to nothing remained of the bridge that had once crossed over the river. There were only a few stones left to mark where it used to stand.


    cknail scowled sourly at the river before him. Well, it wasnt like he hadnt expected to run into this exact problem. All he could do was report back to Sir Masnin and then try not to roll his eyes when the pdin told him to go look for some other way to cross.


    Sir Masnin nodded sagely when cknail informed him of the river in their way. It seems we have no choice but to find a new route. How long do you think it will take you?


    cknail didnt roll his eyes. I wont know until I look. Could be hours, or it could be days.


    Then you should get to it. What do you suggest our group do?


    Ive sent some minions to head downstream and look around, but I think we should head upstream. Thats more the direction we want to go. My minions can catch upter, since you humans are so slow.


    Sir Masnin looked calm as he nodded again. Its in the gods hands then. Lead the way.


    After excusing himself, cknail did just that. He marched ahead and met with his scouts, who told him about another animal trail that the humans could use to follow the river upstream. cknail checked it out for himself and then sent his scouts back out while he waited for the humans to catch up.


    Sir Masnin stepped through the bushes and out into the path first, but he was swiftly followed by several of his men and then Khita. A long trek through the woods didnt seem to have worn the redhead down at all. She was hyper and looked eager to explore. Her face brightened up upon seeing cknail. Shed been travelling with the rest of the humans, and hed been avoiding her.


    Er, this trail is muchrger than thest. What sort of beast made it, exactly? one of the armsmen asked as he looked around. The trail they were now on was quite tall and wide. Two men on horseback could ride along it without a problem, and there werent any branches hanging overhead either.


    Ogres, mostly, cknail answered.


    Mostly?


    cknail shrugged. Drakes like to follow ogres around.


    I see, the armsman remarked nervously as he peered into the nearby foliage as if drake might jump out at any moment.


    Are we in any real danger from drakes? Sir Masnin asked.


    Probably not. Theyre rare, and Ive never been attacked by a drake. Then again, Im a hobgoblin, not a human. Maybe you smell tasty to them.


    Hmmm, and what do you think we should do if we encounter a drake?


    cknail gave him a nk look. He wasnt an expert on drakes, so he could only guess. They like to chaserge moving things. So, um stay away from the horses and try not to look yummy?


    Sir Masnin frowned with obvious dissatisfaction. I was thinking of a more defensive n where we either kill it or drive it away.


    Well, you have a bunch of mages with drake killing weapons, so I suggest you use those, cknail told him.


    A fair enough point. I will speak to Darlin and the others, Sir Masnin said before turning to go give orders to the men behind him.


    I bet you and I could take a drake in a straight up fight! Khita told cknail as she grinned happily.


    Sure, Ill let you go in first, cknail replied.


    Turning away from all the humans, the hobgoblin chieftain headed down the path. He nned on catching up to his forward scouts. Being around Khita for even several second had already depleted his reserves of patience when it came to dealing with the redhead.


    The going was very easy now, thanks to the wide animal path. It seemed like even the trees overhead were thinner here. Thus, the humans were making much better progress than before since they could ride without a problem. That meant cknail had to push his pace a little though. Following the path was easy, but cknail was also responsible formanding the scouts. He had to keep eyes on the river so that they didnt miss any possible crossings while also watching the Green for danger.


    After around an hour had passed, the forest path began to angle upwards and be rocky. The trees then began to thin out as the the forest transitioned into rocky hills that were covered in only a few stubby trees. Soon, the ogre path veered away from the river, but cknail pressed on ahead regardless. He didnt want to get too far from the water, and the rocky hills werent too hard to traverse.


    Climbing up the side of a rocky incline, cknail took a moment to look around. From up high, he could see the river peeking through the trees to his right. It was about a hundred feet away now. Up ahead and to his left were more rocky hills, several of which that were taller than the one he was on now. Jagged grey stone and the asional scraggly bush jutted out of the hard earth all around him. In every other directiony a sea of greenery atop towering trees.


    While he was taking in the scenery, cknail reached into his coat and withdrew a wedge of cheese. It was thest piece of his favorite vor. Hed meant to make itst longer by eating other types of cheese, but he hadnt been able to resist. Smiling, cknail looked back to see if anyone was catching up to him as he raised the cheese to his lips.


    However, before the cheese reached his mouth, there was a wet sensation on his fingers and the cheese vanished from his grip. Surprised, cknail spun around to see that had happened, and came face-to-face with a brown hill goat. It was a huge example of its species and it was chewing on cknails cheese.


    Hey, thats mine! cknail growled as he red at the wild thief. Therge creature had a grey beard and sleepy eyes. It also had curved horns that were crystalline. A mutant!


    cknail reached for his de. The huge goat simply snorted dismissively, and then in one swift movement, it spun around and kicked cknail in the chest. Caught off guard, the blow hit cknail hard, throwing him backwards. As his breath shot out of his lungs, he hung in the air for moment. Then, he hit the ground and began rolling down the hill. Rocks battered and stabbed him as he rolled, and he only came to a stop at the bottom of the hill.


    Groaning, cknail climbed to his feet and glowered at the goat atop the hill. Ow. His everything hurt now. There were rips in his clothing and he was scratched in several ces, but at least he didnt seem to have any serious wounds.


    You will pay for this! cknail yelled at the beast that had assaulted him and stolen his cheese.


    The goat just stared calmly down at him. Its face was expressionless.


    Drawing his sword, cknail began climbing the hill toward his assant. Fighting a giant mutant goat right now probably wasnt the brightest move, but some things needed done. It was the principle of the thing. Absolutely no one could be allowed to get away with stealing his cheese! If he let this goat do it without reprisal, then other goats might get ideas.


    However, instead of standing its ground, the goat just snorted again and began to walk away.


    No,e back here, you smelly coward! cknail cursed as he stomped after it.


    The beast didnt meet his challenge and just kept trotting away. Frustrated, cknail stopped and took a moment to think. He didnt want to chase his new archenemy all across the Green. He was a little too busy for that at the moment.


    Thus, the hobgoblin sheathed his sword and reached into his coat to pull out another wedge of cheese. This one wasnt quite as nice smelling as thest, but it was still quite fragrant, like musty herbs and old sweaty clothes.


    You want this? Come and get it, cknail yelled as he held the cheese out toward the goat.


    What are you doing, boss? a hobgoblin scout asked from behind cknail. Hed just stepped out of the trees.


    Shut up and stay away, cknail replied without turning around. The goat had stopped moving and had turned to look at the prize in cknails hand.


    Sure, that sounds smart to me.


    Slowly, the goat started walking back to cknail. The hobgoblin chieftain smiled. Yes, thats it. Come closer.


    When the goat was within cknails reach, he lunged forward and tried to grab one of its horns. He missed as the beast ducked to the side and then snatched the cheese from his other hand. The creature was swift and slippery.


    Growling, cknail reached for his sword, and was promptly kicked back down the hill again. The fall hurt even more the second time.


    Coughing, cknail climbed to his feet. Ow. His ribs felt one size too small. Also, some of them may have been knocked a little loose.


    Fine, well call this a draw. Consider yourself warned! cknail yelled at the goat once hed caught his breath. Charging the beast wouldnt gain him anything, and really didnt want to go through all that again.


    The beasts face remained expressionless, but it licked its lips and drooled a little.


    Are you done, boss? cknails watching minion asked.


    Yes, I was simply scaring away a vicious mutant. Look at it up there, too afraid toe down here and face me. Youre safe now.


    Thank you, boss.


    Youre wee, cknail replied as he looked around for a new way forward that avoided the hill the goat was on.


    Focusing on his incredibly important mission, cknail resumed his scouting duties. If the goat bothered anyone else, he was sure one of the human Vessels could deal with it. Thus, the hobgoblin soon left the hill far behind. He didnt manage to leave the goat behind though. The stupid thing began trotting after him. It didnt attack or even get close, but it followed cknail as he moved over the hills and then back into the Green.


    Youre not getting any more cheese! the hobgoblin yelled at the goat, but it didnt react.


    cknail tried yelling at it and shooing it away several more times, but to no avail. It would fade away into the trees only to reappear again some timeter. Eventually, he gave up and just decided to ignore it until it got bored and left.


    As the day went on, the wind began to pick up and the sky overhead grew cloudy. cknail looked up at the sky and grew concerned. A storm wasing, so he headed back to meet with Sir Masnin and make preparations.


    The pdin nodded in agreement after cknail had exined his concerns. If it begins to rain heavily then we will be forced to take shelter. I dont think our sleeping tents will shield us from a real torrent or storm. We will press on for now, but I believe that finding shelter for us should be your priority.


    cknail had no problem with that, so he immediately sent out word for all his scouts to search for caves or other features that would shelter them from a storm. It took a while. The expedition continued to travel parallel to the river for another hour before one of cknails scouts returned with news. Hed found a series of shallow caves that would stay dry during a storm.


    After questioning his minion to make sure the space was suitable, cknail waited for the humans to catch up so he could lead them there. As he waited, the wind picked up and ck clouds filled the sky. A heavy storm looked inevitable now.


    Have you found us shelter. A storm ising! Sir Masnin yelled over the winds upon reaching cknail. The rest of the expedition was walking or riding behind him.


    Yes, this way! cknail yelled back as he led them off the trail and into the Green. The sky had already started to spit a light rain that was making everything damp.


    It took quite a bit of effort to get all the humans off the road and safely to the shelter. They stumbled through the now shadowy trees, tripping over roots and bushes. Hobgoblins were required to shepherd them and keep the stupider ones from getting lost. This was made much more confusing because there were a series of ponds nearby. Not only did people keep falling into them, but hordes of spiny frogs had emerged from the water to enjoy the rain. The critters were loud, and their spines could go right though leather boots if you stepped on them. Thankfully, at least the trees protected everyone from the wind and rain.


    It looks like well be staying here until morning, Sir Masnin remarked once everyone was in the caves and they were all out of the weather.


    The caves they were upying were located in the side of a small cliff. It was right in the forest, so trees surrounded it. Sir Masnin had to lean out of the cave and peak through gaps in the leafy canopy overhead to see the sky. Most of the mounts had been ced in their own cave, and the humans had gone deeper into the cave to huddle and warm themselves.


    This looks like a big storm that could go all night, cknail agreed.


    Khita was standing nearby, and she suddenly raised a hand to point outside. Whats that?


    ncing over, cknail saw a familiar shape out in the dark. It was the goat. cknail hadnt seen it for a while, and thus hed assumed that it had wandered off, but apparently not. The mutants yellow eyes glowed in the dark for a moment, and then its dark silhouette vanished into the shadows cast by the trees. cknail growled as he scanned the forest for any sight of it. He had no doubt that it was still around somewhere. The smelly monster was after his cheese!