Chapter 16: Wandering Sins

***

With a love we knew not,

The Great sun gave to us a peace forgotten

Warmth wrapped our skins in his Grace

Gave us the hope through the dark

An ambition, a flame to our souls

To follow, to endure, that fire to call

An ambition to us all.

So grant us yet another day…

***

Year of Wrath 1231, Season of Harvest, D.91, Ilgor

     “I’m glad you wanted to join us, Hob, what changed your mind?” Ghet asked as he was finishing applying the ashen paint to his skin. “You haven’t been wanting to come with us for weeks.”

     “For one it is hilarious to see you two try and look like Gnomes. Two Ilgor has a point that I don’t know enough about all the potential targets in the area. City really does seem like the best place to get it without spending a lot of resources following each one around.” He said, running his fingers through his braid to paint his hair the same color. He added, rubbing the back of his head “Besides, after our last chat, I want to make good on the promise I made to Illy when I became Raid Leader.” 

     The trio set off, Ilgor in front trying to look as casual as possible. The few times being inside the City proper, the guards had a much more difficult time seeing anything amiss once they were inside the walls. They were, however, far more thorough as people passed through those grand gates. They discussed a few different ways that Illy had managed to get inside, and each had their merits. 

     Hob was getting antsy as they neared the portcullis, looking more nervous. Ilgor turned and put her hand on his shoulder to steady him, steering their small group into a shadowed alleyway out of the main traffic. “Hob, you need to calm down, you look too suspicious. Stop darting your eyes around and looking about with sharp movements, stop turning your head like that. The guards pick up on it, and they do a search. They do that and our jig is up, we can’t exactly hide our ears well. So seriously lighten up.” She flashed a grin at him, calming him slightly. “Just think of this as a nice walk with friends… with strange scenery.”

     Exiting the alleyway, they continued on, their boots thudding on the cobblestone road. Hob, still being a little suspicious with his movements, did catch the attention of the guard, but they were too busy dealing with an angry merchant that was arguing about the taxes on his goods before they would be allowed into the city. The guards only watched the trio as they walked through the gates. Their eyes followed them like a beggar to a coin, they weren’t missed, but not important enough to stop at the moment.

     “Coward” Ghet bumped into him laughing. “Such a big strong warrior scared of a little reconnaissance.” They passed by countless merchant stalls, filled to the brim with wares for sale.

     “Shut it, I’m no coward, I'm still here aren't I?” He retorted back. Trying not to drool from the wafting spices, cooking meats, and breads. 

     “Sure” Ghet drew the syllables out, rolling his eyes. “Could have danced to the chattering of your teeth”. Hob flushed and turned away.

     Ilgor laughing, chimed in “You did good, at least you didn’t get caught the first time like I did. Had nearly the whole dockside after me.”

     Smiling at the praise, he strutted to the front of the trio meandering through the crowds, no particular destination in mind. Ilgor grabbed their hands in a similar way she saw the Gnomes do from time to time and directed them toward the market square. Wouldn’t do well to break their disguise by not blending in. She always liked people watching there, a lot to eavesdrop on. She led them onto a main thoroughfare that she knew had a nice bench to sit at. 

     Hob noticed that there was a small canal running through the market square with a large metal object that glowed with a bright green rune. “What is that?” He said pointing at it. 

     The other two looking over their shoulders to see what he was on about, Ilgor answered “I overheard a few of the Forge House workers talking about them. They are some kind of machine that, ah what did they say… generates power? Apparently they put them in the canals around the city to power the streetlights.” Ghet nodded like he understood what she had just said, Hob only cocked his head. Both were clearly not used to being surrounded by the things humanity had built, Ghet deflecting, Hob obstinately honest. 

     “Forge House?” He asked. 

     “They’re like Caleb, what he does for us, tinkers with things.” She said absently as she watched the crowd, letting the sound of the crowd fill her ears, opening them as much as she dared. The light ponchos and cloaks they had this time around were made of silk, procured with payment of course. From a Gnomish farm in the Outer Fields, but, they did slip quite a bit if they weren’t being watchful. 

     The three settled into a comfortable silence as they all listened in to the on goings of the city. A few notable things turning up that they weren’t expecting and needed to follow up on later. 

     “The Heroine of Huron will be making a visit to the city in a few months.” A floppy hat wearing man said to another equally posh looking man. His melon mustache twitched with the movement. “Sage Emily, don’t you remember?”

     “She was the one who used that Archon stone to help turn the war around after the Caliphate gave the Huronian army a thrashing they wouldn’t forget?” 

     “Same Gal, her and The Sage Atrimir. Pretty gruesome thing she did, an entire army slaughtered. I guess she pincushioned them to the stones they stood on.” Floppy hat man said with a shake of his head. 

     “Don’t tell me you are becoming a Caliphate sympathizer?” The man liked to talk with his hands. Many of the nobles Ilgor had watched did that. “They had it coming after what they did at The Slash, besides they were well on their way to conquering Huron before that.”

     “So what? Those thousands of lives ended at the wave of a hand, that kind of power shouldn’t be in the decision of one girl.” He huffed back, making a dismissive movement.

     The other man was getting rather angry at his companion’s responses “Who do you think was next if Huron had fallen, you fool. It would be our city put to the flame, bet your sympathetic nonsense would evaporate if the knife was being held to your throat.” 

     The two had wandered out of audible distance, though from their reactions the angry conversation was only getting angrier. “I like his reaction,” Hob said, “A past enemy is something that shouldn’t be forgotten about.” Ghet gave him an incredulous look, saturated with an appalling irony. 

     “What?” Hob spat.

     “You dense moron.” He said under his breath. Illy, to her credit, didn’t mention the fact that Ghet just talked down to him, only side eyeing the old man.

     Another group of heavily robed young men wandered by to talk while they leaned against the railing. Their strange filigree and confidence in their voice made Ilgor think they were some kind of scholars or minor diplomats. “Outpost should just be taken before the Caliphate has the nerve to actually launch an effective counter attack. I mean their battalion set themselves up at the bottom of the valley just before the settlement. They would be like shooting fish in a barrel at this point.” One of the men said with a flurry of hand gestures. 

     “Lots of talk about this Caliphate, Caleb said he was part of them. But, he said Zybtine, not Caliphate first.” Illy commented as the argument in front of them continued.

     “Are you sane anymore? Why would we intentionally start an armed conflict with the Sultan again? Their empire expands out into the northern continent and supposedly out to unmapped areas to the west more. They are extremely well funded and equipped to deal with another prolonged conflict with us.” He smacked the back of the first man's head, “Think about it, it's almost as if the Caliphate battalion is just asking to be attacked intentionally by setting themselves up in such a disadvantageous position.”

     The first man, rubbing his head, retorted back “But why would they do that? Why would the Zybtine sacrifice their men like that? I think they are just led by some incompetent commander.” All three of their eyes lit up at the much more familiar word.

     “You are a fool, I do not know the reasons, but speculation aside. Why would Huron give such an order to attack them? Huron is on the front line, they wouldn’t be so willing to kick a nest of hornets like that. From what we’ve heard at court, they are desperately trying to set up peace negotiations to avoid an actual conflict. In case you forgot, Huron, twenty years later, still hasn’t fully recovered from the Siege they were under.”

     “You have a point,” The first man seemingly conceded in defeat.

     A third bald headed man chimed in, smirking at him “This isn’t one of the war games at court Volgel. Quit thinking that every scenario needs military intervention. Gains made in the short term can have disastrous outcomes further down. So maybe, just maybe, stop being a bull headed warmonger and think about the needs of Huron for a minute before you go on a half hour long rant about the incompetence of Huron for not putting them down right away.”

     Ghet turned to look at Ilgor for a moment at the commentary, practically staring. “What?” She said. 

     “Just some wise words we heard there.” Was all he responded, turning back to the crowd.

     The other two continued to berate the first man until they were also out of earshot. Ilgor piping up with a worried tone to her voice. “That seems like it could be an issue later…” She let the statement hang in the air. 

     “I suppose if a war did break out, we would have to flee deeper into the forest. I don’t remember this other war they are talking about. Is this the same one Caleb mentions occasionally?” Ghet asked, Ilgor only hummed and nodded. 

     “How come we never heard of this war from the Chief or Mother before?” Hob asked Ilgor, He assumed she knew the answer considering her reaction. 

     She absently responded as she was thinking “War never reached the shores of Galus, sent a lot of aid to their allies, supplies, troops, artillery.”

     Hob was going to ask another question, but Ghet rested a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. “She’ll tell us if she feels like it.” Gazing at both of them, not accustomed to this respect. The Family didn’t press Mother and Father for information. Wringing the hem of her cloak as she thought about being the new Mother to the Clan.

     The uncomfortable moment was broken by a group of Gnomes walking by and noticing them. They came up to the trio and gave a greeting that the trio mimicked back at them. “Brothers and Sister” The oldest of the Gnomes said “Have you heard about the Dwarves just north of the City? I am worried about their presence this close to the city. I worry that we should leave the City and head home.”

     Hob did his best to hide his astonishment that their paint had been good enough to fool actual Gnomes. Ghet only nodded sagely, while Ilgor said, “I ran into two of the Dwarves to the south of here.”

     “My sweet child! They didn’t hurt you did they?” He spoke with fervor “They didn’t do anything to ruin you, did they, sweet child?” The old Gnome grabbed Ilgor's hand, with a worried look on his face, as if he truly cared for her as if she was his own child. 

     “No, Elder. They were actually quite kind. They startled me, but were very cordial.” She said, smiling sweetly at his concern. She had used their honorific when addressing one's elders. She had noticed that the Gnomes in particular put age above anything else for respect. 

     He removed his hand, and scoffed “A cordial Dwarf!? I’d sooner eat my own socks.” 

     Without missing a beat, Ilgor responded by fluttering her eyes at him, and allowing her voice a bit of power. “But Elder, here I am. Unmolested and still respected. Perhaps not all Dwarves are as you say.” The other two watched with wonder as the Elder was suffused with her voice. 

     “Hmm, well, erm, I suppose you are right.” He huffed, as the small group walked away. His eyes glowing slightly but quickly fading away before he turned back to the Gnomes he was with.

     “What the fuck was that Ilgor?” Hob said bluntly, still not sure what he just saw.

     “I don’t know what you are talking about” She said, fluttering her lashes at him in the same way. Ghet only laughed, telling Hob he needed to spend more time around the Priestesses. 

     Hob hopped off the bench and started walking toward the market stalls. Ilgor and Ghet shrugged at each other, got up and followed him. The stalls were richly laid out with thousands of different items. Glittering gems and metals lined one that Hob was particularly entranced by. He spent a few minutes playing with a polyhedral cut ruby that the merchant was more than happy to let him handle. Ghet didn’t have the heart to tell him that there was a burly brute of a man with a stick watching the entire time. Hob was just happy to see that a human was treating him with some amount of respect and trust.

     Sweet smells of baking bread, strange spices, familiar ones. Cinnamon wafting through the air, basil, and fresh dill. A tobacco merchant had been explaining to Ilgor the aromatic differences between Corojo and Broadleaf, going into a lengthy story of how the spicy smell of the smoke came from the rich volcanic soils where the leaves were grown. He had called the large island out in the Bay of Swallows, Esteli. 

     The trio wandered through the stalls, admiring glinting pieces of armor, the still shiny metal on revolvers. Watching one of the Forge House workers give a demonstration on a steam hammer that was able to bend a thick piece of Mythril with only one hit. The smell of pungent oils and perfumes, the constant babble of the crowds drowned out whatever comment Ghet had just made. The thought appeared in Ilgor’s mind once more, “Why couldn’t we have this?”

     Ghet had managed to find a book stall that had an enclosed tent around it. Walking in, he noted that the tent had the smell of incense and dusty paper. Ilgor and Hob stood outside and listened to him talk to the merchant about a number of topics. They were surprised he knew about a great many things about the local history of the City, happily chattering away with the merchant. 

     Ilgor thought he had talked about some obscure event that involved the clan many years back that wasn’t talked about much. It was used as a ghost story for the children these days, an old revenant had taken up home in one of the caves near the clan. The city had dispatched a Priest of Xelex and a coterie of guards to support him to exercise the abomination. The words were muffled, and she was dozing off a little, but the last part caught her attention. 

     “T’was the strangest ting, the Reverend Almach had said in an official statement to the King Of Glaion, Louis the Fifth; That when they neared the cave they knew the monster to be hiding in, they heard a beautiful song echoing out from the caves. He said that the sonorous and almost choir-like quality entranced them like they had never expected. He had originally thought that this was no ordinary revenant, something more like those ancient evils that are in the church's scriptures.” The merchant's gravely voice paused and the sound of a mug being set down could be heard. 

     Hob and Ilgor caught what was said under Ghet’s breath as he was sitting right at the tent’s entrance. “I remember her doing that, so young.”

     “Pardon?” The merchant asked.

     Ghet feigned a phlegmy cough, and said, “What happened next? I am unfamiliar with this part of the story. I heard only that the Priest was able to exercise the spirit, and was given the bounty by the City.”

     “Aye, The Reverend claimed that to his dying days. But, I’ll tell you this. When I was the scribe for the court in those days, I heard the Reverend himself say tis. An eerie glow came out of the bowels of the cave, when the group had gotten closer, they saw a Goblin in a hood and holding a twisted staff singing to the revenant. Drawing some shadowy force out of its body and into the air.” He paused again.

“Well this Goblin had sung to this spirit for nigh on a full hour while the Reverend and the guards watched. Apparently to the Reverend’s account, they couldn’t force themselves to look away. Whatever it was doing to the spirit was affecting their group as well. He also said it was in a cadence and rhythm that he could have sworn the Goblin was praying. When it was done, the spirit just vanished in a waft of smoke. It had turned around and looked directly at the group as the glow from the cave faded. The guards noted that it was probably female, they uh, hmm.” The sound of him scratching his chin filled the tent. 

“Well, they said that the Goblin was a bit more shapely than the usual thugs that plague the roads. Apparently the hooded robe it was wearing was slit up the sides, the guards assumed the revenant had attacked her. That being a very frivolous side note however, the Reverend was at a loss for what had just happened. He came fully prepared with his special book of incantations and holy incense, and here was this Goblin, able to do what a lifelong Priest of Xelex needed years of training to do.” The merchant laughed “Put that proud old dogmatizer in his place, that did!”

     Ghet had asked about a few books, and how much it would cost for them. The sound of jingling coins being placed on a wooden surface came from the tent. “This is too much, don’t you know how to count?” The merchant asked Ghet, his voice heavy with confusion.

     “Consider it payment for the history lesson.” Ghet said as he started to get up.

     “Hmm, well let me offer some bit of advice for you as well.” The merchant removed his glasses and started to clean them, “If you are going to pass yourself off as Gnomes, try not to twitch your ears so much. I can see them move under your hood.”

     Hob and Ilgor hopped to their feet, and Ghet whipped around to look at him. “Well I was only half convinced, but that proved me right. Do not worry, I never saw you here. You have been good company for this old man, I want to warn you of something first before you go. Have your two other companions come in as well.” The merchant motioned for them to come in. 

     Hesitantly, they complied, “Alright, what do you want to warn us about?” Ilgor asked as she stepped into the tent. 

     “That the Courts currently has a few Sightless Hunters in the city. They seem to be training with the military on some better tactics, Rumors are that the Dwarves were brought in to train them even more. But, they are observant. So Miss, your bright purple eyes stand out for a… ‘Gnome’. The other two have dark almost black eyes in this light, fairly common in Gnomish culture. Might I caution three Goblins in the city to be a bit more careful.” He put his glasses back on, and looked back up at them.

     Ghet asked him “Besides my ears what gave it away?” 

     The merchant chuckled a bit, “You don’t talk like a Gnome, they have an odd lilt to the words. They also are very energetic with hand gestures like the old pomps, but it was mostly how I could see your ears twitch when I said something interesting. T’why I brought up that story. Wanted to see if you kept doing it.” 

     Ghet only palmed his face, shaking his head. “Getting cocky in my old age” He said under his breath. 

     “We all do, son” The merchant chuckled, “Why don’t you come back another time at the brick and mortar shop up the road. I’d love to hear some history from the Goblins' perspective. I have so many questions!” Ghet smiled at him and agreed. He even added a few extra tombs to Ghet’s little pile, handing him a burlap bag to carry them all in. 

     The trio walked out of the tent, and Ghet asked Ilgor once they were out of earshot of the tent. “Mother, you know how to read right?”

     “Been a while since you called me that, but a little. I have trouble with a lot of the bigger words, but I can follow along.” She said to him,

     “Can you read these to me later, Mother? Can you teach me what you know?” He said respectfully, ashamed he had to ask, looking at his feet. 

     “I’d love to.” Giving him a wide smile. “That man was kind, we should definitely see him again. Next time we will all come with bags, get practice material for the Family.”

     Ilgor began walking out of the market square crossing the small ornate bridges that dotted the twisting canal network. She had started making a line toward the eastern City wall where a huge column of smoke could be seen between the building rooftops. She had in mind of seeing the Forgehouse and watching the workers. Though in the back of her mind, she was hoping to run into the Forgemaster again. She wanted to discuss a few things with that Gnome. 

     The section of the city they walked into had become a massive testing ground for the Forge House and their endless production of new machines, technologies and disciplines. Wandering past turbines lining the rooftops, an endless weave of cables and wires that spiderwebbed the skyline, Apothecaries turned medical facilities. Strange runic mechanisms that hummed and powered larger machines. Polishing rock, cleaning brick of soot and grime, powering glowing light fixtures that flickered like candlelight. Teams of Forgehouse Apprentices walking through taking notes and recommendations to declutter the cable structures. Discussing proposals to the Chancellor about traffic flows through the city. 

     “And you said you were here at night crawling your way through this place?” Hob said skeptically as he eyed the webbing of power lines and support cables. 

     “You’d be surprised how easy it is to move unnoticed here in particular.” Casual as always. 

     “You mentioned a while back about wanting to see someone here again, who?” Ghet asked as they stepped out of the way of a group of workers hauling sizable boxes full of gears and parts.

     “When I was here I was caught by the Forgemaster who had some kind of glasses that could see my heartbeat. I couldn’t have hid from them if I wanted. We had a long talk, the Forgemaster even silenced a few people who tried to complain that I was there. The Master is in command here, if you have the Master’s interest, they will have you here without anyone else becoming an issue.” She told them as they watched a blacksmith hammer away at a delicate spiral of glowing steel. “I just wish more humans held that opinion. 

     The smith had returned it to the fire and picked another piece out of the fire and hammer away at it in the same way. “You never mentioned this.” Ghet said, eyeing her. “Beyond that, almost every single human we’ve listened to, never even mentions us. Other than our old book merchant, he was kind. You don’t know that more humans don’t.”

     Silence hung in the air for a long moment before she answered. “Yorm is already upset with me for making so many excursions away from him and Mother. Why would I risk telling anyone about the details when I never know when Mother is listening with her prayers? I’m telling you now because I think it’s unlikely she's able to listen this far out. Besides, I think you’ll be able to use this if need be later on.” 

     “Ilgor,” Hob said, turning to her, “I told you I am still yours to command, Ghet is still one of my raiders. We follow you, so please trust us a bit more than that.” He had a hurt look. “Honestly, after seeing you be Raid leader, I don’t think I’ll be as good. We want you to lead us.” 

     Turning back to them, sighing. That worry had been passing through her mind since the fight she watched in the tavern. Resting one of her hands on his “You’re right” After a long pause she added “I’m sorry, let's go see if we can’t find my friend.” While they walked into the Forgehouse gates, she told them about Shr’il, and the Dwarves she had met a few nights prior. How she was still watching over the raiders and following them sometimes on their raids. Forgoing sleep to make sure she knew that they were safe, already preparing to hand over more information she had while she continued to scout the CIty like they were today. She told them about her worry that Yorm would find out that she was disobeying nearly all of his commands. 

     Ghet was shocked that she had befriended one of the harpies in the forest, even more so when she told them she suspected that the harpy had a few ulterior motives beyond just being friendly. Hob was impressed by the amount of information and practice she had gotten in both tactics and combat from eavesdropping on soldiers and diplomats of the city. Asking if she could spar with him again, despite all of them knowing full well the Priestess wasn't strictly allowed to do so anymore.

     She began explaining some of the other things she was suspecting as well. That the guards had more recently began whispering about how some Hunter was gathering information on the clan, the same one that the merchant mentioned. Saying that the Chancellor was more convinced than the King that the Clan was going to be a bigger issue later on. 

     “I guess you really are right about how we are operating then.” Ghet said as they snuck their way past a gate to a back area in the Forgehouse where Ilgor had seen the Forgemaster before. “Hob, do you remember what she told you during your fight? That we aren’t taking out the City's best, only angering them?”

     “Aye, I do. Now that's making a lot more sense. I’m even starting to worry about Chief and how he is getting more brutal with his raids…” the moment hung in the air as they heard the rhythmic beat of a hammer and someone strumming a guitar.

     Ilgor ran ahead of them, poking her head out around a pillar that ringed a large open forge. Two people were there, both of whom Ilgor recognized. Hob, and Ghet took up the same position just as Ilgor walked out and greeted them. Both of the raiders stared at her incredulously. 

“In elder days before the dawn,

Our Skies shone with radiant stars

Her majesty moving the skies to see

The elder days before the dawn

With a love we knew not,

The mountains sung to us with a peace forgotten

Warmth wrapped our skins in her grace

Gave us the hope through the dark

The Shadows of life, crowned in Mountain peaks

Deep beneath the sleep her grace

We had forgotten ourselves

The elder days before dawn”

     “Forgemaster!” She said happily. The music was still playing, but the singing had stopped. 

     “One moment Gjorn, I recognize this voice that graces my ears!” They said, setting their hammer down and turning to her. Burly arms spread wide in greeting. 

     Gjorn chuckled as he said, “Khamere, this is the Goblin woman I was speaking of earlier. I also recognize the voice.”

     “Am I that easy to recognize?” She said sheepishly. 

     “I never forget a beautiful woman's eyes, despite how much she tries to pass herself off as a Gnome.” He said, getting up and bowing deeply to her. “My my my, speak of the Shadows and they shall appear.” He laughed.

     Ilgor was unfamiliar with that expression, but the Forgemaster asked her question for her. “That's an odd saying even for you Songbird. What distant plane did you wander through to pick that one up?” 

     “Another time, old friend, Miss, please come and join us. Tell your two companions that they don’t need to hide over there.” He said, strumming on his guitar again. A soft and mournful song reminiscent of an old cantina. 

     Hob and Ghet appeared from behind the pillars and walked cautiously over. “Huh, my my, you Goblins are sneaky. Didn’t even proc my alarms, they usually go off when anyone crosses my gatehouse.” The Forgemaster cackled.

     “Illy, how much time do you spend near the city that you know them?” Ghet asked in his native language. 

     “Ah so Illy is your name.” Gjorn said back to them in a much older version of their tongue, not even pausing to stop his strumming. They stood there open mouthed, shocked that anyone could even speak their language at all. The runes around the workshop pulsing as brightly as the noonday sun as he spoke.

     “It’s… actually Ilgor, Ilgor, daughter of the Clan Skullbrood.” She spoke to him in the same respectful way. Using the older dialect like Mother would do from her holy book. “I assume Songbird is not your real name but a title?”

     “Oh you don’t need to speak to me like I’m an authority, Child. Just wanted to see your reaction.” He chuckled. 

     “No hold on Gjorn,” The Forgemaster said, raising their hand to him. “She tried that same trick on me, and I couldn’t recognize the language, she only dropped it after I invited her in and showed her quite a bit of respect and kindness. Let me know Brother of blood, what language are the Goblins using?” 

     “Without a long explanation, I’m going to draw a rune for you “ He quickly ran his finger through some of the ash next to the forge, a square with two tails at right angles. “It is in fact the same language you use to write your magicks into your works. Namoux, Elder Fae in origin. Not quite the same, but has many of the same roots and sentence structures.” He said with a flourish of his hand. Offering Khamere the slightest hint at something.

     Khamere, turning back to the trio of Goblins, “I think I want to spend more time with you. That magic you used the last time you were here…” Khamere said, scratching at their scarred and burned face.

     Ghet interjected, kicking Hob to bow along with him. “It is nice to meet you Gjorn, Forgemaster Khamere. You’ll have to forgive an old man for his curiosity, but what are you talking about? What did our Mother do when she met you two?”

     Khamere motioned for them to sit down at a few of the other vacant chairs around the forge. “You can pull them over, I have them here as I occasionally do demonstrations here.” 

     Gjorn spoke up again after everyone was situated and comfortable. “You’ll have to forgive me, but I am going to have to decline that unspoken question from all of you. I am not particularly at liberty to discuss how I know all this. What were your names?” He said with a gracious smile.

     “My name is Hob, I am one of the Raid Leaders for the Clan.” He said with a small bow with his head.

     “My name is Ghet, I am one of the Clan’s raiders and might I add, one of the oldest members of the Clan.” He said, crossing his arms.

     “Pleasure to meet you,” Khamere said as he pressed the button next to his forge. “Kindly bring in a few bottles of the strong stuff, and something to chew on”

     A disembodied voice responded “Yes Forgemaster, more notables?”

     “Yes, please make sure the proper preparations are made.” Khamere said absently. While they picked up their work from the fires again. “No questions.”

     Gjorn laughed with his stomach, “Khamere, please realize I am the only one here that knows that you mean that anyone that comes here is to disregard what they see and not speak of it. Do you not see just how nervous you made them?”

     The Forgemaster turned back to the trio and saw that yes, they did look off put by that, “I am sorry. I only mean that because one of my apprentices here that saw Miss Illy before was quite unprofessional. Please don’t think you are in danger here.” 

     The trio relaxed a bit as he verified what Ilgor had just told them earlier. “Now why don’t more people act like you two?” She asked them. 

     “What do you mean?” Gjorn said as he lit his pipe. Khamere started softly hammering away at his work again. 

     “Why are you two not put off by us Goblins being in the city?” She said. 

     Ghet interjected with an addition, “Most people we run into are not very fond of our reputation.” He added under his breath, “Though not really without reason…”

     Gjorn puffed on his pipe for a while allowing the smoke to billow around him, filling the small area with the sweet smell. “I told you last time we met, in my homeland the Neckbreakers are viewed quite differently. As far as I’m concerned, I have no reason to suspect you mean ill intent to us. So I will treat you with the same respect my culture demands as if I were to another Dwarf. Beyond that, you don’t actually believe that.” The way he said that stuck in Ilgor’s mind, you don’t actually believe that.

     Khamere without looking up from his work as he gently bathed the metal in fire said. “You forget that we aren’t human either. Beyond that, information comes from many places. That's what I see this as, you are a potential knowledge base for me, therefore you will be given the respect owed to you as I would to my collaborators.”

     Ghet was quiet, thoughtful at their answers. Hob only nodded, accepting it as is. Ilgor responded, “Would you help us change the way the city views us?”

     “Lofty goal, heavy topic.” Khamere said. “Great changes involved. I don’t know enough of your culture to even begin chiseling away at it.” Hammering away at the anvil.

     “I suppose that depends on how much you want to tell us of why the city has this view of your people. Well, before any advice can be given. I am doubtless that they have this view for no reason. The city has a long standing tradition of dropping all cultural differences when anyone enters the Pomerium. So what would make them view you like this?” Gjorn asked, looking over at them, eyes seemingly gazing into them. 

     The trio turned their eyes away from him. “I see, so another time then.” He said flatly. “Though, it seems I already know my answer.”

     “Illy, could you use that magic on me? I want to feel it again, I think I am beginning to understand what you are doing now that I know it has a Namoux connection.” Khamere asked. Ilgor flushed slightly at the nickname that apparently now just demanded to be used, but got up and forced power into her voice and sang to the group. Gjorn, with a wide smile on his face, added his own music and voice to her old song.

***

     Resting for a short time, we had stopped by a small tavern just outside of what the locals were calling the Artists Quarter. We had repainted our skin, slightly darker less ashy paint that stuck a bit better. The Patron of the Tavern gave us an odd look, but shrugged it off, and brought us the pints we ordered. 

     Finding a nice alcove just outside with a wrought iron bench, heavily carved soft metal. Brilliant floral patterns juxtaposed against the flat gray, we could still see the chisel marks in it. Hob and Ghet were chatting away, while my attention drifted off. Watching the people walk by, strange colored clothes, shining gold and silver metals adorning them. 

     This was a good spot to just stop and watch, a moment to fade into the background of the City. Noticing a small group of people crowded around another alcove on the other side of the street. A few candles burned at the base of an old statue, they seemed to be happily sharing stories as they burned little slips of paper. 

     A few minutes later, the small group left and I saw that the statue was actually three. Clearly an older fixture, their hands rubbed shiny, left a bright brassy color. The cheeks of one of them were also polished by countless hands. Each of the statues staring down at the candles left burning at their feet. 

     The Patron came over and asked if we needed anything else, turning to him, “What is that statue?” I asked, pointing at it, Hob and Ghet following with their eyes.

     He looked over at it and responded with a smile, “New to town huh? That is one of the statues to The Forgotten Family, I guess you could say they are a divine trio. They are meant to celebrate the found family, and shared memories. Like your Gnomish Pantheon, they are close to Villy, Syn and Kin.” Without missing a beat, we nodded in mock understanding. 

     Leaving, he took our empty glasses and we set off again. I wanted a closer look at the statues for a moment. It was covered in ash, unburnt letters, and many remains of candles. Clearly a frequented shrine, well loved at least in this section of the City. 

     I looked up to see all three of them looking down at me, bright life in their brass eyes. I turned back to Hob and asked “Did they just move? I thought they were looking at the candles down at their feet?”. 

     Hob responded “What are you talking about? They are still looking down at them. Are you alright?” He put a hand to my forehead to see if I had a fever. 

     Ghet chirped in “Maybe she had a bit too much to drink when we were at the Forgehouse” He chuckled and patted my shoulder. 

     The statues were still looking back at the candles, maybe I imagined it. Though I couldn't shake the feeling that they looked down at me. Hob picked up an unburnt letter and handed it to me to read. He made a noise, and grabbed a pen someone had left there. It was a short thing, just telling this trio of gods how their life had been this past year. Many others were similar, sharing short pieces of their lives and burning them at these gods feet.

     He said “I get it! I'll write something for them too.” He quickly scribbled something down and placed it at their feet. He was talking about the story of the time he slew the serpent beast that tried to run into the city a few years back. He started walking back out into the street, Ghet grabbed my hand, pulling me back out with him. 

     Looking back at the statues as we walked away, I thought I saw the status quickly turn back to the candles. “Maybe I need some sleep”, I told myself and followed the others back out into the street joining in on their conversation. 

     The sun was setting over the western edge of the City. Though the light was still bright, the mountains would bring night quickly. Slowly making our back out to the city gates. “So we have some party training the military along with a number of highly trained hunters. We might have to keep an eye out for them.” Ghet said yawning. 

     “I’m not so sure.” Hob said. “I think those Sightless work for money more than anything else. I don’t think they are a real threat unless they are paid to attack us. I think the city and this Chancellor Ilgor told us about are more likely to try and spy on us to tip off any potential raid targets.” 

     “I think that is the smartest thing you have said all day, Hob.” Ghet laughed. “It would be worth looking into more if we could get more raiders to join us in all this scouting. What do you think, Illy?”

     “No, I think that brings up another thing. I think we really ought to try and convince Mother and Chief to stop raiding. We need a way to get the city off our backs and to have a better view of us. With this war on the horizon, I don’t think they will be nearly as tolerant of our clan’s antics.” I responded, worry tinged even to my own ears.

     “I thought you didn’t want to talk about it. Your silence when talking with Khamere and Gjorn said a lot you know.” Ghet huffed.

     “Well now that stings.” Hob said, turning Ghet’s head with a forceful twist. “Look at our dear Mother, you’re going to make her cry.” 

     Ghet apologized after he saw that his comment did actually sting. I wouldn’t let this line of thought die though. “I think we need to revise how we deal with all this. After you two came here, don’t you think we ought to try and be more like a real settlement? Look at what the city had to offer, protection, supplies, resources, information. Why shouldn’t we try and join them? Why shouldn’t we try and be something that can exist next to them without threat.”

     “So what? We start hunting more, start using Mother’s experience with plants and gather more. Sure would make Knoll happy to do a lot more fishing.” Hob said, thinking it over. 

     “Boys, I’m tired of worrying about Yorm, I’m tired of both Mother and Chief saying over and over about the importance of tradition. I just don’t want the family to die…” Trailing off at the end. 

     “Hunting is easier than fighting. A lot less tense than raiding. Our hunters always come back, our raiders don’t. But why would the Great Father ask us to raid if it wasn’t the best for us?” Hob asked. “Have you gotten into it with Chief, Ilgor?”

     “Why would the Great Father,” She spit Bhal's name out, “Ask us to live in such misery when we live next to one of the most prosperous cities the continent has ever seen?” Ghet opened his mouth to ask how she knew that, but thought better of it. 

“Why would he ask us to live day to day as if it would be our last?!” She was practically yelling at this point, drawing the eyes of the crowd around them. “Why should we be just his soldiers in the afterlife if the life we live now is barely worth living compared to the things the other races have built!”

Ghet and Hob stood open mouthed at her blasphemy. “What Priestess am I that questions her own faith? Mother always told me since the Ceremony that she thought something was wrong at the end. She knows I received Bhal's blessings, but why does it feel so empty?” I didn’t even feel my knuckle go white from clenching them. 

     There was a long silence between us, the discomfort a tangible discordance in the air, as frost spread at my feet. “Ilgor, tell us what's really bothering you.” Ghet prodded, using that same voice he used when he stumbled on me in the stream. “You aren’t telling us everything.”

     Clenching my eyes shut and wandered back into an alleyway where we couldn’t be overheard as well. I told of how my dreams were plagued by visions of death wrought by Bhal. How all my dreams ended with Bhal being the reason for all their deaths, that the glory the Chief always talked about felt like a lie. How strange things keep happening to me, like those statues earlier. Always feeling like she was being watched by something, never quite felt safe even surrounded by the clan.

     The kind strangers in the ceremony. How they felt more like family than the image of Bhal in my mind ever did. I didn’t know how to feel about our faith anymore after I was told by Mother that the Great Father demanded such a brutal life from them. Mother never had an answer as to why, other than that he wished to make us stronger in the afterlife. “So why then? Are we just cattle to our god? To be raised to what he needs and nothing else? Are we his children, or his property?” My voice shook, refusing to let tears drip down my face. Flushed with embarrassment and fury, tired of crying. 

     Hob stepped forward and hugged me tightly. “I didn’t know you felt that way. Hearing you talk about it, yeah. Yeah something feels off doesn’t it Ghet? I never thought to ask Mother about the hows and whys. I only ever listened to her.” 

     “I didn’t know that was the reason. I had always thought the glory was to stand by Bhal's side, not be a soldier. Why would Mother and Chief never tell us that?” Ghet whispered.

     “She always said the holy book forbade it. Said it would only weaken the heart of the clan, lead to our downfall. But, what's the point if all Bhal wants from us is to die anyway? Wouldn’t he want it known that he cares so little for us?” My voice was muffled by Hob's shoulder. 

     “So you want to end what you think is senseless violence demanded by our faith. To… bring us to a new age?” Hob asked, as I shook my head. 

     “I don’t want to abandon the Family to it. I think there are other ways of living that don’t have Bhal’s glory be our only solution. I think that Bhal wouldn’t want us to stay so far behind, Mother spoke of how he wanted his ambition to be the spark of the children. So I want my ambition to bring the clan to a new world that doesn’t require us to live such miserable lives. I was hoping to do that as the Raid Leader, but now as the Priestess I can tell the Family whatever I interpret from Bhal’s words. If that means steering us in another direction, then so be it.” I told them both.

     “You have such a turmoil of emotions, you hate the fact that Bhal demands this from us, but then speak of his ambition to bring us forward as a people.” Ghet breathed out, the chill autumn air catching his breath in a lingering cloud. “I understand, you think we are focusing on the wrong thing of what Bhal meant? Alright… Illy, I’ll follow till the very end to see this vision of yours.” 

     Flinching at his words. “What are you saying, Ghet?”

     “Chief, we will follow you till the very end, to see this vision of yours.” Hob answered for him. Utterly lost for words. Did they really just think that the Mother was also the Father? Thinking for a moment, and settled on the idea of: why not? “If I want to reinterpret Bhal's words, then why couldn’t I lead the clan?” The idea passed through my mind like a growing storm.

     In the back of my mind, feeling something watching me. No, not just one thing, many, like in my dreams. Looking around, but saw nothing. Turning back to them, I walked out of the alleyway. We lacked a lot of knowledge about how to make the clan self-sufficient, we would need to learn quickly. Somehow. 

     Walking up to a stall selling flour and bought a bag. “One last thing then?” Ghet asked. Looking back at them, flipping the hood down, letting my ears flop back out of the hood. Calmly handing the merchant a few extra coins, and walked off. The two others followed suit. 

     “Any reason for this show of yours?” Ghet asked with worry in his voice as they walked through a dense patch of people to walk past the guards, more and more people noticing us.

     “To show them all that we mean them no harm. You carry your books, me with a bag of flour to bake some bread with Mother. Hob with nothing in his hands, a non-threat. So let's test this City’s Pomerium.” I said with just a tinge of nervousness. 

     “Seems like a needless risk at this point, maybe not test our luck so soon?” Hob’s hushed voice answered, as if he wasn’t already uncomfortable at being in the City. 

     “Why not, the clan hasn’t made any raids within spitting distance of the city in weeks.” That nervous twang not having left. 

     They were almost out the dockside when a guard patrol came into view. A rather large number of people got out of their way, apparently a few guards actually followed us all the way, that we didn’t notice. We were finally stopped by the group of guards, and an older man stepped forward. The badge of a Captain on his chest. “What are you doing here Goblins?” He said rather calmly, for the amount of murmuring and edge in the air.

     I smiled at the look of shock, a mild look of being impressed across the man's face as she answered. “We simply wish to pass through the Pomerium and return home.” I said in common, somewhat stumbling over a few words just for effect.

     “Invoking the city Pomerium, hmm” He thought, scratching his chin. He motioned for all the guards to put away their weapons. “Can you prove these are not stolen goods?” He asked, he said it in such a way that he didn’t think they were.

     “They just bought that bag of flour from me, Sir. Took me by surprise when she flipped that hood down. She was awfully polite about buying it.” The merchant she had bought the flour from had evidently followed them. Out of curiosity or malice, that remained to be seen. 

     “I’m not sure about the books, but I’m not going to press. Guards you will honor the Pomerium as is the sacred tradition of the Griffon demands. If anyone approaches the city with good intent, and honors the City's customs. They will at least be tolerated.” Though, I noticed the book merchant peeking his head about the small crowd that had formed.

     Walking up to our group he knelt down and added “Might I advise that you don’t walk around the City so brazenly. There are many people here that wouldn’t honor the Pomerium. Unfortunately for you that would likely not end well, though do know that those people would be punished for doing so. I’ll add that you shouldn’t try this again in the near future. Let the people forget about this incident, and we won’t pursue you for the crimes your people have committed in the past, this time.”

     Suddenly reminded of the silence I gave Gjorn and Khamere. Here staring me in the face was yet another person that didn’t really seem to care that I was a Goblin, only the actions her people had done. Our trio had continued walking down the path, and out of sight. “Chancellor Michéle, why did you let them go?” One of the Guards asked.

     He was silent for a moment, “I wasn’t expecting them to be able to speak our language. They understood our City's customs, they broke no laws while here. Let them be shown the mercy Galus can provide.” Michéle turned and began barking orders at the crowd to disperse. Ordered two of the guards to follow the Goblins to ensure that no one attacked them, at least until they were outside the Pomerium.

      “Maybe Lucas is onto something with those things.” He said under his breath. 

*** 

     The warm glow of the fire illuminated Ilgor and Mother as they patched clay together between the rocks, building a simple oven. Ilgor had brought over one of the burning logs to harden the clay. “Daughter, tell me about your day. What lessons has the Great Father provided you today?”

     She sat next to Mother and started undoing her own braid as she began. “I’ve been thinking about your lessons of Bhal’s ambition, and that we should follow his divine spark in pursuit of that ambition.” 

     Mother smiled, closing her eyes, “Mhmm a good thing to be thinking of. Many lessons can be learned by looking inside oneself and seeking what you want.” Looked over at Ilgor, with an all too knowing look and still she smiled at her. “You know Ilgor, I remember when you were just a little girl. No taller than my knee, you always brought such a ray of sunshine to the clan. Now seeing you grow as a woman, you still do.”

     Ilgor flushed, “Thank you, Mother. Can you tell me about the time you dealt with the spirit in the caves?” Curious about the story she heard about earlier. 

     Chuckling, her voice dry and raspy. “Now child, where did you hear about that? That was well over forty years ago. Well I’ll tell you it wasn’t an evil spirit, only a lost one. I saw it in a dream once, a dark shadow. Over the next few days it would speak to me in my dreams, asking that it only wanted to be acknowledged before it left this world.” She leaned back, stretching her arms out, popping from her age. 

     “How did you get rid of it, Mother?” Ilgor pushed. The oven had finished drying, and the dough they had prepared was placed inside.

     “Well, that's an odd thing. I never had the gift of voice as much as you, but I sang to it. Prayed for it, poured power into my voice through my prayers. It sighed in a great satisfied breath, and thanked me for giving it such peace, before disappearing in a cloud of smoke. I vaguely remember some watchers behind me, some Priest from the humans thinking he knew best by the look on his face.” She concluded with a hmpf. 

     Ilgor began mixing the flour into dough as Mother directed again. A sense of calm and serenity as she enjoyed the moment with her Priestess. Letting the dough rest, she was surprised by Mother coming up behind her and hugging her. 

     “Mother?” She asked as she rested a hand on hers. 

     “Sweet child, why do you have to be so powerful? I see what you do for the clan, I know you don’t understand the teachings I give you.” She paused for a moment then continued. “My sweet daughter, I am so proud of what you are becoming. You make an old woman proud to be alive.”

     She turned around in her grip and hugged her back. “I never knew my actual mother well, I can’t really even remember what she looked like. But, I do think of you when I try.” She felt Mother grip her tighter. 

     She let her go and helped the old woman carry the dough over to the crude oven, and place them inside. She started coughing heavily, deep from the center of her chest. Painful, she sank to her knees as Ilgor caught her. Blood in her palm from where he had tried to cover her mouth.

     Ghet watched with Cori and Hob from just outside the light of the fire. “You know, I really am worried about Mother, she doesn’t seem to be doing any better. The cough has only gotten deeper.” Ghet said.

     Cori added somberly, “I don’t think even Ilgor’s prayers can cure what she has. I think perhaps we ought to be preparing ourselves for the inevitable.”

     “Sad, but true. I think we should.” Hob added.

***

     “Damned sorcerer, I told you no.” Bhal hissed at Xelex. “You will not intervene where I forbid it.” 

      “See that's the thing, Wrath.” Xelex wound his incorporeal form around the other Shadows. “I don’t need permission from any of you to do what I see fit. Besides, you are hiding something from me. Something I think that may tip the balance in favor of this war.” 

      “I hide nothing, last I checked I was the one who killed the Demon. Not you, so I hold the power.” He spit back as the others watched on, not willing to become involved yet. 

      “Yes, and nearly destroyed the one planet we have left to our miserable existences. I should remind you that I gave those Songs to both you and Azu, those Songs I stole. Not you, so you should be thanking me instead of fighting my plans.” Xelex responded, his far too many eyes boring into the other Shadow.

“You, Bhal, should be happy about my plan. I get to have your toys bring you glory, and I get to rebalance the field.”