Chapter 3, Exploring New Horizons
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"I thought back to a time long back. I was younger, naïve to the world. I remember looking up to the sky and seeing the moon hide behind the clouds. It hit me, I felt small looking up at the stars suddenly burst into view. How could such beauty and scale exist? I thought back and the idea came into being. You did, how much time did you spend making this, us? I only want to spend more time looking at a perfect night sky, to sit and wonder at the serenity. I ask you, please. Grant me yet another day..."
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Year of Wrath 1231, Season of Heat, D.52
"Who's coming with me? Vil, Til, you two want to come along?"
Both of them looked up to see me standing in cave entrance. Then looked up at the overcast clouds, and twitched their ears at the low distant thunder. "Nah, it's going to start raining, Ilgor you just do it, you're the best at it."
"You know, you can come and learn, then maaayybe, I don't have to do it all by myself" But they just both went back to throwing their dice.
Whatever, I thought to myself, Ill make them all start scouting with me eventually. I set out from the Clan after the Priestess painted my cheeks with charcoal dust. She always said that it was supposed to bring good luck, I wondered how much it would help when the clouds were threatening to weep all day. She'd have wanted to paint the clan symbol on my side, if I let her, that one took too much time. Oh well, she gave me a hug and I set off down the trail from the caves.
I began by stalking around the main clan territory for a while, followed a kobold tribe that had sprung up in the last few months. The Chief wanted to fight with them right off the bat, but I argued that we should leave them be. He didn't want to share the traditional territory with them. Besides they didn't hunt the roads like we did, and kept to themselves. The Chief argued that it would please Bhal, and we could raid their tribe.
I tried to get him to calm down and asked him if he really wanted a prolonged conflict with them. A conflict that would probably just weaken us over time. I also reminded him that Kobolds didn't really have anything we wanted, they didn't have any food we'd want, they ate mostly carrion and poisonous plants. The only gear they had was what they had on them at all times, and they lived in warrens and burrows. He was annoyed but agreed. Besides the kobolds weren't dumb, they knew how to fight.
The kobolds yapped the entire time. Quietly, but still audible. They had found a patch of red berries, picked a few and moved on. There were a few dozen bushes of these berries. I'd have to ask the hunters in the village if they were edible. If they were, we gather a bunch as well. They smelled sweet, they were incredibly smooth to the touch. Slightly serrated leaves, with soft white hairs on the underside, a pale evergreen color. Leaves smelled like pine needles when I ripped a few up. I continued stalking the Kobolds after noting the location.
They followed the stream up into the hills for a while, up through the slate waterfalls. This time of year the moss hung in thick curtains along the falls, the stones slick with algae. I even saw a few of those strange little fish hanging off the slate, flat and streamline. Black like the stone with a large sucker on the bottom. The things got to be about as long as my arm in some years. They weren't great for eating though, too bony.
The kobolds were picking stones out of the water. They broke a few of them, and put them in their bags. Odd, what were the stones, and why did they want them? They left and I hide in the tree line until they went on their way. I lost sight of them after a few minutes. I walked over to the stream where they were picking rocks. The stream had dug down recently and exposed a rock outcrop with some shiny nodules in them. That rainstorm last week and really been like the heavens opening up. We thought it'd never stop raining.
Looking down the stream more, I could see a great slate plate that had washed down and took out a few trees in it's path. Must have been it, exposed what was under it. I think it was copper, did that mean there was a lot more copper under the stream? Lucky find. The kobolds were observant, I should follow them again to see what else they found.
Either way, I should keep moving. Looking up at the clouds, it was starting to get darker, it was going to start raining soon. I headed back toward the main road and followed along for a while. The fields that the humans used for farming were starting to come into view. The fields weren't yet that gold color of ripe wheat, but it was getting tall. The other fields full of gourds and melons were bursting at the seams with growth. I tried looking for cattle, but none could be seen. I suppose they were put away for the storm.
I could see a small camp with a fire set up just on the outskirts of one. Two small brown cloth tents, with a large flat stump between the two. I decided to see if anyone was there at the moment. Keeping quiet and along the tall grass, the camp got closer. I could hear some voices, faintly. I stopped when I heard the sound of someone's boots grinding on loose dirt.
"That Welkford healer in city was arguing with the Guards again" A gruff and tired sounding voice said.
"Again? Does he want to keep being arrested? You'd think he'd not interfere when the Guards are trying to deal with thieves" The other man had a higher pitched voice, like he was much younger. I couldn't see either of them, not close enough, too much grass in the way.
"Yeah but the guy does kinda have a point, I don't like that the Guards try to carry out justice without bringing them to the Chancellor first. I think these Guards are just getting a bit too big for their boots" The older man had said. I heard some rustling, and I saw the tops of their heads start walking. It had started drizzling. Wind hadn't picked up yet though, so that was good.
"Do you think the other Guards are joining in this whole Holier than Thou shit too? Or is it just these guys that the Healer is arguing with" The younger man sounded tired now. He sighed heavily, and slapped something made of cloth, the smell of dry old dust was in the air now.
Both of them started walking away down the path "Don't know, I think..." They had gone far enough away that I couldn't hear them anymore. I stalked up to their camp, and took a look around. I could see them on the road almost out of sight, both had bags with them, both had splitting axes on their hips. One of them had his long brown hair done in a braid similar to mine. The camp looked like it was covered in saw dust, so maybe this was just the spot where they were processing the wood, probably woodmen.
The camp had a few things left behind, an old cloth bag for one, I took that. The bag looked in good condition, oiled cloth to keep the contents dry and a hard leather bottom. One of them left a moth eaten grey hooded cloak behind too. I grabbed that, shoved it in the bag and set off.
I went another path down toward the road going to the city, started making my way toward some of the houses I saw along the fields. A nice warm glow coming out of the windows behind elaborately carved shutters. This house was like all of them in the Outer Fields, tiled roof made of a red clay. The house had an addition built to it that was in a different style, more boxy. But the vaulted roof was steep enough to sluff off any snow we might get in the Season of Waiting. The rain had started picking up.
I made my way to the log pile behind one of them, and sat under the eave of the house. I pulled that cloak out and put it on, thing pooled around my feet. It was far too long for me. I took my knife out and began cutting the bottom half of the cloak off, so that it wouldn't trip me up as I walked. Even had a draw string so I could wrap it around my shoulders. I put the excess material back in the bag, someone else in the village would have some use for it.
Despite the moth eaten appearance of the cloth, it had also been oiled, so it should keep the rain off for a while. Tucking my ears back under the hood, and tried my best to hide them. I got up and over heard part of the conversation coming out of the window. I peaked around the log pile and saw a Gnome woman reading to her children. She had ashy black skin, her face was mature and refined. Her long silver hair hung in loose curls around her shoulders. She had a sweet voice, pitched in a strange way, like she was trying to not sound monotone.
"Then when the Hammer fell on the lake of the world. Mhuzelt was left a free home with the mountain that sprung up in the lake. Yorm took his armies and marched across the craggy ground. He sailed to the stone in the center of the lake and built our home there. Building a great city around the Spire. Carving the houses and the palace out of the stone, and built great bridges to the shores of the island..."
A movement in the house caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. I backed off, I thought one of the kids had seen me. But, I noticed something, those Gnomes had grey skin. I walked over to the rain barrel to see if the charcoal was still on my skin. The one barrel not in the rain was calm enough to see that, yes, it hadn't washed off yet.
I smeared it to cover the rest of my face, I rubbed some into my hands and legs too. From a distance, a lot of folks might mistake me as a Gnome, we were about the right height anyway. At least this way, I can get on the road, I won't have to stalk through the saw grass closer to the city. I snuck out behind the house, and walked the road this time, making my way to the dockside district of the city.
The road was quickly filling with puddles, and small streams were running along the sides, just making the mud worse. The ditch along the road was already full of water, dragonflies landing on the cattails growing in the slop. A few people passed me as they were walking back to the farms, none gave me a second glace. Helped that I had my head down. But, this was good. I'd be able to get a lot closer to conversations, I wouldn't have to look as suspicious by hiding behind boxes and houses like I usually did.
Should tell this bit to the Chief, he'd probably like to use it in one of his raids. A tavern just outside the city came into view, door wide open, warm glow coming out and just asking anyone and everyone to come in out of the rain. Its high double storied roof pouring the rain off and dumping into the already soaked street. The path had turned from mud to cobblestone at some point. You could see a few more windows on the sides of the building, golden light filtering through the falling rain.
Couldn't go there, too many people, from what I understood, humans thought it was strange to not remove their hoods or hats when entering a building. Too much attention. Lets see what we can find out. I walked around the back of the building, a small alleyway behind it as it butted up against a larger building. Tavern must have been here first, there was still a window in the back. I leaned against the wall just off to the side of it.
A woman started talking, husky sounding. "What do you mean were are running out of bread? Why didn't you tell me this an hour ago? Well don't just stand there, go start making some." I guess this was the kitchen window. "Ah, Boy. What am I going to do with you." She sounded exasperated. I guess this was a common occurrence at the tavern.
I could smell tobacco being burned, it was cedar like and faintly like cinnamon. Something else, incense? Not sure. "That boy is supposed to be learning how to keep the bar, and manage the patrons. But all he does is forget to communicate with the kitchen. Next he'll be telling us he forgot to order new supplies." The tired sounding woman said to someone else in the kitchen.
A man started talking, he was huffing, so I suppose he was moving something heavy. He grunted and I heard something thud to the ground. "Don't be so hard on him, he's been here less than a full month. Besides that caravan with our supplies is supposed to be here within a week." My ears perked up at that. This might be interesting, something I can go off on.
"That Zybtine merchant with the weird spices, right? Which way did his letter say he was coming from? The woman asked, there was a huff of wind from inside like someone working a bellows. The smells from the kitchen rushing out of the window. Spices, warm bread and cooking stew.
"From the east, said he wanted to see the markets in the City and maybe head north." I sighed, too far away for the Clan to use. We'd have to get too close to the City to pull off that raid. If he was coming to the outer farms then maybe, but not if he was going to be headed north after this. The woman leaned out of the window and I froze. I was under the window, she jumped as she saw me, putting her elbows down on the window sill.
"What the hell? What are you doing back here?" She asked me. She had jet black hair, and olive skin. She also had a mole under her right eye.
I pitched my voice a little higher, and copied what I saw some kids in the docks say a few weeks back. "I got lost, its raining. So I kinda figured I sit here and wait... Can I wait here Ma'am? I wont be any trouble..." I trailed off sheepishly, hoping she'd believe my voice and assume I was a child.
She paused for a moment, then sighed and said "Huh, I suppose that makes sense. Well kid, you can sit there or you can come inside. You know what, no, you're covered in muck. Don't want that in the tavern." She turned around in the window and said "Bryce, hand me that last bit of bread, you know the one that been sitting next to the hearth. Yeah, give it here. Some urchin kid hiding from the rain in the alley."
A moment later, turning back around, she handed the still warm bread to me. "Take care sweetheart, try and get back home sooner than later. Your folks are probably wondering where you are in this rain." She closed the shutters. That was too close for comfort, it was nice that she gave me the food though, she was kind. I put it in the bag I took from the camp. I wandered back out to the street. I guess that it was just my lucky day. But, I didn't want to stay there now that the woman had spotted me. They wouldn't talk about anything else knowing I was there.
I made for the docks next, I usually had good luck there , granted I was usually here at the crack of dawn, or the dead of night. The last few times I was moving from cover to cover listening to the Guards talk or the fishermen setting out for the day. A few times I followed merchants going over the bridge by swimming along the inside wall of the docks, listening to the rumble of the wagons. I don't follow into the city proper though, I'm not sure, it scares me.
Fist time I was here in the middle of the day with all these people around. Raining, there were still people everywhere. Lots to over hear. I didn't want to get too close to the gate though, the walls around the city made me nervous. Felt too much like a cage for my tastes. I walked over to the dockside. There were some fisherman right below me. I leaned against the rail of the dock and listened. I watched the ships pull in from the bay, I didn't want it to look like I was eavesdropping on them.
"Good fishing along the bluff lately. Been able to haul in a big tuna catch, even spotted sardines and char there." A young mans voice.
"I don't want to get to close to those goblins. They live in the caves along there, right?" Another young voice, though from that comment he sounded scared to me.
"Yeah, but on the other side of the peninsula, I think they like that harbor side rather than the open sea to the east." The other man said.
"No, I mean I don't want to die." Scared boy said, I heard him drop something heavy and the sound of their skipper slap against the side of the docking post.
"Oh come on, they're too stupid to figure out how to build boats. We will be safe as long as we don't get within bow shot of the shore." The other man was bent on convincing the scared one.
"I guess there's one group of those little murderers that is a lot safer to deal with." I looked down at them without turning my face to them. They were both facing my direction.
"You actually believe that rumor, that there's one of them that doesn't kill and rob, only robs you? It's bullshit. They all are a bunch of little murderers." This might be useful, have to watch the shoreline the next few days and see if they actually get close to the village. See where those fish are, Chief likes to fish. He'd be happy to know where some better spots are. One the sailors looked up and saw me, his eyes got wide, and he mouthed the word "Purple". I broke in a cold sweat, I left before he could get a better look at me.
Sat my back against another wall and watched as the docks worked. The wood slick with rainwater and slime. I just pulled my hood down a little more, and listened. Keeping out of everyone's way, off the main thoroughfare.
"Chancellor put a notice out about the slimes in the city underground" A man with deep voice, old, heavily tanned and in rusted armor.
"The rain is helping with the fishing today" A dock hand said, carrying a bunch of fish on a rope.
"Damn gravity mages make things difficult to slip past them." A salt washed Captain in a rich blue over coat told someone next to him.
"That Welkford healer got arrested." A man in a torn shirt and a black eye said to another in not much better condition.
"Baron is expanding the walls on the eastern gate" A strange accent, I didn't recognize it.
"Merchant heading in from the south, iron trader. Apparently has some good stuff. Getting off some passenger boat rounding the southern sea. I suppose some noble hired him to outfit his kids with some armor" I looked over to the duo talking. They were walking toward the gate. I followed them.
"Why would he buy his kids armor? What does he think they are going to get out of it?" The older man said. He had salt and pepper hair in a loose mop.
The man with the dark brown hair said "Not sure but he's a Consul, they do whatever they want. I heard he wants his boys to be naturally comfortable in armor at an early age? Don't know much more."
Grey hair said, "Maybe I can get a few toy swords from him while he's in town, the boys would like that. When is he supposed to get here?" We were starting to get too close to the gates. I was getting nervous again. Come on, just say when. I gritted my teeth as the Guards looked over me, I didn't want to follow them into the city. Way too risky.
"Sometime within the next few days." That was all I needed to hear. I spun around and walked back away from the gates. Someone grabbed my shoulder roughly and turned me around. My hood fell.
Time seemed to slow as the Guard's eyes opened wide as he saw my ears. Looked into my purple eyes and a cold chill filled my body. My heart jumped into my throat. Felt it catch and missed a beat. The worst possible spot to be caught, so close to the City.
I looked to my side and saw a few people looking at me, scared. A few people starting to panic as they saw me. A few others drawing knives and swords. "Goblin!" The guard yelled, and drew his sword.
I ducked under his swing, and slashed the inside of his arm, but his chainmail blocked the actual cut. I only managed to tangle his hand with the now loose scrap of cloth from the overcoat he was wearing. He swung again, and I dodged back and ran. The streets behind me were in a confused state. People shouting at each other asking where the other goblins were. I could hear the heavy boots of the Guards running after me. I weaved around everyone in my path, felt like I was flowing water. People looking back over at me and jumping back, I didn't get a chance yet to pop my hood back up, but the rain had probably washed my charcoal away.
More people yelling behind me that the goblins were raiding the docks. I could use that. Make them think there were a lot of us to make a get away. While it wasn't a full panic dockside, I did see more and more people ahead of me looking around for something like me.
I rounded a corner, and hid my ears again. I watched as the guards ran past me, and kept looking around as they went. Looking down each side alley and street. Pulling the hoods off every shorty they came across. Apologizing as they went, when they didn't find it was me.
I took every back street I could find. Hid behind every box and log pile there was. I heard the Guards all around me, heavy thuds from the foot falls on the cobblestones. They yelled at everyone on the roads to seek shelter as they were hunting a suspect. I made my way back to the heavy saw grass around the roads, and stalked my way back home.
I got back to the Clan breathless and wanted to plan out this next hit. The Priestess asked me how things went. After I told her the story, she said I need to be far more careful. Her worried voice hurt a little. I felt a little bad for making her worry. She forbad me from getting that close to the city again, we'll see about that. This was a lucrative mission all things considered. That merchant had armor that fits children. Now that was worth looking into, Maybe my boys can get something nice out of this. Maybe we can do better than rags and leather scraps. Actual metal would be a true blessing, didn't know the first thing about taking care of it though. Maybe we can get the merchant to tell us if we ask nicely.
***
"A goblin spotted by the dockside gate" The Chancellor said, reading the report. The Guard stood nervous in front of the imposing man. "It slashed your arm, are you hurt?"
"No sir, my chain did it's job." He stammered out. The Chancellor noticed the sweat beading on the Guards face.
"Good, you said it's skin was covering in some grey dust. But, it had the ears, and the purple eyes. Was there anymore information?" The Chancellor asked.
"Just that it seemed like it knew what was going on around it. And that we never found any other goblins. We believe this one was acting on its own."
"Why are you nervous Guardsmen?"
"Uhh, I thought I was being brought here to be punished for not capturing the goblin, Sir. This was a nearly full panic from the the locals, I thought..." I stopped him with a raised hand.
"I do not blame you for losing the suspect. You are not going to be punished, so relax." The Guard visibly relaxed, and the worry in his eyes vanished. "Don't discount them, remember the bigger raids they've done. They aren't dumb, no matter what the common people say. But this, this was down right clever. You said you saw something off about it, you thought it was Gnome as first, yes?" He asked the Guard.
"Yes sir, I thought I saw a flash of something off, I couldn't place it. Just seemed like it didn't want to get close to other people. I didn't realize the threat until I accidentally pulled it's hood off and the rain washed the dust away. Green skin, and the ears fell out"
"So you've mentioned." He got up from his desk, and walked over to the Guard and handed him a silver coin. "Good work, good eyes, good intuition. But, Ill add that if you have to pursue a goblin in this way again. Do not accost every short being on the road looking for it. You are dismissed."
"Yes sir" The Guard clacked his boots and saluted. The door shut to Michel's office with a sharp click, and he heard the Guards on the other side dismiss the Guard called there.
Interesting, this is a new tactic from the Clan. They might be an issue later on, Lucas however, doesn't want to massacre them. All that talk about wanting see what would happen with the merchants. He wanted to see how they would adapt, or just let this keep happening. Not economically worth dealing with them.
He was too much of a free market sometimes. Though it was good that there was no raid, a hack and slash raid from them always made the populace loose faith. It hadn't happened for over a decade now, but the riot from the people as they marched up to the Palace Courtyard demanding the Baron retaliate was tense. Over six dozen citizens arrested for inciting the riot, and far more peace keeping than what the public usually allowed. It took weeks for the people to feel safe again.
I'd have to have a discussion with Lucas about this news. Though, knowing him he'd want to interview the goblin rather than kill it. Maybe it would be best to leave him our of the loop on this for now. We'd have to see if it happens again.
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