Tek’tar stood at the center of this huemon place of gathering, something they call Town Hall. His master had sent three of his necromancers to conquer this area. Other than finding slaves, Tek’tar could not understand why this place had such value.

Each necromancer was given command of their own battle force. The number of men given to command was based on their rank and standing.

Tek’tar was a level 39 journeyman necromancer, he held the highest rank and therefore he was given command of 200 goblins. Jek’jon was a level 28 apprentice necromancer on the cusp of journeyman rank, he was given 75 goblins to command. Lastly, there was Gr’ex, a level 18 apprentice necromancer, he was only given 24 goblins to command.

Jek’jon and Gr’ex were not told about the other portals, only Tek’tar was given such knowledge. As the senior necromancer, it was his job to take command of the other two forces and lead the entire goblin army. Jek’jon fell in line easily enough, but Gr’ex still had not shown up and Tek’tar was unsure on how to proceed.

Tek’tar despised the fact his master seemed to favor the piece of troll dung for some reason. Though Gr’ex was only given 24 goblins to command, his master had given Gr’ex something very precious, high-level spells and artifacts to be able to cast them. Master called it balancing the scales.

Each portal took great power to open and could only send so many people through. If multiple portals were being opened near each other further limitations were put on who could go through. Each clan invested what they could to opening and maintaining their portal. If the portal could be anchored, then it would become a permanent gateway between worlds.

A total of 9 clans participated in this endeavor. Three clans were dedicated to this area alone. The other 6 clans were focused on other locations.

Tek’tar did not care about those other locations, he only cared about this one. If his master had invested so many resources to claim it, then this place would be more important than the others. He did not know why but that was not required to accomplish his master’s goal.

“What are we going to do about Gr’ex?” Jek’jon asked.

“Stupid Gr’ex, what a piece of troll dung!” Tek’tar spat on the ground. “He is most likely dead, taken out by some locals. It matters not. This huemon town is ours and we did not need his help to do it.”

“But should we not investigate? If the local huemons took Gr’ex’s unit out they could pose a future threat.” Jek’jon advised.

Tek’tar slammed his fist on the makeshift throne he had them make for him out of human bones. “No! And do not question my orders again! Master put me in charge! You may barely be a journeyman necromancer, but I am the senior leader here and my clan has the numbers to control this place without yours. If Gr’ex is dead than I say good riddance!”

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Jek’jon bowed his head. “As you command great and terrible Tek’tar.”

Tek’tar smiled evilly. ‘It is about time this worm showed me some respect!’ “Better Jek’jon, much better. I will take your advice under advisement. For now, we consolidate our control of the southern area of this land. So far there are more huemon structures south. Let us finish raiding them and collect more slaves before we bother with the north.”

Jek’jon bowed as he backed away and walked out of the room. “As you command oh great and terrible Tek’tar.”

‘Little does that idiot know I call him terrible because he is the worst commander, I have ever had the displeasure serving. If I had known the master was sending his clan I would not have volunteered. But such is the life of Jek’jon, one moment of suffering to the next. I did not even want to be a necromancer. Oh well such is my lot in life.’ Jek’jon thought as he carried out his orders.

“What are your orders Jek’jon?” One of his men asked as Jek’jon exited the Town Hall building.

“Consolidate our control over the south. Collect as many slaves as possible. Our clan is not like the Bone Marrow clan. Use our sleep poisons to subdue them. Finish our base in the Southeast and store most of the huemons we find there. Bring the rest here.”

“Yes, wise Jek’jon” The goblin warrior replied.

It was clear to Jek’jon that his warrior had more to say. “Out with it! It is clear you have something you wish to know.”

“Yes, wise Jek’jon. Are we sure this town is what the master wants?”

“No, I am not. The master said to take control over a structure in the area. He did not say a town. But it does not matter, Tek’tar is convinced we are to conquer this town. I am not strong enough to take over. He is now 9 levels above me since I reached level 30 through this conflict.”

“What of Gr’ex? If his men were alive, could we not work together?”

“Tek’tar thinks he died along with his men. If Gr’ex perished in the north, then we shall stay to the south. We will act like good followers and remain while the Bone Marrow clan can no longer ignore the north and must take it. If we are lucky enough perhaps what killed Gr’ex will kill them.” Jek’jon answered.

“That is why we call you the wise Jek’jon” The goblin warrior said as he bowed and carried out his orders.

Jek’jon walked towards the slave pens. So far, they have 50 people in these cages. In truth, Jek’jon’s men had recovered over 200 people but most of them were back at their war camp. Most of these people were captured by the Bone Marrow clan and anyone who could not work ended up as food. There was a reason Tek’tar’s clan had the name it did.

“Please let us go.”

“We never did anything to you.”

“Let me go, I don’t care what you do to the rest of them.”

On and on they pleaded. There was nothing Jek’jon could do, even if there was, he was not inclined to help. Each clan was given a certain number of slave bracelets. Those devices ensured compliance, but they were not foolproof.

Once Jek’jon neared his war camp he looked out longingly at the farms and their fields. That was what Jek’jon wanted to be a farmer and herbalist. His clan specialized in herbs and poisons. They had a pouch or vial when thrown it would release a noxious gas that could easily subdue a target. This was how his clan captured so man more huemons alive than Tek’tar’s clan did.

As Jek’jon looked longingly at the southeastern farms he made up his mind. “I am going to use my skeletons to work the fields. It is not like Tek’tar will care and our people will need food eventually. It may be my lot in life to be miserable, but I will enjoy this one thing.”