As Malworth bellowed triumphantly, a shadow fluttered behind him. He looked up at me, and I felt a chill run up my spine. I struggled in vain to pull my leg out of the thatched roof, watching as Malworth strode down the road towards the house I was on.
He jerked and howled, staggering forward. Behind him, Max had unstealthed and driven a dagger into the goblin king’s back. Malworth dropped his sword and turned to Max. The dagger remained in his back as blood gushed down his back.
Max kicked his black katana and flipped it up into his hands. He slashed it forward, and what was left of Malworth's health bar vanished. A blink later, a glowing blue and gold cube floated before Max. To his side, the red diamond turned slowly. He sat down, his gaze going from one to the other.
After some effort, I was able to pull myself free and drop down from the roof. I went to Max and wordlessly sat down in front of him, between the two glowing shapes. A few moments later, Emma staggered to the road. She was battered, and her health bar was nearly empty. She stood there hugging herself and staring at Slade's red diamond.
None of us said a word, which was better than a bunch of tearful wailing. I honestly mainly felt guilty. I had a perfect shot lined up and fumbled, putting a foot through a roof. If, if, if, I’d fired a moment sooner, or been more careful, or a million other things… Slade would still be with us.
Although, it would be nice not to hear his stupid sexist stories, gross behavior, and general idiocy. Even just thinking that made me feel guilty. He was gone, and I was looking for silver linings. It made me feel like a monster.
Most of all, though, the guilt just hung heavily on me. If I’d been just a hair better…
“Who goes there?” A gruff voice called out.
I looked down the road to see a group of what must be town guards. Unlike the ones back in Springfield, these had actual armor, helmets, and spears with wicked-looking knives on them. I wanted to reply, but I couldn’t. Explaining any of what happened would have just made me start blubbering.
“We slew Malworth, king of the goblins,” Max said.
“It’s been claimed it was you that brought them,” a veteran soldier said.
“That too,” Max said, “as we fled from Springfield.”
“Those we could find of them have been taken to the tower house,” the vet said. “The Baron will be interested in talks concerning this affair.”
“Our friend is dead,” Max replied. “I don’t think we’ll be much for talking.”
Emma burst into tears and dashed off. I resented her for doing what I wished I had the emotion to do. Crying would alleviate the stabbing pain at the back of my throat. It would be a needed release. I also resented that I was probably expected to go after her and comfort her somehow. There was no way I could do that. What if she asked about my feelings, and I blurted out something dumb like I was glad I wouldn’t hear any more football stories? Better that I sit here in silence. Slade was closer to both of them than he ever was with me.
“Pull yourself together, boy,” the soldier barked. “A goblin invasion roams the land. We must get to the bottom of it before many more lose their friends. This is much bigger than your babe’s tears.”
Max got to his feet with katana in hand. I could see his knuckles turning white as he held the weapon in a death grip.
“Max!” I called out, “We can’t fight everyone.”
He turned to glare at me and then stomped off. I stood, knowing I’d have to deal with the soldiers and any other repercussions of our war with Malworth.
The veteran guard looked at me and asked, “Will you need solace as well?”
“No, I’ll talk with your count.”
“My lord will be happy to hear. Danger is afoot, and swift recourse is needed,” he said.
“I’d hate to delay recourse,” I said.
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He insisted I follow him deeper into town. I really wanted to look for Princess, but I had a hunch; she’d stick around, or Max would fetch her. Reluctantly, I followed him.
We continued north. More houses were crowding against each other. Before long, I spotted a wall surrounding a tower. Both were made of stone; it looked like a miniature castle. The walls were only about a story tall, so anyone with a ladder could easily get over them. Still, it was an actual defensive structure.
We moved through the thick wooden gate, and I saw that this tower house was about the same size as the fort we’d been in far to the south. This fortification was better maintained and cleaner, with at least a couple of dozen troops in armor inside.
The refugees we’d come with were all huddled in the corner of the enclosure. It was hard to tell if they were guests or prisoners since most of the armored men seemed to be guarding them.
I was escorted into the tower. Inside there were tapestries on the walls, torches burning in sconces. It was almost cozy with actual rooms including some sort of great hall or audience chamber where I was introduced to the count.
“Here is one of those who traveled with Slade the Slayer, " the veteran told a middle-aged man working at a wooden desk to the side of the room. The man looked up from his desk, eyeing me. He seemed better dressed than any of the people I’d met in the game so far. With his dark hair and piercing eyes, imagining him as a count was easy.
He stood and asked, “You were one of this Slade’s people?”
“I suppose,” I said. “I came here with him, but he died fighting Malworth.”
“He died fighting Malworth the goblin king?”
“He helped,” I said, then held out my hand, “I’m Victoria. I’m a little bit new here.”
He eyed my hand but did not take it, “You’re a traveler?”
“I guess so. I’ve come from another world,” I said feeling awkward with my hand hanging out in space. “What was your name?”
“I’m Count Fenwick of Riverwatch,” he said, finally taking my hand in both of his. We’ve had travelers before, but none with such impact.”
“What exactly do you mean by travelers?” I said.
“As you described, people from elsewhere. Typically, they come from the frontier, talking of fantastic lands far beyond our borders. Many are harried by goblins and other creatures of the wilds.” He said, letting go of my hand. “None have ever come riding the crest of an invading army.”
“That wasn’t exactly the intention.”
“Intention or not, we now have foul creatures wandering the countryside. They’ll be raiding farms, killing innocents, and making life unbearable.”
“Slade was trying to negotiate a peace. The goblins were being attacked by glitches from the south.”
“Glitches?” the Count asked.
“The Enneaxia. Shadowy creatures from beyond, like us.” I said, then realized they weren’t really like us, and what I’d just said was probably confusing.
“Other travelers have spoken of the Enneaxia. If they are waging war on the goblins, then we at least see eye to eye on one pest.”
“I don’t know that they are waging war. Touching them is fatal. It may simply be a consequence of contact with them. I never really got to ask the goblins if they tried just talking to the Enneaxia. I do know that the goblins were running from them, coming north whether we were there or not.”
“And Slade was the one that brought the goblins here?”
I’d already explained his intentions; all he wanted was for me to agree, and I wasn’t about to give him that.
“No further words on this issue?” the count asked.
“Not if all you want is me to agree to your loaded questions,” I said hotly. “Slade tried his best to resolve the situation peacefully. He just wasn’t fully equipped to do so.”
“For bringing enemies right to our gates, I could have you executed,” he said.
I stared him in the eyes and said, “You could try.”
He glared at me. It wasn’t that scary. Just an hour earlier, Malworth had stared at me, and he’d wanted nothing but murder. This count could only muster a hard look. He’d have to ask others to do the dirty work.
Finally, Count Fenwick said, “Your friend was misguided. We could use your aid to help rid us of this situation.”
“Now, that I will agree with. What sort of help do you need?”
“Tell me the story of how we got here,” he said.
Nodding, I glanced around and pulled a chair over to him. I spent the next hour recounting the details of what Slade had done, what he promised, and how in the end he paid for it. The count interrupted with many questions, especially regarding practical information, like how many goblins, how they were armed, and what supplies they had.
When I was done, Fenwick said, “If this was truly a mistake, you must make amends. Aid us in ridding the countryside of the goblin army you brought here.”
“What makes you think we can help?”
“Travelers are very capable. You braved the badlands and brought a monster army to heel. Capable is exactly what you are. And if you are sincere, then I suspect you will help us make amends.”
“I can only ask my other friends. We have a mission that takes precedence.”
“And what quest might that be?” the count asked.
There it was. Why were we playing the game? I was being asked to explain thoughts, hints, and clues that had only bounced around in my head, many without ever gelling into fully formed thoughts or arguments.
“Our mission…” I said, scrambling to put words to half-coherent thoughts, “is to form peace and understanding between ourselves and the glitches, the Enneaxia. We’re playing a first-contact simulation with aliens.”
Having said it, it felt true. It was the first time I actually considered with any seriousness what we were doing. For far too long, I’d just been running on adrenalin, reacting to everything around me, making poor in-the-moment decisions. Now I considered the weight of what I’d half-known half-suspected for days.
We were a first-contact team.