Tusa Emberblood was awoken by the sound of footsteps echoing around her burrow hole. Her subterranean home was located in the higher echelons of the northeastern burrow camp, a privilege allowed by her higher level and superior intelligence compared to most Goblins. This didn't mean her accommodations were luxurious by any means, it was still just a hole dug into the solid ground beneath the sprawling sands of the Deamon Desert.
Tusa's was simply closer to the trade roots and other high-level and influential people, meaning she had better picks of things like food, supplies and mates. Although the latter tended to be only tolerable at the best of times. In her spare time, Tusa did her best to educate the goblin children that were scattered about her burrow, as they were unlikely to do so of their own accord. It wasn't always a successful endeavor, but she contented herself with the fact she had helped a few more of the brood survive a bit longer.
Often found clad in her leather jerkin and hide skirts, or robes when the occasion called for it, she did her best to perform her duties as the burrow's only shaman. Now, however, as she lifted herself from the furs spread out over the earthen floor she was completely nude. Tusa removed the hands of her latest conquest from her body and gave the man a shove, his only response was a comically loud snore as he rolled to one side.
A low whistle echoed through the room and the Goblin woman cursed under her breath, damn the burrows and their lack of privacy, she would be sure to invest in a sturdy door the next time they reached the oasis. Tusa glanced at the figure that stood near the entrance to the shabby hole she called home.
“Damn sweetheart,” came a sleazy and all too familiar voice. “I'd love to have that body of yours try to conquer me.” the slimy words came from a Goblin man, he had olive green skin and a meanly muscled form that was covered in countless battle scars. He eyed Tusa's naked body with a menacing grin. “Why don't we put it to the test when you get back? If you get back, that is.” The man's smile broadened, displaying two rows of jagged sharp teeth jutting from blackened gums.
“Why not right now? It wouldn’t take that long, after all.” Tusa spat back and stood to face the man, unashamed of her undressed state, standing proud with one hand on her generous hip. Her other hand slowly inched toward the hilt of her conquest's sword. Tusa knew, awake or not, the goblin lying on her furs would not defend her from the man who had entered her home uninvited, even as his eyes unabashedly raked her body. After all, no one stood up to Raul. He ruled the burrow for a reason.
“Wait, when I get back from where?” Tusa questioned, narrowing her orange eyes to suspicious slits aimed at Raul. He continued to run his eyes over her body as he spoke, never once looking at her face.
”Why, the temple of course. They asked for you by name.” Finally choosing to meet the goblin woman’s eyes, Raul stepped forward, unconcerned by her hand that was mere inches from the weapon that had been cast aside the night before. “Our smart little Goblin is going to exempt us from a few weeks of tribute.” He said pinching Tusa's cheeks, his voice thick with condescension, she shook his hands away and wrinkled her nose in disgust. “It was asked, so why not send the old woman our best and brightest, and see how much we can get out of it? Now you best run along to the inner temple sweetheart. Or, I can just drag you there myself with you on full display. I’m sure Taruuk would find you a desirable little morsel.” Raul gave her a sinister grin, a look of near ecstasy at the thought of making good on his threats flashed through his dark eyes.
Evil fucking bastard, Tusa thought, as she forced distance between the two of them.
"I need to dawn my robes, I can’t go to the temple like this.” She moved to a small hole that was dug into the cave wall and removed several pieces of worn leather clothing. “Watch if you must, but know better than to delay my departure or risk the wrath of a Hoblin … no no Orcus.” Raul flinched at Tusa's words and she smirked, he may have been strong but the Goblin would still be no match for an Orcus that would undoubtedly be double his level.
Tusa briskly fastened the final ties of her shabby robes, doing her best to remove any dirt and debris, pulling her hood up over her pointed ears. Giving her reflection in the broken mirror a final glance and gave a small sigh, concluding it was the best she could do on such short notice. If this sort of thing was going to happen more often she would need to invest in better robes. Tusa turned to face Raul, her expression was determined and somewhat annoyed.
“Make sure that,” Tusa spat jerking her head at the goblin still laying prone on her bedding, “is gone by the time I get back. Do that and when I return I might be willing to ‘conquer’ you like you so desperately want me to. This one has been awake for some time, but is such a sniveling coward he refuses to even honor me as I leave.” Tusa cast her gaze over the pitiful goblin as he lay in the fetal position, still pretending to sleep.
She would never understand why males were so weak-willed before reaching their first tier, she shook her head in disgust. Tusa really needed to evaluate the standards by which she chose her conquests, they were starting to be more trouble than they were worth. Exiting the hole she heard faint screaming as Raul made good on his end of the bargain, though she wasn't sure if he was driven by the prospect of mating with her or by the open invitation to inflict pain on the male she had abandoned in her home. It was probably best not to dwell on it, as either option made her skin crawl.
She snaked her way through the narrow passages of the burrow. Goblins clamored all around, burrowing, crafting, bartering, sleeping and some cooking over small open fires. Most paid her no mind as she passed, and a few gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. Upon reaching the entrance to the burrow she emerged into the open desert, where Tusa was greeted by her escort. Four Orcus, all clad in thick leather armor and varying weapons, stood before the burrow entrance.
It was partially hidden among the sand dunes far outside the camp where the residents of the northeast burrow had made their home. Tusa strode confidently to meet her escort, holding her head high, doing her best to not let it show just how much the warriors intimidated her.
The largest of the four Orcus stepped forward to meet her, casting his eyes downward to look at the minuscule Goblin. Tusa braced herself, she wasn’t sure what the withered old plague bat from the temple wanted, but if they were offering exemption from two weeks of tribute it must be important. The little Goblin swallowed hard, when the High Shaman asked you to do something important it came at a price. Usually an unpleasant one.
“You have been sold by your burrow to the temple.” That wasn't surprising, it would most likely last until she completed her task, or tasks, that she was being assigned. “You will teach goblins their rites, as is custom. You will perform this duty at the inner temple. Refuse this task and the consequences will be the eradication of your burrow. And your Vaettir will be consumed.” Tusa looked up at the Orcus, struck speechless by his words.
She had to have misheard him. Everything he had just said was utter nonsense. He could not have actually spoken those words, she must still be reeling from the Khusel Incense from the night before. It was the only explanation for what she just heard. Attempting to calm herself, Tusa opened her mouth, hoping to reasonably ask for clarification.
“I’m to teach what?! Where?!”