Elana was sipping a tea in elder’s house. Well, calling it tea was a bit of exaggeration – a weak herbal infusion at best, still, the wannabe rogue happily accepted the little treat with humble gratitude.
- “We really appreciate your presence, kind-hearted adventurers…” the elder was… well, the elder person – he was walking supporting his body with a staff, his hands were shaking constantly and he had problems even with speaking “… we weren’t sure if anyone would come… in the end, the prize is not high enough…”
He lost his breath and started coughing.
- “I-I-I assure you, it’s more than enough! Actually, we would take the quest regardless of the prize. We are just rookies, so we pretty much have to participate in goblin hunt… and we just can’t let good people suffer, right?”
Elana, not used to receiving such kind words of gratitude addressed to her personally, blushed heavily and started weaving her hands in front of an elder trying to show him that it’s not such a big deal.
Thought she knew how much it meant for the village.
- “Young Lora told me, that your group stopped far from the village in order to not alarm the goblins… very, very smart of you. I can’t describe how happy it makes me seeing you are treating this job seriously. Indeed – we spotted single goblin watching our village from afar. Most of the time he is hidden, but sometimes he changes the spot – he is hiding in the bushes to the north from the village, please, be sure not to enter through that region and…
- “Only one? Are you sure it’s the same goblin? Or maybe they are changing on the outpost? If yes, how often!?” El disturbed the village’s mayor
- “I am.. not sure… we never got closer because we were afraid that it would provoke them… and from afar and through the bushes… all goblins look the same…”
- “If I may…” said Lora – same woman that was cultivating the vegetables when El entered the village, she also lead the way toward the mayor’s house “… There were at least two goblins different goblins. I know, because I was sure that one had some black mark on the right side of his body. I heard that goblins sometimes are tattooing those that helped greatly their tribe or excelled and hunting or fighting… The other one clearly didn’t have that mark.”
That was important information. The less organized group would select one, usually least experienced youngling to watch over their plunder spot, and just kept bringing him food every now and then. If they were changing the watcher – even more – they changed him with an experienced and respected warrior or hunter – that meant they were treating it seriously and were far more organized than your regular stary group.
Elana bite on her lower lip. For a moment more she was asking questions regarding the attack, or as she was told later – attacks. Lately, goblins became much more active and kept on repeating their rides in even shorter intervals of time.
What surprised her were how short the attacks lasted. Most of the savage goblins would boast over their victory – they would drag a family of their house before setting it on fire and forcing the family to watch it. The males would be usually bitten to a pulp, sometimes even causing their death, and female would be either raped or kidnapped, or sometimes both – in pretty much random order.
But not this group. Their actions were cold and calculated. Very swift and precise.
Elana, pretended to be a villager and walked around the settlement inspecting footprints.
These footprints told her… absolutely nothing. Goblins retreaded using only two paths, because of that all tracks got mixed, it was impossible to precisely count how many individuals the riding group was made of.
Elana thanked the elder for all information she received and left the village. She found herself a safer location bit south from the settlement and prepared a small camp. She didn’t want to rest in the village, neither she set up a fireplace which could betray her position. She ate a cold, tasteless food ration and went to sleep. It was barely an evening, but she had to start her job very early.
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She woke up before the dawn, it was still dark – only a thin bow over the horizon was painted red by still not-present sun. El, in the middle of the wild, strip naked and covered her body with a mix of mud and herbs before putting her adventurer’s close on.
Goblin’s smell was extremely sensitive, especially when it comes to the smell of blood, sweat, and urine. And, of course, the smell of a woman.
El already became a woman – she had her first bleeding a few months ago. Since that time her body started procuring hormones which acted as a "lure on goblins". She had to mask her scent in every possible way.
She entered the forest from the east. Moving very slowly, from shadow to shadow. She watched every bush twice of trice, every now and then she would throw a pebble – most of the scouts would react to sudden sound and walk to check the source. But, for now, none goblin could be seen in the vicinity.
Yet, the deeper she walked into the forest, the quieter it would become. Slowly, the sound of deer would vanish, then the birds would stop singing their beautiful songs, and eventually, not even insects could be heard.
Goblins were gluttons, they ate everything they could hunt, in bigger mobs they would even attack predators that in other circumstances would feast on them. The lack of animals meant only one thing – she was getting closer.
A distanced sound of growls and snarling could be heard from not-that-afar. The blonde rogue started to climb the nearest tree, her heart skipped a beat, the sounds were getting closer and closer. She didn’t manage to climb high enough when she had to freeze. The goblins entered small clearing close to El’s hiding spot. She was barely three meters above them, one move could betray her position, she just hoped that thin branch would provide enough camouflage.
Group of three hunters – slightly smaller goblins equipped with rusty knives and makeshift bows with arrows. They were walking just in a range of each other’s view, but not close enough to be attacked together.
That… meant a lot. They were perfectly trained and disciplined. Most of the goblins wouldn’t have enough brain to take measures against being attacked, especially in a region that they already dominated. And even if they were ordered to do so, once they would leave their nest they wouldn’t necessary feel obligated to fulfill their orders.
They also were moving methodically, calmly, checking every bush, all the time being on guard.
And then, one of the goblins looked up, straight on El.
Fear paralyzed her. Their eyes met. A second passed. And another one, and yet another. Eventually, goblins snarled at one another, an individual that was watching the tree blinked a few times and returned to patrolling.
El exhaled loudly once goblins left her hiding spot. That single goblin must have wonderful instincts or senses. Something told him that they were not alone, something told him perfectly were rogue was hiding. If she didn’t cover her body with a grayish and greenish herbal ointment that made her perfectly blend with the surroundings perfectly, she would have been spotted.
Either that, or goblin’s exhaustion that let him believe that his instincts were nothing but an effects of hours he already spend on scouting.
She waited bit more before jumping off the tree. She resumed her journey onward. For now, she had to avoid direct contact. The teachings of Aiele.
- “Look, girl, I know that as a girl the idea of penetrating somebody else, especially with a sharp tool, may appear very tempting – but your job is like eating a jelly doughnut – best for the end. First, you need to know what you are dealing with. With who, with how many, how equipped. The location, ways in and out. Natural tools you could use. Everything. The first phase of your action is boring. Stealth as much as it only can be. You don’t exist. You leave no track. You are less than a shadow.”
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I don’t exist. I am less than a shadow.
No one sees me. I leave no footprint, I leave no scent.
I am no one at all.
She resumed her journey. She walked past the first scouting group, so for a moment or two she shouldn’t be disturbed by any other troop – in the end, even a swarm a goblins needs to attend many different roles and can't spare too much of manpower only for sake of scouting alone.
Warriors and hunters are important, but so are builders, weapon makers and squads looking for herbs. To that, you have to add that patroling groups also had many responsibilities – looking for new hunting ground, villages… protecting was their least issues. Because - who would just sneak into the nest just like that? An army of humans send to kill them could be spotted from miles away, group of adventures would also very rarely cover their moves, they would just march on butchering every goblin they would meet on their path.
She was getting closer, on her way, she avoided one more scouting group.
The sounds started getting louder, not like previously – not merely few snarls and growls – instead, a whole cacophony of a small village living its daily life. Sound and smell of animals were adding even more to the impression of entering a small trading town.
She pushed aside a branch of the bush.
And her heart jumped to her throat.
There weren’t twenty goblins, nor thirty not fifty. What she saw were dozens of fireplaces lighted up, small fenced districts in which dozens of animals were eating grass.
A single goblin using smithy made of burned clay was making arrowheads, twenty meters further into the camp two goblins with animal’s skulls on their heads were making potions.
Shamans! At least two of them! It’s bad! Shamans were rare and usually meant that the nest was powerful… and two of them in a single place!
Then, a scream made her focus her attention. A couple of stones were tossed together making a makeshift pedestal on which a savage throne of bones was erected.
A single goblin was sitting on it, slightly taller than rest of his kin, but not tall enough to be a hobgoblin, that for sure. His skin was pitch black and was wearing an armor made of bones – mostly human’s.
He was gazing at the scenery below him.
Four girls were lying under the pedestal, naked, covered in bruises, blood and… other liquids. One was sobbing quietly, one was just lying with a blank expression, two girls must have been kidnapped very recently – they weren’t dirty, and most of all – they still had their clothes on.
Group of goblins quickly start tearing their clothes off. They yelled, started jerking their bodies, trying to run away. One of the goblins hit the more energetic girl in the face – with a stick. He wasn’t gentle, her nose was broken and blood quickly covered her pretty face. The mob cheered after seeing this act.
But not the single black goblin. He growled silently and got up. Most of the mob ran away, only a few goblins remained – pinning girls down.
He walked off the altar and stopped in front of the girl that despite broken nose kept struggling.
- “Ti ahw newroy tik talak nadir. Yok abek ti.”
Goblin said in a calm, demanding tone. Then, he repeated using broken, common speech.
- “You are strong. You are worthy. I chose you. You will bear my child.”
- “Fuck you, dirt-skin! Don’t you dare to touch me!”
- “Ti telor mager. Beautiful hate. Wonderful wrath. Hold on these emotions, I hope your child will inherit my strength and your grudges.”
He picked a blade and started slowly cutting through the little clothes she had.
- “Leave me! Don’t touch me!”
- “Feast on your hatred. Choke on wrath. Open your heart to madness. And let us begin. I offer this child to Khai’li. Praised be the totems. AN ALAW TER KALLAD TEFF KHAI’LI! ERG NORUM TEI TOTEG!”
Mobs started cheering. Screaming yelling. Shamans left their duties and headed toward the throne, stopping on its sides. They started singing and dancing, their eyes rolled back into their skulls as they entered some kind of trance. They were yelling in their own speech, but somehow, El knew the meaning. It just entered her mind.
"May Khai’li blessed the night. May Khai’li praise the moon. May Khai’li be blessed, and may she blessed our kin. May the offspring be strong. May the wrath be unbound. The madness let out off the leash. Let him come! His will be done! As under the sun, so when the moon shines red! Let us live and let us see the crimson night that floods the day!"
Goblin put aside the sash that was covering his member. He dropped on the girl.
Elana lost sight of what was happening – the crowd was in the way. But she knew perfectly what was going on. She heard girl’s screams, they were even louder than the chants and yells of the crowd. She could see as goblin's back was moving rhythmically.
He was raping her. The act of sex. Something that she considered to be almost a sacred act joining two lovers into one. But that thing… was not sacred. It was dirty. It was violent. Disgusting.
She wanted to act! To save the girl!
You are a shadow. You don’t exist! – her teacher repeated in her mind
But! She is hurt! She is in such pain!
And what will you do? Join the girls as rape-pets? You have no plan. You don’t know the way in – you don’t know way out. You don’t have a way of killing them.
But! But…!
Stop looking at these animals. Start scouting the area. Look for structural weakness.
But the girl! We have to save her! And the rest of them!
How? One of them is already broken, one will lose it very soon. Third is weak and will collapse in the next few days. But fourth… the one that is being violated right now… She is strong. You can indeed save this one. But not now. If you want to save her and every other girl that is yet to be kidnapped, you have to keep doing what you were trained to.
To do that, you have to succeed. To succeed, you have to survive. You will not save everyone. You will have to learn who you can save, and who you SHOULD save! This is what being adventurer means. Welcome in a shitty, dirty world, El, enjoy the buffet! This is just the first bite, you don’t even know its full taste! The world didn’t even start fucking you yet. Bite the pillow and buckle your ass. From now on you will see even worse things, El. This is why you can’t hesitate. This is why you can’t hold your attacks. Grown, the fuck, up, El.
Blonde girl was crying. Silently, the tears were falling down her face. Once again, she felt so powerless. Even more than when she was tied to her bed. It was wrong! So… so…
Don’t lose your composure, El – Aiele said in her professional, cold voice in her head – Observe. Think. Plan. Acting is the very last act. Fall back, El, fall back for now.
El left her hiding spot.
A high chieftain. The tribes were rallied by a high chieftain.
A king that was somehow mentally connected with the rest of the tribe. His death meant that the rest of the tribe would run amok and shatter. Leave the location.
Like in chess – to deal with the king meant winning the game
But no. That was not enough.
This tribe is far too violent. Even if they would run away, they would form new nests and attack other settlements. They… they couldn’t be allowed to do that.
El wasn’t angry. She wasn’t furious. All that occupied her heart was sadness.
I will protect the victims and the villains. Victims – from the fate of the victim. Villains – from further sins.
She knew what had to be done. Suddenly – it all became clear and simple. She had to bleed them down. One after another. She found one of the scouting group that she moved past before and kept on tracking them. Eventually, the group decided to take a break. One of them started setting up a small campfire, another one took a guard, the third moved into bushes – to simply relieve his bladder.
El moved quickly. She was taller than the goblin, and when she stopped behind him she threw a shadow over him.
Goblin moved quickly – he turned around a jumped on El forcing her on the ground. She was taken by surprise, even though she was the one that sneaked upon the goblin. She already could hear the teacher’s Ay insult.
But it was not important right now, what was important – was goblin sitting atop of her laughing in mockery. She dropped her dagger and tried to reach it, but it was too far.
One of goblin hand started choking blonde girl, the other one started tearing her clothes.
The dagger was too far. But, a stone was just in her reach. She hit the goblin in its head forcing her off of her. Then, she rolled atop of him. Her heart was racing. Her mind was screaming. She raised the stone over her head.
The goblin let out a squeak full of terror - he was begging her to stop.
She hesitated. It looked almost like a small child.
Goblin noticed that and bite her other hand.
Painfully, but not enough.
No, he was not to be treated lightly! None of them was! They would use every opportunity to turn the tide, and then they wouldn’t show you any mercy!
That’s what miss Aiele tried to teach her.
She brought the stone down. And again. And again.
The face of the goblin slowly started covering itself with red. Its eyes almost popped out. Then, slowly, it stopped moving.
Elana was crying this whole time.
She picked the dagger off the ground and walked toward the guarding goblin. This time, she didn’t wait for it to react and sliced his throat.
El kept on crying.
The goblin setting up the camp heard the body of his comrade falling. He got up and growled. He picked a dagger and charged on El.
She changed the grip on her dagger and threw it at the goblin, he jumped to the side avoiding the projectile. He grinned, already thinking that he won, he resumed his charge and jump in the air trying to stab El with his whole body weight.
But then, she picked up another blade hidden behind her belt. Goblin impaled himself on stretched El’s dagger. The wound wasn’t fatal, but enough to make him fall on the ground holding the hole in his belly.
El dropped on the goblin. And stab him. And again. And yet again.
All this time, the petite girl was crying.