The wolf creature looked her up and down, his eyes narrowed and his stance ready. “I am called Earth-Shaker. I am the alpha of the kobolds.”

Risha memorized the name they’d called themselves as she looked over the small group of twenty or so wolf-creatures. “This isn’t all of you, is it?”

Earth-Shaker laughed, “No.”

The wolf let out a long drawn out howl that set Risha on edge.

Another howl answered, then another. Hundreds of howls echoed from the forest behind them and Risha had to stop herself from taking a step forward and reaching for her sword. Memories popped up of the chase through the woods, how they’d hunted her people.

Without meaning to, Risha bared her teeth at the alpha, and he responded in kind. She wanted to kill him, to test her sword against the large monster’s claws.

Her gaze caught on Truth-Seeker and she came back to herself. With an effort of will, she released her hold on her sword, and stopped baring her teeth. But she didn’t lower her gaze to the wolf. She was the stronger one here, not him.

Earth Shaker stopped baring his teeth as well. “Interesting. You have a strong will, little goblin. I’m tempted to try and break it. I do so enjoy breaking those who think themselves strong.”

Risha’s anger nearly took over her as she saw red, but she pulled herself back with a force of will. “Careful,” She growled. “Or I might break you.” Risha responded. “Just like I broke the last kobold I met.”

Earth-Shaker laughed, “You’ll find I’m nothing like Strong-Claw, little goblin.”

“And you’ll find I’m much more than a little goblin, pup.” Risha didn’t know how to insult the kobold, but apparently calling him a pup was good enough considering the glint of anger she saw in his eyes. “Moko will show you where your people can set up camp. You are lucky that our hunting has been very successful this winter, we have meat to share.”

She turned her back on the wolf, and she could feel his gaze bearing into her. She nodded to Glo, who lowered his head to her. He would take care of the rest. She needed to calm herself or they’d lose an ally that they needed.

Moko walked over to the wolves. She could see the slight fear in his eyes as he walked past her, but he hid it well. He stood tall in front of the large wolves.

“Follow me.” Moko said, his voice didn’t waver.

Risha walked back to the village, leaving the other goblins to figure out the rest.

The Elders were in a meeting when she got back, but she didn’t bother them, trusting them to handle themselves.

Instead, she made her way to her pit and sat down on the edge, looking down at her spiderlings. The edge of the pit was hardened with the cold, like ice and the snow under her melted with her body heat, but Risha did not mind.

She missed the days when they would ride on her cloak while she hunted with them. Her mind went back to the one that had died under her watch, then to the goblins she’d led to their death. Again, she couldn’t help but wonder if she should’ve killed that bird.

The sound of footsteps brought her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Glo leading two kobolds, one of whom had the features of a fox, the other being Truth-Seeker.

“I do not like your leader.” Risha said. Her gaze returned to the pit, wondering how much longer the winter would last. “He reminds me of the Overseer.”

The fox and Truth-Seeker shared a look, “He does get a bit… irritating. But it’s useful to have a brute when you need one.” The fox’s voice was friendly. She sat down next to Risha, and looked at the webs of her children curiously. “I am Sun-Chaser, Earth-Shaker’s advisor.”

Risha looked at her from the corner of her eye, some instinct inside of her making her feel wary of the fox. “I am Risha.”

“It is good to finally meet you.” The fox was silent for a moment before continuing, “I came here because I would like to know more about you Risha.”

Risha jumped into the pit, landing softly next to her bow and quiver. “Why?”

Risha grabbed her things, then pulled herself back out of the pit. She started walking towards the forest and Sun-Chaser stood up to follow. Glo and Truth-Seeker stayed back, giving them space to talk with each other.

“You hold our lives in your hands. I would like to know the goblin that wields such power.”

Risha stopped and turned to the fox. She took a long moment to look her over.

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The fox-like kobold was pretty, her fur fluffy and well taken care of. Most of her fur was a deep reddish-orange except for the white that surrounded her eyes, and her ears, which ended in white tips. Her golden eyes held cunning behind them that was hard to miss, it reminded her of Maya in a strange way.

“Do you know who the Overseer was?” Risha asked the fox.

Sun-Chaser shook her head.

Risha turned, continuing her way into the forest and away from most of the goblins. “He was an Orc. The one who ruled our village for the chiefs.” The sounds of the goblin city disappeared and Risha pulled an arrow, nocking it to her bow, “I’ve been thinking about him lately. He was evil.”

Most of the goblin hunters had turned their attention to larger game, letting the small animals repopulate and rest for the winter. Risha hoped this meant that there would be something nearby to hunt.

“He sacrificed and tortured goblins. He took pleasure in the marks he left on spiders and goblin alike.” The snow crunched under their feet as they made their way deeper. “Do you know what made Risha hate him the most?”

Sun-Chaser stayed silent as she waited for the goblin to continue. She watched Risha, her thoughts unreadable.

“He pretended to be fair.” Risha said the last word with a snarl. “Goblins were given chances, and if they proved themselves, they would be spared. The day Risha was thrown into the pit, Risha was not the first one he threw in there.”

Risha stopped, drew back her arrow and released in one smooth movement. Blood splattered across the snow.

Risha walked up to the white rabbit she’d slain, scarlet now staining its fur. It was pinned to a tree by her arrow, and Risha had to pull to dislodge the arrow from the wood.

“I do not blame the spider in that pit. She knew what would happen if she didn’t kill the brothers and sisters of Risha. She had children she wanted to protect, and the Overseer was not kind. But their screams as they were killed, one by one, will never be forgotten.” Risha pulled her arrow out of the rabbit, her eyes turning to the fox. “Risha held the overseer’s head high when she killed him. Risha wishes she could’ve made him feel a fraction of the pain he made Risha’s people- Risha’s children feel.”

Blood dripped onto Risha’s armor as she held the eyes of the fox. “When Risha says that your alpha reminds her of the Overseer, Risha means that she will hold his head high when she kills him.”

The fox looked down from Risha’s gaze, unable to hold it.

Risha turned back towards the village and they walked in silence until they were in view of the first buildings. “I hold anger towards your people. I can let that go. But I will not let anyone threaten to break me, never again.”

“I…” Sun-Chaser opened and closed her mouth. She slowed, her eyes watching Risha’s back as the goblin continued walking. She looked back at the two that had been following them.

Truth-Seeker and Glo had both overheard the conversation. Truth-Seeker seemed to be in a state of shock while Glo’s expression had grown into a hard line.

Sun-Chaser quickened her steps to catch up to Risha. “I am… surprised that you’d tell me this.”

“You wanted to know who Risha is.” Risha said. “Risha is a Grand Mother. Risha is an Emperess. Risha is a hunter.” She paused. “It isn’t what I wanted, but I will protect mine.”

Risha felt exhausted, and she’d done more talking than she was used to. She wasn’t sure why she’d shared so much with the kobold, but some part of her needed to vent.

“I understand.” Sun-Chaser looked towards the direction of her people, where they were setting up tents and feeding off the meat the goblins had gifted to them. “I wish I was as strong as you.”

Risha looked at Sun-Chaser, and was surprised to see the depth of her the emotions in her eyes. Sun-Chaser looked away from Risha.

“But there’s a reason I didn’t evolve into a Lupus.” Sun-Chaser said bitterly. “I hope you do spare my people your anger, Grand Mother Risha.”

Risha thought for a long hard moment, then nodded. “We are allies. Someday, if you desire, your people could be more.”

Sun-Chaser bowed her head, “We should return to our camp.”

Risha nodded.

Sun-Chaser left, Truth-Seeker a few feet behind her. Risha watched them until they left her view, then turned her gaze to the goblins working hard.

Glo stepped up beside her. He gently placed his hand on her arm.

“Do you remember them?” Risha asked.

“Lik, Ful, Nara, Krio, Lula and Olia.” Glo said, his voice soft. “I thought your name would join theirs.”

“I wish I could hear them speak like we do.” Risha said. “Or that we had stories we could share.”

Glo nodded.

“Sometimes, I wish I could kill him again.”

“There are more Overseers waiting for your blade.” Glo showed all of his sharp teeth as he smiled. “And they come here so that you can raise their heads again.”

Risha turned to Glo, and handed him the rabbit she’d shot. “We should party! Our allies have arrived and our hunts go well.”

Worry for Risha passed through Glo, but he shook it off and kept his smile. “One of the craftsmen created a new drink that makes you woozy! We should all try it.”

Risha smiled at the idea. “Have Milo bring the big drum he’s been working on! I hear that it makes your whole body shake!”

The two of them made their way through the town, and as each goblin they passed heard the word “party” they would quickly grab their drums, drink, food and sticks in excitement.

A large bonfire was started in the middle of the city, reaching as tall as some of the buildings.

Drums thrummed through the landscape, and goblins danced, sang and played to the wild music.

Risha removed her armor and most of her clothes to dance in the middle of it all next to the bonfire. The woozy drink was just as exciting as she’d hoped, and most of the wolves ended up joining them for their party.

The howls of the kobolds were a welcome addition as some of the goblins even joined in.

Goblins knew how to party, and it was late into the night, with the entire city still up that Elder Oltak ran up to her.

She was still sweaty from dancing, and overheated despite the cold air, but the Elder’s expression told her it was serious.

She grabbed a spider-silk shirt and her sword, then followed the Elder to a spot a little outside of the main party.

Two familiar orcs and several goblins were surrounded on all sides by Kobolds led by an evolved Grey Lupus Kobold she didn’t know.

The Evolved kobold stepped forward, “You harbor orcs?” He growled.

Risha stepped forward, doing her best to look down on him despite being smaller. The Gray Kobolds were smaller than the Black Kobolds, but they were still bigger than her. “They aren’t like other orcs. If you have a problem, find Sun-Chaser or Earth-Shaker.”

The evolved kobold smiled as a familiar voice spoke up from behind her.

“We meet again so soon, little goblin?” Earth-Shaker said, stepping into the square.

Risha wanted to cry internally. She was having a good time, and now the stupid ugly kobolds were ruining it.