Before Risha could say anything more to Elder Tya, Sun-Chaser returned to the tent with Klu and Glo. Behind them were three unevolved kobolds, just a little larger than the goblins used to be.

Risha wished she could stand to fully examine the kobolds, but the careful eye of Tya stopped her. She settled for examining them from where she sat. She hadn’t seen many of the unevolved creatures, since they were kept in tight line by their packs. The smaller kobolds bowed their heads in submission to Risha, but they had the long claws, fur and snouts that reminded her so much of wolves.

She waved the closest one over to her, then mentally accepted the creature as one of her children. She looked it over, her eyes gaining a new light as a screen appeared in front of her.

Analyzing Kobold Leaf-Watcher’s Feats…

Possible Evolutions:

White Vulpine Kobold

Grey Lupus Kobold

White Lupus Kobold.

Great Wolf

Risha examined the options, but had no insight into what they meant, so she motioned Sun-Chaser over.

Sun-Chaser thought for a moment before speaking, “I’ve never heard of a White Vulpine.” Sun-Chaser motioned to her fur, “But I’m a Red Vulpine. I haven’t heard of a White Lupus either, but Truth-Seeker is a Grey Lupus and Earth-Shaker was a Black Lupus. I wouldn’t pick Great Wolf, it will just turn her into a mindless animal.”

Sun-Chaser stepped closer to the small kobold, who exposed its throat to the large fox-like creature. Sun-Chaser looked all over the kobold before nodding. “I think Leaf-Watcher would make a fine Lupus. She is much too active to enjoy the magic of the Vulpine.” She looked back to Risha. “It is, of course, up to you, Risha.”

Risha considered for a moment longer before nodding her head.

Words left her mouth, unknowable and unmemorable, they wrapped around the small kobold, changing her spirit and her body. Her fur shifted from its dirty gray color to a white as bright as snow. Her predatory look grew sharper, but gained an elegance and beauty that matched the image of a white wolf. She grew taller, towering over Sun-Chaser while not being quite as large as Earth-Shaker had been.

The White Lupus Kobold blinked, her strikingly blue eyes landing on Risha. She bowed low, her gaze surprisingly soft for the strength it held.

“Th-thank you.” The Kobold gulped and lowered her gaze, “Leaf-Watcher presents herself to the alpha.”

Risha examined the kobold with curiosity. Risha had seen an actual white wolf once during the depths of winter. She remembered how majestic the creature looked, how Risha knew that if it wanted to, it could kill her without effort, but instead the wolf had turned and padded away through the snow. The kobold reminded her of that creature in the snow. Majestic was the best word to describe her.

Risha remembered to nod her head towards the bowed kobold. “Thank you Leaf-Watcher.”

The other two kobolds had equally perplexing options, and Risha ended up settling on Black Canina for the first one. Despite the name of the evolution, the fur of the kobold was rusty red in front while being black in the back. He was smaller than the lupus kobolds, with a narrower face and longer ears. He seemed distracted with his evolution, but bowed to Risha all the same. His name was Wind-Whisperer

The second one was named Mist-Prowler, and she evolved into something called a Canis Latrans Kobold. Her fur was yellowish brown on her back with whitish fur on her underbelly. Her nose was narrow, and her eyes were a striking yellow. Risha actually recognized this one as a coyote. They were rarely seen, but often heard by hunters.

The three kobolds presented themselves to Risha. Sun-Chaser cleared her throat, then spoke. “There are more, but I wanted to let you rest, and these three have proven themselves.”

Risha nodded, “I’ll be with the rest of your people soon.”

Sun-Chaser led the three of them out of the tent, leaving just Klu and Glo.

Risha smiled at Glo. “I’m glad that you’re better.”

Glo frowned, but couldn’t hold it as he looked at Risha. “You worried us, Risha.”

Risha nodded, “It was something I had to do.”

“Did you?”

“The small Kobolds were like us Glo, I know you see it too.” Risha looked to the exit where the kobolds had just left. “They live and die at the whims of those above them, without the ability to change anything. I saw a way to free them, like I freed us.”

Glo made a noise in his throat.

Risha shrugged, then let out a breath of pain from the movement. Glo and Klu were beside her side in a second, but she waved them off.

“Earth-Shaker wanted to leave his mark, even in death.” Risha bared her teeth in pain. “I’m glad I ripped his throat out.”

Both of the monsters beside her nodded.

“Glo, Klu, I need your help.” Risha said. She met Tya’s gaze behind the two. Risha had made up her mind, and she felt that this was the only way to create something greater than a single Grand Mother.

The two men stood straight, recognizing the seriousness of her tone.

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“I want to erase the separation between kobold, goblin, spider and orc.” Risha saw the shock in their eyes, but continued. “I want you to have them fight together and live together. They are all brothers and sisters, children of the Grand Mother.”

The goblin and the orc shared a long look as they assessed each other.

“That won’t be easy.” Klu said. “Already, there are Goblin Elders that wish to see all orcs dead.”

“I know.” Risha said. “That’s why it has to be done. I won’t always be here, and I want our people to be one long after I’m gone. Have Sun-Chaser help you, but it has to be done.”

Klu bowed his head, “I follow your will, Grand Mother.”

Risha turned to Glo, only to see a war in his gaze as he struggled. Finally, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. “I… I will make it happen, Risha.”

“Thank you.” Risha paused, “It wasn’t easy for me Glo. It still isn't. But… We can do so much more. We can create a world where no goblin is looked down on, where all creatures can grow up safe in their homes.”

Glo looked up to meet her eyes, and Risha saw a caring goblin there, one who wanted the same world she did. But he was scared, and scarred.

“I am always with you. No matter what.” The words didn’t come easily to the goblin, but he meant them with all his heart.

“Good good. Now get out.” Tya said. She walked up to the both of them with her walking stick. “The Grand Mother needs to rest and heal.”

Risha smiled as Tya shepherded them both out with her stick, the small goblin making the grown creatures move with ease.

The tent flap closed behind the two, but Tya didn’t turn around.

“A long road.” Tya mumbled to herself, “But one worth walking.”

Risha pretended that she hadn’t heard as she slowly lowered herself into the furs. She did her best to ignore the pain in her back. Thankfully, she was tireder than she thought and quickly fell asleep.

She woke to the sound of partying. Goblins yelled and cheered as music started, howls quickly joined in. They celebrated their victory.

Risha smiled, enjoying the sound of her people celebrating. She opened her eyes, but Tya was gone from the tent and she was alone.

The tent flap moving brought her attention to the front.

A woman with skin as black as night walked in. Her eyes were dark orbs, and a red hourglass was tattooed on her forehead. She wore a crown of eight looped spider legs. Risha tensed as she took the woman in. She didn’t recognize the woman, and her powerful movements told her that she was a predator worth respecting.

“Hello, Grand Mother Risha.”

Risha relaxed, her mind recognizing the voice, despite the fact that it now spoke actual words. “Klaz’zks?”

“This form must have startled you. I apologize. It took me a while to get it right. My legs keep wanting to show themselves.” Matching her words, a long black leg extended from the Spider Queen’s back and waved at Risha before returning to the spider. “I’m sorry it took me so long to see you. There were some minor issues with the captured enemy spiders that I had to deal with. Your spiderlings were very helpful.”

A large cheer echoed out from the partying goblins.

“They are good children.” Risha motioned for the spider to move closer. Klaz’zks obliged and sat down on the edge of Risha’s bed. “I hope they don’t give you too much trouble.”

“Hmmm. They do not listen to me, but they are loyal to you. It is troublesome, but we have an understanding.” The woman crossed her leg as she watched Risha, her expression unreadable. “You don’t fear me.”

Risha tilted her head, “Should I? I respect you, and I know the power you hold. But no, I don’t fear you.”

Klaz’zks smiled, “Even the spider-goblins sometimes fear me. I am glad to see that you do not. I guess it’s only natural, for the one I am loyal to.” One of her long legs showed itself. Klaz’zks grabbed it and stroked it with her hands. “This body has such wonderful sensations. Your fingers feel things so differently.” She wiggled some of her fingers at Risha for emphasis.

A series of excited howls and yips made their way into the tent drawing both of their attention.

After they passed, the muted sounds of music and partying were all that filled the tent.

Risha studied the Spider Queen as she felt her spider leg with her fingers.

“Is there something on your mind, Klaz’zks?”

Klaz’zks paused for a moment, then kept petting her spider limb. “The spiders born this last year don’t remember. But I do. I remember the scar that marred my body, and the…” She grabbed her leg tight. “Punishments.” She quieted, her hands still. “The chains in my brothers and sisters are just a reminder of their cruelty.” She looked up, the black orbs that were her eyes meeting Risha’s. “I want to kill them all.”

More spider limbs appeared out of her back, until the whole bed Risha lay on was surrounded. Risha held the spider's gaze, crushing any fear before it could form.

Finally, the Spider Queen looked away, the limbs retracting. “Those who remember want the same. They do not think that the orcs deserve the mercy you have shown them.”

“What do you think?”

Klaz’zks pulled her humanoid legs up onto the bed and hugged them. “I don’t know. You may not know this, but I spoke with Klu soon after he joined us. I would’ve killed him and his family, except…”

“Except?”

“Shasha bowed before me, and although she could not speak, she offered herself up as an apology to sate my anger. Klu followed her, and begged for me to at least forgive their children.” Klaz’zks stared at the tent wall. “I almost killed them there. But something held me back. I chose to pardon their family for the sins of their people and forbade any spider from harming them.” Klaz’zks lowered her head. “But the orcs that serve you now, they are directly responsible for the torture of my family. How could I possibly forgive them?”

Risha looked down at her hands as tears started to form. How could she respond to that question? She knew that she would never be able to forgive the overseer for his actions, and she would kill him a thousand times over given the chance.

“That was the trouble I faced with the new spiders, they wished to massacre your prisoners, to kill them all. It was only out of respect for you and Klu that I forbade them from their vengeance. But how long will that last? My control isn’t absolute, and there are spiders that will gladly suffer the punishment of death if it means they could fulfill their vengeance.”

Risha cried at the words, tears streaming down her face. She felt guilty. She knew the depths of anger they must be feeling. She knew what the orcs had done. And she was the one who granted the orcs mercy. What horror did that make her?

A hand found its way to her head, then she was pulled into a hug. Soft hands rubbed her back while long spider limbs protectively wrapped around her. “I forget how young you are, Risha. I have… not a solution, but an idea.” Klaz’zks said.

Risha sniffled a little, then looked up, her vision still blurry from tears. Klaz’zks’s face was right there, looking at her with a sad smile.

“Have them willingly serve us. Have them make up for their sins. We will not harm them like they harmed us, but perhaps some of them will be capable of redeeming themselves.” Klaz’zks tilted her head, asking what Risha thought.

Risha nodded, then cleared her throat. “It will be done.”

“It’s a good start.”

Risha buried her head in the chest of the humanoid spider, letting out the stress that had been piling up within her as she cried.