Grillek and Lom are being chased by the hunters. If they are captured they will spend the rest of their lives in the mines. This is punishment under the tyranny of King Zazzel. They were nearing freedom, they originally had a third companion, Skrill, who is now riding among the hunters. Grilleck and Lom were near the sanctuary, and then, WHOMP. A net fell over them.
“So close, I thought we were so close to freedom,” Grillek said.
“Keep your mouth closed, I’ll do the talking,” Lom said.
The horses and wagon surrounded the poor goblins. Their captors got off their horses, one of them, with two pairs of cuffs. Soon, Grillek and Lom will be put in a cage and then transported to the nearest stronghold. They will be found guilty in a sham trial and will spend the rest of their lives in the mines, gathering ore for the King. But as fate would have it, that will not happen today. For today, Grillek and Lom’s luck will change.
“Alright let’s bag these two, Skrill, you cuff them,” said an older goblin.
“But, that was not part of the-”
“Do it, or you’ll join them.”
Skrill walked over to Grillek and Lom. He sighed and unhooked the cuffs. He knew Grillek would accept his fate. Skrill remembered how it was Grillek who had pity on him. This is not going to be easy for Skrill. Skrill reached for Grillek’s hands, they were limp. He looked at Grillek’s eyes, tears. Skrill looked away.
“You can’t look him in the eyes, you traitor, can’t you? Scum of the earth, you’ll get what’s coming to you!”
“Please, don’t make this hard for me.”
“I’ll make this uncomfortable, remember how we saved you? I didn’t want to, you know that? But Grillek, sweet Grillek, he had compassion on you, he used up what coin he saved for the antidote and this is how you treat us?”
Before Skrill could respond, a long, calming hum was approaching. Everyone stopped, and paid attention to the loud hum. Around a minute later, two older ladies emerged from the forest. The taller one has long, pepper hair, and an annoyed look on her face. She was wearing a long shirt, with brown pants and nice leather boots. She was carrying a small bag around her shoulder.
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The shorter one had black hair, and was humming. She was wearing a headscarf with a pattern of roses on it. She was wearing multiple layers of clothes, and was carrying a bigger bag. They both stopped in front of Grillek and Lom.
“Oh my what do we have here?” the short woman said. “Oh, where are my manners? My name is Naomi, and this is my sister Zillah.”
Zillah nodded, and began to inspect the situation. In her mind the gears were turning. She was forming a plan. She noticed her sister’s hands slowly reaching for her bag. Always impulsive. Zillah cleared her throat, which caused Naomi to slowly back her hands away from her bag.
“My sister and I were just passing through, and oh my it looks like you have two captives! What did these poor souls do?”
“It’s none of your concern,” the older goblin said.
“Oh I suppose it’s not, where are you people headed?”
“Back to Stronghold Twelve.”
Those goblins, so creative with their city names Zillah thought.
“Well I guess we should be on our way.”
Naomi and Zillah scurried away, the goblins did not pay much attention to them. Skrill was ordered to cuff his former compainions. Grilleck, as expected, did not resist, but Lom had to be knocked out. The other goblins put Grilleck and Lom into a cage and headed off toward Stronghold Twelve. However, night was fast approaching.
Two hours later, the goblins made camp. It was off the side of the road, hidden by bushes. Grilleck and Lom were given little to eat, enough to keep them alive. A guard was posted near them, but as soon as the dinner bell rang, the guard left his posting. The other goblins shared some chickens they stole from a farm. While Grilleck and Lom had some sort of mush.
Then the mead came out. And soon the goblins sang songs in their horrible screeching tone. Grilleck was on his back, staring at the stars, dreaming of freedom. Lom, on the other hand, was staring at the other goblins and seething.
“Hello dearies,” came a whisper from behind the cage.
“Who’s there? Show yourself!” said Lom.
“Please don’t be alarmed, it’s us, Naomi and Zillah.”
“Oh, you two, what do you want?”
“We are here to rescue you, please drink this tea my sister prepared,” said Zillah
“Why should I, wait, your patch, you’re part of the resistance, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and I suggest you drink this, it’ll help, but quickly.”
Lom was given tea, as Naomi gave Grilleck his tea, she told him it was special. Grilleck and Lom drank their tea. Both became energetic, and alert, the two goblin’s strength has returned. Grilleck didn’t feel this much alive in ages, he still felt some sadness, but now with his mind clear, he can begin to heal. Lom was on high alert, ready to strike.
“Ok sweeties, this way,” said Naomi.
Grilleck and Lom turned around, a small portion of the cage was gone. Without hesitation, Grilleck and Lom went through the opening. They followed the older women until they reached a wagon. Four riders were on horseback. Grillek and Lom went into the carriage, while Naomi and Zillah went on top. The group quietly left for Darn, about ten minutes later, Grillek and Lom were fast asleep.