Jeb's Home.

The Trap Master watched Jeb leave the yard-turned-battlefield in a state of increasing exhaustion. Though he couldn't blame him after the spectacle that the kobolds had just witnessed, and the dwarves experienced firsthand.

The wailing balls vanished with whimpers, their cries echoing throughout the air one last time before they faded from their mortal view. As did the wicker beasts that prowled the area. They continued on their unseen and unknowing paths even as they flickered in and out of view for a minute more before they too vanished from their sight. Leaving the kobolds with nothing more than the eerie landscape just immediately surrounding them, and the dwarves whos wails of despair and pain they could hear just down the hill.

The Trap Master shook the kobolds from their stupors. They had an assignment to fulfill, and they would see to it they completed it as requested of them. So the kobolds marched warily over to where the dwarves were even as barrels were aimed in the direction of the cries.

The kobolds were surprised at the state the dwarves were in when they crested the hill where they were crouched behind. Ten dwarves were in various states of submersion beneath the dark soil. What flesh they could see was torn and bleeding, the soil and thorns still embedded within being the only things keeping them from bleeding to death.

Though it looked like it might not be enough for a couple, the Trap Master thought as the kobolds began to drag and dig the gibbering and whimpering dwarves out of the soil. Those that seemed to suffer the most from Jeb's attack were those that were strong enough to try and escape the thorned vines, and their very flesh suffered for it.

One dwarf's arm was naught but bone and sinew with the barest of flesh being the only thing keeping it from falling off the dwarf's shoulder. The packed soil was just barely keeping him from bleeding more than he had already if the red tinted earth was anything to go by.

The rest were in little better state, wounds were deep and many. Some of the dwarves hacked and coughed up dark soil as their faces were quickly dug free of their earthly prisons. The only reason none had died yet was the soil that caked their bodies acting as a form of dark earthy clottage.

Not that the kobolds particularly cared. Jeb wanted them alive, and so alive they will be. But that didn't mean the kobolds were going to be kind. They were rough as they pulled the dwarves free, and harshly pushed the dark dirt into the still bleeding wounds to keep them still among the living a while longer.

Their tribe didn't have the bad blood with dwarves as some of the other kobold tribes did when their tribe's would sometimes meet, trade, and swap stories. Their main worries were predators in the jungle, fishfolk and other savage tribes of primitive apes that were less than neighborly with the kobolds. As were small enclaves of jungle elves that protected ancient sites dedicated to their primal gods.

The dwarves were shaken and pale from their experience, though it was hard to tell if it was blood loss or terror. Again, the kobolds didn't care one way or another. Those whose legs were shredded too much to walk or too weak were thrown over the backs of salamanders while the rest were aggressively prodded with spears and gun barrels as the dwarves were led to the cabin

-----

Ruby meanwhile was busy resting when she heard the commotion from outside, then she felt it. Jeb's power. As did the rest of the kobolds. They all were worried and curious as to what was happening. Ruby cradled her swollen belly in worry even as the two egg-maids helped comfort her.

Her comfort was short-lived however, before long the basement door that led to the back of the property darkened, and dwarves were shoved and pushed in. The frightened dwarves looked up at the many eyes of the kobolds and salamanders that glared at them with a mix of fear and hatred as before them were yet more invaders that wanted to snuff them out.

Few of the dwarves had the energy or even will to meet their fiery gazes. Most were in states of shock, some whimpered and moaned in pain, while others muttered prayers to their Stone Father. Others hummed soothing tunes to themselves. But all were in no condition to fight against the kobolds in an effort to escape.

The dwarves in the best of conditions were forced into a section of the basement that was partially sectioned off by two shelves that once held an abundance of canned rations. Several kobolds took watch over them as the worst were led off to a corner of the basement free of current use.

One dwarf was still clutching a bloodied piece of leather to a missing eye while another was barely conscious as drops of blood leaked from his barely attached arm. The kobolds tore bits of cloth while dirt from outside was collected and used to stem the bleeding. But the eye was long gone and the arm would more than likely be amputated, either by the dwarves themselves or the kobolds.

Ruby shuffled over to the Trap Master, who stared at the dwarves with a detached air.

"What happened?!"

The Trap Master glanced to the Den Mother for but a moment before returning his gaze to their prisoners.

"These dwarves intruded upon our home. And Jeb took care of it."

Ruby looked at the state the dwarves were in. Just what had Jeb done to them, Ruby thought as she left them and slowly made her way over to the stairs to find Jeb. The egg-maids following close behind and aiding her up the steps.

When she found Jeb he was passed out on the couch. But his rest looked less than peaceful to her as he twitched and jerked in his sleep. The Chief was nearby and looked conflicted between wanting to wake Jeb and get answers or to leave him to rest. Ruby was as well. But they needed to know what was happening.

"Jeb?" Ruby asked as she shook him gently with her claw.

Jeb startled awake and looked frantically around at the assembled kobolds.

"Wh-what?!"

"Jeb?! It's alright! It's just us!" Ruby said placatingly as she slowly got closer to Jeb to hug him.

He wasn't doing good, she thought with concern. His eyes had a hollow and haunted look to them even as they darted about franticly and his muscles tensed like they were ready to do combat at a moments notice.

"Jeb?! What happened?! Are you alright?!"

Stolen story; please report.

Jeb focused on her at last and held her close.

"We can't keep goin' like this. It's too much, for all of us."

"What can we do then?" The Chief asked as he saw Jeb calm a bit.

Jeb looked conflicted. Like he didn't want to say something out loud. But then he got a resigned and sad look on his face.

"We have to leave."

The kobolds looked shocked by what Jeb had said.

"Leave? But this is your home! Our home now!"

"It's just four walls and some windows and doors. Ain't nothin' special 'bout that." Jeb said sadly. Like he was trying to convince himself more than the kobolds.

The kobolds looked at one another, unsure how exactly to process this information. The Chief spoke after a moment.

"Where would we go then? And how with so many nearby that wish us ill?"

Jeb fished his phone from off the table nearby. He turned it on and searched for what he was looking for before turning around and showing the kobolds, and the Trap Master that had left the dwarves under watchful eyes and joined the others. On the phone was a series of pictures and two words in bold.

TROUTS LANDING!

"What's that?" The Trap Master voice the question they all had.

"A fishing tourist spot a few miles north of here. Or it used to be before the economy caused it to shut down some years ago. It's abandoned now, but back in the day it used to be a place people would go to fish up all sorts of things, catfish, trout, bass. I doubt it's changed much since. But it's a good spot to relocate to. It's small and out of the way. River and woods for food and resources. It's been abandoned and most places nowadays list it as simply Trout now." Jeb explained as more and more kobolds from nearby came closer to peer at the pictures of what was to possibly be their new home.

"But how would we get there?" The Chief asked.

"That has been what I've been thinkin' about for some time now. And thanks to our bearded friends downstairs, I might have a solution." Jeb stated.

"What is this solution?" The Trap Master asked as the phone was taken from Jeb and passed around to the kobolds to see.

"We trade the dwarves for safe passage. The train nears the road north a couple miles that way. We can use the dwarves to get a ride on the train, thus avoidin' havin' to go through town. Once we get to a good spot we get off and make our way to Trout."

"What will we do once we get there?" The Chief asked.

"Whatever we want. We wouldn't have to worry about the townsfolk nosin' up here anymore. The Feds might still follow us but that won't be for sometime. And we won't have to deal with goblins... or Ma." Jeb said the last part sadly and a bit quieter that only he and Ruby could hear it.

"But, what about your family?" Ruby asked as she placed a claw on Jeb's knee.

Jeb just smiled sadly and picked Ruby up and held her close.

"You're my family now."

They'll be better off without us here anyway, Jeb thought to himself as he recalled his father's bleeding face and sad eyes. Yeah, he'd be better if Jeb and them left. They'd be away from his mother and whatever horror show she has planned for him, and his father wouldn't have to worry so much about him and potentially risk his own life like today.

The kobolds murmured uncertainly. They had grown used to their new home and now they were finding out they had to leave again. But the idea of yet more invaders being so close by helped dampen that feeling. Before long the voices against the idea had fallen in favor of concern for details like food and shelter where they were heading.

"The river should still have plenty of fish even this time of year if you know how to get 'em. Even then, it's not like we'll run out of food." Jeb said as he conjured a black bitter apple and tossed it to one of the kobolds.

"As for shelter. There should still be a handful of guest cabins, administration buildings and shops that should still be in decent enough condition. The rest we can throw together when we get there."

The kobolds still weren't sure about the idea. But with dwarves, humans, and goblins all targeting them and feeling surrounded they weren't going to argue. Some were even ready for the idea of picking up and moving again. The hatchlings that had come to see what the gathering was all about were chittering excitedly at going to a new place.

Jeb looked down at Ruby's swollen belly. He just hoped nothing happened between now and then. He offered a silent prayer that they didn't come until after they were safe and away from threats and danger.

The Chief looked to Jeb.

"When do you wish to depart, Master Jeb?"

"Soon. The sooner the better. Not sure how long before more dwarves and townsfolk come back, or if my Ma will come down. But I'd rather it be AFTER we had already left."

The three kobold leaders looked to one another. Then they sighed and nodded in understanding. It was in the best interest for everyone to make ready to leave their home. The Chief and Trap Master gathered kobolds around. Some were to gather medicine and supplies for the road. The skirmishers were to keep constant watch for signs of invaders. The rest were to begin packing up anything and everything. They would leave nothing for the invaders if they could help it.

Ruby and Jeb watched the kobolds dart around as they threw everything into makeshift packs and garbage bags. Silverware that hadn't yet been taken was quickly snatched up. All of Jeb's kobold proofing was quickly torn away and discarded. Causing a chuckle to escape from his lips at the thought that they could've gotten into anything they wanted around here and he couldn't've stopped them. Kitchen appliances still in one piece were taken or scrapped.

What the kobolds couldn't pack or carry were disassembled or broken down. His TV was laid to rest as the screen was pried off and the circuitry was gutted out and nothing was left before long, not even the plastic frame. His furniture wasn't much better as couch cushions and stuffing was taken and stripped for all it was worth as the kobolds scraped and salvaged everything they could get their hands on.

He figured it would be a few days, maybe a week for them to get ready to leave. But at this rate it could be a day or maybe even a few hours! Which was a mixed blessing for Jeb. He had thought he would have time to better settle with his decision. But he could do that after they were all gone away and safe, he thought as he got up with Ruby still in his arms as they looked around at their former home being stripped and salvaged by the swarm of red scaled bodies.

Jeb and Ruby made their way upstairs, with Jeb still holding her close to his chest. Some of the kobolds hurried after them and scattered when they reached the top. The two walked into Jeb's room alone while their home was being deconstructed for everything of worth. Out the corner of Jeb's eye he could see his private armory being broken into and guns and ammo of various shapes and sizes being collected as was his HAM radio.

Jeb and Ruby looked around the room they had called theirs for some time now. The bathroom was still a mess, as was the poor bed that had seen and felt much in the past month or so. Jeb was honestly surprised it hadn't rained or even snowed yet as he looked out the bedroom window and saw the flurry of activity in his backyard. It was almost December! He chuckled sadly, Thanksgiving was next week and it would be the first one he's missed.

But it was for the best of everyone, he thought as kobolds darted into the room and began to filch everything. Though Jeb managed to grab the fur blanket and a bug-out bag from under his bed he had for just such an occasion. He wrapped Ruby up in the blanket and held her in the furry swaddle.

He sighed.

"Didn't think you lot would be so good, and quick, at this."

Ruby sighed as well.

"Hopefully this will be the last time we have to leave our home."

Jeb kissed her head.

"It will. Once we're away from here. We'll be ok. We'll be safe and happy."

Ruby hoped that were true. Though she'll miss her new home. She was glad that Jeb and their children would be away from The Crone and whatever she had planned for Jeb.

-----

The Trap Master looked around the burrow. It was alive with frantic energy as their home was quickly pulled apart. Cages of squirrels, hares, and birds that had not been eaten by the salamanders, yet, were quickly packed up and covered with cloth to hopefully prevent the gluttonous salamanders from snacking on them as was small buckets of the crustaceans they had collected before it got too cold and difficult for them to harvest. The kobold's attempts at making rifles and other firearms were packed up with haste as was everything else they could pack into easily movable forms, what was too heavy was tied to the back of salamanders to haul or scrapped.

The lair that held their supply of poisons and toxins was left alone, save for some samples and starts that was safely stored so that they would have a head start in their new home. If the invaders wanted this land then they can deal with the poisonous spores and slime they had cultivated. The other samples and plants that wouldn't kill them were also taken and stored for travel.

Food was being hurriedly prepared in an effort to have it last longer for their journey. Water was collected into skins and bottles. Clothing was made from what they could to last the trip. Hatchlings were being rounded up and collected into a group and told what to do to be safe and avoid being separated.

The Trap Master didn't like leaving on such short notice, but he didn't find fault with the idea of leaving before more enemies arrived. They beat back the last group with Jeb's help. But Jeb was already worn and tired. If yet more arrived how long would he last in his current state?

So he sighed and left the burrow to get organized while he checked on the skirmishers once more. Some would go on last minute hunting trips close by, most would continue to watch for signs of anymore invaders.

-----

The Chief was muttering as he went through the various books in Jeb's library. While there weren't many, they were useful in many ways. Some held maps of this world. Other's held knowledge of flora and fauna. He wanted to take all the books with them to their new home.

But alas, he would have to sacrifice some for the sake of speed and space. He offered some books to the kobolds nearby to store, some he tore pages he thought were interesting or important and placed them into a collection he was forming that held various torn and seemingly random pages.

While he did so, the rest of the tribe were busy scavenging what they could of the study. Chairs were stripped, books deemed unimportant were skinned of their leather covers, even the floorboards were being broken up! All was being scavenged and salvaged.

He would miss his days of going through all the tales they told and the information he had gleamed from them. But all good things must come to an end eventually, he thought as he took down a few more books about hunting and wilderness survival and gave them to the kobolds who placed them within packs.

The tribe had to do what it could to survive after all, and they didn't know how soon the next wave of invaders would arrive, or what form they'll be in.