Paul’s POV

Paul called a council together to discuss the lack of iron in his territory. He had a representative of each goblin village, as well as Rikkard, Grag, Liora, the alchemist, named Gideon, and Krelgr. He hoped each knew enough about iron to know what it was and how they were going to get it.

“Welcome.” Paul started, “I have gathered you al here to discuss our sorry state of iron. We need more to keep our weapons ready and to build fortifications. So, I’ll put it simply, does anyone have ideas on where we could get iron from?”

They were all quiet for a moment before one of the chiefs of a conquered village spoke up, “When we need things we can’t get we get more from raids.”

“While raids may solve the problem in the short term, we are looking for a more permanent solution.” Paul said.

“There used to be an iron mine in the forest. It was a few weeks travel west from here, but it has been abandoned for years. Monsters lair there now.” Rikkard said.

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Paul said. “A mine is perfect.”

“A few weeks travel west, means that many hostile tribes between us and it.” Liora said. “We would need to send scouts to find the mine, then take all the tribes between us and it.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.” Paul said. “Our forces have only grown stronger recently.”

“Unless we run into a village like the Blood Fangs.” Liora said.

The Blood Fangs were the hobgoblins who used celestial magic against Liora in their early days of being in the Deepwood. They had a village of at least 100 hobgoblins and maybe twice that in slaves of various species. Paul had been gathering information on the village and their leader, Grognak, and their priest of Zugnorak, Char.

Char was a powerful priest of Zugnorak. His tether was strong enough that he could summon enough power to purge Liora. Paul wanted to know if he could personally resist. He couldn’t risk his undead soldiers though. If Char was powerful enough to purge Liora, he would probably shatter Paul’s other undead forces.

The rest of his army was about 60 goblins, 10 hobgoblins, and 6 ogres. He wasn’t sure if his army could win. Rikkard was confident that a single hobgoblin could kill at least 10 goblins each and if things looked too grim, his goblin forces might just flee the field.

“Any other ideas?” Paul asked.

“There is a bog southwest of here.” Gideon said. “It is only a few days from Gravewell.”

“What of it?” Paul asked.

“With a mine so close, a bog in the area might have bog iron.” Gideon replied.

“Do you know of this bog, Rikkard?” Paul asked.

“Yes. Sometimes we trade with the lissik there.” Rikkard said.

“What’s a lissik?” Paul asked.

“They are froglike creatures, often called bog goblins.” Rikkard scratched his cheek. “But I’ve never heard of bog iron before.”

“It’s a red spongy stone.” Gideon said excitedly. “I can point it out if we get to the bog and your… bog goblins don’t know what it is. Bogs are also a great place to find rare herbs.”

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“Alight. Rikkard arrange for scouts to go to the bog. It will be our first target.” Paul said. “We will scout the villages between here and there. If they won’t be too much trouble we won’t have to march too many troops down to the bog. Any guesses how the lissik will react to us?”

“Hard to say.” Rikkard replied. “They aren’t a particularly rowdy bunch. As far as I know the hobgoblin and goblin tribes haven’t attacked into the bog. Why bother? There are easier targets in easier terrain to navigate.” Rikkard looked at the gathered goblin chiefs. “Have any of you attacked into the bog?”

They all shook their heads. The gathered chiefs didn’t seem like the bravest bunch. Paul had left the goblin villages to manage themselves, as long as they paid tribute and supplied soldiers for his army.

A commotion started outside, causing Paul to lose his train of thought. Soon there was loud yelling and screeching. A small goblin ran into the hut.

“Master, master, there is a vampire at the edge of the village. She says she needs to talk to you.” He said.

“Another vampire?” Liora said. “Do we know any other vampires?”

“Not that I am aware of.” Paul said, a little confused who could possibly know he was here. Not wanting to look indecisive in front of his troops he said, “Let’s go see who this vampire is.”

Paul and his followers left the hut and followed the goblin to where the vampire awaited.

At the edge of the village was a female elf in black robes with silver runes stitched into it. The most fascinating part of her was her eyes, they were purple orbs of flame. She had long silver hair tied back in a ponytail, reaching down to her waist. Her nails were long and slightly intimidating. Paul couldn’t tell why it affected him that way.

The woman was surrounded by goblins with spears. You wouldn’t know it from the look of her. A look of mild amusement was on her face. When she noticed Paul, however, her face lit up.

“I am High Priestess Eryndral.” She said loud enough for them all to hear. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Paul.”

Liora’s shadowy figure darkened slightly as she stepped closer to Paul. “High Priestess, is it? What brings you to the heart of the Deepwood looking for Paul?”

“I have had a vision from Shiiraviia.” Eryndral raised her hands to the sky. “Through her you have conquered part of the Deepwood. She would see you defeat all the Deepwood, and maybe the world, but she needs more worshippers. I have been sent to convert the souls of the Deepwood to her worship.”

“We are already working on converting goblins to Shiiraviia’s worship.” Paul said.

“Yes, and you have had a little success in Gravewell, but what about the rest of your kingdom?” Eryndral said. “What have you done with the rest of your kingdom? I can create priests of Shiiraviia to spread her worship faster.”

“I’ve never heard of priests and priestesses of Shiiraviia.” Liora said.

She has priestesses and priests alike, as well as prophets, like me.” Eryndral said. “Shiiraviia had put some eggs in the Alaric basket, but you know how that turned out. Now she plans on using you.”

“Why would Shiiraviia be interested in me?” Paul asked.

“She is interested in all her worshippers, as she has so few.”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it.” Paul replied.

“Shiiraviia knows you will become great and wants in before you forget your allegiance.” Eryndral said.

Paul watched Eryndral for a time. He could see some merit to what she was saying. The priestess also knew a lot about him and his forces. He had never personally felt overly called to Shiiraviia. He worshipped her as a vampire because Alaric did. Still, it was daunting to thing a goddess was watching him closely.

“Let her pass.” Paul finally said.

The goblin lowered their spears. Eryndral smiled wider and stepped forward, towards Paul. Liora got between her and Paul.

“I have other news.” Eryndral said, not paying any mind to Liora. “In the mine to the west is a powerful lich. His name is Thalarius and he is a dedicant of Shiiraviia. He will make a powerful ally.”

“Thank you for the information, but for now we will get iron from a source closer to home.” Paul said.

“But,” Eryndral started.

“But we have other considerations to make other than the mine itself. We need iron now, and what lies between us and each target needs to be taken into consideration.”

Eryndral looked like she wanted to argue more, to get Paul to the mine, but he cut her off first.

“If you want to stay and spread the word of Shiiraviia that is fine, but you will not question me.” Paul stepped past Liora and closer to Eryndral, “Is that understood?”

Eryndral opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. Slowly she nodded, “Understood. I knew Shiiraviia would choose a strong leader.”

“Great, now there is another bloodsucker looking for a free meal.” Rikkard said.

Paul smirked as he looked back at Rikkard. “Prepare the scouts.”