The Bone Key turned out to be useful but redundant. Because the Goblins were able to locate Modok's Bone Key. In either case, having the key saved the trio a lot of time. Otherwise, they would have had to pick through a complex series of locks.
"Why do they even bother with locking their vaults if they all can be opened with the same Bone Key?" Graul wondered.
Ziplocke cackled and shared, "Legend has it that the vaults were designed by a Goblin named Swindle! They were the most secure Vaults the Fiends have ever seen, but there was one catch."
Leandra said, "Let me guess. He created one set of keys to open them all."
"Bingo!" Ziplocke cried.
"That still begs my original question. Why do they even bother with these vaults?" Graul asked again.
"Perhaps it's really hard to remove them? Or redesign them? We know Fiends are not the sharpest in terms of intellect," Leandra responded.
Ziplocke shrugged and added, "The story goes that Swindle's scheme was uncovered, and the Fiends had him torn apart into a thousand pieces and fed to Bloodlings."
"But he got the last laugh! Look at us! Robbing the Fiends with his key!" Leandra cheered.
All three laughed, and the sounds echoed off the empty castle. They each pulled their ears back and crouched.
"We are making too much noise," Ziplocke hissed.
"You think the Howlers will come in to investigate? Or have they wondered why they have not seen Modok?" Leandra wondered.
Graul snickered. "Let's rob the place."
Leandra disarmed the traps, both mechanical and Rune-inscribed. She took a step back after she completed her work.
"After you my liege," she said with a deep bow with her pointy ears nearly touching the floor. Graul giggled.
Ziplocke scowled but pressed forward. They were running out of time. He opened the large steel doors and sighed.
"Looks like Modok had financial issues," Leandra stated.
Graul scowled. "So what do we do now?"
Ziplocke tapped his chin. "I mean, I wouldn't call this an empty vault." He kicked an essence gem, and it skittered across the uneven floor.
"Let's collect all that we can!" Leandra said and she ran about picking up the silvery fist sized gems.
"Look at this!" Graul exclaimed and pointed.
The others came over to see what the stocky Greater Goblin was talking about. Leandra cocked her head.
"A dead portal," she snorted.
"Yes, but it's an anchor! It can allow Ziplocke to conserve energy when teleporting to and from here," Graul pointed out.
Ziplocke scowled and asked, "Why would we want to come back here? We looted everything."
Graul opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. He really didn't know why and replied, "It doesn't hurt, right? Good to have that option. You never know."
"Don't be ridiculous! Stop wasting time on silly ideas, and let's keep searching for loot," Ziplocke snapped.
Graul scowled at the Goblin Lord, and the three continued to collect the loose gems they had found along the floor. They managed to gather a nice pile. Not as much as they would have liked, but it was better than nothing.
"Maybe I can get that sword and shield," Graul said.
Ziplocke scoffed. "We are not using these gems for that. Pick a blade from one of these dead fighters. Here, take this one." The Goblin Lord snatched up a sword from a Howler's corpse.
Graul's face scrunched up. "That's a piece of junk! Besides, I prefer curved swords."
"Like this one?" Leandra said as she picked up a scimitar from a dead cultist.
"That could work, I suppose." Graul accepted the blade.
"There are plenty of daggers!" Leandra cheered. She picked up a pair and tucked them away into her dark jerkin.
"What about you? Will you take a weapon?" Graul asked Ziplocke.
"I'm not much of a fighter. You two being armed should be enough."
Leandra snickered. "Famous last words."
Graul joined in the laughter. "I want that shield we saw at the market," he said, when his laughter subsided.
"Fine, whatever! Let's go," Ziplocke snapped.
"Someone's cranky," Leandra muttered, and Graul snickered.
Ziplocke Summoned a shimmering purple Rift, and the three entered it. This time, Ziplcoke was able to get them closer to the Wayfare Market. They appeared just at the outskirts and just a few hundred strides away. They made their way through the bustling Market to the stall that sold weapons.
"You three again. I told you this was not a charity," the warty Fey hissed.
Graul swaggered forward and produced a shiny essence gem. "I want to purchase that shield," he said. He pointed to the round shield with the jagged edges.
The merchant glared and replied, "That will be more than one essence gem. It will cost you forty."
Graul nodded and produced more gems. "We also want some information. Where can one sell a Gem of Magnificence?"
The warty Dark Fey placed the shield on the county and arched an eyebrow. "Information costs extra, my little green friend. For an extra twenty gems, I will point you in the right direction."
"Sod off!" Graul snapped and slammed a fist on the counter.
Leandra scowled and said, "Let's find another merchant."
The three turned to depart and paused when the merchant beckoned them over.
"Okay, buy the shield, and I will tell you," the Dark Fey said.
"Tell us first," Ziplocke insisted.
Graul jingled the gems. The Dark Fey glanced around and leaned close.
"You will want to see The Winter Sprite. They like to deal in catalysts."
The Gem of Magnificent acted as a Catalyst that could trigger one's evolution or destruction if they were not ready.
"The Winter Sprite? Thank you," Graul replied and turned to depart.
"Hey! What about the shield?" The merchant asked.
Graul turned around with a grin. "I'll take it for thirty gems."
"You little cheats!" The Dark Fey snapped.
Ziplocke and Leandra giggled as Graul completed his purchase.
"I finally feel like a true warrior," the stocky Greater Goblin said. He had a curved sword at his hip and a shield strapped to his back.
Leandra rolled her eyes. "You are a Goblin! Sheesh!"
"Better he believes he is a warrior and dies first while we can make our escape," Ziplocke whispered loudly to Leandra.
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Graul scowled and puffed out his chest, "I am a respected fighter."
Leandra and Ziplocke giggled as they imagined Graul being killed for his false belief. The three traveled the Wayfare Market in search of the Winter Sprite. They passed stalls that sold rare metals. Another merchant had a pen full of exotic beasts. They came across a merchant that was a green-skinned Fey with wavy blond hair, pointy ears, and gossamer wings.
"Is she a Summer Fey?" Leandra asked in awe.
The merchant heard her and beckoned them over.
"Great, we don't have time for this," Ziplocke muttered.
Leandra ignored him and walked over to the blonde-haired merchant. "I never met a Summer Fey before," Leandra said.
"Well, we do exist," the merchant replied in a voice that sounded like flutes playing music.
"Not many are willing to travel to the Abyssal plane," Graul pointed out.
"You met one, now can we go?" Ziplocke insisted.
Leandra rolled her eyes and tapped her hand on the counter. "Don't mind my friend, he is cranky. What do you sell?"
"Pacts," the Summer Fey said.
"Pacts?" Graul and Leandra asked.
"Yes, contracts that bind. These are powerful enchantments that ensure honesty," the Fey said.
"Can I see that one? This is interesting," Leandra asked and pointed.
Ziplocke fumed and tapped his foot impatiently. The Summer Fey nodded and turned to gather the scroll that floated in the air. It reminded Ziplocke of the Pact he made with Jeze. This made him sad, and in turn, he became cranky.
"Let's go!" He snapped.
"Sorry! I'll try to come back," Leandra called back as Ziplocke dragged her away.
Grual snickered and sauntered after his colleagues. Leandra grinned at them.
"Why are you smiling?" Ziplocke demanded.
Leandra answered, "Oh, no reason."
"Thief!" The Summer Fey called out.
"Don't look back," Leandra said through the side of her mouth. "Just keep moving," she added.
The three hurried a little faster.
"That Goblin is a Thief!" The merchant cried.
All eyes turned to the three. They were the only Goblins.
“Run!” Leandra cried.
The three Summoned and Shape Shadows as they ran. They ducked behind another heavy stall. They were breathing hard.
"Why did you do that?" Graul hissed.
"This could come in handy," Leandra replied as she held up a scroll that glowed with golden light.
"Fools!" Ziplocke said but snickered. They got something for free!
The Goblin Lord's delight ended when the air shimmered and a huge creature appeared before them. It's skin was the color of Iron, it had a large bulbous nose, and enormous hands that ended with sword-like claws. The beast was the size of a Greater Fiend and towered over the three Goblins.
"Is that an Iron Troll?" Leandra stammered.
Graul readied his sword and shield.
"Run fools!" Ziplocke cried.
He dragged the two away with him before the Troll's giant fist crashed down on the ground that, shook the earth and sent dirt flying in all directions. They ran for their lives as more Iron Trolls materialized into view. Despite their enormous size, the Trolls moved quickly, and the Goblins had to run as fast as their tiny legs could carry them. They dodged snatching claws and ran under shoppers' legs. They created Shadows to duck into and hurried through the narrow spaces between stalls. They hopped over piles of trash, and no matter how often they turned, they still ran into another materializing Iron Troll.
"How are they doing this?" Leandra demanded.
"We told you not to steal!" Ziplocke snapped back.
"Now is not the time!" Graul cried.
The three spun around and dodged the Trolls enormous fist as it crashed into the ground. They regrouped and ran some more. Ahead of them was a Fey merchant covered in thorns who furiously beckoned them to come to his stall.
"What do we do?" Leandra asked.
At the moment, there was no Iron Troll in sight. But, the three knew in their dark little hearts that one would appear soon.
"Go with him!" Ziplocke shouted.
The three ran and the thorny Fey ushered them inside his tent. The Goblins hid among crates and barrels that smelled of dirt and rot. They felt the ground shake as the Iron Trolls lumbered past. The monsters did not speak and they only had one purpose and that was to pulverize the Goblins into dust.
"They really take their jobs seriously," Ziplocke observed after it became quiet.
"Yes. Sticks and splinters. It is the only way to keep the Market going," their savior stated in a voice that sounded like leaves rustling in the wind.
"Thank you," Leandra said. She shared a glance with her colleagues. They shrugged their shoulders.
"Do not thank me. Bristles and bushes. This was not free. Brambles and thorns," the Fey hissed.
"Why do you talk like that?" Leandra wondered.
"Like what? Snags and snares," the Fey answered.
Ziplocke glanced toward the exit and saw that it was blocked by thick vines with sharp thorns that glistened with a foul-smelling liquid. Probably poison, Ziplocke decided.
"What is your name, and are you from the Winter Court?" He asked.
"My name is Blackthorn, cuts and scrapes. I hail from no court. Itches and scratches," the Fey replied. His dark eyes twitched, and his lips sneered and grinned.
"You are an odd fellow," Leandra decided.
"What do you want from us?" Graul demanded. His hand was on his sword handle.
The vine-colored Fey sneered and hissed, "Your blood, rot, and mold."
Graul unshouldered his shield and drew his sword. Blackthorn made no move other than his twitching and blinking eyes.
"I don't think he is afraid of you," Ziplocke whispered.
Graul scowled but refrained from attacking. The Goblin warrior held his weapons at the ready.
"How much blood?" Leandra asked with an arched eyebrow.
Blackthorn chuckled. It made the sound of twigs breaking. "You are the practical one. Mulch and decay. Not a lot, just a prick. Slash and gash."
"Why?" Ziplocke wondered.
"Your kind is rare. You used to rule, but now you are fading. Wash and rain. Blackthorn would like a taste before you rotted and gone."
"What if we refuse?" Graul asked.
"I take what I want and turn your bodies over to the Iron Trolls," Blackthorn stated without any twitches on his face or odd expressions.
Ziplocke felt the tent grow cold, and his throat became dry.
"We have a Goblin Lord with us," Graul stated.
Ziplocke gulped.
"Do we have a deal?" Blackthorn asked Leandra.
"Just a prick? Sure," she replied with a smile.
"Sensible," Blackthorn hissed.
He pricked Leandra with a thorny finger. Her blood soaked into his vine-like skin, and Blackthorn moaned as if he tasted something delicious. The vines that blocked the exit unfurled. Without a word, the three Goblins exited the tent in a hurry.
"That was odd," Ziplocke said.
The others nodded in agreement.
"So, let's find the Winter Sprite," Leandra stated.
The Three Goblins stuck to the shadows and searched the Market. When it became evident that the Winter Sprite did not have a sign that announced his or her name, the three asked around. Several hours later, with several essence stones less, the three approached a plain-looking stall where a gaunt Fey with white robes stood behind.
"Winter Sprite?" Ziplocke asked.
"Yes?" the gaunt Fey replied with an arched eyebrow. His voice rumbled like the sound of a harsh wind.
"Do you have a Gem of Magnificence?" Leandra asked.
"Why do you ask for something so specific?" The Winter Sprite demanded. The air grew cold in an instant.
The question surprised the three Goblins. "We were told you were the one to buy such a gem," Ziplocke stammered.
"What else do you know?" The cold blue Fey asked as he leaned forward.
Ice formed along the floor, and crystals gathered along Ziplocke's pointed nose. Why did no one respect a Goblin Lord? He wondered, but it was clear why. The Winter Sprite was tall and intimidating! Meanwhile, a Goblin Lord was still a small creature with stubby horns.
Graul's hands went to his weapons.
"We heard that a human had one and was looking to sell it," Leandra stated.
"Are you involved with this human?" The Winter Sprite demanded. Ice began to form along the Goblins' bodies.
"Why would we be involved with them? We are looking for a Gem of Magnificence!" Graul snapped. The Greater Goblin had lost his patience.
The air returned to normal as the Winter Sprite nodded. "Ah, well, they refused to sell it to me."
"Why didn't you kill them?" Leandra asked.
"It hadn't occurred to me," the Fey answered.
"But you nearly killed us!" Ziplocke shrieked.
"Stop being so dramatic," the Winter Sprite said with a wave of a cold blue hand.
"I'm confused. So we are not fighting? Whatever," Graul muttered, and he put his weapons away.
Ziplocke wondered if arming the Greater Goblin was a good idea. Graul appeared to have developed an unsafe level of overconfidence. He shook his head.
"Do you know where the humans went?" Ziplocke asked.
"I can do better. I can tell you where they are staying," the Winter Sprite answered.
"How do you know that?" Leandra asked.
"I have my ways."
"Care to tell us?" Graul asked.
"For a price," the Winter Sprite stated.
"Of course, there is a price. I am starting to remember why I hated coming here," Ziplocke muttered.
Leandra crossed her arms and asked, "What's the price?"
"The Heart from a Greater Fiend."
Ziplocke's eyes went wide. Where are they expected to find that?!? Then it occurred to him, and he groaned. Graul was right. The scarred Goblin snickered.
"I told you so," he stated.
The body of Modok was still back at the castle. A dead Greater Fiend with its dark heart still in his chest. Why did the universe hate me? Ziplocke wondered.
"Wait a minute. How do we know you are telling the truth?" Leandra asked.
"You don't," the Winter Sprite said.
"Use your scroll!" Ziplocke cried.
Leandra beamed at her colleagues. "Told you this was worth it."
She held up the scroll she stole. It was a binding scroll to ensure fair business deals. If the Winter Sprite refused the Pact, then they know he was lying. If he agreed, then they would have to travel back to Modok's castle and cut out the Greater Demon's heart from his dead chest.
Graul giggled and said, "It's always good to keep your options open."
Ziplocke slapped his forehead and rubbed his face. Why me? He wondered.