Out of Darkness 3
The long bellowing sound of the warning horn rang out over the village of Shelter. Its unusual cadence seed to vibrate in peoples bones and put them on edge. Geralhd, Beardy, and Blacknail followed Tannin and the other villagers over to the town gate. Everyone was talking to each other as they strode purposely forward. The air was thick with tension and everyone looked fearful and nervous. Blacknail was at the very back and there was a cheerful spring in his step as he skipped along after the humans. This was going to be great fun!
Ive already called up the town militia, Tannin was explaining to Geralhd. Id like you to arm your own n and join us. The stronger and steadier we look the less likely this situation is to fall to bloodshed.
What? We cant trust them! another villager protested. He was a middle-aged man with a balding head. Theyre probably the reason these outsiders are here. It cant be a coincidence that we get one group of intruders right after the other.
Could they be after you? When you first ca here, you did ntion that you were looking to escape from so enemies that you had made, Tannin asked as he turned to face Geralhd.
Its highly bloody unlikely, Geralhd quickly responded in an offended tone. We had rivals we were avoiding but the timing for this makes no sense. They have no reason to search the Green for a full month in the slim hope of catching us! They would gain absolutely nothing from that, and our trail is beyond cold and dead. How could they possibly know where we are?
As he frowned thoughtfully, Tannin considered this answer. After a mont, he nodded and turned back to the man who had spoken. I have to agree with Geralhd. Theyve been here too long for this to be soone looking for their tracks. That ans that this isnt directly related to them, so we need to trust our guests for now. Were all in this ss together.
Well know who the newcors are soon enough, I guess. I have a feeling we're not going to like it, though, the balding man replied as he stared off toward the gate.
I fear youre right, Tannin agreed. He sounded apprehensive. While they were talking, Gerahld sent Beardy off to gather up the remaining mbers of their band.
Nothing more of much importance was said until they reached the gates. When they got there, Tannin climbed up the ladder that led to the watch platform, as the others peered through the gaps in the log walls. Blacknail jumped up and pulled his head over the wall so he could see. His display of agility got him a few looks but everyone had more important things to worry about than him.
Damnation, there are a lot of the bastards, Tannin cursed as he studied the approaching group. Blacknail agreed with him.
Across the field, the hobgoblin could see a large mob of humans. They definitely looked like bandits to Blacknail, and he was an expert. They were wearing dirty, rough clothing and they were ard to the teeth. Blacknail could see a plethora of weapons such as swords and axes. However, most telling of all, they were walking with an arrogant swagger that promised violence at the drop of a hat. Blacknail knew it well.
Ya, these ruffians look like trouble, Geralhd comnted to no one in particular.
Blacknail began counting, but then got frustrated and stopped. They kept moving around, but he figured there were just over a hundred intruders. That was more than Blacknail had been planning on dealing with. Stupid Elyias couldnt do anything right. Hmmm, this was a bit of a problem. He would have to make sure the village didnt get damaged too much. It was full of resources he wanted under his control. Still, the enemy were just humans. They had no idea what was waiting for them out here in the Green. This was Blacknails territory.
As the people at the gate were talking among themselves and trying to co up with a plan, more villagers began to arrive. Those that werent already ard were quickly handed weapons such as axes or improvised spears. Soon, there were dozens of them, and they were joined by Beardy and the other bandits. Even Khita was there. All of them were ard and Beardy led them right over to Geralhd. Their swords, leather armor, and confident posture made them easily distinguishable from the villagers.
Huh, its been a while since we were all together like this, Beardy comnted as he looked Blacknails way.
Lets hope its not the last, another bandit replied.
Dont be such a downer, Khita said as she punched the man in the shoulder. After all weve been through this will be easy, like picking the pocket of a drunken housewife.
Stealing is bad. Dont be a thief! Blacknail interjected as he threw Khita a disgusted scowl.
Is Blacknail aware of what bandits do? We were all bandits, Beardy asked Geralhd as he leaned his way.
Now is not the ti, Geralhd answered. Lets focus on the situation at hand, please. We need to figure out what we should be doing.
I thought that would be obvious. I have no problem with helping these folk negotiate from a position of strength, but the second things get dicey we should leave. Im not dying to defend this hole in the mud.
And where would we go, exactly? The last ti I checked, we were still out here in the middle of nowhere.
Blacknails with us now. We can leave at any ti, Beardy replied matter-of-factly.
Shelter has been good to us. I dont want to leave these people to die, an uncertain sounding bandit added.
This imdiately caused all the bandits to start arguing among themselves. Khita was uncharacteristically silent. She seed unsure of herself and torn. Blacknail just snorted and looked away. It didnt matter what any of the humans said. Everything was going as he had planned. He hadnt left them any choice but to do what he wanted.
Quiet, all of you. This isnt useful, Geralhd eventually told them all. We obviously dont know enough right now. We will see what these people want before we make any plans.
There was so grumbling in response, but no one spoke up against Geralhd directly, so he nodded to himself and then walked over to talk to Tannin. Blacknail followed him. They joined the village chief just in ti. Most of the new arrivals ca to a stop before they got to close to the gate of the village, but one man detached himself from the crowd and approached alone. Blacknail peered through a gap in the wall to get a good look at him.
Hail, the settlent! Ive co to parley! the man yelled. He was a tall man with black hair and a grizzled appearance that scread bandit.
We hear you. Who are you, stranger? Tannin yelled back.
Greetings, goodn. My na is Orvit. Im the leader of the scavenger crew you see before you.
Scavengers? I know thieves and marauders when I see them. What does soone like you want out here? Youre a long way from anything worth scavenging.
Ill be blunt. Weve co for the gold. Tell us where it is and then no one will get hurt.
We dont have any bloody gold here, stranger. Youre confused.
Dont lie to , old man. Ive seen the nuggets myself, and this is right where it is supposed to be.
There was silence from Tannin for a few monts. He looked confused and he took a while to think before replying. Give a minute. I need to discuss this with so others.
Fine, but were not going anywhere until we get the location of that gold mine. We will storm your pathetic little village if we have to. Dont think we wont!
Tannin imdiately called over a pair of villagers and Geralhd. Does anyone here have any idea what these idiots are talking about? They ntioned a gold mine.
If any of my band knew where a gold mine was we would have left ages ago and be living it up in a city sowhere, Geralhd told him.
Wait, maybe thats why the others left Beardy guessed.
You think they found gold and decided they didnt want to share it?
Maybe, and then they ran into these bastards.
I told you these outsiders were the cause of all this trouble! the angry villager from before interjected.
That doesnt matter right now, Tannin told the man in calm soothing voice. Even if there is gold around these parts, none of us know where it is, so we cant exactly give it to anyone.
These scavengers arent going to like that, Geralhd pointed out.
Which ans this is most likely going to end in violence, Beardy remarked dryly.
Not necessarily. If we present a strong front we could still scare them away. All n are afraid of dying, Tannin told them.
Youre underestimating the siren call of gold to people like them. If they dont dare attack us directly then they will simply try sothing else. They wont just leave, Geralhd replied.
It would be botherso if they just sit outside our walls and look for a way in. We cant stay in here forever, and if they manage to slip inside during the night they could do a lot of damage, Tannin mused aloud.
Can we take them in straight up fight? That might be our best option, one of the village militian asked.
Charging them would be a rather large tactical mistake, Geralhd said. It looks like your militia and the n with are about equal in numbers to Orvits force, but they are better ard and trained than your militia. Wed take heavy casualties if we managed to win the day at all. Defending the wall greatly increases our odds.
This topic was actually sothing Blacknail cared about, so he spoke up. Youd be slaughtered. Dont go out there.
But we cant make them attack us when we want them to. I cant have the militia on duty forever, Tannin countered.
So what do you want to do? the militia man asked.
Im going to have to try and talk to them again. Maybe I can convince them that we dont have any gold.
Thats a terrible idea, Beardy told him as he rolled his eyes disdainfully.
Its also stupid. They might kill you, Blacknail added. He didnt want Tannin talking to the scavengers too much, he might learn more than he was supposed to. That would be awkward.
Nonetheless, I have to at least try to resolve this peacefully. The cost of violence would be too high for Shelter to survive, Tannin replied. We need every man and woman alive.
Several villagers tried to talk him out of it, but they were unsuccessful. Blacknail scowled, as Tannin ordered the gates opened a crack and stepped out to talk to Orvit again. Geralhd also volunteered to go with him and represent the forr bandits.
You need soone who can actually fight, Blacknail remarked as he stepped out after them. He wanted to be close in case he had to intervene or steer the conversation.
Orvit and two of his lieutenants t them halfway. They were about fifty feet from both the gate and the rest of the scavengers. They were on a path of hardened dirt and sparse grass that ran through the villages fields.
Have you decided to stop holding out on ? Orvit asked them.
I wasnt holding out on you. No one in my village knows anything about any gold, Tannin tried to explain calmly.
Thats not what I heard, Orvit replied as he reached into a pouch and pulled out a small golden nugget. My source says that the village chief knows about the mine, and hes been right about everything else so far.
Blacknail smiled to himself. He rembered telling Elyias to say that. It had been a smart idea, not that he had any other kind.
Attacking us wont gain you anything, Tannin told Orvit.
Maybe I dont need to attack your precious village, Orvit replied as he suddenly drew his blade. Youre the one who supposedly has the answers I need. Why dont I just get them out of you?
Geralhd and Tannin were both caught by surprise. They flinched back away from the naked blade. However, Blacknail responded differently. The mont Orvit had touched his weapon Blacknail had started drawing his own, and he was faster. There was a faint whistling sound as the blade sliced through the air.
Try anything stupid and Ill cut you deep, Blacknail hissed as he pressed the tip of his sword into Orvits exposed side. Orvits two guards cursed but couldnt do anything. Blacknail had reacted too quickly for them.
Blacknail, we need Geralhd began to say.
No, enough talk. Were leaving. Run back to the gate, now, the hobgoblin told him.
As Orvit stared at them malevolently, Tannin and Geralhd turned to flee back to the village. Blacknail didnt imdiately join them.
I have a question for you, thief, he told Orvit as he poked him in the side.
Agh, what is it, you creepy fiend? the man replied as he glared hatefully at Blacknail. He had his sword out but there was no way he could use it before Blacknail could disembowel him, and he knew it.
Do you work for Werrick?
I do. Youre more inford than an ignorant hick would be, not to ntion surprisingly fast with that blade. That ans you should know what happens to people who cross the Wolf. Let go now and maybe Ill show you rcy.
Blacknail didnt bother replying. He just smiled and kicked Orvit so that the man smashed into one of his guards and they both fell. Then Blacknail imdiately dashed away. The remaining guard took a step after him but the hobgoblin was already halfway back to gate. He was a very fast runner.
Ill get my hands on that gold! Those shoddy walls of your wont stop , Orvit yelled as Blacknail pushed Tannin and Geralhd through the gate and then followed them.
The gate thudded to a close behind them, and there was an uproar as all the villagers tried to talk at the sa ti. They sounded distressed and excited. Half of them seed to want to run away or hide in their hos and the other half wanted to charge Orvits band. They were all stupid.
I havent run like that in years, Tannin remarked in between deep breaths. He was red in the face and looked exhausted. Thanks for having my back, Blacknail.
No problem. I couldnt let you die, the hobgoblin replied. It was a simple statent of fact.
What do we do now? one of the village militia leaders asked Tannin. He sounded more than a little fearful.
Whatever we do, I dont think we can reason with this Orvit fellow, so lets keep these gates closed, Geralhd said. There was more yelling from all the humans, until Tannin silenced them all.
Quiet down, all of you. This is important. What are the scavengers doing now? he asked the sentries atop the wall.
They arent advancing. Their leader rejoined the rest of his n and they seem to be organizing sothing, the lookout answered him.
Damnation, I almost wish they were attacking. We could get this over with, Tannin cursed.
What do we do now? a villager asked.
I dont know, Geralhd comnted.
There has to be so way to prevent Shelter from being destroyed, Tannin exclaid angrily. Weve spent too many years struggling to keep this place alive, through plague and famine. Im not going to let so asshole who cant accept the fact that we have no hidden caches of gold destroy it.
Youre the village elder, just tell us what you need, a mber of the militia replied.
The militia needs to stay on guard in case of an attack, Tannin told him. We can probably repel a frontal assault with ease, but the wall around this village wasnt ant to keep a determined human enemy out. Co nightfall, they will try to slip through it. I wish I had an answer for that, but I dont. Id do anything for a solution.
Blacknail was really liking the aura of desperation most the humans had. It was so strong he could sll it. Yes, this would work wonderfully. Now was the ti for him to propose his solution and take control of the situation. The hobgoblin coughed loudly enough to get everyone attention.
Would you really do anything for a solution? he asked Tannin as everyone turned to look his way.
Yes the village elder replied hesitantly as he t Blacknails gaze. He seed to have detected sothing off about the question because he looked slightly suspicious.
Good, because I could kill Orvit and his n for you.
You could? There are a lot of them and only one of you, Tannin replied as he tried to see past the hobgoblins disguise.
Im quite sneaky and I have so minions I could ask for help. Dont worry about that.
Blacknail, we really should discuss this Geralhd interjected nervously before Blacknail quieted him with a glare. He stuttered for a second and then shut up.
If you pay my price I will save your people. Would you really do anything? Blacknail asked as he turned back to Tannin.
I would, but I still dont see how you could possibly do what you say you can.
I can do it because of what I am, the hobgoblin replied as he pulled his hood down and removed his scarf so that his face was visible.
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