The Iron Teeth: A Goblin's Tale Twists and Turns 2

Twists and Turns 2

After the feast was over, Blacknail planned on going to bed. First, he had to deal with Khita though. The young redhead had fallen unconscious after eating several large bowls of stew. The fool had stuffed herself until shed passed out. That, or so of the mushrooms in the stew had reacted differently when eaten by a humans Theyd never actually been tested on humans.

Anyway, Khita was still breathing and didnt seem sick, so Blacknail picked her up off the ground and carried her to a spare room in his ho, before throwing her on the bed. If he left her outside, soone useful might trip over her and hurt themselves, which would inconvenience him.

That done, Blacknail took Herah back to his own room and had so fun before falling asleep next to her. By this point, he was fairly sure she wasnt going to kill him in his sleep, even if he slept with a hidden dagger under his pillow just in case. Hed also faked sleep a few tis, but hed quickly stopped because it was to much work. Sex made him sleepy and there were worse ways to die.

The next morning, Blacknail woke up and briefly noted that no one had killed him in his sleep. Good, that ant it was ti to march. The spring offensive couldnt wait any longer. Before the sun had completely risen, Blacknail got out of bed and began screaming for everyone to get up and get ready to move. He had a loud voice, so soon hobgoblins were streaming out of their longhouses and forming up into their squads at the training ground. Anyone moving too slowly got yelled at particularly loudly until they picked up their pace.

Gob arrived quickly, so Blacknail put him in charge of making sure every squad was ready to move. The fat hobgoblin Rolly, who was usually in charge of the larder and supplies, checked on the wagons and made sure the army supplies were in order. Imp also eventually showed up. Blacknail wanted him along on the expedition because he was best at using the mage staff and could do things other mages couldnt. The mage didnt want to leave his workshop and experints, but Blacknail didnt give him a choice.

Soon, everything was ready, and the army began to march out of Ironbreak and toward Shelter. Blacknail took the lead while Gob had command of the back. Ferrar and Rolly both stayed behind to run things while Blacknail was gone. Neither of them were warriors, but they shouldnt be doing too much fighting. There was no sign of the boggarts in Blacknails territory, and all the hostile humans lived far away.

After so discussion, it was decided that Grey would remain behind. The lurkers sensitive eyes made it difficult for him to travel above ground during the day, and he was needed to supervise the trogs in the mine. Also, he specialized at scouting and fighting underground, which Blacknail wasnt expecting to do. His target was Werrick, not the boggarts.

Unfortunately, Khita ca along, if only so that Blacknail could keep an eye on her. He shuddered to think about all the trouble shed cause if she was left alone in Ironbreak. Herah pulled the redhead out of bed and they both took up position behind Blacknail as the army moved. Blacknail also made sure Crow ca along for similar reasons. The treacherous hobgoblin had survived his food poisoning, so Blacknail didnt want to leave him unsupervised among the new hobgoblins in Ironbreak, lest he spread his own disloyalty. Plus, he was amusing, and it was going to be a long march.

The force of hobgoblins moved quickly over the road theyd built as they approached Shelter. The forest was still around them. Although the Green was full of terrors, few of them wanted anything to do with a hobgoblin army. The heavy thump of footsteps drowned out all the natural sounds of the forest.

There was plenty to see though. The forest was coming alive as the last touch of winter faded. There were clusters of bright evergreens, but most the trees were covered in small green leaves that had just budded. This gave the scenery a fresh and vibrant look that put a spring in Blacknails step.

Geralhd and about two dozen other n t Blacknail outside of Shelter. Most of them were forr mbers of Herads band, but others were villagers or refugees that had decided to join Blacknails fight. So of them wanted to defend their new hos, while others simply wanted to win so loot, and a few had been sent along to observe what Blacknail was doing by interested parties.

So, once again were heading South, where war awaits us, with all its glory and all its terrors, Geralhd observed stoically as the humans joined the procession.

Ill be doing most the fighting, Blacknail reassured him. You just need to talk to other humans for . Youre good at that.

Geralhd grinned proudly. I do have a certain way with words. People have frequently remarked on the eloquence of my tongue.

Blacknail nodded politely and moved on.

Once everyone was in place, the army quickly began marching to their next destination, the forward base. This journey took a little longer. Not only was it further away, but the road wasnt complete yet. This ant the troops had to march over tight muddy paths in so places and push the wagons along. Thus, it took four days for Blacknail to reach the forward base, and even then, he was forced to leave so of the wagons behind with guards. It would be another few days until they caught up.

As Blacknail was ordering his troops to line up at the entrance to the forward base, which was surrounded by a wooden stake wall, Beardy ca out to et him. No wait. Hed changed his na to Ralphi. Blacknail sotis forgot that, since it was such a stupid na. Beardy was far superior. He should have kept that na.

So, youre finally here, Ralphi huffed. Took you long enough. Watching over this place for you was a chore and a half, let tell you.

You did a good job, Blacknail replied with a happy nod. Hed been away for several months and the place hadnt burned down. That was impressive.

Damn right I did. Keeping all these hobgoblins and bandits from dying or killing each other over the winter wasnt easy. There were several near riots caused by feuding hobs, and one green bastard tried to declare himself chief. I had to put him down personally.

That much trouble wasnt unexpected. Not only had Blacknail kept two hundred hobgoblins in the forward base over the winter, but it was also where most the human bandits hed collected had stayed as well. There were about two hundred of them, and they were mostly the remains of bandit bands whod gone against Werrick and lost.

Grinning, Khita walked over to join the conversation. Dont worry. Ill take so of that work out of your hands. Ill be leading my own n now that Im here.

This earned her a pair of scowls. The young redhead had spent so ti last year recruiting and assembling her own group of bandits. She hadnt wintered in at the forward base with them though. Instead, shed followed Blacknail north, because it was far less boring there and she had a short attention span.

Knock yourself out, Ralphi replied with a shake of his head. Dont expect any help from though. Anyone dumb enough to follow you deserves whats coming to them.

The large bearded man then turned to Blacknail. Your ssages were a little lacking in details, but from the look of your troops, Im guessing you want to go on the attack.

Yes, have you gotten any new information since the last ssage you sent ? Blacknail asked him. They were both ignoring Khita now, who was pouting.

Ralpi shrugged. So. Ive been patrolling the roads to collect tolls, and even this early in the season, weve had a few groups of refugees and rchants. People are saying its a dark ti and blaming so attacks and disappearances on demons. Nothing too unusual though. These days villages are always getting ransacked by one band or another.

What about Werrick?

No new word of him. Hes out there, but he seems to be keeping his distance. What are you planning?

Im going to kill him, Blacknail replied deadpan.

Ralphi snorted rudely. Even you plan more thoroughly than that. Give details.

Im going to attack him before he is ready for . My troops will rampage across the North and kill every one of his n we find.

And when he counterattacks? Youll be spread out and weak when his hamr cos down.

Then Ill retreat. I dont need to hold anything but this base, and while he is reconquering everything, Ill be harassing him and building up my forces. The more I take, the longer it will take for him to get here.

Ralphi looked thoughtful as he scratched his nose. Huh, its not a bad plan. I wouldnt want to try it with regular troops. Your hobgoblins on the other hand, theyll be hard to pin down. They can flee into the woods and survive to regroup.

And unlike so dumb humans, they will always run from hard fights unless Im there to command them, Blacknail added.

Hmm, we should probably head east quickly then, although Im not sure if we should use hobgoblins or humans to hold villages. Neither of them are well behaved.

I will solve that problem later, Blacknail replied as he walked past Ralphi into the forward base.

The base had been built over the ruins of an old village that had been swallowed by the forest years ago. Thus, a few of the buildings were repaired village huts, but most of them were newly constructed log buildings that served as barracks for the troops stationed there.

Now that hed arrived, Blacknail went to get sothing to eat. The occupants of the base collected dues from caravans, so there was undoubtedly so good human food hidden away sowhere, and as the leader, it was rightfully his.

After sniffing around and finding so cheese and pickles, Blacknail allowed Gob to bring so leadership matters to his attention. Most importantly, his minions needed to set up camp. There wasnt room for everyone inside, and they werent going to move out right away. His minions deserved a rest, outside, while he slept in a proper hut. There was one reserved for him, since he was the leader.

The next morning, while all the troops were getting ready to head out, Blacknail called all his lieutenants to a eting. Gob, Khita, Ralphi, and Geralhd were quick to arrive.

We will hit our first target, the village in the east, and then I will decide on our next move. What I choose depends on what Werricks n are doing, but Ill probably split the army up.

Are you talking about the village of Aldhara? Ralphi asked.

Sure, that one, Blacknail replied. What did that na even an? Humans were terrible at naming things.

Im ready to go, Khita added happily. My n look forward to wetting their blades on Werricks scum!

Ralphi rolled his eyes. I seriously doubt that. More likely they plan on hanging back until they see a chance to do so looting.

Well, Ill drive them forward into the teeth of the enemy. Cowards have no place in my elite.

Blacknail couldnt stop himself from letting out a groan. Elite?

Of course! Im a Vessel after all, and I only accept the best.

You accept anyone who will put up with your stupidity, Blacknail told her. He knew exactly the sort of people Khita had recruited.

Anyone who works under is an elite. Youll see how successful my forces are after we split up and I get my own command.

Thats not going to happen!

After a bit more arguing, the eting was called to an end. Khita refused to give up the idea of her own command, so Blacknail let it go. It didnt matter what she thought. He wasnt going to put her in charge of anything. That wasnt going to happen.

With the eting over, the lieutenants went back to their troops and begin relaying orders. Soon, the now reinforced army was marching away from the forward base. It didnt take them long to get out of the forest and reach the old human-built road. Once on there, their speed picked up considerably. Blacknail took up position at the very front with Herah and his bodyguards. There he could promptly deal with any problems or situations that ca up. He also sent patrols ahead to screen their way and divert any caravans travelling toward them. He didnt want anyone getting a good look at his army or seeing where it was going. Word of what they saw would eventually get back to Werrick.

There were several nearby small villages that lay on the road. However, these settlents had already been subjugated by Ralphi and Blacknail last year, so Blacknail led his army right past them. His target was the walled town of Aldhara, which was the closest place controlled by Werrick. The word passed on by rchants was that Werrick had left a small garrison of his own troops there. Unfortunately, it wasnt that close and would take a few days to reach.

When the day began to darken, and Blacknail called for his army to co to a halt, he didnt bother trying to order them off the road. His chosen spot had a small clearing around so hills off to one side, but he had most his troops set up camp right on the road. Blacknail wasnt too worried about moving undetected and his force was a little too big to easily hide in the forest anyway.

The night was uneventful and restful. After setting up the cooking fires, they had a late supper under the quickly darkening sky while the spring wind blew through the trees. Overhead, the night sky was dotted by clouds, but the light of the moon and stars shone through without a problem most the ti. As the leader, Blacknail had a blanket and tent, although many of the hobgoblins and even so of the humans were forced to share or go completely without a tent and sleep out under the stars. Blacknail was glad he was better than them.

It took three more days of travelling before they closed in on their destination. By then they were far away from any of the roads that Blacknails minions patrolled or even kept watch over. That was when one of the scouts Blacknail had sent up ahead ca back with news that theyd found the town of Aldhara.

Blacknail listened to the scouts report and description of the town and then began giving out orders. As his strung-out army began reforming into tighter lines, he sent squads of hobgoblins to range ahead and surround the town. He didnt want anyone escaping form the town and getting word to Werrick. When you were hunting prey, it was important to make sure they didnt know you were coming.

When his army was ready to move again, Blacknail had them march toward the town at a brisk pace, so that theyd get as little warning as possible. The humans and hobgoblins were tired, but also eager to finally reach their destination.

The ranks of marching warriors filled the breadth of the road. Within minutes, they went around a bend and the walls of the town appeared before them. They were simple wooden walls like most remote northern villages had, but in Aldharas case they actually had a strong looking stone gatehouse with an arch above the wooden doors.

Move faster. I want a quick march. Keep up with ! Blacknail yelled as he raised his weapon and picked up his speed.

Imdiately, his forces lurched forward as they headed straight for the open gate. There was a bloodthirsty yell from the hobgoblins. It was unlikely theyd make it before the gates were closed, but Blacknail might get lucky. The enemy had no reason to expect an attack.

Unfortunately, as Blacknails forces quickly moved to within a hundred feet of the gate, it swung shut with a muted boom and creak of wood. Grunting in displeasure, Blacknail yelled for his minions to slow their advance. There was no point in tiring themselves out now.

From the other side of the gate, Blacknail could hear lots of n shouting. It seed like there really was a garrison in this town and that they were ready for action.

Well, Im going to have to do this the hard way, Blacknail remarked as he studied the sturdy structure his minions were advancing toward. At least he was finally going to get a proper fight. It had been quite a while since Blacknail had enjoyed a chance to let his blade tear into human flesh, and he hated everyone who worked for Werrick ever so much for what theyd taken from him. The hobgoblin shivered in anticipation of the fight.