The Iron Teeth: A Goblin's Tale Written in Blood 8

Written in Blood 8

Only the fact that no one was yelling or screaming stopped Blacknail from panicking. As his eyes adjusted to the light he peeked curiously out from his hiding spot, so that only his eyes and long green nose were visible.

Within the light he saw two n walking towards Red Dog. One was the man Red Dog had sent out a few minutes ago, and the other was the plain looking deserter with the staff. The bright white light that was stinging Blacknail's eyes poured forth from the end of the mans weapon.

The staff didn't look like a torch to Blacknail. The light it cast was a very different color from torchlight and much stronger. Blacknail had also never seen a staff like that before either. Dimly, he rembered so fragnts of conversation he had overheard.

The light must be magic, which made the man a mage. The idea of real magic intrigued Blacknail. From what he had heard it was very dangerous and exciting stuff.

When the two n arrived the mages staff slowly dimd until it went completely dark, and only the light from the campfire was left. There was a ruffling noise from Saeters tent as the older man stepped out of his tent and walked over to the mage and Red Dog. The light must have grabbed his attention, it had certainly grabbed everyone elses.

Blacknail climbed out of hiding and back onto the crate. There didnt seem to be any imdiate danger and Saeter didnt seem alard. From his perch the hobgoblin stared intently at the staff wielder. He wanted to see so more magic. He didnt know much about it but he was pretty sure it could make things explode and catch fire, which he really wanted to see.

anwhile, Red Dog was giving the mage an indifferent look.

If you were trying to impress with that light show then youve failed. Even I know light crystals are the one type every single guild has. Theyre the magical equivalent of dirt. It also seems like a bloody pointless waste of a crystal youll probably never be able to replace, Red Dog said as Saeter walked up beside him. The older man grunted in agreent.

The mage was an average sized man with short brown hair, and brown eyes. Like all the other deserters he was unshaven and dressed in worn out Elorian military garb. As he listened to Red Dog an amused smile appeared on his face.

Greetings, now that things have settled down for a little bit let formally introduce myself. My na is Mahedium, forr combat mage for the Royal Elorian 2nd Infantry Brigade. Im glad you called for . As you can probably imagine Ive so questions I wouldnt mind asking you, he said.

We have so questions of our own for you first, Red Dog replied sternly.

Ask away then, Mahedium said, as he turned his palms up in a gesture of openness.

How and why exactly did a vessel and a mage end up deserting together? Life in the Elorian infantry isnt fun for anyone these days, but mages and vessels are the elite. Theyre treated much better than most. Few of them ever end up deserting, Red Dog asked.

Ah, that is a perceptive question. Basghus, our forr leader, was a very arrogant man. He may have been a vessel but he was still common born. He felt he deserved promotion, but with no noble blood it was unlikely to ever happen. That didnt stop him from trying though, and his persistence earned him many enemies. Eventually, he decided he would be better off striking out on his own, the mage answered.

What about you? Saeter asked.

My story is sowhat similar actually. I made so enemies among my superiors. So, when I learned of Basghus plans I offered him my services, Mahedium replied.

Saeter eyed the man, and scowled. He seed skeptical.

Your guild suspected you were doing experints on your own. They were right too, so you ran, he guessed.

Surprise flashed across the mages face for a second, and he twitched slightly. He quickly forced a smile though.

Ah, yes. I have to say you two are unexpectedly insightful for um outlaws. May I ask how you figured it out? he said.

It wasnt hard. Combat mages arent taught how to actually make crystals. Theyre only taught how to use them in combat. Yet, you were willing to burn a crystal to produce that light earlier. Thats sothing a mage with limited magic wouldnt do, unless they were an idiot, Saeter explained casually as he shrugged.

Surely, there must be more to it than that? Mahedium asked.

You also ntioned having problems with your superiors. Asking the wrong type of question were you? Ive known a few combat mages, and none of them liked being dependent on the guilds for their magic. Plus, you just seem like the sort who would try to pry into the secrets of the guilds even if it ant putting your own life at risk, Saeter added.

Mahedium gave a self-depreciating chuckle.

I see. Youre completely right. I used to be an apothecary, until I was drafted. During training I was tested for the mage gift and accepted into the Fiery Eye guild. Then they shipped off to the front, and I realized I was nothing but a disposable tool to them. Without connections or money I would never be taught the real secrets of magic, and my ignorance would make dependent on them for my power, the mage replied bitterly.

So you asked questions and experinted, Red Dog remarked.

Yes, and I got results! The formulas and processes involved in the creation of mana crystals are complex and tightly held secrets. Every guild has different ones it knows how to make. But, you were right when you said that the light crystal was the exception! The Fiery Eye was not too concerned about information on light crystals leaking. So with luck and a little experintation I was able to learn to create them! Mahedium declared victoriously.

And now youre on the run, but at least you can make magical torches, Seater replied sarcastically.

Thats true for now... but not forever. With my knowledge of how to create light crystals I can experint and discover other formula. Mahedium declared excitedly.

And blow yourself up, Red Dog said with a roll of his eyes.

Im aware of the dangers involved, but I have so clues and ideas that should reduce the risk, he replied defensively.

Sure, as long as you do it well away from , Red Dog told him dismissively.

Hmm, I hope Ive answered all your questions. Now if you dont mind I have so of my own? the mage asked.

Knock yourself out Red Dog told him.

Mahedium threw an inquisitive glance Blacknails way. The hobgoblin t his gaze, even though it made him nervous. He was fairly sure the mage couldnt set him on fire with his mind, or at least wouldnt. Saeter wouldnt like it.

I must admit that I am extrely interested in your hobgoblin. As unusual as it is for mages and vessels to desert I have never even heard of a trained hobgoblin before. He was rather effective earlier, he remarked.

Saeter smirked with obvious pride. Red Dog rolled his eyes at the other mans behavior.

Not much to say. I found a goblin then trained it. I just had to beat so sense into it when it beca a hob Saeter replied

If only, Red Dog muttered. The mage gave them both uncomprehending looks.

Thats it? he asked Saeter.

Thats it, Seater answered.

Blacknail scowled at his masters words. He rembered things quite differently than that. For one thing he thought he deserved at least so of the credit.

I see. Well, now that we have gotten to know each other I would like to ask for our weapons to be returned to us, Mahedium told them.

And why should we do that? Red dog asked with a skeptical frown.

It was only Basghus who didnt want to join up with Herad. He just dragged the rest of us along with him. We have no reason to turn on you. Just like you said earlier the wilds are a dangerous place and Mahedium started to explain.

Blacknail yawned. He had grown bored with all the talk, and didnt think the mage was going to be doing any more magic. He stood up and decided to get so sleep. He wanted to use the tent he had taken as a trophy as well. It would probably be much nicer than sleeping on the ground.

As the night progressed everyone eventually drifted off to sleep. When dawn ca the deserters camp was busy with activity. Everything that could possibly be moved was being packed away, so it could be transported to Herads base.

Soon Red Dog, Saeter, and the rest of the bandits were on their way back. With almost double the amount of n they had started off with.

Herad should be happy when we get back! Or at least as close as she gets, Red Dog proudly told the others. He was standing tall with his chest puffed out. Blacknail thought it made him look fat.

They were making their way through the woods and back to the road. The tall shady trees around them were alive with morning bird song. Every mber of their group had a backpack stuffed full of supplies and loot, even Blacknail.

When Blacknail stopped for a second to look over a small patch of red mushrooms that had caught his eye a group of deserters passed him by. Most of them ignored him, or shied away from him and tried not to catch his eye. One bandit that was wearing a brown feathered cap gave him a disdainful look.

Look, its got a sword. Ha, Ill eat my hat if the critter can actually use it, he muttered to the man beside him.

The other mans eyebrows rose and he gave the speaker a disbelieving look.

Dont tempt fate, fool, he replied before stepping away.

Blacknail ignored them. He was more interested in whether the mushrooms he was looking at were edible. The red color probably ant they were poisonous, but it also made them look very tasty. With a sigh, he decided against eating them. He picked one to show Saeter so he would know for later though.

The wind shifted and a breeze blew through the trees. Leaves rustled and the sll of healthy growing things surrounded the hobgoblin. However, under the more powerful scents sothing else lurked, and drew Blacknail's attention.

Instinct took over. He froze and his heart sped up. The sound of its pounding filled his ears. He twitched as he fought a sudden urge to run. Instead he took a quick look around and forced himself to relax.

He saw nothing lurking nearby among the trees. With no signs of imdiate danger evident he started walking up the line and passed the other n to find Saeter.

Saeter was up ahead talking to Red Dog at the front of the group. Mahedium and so of Red Dog's n were walking right behind them.

After another quick nervous look around just to be sure, Blacknail moved up beside Saeter. He was trying to act calm but his movents were jerky and stiff. He didn't want to alert anything that was watching that he had detected them.

Saeter broke off his conversation with Red Dog as the hobgoblin approached. He looked over and gave Blacknail a puzzled glance. Blacknail was fidgeting and clearly nervous about sothing.

I sll the troll. It's down wind, being sneaky, Blacknail whispered to his master.

Almost imdiately he felt kind of stupid. He was fairly sure trolls couldn't understand human speech so there had been no real reason to whisper.

Shit, Saeter swore. He grimaced and closed his eyes for a second as he began to think things through.

What is it? Red Dog asked.

That troll's back, and it's stalking us, Saeter replied darkly.

Red Dog added a long string of his own curses to Saeter's. Blacknail didn't understand most of them.

We'll need to prepare and make sure everyone's ready, Red Dog said when he had finally stopped swearing.

If we can make ourselves look like more trouble than we're worth it might back off without a fight. The trick will be getting ready without tipping it off, Saeter added.

Red Dog nodded in agreent. He then turned around and called to the group behind him.

Mahedium co up here for a second, he said.

The mage gave them a curious look as he picked up his pace and walked over to them.

What do you need? he asked.

That troll friend of yours is back. I want to know if you've got any tricks that might be useful, and don't think of holding anything back just because you can't replace it, Red Dog told him.

The mage flinched fearfully before responding.

For use against a troll? I have no idea what would work. Theyre hardly my area of expertise. I an I have um a few heat crystals, and obviously I have light crystals I can use to blind it. I also have a force crystal I've been saving, but that's it, he replied nervously.

That's all you got? Youre of the Fiery Eye, and theyre one of the most hardcore combat guilds around, Red Dog remarked with an eyebrow raised doubtfully.

I wasn't actually at the front when I took my leave of the army. The Guilds only give combat mages the crystals they think we need, so most of what I have is support spells, Mahedium explained.

Fine, go for the heat then. Just be damn sure you have a clear shot before you fire. I've seen what those things can do to a man, and I don't want to see it again, Red Dog told him.

Probably your best bet, Saeter added in agreent.

Red Dog began carefully giving out orders. As the line of bandits hiked through the woods he called several to him one at a ti. When the n returned to their place in the line they whispered to their nearby companions.

While this was happening Mahedium went to work as well. The mage quickly began dissembling his staff in a practiced manner. He replaced the white crystal within the staff's chanism with a red one, and then made so adjustnts that narrowed the staff's tal head.

Slowly, the bandit group began to split until it had divided itself into small units. The transformation was gradual but soon every unit had soone watching each direction, and every bandit had a hand ready to draw their weapon.

Just as the group furthest from the front was forming up there ca a scream. Blacknail whipped around in ti to see sothing explode from the bushes. At first it was nothing but a green blur, but then it smashed through a group of n in the middle of the line and slowed almost to a stop. n scread in pain and surprise as the green behemoth roared and sent clumps of earth, broken branches, and bloodied n flying.

Even while stooped over the troll towered one or two feet over the few n still standing around it. It had bizarrely elongated arms that reached all the way down from its broad hunched shoulders to the ground. Heavy muscles rippled under its greenish grey skin as it spun furiously and whipped its heavy clawed fists around to batter and break anyone unlucky enough to get too close to it.

The trolls head was similar to a hobgoblin's but with a thick extended lizard like snout. A dirty mane of brown hair grew from the top of its head and down its back. As it attacked it opened its mouth to let out a savage roar, which revealed countless jagged yellow teeth and two massive blade like fangs that descended down past its jaw.

It wasnt the trolls strength or size that alard Blacknail though. No, what truly frightened him was the beasts speed. It seed to jerk and twist as it moved, but it did it so quickly it was almost impossible to keep track of. Instinctively, Blacknail knew that any attempt to run from the predator would be dood.

In a violent frenzy of motion the troll ripped into the n that surrounded it. Its fists smashed them aside like paper dolls and sent them flying. They barely had any ti to react or even draw their weapons.

Then the beast scread in elated rage as it snatched up a shocked bandit in its claws. It brought the shrieking man up to its mouth, and bit down on him. Its huge fangs sunk into its prey with a wet cracking noise. The man's chest seed to just collapse in on itself into a bloody ruin.

With a mocking satisfied hiss and a powerful lunge the troll broke through the scattered and bloodied n around it and charged off into the woods. It used it long arms and knuckles like a second pair of legs as it ripped through the underbrush.

Suddenly just as the troll was about to disappear there was a hissing noise off to one side of Blacknail and the air rippled. A wave of heat washed over him and the hobgoblin cringed away. Then there was a sharp crack and the base of a tree near where the troll had been seconds ago exploded into flas.

Startled, Blacknail looked over his shoulder to see Mahedium standing frozen in place. Heat radiated from the tal head of his staff.

The mage wore a shocked expression and his knuckles were pale and white from gripping his staff so tightly, but he was pointing his weapon in the general direction that troll had gone. Apparently magic could do much more than create light after all, but you still had to aim it properly.

All in all, the savage onslaught had lasted but seconds. All the dozens of bandits could do was gape in stunned horror and take in the destruction the troll had wrought around them.

For a mont the forest was quiet except for the moans of the wounded. Then as the shock dissipated shrill screams of pain and panicked cursing filled the air.

Half a dozen n the troll has passed by lay strewn across the ground or had been dashed against trees. The air was thick with the mingled scent of blood and the putrid stench of the troll.

Fire and damnation! Fucking trolls. Drakes are worse my ass! Red Dog swore as he stomped off and began shouting orders. He had to yell at the top of his lungs to be heard over everyone else.

Nervously, Blacknail stood up from where he had instinctively crouched behind Saeter. His master gave him a hard unamused stare, and the hobgoblin gave him an apologetic smile back.

Erissa had fallen backwards in shock and landed butt first on the ground where she was shivering in terror. Seater crouched down beside her and began to whisper reassuringly in her ear.

Red Dog was still shouting, and he had even drawn his sword and started waving it around to get attention. Slowly he managed to get things cald down and sowhat organized.

Saeter got up from where he was tending to Erissa and made his way over to Red Dog. The other man was yelling at a small group of bandits. He pointed off in one direction and they jogged over to help the wounded. That left Red Dog standing there by himself and glowering darkly at nothing.

We have a problem, Saeter told Red Dog.

Very slowly the bandit lieutenant looked over. Red Dogs face twitched as a mix of emotions warred within him. Finally he settled on an incredibly dark and hostile glare which he aid directly at Saeter.

I know we have a fucking problem! We have more problems than there are hells right now! Red Dog hissed.

But you dont know the real problem, Saeter replied calmly.

Oh, and what might that be? Red Dog asked with a snarl.

That wasnt normal troll behavior, not even close. That thing was an experienced man eater, with a taste for human flesh. It will be back, repeatedly. Even if we head ho it will just follow us, the gray haired older man explained.

Of course it fucking is! Go slay the deserters, she says. It will be easy, she says. She just forgot to ntion the bloody huge Slosher, the combat mage, and the man eating troll! I've had enough of this. We're making a break for the base. Then the troll will be Herad's problem, Red Dog swore.

Blacknail liked that plan. He was sure he could outrun most the humans without a problem, and it was a man eating troll anyway. Not a goblin eating troll. Yep, his survival was practically guaranteed.

If we do that we'll lose a lot of n. The troll might even get you or , since we can't predict where it will strike, Seater told him.

Blacknail frowned. He didn't like where this was going.

You have a better idea, old man? Red Dog asked.

Yes, I'll take a seven or eight of our more experienced n and trail the troll back to its lair. We'll corner it there and finish it off. That will give you and the wounded ti to get going, Saeter suggested.

Dangerous. You would be putting experienced n at risk to save the wounded and rookies. Do you really think you can do it? Red Dog replied skeptically.

This is what I do, Saeter told him.

Very well. Good luck then, and may all the gods bless your path, old man, Red Dog replied.

Saeter nodded and then turned to Blacknail.

Co on we have a lot of hard dangerous work ahead of us, Saeter told the hobgoblin.

Blacknail sighed. Of course his master didn't like Red Dogs plan, and of course his idea put him right in the most dangerous place possible. The hobgoblin was beginning to wonder if his master was trying to get himself killed, and take Blacknail with him.