Chapter 1, First day on the job

***

"We haven't talked in a while, I know that I have been busy and that isn't an excuse. It's just been hard, I appreciate the cool breeze across my skin, the gentle sound through the trees. The opportunity to spend yet another day with my family. I ask you, please. Oh Great Father, grant me yet another day…"

***

Year of Wrath 1231, Season of Heat, D.21

     Dawn, it's always dawn when they wake. “Do they never just sleep in a little?” Sighing as the sun shone directly in my eyes as it passed through the leaves. Leaning back against the rough tree, allowing myself to enjoy the warmth for a moment, letting the faint breeze brush the stray strands of hair away from my eyes. Yawning, with cold hands rubbing the dark sleepy circles under my eyes, I was the last on watch so the boys could sleep. 

     Til, Yvet, Hob, and Ghet, huddled in the nooks of the trees, the only sound this early in the day was their breathing. Ghet turned in his sleep, the old man probably thinking back to when he was the Raid Leader. Though that thought made me think back to the parents I lost under his command, we all did. I was given command of a raiding party nicknamed The Orphans by the Veteran raiders, though the Chief and Mother Kari tried to put a stop to it. It didn’t work, we are the children of his fallen friends. 

     “Regardless, we need to get this done”. Whispering to myself, I got to my feet and made my way to the roadside. Careful not to kick any rocks, stalking through the grass like a lynx hunting its prey. I needed to keep the boys quiet, too much noise and it'll spook the wagon. Strange thing, loud and obnoxious, metal on wooden wheels, steam streaming out from a vent on its top.

     I heard them grab their gear, quickly heading my way, seems like they woke when they were supposed to. I wondered what we could get out of this. I hope it's something I can use, maybe a new sword, I'd be just as happy with a better knife too. Maybe the Clan will be a little fatter and happier today. Maybe Mother Kari would be happier than Chief Yorm today, that is if we found something she liked. Maybe the Chief would honor us today if we were successful, if I were successful, I needed my first real raid to go well. 

     That wagon is scheduled to cross our path today, at least that's what I overheard from the guards when I was under the city bridge near the docks. Losing myself in that memory for but a moment, thinking back to that little bit of reconnaissance. I managed to take a blanket from a clothesline off a house in the Outer Fields, those vast crop fields surrounding the City. I needed it to keep the rain off me. I wondered if I was cursed to bring the rain with me when I went to go scouting. Always seemed to happen more often than not. Either way, the dreary atmosphere let me blend in better.

     Lucky me though, it was the same color as the wheat in the fields. Snuck past the guards, hid under docks, and swam under the water so only my ears floated on top of the water. Overheard those loose-lipped guards talking about some merchant heading to this gate full of nice meat. I supposed the cattle in the farms were a bit small this season, I had been watching the farmers fret over the calves this year. Though, I never really understood how the Humans could make so much chatter. That City, full of noise, it was hard to hear them honestly. Added that it was raindrops hitting the water didn't help, but I got the information I needed.

     I never understood why the Clan never did this kind of thing. Go get information, scout out a bit more. Set up better traps, made the whole thing go smoother if you asked me. Though that really was just my idea, as the Chief gave me this raid crew a few weeks ago. Said it was time to prove my place in the Clan, time to see where I fit amongst my kin, a trial by hardship. Cori and Knoll, Veterans to Yorm’s crew, were more than happy to help with the basics of leadership. Cori taught me to be quick on my feet, Knoll telling me I needed a strong hand. 

     The insects began buzzing as the sunlight finally hit them, it muffled our movements even more. Cicadas and grasshoppers droning on, trying to keep them from jumping and giving us away, stalking through the tall grass. Thank Bhal for these noisy things, you wonder how anyone hears anything in the middle of the Season of Heat. It's humid today, I wanted to get this done before the heat gets any worse. Braid sticking to my back, starting getting itchy and annoying as it frizzed out threatening to catch every twig and thistle.

     Checking the small amount of gear I had, Belts on the bag were still snug, tight against my waist. Making sure the knife came loose without any issue. Remembering Ghet telling me the knife's stick a little in the wet morning air, something about the wood and leather getting bigger in heat and moisture. Short blade slide out without any issue. “Good” A silent prayer to the Great Father as I tried to keep my nerves in check.

     The wagon began its move, the crew had been waiting since the middle of the night to see when they would get going. I asked Cori before we set out if we should just attack it in the dead of night, or wait till morning. “Dead of night is easier, if you’re quick they won’t react in time by the time you snatch what you're hunting. But, this is your first round. Maybe make a bit more of a show of dominance to the boys, prove your worth.”

      The old thing creaking, woke the birds as it moved down the path. The loud steam engine chugged along, leaving an obvious path behind it, left enough to billow out into the grass to hide us even better. The guards were still sleepy, not as observant as they should have been, fools. “Don't they realize the roads are dangerous these days.” I chuckled to myself, their boots sounded like hammer strikes on the stone. Could they make any more noise? They sure didn't seem to care if everyone and everything knew their position. You could track them off sound alone, a sightless old man could find them with half a leg.

     They didn't even see us as we moved along the roadsides, knew even less when we put a spear through the spokes of the wheel and the momentum of the wagon turned it on its side. Perfect, Hob followed orders right on time. I knew making him, and the rest, train would help for this. 

     The whistle Chief had taught me, sounded out mimicking a warbling bird. In a hurry we descended, commanding the crew not to attack unless the humans drew their swords this morning. “I don’t want any blood here,” I told them, “the less people we kill, the less likely we were to die. Lest we have the men from the city hunting us like our fathers.” I still remember Hob, when his Da' died, he was older me, but he begged the Chief to let him go and avenge him. Chief said no, he was too young. That he needed to be here for his family, and his younger kin in the Clan. Still as I said it, I saw Ghet turn away, shame still on his face.

     I also remember the Clan hunting for Hob after he defied the Chief. Saw the hurt in his eyes after the Chief beat him for disobeying. Chastised him for risking the family, our Clan. Chief told him that if he wanted to do something foolish again, he should attack a Wraith and see how well it went for him. Hob was reminded that day as to why we raid in crews under the loving gaze of our High Priestess, Kari and the Chief. I snapped back out of my reverie. 

     But, they just looked at me with glazed eyes. Hob said “I’m willing to kill a few men if it means getting this done faster.” He said with an insubordinate sneer, knocking shoulders with Til and Yvet. 

     I shot him a withering glare, the other backing down immediately. But he only met my gaze with the same level of heat. He was still angry that the Chief Yorm picked me over him. As if that was the point. I suppose Hob would always be bull headed. We moved up behind them, sun in their eyes, and as they were still trying to see where the spear came from, we caught them off guard. Most didn't have time to react by the time all four guards had knives pressed against their throats. I ordered a hold. No one moved. Good, they are still listening to me for the moment. Maybe Mother Kari was right, maybe they just needed a guiding hand and someone to look to. 

     This was the part I hated the most, that tension. The kind that holds in your chest, wondering if you are going to be listened to or not, or whether someone is going to break and defy orders. I tagged along with far too many raids to see it turn bad, I had seen the others break and move too quickly, it always ended up with someone dead or worse. Granted, the Clan only let me watch, and kept me a ways away. Told me I was too young back then. But, here and now, I need to get this done, hopefully one of the boys doesn't slip off the human's backs and accidentally slit their throat.

     "Where is the merchant?" I yelled, my voice soft but commanding. 

     I thought back to the practice we did the weeks before. The stubborn boys, not wanting to, thinking it was a waste of time. “What's the point when we get all the practice they want during the raids?” Hob whined as I made him go through drill after drill. Til dodging and parrying each of his thrusts with the long spear. Only a knife in hand, Til was doing well. Hob getting more and more agitated at being unable to hit him. 

      I had to point out to them that practice means better chances. Better odds of getting back home. A lot of grunting and head shaking, but they listened. Hob made such an argument about learning the spear and to hit small things consistently with it. Told me that the only real way to practice was on live targets, not little wooden squares. This was how the sparring with the other started. “Fine, but you so much as injure anyone ‘cuse of your hot-temper Hob, and I’ll fight you myself.” I barked at him, already sick of the constant attitude. 

      Told me he wanted his knife, I told him a knife is up close and personal, a spear keeps you out of swinging distance, and told him to shut it. He always wanted to use his knife, they all did. Part of me wanted to as well, they were gifts from the Chief after a raid he had done. I was tired of hearing it, tired of him trying to make me look weak to the others. A long history of this game in the clan, Raiders thinking the Raid Leader wasn’t good enough. Only to build alliances within the crews to stake their claim as the new Leader, I knew that's what he was doing. But, everyone was biding their time, they knew he was being a bullish ass. Wait and see how she does. 

     I heard flustered cursing and frantic rustling from the fabric tent on top of the wagon. The poles holding up the jumbled mess in the front, burst open in a wide arc. A man in a blue tunic,  a short brown beard with yellow eyes was in the flaps of the thing "You have quite a lot of nerve. What do you want, you filthy little goblin?" The merchant said. Putting his hand on his hip, and lifting his chin.  All the boys tense up a little, they didn't really like comments like that, I felt it more than I saw it. The Clan had a propensity to take umbridge when the women were insulted. Granted this human didn't seem to realize I was a girl, and I suppose I couldn't fault him for that. Though, my own ears perked up at the insult despite the calm demeanor I was fronting.

     "I'd have thought that would be obvious, we are here to take your goods." I tried to keep my voice a little lower, calm. I had to sound certain, intimidate him a bit. I couldn't look weak in front of the boys, this had to be successful otherwise they'd complain to the Chief and I'd be back in the village or under a different Raid Leader. The others that couldn’t make it to being raiders weren’t allowed to leave the village, too dangerous that told us. 

     "All of it?" The merchant said as he surveyed the situation "I see your crew is a little preoccupied at the moment." He paused, and continued "What happens when I give you anything, and the guards are free to move? You can't think that I'm just going to hand what I have over to you, do you?" He sneered. Those yellow eyes narrowing, the look on his face seemed to be just a mask, he looked terrified all things considered.

     "Take one of your empty boxes and fill it with whatever you can fit in it. Then you are going to bring it to me and set it down." I told him in as calm a voice as I could muster. I could see a few of the boys getting anxious, I was getting the jitters, I needed to get this done quickly. Ghet was starting to get too tired, I could see his arms straining as he held down the guard and kept his knife in position. I mean, really, I just hoped he couldn't see me shaking from the adrenaline and nerves. 

     The merchant muttered something under his breath, “Paying them too much to lose them, no one will work for me if they all died.” then did as I asked. He took his sweet time, picking through what had fallen over out of the wagon. Picking up broken boxes, and putting small things in an empty box. Sifted through a box that let the smell of cured ham out, and pulled a few haunches out. Dumping more than a few tools in the box and a coterie of oiled knives. He paused and looked at me, looked me up and down and picked up something else, I couldn't see what it was, and added it to the box. I slid my knife out of its sheath a little, thinking it would help if I needed it. 

     He brought the box full of supplies and set it softly down at my feet. He looked at me and his eyes widened, and he said "You are young, too young to be robbing people by the road." He had an odd look in his eye when he looked at me. What was that about? His eyes lingered on my braid for a moment. "You know, I didn't think they would listen to you, I thought your crude little culture didn't respect the young." His hand darted down reaching for a revolver I didn’t notice before. But, before it left his holster, I had a knife to his throat. Tight grip on his wrist, twisting to point at the ground. I'm quicker than I looked. I put my foot on top of his thigh as he stumbled down, and used it to press the knife hard up and drew a little blood from his neck. Besides I had been making the boys practice with me about quickly drawing what we had.

     The road was on the dusty section and dust blown up from my movement, got in my face.  "I told you to do nothing else. Did I ask for a challenge?" I whispered to him. I dropped my voice a little lower for the next part and leaned in a little closer so the boys couldn't hear me. "Please, don't do anything else, my boys are jumpy, I do not want to kill you. Please, put your gun back, walk away, I'm not taking everything from you, just what we can take. We don’t need blood here Human." The look in his eyes gave me the answer I wanted. Sliding my hand down his wrist, taking the revolver out of his hand before he could react. He backed away from the blade at his neck, I didn't take my eyes off him.

     I picked up the box, and walked back into the tall grass. Gun held level to the merchant’s eyes, while we didn’t have a lot of guns, there were a few in the village. I could tell the boys were a little impressed by the speed of that. I whistled, and heard them withdraw and run back to me. A whole crate full of iron, and meat. The clan would be happy, I knew it. No one died, it was a good start to the day. The boys were happy with me, not much work, and we got what we wanted. Proved I can actually show my fangs when I need to. Hob could eat it, he needed to be shown his claims were baseless.

     A little ways out of sight of the wagon, we stopped and watched the wagon get turned right back up. Just outside of the grass field, right before the tree line along the bluffs. The guards fixed the wheel, and they headed toward the City to the north. I'd heard the name of it before, Glaion. The sun hadn't even moved much past the horizon, it was still in their eyes. We could try again, and take more, No. They would just kill us the second time around. Not worth the risk. I couldn't risk the family like that, not when my tactic worked so well.

     "Why were you smiling at him the whole time?" Hob asked me, trying not to laugh. 

     "What are you talking about, I wasn't smiling." I flatly told him, shoving him with my shoulder lightly. 

     "Oh yes you were, you looked like you were trying to impress him" He laughed, that bully smile plastered on his face like shit on a stone. "Maybe more, with that leg bit, it looked like you really wanted more, with how close you were getting to him.” Only he laughed, the rest of the crew looking bored with his antics already. 

“Good, seems like I proved myself to them at least.” Triumphantly I glowed with pride at myself.

     "Oh piss off Hob." The entire crew laughed, so did I, just to break the tension. The boys jostled me as we went, still giggling. I knew they were doing this to make me feel better. Was I really smiling? Maybe that's why he gave me all those weird looks. I should make use of that. Might put people at ease, make them underestimate us, me. 

     “Where did you get that fast? I don’t remember you being that quick when we spar.” Yvet asked, saddling up next to me. He was only a year older than me, though he stood a full head taller. His eyes weren’t as violet as mine, ringed with green, though his excitement showed as his ears were half raised. 

     “Which part, the fact that I have a shiny new toy, or the knife?” I asked, patting the revolver tucked into my belt. “I thought I did pretty good at not getting shot, huh?” 

     “I’d say! I’m happy you are the one leading us, I don’t think any of us thought that plan of yours was actually going to work. The wheel, the ambush, I thought we were going to have spill some blood. You… you looked amazing out there!”

      “Good lord Yvet,” Hob said, making a gagging motion. “Cut it with the flirting, making us sick.” My cheeks reddened with that, Yvet only tried to punch him in the face. Only to get arm barred and flipped on his back. “Too slow.”

      “Hob, enough.” Ghet’s voice cut through the ensuing arguing, raspy and worn. Though he had been a Raid Leader for decades before me, held a lot of weight in the Clan. Hob obeyed without anymore complaining, “You should be ashamed, boy. I shouldn’t have to tell you anything, you should be listening to your commander. Disgraceful to see you so disrespectful to her as well as Yvet.” 

     Hob at least had the decorum to look ashamed, turning his head away as we entered the village proper. The bustle of the others, the sound of cooking pots and wooden spoons, the smell of baking bread and roasting meats. The chorus of cheers as they noticed us coming back without a drop of blood on us, the warmth that rose in my chest. Glory.

     We brought the box to the Chief, and Mother Kari, as she needed to bless the offerings to Bhal and the Chief to determine the merit of our raid. We all knelt before the two, raised our hands in submission, palms up. Our Chief rose and came and inspected our knives. Pulling them from our sheaths. "Why is there no blood on any of them, except yours Ilgor?" The chief had a voice that sounded like falling gravel echoing up in a valley. He looked down at me, I wouldn't meet his eyes until he asked me to, Kari would be mad otherwise. The ceremony demanded this, ever the traditionalist. Though, despite it, I didn’t need to look at Ma to feel the pride radiating off her. 

      He tried to keep it out of his voice, but even the young ones in the crowd heard it. He was impressed, the smile he had on his face was infectious as it spread throughout the onlookers. "Why are none of our boys dead? Every first raid leads to the death of at least a few of our warriors." 

     "I made sure there was a plan, I told my boys to move quickly, keep quiet, move only when we needed to." I said to him, my head still down. I waited until I felt him place my knife back in my hands before I looked up at him. The broken crown sitting atop his brown windswept hair, the symbol of our Great Father Bhal. This was routine, done for every offering made to the clan. I had seen it countless times, helped Ma with the blessings countless times, but this. My offering felt different. 

     "You did well." My cheeks flushed from the rare praise of Chief Yorm. "Tell me, what was your plan, was it why you forbade our warriors from raiding while you trained?" He asked in an inquisitive voice, I could see him cock his head from where I was looking at the ground, and he scratched his chin.

     "I made them practice, I made Hob and the others learn the spears more after I watched the humans kill that serpent.  I made them work more as a team, follow specific calls to do specific things. As you and the others taught me to do. I only reinforced the lessons, Father. We picked our hit, waited until the sun was in their eyes, and descended on them all at once. Forced the hand of the merchant to obey. It went well, no one died." I quickly told him, the Father of the clan suffered no long speeches. 

     "Why the spears? Why not ask me for the guns in the Clan’s care? Which I must say, I am happy to add another to the defense of the Family." 

     "Farther away, out of swinging distance, good for getting something done without being right under it. Used them to bind the wheel of the wagon, keep Hob from trying to put his knife in the axle, breaking his fingers, or anyone else. It was safer. I didn’t need to use the few resources we have for guns."

     "Hmm, Ilgor, look at me." I did, and met his eyes. His were the same dark purple as mine, I could almost see myself in them. He had a wide toothy smile, that made the bags under his eyes vanish a little. I saw that his light green skin was more wrinkled than I remembered. "I want you to take the rest of our raiders, and teach them again the way us raiders are made. You will make Bhal proud." My eyes widened, and my ears reflexively went back. I didn't think I had done that well, to deserve to teach the whole clan something new.

     "This tactic intrigues me, tell me your whole story up to the wagon, I want to know how much work it would take to repeat this." I told him of my reconnaissance, the tracking, the training, and the waiting. I had his full attention, the High Priestess' full attention. I could see more of the clan gathering around us, listening. After I was done, he nodded and told me to do this again, he hoped that there would be more raiding like this.

     Kari stepped forward and raised her staff above the box.  Touching me on the shoulder to rise, I knew well what she wanted, she wanted me to chant the prayer with her. She chanted a prayer that we had all heard a thousand times before. Our voices sounded as one, hers steeped in power, mine only adding grace. "So for the souls that you have created, we dedicate these spoils to you, oh Great Bhal. So for the souls that you have created, we dedicate our efforts to you, oh Great Bhal. So for the souls that you have created, may we join you in your struggles, Oh Great Bhal." 

     An odd light emitted from the staff and the box glowed as she waved the staff over it. "So it is done, Chief Bhal is satisfied" She spun so that her robe flared out and looked at the Chief with a wide smile of her own. She wouldn't say it to me until later, but she told me she was proud of me. It made me flush all over again. She giggled at that and told me it looked cute on me as she put her hands on my cheeks, still smiling.

     The chief rummaged through the box, and handed me a large iron bead that was highly polished and told me to tie off my braid with it. I didn't see the merchant put that in there, but I didn't see the Chief pull it from anywhere either. He also gave me all three knives in the box. He handed the rest of the meat out to the raiding crew, and some of the extra to anyone who was standing nearby. He took the only bottle of hooch for himself. 

*** 

     After the fires in the cave died down, I went outside. I wanted to look at the stars, it was a beautifully clear night for star watching. New moon, cool breeze, not too humid. The wind through the trees shimmered softly. I enjoyed this for a while and closed my eyes while I sat back against the bluff wall. When I opened them again, the stars were still there. Sparkling, twinkling, and shifting colors. I wondered to myself, how am I so small? Every time I look at the stars I feel a reverence that I can't quite explain.

     I like the sound of the trees, the crash of the waves against the sand. I like the warmth of the bluff wall against my back. I like the twinkling stars. I like the feeling of the sand between my toes. I like being alive. I felt the wind rustle my hair. Ma helped me and the rest of the women of the village undo our hair at the end of the day. I liked the way it fell down my back, ending at my knees. Kari said she liked how it was gently curly when not done up in a braid. It always made me smile, despite the fact that it pooled around me when it wasn’t braided. 

     There was a shooting start streaking slowly across the sky. All felt right in the world, in this moment of calm. The peaceful breathing of the family inside the caves. My family.  

      “Quite the day, Miss Illy. I don’t think you’ve realized the number of things just given to you.” Ghet came out of the cave with a bottle in his hand, handing it to me. 

      “You mean being praised so much during the ceremony? It’s not often the first raid of anyone goes without something going wrong.” I responded, taking a draft of spirit. Like fire it burned my throat. 

      “And that, Ilgor, is where I will teach.” I turned to him, not quite understanding. He took the bottle gently from my hands, tipping it back nearly draining it. I had to lay my hand on it to slow him down. 

     “What do you mean, teach? Did I miss something?” I asked. “I feel like you want to speak somewhat more privately, let's walk.” 

     “Illy, I uh, I want to apologize. Seeing you take charge, seeing you do so well today. I couldn’t help but feel… I wish your parents were here to see you today.” He started, but I knew this road. We all did, a wound from a mistake so long ago, a hole in his heart that he refused to cauterize and allow to heal. I stopped him, and pulled him into a tight hug. 

     “Uncle Ghet, it happens. It wasn’t your fault, we all know the life we live. I’ve never held it against you, Kari has been more than enough Mother to me. Ma knows I love her. I can’t really remember what they look like, vague memories.” I said letting him go. 

     “That doesn’t help you know. Your forgiveness changes nothing, a tree felled cannot be put back into place.” He dejectedly. 

      “True, but the seeds of that tree may be scattered further than they would otherwise. Where darkness exists, so too does the light.” He looked over at me smiling at him, not a hint of blame on my face. 

      “You’re too kind. This is what I mean, far too accepting of what we do. Don’t you think that we put ourselves in danger for nothing? I loved that you spared everyone today, the others didn’t hear what you said to that Human, but I did.” He rested his aged hand, still strong and firm, on my shoulder. “You have a heart of gold, and I’d hate to see it taken away.” 

      “I don’t plan on becoming Chief, Ghet. Why does it sound like you are wanting to give me some kind of endorsement?” I asked, not liking the direction of the conversation. 

      “Oh please, if Yorm felt you were a threat, he’d insist Kari make you an acolyte. Besides, you’re already on that short list, I think Mother, like everyone else, was waiting to see how you did today.” He handed me the bottle again, we walked out onto the sandbar just inside the bay. The water was warm, the sand cool beneath our feet. 

      “So what did you want to point out to me? That Hob needs to be brought back in line, I don’t care how long I’ve known him, or the fact that we grew up together. That hot-head of his is going to get us killed.” I vented, still angry at his attitude all damn day. 

      “Partially, but I want to point a few things out. I know you thought nothing of it when she did it. But, the Raid Leaders aren’t exactly allowed to participate in the blessing of their own offering. She made an executive decision there before Yorm could say anything, a precedent that I don’t think you appreciate yet.” He explained as I took a draft from the bottle. 

      “Like what?”

      “She gave you the direct endorsement of Bhal. A Raid Leader, not a Chief. She also has been teaching you to potentially be the new Priestess of the clan for years. A unique thing the clan hasn’t seen.” He went on. “You’ll see, the others are going to quickly pick up on just how much power in the clan she just gave you.”

      “Wouldn’t that just make me a bigger target?” I asked, though I wasn’t too nervous, I was sure I could handle any of the Raiders if they challenged me. Well, maybe not Cori or Knoll. 

      “Exactly, beyond that, the Chief gave you the opportunity to see the rest of the crews. To make yourself seen, to show what you can do. Personally, I think he’s going to regret that.”

     “So, why are you telling me this? If the Clan was going to respect me more because of it, then why are you acting like this is a warning?” I pressed, handing him the bottle now. 

     “I think you are going to be something no one is expecting. I feel it in my bones, and I can’t explain it. Shifting winds is what I saw today. You need to be more politically aware, the games they play. You didn’t see any of this, and this is what I wish to teach you.” 

     “The stars are clear tonight, still not a cloud in the sky.” I said, we finally reached the massive stone that stuck out of the bay. Climbing to the top, I reached a hand down for him. 

     “It is a beautiful night tonight, soft breeze, cool.” He took the hint, I didn’t want to talk about any of this at the moment. I wanted to enjoy the pride Ma and Yorm felt in me at the moment, I wanted to feel the joy of the clan as we revelled in the night. The songs still echoing in my head even as I sat there. But, what he said. 

     “Do you think that the songs of our ungrateful souls ring out far enough to reach them?” I asked.

     “Do the ungrateful souls need another drink?” He responded with a smirk as he brought the bottle back up to his lips.

     "It's been a good day." I said quietly.

     “It’s been a good day.” He said. 

***

     “Why the long face?” The Barkeep, despite being kind, even offering the bedraggled merchant a few drinks, still had yet to get an answer out of him. “Hey, friend. What happened to you? Most of my patrons don’t walk in here looking like they lost a fight with a horse.” 

     With a long suffering sigh, the merchant relented. A small crowd gathered around to hear his tale. “Got robbed on the road. Heading north from Port De Renard, a steam wagon full of silks, meats and a few tools I was going to sell to The Forgehouse.” 

     “Sounds pretty typical so far, so who robbed you? The Foxes? Common bandits? The Guard getting ballsy again?” The Barkeep asked, polishing a glass. Just something to keep his hands busy while no one was ordering drinks. 

     “Goblins.” He dropped the glass, shattering on the floor. 

     “They kill who they rob. How did you get away?” Another man asked, clasping him on the shoulder in a movement of sympathy. 

     “See that's the thing. I was expecting them, I knew they were a threat. What I wasn’t expecting was this. Some she-goblin spoke common.” He started only to be interrupted with innumerable “bullshit’s”.

“I’m telling ya the truth! Smart enough to figure out the common tongue, to add to that. I’ll be damned if that girl didn’t care if I actually survived that. More than I can say for my Guards.” He began only to be interrupted again. 

      “What’ya mean? She cared if you died or not?” The Barkeep asked, setting his elbows down on the counter. 

      “She practically begged me not to resist. That her boys were jumpy, that she didn’t need any blood split there. She told me they wouldn’t take everything, only just what I could fit in some shitty box. Honestly, I was surprised. One box of goods in exchange for getting out of it alive. Her little minions already had my four guards downed, knives to their throats. Might as well just give her what she wants.” He downed his drink in one go before continuing. 

“She looked about as worried as I was, but I’ll tell you what. When I dropped that box at her feet, I thought I’d try and at least get rid of one of the vermin. Damn she was quick, knife to my throat, gun out of my hand before I knew what happened. Well, that's where my real trouble started. My guards didn’t like that I just gambled their lives.” 

      “You moron, let me guess. When they thought they were out of goblin territory, they roughed you up then took your wagon and all your stuff.” The crowd laughed at him, toasting to his life and his near death experience. 

      “Right on the money. But, I can’t help but think.” 

      “Hmm?” The man behind the bar raised an eyebrow. 

      “If she doesn’t want to kill anyone, isn’t she better than the others? There’s more than just her, I know. But, if she’s around, she’s the one you want to run into, right?” 

      “Sounds like it.”