Delver Magic Book III: Balance of Fate
Page 19
#
Sazar skulked away through the trees of Dark Spruce with the path of Pinesway to his back. He remained attuned to the rock beetle that tunneled underground ahead of him. Remaining cautious of ambushes, he commanded the insect to remain on guard for any trembles of motion. The large shag walked in step directly behind the serp while the second and smaller shag brought up the rear with only a few dozen goblins in between.
Looking over his shoulder in disgust at the remnants of his forces, he cursed to himself over his losses.
“Where there were once hundreds, I now have but a meager few. Where I had the opportunity to grow beyond measure, I now have to struggle to prevent further losses. I have already lost far too much on this day. The goblins have scattered and now run in fear of this place. I don’t have the power to overcome this and the cursed delver knows it. He did this on purpose, striking directly at what I could not control.”
The serp hissed as his tail shredded weeds in uncontrolled waves of anger.
“I don’t think the wizard was even here. Probably felt I was not worth his time. Look at me now, no longer even worth the delver’s time, or the human guard from Burbon. They let me creep away in retreat.”
Sazar shook his head and hissed again, this time in disgust. “And so much is true. I am no longer worth their efforts. It will take all my attention to keep these few that still follow me from wandering off as well. My hope of Pinesway is gone, my hope of power is gone.”
Sazar stopped. He turned and looked over the meager group of goblins that moved in his wake. He grew angry.
“No, I will not allow this day to be a loss. I must accept what happened, and use it as well. This day has taught me that I can raid, but I can not conquer. Thus, I must choose. If I am to be a raider, then these forces I have now are more than sufficient. I do not need to grow in numbers to obtain what I need. If I am to be a conqueror, then I must change.”
Sazar looked back down the path toward Pinesway, unable to even make out the outline of a single building through the shadows and trees. He ran from that town, fled so far he could no longer see it. This realization did not make him happy.
“To be a raider is to retreat, to be a conqueror is to make your enemy retreat. I will raid no more, thus I will change.”
With a decision made in his mind, albeit a dangerous one, Sazar walked with confidence in his step once more. He hissed a happy consideration as he turned to the southwest.
“Perhaps one day I will be able to thank the delver in person.”