They looked ready to go so I passed through the barrier and walked down the creek. When we got close to the site of yesterday's battle Deb perked up. Interested in something, not warning or scared. I saw some of the freed monox had arrived out here and we're eating the remains of gore that had been left behind. I wondered when Count Conway had feed these little guys last.
We got to the river and I waded in.
“My lord, were you planning on crossing the river by swimming? Not all of us can swim, those that can would not do so in our armor.” Frank said.
Seven hells, I had not thought about that. I asked for a rope and got one from Kyle. I had him hold one end and dove into the water. Swimming in armor was much tougher than walking in it. My strength and excellent swimming skills got me across though. I tied an end of the rope to a tree and gave a good yank. It was secure, Nate and the rest of the men on the other side stared at me dumbly. As if I was insane to swim in armor across a river with decent flow. Kyle tied the other end onto a tree on that side. The men entered the water and death gripped the rope as they progressed across the river. I took the time to check the fish lines while I waited. Only one had a fish on it. I took it off the line when Deb jumped onto the ground and tore into the fish. It was dead almost instantly. Two monox raced across the rope in a hurry to join Deb in the mini feast. I was a bit disappointed because I wanted the fish but apparently, the monox were starving. I plopped down to watch them eat as the last of our group crossed the river.
We wrung the water off our clothes and poured out our boots to get as dry as possible. Someone grumbled about a bridge and I laughed. Not going to happen. At least not any time soon. The monox cleaned the fish to the bone, Deb gave a burp and then got back on my shoulder. She patted my head in thanks for the fish. It was creepy and weird. Oh well. Vin was unique.
I took point and lead us up the goblin path. It was well worn from them checking the lines often. There were no attempts to hide where they came from. It took about fifteen minutes of walking when the caves came into view. I did a quick check with Traz and he informed me the area was quiet.
“I will go into the ogre cave first, see if anything is worthwhile or ensure there is no mate there. Once that is done we go slaughter some goblins. If you cannot kill goblin children time to swim back to Fernlan because things are going to get savage. Wait for me.” I said.
I figured checking the ogre cave was vital to do before getting bogged down in fighting. It would be disastrous to have a female ogre attacking our back lines while we fought goblins. I approached the ogre cave with a crouch walk. I knew I was lacking in detecting things so I paid attention to Deb who was at ease.
The moment we entered the ogre cave a foul stench overwhelmed me. There was the rotting remains of a young war boar sitting by the entrance. Further back was a sleeping area and then some clubs propped against the wall. A pile of bones sat under the dead war boar. A few looked to be from a goblin, a deer, and even some human bones. There was a single sword that had been bent almost in half. It was the only thing I found of value. At most, it could be forged into tools or something useful. I left the cavern and rejoined the men. I tossed the sword on the ground where we grouped. Start of the loot pile.
“Okay ogre cave is clear, how do you want to tackle the goblins, the griffin’s estimate they number close to a hundred. It should be a tight quarter to fight in, but it is goblins we are talking about. Any thoughts?” I asked.
“Goblins never fought on the line or in battles besides in the back doing servant type work. They were always easily run down. In a narrow cave like this I would probably stick the strongest warrior in the front to trample them down. Between the enclosed space and easy opponents, there is no grand strategy here. I would guess the cavern splits at some point and we guard the main exit. It should be easy enough. Maybe next time bring a healer and do not forget your torch if you are going into a cave. I brought an extra here you go.” Nate said and handed me a torch that burned with fire magic.
That was dumb of me to forget, I knew I was going into a dark cave. I also realized then that I probably needed to find a third healer, one who signed on and was willing to travel across the boundary. Jak was a bit of a coward, and he was not hired to go into combat so I had little room to demand he fight. Or bribe him into being a combat healer.
I thought over our options with this cave. I did not see many, at most we could lure a few of the brave ones out but then the element of surprise would be gone. I was tired of getting scolded for my impulsive charge in with no strategy behavior but that is probably what worked best here.
“Okay here is the plan, we sneak in. Once combat starts, we need to be loud and violent. Spark fear into these goblins until they piss themselves. Then we butcher them all. Try to save the heads and hearts from damage if able, if not oh well. Living comes before profits. Follow me.” I said.
Deb hopped off my shoulder and got in a branch as if she knew what was about to happen. I adjusted the strap of the shield and tightened it. The torch had a wrist strap that I fixed to my left wrist. My right hand was free to swing while my left deflected and provided light. I jumped a few times and psyched myself up to get my blood flowing. I did a quick stretch then burst from the bushes toward the cave. The scuff of my feet was the only audible noise as I darted across the clearing. The dirt path gave way to the cavern mouth. Off to the sides, you could see where freshly dug dirt had been tossed.
It was eerily quiet as I entered the dark tunnel. My torch flickered light as I sped down the narrow path. I was too tall for this goblin tunnel and I was forced to hunch over while I ran. I turned a bend and knocked a female goblin under my feet and kept going. I didn't slow, letting someone from behind me dispatch her. I ran down the largest tunnel past a few smaller offshoots.
I entered a spacious cavern where it looked to be the main home of the goblin settlement. It was tall enough for me to fully stand. There was a small fire in the middle. Some goblins slept on the ground, others fucked on a log. Some were doing chores, but they all turned when I gave out the loudest war cry I could. The female goblins went full panic. One even ran into the fire. The children goblins made for the exit and the male goblins pushed both the women and children down in an effort to escape.
I went to the fire first and killed those that were waking. The initial goblin was confused at the commotion when my sword removed his head. I went to the next goblin and sliced open his belly. The third I cut down the shoulder into the chest. So it went until they rallied a defense. I had killed at least ten, and the others with me had cleared half the room. A dozen male goblins had grabbed weapons. With backs to the wall, they faced us.
I turned from my slaughter and moved to the right side of the enemy line. I needed to close the gap before the few archers could stick me with arrows. The goblins charged at me from the left flank as I rushed the right. My shield deflected a pike, my armor saved me from a nasty slash. I reached the first goblin and used my momentum to shoulder check him.
The goblin flew into the wall, his head snapping back with a sickening thunk as brains spilled from the savage impact. I turned on those encircling me. I was on the defensive, it was hard to counter-attack when I was been stabbed, poked, and kicked by ten goblins. My armor repeatedly saved me from injury as the weak goblins got past my poorly skilled guard. I was saved from the increasing pressure as half a dozen men crashed into the backs of the goblins. I lunged forward and gutted one that had become distracted. I hacked with a final swing dismembering a leg and finished the nasty creature with a sharp thrust to the neck.
Five men held the tunnel entrance while the goblins were slaughtered. Some tried to run but there was nowhere to go. The remaining goblins cowered in a corner, pleading in a gutterish speech. There would be no quarter though.
I rejected my human empathy for the weak and defenseless. I buried it deep in my soul. I hacked the rest of the ugly
little green creatures until the cave ran red with blood. I was not alone in the slaughter. As we killed those who tried to plead with us some broke off and charged the five guarding the exit. In the end, nothing worked for the goblins. At least I could say they died quickly.
I sat on one of the logs and caught my breath. Some men joined me while others piled the bodies.
“My lord, we have a few sacks between us but they are mostly full of gear for just in case scenarios. The loot here is great, but we have no bridge and no way to get a cart across the river. Did you have a plan?” Joe said. At least I thought it was Joe.
“Joe or Joey?”
It was Joey. So many people, so many names.
“Good point, no I did not. We will build small platforms to get the bodies and loot to the river, then build a raft to cross it. I will send someone to get carts ready for our side of the river. So let us get to it. Pile the bodies here, anything of value that is not a body part pile there. We will sell it all then split the cut once it is sold and funds in hand. Nate take three men with you and head up top.
“Get two or three long branches that can support some weight and then use some rope to fasten them together. Then we will stick some bodies and loot on them and two man haul it to the river. The rest of you with me. We will start with bodies then go and hunt for stuff worth anything.”
I was on my seventh body thrown on the pile when Deb arrived at my feet. She shrieked at me and ran over to one of the logs. I figured something must be important so I went to her. A few more jumps over the same spot got me looking closer. I kneeled and found the dirt had been disturbed here by someone digging. I removed the dirt gently until I found a goblin skin bag. Even goblins used goblin skin for bags, gross. I opened the bag and wanted to kiss the little monox. There inside the bag was a pile of red and blue gems. I had no idea their value was but when the men saw the small stack they gasped. Bonus for the bonus, rubies, and sapphires.
I told Walt and Markus to see if their monox could find any more caches of gems. Deb began to hiss at me and held out a paw. I patted my body then froze. What was I looking for, only one thing these creatures wanted. Food. I went over to the body pile and cut off a baby goblin arm and threw it at Deb's feet. She did a sort of happy dance then took the arm and ran off. I did not complain, I was happy not to have her eating it on my shoulder. I tucked the goblin sack of gems into my belt and kept stacking bodies. In the end, no more gems were found, some raw freshly dug ore was, and the crude weapons were piled high. There were a few nice swords in the mix, from when or where was anybody's guess. When everything was searched, sorted, and ready to go we vacated the cave.
We hauled the bodies from the cave to the river in fifteen minute trips. It thoroughly sucked, and I was exhausted before we even crossed the river. It took hours. The sun was at its peak of midday when the raft was built. The only thing giving the group and me any relief is that there was a lineup of carts and a few unarmed villagers ready to help haul back bodies. We used the rope to guide the raft back and forth. The trips were slow, and due to the size of the raft, we were limited on how many were hauled per journey.
I had emptied the goblin fish lines of four fish and baited the hooks with goblin chunks. No point in leaving them unused, they were ours now. I still had to find the supplies I bought from the fishing vendor and prepare a day out here. Would make for a less stressful job than dragging bodies back home.
It seemed like we took a hundred trips and it was near nightfall when the last landing was made. I stank, I was tired, and I was hungry. The final leg before Fernlan went smoothly and I felt the tingle of the barrier once again. I was happy to be home. I made my way to the fire hauling a cart full of dead goblins. It was past evening meal time and I decided to forgo a bath and found a nice spot to sit. I stripped down to my thin layer of my armor, the chain mail and thick leather tossed to the ground. The armor had done well today, protected me from stabs and a slashes. It was nice to have the fancy set, and I was curious how it would stand up to the stronger orcs.
Elan came and stood by me as I relaxed. “My lord, more people arrived today and progress was made in the village. Plans for a bathhouse and your manor await your approval at the Inn. Phen who watches the animals mentioned the monox were released today. I assume that is what you wanted. He wanted to know if we should release the wolves too. There are more issues but I handled most of it for you. I see we have another large haul to sell at the market, I will get a team on sorting the parts.” Elan said while handing me routine paperwork that needed signing.
“Thank you Elan, I appreciate that. Send a runner to Phen, tell him to set the wolves free, and have a team pile some goblin for them to eat. I see most of the monox have returned.” The little creatures had formed a group by the fire pit where food was being handed out. They darted between people asking for scraps. “Get all these meat eating animals well feed, we got more than enough goblin and ogre to go around. Plus we have stored food I bought for us humans that will only last so long. So feed the animals until they want no more. I need to find a new runner, with Donnie going into combat training and Lily gone I got no one to fetch things or run messages. Seen my wife Bella?” I said as I did a quick scan to try and find her. I knew sometimes I could not find things right in front of me but I could pick Bella out easily from her lavish outfits, and lovely curves.
“Bella is sorting things in your temporary residence. She enlisted some help from the cooks you hired. I was able to get some new adventurers to help prepare the evening meal. Tomorrow is the collection day. I got that sorted. It is ready and waiting at the northern road right inside the barrier. Even if they do not come we will be ready. I will see to getting the animals fat if you will excuse me.” Elan said and took his leave.
He didn't help me find someone to be a runner. Looks like I needed to hire outside the village or find someone who had most days free of work to do things for me. Nate came over with a stick of meat and a smelon. I gladly took them and he returned with his own.
“A couple of lessons today, for both of us. Little more preparation would go a long way. It is one thing to kill the enemy, it is another to move them. That was some grueling hard work. Still was good to get another win. If we keep this up we will be able to retire from only a year of killing Horde. My wives are going to be thrilled when I go home now that we have more money. Thanks, Gryff, not every day you get a shitty offer that turns into a gem... did you like that pun.” Nate said with a laugh and an elbow jab at this play on words.
I rolled my eyes and munched on my food. The howl of the wolves being released caught my attention. I stood and walked to the pile of meat set aside for them. It was stacked goblin bodies that had no heads, no hearts, no hands, and no feet. The wolf pack darted to me in a blur. I growled at them when they got close, and the alpha stepped forward. He accepted my challenge. Instead of pinning him and making him submit, I appealed to his other basic nature. His hunger.
“Sit,” I bellowed with authority.
The entire pack sat. It took a moment but even the pups joined by placing their butts in the dirt. I reached down and tossed body parts. I threw the entire pile until there was only a nasty bloodstain left. There was lots of growling at first, but because there was an excess of meat the noises sifted to rapid eating. The snapping of bones made me pause to think of how weak the goblin structure actually was. I shrugged the thought off and choose to return to eating my own food. I smashed my hands against my leggings to clear them of blood and grabbed another stick of meat.
“I hope they work out, I felt bad leaving them there to turn into stew meat. If we keep killing Horde like we are I may have the rest of them flown up. Maybe the Duke was right, get them a chance to live out here. If we stop feeding them they won't roll over and die, they will leave to find food. I will pen a letter tonight maybe work a deal with Count Conway.” I said to Nate.
“Conway is a go
od man, my wife's brother works for him. Never had a bad thing to say about him, you know that is a good employer. Damn look at them go, those wolves were hungry. There is Phen, the thin short man, baldie. That one,” he said pointing. “He is feeding them more. Good animal handler, you probably are paying him more than me.”
“I am sure one day when I get time I can learn everyone's name and go over how much this is all costing me. In the end, it doesn't matter. I would pay more... wait until the next contract to ask for it. I got no desire to hide away and retire, I am right where I want to be. On the frontier making a difference. I happen to need more help doing it. The size of this village and the limit on warriors exciting the barrier ties my ambitions down though.” I said in thought.
“Well, we did well today my lord. We reduced the world of some goblins, feed some starving animals, and made some money doing it. The work was hard but rewarding, I see why you like this little village. I am off to bathe in a cold dirty creek. I heard something about a bathhouse needing your approval. Wink, wink.” He patted me on the back before he left.
I got up and leisurely paced my way to the Inn. It was nearly dark when I entered the building. Jak sat at the bar talking with Zack and some people I didn't know. That is when it dawned on me Una should have been here by now if she left yesterday morning and rode all night. I stepped back out of the building and asked for a report on their progress. Lydia had an answer ready for me. They were a few hours south and safe. The horses had been eating a lot, slowing them down. They tried to go through the night but the animals forced them to let them eat. It made sense and I thanked her for the report.
Gryff The Griffin Rider Page 23