Goblin War Chief

by Gerhard Gehrke

He was inspecting a fallen goblin with a splint around his leg. The goblin had his eyes clamped shut and was sweating.

  “I know nothing of your kind. But your blood runs red, like ours. If these were men, I’d say half will make it if we keep their dressings clean.”

  “I’ve sent for our doctor. When he gets here, he might be able to help some of your sick.”

  “It’s almost night. I’m ordering the gates closed. Your goblins outside won’t be allowed in after that, but it didn’t sound like your leader would even want to.”

  “He’s not in command.” Thistle gestured towards Noe. “She is.”

  Noe had stirred during the past hour but remained in a state of semiconsciousness. Ramus was getting her to sip some water, but it was making her cough.

  “Who’s her number two?” Kel asked.

  “She has two officers still alive that I can see. One’s the goblin outside. The other is him.”

  “Maybe it should be you.”

  “I’m not even supposed to be here.”

  One of the men in the closest guardhouse shouted a warning. “Gate! Shut the gate!”

  The soldiers at the gate slammed it shut and dropped a crossbeam. The men above began readying their weapons, and those in the courtyard gathered into a clustered group near the stable. Kel ran to them and looked up.

  “Contact!” a man on the wall cried. “Tribals!”

  Thistle moved to the gate. There was a gap between sections of wood near one set of hinges, but it was too dark outside to see.

  “Get back, gob,” the guard closest to her ordered.

  “Let me out. They won’t attack if I can go see them.”

  “Sarge! This goblin’s causing trouble.”

  Kel tried to lead her away. “This isn’t a game. Stay away from there.”

  Thistle pointed at the gate. “I met those tribesmen out there when we were coming here. They think goblins are cursed. One of them saved me from the zealots. If they know we’re in here, they might leave us alone. Let me talk to them.”

  “And what’s to stop you from telling them everything you’ve seen?”

  “I promise you I won’t.”

  “You’ll have to do better than that.”

  “I’ll go alone. I’m leaving all my fellow goblins here under your care. Besides, what do I really know that the zealots don’t?”

  “Sarge, you’re not seriously considering this?” the guard asked in a hushed tone.

  Kel scratched at his wispy beard. “That’s exactly what I’m doing, Private Jonas. All right, Thistle. You think you know those tribals enough to risk going outside. But know that they’re worse than Pater’s men and have butchered anyone they’ve caught, all in hearing range of these walls. You still want to go?”

  She nodded.

  The guard leaned down. Thistle could smell his breath. “If you try anything, remember your friends you’re leaving in here.”

  “Just open up, Jonas,” Kel said. “And Thistle, if something is wrong, shout for me by name.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Because then I’ll know it’s a trick, and I won’t open the fort back up again to you or anyone else still outside.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  She felt her stomach sink when the gate closed behind her.

  Gelid and his goblins were nowhere in sight. At first she didn’t see anyone. Then there was movement beyond the nearest trees. She took a tentative few steps away from the fort.

  A hushed series of whispers went up ahead of her.

  “Hello?” she called. “Let me speak with Dust.”

  No one answered. She approached the trees. She saw a branch move and then spotted her first tribesman. She caught a glimpse of furs and wild hair as the figure retreated. More moved just beyond the first. They appeared keen on not only staying out of sight but keeping behind cover.

  “It’s me, Thistle,” she called, showing her hands were free of any weapon. “The men in the fort want no quarrel with you. They’re helping my people who have fallen and have suffered wounds.”

  She made it to the trees, but the tribesmen continued to fall back.

  “Wait! Where’s Dust? Send him out to talk to me.”

  Several stumps marked the boundary where the woods had been cleared. Robust saplings rose from the ground around the stump of a redwood. There was a rustle as another tribesman rose from cover to flee from her. She chased him.

  “Don’t run!”

  But as he scurried off she saw there were others who joined him, and many more shifting in their places further within the woods.

  So many.

  She estimated at least twice the number she had counted when first speaking with Dust. How many had Jacob, their chief, told the zealot commander they had with them? Twenty? Yet here were perhaps fifty tribesmen gathered.

  She hurried after those moving away from her. The tribesmen didn’t appear to be moving quickly but they had no problem navigating the thickest undergrowth. As she caught up, she could see they were collecting at the top of a rise, their backs turned. There they waited. Dust and their chief stood at the center.

  Next to the chief was an unarmed goblin. He had the hood of his hunter’s cloak drawn over his head, but he moved it to observe Thistle as she got closer. The goblin’s hard face was that of Chief Gelid, and he was scowling.

  Dust held his mirror high to see her. “Halt, Thistle. Come no further.”

  Thistle stopped. Gelid murmured something to Jacob she couldn’t make out before gathering his cloak around him and marching her way.

  “Call your tribesmen back,” she cried. “Chief Jacob, there’s no reason for you to fight the men in the fort. They’re aiding us. If you attack them, you could hurt my people too.”

  “Be quiet,” Gelid hissed. “Not another word. Follow me.”

  “But the humans in the fort—”

  “Enough. Your foolishness will cost us lives. You will keep silent.”

  They walked together as Gelid hurried her along.

  She tried to look behind her. “Did you speak to them? What did you say?”

  Gelid didn’t answer. “Get me inside that fort. I need to speak to Noe.”

  “What happened? Let me speak with Dust.”

  He clamped a hand on the back of her neck and hauled her close. His grip was iron. His sharpened teeth clacked before he spoke. “What you do in your tribe is your business. Your parent raised you with leniency? That was their business. But out here, with us, you’re a soldier. If you disobey, you’ll be killed. No more talking. No more protests. Get me into the fort so I can speak with Noe. Understand?”

  She nodded. He held her fast for a moment before shoving her along.

  The fort was dark. All fires within had been extinguished. With no moon, it was difficult to see any of the soldiers on the parapet or in their towers. She pounded on the gate.

  “It’s Thistle. I have one other goblin with me. Let us in.”

  They waited a long moment before the gate cracked open. One man held a hooded lantern, which he shined on them as they entered. A few soldiers brandished spears. She recognized the voice of the guard she had faced earlier.

  “What happened out there, gob?” Private Jonas asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  Gelid wasn’t waiting. He brushed past the guard as the gate slammed shut behind them, moving between the goblin groups and hissing Noe’s name.

  “We’re safe for the moment,” Thistle said to the guard. Then she hurried to catch up to the goblin chief.

  Noe had been lying bundled on the ground but she stood on shaky legs when Gelid approached. “Report, Chief Gelid. I’ve heard no reliable news since my injury. Our losses?”

  “I counted our dead. Fifty-three of our number fell. Add that to those who fled and haven’t returned. There are some missing who may have succumbed to their injuries.”

  “And the humans?”

  Gelid smiled. “We killed more than we lost. Only a few escaped
.”

  “Find those goblins who ran. Continue watching the enemy camp. We need to know what they have left. If we can strike at them before they recover, our victory will be decisive.”

  Thistle was waiting for a chance to speak but neither would look at her.

  Gelid spoke in almost a whisper. “But what of this place? We have an opportunity right here. They can’t have many more than fifteen able defenders.”

  Noe struggled to sit up. “No. After the fight, Thistle asked One Stone to go and retrieve Wren and to bring the wounded here. Chief Gelid, I’m ordering you to send a detachment to meet up with them and give assistance. We need our doctor.”

  “This place reeks of their piss. We’ll get sick here.”

  “For now it has walls and the soldiers to man them. The Pinnacle men giving us shelter is an unexpected advantage we can’t ignore. Here we can care for the wounded and prosecute our attack on the zealots. Have your men bring as much of the supplies as they can carry.”

  Gelid hesitated before nodding.

  Thistle cleared her throat. “Chief Gelid, what were you saying to the tribesmen?”

  “You spoke with them?” Noe asked.

  “I did. That’s a part of the opportunity I spoke of. We can use them. Pater’s men has paid them silver. But I’ve discovered we can offer them something they value just as highly that will turn their allegiance to us.”

  Thistle knew they had no gold. Even the fort wasn’t anything the tribesmen would conceivably want.

  “What did you learn?” Noe asked. “The humans believe they’re planning an attack.”

  “Not while we’re inside. But my conversation with them was illuminating.” He paused to look at Thistle. It was clear he wasn’t going to continue while she was there.

  Noe motioned Thistle closer. “Inform Sergeant Kel that the tribesmen outside are no threat as long as we’re here. This should put him and his men at ease.”

  “I’d like to hear what Chief Gelid learned.”

  “Do as you’re told.”

  Thistle turned to leave.

  “Now, Chief Gelid,” she heard Noe say behind her, “tell me of this opportunity.”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Try as she might, she couldn’t overhear the two whispering goblins. But Chief Gelid held Noe’s attention for several minutes. Meanwhile, Thistle had to wait while one of the soldiers fetched Kel from his quarters.

  When Gelid’s conversation with Noe ended, he marched back to the gate. The guard admonished him that once he left, the fort would remain sealed for the remainder of the night.

  Kel finally emerged, a lamp in hand. Thistle gave him the news that they would be safe from attack for now. He nodded but passed along orders to keep his men in place. Before she could retire to find a spot to sleep, he stopped her.

  “Tell me it wasn’t a mistake bringing you in here.”

  “I realize you’re taking a chance,” Thistle said. “We’ve sent runners out. We’ll have supplies coming, which we can share. They could be here by morning.”

  He didn’t comment on what she thought was good news. “Those tribesmen outside,” he said. “We’ve been facing them this whole time. They’re vicious. While the zealots will do anything to bribe or burn their way in, the tribesmen come at night, try to climb the walls, and will even leave poisoned food for my men.”

  “This isn’t a trick. When the food comes, I’ll eat any of it with you watching so you know it’s safe.”

  “Isn’t your kind immune to poison?”

  “Perhaps we’re hardier than you, but we get sick too. We’re at your mercy here. There’s no gain to be had in tricking you. In the morning, talk to Noe. I hope that she can reassure you that our fight is with the zealots.”

  “You appear to be the only one who can speak with us without it showing in your face how much you hate us.”

  It was true. Neither Noe nor Gelid was very good at masking their feelings.

  “I can only speak for myself. The only humans I knew were with Lord. But it would be foolish for me to believe that your kind isn’t capable of being honorable.”

  Kel chuckled. “If by that, you mean you believe it might be possible to trust one another, then that will be decided by what we do going forward. Words are cheap. Now if there’s nothing else, I’m going to see to my men.”

  He took his lamp with him as he made his rounds.

  It proved difficult navigating the interior courtyard in the dark with so many wounded lying about. Exhaustion tugged at her. At that moment, any patch of ground would do. But a wounded goblin nearby was groaning. She knelt beside him and felt his forehead. It was hot and damp with sweat. She went to one of the water pots and dipped a cloth bandage in it. Then she returned to the goblin and wiped his face down. There she remained for much of the night, nodding off for fitful moments until her patient slept.

  The soldiers of the fort rotated their watch once during the night. At least one man winced as he climbed up to the parapet to take his turn at guard duty. Thistle pondered Chief Gelid’s assessment. The number of able-bodied defenders might have even been less than a dozen. The sick and wounded were part of the rotation.

  Kel never seemed to rest. Even as dawn loomed she could hear him in one of the towers whispering encouragement to one of the sentries. And how long had they been under siege? Over a year? How would her kind fare in such a lengthy ordeal?

  A songbird’s call caught her attention. Ramus stirred. He too had been tending the wounded during the night and had finally found a place nearby to sleep. Arens was up and he whispered something to Noe. She gave him an order.

  Arens jogged over to Thistle. “They’re here. Tell the humans to let them in.”

  Thistle hissed for Kel. “Our runners are here with the supplies. Let me go outside and bring them into the fort.”

  Kel got his men ready. The crossbowmen gathered above the gate as it was opened. Once Kel gave her a nod, she went to the gate. A sentry cracked it open and motioned her through. One Stone stood at the front of a column of goblins, many of them Gelid’s men, although the chief was nowhere to be seen. They carried bundles of food. The ones bringing up the rear had the wounded with them. Wren was once again last in the procession, holding up his end of a litter.

  Relief washed over her upon seeing him. She was surprised by the sensation. She let out a whup and waved them forward. They dragged themselves past, appearing cold and weary. The sentries asked each warrior to drop their weapons, which they did after Ramus reinforced the request with an order.

  Once inside, Wren set the litter down. Thistle gave him a hug.

  “What’s that for?”

  “For being alive.”

  “I’m happy to see you too. Let me get everyone settled.”

  Wren looked about the interior of the fort. Some of the soldiers came down and grabbed the supplies and began to tear at them, but Kel quickly put a stop to this.

  “Jonas, see each man gets a double ration,” Kel said. “Then we store the rest.”

  The private nodded and the gathered men waited patiently for a share of food. No mention was made of the possibility it could be poisoned. Kel gave her a look, but by then men were stuffing slices of meat into their mouths.

  Even as the last of the wounded goblins were carried in, Noe motioned for One Stone to come over. Thistle and Arens joined them.

  One Stone cleared his throat. “We got back here as quickly as we could. Traveled all night. There was no sign of zealot activity.”

  “What of the tribesmen?” Noe asked.

  “Didn’t see any.”

  “One of the scouts has returned,” Arens said. “The message from Chief Gelid is that the zealots have all gone back to their camp and are hunkering down. Maybe they’re calling for reinforcements. Chief Gelid says everything is ready. He only waits on your word. When can I tell him that we’ll bring our warriors out to him?”

  Noe raised a hand. “Wait. Why isn’t Chief Gelid reporting this him
self?”

  “He sent orders for all his own warriors to join him.”

  Noe’s face clouded.

  “I could go to him and deliver a message,” Thistle said.

  “See to the care of the wounded,” Arens said irritably. “Noe, Chief Gelid is ready. The longer we wait, the more time the humans have to prepare a defense.”

  Noe waved for One Stone to help her stand. “Arens, have Ramus assemble every able-bodied warrior to meet outside with weapons in hand.”

  Thistle was shaking her head. “I thought we were done. We’ve been bled white. We have just enough goblins who can walk to bring our wounded home. Under our protection, the men of the fort can leave. We’ll be able to return to Athra with news of a victory. You’ve done it. All of Athra will know we can defeat the humans.”

  “This is no victory.”

  “We don’t have enough to attack their camp.”

  “Who said anything about us attacking?”

  Leaning on One Stone, Noe limped to the gate. The soldiers opened it to allow them to exit. Arens and Ramus soon followed, bringing with them the handful of available warriors. They picked up their weapons on the way out.

  When Thistle tried to join them, Ramus stopped her. “See to your duties.”

  Thistle watched helplessly as the gate swung shut.

  “Hey,” Wren said. “I could use help here.”

  She joined him as he went from patient to patient. Wounds needed cleaning and bandages changing. There were several in need of proper stitches and bones to be set. Wren had already assigned those with minor injuries the least complicated tasks.

  Wren paused to check the pulse of an unconscious goblin. “You took my medicine.”

  “I knew I’d need some. I left you a bottle.”

  “It’s mine to give out. It needs to be used sparingly. It’s all we have.”

  “I have most of it still.”

  “I expect to get it back.” He moved on to the next patient, whose right shoulder and collarbone had been crushed. “One Stone told me you managed to get us into the fort. I could hardly believe it. While this place is filthy, it’s better than what I expected. You’ll have to tell me how you wrangled this. Why are the Pinnacle men helping us, again?”