Chapter 23: The Goblins
The sun had reached its zenith, casting a warm, golden glow upon the bustling Erelith Bazaar. The air was filled with the cacophony of merchants hawking their wares, the clatter of hooves on cobblestone, and the distant hum of the city's heartbeat. The aroma of spices, roasting meats, and the faint tang of the sea mingled together in a heady perfume that seemed to cling to the very air itself.
Annie, Dain, Almyra, and Elwen sat at their table, the remnants of their meal picked over and the ale in their tankards growing warm.
As they sat there, laughter bubbled up from their table, drawing the attention of passersby.
Annie, feeling more at ease, finally asked the question that had been on her mind since they'd left the tavern. "What kind of goals do you have as a team?" she inquired, her eyes scanning the faces of her new companions.
Dain, with a grin that could light up the darkest of dungeons, leaned back in his chair and said, "Well, Annie, we've got our sights set high. We aim to be the top-tiered team in the adventurer guild." Dain's eyes gleamed with ambition as he spoke, his voice filled with conviction. "To be the best, we must take on the most challenging contracts, prove our worth in battle, and gain recognition throughout the realm."
Almyra nodded in agreement, her sharp green eyes reflecting the determination in Dain's gaze. "Aye, we've been grinding away at lesser quests for too long. It's time we took on something that truly tests our mettle." Dain's gaze turned serious, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "And I've got just the thing in mind. You've heard of goblins, Annie?" he asked, his eyes scanning her face for a reaction.
Annie nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I've heard tales from Father Alfred back in Saint Lioran." Annie's voice was soft, her eyes distant as she recalled the stories of the goblin menace. "He warned us to beware of them, said they were cunning and cruel."
Almyra's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as she asked, "That's all you know?
You've never seen one? Never fought one?" Annie shook her head, her expression naive. Almyra and Elwen exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring their surprise at Annie's lack of knowledge. Almyra, with her sharp green eyes, leaned forward, her voice laced with a hint of amusement as she began to explain. "Well, Annie, let me tell you about goblins.
They're not just mindless beasts, you see. They're cunning, almost as intelligent as humans, and they can communicate with each other. Father Alfred's tales barely scratch the surface."
Elwen nodded in agreement, her sharp eyes gleaming with a mix of respect and wariness. "Aye, they're not to be underestimated. They've got their own language, their own culture. They're organized, Annie. They've got tribes, leaders. They're way more advanced than any primate you've seen."
Almyra leaned in, her striking green eyes fixed on Annie's face. "And they're sneaky. They'll ambush you when you least expect it. They'll set traps, lay in wait.
And they're not just armed with rocks and sticks," Almyra added, her voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "They've got knowledge to arm themselves, to fight the battle." Elwen's voice was grave, her amber eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "They use crude weapons, yes, but they also use traps, and poisons. They're not just a mindless horde, Annie. They're a threat that needs to be taken seriously."
Annie's eyes widened at this revelation, her heart pounding in her chest as she began to understand the true nature of the goblins. She had heard tales of their cruelty and cunning, but she had never imagined them to be so organized and dangerous.
The thought of facing such a formidable foe sent a shiver down Annie's spine, but she also felt a spark of determination. Dain, noticing the change in Annie's expression, leaned forward and asked, "Annie, do you know why goblins kidnap women and girls?" Annie shook her head, her grey eyes wide with curiosity and concern. "I do not, Dain." Annie's voice was soft, her grey eyes fixed on his face, seeking an answer. "Why do they do such a thing?" Dain's expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he spoke. "All goblins are born male, Annie. They have no females among them. They kidnap women and girls to... to create their own." Annie's eyes widened in horror, her hands clutching the edge of the table as she leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Create their own what, Dain?" Dain's gaze flicked to Almyra and Elwen, who nodded grimly, their expressions mirroring his own. "They kidnap women and girls to create their own females, Annie. They... they use them to... to breed." Annie's breath hitched in her throat, her mind reeling at the horrifying revelation. She glanced to Almyra and Elwen, their unease expressions mirroring her own.
"They use them to breed?" Annie's voice trembled slightly, her hands clutching the edge of the table as if to steady herself. Dain's expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he continued, "Aye, Annie. They use them to create their own offspring. Once they're trapped in their lairs, it's almost impossible for them to escape. And... and they may be raped every second until they die." Annie's face paled, her eyes wide with shock and horror.
"Raped every second until they die?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. The thought of such a fate for any woman or girl was unbearable, and the fact that it was happening right under their noses, in their own realm, filled her with a burning anger. Dain's expression softened, his voice gentle as he reached out to touch her hand. "I'm sorry, Annie. I didn't mean to shock you. But it's important that you know the truth about these creatures."
Dain added, his voice grave, "They've learned how to make shackles, Annie. They bind their captives with them, so they can't run or fight back." The thought of such a cruel and calculated act sent a shiver down Annie's spine.
Almyra, noticing her distress, added in a grave tone, "And it's not just once, Annie. For a human female, the first pregnancy with a goblin's seed is much like a normal pregnancy, bearing just one offspring. But for the next pregnancy..." She paused, her eyes darkening with a mix of anger and sorrow. "For the next pregnancy, they may bear three, four, even more offspring at once." Annie's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing with the horrifying implications. She had heard of such things in whispered tales of dark magic and twisted experiments, but never had she imagined it could be a reality for any living creature.
She glanced to Elwen as Elwen tried to cover her exposed midriff with her wrists, her amber eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
"Elwen," Annie asked, her voice barely above a whisper, "Are you alright?" Elwen looked up at Annie, her eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, Annie saw a flicker of fear in them. "I... I'm fine, Annie," Elwen replied, her voice steady but laced with a hint of unease. "It's just... it's just that what Dain said... it reminded me of something." Annie's eyes widened with concern, her voice soft as she asked, "What did it remind you of, Elwen?" Elwen took a deep breath, her eyes distant as she recalled the tale. "I heard a legend once, from an old woman in my village. She spoke of a girl, no older than us, who was taken by a herd of goblins." Elwen's voice was grave, her amber eyes reflecting the horror of the tale. "They... they used her, Annie. The legend said that they raped her through all of her holes—her mouth, her arse, and her cunt. They took her again and again, and as she bore their offspring, they feasted on her milk, suckling from both of her nipples until she had nothing left to give." Annie's breath hitched in her throat, her mind painting a horrifying picture at Elwen's words. "Elwen... oh, Elwen, that's... that's horrible," she whispered, her grey eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She could feel the blood draining from her face, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to grasp the sheer cruelty of the tale.
Dain, noticing the distress on both Annie's and Elwen's faces, quickly interjected, "Now, now, Elwen, that's just a legend. There's no proof that such things truly happen." He tried to reassure them with a smile, but his eyes held a hint of unease.
Annie, her voice barely above a whisper, asked, "But Dain, why would anyone make up such a horrible story?" Dain sighed, his gaze flicking between the two women. "No one knows for certain, Annie. Nobody had escaped from any goblins' lairs on the record" Dain said, his voice grave.
Annie's face paled, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
She felt a cold shiver run down her spine, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest. The thought of such a fate for any woman or girl was unbearable, and the fact that it was happening right under their noses, in their own realm, filled her with a terror that she had never known before. She felt like a small, defenseless creature, prey to the monstrous goblins that lurked in the shadows.
Almyra, noticing Annie's distress, quickly moved to comfort her. She reached out and took Annie's hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Annie, dear," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth and concern, "you mustn't let such tales frighten you so. You're the youngest among us, and we'll look after you.
You're a beacon of hope, Annie, and your prayers have the power to heal and protect. We need you to help us face these goblins, for your prayers can turn the tide of battle."
Annie's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to Almyra's words. She felt a warmth spread through her, a sense of belonging and purpose. She had never felt so needed before, and it filled her with a determination to help her newfound companions.
Elwen, seeing Annie's distress, added, "Aye, Annie, we'll face these goblins together.
Your prayers and our skills will make us a formidable force. We'll need your healing touch to keep us going, and your faith will be our shield against the darkness." Annie's eyes met Elwen's, and she saw a spark of hope in the archer's amber gaze. She took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening as she nodded. "I will do my best, Elwen. I will pray for your safety and for the safety of all those who are threatened by these creatures." Dain, his voice filled with determination, added, "And we'll make sure you're safe, Annie.
We'll not let any harm come to you. You're our secret weapon, our ace in the hole. Your prayers can turn the tide of battle, and we need you to keep us fighting fit." Annie's heart swelled with gratitude at Dain's words. She had never felt so valued, so needed. "I will not let you down, Dain." Almyra, her sharp green eyes gleaming with approval, reached out and squeezed Annie's hand. "That's the spirit, Annie." Almyra's voice was filled with warmth and approval as she squeezed Annie's hand. Dain stood up, his eyes scanning the group. "We'll meet again at the Silver Griffin tomorrow morning. Get some rest, and we'll discuss our plan then." The group nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting a mix of determination and exhaustion. As they made their way through the bustling streets of Erelith Bazaar, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that danced and flickered in the fading light. The air was filled with the scent of roasting meats and the distant hum of the city's heartbeat, a symphony of life that seemed to pulse through the very streets themselves.
Annie walked back to her dungeon cell on the eastern part of the wall, below the Captain Lightrose's office, her mind still reeling from the revelations of the day. The guard captain's office was a beacon of light in the darkness, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows that danced and flickered across the cobblestone path. She could hear the muffled sounds of the guards' conversations, their laughter echoing off the stone walls as they went about their duties.
As she approached the Captain's office, the guards' voices grew louder, their laughter more pronounced. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. As she walked past the open doorway, the guards' laughter abruptly ceased, their eyes fixed on her with a sudden intensity. "Halt!" one of the guards barked, his hand reaching for his sword. "Captain Lightrose wants to see you," the other guard said, his voice stern but not unkind. Annie's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening in surprise. She had expected to be allowed to pass, to continue on her way to the dungeon. But the guards' sudden demand for her presence sent a shiver of unease down her spine. She took a deep breath, her mind racing as she tried to understand what could have prompted the captain's request.
"I will see Captain Lightrose in his room," she replied in her polite and graceful way to the guards, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. The guards exchanged a glance, their expressions softening slightly as they nodded. "Very well," one of them said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "We'll escort you to his office." As they walked towards the Captain's office, Annie's heart pounded in her chest. Thought of what he might want from her filled her with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. The guards led her to a heavy wooden door, the captain's name carved into the wood in bold letters. They knocked once, and a voice from within called out, "Enter." The guards pushed open the door, and Annie stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of the captain.
Captain Lightrose was indeed sitting on his desk, a stack of parchment in his hands, his eyes fixed on her as she entered. "Ah, Annie," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "I've been expecting you." Captain Lightrose gestured to the space in front of his desk. "Stand here, Annie." His voice was firm, yet not unkind. He turned to the guards. "Leave us." The guards nodded and closed the door behind them, leaving Annie alone with the captain.
Annie walked to the spot indicated, her heart pounding in her chest. She stood tall, her hands clasped in front of her, and looked the captain in the eye.
Captain Lightrose leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp as he asked, "Did you go to the Silver Griffin like I instructed, Annie?" Annie nodded, her voice polite and steady as she replied, "Yes, Captain Lightrose. I went to Silver Griffin as you suggested." The captain's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered this, his fingers drumming on the armrest of his chair.
"And what did you find out there, Annie?" he asked, his voice a low rumble. Annie took a deep breath, her mind racing as she recalled the events of the day. "I met Dain, Almyra, and Elwen," she began, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "They are an adventurer team, and they invited me to join them. They said that they need my healing skills for their quests and contracts." The captain's eyebrows raised slightly at this, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind. "And what do you think of that, Annie?" he asked, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Annie's heart fluttered at the sight of his smile, a warmth spreading through her at the unexpected sight. "I think it's a good opportunity," she replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I want to help people, and this seems like a way to do that." Captain Lightrose nodded, his smile growing wider. "A noble sentiment, Annie," he said, his voice filled with approval. "And what of the reward? Do you know what awaits you for each successful contract?" Captain Lightrose asked, his smile softening into a curious expression. Annie nodded, her eyes meeting his. "Yes, Captain Lightrose. The reward is merit and coins." Captain Lightrose's smile widened, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and approval. "I give you the chance to help people, to make a difference, Annie. But remember, every coin has a price." He leaned forward, his expression turning serious.
"In return, I expect you to hand over all of your coin portion from the contracts to me." His smile widened, but there was a hardness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "Consider it a... fee."
Annie's eyes widened in surprise at his words. "Captain Lightrose," she began, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach, "as a priestess, I should not take any rewards for my help. It is my duty to serve others without expecting anything in return." The captain's smile faded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered her words. "Annie," he said, his voice stern and unyielding, "you will take your portion of the coins, and you will hand it over to me. It is non-negotiable." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Annie's eyes widened in surprise, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to process his words. She had never expected such a demand from the captain, and she struggled to understand his reasoning. "But Captain Lightrose," she began, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach, "as a priestess, I should not take any rewards for my help." The captain's expression darkened, his eyes hardening as he leaned forward in his chair. "Annie," he said, his voice low and threatening, "you will do as I say. I am the captain of this guard, and I have the authority to make such demands." His voice was stern, his eyes unyielding. Annie recoiled at the tension in his voice, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his, and said, "I will do it, Captain Lightrose. I will hand over my portion of the coins to you." The captain's expression softened slightly, his eyes reflecting a hint of approval. "Good," he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. "I knew you would understand. Now, go rest, Annie. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow." Annie nodded, her heart still pounding in her chest as she turned to leave. As she walked out of the captain's office, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her. But she knew that she had no choice but to comply.