Lord Of Goblins

Ten days have passed since the slaughter and though at the time the result of the events was on everyone's tongue, it finally quietened down as the time for an even more important one has come. It was time for the expedition.

Throughout the cavern, more than three hundred bogeys would gather right outside the wall that separates their territory from the cavern's monsters. Though no danger would come to them as guards and warriors already cleared the vicinity from all monsters as they do every couple of days to prevent any threats from halting the miners' work.

Walking towards the gathering from the slave quarters were two greyborn bogeys each carrying a shield, a spear, and a cross-shaped pole with a sack tied to it containing waterskins, food, spare clothes, and additional equipment such as spare stone knives, clay bowls, a separate bowl with a pestle, and other such things that might be needed for the mission.

These two bogeys who just reached the dilapidated south-western quarters were none other than Lev and Volker. They met earlier on their way to the expedition as it seemed that they were both chosen to partake in it - which isn't unusual as neither of them participated in the one-two years earlier.

The walk from their meeting to here was uncomfortably silent with the only sounds being their footsteps across the empty streets and the occasional banter and yells from the nearby houses. There weren't many people around at the time as most of the selected a.d.u.l.ts and youths already went to the meeting point, while the others hid inside their homes since most people prefer to hide when goblins arrive as they can be… pretty violent.

It was extremely awkward for Volker as he wasn't used to such a situation. Lev would usually tell him about their future plans, discuss strategies, or ask for advice from him and the others whenever the need arises. When he was this silent, it could only mean one thing…

Volker couldn't stand the mood any longer so he turned to Lev

"Um… Sir?".

"What?".

"This may be rude to ask, but is something bothering you today? You look mad." Volker asked Lev as he couldn't take the mood anymore.

"I'm not mad." Replied Lev calmly.

"You're too calm right now, sir. I noticed that though you're usually calm when you get too calm it means you're angry about something." Explained the lad.

Lev blinked before immediately turning towards Volker "What else have you noticed?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. He never would've realized that his expressions were betraying his emotions since in his past life, right before he entered the world of politics, he continuously trained to control his body language and facial expressions to prevent others from reading him like a book. It seems that with this new body, he needs to master his old skills anew.

"Um… You love to smile? Don't look at me like that, sir. You really do. You smile all the time and the only times you don't smile is when something inconveniences you, pisses you off, or make you want to kill it.".

"Is that so?".

"Yes, sir, it is so.".

"I see…" Lev replied as he contemplated what he just heard. It looks like he needs to pay more attention to his actions until he has better control over himself.

"Have you noticed anything else?" he asks Volker.

"Not yet, sir." Replied Volker before continuing his previous inquiry "Can you please tell me what happened before we met?".

Lev took a deep breath and sighed "Let's just say it was… something annoying…".

"Ah, your sister." Blurted out Volker without thought, but then he realized what he just said. He looked towards Lev and saw that he was looking at him. "Apologies, sir! I didn't mean it like that!" He said in a panic.

Lev shrugged "Just think before you speak next time, but you're not wrong. She kept shrieking of how I shouldn't have done that and how there was no way to avoid a war with Vyrga.".

"With all due respect, that's her personality, sir. As your sister, she has your best interest at heart. She does take care of both of your livelihoods as you've been spending most of your merits on equipment. Which is now pretty hard on her since everything is getting more expensive… Why though?".

"Haven't you noticed? According to our informants, fewer supplies are coming from the outside. Many greyborns are stocking up on long-lasting food such as grains, and many others now can't afford to buy vegetables for their entire family; forcing them to eat moss."

"Oh, gods…" Volker whispered. "You don't think that…?".

"There's a shortage? I believe so." Lev replied, but in his mind, he feared it was worse than a mere shortage of supplies, he feared that the situation could evolve into a famine.

Volker shuddered at the thought "Let's… return to our previous topic, sir. As I was saying your sister has your best interest at heart, though she can be…".

"Overly dramatic?" Lev sighed.

"Yes, that's the word. But is there anything else that's bothering you? Since you're used to her antics, I'm sure that isn't the only thing pestering you.".

Lev rubbed his forehead uncharacteristically "I was berated by the lover boy.".

"Loverboy?".

"Gelmir.".

"That easy-going guard who looks like he wouldn't care even if an earthquake happened?".

"Yup".

"He likes her? Why would he?" Volker said before covering his mouth.

Lev glared at Volker, peeved at his insensitivity "You need to remind yourself that she's my sister, Volker.".

"Sorry, Mr.Gher- Sir.".

Lev sighed "Apology accepted. You really should watch out what you say though. I'm glad that you're opening up to me, but there are times where you should think before you speak.".

"Sorry…".

Lev smiled gently as he saw the kid lower his head "No worries. Anyways, back to the previous discussion. Yes, he does care about her and despite his act of trying to be nonchalant and uncaring, he can get quite… emotional whenever he believes my actions would endanger her.".

"Really? I heard he didn't seem that different when you talked after the knife fight with the thugs."

"Everyone has a limit, Volk. And the closer you get to it, the more irrational and troublesome people act."

"What did he say?".

Lev frowned before answering the lad "How I'm a danger to her life and how I turned out to be an ungrateful sc.u.mbag like the rest of the ambitious thugs which give greyborns a bad name. The worst part is when he said how better off she would be if I didn't exist since I only leech off of her and give nothing in return.".

"He said that? The guy who would let some of us off if he found out we were taking an unofficial break?".

"He was emotional at the moment as I did kill one of Vyrga's elites. What do you think would happen if, in the future, I lose to Vyrga? What do you think he would do to her? Gelmir would, of course, try to protect her but for how long can he manage to do that?".

"I can get his point…".

"Me too, but the last thing I needed was him shouting in my ears moments after she did. My head can withstand so many headaches.".

"I feel sorry for you, sir. By the way, it is kind of ironic.".

"What is?".

"How their names only differ by a letter. Gelmar and Gelmir. One is ambitious and cruel while the other is his exact opposite.".

"Huh, you're right. I'd feel sorry for myself too if I was in your shoes. And it seems we're almost there" Lev said with a smile as they approached the gates which were crowded with bogeys of all colours. From greyborns slaves to bluish-green nobles. Though there were separate lines to separate the bogeys by status and reduce the chance of any conflicts between them.

No matter a person's status; he has to wait in line, and once it was finally their turn, they were stopped by an old pale green bogey.

"Hey, kid. I heard you were busy." He said in a disappointed tone.

"I had done what was needed to be done, Kul," Lev replied with a blank expression.

"But was it the right thing to do? At first, I didn't mind that you made your own crew but don't you think you took it too far?"

"Before I answer your questions, let me ask one of my own. Is protecting oneself a crime?".

"Yourself? No, it's not. But making others kill for your ambition? Definitely one in my book. I've seen nobles, Gherm, and lately, you've been acting like one. Why allow innocents to kill and die for you? Wasn't the reason that you formed a group to protect the oppressed from thugs, not to become like them? Why allow your men to bloody their hands instead of telling the guards?"

"We did tell the guards, mister Kul." Volker interrupted grabbing Kul's attention.

"You did? Why didn't anybody tell me about it…?" asked Kul dumbfounded.

Lev coughed, shifting Kul's attention back to himself "You know there are factions among the guards and warriors. Even if you did find out, the others won't let you interfere even if they have to stop you with force. And let's say you managed to stop Gelmar, by relying on you we'd be saying to Rak, Vyrga, and everyone else that we're too weak to fend for ourselves.

If we didn't stop them ourselves, they'd trample us once you or the other guards on your side happen to be looking into other matters. As horrible as it was to waste so many lives, it was a necessity to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Or tell me Kul, can you say otherwise?" ended Lev while staring straight into Kul's eyes turning it into a contest of wills.

In the end, Kul looked away "Fine! You're right! It was the only way!".

Lev smiled "Good thing that we have an agreement on that part. Now if you'll excuse us, we, unfortunately, were conscripted to be part of the expedition. We have to get there before we get accused of desertion.".

Kul sighed and moved aside allowing the two to continue on their way.

"Thank you. Now come along Volk. We're already late as it is.".

Just as they were about to pass through the gates, Kul yelled: "Wait!".

"Oh, come on! Get on with it!" Yelled a bystander who was waiting behind Lev and Volker, only to shut up and lower his head once he was glared at by Kul. "Sorry…".

"What is it?" Lev replied a little bothered at being stopped again.

"Just one last question. Do you think Gat, if he was alive, would accept what you're becoming?" Said Kul in a sorrowful tone.

"Father…" muttered Lev as he felt a twinge of pain in his heart as the image of the one who is his father, yet is not his father, flashed in his mind. Another part of him missed him so much.

"I don't know what you'll do in the future, but please don't disappoint him by becoming one of those monsters.".

Lev managed to compose himself and said with a determined look "Though I won't yield to them, I won't become like them. I can promise you that my plans involve making life better not only for me and my men but also for all those who I can save from their tyrants. There will be change and I can assure it will be for the better.".

"How?" asked Kul.

Lev grinned "Just wait and see. For now, we have an expedition to go to, but once we're back there will be a world of change.".

Just as he finished his sentence, Lev turned around and left with Volker by his side.

"What a show-off, am I right?" said the earlier bystander nudging the stunned Kul on the shoulder. That confident grin reminded him of Gherm's father.

"Do I look like I'm your friend? Touch me again and you're going to the back of the line!" growled Kul annoyed by the man.

"Sorry…" The bystander apologized once again.

'Good luck kid, you'll need it. I hope you survive the expedition and make do on your promise.' Thought Kul with a sigh before resuming his duty once more.