Gather Your Forces

“All right everyone, listen up,” said Captain Bowen. “As you know, one of our newest members went mad and started killing people in the city, eventually making his escape with several slaves in-tow. According to Sheriff Wallack, he’s aligned himself with the Hidden Grove. Worse yet, even Ozahl the Wise failed to stop him.”

“What happened to Ozahl?” whimpered Isaac, the company scribe. There was a moment of silence before Bowen finally spoke up.

“His body was recently dug up from outside the city. It was found crushed and buried under the body of several other people, including city guards and Ramvic the Keen.”

“No...” Isaac collapsed to his knees. “That’s... Too cruel.”

Aurora looked around at her fellow mercenaries. She was still coming to terms with everything that had happened. It seemed completely unbelievable, but... It was the truth. She crouched down and put her hand on Isaac’s back, looking up at Bowen.

“What are our orders, sir?”

“We’ll be supplementing a contingent of guards and riders. Our mission is to track down Jabez and take him down. The bounty will pay more if we capture him, but personally, I don’t care about the money. That bastard has gone too far. The gallows are too good for him. I’d rather see him left rotting in a shallow grave.”

“Aye,” said Alech, gripping his bow. “We’ll make him pay. Not just for the city, but for Ronnie and Bobbie!!”

““Yeah!!!”” all the mercs cheered. Everyone except Aurora.

“Now given the pattern so far, most likely Jabez will be aiming for Duke Sigard, especially if he’s truly aligned with the Hidden Grove. Even if he’s not targeting him just yet, we have our orders to catch up with Sigard and ensure his safety since he’s such a big target. So we’ll be following the northeastern roads heading to Leonia.”

“When do we leave, Captain?” asked Alech.

“As soon as we’re able to. Gather your swords, gather your bows. Take everything you’ll need, because we’re hunting a criminal as dangerous as they come. Before we’re through, we’ll have Jabez’s head on a pike. And if we take out a few of those Hidden Grove savages along the way, all the better.”

““Yeah!!!”” the mercenaries cheered once more. Their enthusiasm was deafening.

After the meeting, Aurora found herself outside, brushing her gurok’s mane. Anything to keep herself preoccupied.

“Excuse me,” a courier approached Aurora.

“Huh?! Oh, sorry. You startled me. What is it?”

“You’re Aurora, yes? I have a letter for you.”

Aurora took the letter, passing the courier a silver coin. “Thank you.”

“And thank you as well. Good day,” the courier nodded.

Once more alone, Aurora looked the envelope over, realizing it had been sent by her parents.

Wait, they need to tell me something that’s too important to say through a letter? But I can’t go back to the farm now. Not with Jabez... On the loose.

Aurora gripped the letter firmly, unsure what to think. For just a little while, she had looked up to the man. She had no idea what could have come over him to make him do... Everything.

What madness came over you, Jabez? Is it even possible to save you? No... I can’t be thinking like that now. I need to do everything I can to stop him before he hurts anyone else. For Ronnie and Bobbie. For Ozahl. For everyone.

Aurora put her hand over where she kept Ozahl’s crystal, finding her resolve. She finished brushing her gurok and began gathering her weapons and supplies.

Mother, father, be patient. I’ll see you soon.

---

Jabez knelt before Reijo, and the old elf put a finely woven circlet of silver and emerald upon his head.

“There,” said Reijo. “You are an official member of the Hidden Grove now. Wear our circlet with pride.”

Jabez stood up, and a huge crowd of people around him clapped. He even saw Iris clap, who was sitting on Seela’s shoulders at the back of the crowd.

“Tuuli, will you instruct him on how to use it?” asked Reijo.

“Of course,” Tuuli nodded.

Over in one of the tents, Jabez was sat down by the elf, who went over the magical properties of the circlet.

“Have you ever heard of illusion magic and glamours?” she began.

“Only a little,” said Jabez.

“The circlet uses magic to disguise your appearance. By focusing on an image and saying the command word in your mind, the circlet will disappear, changing how you look down to the finest detail. It’s how we’ve walked among the Ramthians for so long. Of course, it only disguises your physical appearance. It will mask your scent and the sounds your equipment make, but it’s not perfect. The magic works strongest on the eyes, so don’t forget that.”

“What about touch? If someone put their hand on me, would they feel what I’m actually wearing?”

“Yes. The circlet doesn’t change you, it merely covers you up.” Tuuli then spun around, suddenly turning into a blonde haired human girl dressed like a farmer. “It can be fun to change your appearance every now and then, too. The more creative you are, the better. Just try not to be too flashy.”

“All right. I’ll give it a shot.”

Jabez focused his mind for a moment, though it was difficult. Thoughts kept bubbling in his head like a witch’s brew, making it hard to focus on a single image. Eventually, he thought of a fantasy anime he always liked, turning into a certain knife-throwing mercenary. He remained human (as was the goal), but instead of his dark skin and black hair, his skin took on a lighter hue, and his hair turned into a blonde ponytail.

“So... What do you think?” asked Jabez.

“Hmm. You look kind of plain,” said Tuuli.

“Shut up! He’s cool!!”

“Who’s he?!”

Jabez turned away, crossing his arms. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“Fine. We’re pretending to be a mercenary band anyway, so that should work out okay.”

Tuuli then sat down. As Jabez looked over at her, he couldn’t help but notice her twiddling her thumbs.

“Is... Something the matter?”

“I was just thinking about the others. Iris said she wanted to come with, and so did Kela and those goblins. It should be okay for now since they can pretend to be our helpers in the band, but you’ll have to find a safe spot for them at some point. You can’t take someone like Iris into the capital.”

“I know... I’ve been thinking about it too. But there are other groves around, right? Maybe we can hide them in another one along the way.”

“There might be one that could work, we just need to be careful. Even with their own circlets, the goblins don’t talk or move like humans do.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure Kela is fully aware, so she’ll be watching over the others and keeping them in check.”

Eventually Tuuli stopped twiddling her thumbs and looked over at Jabez. “Say...”

“Hm?”

“What’s your relationship with Kela, anyway? You two seem... Close.”

“Huh? You don’t mean...” Jabez thought about how it looked and shook his head rapidly. “No no, it’s nothing like that.”

“Then what is it? Even among other races, it’s unusual to befriend goblin clans.”

“Well... Let’s just say I owe her big time. I did her clan wrong when we first met, and that’s why I started looking out for them. I used their hiding spots for shelter while planning things out, and I brought them food. They also helped look after Akari, which was a big relief.” Jabez then smiled. “I help her, and she helps me. That’s all there is to it.”

“I see... Then why does she hug you in such an indecent manner?”

“That’s... Just a consequence of our different sizes. Plus as I’ve learned, touching is a part of goblin culture. Holding hands, hugging – things like that. It’s a sign of trust and how they comfort each other.”

“Well said,” Kela stepped into the tent. Even though she looked like a short young girl with auburn hair in twintails, Jabez could tell it was her by the sound of her voice.

“Kela!” exclaimed Jabez.

“No, I’m Sheila now. Great importance. Good to remember.”

“Right, of course. You look good, Sheila.”

“Much thanks. Very sweet of you.” Kela then glanced to Tuuli, who was staring at her. “What? Speak your mind, elf.”

“Were you really all touchy-feely with Jabez?”

“Of course. As Jabez said, it’s part of... How to put it... Love language.”

“Love language?!”

“Indeed. Kela brought Jabez much comfort whenever he returned to cave. Let him rest head on thighs to help him sleep.”

“What?!”

“Okay, no need for those details,” Jabez awkwardly smiled.

“What? There is no shame in it. You needed comfort, I gave,” said Kela.

At this, Tuuli stood up and raised a finger. “I... Won’t say a thing. After all, I’m a perfectly understanding and polite individual. But I’m watching you.”

And then Tuuli walked out of the tent, leaving Jabez at a loss for words.

“Do not fret so,” said Kela. “Elves are... Different. If directness and touch is our love language, elves are opposite. They speak one thing, mean another. Act in subtleties. Is very confusing. It’s why we never get along.”

“It certainly is confusing...”

Not long after, other members of the Hidden Grove started pouring in, and a meeting was held where the new members were told the plan in greater deal. When everyone came to an agreement, people started making their way towards Jabez. The first one was a short, stout dwarven man with a bald head and a thick brown and grey beard.

“So you’re Jabez, hm? I thought your hair was black.”

“Oh, that’s just my disguise,” Jabez deactivated the circlet. “This is what I really look like.”

“I see! The name’s Braun. I’ll be handling weaponry, armor, repairs – just about anything you could ask a smithy for. Say, that’s quite the scar you have there. How’d you get it?” Braun gestured to his forehead.

“This? It’s... A long story. Perhaps I’ll tell you another time.”

Come to think of it, thought Jabez, the sensation Ozahl’s enchantment gave me has gone away. Did his spell over me break when he died? If so, that means I could tell the others where I came from. But... Should I? No. Their lives are complicated enough already. I’m sure they’re curious, though. Some of them must have heard what Ozahl said to me during that battle.

Before Jabez could finish processing things, he looked up and noticed someone else had appeared. Someone... Hard not to notice.

“I see you already found him, Braun. What do you make of him?” asked the nearby woman. She looked like some kind of amazonian warrior, standing over eight-feet-tall with rippling muscle, long flowing black hair, vibrant blue eyes, and skin tanned from the sun. She bore countless battle scars and wore very little, save a blue chest wrap, waist cloth, thick leather gloves, and sturdy boots. She looked like she could crush Jabez’s head with one hand, and yet there was something about her eyes that caught his attention. Eyes that held a great kindness.

After Braun gave the woman’s question some thought, he said, “He has strong, calloused hands. I can tell he’s reliable.”

“Hear that? He likes your hands. That’s always a good sign,” the woman smiled. Jabez, who was at-level with the woman’s rather impressive abdominal muscles, couldn’t help but slowly turn his head away.

“Ah... Glad to hear it. Good to meet you both.”

“Hmmm? Is something the matter?” the woman teased. “Does my appearance frighten you, little man?”

“N-not at all. I just didn’t... Expect...”

“Oooh, I see. Yes, I suppose it’s only natural. Humans are often intimidated by the muscles of Ajinians.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m intimidated. More... Impressed?” Jabez would never say it out loud, but he was always fond of muscular, athletic women, and to be mere inches away from someone so statuesque troubled him in a very particular way. “You’re very pretty,” he finally blurted out. Jabez blushed, and the tall woman couldn’t help but smile.

“Ha! A man after my own heart!” grinned Braun.

“Hey, you never said you liked my muscles before,” said the Ajinian.

“You just couldn’t hear me from all the way up there! Ha ha!”

“Fair is fair,” the Ajinian nodded. “Well admire my physique while you can, little man, because we’ll be spending most of our trip in disguise. By the by, my name is Demetra. A pleasure to meet you!”

“Um...” a quiet voice spoke up.

“Huh?” Jabez looked around, realizing that another person was standing behind him the whole time. “What the? A cat?!”

“Don’t be rude,” said Demetra. “This is one of our finest scholars, Sullivan.”

“N-nice to... Meet... You.”

“Don’t be shy,” Jabez smiled. “I’m sorry if I was rude. I’ve just never met anyone like you before.”

“Never met a catkin before?” asked Braun.

“I see. They’re not as common in these parts...” said Demetra. “Simply put, the animalkin are a collective race of animal people. As you can probably guess, their names are reflective of their ancestors. There are batkin, lizardkin, birdkin... In Sullivan’s case, he’s a catkin.”

Jabez looked the man over. He was a bit shorter than Jabez, with a fluffy, bipedal body. In every sense of the word, he was like a humanoid cat, and his fur was black and white like a tuxedo. His eyes were a vibrant yellow, his nose a healthy pink, and he wore fine purple robes with a steepled hat decorated with moons and stars. He also had a backpack full of books, as well as a wooden staff that curled at the top like a shepherd’s staff, and bouncy pink string was tied to the center of the wooden crook.

Don’t say you’re adorable. Don’t say you’re adorable. Don’t say you’re adorable.

Jabez collected his thoughts and said, “It’s good to meet you, Sullivan. If you haven’t heard, my name is Jabez, and I’ll be part of the team sneaking into the king’s castle.” Though Jabez tried to put out his hand for a handshake, Sullivan seemed too nervous and never quite put his paw out all the way. “Ah, sorry... Don’t worry about it,” Jabez rubbed the back of his head.

“Don’t you mind him,” said Demetra. “He’s just a bit shy. But he’s got a huge brain. He knows more about this big beautiful world than I know how to kill people, and I’ve killed a lot of people,” Demetra chuckled.

“Were you in a war??”

“Sadly no...”

That’s not something you should be sad about!

“Oh good, you’ve met everyone,” said Tuuli, showing back up. “If they haven’t mentioned it yet, Demetra and Sullivan will be helping you and me get into the castle.

“I see... A four-man party. Classic,” Jabez nodded.

“What?”

“Don’t worry about it...”

As Jabez glanced around, he noticed Sullivan was giving him a funny look. It was a studying, discerning look.

“Is something the matter?”

“N-no... It’s... Nothing...”

“Sullivan...” Jabez took the catkin by the paw. “I may not know what you’ve been through, but I know first-hand where nervousness like this can stem from. I’ll try to be patient and hear you out whenever you need to speak. Let us heal together.”

Sullivan pulled his paw away nervously, backing up. But after a few seconds, he pulled the brim of his hat down and said, “Thank you.”

“Hey,” Tuuli elbowed Jabez. “Just because touching is the goblin love language doesn’t mean you can start grabbing people.”

“Wait, are there goblins around?” Demetra scanned her surroundings. “I haven’t seen those little guys in ages!!”

“Down here, tall one,” said Kela. Demetra was quick to crouch down, looking at the undisguised Kela and her son Gatu, who was peeking around nervously from behind his mother.

“You’re real!! Ha ha! I was worried those damnable Ramthians had wiped your kind out! Happy to see some survivors!”

“Happy to see your kind survived as well, Ajinian,” Kela smiled.

“If I might make an offering, from one survivor to another...” Demetra pulled out a scrimshawed tooth, which was decorated with a finely carved depiction of a starry night, the sea, and several fish.

“A fine gift indeed,” Kela nodded. “Here, I give gift in return.” Kela reached into a small bag tied to her loin cloth, pulling out a shiny bluish green crystal. “Here.”

“You’re too kind,” said Demetra. “And is that your son?”

“Yes. Gatu, look here. Greet the Ajinian.”

Gatu finally stepped out, looking about as shy and nervous as Jabez felt earlier.

“Don’t be shy, little one,” said Demetra. “I may smell of blood, but I always fight with honor.”

“I’m n-not afraid!” Gatu finally exclaimed. “Father was... Mighty warrior! My blood his blood!”

“That’s the spirit! Train hard, and perhaps one day you’ll be strong like me! Well, almost.”

It was such a pleasant sight for Jabez to see. Demetra and Gatu interacting was like a giant dog at a park getting excited to see a puppy, and to see so many different people talking, laughing, and getting along with one another... It healed his soul.

“Maybe this world is kinder than I thought...” Jabez muttered. For just a moment, he looked over at Tuuli, who seemed pleased with his words. But she looked away just as quick as he noticed her.

Right, elven subtleties. There’s still so much to learn.

Jabez spent some more time talking with everyone and getting an idea of their skillsets. Eventually, the time came for everyone to get into disguise via their circlets and gather at the grove’s exit.

“Stay strong, everyone,” said Reijo. “For today we begin our journey. Help all those you can, and be safe. If ever trouble appears, send word.”

The remaining members, as well as the rescued people in the crowd, all waved and cheered as everyone headed out one by one. As Jabez began to leave, Akari came running.

“Wait!” she said, catching up to Jabez.

“What is it, Akari? Is something wrong?”

“I just... Wanted to say goodbye. You’re really heading for the capital?”

“I am.”

At this, Akari gave Jabez a soft, tender hug. Jabez wasn’t sure how to react, so he simply hugged her back.

“Akari...”

“We may not have met on the greatest of terms, but... I still remember when you reached your hand out to me. Thank you for everything. I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, but I hope it’s soon. Be safe.”

“You as well. Take care of yourself, Akari.”

It was hard letting go, but Jabez had chosen his path, so in time, he parted with the elven girl, rejoining with the others. He was happy, sad, hopeful, anxious. A great deal of emotion was stirring within him. Then he looked over to Tuuli, who was glaring and blushing at him.

“What is it now?”

“I cannot believe you,” said Tuuli. “The sheer indecency!!”

“Quiet, you.”

“Don’t tell me to be quiet!”

“Worry not about elven words,” said Kela. “Remember what I taught you: elven subtlety. To be hugged is bold. It is like... Kiss.”

“Kiss?!” Jabez exclaimed.

Wait... Now that I think about it, there was something very loving about that hug. I could feel her fingers dig into my backside. I was so caught off-guard that... It never occurred to me.

“But... If a hug is like a kiss, then what would a kiss mean to an elf?”

“Hmm...” Kela hummed. “Is like... How say... Promise of marriage.”

“Papa...” Iris tugged at Jabez’s cloak. “Be careful who you kiss next.”

“R-right. Will do,” Jabez nodded nervously.

“Don’t worry so,” said Kela. “Kissing very common among goblins. We kiss family and friends on cheek. Kiss close friends on lips. If practice is needed, just ask Kela.”

“Indecent!!!!!” cried Tuuli.

In another part of the group, Reijo shook his head. “Youth is wasted on the young.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” nodded Braun. “But it’s fun to watch, isn’t it?”

“Yes... I suppose it is.”

Jabez followed the others outside and joined up with other disguised members of the Hidden Grove, and together, they became a caravan heading towards the capital. Finally surrounded by people he felt comfortable with, Jabez had so many questions and curiosities, but he decided to hold back. He had to play the part of a gruff human mercenary, after all. Which... Wouldn’t be very hard for him. Surrounded by so many fun, interesting people, Jabez almost forgot about the harshness of the outside world. But one day, this sense of peace and camaraderie wouldn’t have to happen behind closed doors.

This... Is what I’ll fight for.

He put his hand over his heart, feeling it beat in his chest. But then, his fingers spasmed. It was only for a few seconds, but his hand looked like it was twitching all on its own.

Maybe I’m just tired. No matter...

He ignored his hand and looked at the caravan ahead of him. His journey to Leonia had finally begun, and though it would take a week to get there, somehow, it felt like everything was going to be all right.