Report

A knock on the door. Astvid looked to me for permission, and I nodded.

“You may come in,” she said.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” Wergnarinth entered the room and spoke. “High chief, I’ve returned with information about Thodbargild’s whereabouts. His army, your maternal uncle, and chief Odrar’s father’s locations as well.”

Odrar, now awake, rose from his chair. “Well, chieftain Albaric, it’s time you stop lazing about and get up.” He extended his arm to help me up, patting me on my shoulder as I rose to my feet.

“Wow, chief Wergnarinth, you’re shooting holes through chief Odrar with your glower,” I said.

“No, it’s nothing,” he replied after a moment’s consideration.

“Yes, it is,” Astvid spoke up, “Odrar, your tongue is a too loose when addressing chieftain Albaric. He is the most powerful man in Gobland, you should show a bit more respect.”

“If he marries you, sis, he’ll be my little brother. Brothers should be casual with each other, no?” He walked through the door, as they continued their useless banter. I just wanted to make a light-hearted joke telling Wergnarinth to turn that frown upside down, but Astvid took the matter quite seriously. Women, amirite? HAHA—yes, very funny, now let’s move on.

After I saved Wergnarinth, and he saved me, we returned to town at a snail’s pace; both of us exhausted and wounded. Eventually, as dusk fell, a few scouts from the town were sent out to search for me, which they swiftly did. Two days later, my friend was back in action, fully rested and recovered. He hadn’t been as maimed as I was, while I required another week’s rest. I can’t help but feel it’s just mental weakness on my side, seeing as my wounds have long healed, but the fatigue had infiltrated my bone marrow and replaced it. That’s how it FELT like. God knows if it truly was as such, or just mental burnout, but I digress.

He told me that since the Gnobble I killed wouldn’t be returning back to his camp, Thodbargild’s forces were going to assume we knew their location. We did—past tense—but Wergnarinth speculated that they would probably relocate and switch up their lay-out, so he departed from Coidunum to perform yet another survey of their whereabouts, returning a week later.

That time had arrived, which is why I didn’t mind Odrar’s brash tone—it was a necessary wake-up call. Now that news had finally come, so that we may plan and plot, it was only good of him to rudely stir me from my “laze,” as he correctly referred to it. Astvid’s incorrect statement about me being the strongest in the land only added more fire to her brother’s burn.

At the moment, we were all gathered in the hall to discuss strategy. Firstly, Odrar serving as the temporary head of the Esyces, a few of his Highgoblin advisors with him. Secondly, my cousin Altmun ruled the Laie in his father’s name for the time being, and also with a few of his Highgoblin behind him. Lastly, I was honored with the seat at the head of the table, my uncle as my only advisor to my right. At the opposite end of the table stood my right hand Wergnarinth ready to give his report.

The entire getup was very corporate, as if we were about to hear his elevator pitch about a brand new, fresh out the factory, terribly executed product. Something like chargeable socks that warm up your feet if you turn them on. Definitely not a fire hazard. No, sir.

“First things first, chiefs of the Laiesyces, both of your leaders are on a supply train back to the capital of the Turacetae. There, they’ll be locked up with the high chief of the Toretanii. They will try to subdue you the same way they did with the Toretanii.”

“Right. They’ll walk in and threaten to kill our chieftains if we don’t submit. Nothing new here,” Odrar remarked.

Altmun shifted on his chair and rested his chin on his fist. “Does that mean father and chieftain Sigvald are in imminent danger? What is your source?”

“It wasn’t easy getting this, but most of my information is based on a conversation between two Highgoblins and a Gnobble that I managed to overhear. Once he conquers all of Gobland, Thodbargild is planning on publicly executing all “former” rulers of Gobland to demonstrate his ultimate domination. He did something similar when he usurped his tribe’s throne five years ago. Either way, his delusional show of strength must include our high chief, as well as former high chief Audbernrek of the Bugretanii. So, yes, for the time being, chieftains Arnric and Sigvald are safe.”

“Speaking of chief Audbernrek,” I interjected, “do we have any news regarding the reinforcements I called for two weeks ago—on the day of the attack?”

“Just a second, chieftain Albaric,” Odrar cut me off, “let us leave chief Wergnarinth to finish his report first before we move to the next point?”

“…Sure, you’re right. I guess,” I replied.

He frowned before continuing his report. “I have little left to say. Thodbargild has retreated to the Geber river, the landmark that separates the Esycesian domain from Turacetaen. He has set up camp on his side of the river, gathering warriors into single army.”

My uncle spoke up. “Amassing soldiers into a unified force, most likely out to strike this town and further incentivize your swift submission to their rule.”

Amid their discussion, I held my tongue and mulled the scenario over. Specifically on how we’re going to defeat a Goblin King, his three Gnobbles, and the presumably tens of Highgoblins that were needed to acquire four Gnobbles in the first place.

If I exclude Hardalgmar and Frakaldhelm, my tribe should provide me with the remaining six Highgoblins we hold. I already have five with me, my uncle and friend, and the three squad leaders. That nets a total of eleven Highgoblins. One of them can ascend by drinking the blood offered by five others. Since a Highgoblin can only pledge his blood to but one person at a time and is from then barred from ascendency and pledging until their Gnobble dies, we are effectively one Highgoblin short of getting two Gnobbles. Audbernrek’s Highgoblins are few and already pledged their allegiance to him, so we can’t expect them to join and help increase our Gnobble count. And even if they could, they were probably needed at the home front against human raiders.

In short, my potential force consists of ten Highgoblins and two Gnobbles, including Audbernrek. The Laiesyces have a few Gobkin and Highgoblins, so they might balance out the enemy forces.

The problem is Thodbargild. However, the blame lies with me. He bested me the last time, and if the fight had continued, I’m sure I would have died. I cannot even beat a Gnobble—one that was worn down by Wergnarinth at that. It was Thodbargild’s fault, but also my fault for not being able to stop him.

“…” the discussion had ended, apparently, because it was silent in the hall. I raised my head to find everyone staring at me. “Sorry, what were we sayi—?”

BHOOOOOHM

A thundering horn blasted through the valleys outside of town, making no one but myself jump up from their seat and onto their feet. The only other person surprised was Wergnarinth, but Odrar quickly put our worries to rest. “That is the sound of silver-haired warriors approaching. Reinforcements from your tribe, high chief. They’re being led by a brown-haired man, however…”

“Chief Audbernrek,” I clarified.

“I see. The former high chief of the Bugretanii. He is the only one amongst the bunch without silver hair, so he must have come alone.”

“No matter. We need to move to a resolution,” chieftain Altmun spoke up, “Cousin Albaric, what is your verdict on the concern?"

With my eyes closed like a professor in deep contemplation, I sat back down, trying to hide my obliviousness. Thankfully, my uncle leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “He desires to know what your strategy entails as to how we must deal with the Turacetae.”

A brief nod of gratitude, and I lay my hands flat on the table and speak. “…We shall allow the reinforcements to take a day’s off or two so that they can find their strength again. Chief Odrar and cousin Altmun, you two shall marshal your respective forces as well as the army you hold in common. Finally, you must all be prepared to move out at a moment’s notice. Finish all your preparations, because we will have to advance into battle. Wipe out the encampment before they assemble more troops, and the path to your fathers’ rescue will be opened.”

My cousin nodded. “Understood.”

“Aye,” Odrar said, laying back on his seat.

“Now,” I spoke up once more, “I shall meet up with my vassal Audbernrek and notify him of that which we discussed,” I looked towards my two tribesmen present, “Come with me you two. The rest is dismissed.”