Chapter 39:
The Otherworldly Patron of Blood
He knelt before Gobking, the King of the Hylokan Goblins, right at the heart of their city.
To his surprise it only took him about an hour or so to find a goblin. Said goblin tried to shoot him with a small bow and arrow, but immediately stopped when he spoke to it and explained his situation. As expected, confusion and curiosity over his expertise of Goblin got the best of it, and after making sure his revolver was completely empty, it led him over to Gobcity, the main goblin city.
Gobcity was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Instead of the traditional ground-based building he was used to, all the goblin buildings (called gobuildings) were built above-ground, using the trunks of trees to support their weight. Goblins used lifts utilizing pulley systems to go up and down; despite his heavier weight in comparison to an average goblin, the lifts supported Peter perfectly. As he walked to the goblin king's throne (annoying titled the Gobrone), all the goblins he came across gawked at him. He couldn't tell if it was in amazement or in fear. He figured it could be both.
When he arrived, the goblin king stood up and ordered his guards, armed with spears, to attack immediately.
"Wait, wait!" The goblin said. "This human knows our language! I'm not betraying you!"
"I'll believe it when I hear it." The goblin king ordered his guards to stay put. Despite not knowing goblins accents, he recognized this one as particularly royal, befitting of a king. "If this human truly knows this language, ask him if he knows which way the river flows in this forest."
Peter looked concerned at this question. "I don't think I can tell you that. I haven't even come across a river here."
The goblin king nodded slightly. "It does seem to understand us. Guards, at ease."
The guards obeyed, going back to their positions. He went up slowly to the goblin king and kneeled, doing his best to show respect.
"It even bows to us! A human, bowing to a goblin! I haven't seen that in all my years as king. Welcome, courteous human; I am Gobking, the King of the Hylokan Goblins. What brings you here today, seeking my counsel?"
"This is an extremely selfish request, but I was curious if you had any information regarding the Jawbreakers."
"The Jawbreakers? I do not know their names. Describe them."
"They're a band of mercenaries led by a man named Ferdinand Jaw. They have armor and carry guns, just like the one in my holster."
He stroked his small, grey goblin beard. "Ah! I do remember now. A mercenary group has settled in these lands, and they match the description you offer. But why do you ask?"
"One of my friends has been taken by them. I wanted to find them as soon as possible, and rescue them." He put his hands together. "I am not asking you to help me. I wouldn't do that, not for a personal affair like mine. I am only asking about the possibility of a map between Holdenville and the camp in question."
Gobking nodded. "That is a very big ask indeed. You have come to the right place; we goblins know almost everything that happens in the forest. But information like ours is extremely valuable, and we do not like to meddle in human affairs like these."
Just before Peter responded, a familiar goblin entered the throne. "Gobking!"
"Ah, Gobbark! What brings you here?"
"I recognize that human when it came up here. It's the same human that saved me from those two adventurers!"
"The same human?"
"The very same. I can recognize him anywhere."
Gobking sat in silence for ten seconds, then stood up. "Rise, human."
Peter obeyed.
"Gobbark is a very important member of our community. Although he committed a great folly by raiding those two, you saved him. He wouldn't be with us without your help." It walked over to him, stepping on a stool set in place by a few of the guards. "Since you have saved a goblin's life, we shall save your friend's life too. Wait outside; I shall have your map ready in no time."
. . .
Peter hit the jackpot.
Not only did the goblins give him a copy of a map between the Jawbreakers' base and Holdenville, they also provided him with a basic layout of their base, complimented with their approximate numbers. The goblins had completely filled in the information disadvantage, but it also scared him a bit. If they could do surveillance like this in the forest this quickly, they could be formidable fighters should he decide to fight them. He promised to himself that he never would, out of honor and a little bit of fear.
The three in the bookstore were in disbelief as he shared the maps. "I didn't know there was anyone remotely capable of communicating to goblins," Alanis remarked.
He shrugged. "I don't know. I was just able to do it naturally."
"I wonder... does it have anything to do with you being a patron specifically? You talked to the goblin before you stabbed yourself, right?"
"Yeah, I did. But how did you know I stabbed myself?"
"Claire filled in the blanks for me while you were away. Sorry, I was really curious about your blood stuff."
"Oh, uhm... that's fine. I'm surprised you're also okay with it."
"I was scared, but you saved Claire's life with your powers. That's enough convincing from me to trust you."
"Huh. That's the same reasoning Maya used. Anyways, since we have the plans here, we can start coming up with a proper plan of attack.
Claire spoke up. "Indeed, we can. So what will be our priority? It has to be rescuing Beatrice, right?"
"Yes. Then, I want to capture Ferdinand Jaw alive."
"Really? Why alive?"
"From what I've read, Ferdinand Jaw seems to be someone who likes to feel all-powerful. I want to humiliate him as much as possible. That means getting caught and thrown to the authorities, not dying gloriously in battle."
Maya nodded. "That sounds good to me. Judging by these numbers, that is going to be pretty tough. How are we going to do this?"
Peter stretched out his arms. "Well, I haven't had the chance to really go all out. And with that gem there, I think I might be able to start really flexing."
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