Tears of Liscor, page 100
part #9 of The Wandering Inn Series
Embria stared at Relc. Then she turned away.
“Fine. It’s just a matter of courtesy. Here.”
She fished in her belt pouch and pulled something out. Relc blinked as a folded envelope appeared in front of him. He accepted it gingerly.
“What’s this?”
“You have to know what it is. You haven’t been away from the army long enough to—you can’t have forgotten. We’re about to go to war. Get it?”
Embria glared at him. Relc just looked blank. His daughter ground her teeth together.
“It’s a will.”
“A—”
Relc’s stomach dropped. He stared down at the letter and saw it was addressed to him. Embria nodded curtly.
“It details my possessions go to you in the event of my death. I—had to update it. The other soldiers have filed their wills as well. It’s standard practice to send them back on the eve of a big battle.”
“I know.”
Relc spoke mechanically. He stared down at the letter, recognizing the neat handwriting. He began to open the letter, and Embria snatched it back.
“Don’t open it! It’s in the event of my death!”
“Oh, right. Sorry, kid. I won’t open it unless you, uh, die.”
She handed him the letter back. Relc stared at Embria. She looked at him and then threw a salute.
“I have to get back to my duty, Sergeant Relc. Until we meet again.”
“Sure. I mean, yes, Wing Commander.”
Relc threw a salute of his own. He watched Embria turn and march away. Her back straight, her posture proud and unwavering as she snapped at a slouching [Guardswoman] to stand up. For a second, Relc wished she’d turn around, if only to insult him some more. Then he looked down at the letter and opened it. He read what was inside and looked up.
——
Erin Solstice was polishing the counter of her bar. She did it mechanically, noting how quiet the inn was. The adventurers had followed Ilvriss, Zevara, and the others out of the inn in the morning. They’d been assigned to defend the walls or parts of the city and had decided to check out the spots while continuing to move the door further south. Just in case.
In case of what wasn’t said, but the implication was Liscor falling and everyone dying. Erin tried to imagine it. She looked around her inn and then down at the clean counter. What was she doing? What was the point? If this inn would be rubble—and it would be if the Humans started lobbing rocks at the city or the Goblin Lord’s army came this way—what was the point?
She should run. Run, and get Lyonette and Mrsha. And Krshia, only, the Gnoll had said she was going to stay and fight. So was Selys. The [Receptionist] had told Erin she wasn’t leaving.
“Grandma’s not budging, and if she’s staying, I’d better stay with her to make sure she doesn’t fall asleep. Besides, reinforcements are on the way, right?”
Reinforcements are on the way. Liscor will hold. Everyone Erin had talked to said something like that. The city wouldn’t fall, and the Goblins and Humans wouldn’t take it. Because…well, because it couldn’t happen. They didn’t talk about numbers or the odds. In fact, they quite deliberately avoided mentioning those crucial details. But Erin had heard Olesm talking, and she knew what the score was.
It was quiet. So quiet that Erin could hear the voices outside. It was just a few voices, but they were loud. Shouting, even. She recognized a few of them and went over to the window.
Numbtongue was standing on a hill next to Headscratcher and Shorthilt. He was speaking loudly to one of the new Goblins. Redscar? Yeah. They were debating something. The Goblins were talking, all of the leaders. The five Redfangs were part of that group, as were Noears, Poisonbite, Spiderslicer, and Redscar. And they were deciding something. Every Goblin in the Floodplains was gathered around them. Erin was sure, fairly sure, that they were deciding what to do now.
Run or stay. Or hide in the dungeon, maybe. It wasn’t an easy choice. There was a limited amount of space for an army this large, but they were outnumbered by the Goblin Lord’s force and the Humans. The Drakes were heading north, and the dungeon was…the dungeon. No good answers. Erin saw Numbtongue finish speaking and then Redscar reply. The Goblins outside hung on every word.
“What’re you going to do, huh?”
She looked out the window and then heard a sound. Erin turned and saw Mrsha staring at her. The little Gnoll had come through the door from Liscor before it had been carried off. She’d leapt through, not wanting to be apart from Lyonette despite the Goblins. And now she was stuck in the inn until Erin went into Liscor. She stared up at Erin. And so did a little Goblin with a big hat.
Pebblesnatch was in Erin’s inn, peeking out from the kitchen. She’d recovered her prized hat, which had somehow ended up on Garry’s head last night. Unlike the others, she hadn’t gone outside. She was…afraid. She’d stayed in Erin’s warm kitchen and the young woman had let her. She could understand Pebblesnatch’s fear. The Goblin and Gnoll looked at each other warily, and Erin saw Apista buzzing around the flowers.
No Lyonette. She was in Liscor getting some food since the Goblins had cleaned Erin out of everything. It was expensive; food was at a premium due to the impending siege. Still, Erin had money to burn. There were no Horns or Halfseekers. They were in the city. It was just Erin and an army of Goblins outside.
“What’s going to happen?”
Erin asked the question out loud, but no one responded. She heard a sound from outside and turned. The door opened. To Erin’s surprise, Relc ducked into the inn. He grinned at her and waved.
“Hey! Lots of Goblins out there, am I right? Scary bastards. Whoops, there’s one here too. Hey, I’m not here to pick a fight.”
He raised his claws as Pebblesnatch backed up. Erin stared at Relc. Why was he here?
“Why are you here, Relc? I thought you hated Goblins.”
“Yeah, I’m still not keen on them. But I, uh, was in the neighborhood. On a walk, y’know, and I thought I’d come by.”
The [Guardsman] grinned at Erin unconvincingly. She raised an eyebrow.
“A walk, huh? Well, can I get you a drink?”
“Ooh, yeah! I forgot you have drinks! I’ll have—”
“Here.”
Erin poured him an ale. Relc blinked at it but drank it down willingly. He sighed.
“That hits the spot. Remember when you didn’t have any alcohol? Instead, you had that blue, sweet stuff. Those were the days.”
“They were.”
Erin leaned over the counter. Relc grinned at her and waved at Mrsha. The little Gnoll didn’t know him well enough to come over. He relaxed, the picture of sloth, but Erin detected something else from Relc today. She looked casually at him.
“So why did you come here?”
“Me? Well, like I said, I was in the area…”
Relc avoided Erin’s gaze. He was playing with something. A letter, opened and folded up again. Erin eyed it.
“Okay. Well, can I help you with anything else? Food?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Now that was surprising. Erin blinked at Relc. He just smiled at her. He stared out the window.
“Lots of Goblins. That reminds me of old times too, right? Except there’s more of them.”
“Yeah.”
Erin said the word with finality. Relc’s grin slipped.
“Right. I’ve, uh—look, it’s not that I think this is your fault.”
“Glad to hear it.”
The young woman picked up the dust rag and swabbed the counter. Relc coughed.
“It’s just that you tend to do weird things—and I was thinking—well, it’s sort of like the Face-Eater Moth attack. Or Skinner. Or that time you rescued Ceria from the dungeon and then we all got our tails kicked by that jerk, Gazi. And you poked her in the eye. A Named Adventurer. I mean, it’s sort of like that, right?”
“I guess?”
Erin looked blankly at Relc. Why was he bringing up the past? The painful past, come to that. Relc hesitated.
“So the Goblin Lord’s coming here. And the Humans. Damn Humans. Hate them. Ugly fleshbags, am I right?”
He grinned at Erin. She frowned.
“Yeah? Well, I don’t like the fact that they’re coming to Liscor either. Or the Goblin Lord. He sounds like a jerk.”
“Exactly! So…can you do anything?”
“About what?”
“This.”
Relc waved a hand in the air. He looked at Erin.
“You know. Something. Do your Erin thing. Make things work out right. Can you…can you help?”
He looked at Erin and lost the air of false cheer he’d come in with. Erin stared at Relc and slowly shook her head.
“I can’t—I mean, there’s nothing I can think of. That’s an army. I don’t—I don’t know what anyone can do.”
Relc’s face fell.
“Right. Of course not. It’s just that I thought—well, hey, it’ll work out, right? Drakes don’t run. The walls stand and all that. You’ll be fine. I’ll be fine. You should come into the city, though. No telling what’ll happen when…when…”
He lapsed into silence. Erin nodded. The two stood there for a while. Relc finished one mug and then another. Erin listened to the Goblins arguing outside.
“You sure there’s nothing?”
Relc looked up at Erin at the last. Hopefully, questioningly, searching for something. Anything. But Erin didn’t have anything. She shook her head. And soon after that, he left. Erin was left staring out the window. At the Goblins.
——
“When you breach the walls, I will teleport my Chosen into the battle. They must not be seen by witnesses. I will time it so they arrive within minutes of you taking the walls. Use them against the Antinium, Bea especially. Venitra will be suited to ambush attacks when Tyrion tries to capture the walls. As for Ijvani—she has yet to respond. Never mind. I will send some other undead instead. Wraiths, perhaps.”
Reiss stared blankly ahead as he rode his undead shield spider. He was approaching the pass leading to Liscor. His army, his tribe, marched around him. In silence. They watched their leader as he spoke to his master, a figure unseen. But that didn’t matter. They read his body language, listened to his voice.
“Yes, master.”
“Another thing. I have a…student who is currently residing in Liscor. He and I have exchanged brief communications. I would see him survive the battle.”
“A student?”
An image flashed into Reiss’ mind. The Goblin Lord’s heart beat faster at the sight. His master’s will wrote itself into his mind.
“Keep him alive if possible. He is promising.”
“Yes, master.”
Reiss stared at the image, burning it into his memory. Another rival. Another doomed soul. He felt a pang of fear. His master used and discarded potential candidates constantly, whenever he found someone who attracted his attention. Perhaps Az’kerash sensed it, because his mental tone grew reassuring.
“He is skilled. Adaptive and sharp, for all he is a beginner in the craft. A touch too arrogant, and his ideas are foolish. However, that is one failing in a gifted mind. But make no mistake. Seize Liscor and you will be first of my students, my faithful apprentice.”
“Yes, master. I will take the city.”
“Good. Then I will contact you when the moment is upon us. Prepare yourself, my apprentice.”
And then he was gone. Reiss sat back and looked around. His tribe looked at him. He was the Goblin Lord, and they were his people. Only, they were not the same in his mind as they had been a few days ago.
Some of them weren’t his. They were…Rags’. Tremborag’s Goblins. He had taken them. He had betrayed Rags. He had killed Pyrite.
It had to be done. But it was so not-Goblin that the echoes of the betrayal lingered on. The Goblins moved as Reiss directed them, but more like undead than Goblins. They were…silent.
“Snapjaw.”
Reiss sent the order for his lieutenant. He had to tell her about his master’s new plans, or the adjustments, rather. In truth, Reiss just wanted someone to talk to. He saw Snapjaw ride slowly towards him. Not as quickly as she usually did. And when she appeared, the metal-toothed Goblin was hesitant.
“Snapjaw, why are you hesitating?”
Reiss looked at her. The female Hob gulped.
“Is it you?”
The question rocked Reiss back in his seat. He stared at Snapjaw, and she colored. But the question lingered on. Is it you? It is really you, Reiss? Or is it the Necromancer, using you as a puppet?
Up till now, Reiss had been sure it was him. Despite everything. His master’s voice was just a mental connection. The being that was Reiss was undiluted. But he remembered the moment when he had struck Rags with a spell and wondered. Was it him? Was this desire to take Liscor him? Or was it his mind being influenced?
“It’s me.”
He said it out loud, to reassure Snapjaw as much as himself. It had to be him. He had sacrificed so much, this desire meant more than anything. It was…he shook his head.
Osthia had spoken to him. Tied up, gagged so she couldn’t spit. But she had tried. She had begged him in the moment when they’d spoken.
“Don’t do this. Please.”
He couldn’t answer her. Reiss bowed his head. He felt haunted. By betrayal, by doubt. The shining city in his dreams seemed dark and the road ahead long. But nearly. They were nearly there. He looked at Snapjaw.
“Are you with me?”
“Yes, Lord.”
She said it automatically. But she did not say his name. And Reiss wondered. He wondered as he stared down at his reattached hand. At the headless Shield Spider, rotting. At the silent Goblins, marching. And he knew he would have his answer tomorrow. Come what may. There was bitter relief in that, at least.
——
And then it was done. Erin stood outside her inn and saw the decision as it was made. She saw Headscratcher look down, Redscar sigh, and Spiderslicer turn away. Noears looked mildly relieved, and Poisonbite looked like she didn’t know what to think. She waited for one of the Redfangs to tell her. In the end, Headscratcher did it.
“We go.”
He pointed south. Erin nodded. That was it. The Goblins had debated, and they had chosen. By the slimmest of margins, they had decided not to stay or hide or fight. It was a practical choice.
“Should fight. Goblin Lord coming. Goblin Lord betrayed. Should fight.”
Redscar growled as he stomped past them. Erin looked at him and then at Headscratcher.
“You’re all leaving?”
“Now. Tonight.”
Headscratcher nodded. He looked at Erin and gestured to the inn.
“Will bring door. When get back, can come visit? Or teleport? If run from city in door, we find and protect.”
The awkward gallantry made Erin smile. She put a hand on Headscratcher’s arm and squeezed.
“Thank you. But you guys just find somewhere safe, okay? There are Drakes heading north. Don’t get attacked.”
“We won’t.”
Headscratcher nodded. He and Erin looked at each other. It was time for goodbyes. She hugged him without a word, and he hesitated, then hugged her back. The other Goblins came over, and Erin said goodbye to each one.
“Take care. Get a new guitar.”
“Don’t drink too much from that wine cloak, Rabbiteater. It’s bad for your teeth. I think.”
“Don’t sharpen your sword too much. There’s more to life than swords, you know. Like…maces? I dunno.”
“Good shooting. I’ll say hi to Bird for you.”
The five Redfangs shook Erin’s hands or hugged her or spoke a few words. Erin wanted to say a lot more. And she would. They weren’t going right now. But it felt too rushed. Too inadequate. She walked back into her inn as the Goblins began organizing, packing up.
They were going. And at least she was at peace with that.
“Good. It’s good. This isn’t their fight. This isn’t their problem.”
Erin spoke to herself in her empty inn. She stared out the window and then looked north. The empty Floodplains waited. Soon, they would be filled with Goblins and Humans and death. Still, she couldn’t picture the war entirely. It couldn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen.
And she wouldn’t let it happen. Erin’s hands slowly tightened into fists. She stared out the window and felt something rising in her.
“It can’t go down like this. I won’t let it. Goblin Lord? Humans? Why can’t we talk about it? Why can’t we stop? It could happen. It might happen. Someone has to try.”
Even if it was a risk. Even if it meant dying. Erin turned. She looked around blankly and then ran upstairs. She came down with a bed sheet.
“Darn. I’m going to need thread, a pole—can I get Selys to stitch for me? Heck, I’ll do it myself if I have to. What do I say? What do I do? What if they shoot me?”
For a second, she paused and stared down at her hands. Erin closed her eyes and breathed out slowly.
“Someone has to try.”
She began to work. And perhaps it didn’t matter. Perhaps one person could change nothing. But when everything teetered on the brink, one person’s actions did matter. One [Innkeeper], perhaps. Or the little Gnoll and Goblin who watched from the shadows. And who had heard…
Everything. And that night, things happened. People marched and plotted and things got into line just so. More or less how it was expected to happen, but with some key differences no one expected. And the next day…
The Goblin Lord’s army arrived in Liscor.
5.61
He rode on through the night. The wind cooled the blood spattering his body. It soothed the burning wounds he’d taken and the sweat. The land passed by him, grass turning to dirt, to inhospitable stone. Garen rode towards the High Passes.
They were always there, in the distance. If you looked, you could see them. A speck at first, if you were very far away. But they would grow until they were closer and closer, keep growing until it seemed like they were too large.
