“Kneel before me,” I ordered the thrall.

In a second, the Thrall descended to its knees in front of me.

“Can you speak?” It shook its head. “Follow me.” The Thrall got up and walked to me. It stood straight with a neutral face. Its shining skin added to my presence.

“The rest of you are dismissed.” The Amber Skins who came to watch the spectacle gave a small leaving prayer, and the prisoners were dragged back to their cells. I made sure to assign more guards, to make sure no one would take the easy way out

During the nightly banquet, the Thrall stood at the side of my throne, dutifully guarding me. It was the centrepiece of tonight’s gathering, and it drew everyone’s attention.

Another thing that drew people’s gaze was Olma’s stomach. Her baby bump had grown significantly, and the new heir would be born any day now. So, despite the potential threat of the Bloody Bones, there was a silent wave of excitement in the air.

“My Lord, have you thought of names for the child?” She asked while leaning against me.

“Hmm. If we get a girl, her name will be Katerina. If it’s a boy, it will be Peter.” I stroked my beard

“Such great names.

I sighed. “I’m going to have to create a school.”

She raised her head. “What’s a school?”

I widened my eyes in realisation. “Right. I just want to pass on knowledge more effectively, to the new generation. To teach them to read, write and so on.”

“I don’t think there has ever been such a thing in goblin history.” She said in amazement.

I rubbed my head, the pain in my leg was flaring up. “So many things to do, the sooner I start training others to take my job, the better.” I reached for a bottle of wine.

“You’ve been drinking a lot,” she pointed out. “Maybe you could drink less?”

I laughed. “Alright, I’ll try. But this is the only thing that helps me calm down.”

“Prayer and crafting, helps me relax,” she said innocently.

“Right.”

Before the conversation could continue any further, Clara Morganfield burst into the banquet hall. Her hair was scruffy and her expression was exasperated. “Gild! We need to talk.”

I descended from my throne with my cane and escorted Clara to the war room. Rugum followed with us.

“What’s the matter?” I asked.

“Well first off, I didn’t know you angered the bloody Golden Rose Merchants!” She yelled rapidly

“Merchants? We never encountered any merchants, just bandits,” I stated. “Your ex-crew.

“Urgh!” She rubbed her temples. “Damn it! We were hired by a merchant, but I thought it was a local one. Not the Golden Rose!”

I deduced that these Golden Rose Merchants had hired them in order to kick us out of the mine. Judging by her reaction, it seemed that these traders were quite powerful. In all probability, these merchants wanted the mine for the Torchite deposit. A resource I could not give up.

“Anyway, what’s the issue?”

She took a long shot from her flask, and her voice returned to normal. “Alright, let me start from the beginning. There is a full-blown war going on between the two kingdoms.”

“What kingdoms?”

“Right, a goblin wouldn’t know. Basically, this forest sits right on the border between the kingdoms of Troystein and Ovolenskia.”

I groaned. “And since they are at war, that means mobilisation of troops. They will cross the border, and stumble upon us. Is that it?”

“Don’t interrupt!” She yelled, and Rugum drew his sword. I waved at him to calm him down, and Clara’s face turned red. “Anyway, this place is in the middle of nowhere, so don’t worry about any royal troops coming by. The war is because apparently, the heir to Troystein is a pretender, and the 2nd Prince escaped to Ovolenskia, to wage war for his seat.”

“If the kingdom’s armies are not attacking us, I don’t care. Don’t give me a bunch of irrelevant information.” I growled.

“Okay!” She took another big swig. “The merchants asked the baron’s permission, to take a portion of troops to this place. In exchange for the merchants will offer cheaper services later.”

I snatched the flask out of her hand and chugged it down myself. “Hey!” She cried. “Shut up!” I yelled back.

“My Lord, what’s the matter?” Rugum asked. I translated everything back to him and his face paled.

“But how does she know all this?” He raised an eyebrow.

I asked her. “I have a cousin who works as a maid at the baron's. She’s also seeing the baron’s son.”

“Right, why does the baron have troops raised? I thought this was middle of nowhere?”

Clara burped. “I think they are expecting an attack from the Viscount on Ovolenskia’s side. They’ve been feuding a long time, and this was is a perfect opportunity for a full-on attack.”

The alcohol had thoroughly spread itself in my body, and I began to weep! It was an attack on all sides! Magic powered insane zealots and merchant funded troops! Rugum discreetly carried me back to my room, where I awoke soaked in my own tears.

After a good rest and cry, I felt refreshed. I slapped my cheeks. There was nothing that couldn’t be overcome with cunning!