Zrimm wondered what a cave was doing under fort Suminar. Had the dwarves that built the fort long ago known that they were building on top of a cave? Or was it something that Lazis had recently discovered when making this fort his capital?

“I hope we don’t run into any Isnar here. Nasty little things,” Nasrul grumbled as he looked up at the cave ceiling for any sight of the winged creatures, he found only stalactites. After walking for a while through the cave, Velatha struck up a conversation.

“So what’s your story?” She asked Zrimm.

“My story?” Zrimm said with a confused look.

“Yes, your story. It will be a long trip from here to Blackhill, and I figure we might as well get to know each other.”

“Alright, I suppose it can’t hurt,” Zrimm said. He paused for a brief moment before continuing, “I was born to the thousand claws clan, out in a small village. My father was a clan warrior and my mother an alchemist.”

“An alchemist?” Vel asked.

“Yes. She brewed potions and concoctions to heal injuries and help the sick recover. I was always interested in my mother’s work, how mixing different ingredients could heal a bite or cure a disease. I had decided that alchemy would be my profession on my eighth birthday. My father disapproved, he wanted his only son to become a warrior like him. But my mother was delighted. I apprenticed under her and learned how to craft potions and treat injuries. I was learning so much and on my way to becoming an alchemist.”

“So why did you join the dark army if everything was going so well?” She asked.

“I was fifteen when Lazis started his war, his recruiters came not long after to the goblin territories. They declared that every goblin below the age of thirty and above the age of ten could join the dark army ranks. Many goblins, including I, joined because Lazis promised the goblin clans sovereignty and protection after we won the war. We were tired of being pushed around by everybody else.”

“How did your parents feel about you joining?”

“My mother understood the decision and my father was ecstatic, his son would now become a “True” goblin, only focused on fighting and killing. The ironic part is that the dark army saw my worth as a medic rather than a warrior.”

“So you never actually fought and killed anybody?”

“Sometimes I served as a field medic, going out into battles and treating injuries in the middle of the battlefield. I had to defend myself a few times and I have taken the lives of a few. But I was mostly kept away from the frontlines, healing and nursing the wounded as well as the sick. It was a job that I did not mind, and the war was going in our favor, that is until Mikal arrived and turned the tide. Now, all I want to do is to find my parents and return home.”

“Do you think the alliance will let you return home?”

“It will be a miracle if the alliance decides not to outright exterminate goblins after our role in the war, but the clan chiefs are clever and they might be able to strike some sort of deal with the alliance. At least that is what I hope. I told you my story, it’s only fair that you tell me yours. What makes an elf turn against her species?”

“I didn’t turn against my race, it was they who turned their backs on me,” Velatha said, she had a frown on her face.

“How?” Zrimm asked.

“That is a long story, but I might as well tell it. Before the start of the Dark war, the elves were ruled by a queen whose power was checked by a council of elected representatives. There was relative peace, with fair and free elections.”

“Which only prominent citizens could vote in.” Nasrul snorted.

“Orcs decide their chieftains with duels.” Velatha retorted. Nasrul looked like he wanted to say something but he ultimately decided not to. Velatha continued, “However, to the south of our border, the United Realms of Man began industrializing. They had begun making factories and polluting the landscape. Many elves were worried that the pollution would harm our home and began calling for action. However, the queen and most of the council refused to intervene, citing that action could lead to war. Eventually, the elves went into two groups, the royalists, who were loyal to the queen, and the Populi, who called for war against the humans. Fighting and rioting broke out between the two groups, leading up to the entire royal family being murdered as well the council. The leader of the Populi, Nimue, installed herself as leader of the elves.”

“That does not sound very democratic,” Zrimm said.

“No, it was not. But most elves were too afraid of pollution harming their precious trees, and the ones that did speak out were silenced. Purgings of royalists began, my family who had supported them were under threat of violence. We fled our home and arrived at the united realms with nothing. My mother and father had no skills, and my little sister was only twelve. I was the only one who had skills with a bow, but a ranger’s paycheck was not enough to support four people, we were starving. After a few months, I have had enough. I’ve heard rumors of the dark army in need of skilled marksmen to teach their archery skills to troops, and they were paying well for these certain individuals. I packed up and said my farewells to family before heading towards the dark dominion to begin the job.”

“Couldn’t your family be put to death if the alliance found out?”

“I was desperate and had no other choice. I had to take the risk. Now that Lazis is gone so is my paycheck, maybe I will join up with the united realms.”

“Didn’t you just say that they don’t pay well?.”

“Yes. But they lost many troops in the Dark war. And Nimue will no doubt soon declare war on the united realms after the alliance breaks up. The humans will pay well for skilled warriors to train their troops.”

“So if you plan to join up with the human empire, why are you heading towards Blackhill?”

“I left some things there that I have to pick up. What about you Nasrul? Do you finally want to tell your full story?”

“I will tell you the same story I told when I first met you. We hated the humans, elves, and dwarves, and so did Lazis. So we joined him, end of story.” Nasrul grumbled.

“There is more to it than that!” Velatha exasperatedly said.

“Maybe,” Nasruld said dismissively.

“That leaves Drann, although I don’t think he can speak as of this moment. I don’t suppose you know how to heal his jaw?”

“His jaw is long gone. He will need a necromancer to conjure a brand new one.”

“Did you know him before he got his mouth blown off?”

“No. I just met him.” Zrimm said. AHe pointed towards, “Look, I think I can see a light. We are almost out of here.” The faint light got brighter as the group pressed onwards. They had reached the end of the cave and stepped out into the open landscape.