Chapter XVII: Spys

Alakar leans over the railing of the stairs while resting his chin on his palm. His eyes linger over the goblins below as they continue to do what he considers to be miscellaneous work. He watches Rou kick and abuse some of them as they laze about and shirk their supposed duties. However, a voice soon pierces his wandering mind once again, and it interrupts his thought process.

Yee waves his arms in front of Alakar and yells, “Fadder! You hear mes?! What I dos abouts dis intruder?”

Alakar looks at him from the corner of his eye, and says, “Can’t you tell I’m thinking over here? Why are you asking me about this? What’s so important?”

Yee says, “Mother said we can’ts harm cousin Mels or other peoples. I needs your permissions to kills da intruder.”

Alakar perks up, his eyes widen, and he says, “Another person?! Son, you are to go with your brother and bring them here to me alive. You hear me? Alive and unharmed.”

Yee sneers, gives a slight bow, and says, “As you commands fadder,” and he turns his back to him.

Alakar stares back down at the goblins, and says, “Yee, taking the life of another is not something to do so lightly. One day you’ll understand that.”

Yee had stopped briefly as he went down the stairs, yet he said nothing and continued to walk down. Alakar could only sigh at this, and he knew his son’s still had much to learn from him. And with the situation before him, it caused stress to build up in the mind of Alakar.

Margrett soon walks up behind Alakar with a baby in the crook of her arm, and she asks, “What is bothering you, babe? Why do you look so lost?”

Alakar squeezes his head as if he was pulling back his nonexistent hair, and asks, “Why did you allow Boo to steal babies, and why are you turning them into monsters? We have to turn them all back to normal, including ourselves, and to make it worse, it’s all on me to do it! Why?!”

Margrett wraps her free arm around her husband, and says, “I’m sorry… But when you were gone, I felt lost, and one-day Boo brought me a baby to cheer me up. It was so cute, so adorable, and it reminded me of our sons when they were born. Unfortunately, though, every time I touch them, they turn into monsters,” and then she looks down at the green baby held within her arm.

Alakar peers into the child’s big black round eyes, and says, “So these are my children then? How will I raise so many?” and he then looks back down at the band of goblins.

Margrett leans in, kisses his cheek, and says, “I’ll help you. We’ll all chip in until we find a way to turn back.”

Alakar finally stands tall, and says, “Hun, I think that’s all I needed to hear. I love you so much,” and he then hugs her so tight that the baby starts to squirm between them.

“Gaaahhh! Gaaahhh! Gaaahhh!”

Margrett pushes him back, and yells, “Hey! You’re gonna crush the baby!” and she then promptly checks the child and gently sets her down onto the balcony floor.

Alakar folds his arms, and states, “Hey look, all is fine, she is standing. Looking strong too!”

Margrett ignores her husband, points to the rest of the band, and says, “Hey girly, go join the others now. I’ll come find you laters. Be safe now,” and she gives the goblin a little push from behind.

Both parents watched the small creature make its way towards the edge of the staircase and witness her descend each step with significant effort. The tiny goblin had sticks for limbs yet appeared to use them to great effect. As she made it to the bottom of the stairs, the parents noticed a disturbance roll through the camp below as two infamous high bogs returned. Alakar wasted no time and hurried down the stairs.

Alakar walks through a parting group of goblins, and asks, “What do we have here? A dwarf? Well, that’s odd.”

Rou pushes the dwarf down to his knees, and asks, “He’s nots a man? What’s a dwarf?”

*Shinggg*

Yee puts a sword across the back of the dwarf's neck, and asks, “Fadder, cans I guts now? He would feed the wee ones for days! Surely thats enough?!”

Alakar steps closer and takes a better look at the dwarf, and says, “No my sons. We are not murders. Now, let the dwarf stand to his feet.”

Rou throws his club into the ground and yells, “Whats we going to do with the half-man called dwarf if we nots goings to eats hims?!”

Alakar lets out a big sigh, and asks, “Dwarf, what is your name, and where did you come from?” as he crouches down and looks into his eyes.

The dwarf says, “When did goblins talk so much? I refuse to speak to monsters. Just kill me,” and he adverts his eyes from Alakars’.

Alakar notices his sons fuming at the invitation, yet he says, “I will not grant that to you. I guess you’ll just have to speak to someone else.”

Alakar then yells over his shoulder, “Mel! Get your butt down here!”

Mel quickly exits the shack with Boo and approaches the group, and he says, “You interrupted our prayer… Did you really bring me down here to meet a dwarf? Wait a hot minute, why is there a dwarf here?!”

Alakar goes back to looking into the dwarfs' eyes, and says, “That’s what I want to know too. He won’t talk to me for some reason… I’m hoping you would,” and he then allows Mel to take his spot.

Mel strokes his beard and politely asks, “Sir dwarf, firstly, which clan do you hail from? Surely you can tell me that?”

The dwarf grumbles and eventually mumbles, “Krak… I am son of Dostran, Fundinn… Human caster, I assume you are the lord of these pests?”

Mel waves his hand back and forth, and says, “Oh no. I’m, um, family, part of the tribe as they say.”

Fundinn’s eyes go wide, he shakes his beard, and says, “Human, you conspire with beasts… I’m through with speaking to the likes of you!” and he spits on Mel’s robe.

Boo struggles to hold Mel back before he kicks Fundinn in the face, and yells, “Wait caster Mel! We has yet to tells us whys hes here!”

Mel frantically tries to twist away from Boo, and shouts, “Fuck you dwarf! This is my only good robe out here! How dare you!”

Alakar addresses the crowd and states, “I think I know why he’s here. Look at his clothing. He’s covered in mud and ash, clearly a scout. His equipment and satchels are further proof if nothing else. And if he’s any sort of good scout, he’d have a partner too.”

Rou scratches his head, and asks, “So ders more half-men?”

Alakar replies, “Yes Rou, it’s very likely. Any good scout works in a small team. One returns to report information while the other keeps a visual. Make sure you always do this as well, as it’s good practice.”

Yee approaches his father, and asks, “Shoulds I scouts for the other half-men then?”

Alakar looks at Yee, and says, “Yes, but I’m going to take point. All of you have five minutes to prepare yourselves and we’re heading out. Bind Fundinn, and bring him with us too.”

Boo comes forth and asks, “You wants all us to goes? Even the small ones?”

Alakar begins to walk up the stairs, and says, “Hmm, just you and your brothers. If you want, bring some of the more capable bogarts. I don’t want anyone to die on this expedition,” and he hurries up the stairs.

Alakar then walks back into the shack, confronts Margrett, and says, “Hun… I’m heading out again, but I’m going with the kids. I need whatever gear you have.”

Margrett stops her stitching of pelts and says, “Uhg! I just got you back, and you’re leaving again…”

Alakar picks up a nearby spear and wicker shield, and asks, “Are these yours? Can I borrow them?”

Margrett stands up, sticks her pointy nose into his face, and yells, “Do you ever listen?! You really are a nimrod. Everything I say goes into one ear and out the other, but yes, you can borrow them on one condition,” as she rests her hands on her hips and turns a cheek.

Alakar slams the butt of the spear into the floor, and asks, “What might this condition be?”

Margrett states, “That no one gets hurt and you come back to me.”

Alakar rapidly nods, and shouts, “I promise, no foolery!”

Margrett then hugs him, and says, “Thank you. Now get out of here and hurry back to me. I plan to have a feast to celebrate your return. But hmm, I was going to hold off on telling you that, but saying it now should offer you some encouragement… I hope.”

Alakar drools a little on her, and says, “Oh, yes, you know me all too well. I’m always hungry,” and he chuckles.

Margrett pushes him away, wipes some slobber off herself, and yells, “Ewww! Get out of here!”

Alakar waltzes out the doorway, and says, “I love you, see you soon hun!”

Margrett waves down to him and says, “I love you too, hurry back!”

The camp near the shack bustled in activity, much akin to organized chaos. Many of the bogarts were scrambled with tasks and further ushered along by the three high bogs. Little boggarts no taller than half a meter frequently fought amongst each other and had to be reprimanded by one of the primordials. The larger boggarts weren't much better and received the occasional kick for their squabbles. All in all, the end result was a blob of poorly armed children with spears, rucksacks, and sparse clothing.

Alakar shakes his head at the sight before him, and says, “Didn’t I ask you guys to only bring a few? Why are they all assembled like this?”

Boo lines up next to his father and brothers, and says, “We can’ts leaves thems alone. They will fights and kill each other without a watch…”

Yee follows up and says, “Yeas, and they steal my things when I’m not lookings!”

Rou chimes in too and says, “Oi, I just likes to having somethings to kick. Their squeeks of terror brings me joys!” and he laughs.

Alakar face-palms then looks at his sons, and yells, “Some things have to change around here! It pains me to say this, but these guys are a part of our family now. Why do you three have all the clothes and gear when they need it more?! And this is suppose to be a small trip, not some raid! Have some of them stay! Ugh!”

Rou yells, “But we likes raiding! Its fun!”

Yee rebukes, “They lacks our glorious colors, and desevers nothing!”

Boo exclaims, “Nos, they will dies withouts us!”

Alakar slams his chest with his fist, and shouts, “Enough! You all will listen to me, and listen to me well! Send twenty of the smallest ones up to your mother, and move out!” and he takes the leash from Mel that possesses Fundinn.

The boys jump, and some of the boggarts were seen shaking in fear at Alakar’s commands. With that, it didn’t take long, and the small band of goblins moved through the marshlands along the side of the plateau. Alakar took the lead, followed by Yee and Rou. The smaller ones moved in the middle with Mel and Boo behind them. It didn’t take long, and they soon found some wide tracks.

Alakar crouches down, points, and says, “You see how the grass is folded down here with the wide footprints?”

Rou crouches down with his father, and asks, “Do half-men nots have toes? Why does it looks so funnys?”

Alakar stands up, and says, “They wear fucking boots, like you should. It’ll save your feet one day,” and he presses onwards till he reaches the opening of a cave.

The group approached the opening of the cave, and inside there were some glimmers of light and the sounds of swinging pickaxes. The area in front of the cave’s mouth was cleared of trees and foliage, only short grass remained.

Alakar gives a slight tug on Fundinn’s leash, and says, “Evidently you’re not a part of some mere adventuring team. How many are in there Fundinn?”

Mel comes forth, and says, “I hope you have a plan, cousin… That midget isn’t going to tell you anything. You’re wasting your breath.”

Alakar then leans into Mel’s ear and whispers.

Mel strokes his beard in delight, and says, “Oh, that’s worth a shot. Okay, let’s try that then.”

The small band soon dispersed into the nearby tree line that encircled the cave opening, and Mel was left standing there with a dwarf on a leash. As they were moving into position, the lights in the cave began to move and the sounds of pickaxes hitting rock stopped.

Mel presses his wand into the back of a gagged Fundinn, and yells, “Come out Dostran, we only wish to talk!”

Before they knew it an equally sized group of armed dwarves with pickaxes assembled outside, prepared, and ready to fight. Many of them wore leather armor, yet some were fully plated with mauls in hand. Out of the lined-up dwarves, one stepped forward.

Dostran thrusts his maul outwards, and yells, “Human caster, you dare take my son hostage?! Release him now, or we’ll smash you to dust, along with your minions!”

Mel says, “Before you do that, please hear out a cousin of mine,” and he signals for Alakar to come out of the woodwork.

Alakar steps forward, and says, “Hello, Sir Dostran, my name is Alakar! You appear to have discovered the existence of my family in this marsh. This newfound knowledge of yours threatens the livelihood and safety of my loved ones. I can not have you spreading this information, and I do not trust your silen-”

Dostran cuts him off, and shouts, “A talking hobgoblin! What is this abomination?! I will have none of it!” and he slams his maul into the mud.

Alakar suppresses the pain in his heart, and yells, “You have two options Dostran! Join my family here and now, or die in front of your measly cave! I have no desire for bloodshed. Please pick the former!” and he thrusts his palms open to his sides.

Dostran shouts, “I will not become a slave to monsters, let alone to their keeper!”

With a signal from the first primordial, the others and many boggarts emerged from the tree line and formed a loose perimeter around the dwarves. Some of the dwarves tensed up and held their weapons closer, yet before any of them could consider charging, two fireballs the size of boulders appeared overhead.

Alakar sweats under the searing heat, and shouts, “Last chance! Throw down your weapons, and I promise to spare your lives!

*Plop* *Clang* *Shinggg* *Thud* *Plop* *Clang* *Shinggg* *Thud*

The group of dwarves were spooked and lost the will to fight. Most of them were not warriors, just simple miners, and they threw down their arms. And with that, the fireballs shrunk down to smoke, and many boggarts were disappointed.

Alakar says, “Thank you Dostran, but there is one more thing that must happen before you join…”

Dostran knells before Alakar, looks up at him, and asks, “Don’t tell me you’re going back on your word monster…”

Alakar glances over at Boo, then back at Dostran, and says, “No… Unfortunately, I’m doubling down,” and he signals Boo to begin.

Boo then grabs the side of Dostran’s face, and shouts, “I wish for yous to joins the tribe! Join us! Submit to mes!” and a blue glow explodes from his hand.

*Boom* *Boom* *Boom*

In three by threes, the dwarves all started to experience much of the same as Dostran. They were grabbed by the three young primordials and casted in a blue glow. Their bodies locked up into place for a time, and their screams grew louder and louder. Some who had yet to be grabbed, ran in terror, yet they were quickly tackled to the ground by many boggarts and treated all the same. More screams unfolded, and panic ensued.

“My glorious beard! Noo!”

“Aahhhhhh, I’m fucking green! What?!”

“Nooooo! Nooooo! Nooooo!”

“Why?! What have you done to me?!”

“Nooo! Just kill me! Please!”

“My hair, where did it go?!”

Alakar looks down on the many lost dwarves in pity, and says, “Your fates are sealed, along with my own. No one will accept you as you are now, only I! You all have no choice but to join my family for a time! I hope you all will understand,” and he then turns his back and walks into the green with tears under his eyes.