They’d gone as a group to the adventurers. It was odd seeing how Wolfhand’s people moved. It was similar to the drills Ratface’s mother had drilled but the difference was in style. Bearclaw had always preferred to have a series of staggered scouts ahead with her main force trailing behind. She’d told Ratface that she was just as concerned as what hunted them as well as what they hunted.

  Wolfhand in comparison had his entire group move together. They slipped through the remains of the town with predatory grace. Ratface shuddered. This was the sort of goblins that people feared. This was what an old raider’s party looked like.

  Vin walked through the middle of the town with her hands clasped behind her back. She was humming something to herself. Ratface frowned

  “You seem happy,” said Ratface.

  “For someone whose father just died you mean?” Vin asked. She smiled as Ratface looked away.

  “My father died years ago. This will just be a very late burial.”

  They made it to the square the adventures had fought in. In this spot only it was still dark. The adventurers were still huddled around the fountain, and they tensed as the goblins climbed onto the rooves around them. Ratface noticed how many crossbows the group had. She really needed to get her own one.

  In the middle of the square Abigail sat on a chair she’d somehow produced. Halvin rested at her feet. The elf just looked like an elf now. No horrific snakes on his shoulders, no anger wafting off him. Just a fallen elf. Vin stopped upon seeing her father, but the rest of the group kept getting into position. Abigail’s eyes swept the group until she found Ratface and gave her a tired smile. A smile that left her face upon seeing Vin.

  “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to see his daughter here after all of this.”

  “You know me?”

  “We’ve met, when you first tried to get people to attack this place and Lurian forbade you to do so. One wonders what has changed.”

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “Time,” said Vin. She walked over and knelt by her father. She found his hand with her own and held it for a moment.

  Ratface took the opportunity to look around the rest of the place. It was cleaner than she’d thought it’d be. What was left of all the villagers was faint scraps of cloth. The many-faced goddess had taken them with her when she left. Ratface shuddered, she hoped she’d never have to see that thing again. Only Halvin remained here. Ratface wondered if that was a result of his elven heritage or due to Ratface and Abigail severing his connection. At least it gave Vin something to hold.

  She let go of his hand and stood. She pulled a small roll of parchment out and unravelled it. The fact that Abigail tensed didn’t suggest anything good.

  “With the last of the inhabitants of Halvin’s rest gone, it falls to me as the sole heir to reclaim this area. These goblins are my personal guard and shall not be subject to any raiding. Any adventurers found in the area will be considered a threat and removed.”

  The adventurers looked like they were going to object. That was before Wolfhand barked an order and Ratface heard the shift of all the goblins bringing their crossbows up. They backed down real fast after that.

  “Halvin’s rest will be considered a territory of Lurian. As such, Lurian laws around goblins will be strictly enforced. Without an approved license by the local lord, none of you may attack them without facing repercussion.”

  The few adventurers that still had weapons out quickly put them away. Vin smiled.

  “You are all currently trespassing I’m afraid. Leave.”

  The adventures started to amble away. Ratface frowned as her own group came to join them.

  “I thought I told you to clear their names,” she said.

  “I did better than that. I gave them a safe spot.”

  “More like a prison,” said Abigail, “if you don’t think they’ll be surprise patrols after a landgrab like this, then you’re none too bright.” She looked up at Vin, her hand held up to cover the light that was beginning to peak through.

  “When did the last citizen of this area die out?”

  “About five years ago. We had to spend that time confirming.”

  “You’re okay with your father being used as a bargaining chip?” Ratface asked. Vin’s face soured at that. When she finally responded it was with a tight voice.

  “This way got my father freed. Not all of us can be so lucky as a goblin to ignore politics.” Ratface didn’t appreciate the dig, but Vin held up her hand, silencing her.

  “One last part of our deal. I have a goblin to tell you about. Follow me to the manor while these adventurers leave.”

  Ratface hissed under her breath. This was actually nice for an elf, that she’d keep her deal at all. She still didn’t like being treated like a servant. She wondered how Wolfhand put up with it.

  She still followed the elf. It was the only lead she had about the survivors of her tribe.