The Goblin’s Feast - Chapter 19

“So, where are we going?” I asked, sensing that I do not have a clue about the outside world.

An adept horse’s rider escorts us on the road. His name is ‘Douglas’, famous for taming monsters of the wild. Although his combat skills are worse than a beginner, he can uncomplicatedly communicate with the creatures; like an animal whisperer.

I scooch closer to the driver’s seat and look around my vicinity, hoping to find something refreshing and anew. He motions for me to hop in front of the wheel and pay attention to the surroundings.

“You’re the green sprite that King Markus has told me, ain’tcha?” He said while stroking down his brown unbrushed beard reaching unto his chin. I believe that shampoos and soaps are not that popular in this generation, as I can whiff the cruel stench of his everlasting odour.

However, being a kind man-goblin, as I am, who is smellier than any other ogre, I kept a straight look while talking to the guy.

“I am,” my voice answered while observing the scenery that is imperceptible to the metropolis back from my world.

“The name is Lake,” I said. “Lake White.”

“Well, your name is flaky,” Douglas responds and stopped caressing his facial hair.

“Weird?” I retorted “What about it?”

“Well, monsters like you are far stupid than of a human,” He declares while pointing his fingers over to the wasteland with a monster devouring its prey.

The creature appears to be a velociraptor of some sort when seen from afar. However, because of its discolouration and wings on its back, these dinosaurs are more peculiar here in this world and extinct to mine.

“Those punks ravage anything other than their kind. If they sense their foe is more dangerous than them, then they would run away. If they think they are stronger, they will fight for the sake of eating.” He retracts his hand back from the ropes and continues to ride the horse.

“Maxy is quite similar to them, although, sometimes, he feels emotions; what humans have that monsters do not.”

Maxy, the horse, neighs in a high pitch tone upon hearing its name. I noticed that there was a tag suspended on its neck, with the same name.

Douglas’ eyes gaze upon the galloping steed, looking healthy as ever and well raised. This man knows a lot about the wild and understands how to tame the feral beasts.

“To answer your question, lad, it will take us the entire day to reach the village, unincluded to the two-week schedule,” Douglas said while glueing his globes on the road. “We are on a long trip in the wasteland, to the forest, and the village. ”

“I see,” I could not help but to stay focused on the majestic landscape despite its sandy ground from far beyond.

“Perhaps I can teach you a lesson or two on the different monsters that you might encounter.”

My eyes glitter akin to a kid after hearing such gallant words from the monster tamer.

Elanor and the rest of our goblin crew are sleeping on the back, or maybe rejuvenating their motion sickness. I recall my mother back from the earth when she first rode a mare on the grassy field. After riding the horse, my mother immediately informs us of being nauseous, claiming to avoid them at all costs. It was a shame that it happened but; it is what it is.

A resigning sigh escapes my mouth, thinking that I have to deal with these people when we travel once again for a different time.

I averted my gaze off from the three people and shuffled myself even closer to Douglas.

“Teach me, master,” I blurt out loud while flaring a disturbing gleam written on my face.

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Eventually, the sea of trees rattles like bushes as if something was trampling near their barks. Suddenly, boughs coming from the woods fell, creating a sudden thumping sound on the soil. It then followed the audio with trudging sounds of footsteps running away from an enigmatic figure from behind.

Inaudible voices reverberate near the trees, accompanied by the shrieking tones of the ones getting pursued. Even Douglas, who I assumed was familiar with the happenings, could not hide his amazement.

The carriage went to an abrupt stop, as we observed the shadows lurking up ahead.

“Kobolds,” The old man spoke while trying to maintain a low voice. His actions meant for us to hide; hide from the mysterious thing chasing the other group.

After a few minutes of being motionless, the noise finally dies down, signalling us to resume our stride. As we further went away from the scene, crunching echoes ran through my ear.

I whisk my imagination behind and focus on the knobby road ahead of us. Douglas, who was waiting for the situation to calm down, at once resumes his explanation.

“Where was I?”

“Kobolds and the monster chasing them,” I utter.

He rummages his hands inside his torn pockets and reveals a book to me. The texture and the quality of the note were like the Book of legends, only smaller and had little pages inside.

“The ‘thing’ that was chasing the kobolds is called the Payne’s Grey Spider that only hunts during the night. They usually lurk in groups, preferably attacking wandering adventurers and outnumber them.” He points his finger at a specific location at the first few sheets of the notepad.

“So what happened out there?” I curiously asked while glancing back to the place where we last saw the ambush.

“They are territorial, protecting their treasured silk against invaders,”

“Like humans and their greedy nature to take all of them, then later on sell them in the markets?” I did not think that my question, paired with a solemn smile, would scare the veteran driver.

“Dwarves, elves, and even demons want their prize.” Douglas resumes the explanation. “Those threads symbolise nobility and charm for all of the races.” He evenly spoke while showing his handkerchief cladded with dust and stains. However, the closer my eyes reviewed the fabric, the more entranced my body was to obtain such a precious item.

“Let me guess, that’s the silk you have mentioned?”

“Aye,” He proudly utters while returning the snot rag back to his patch.”

“How about the kobolds that we saw earlier? What about them?”

“Kobolds are reptilian humanoid creatures, but small and with long tails. They have scales for their skin and harness elemental magic such as earth, fire, and water. Sometimes they are mistaken as goblins,” His eyes glanced at my figure, comparing me to the illustration from the novel.

“Due to their intelligence, they can build their shelter, weapons, clothes, and agriculture. Hence, even having a village of their own.”

“But goblins too travel with their packs?” I asked while pushing myself to his side to see the content of the volume. “And they have their own habitat!”

“They have their place to stay, but only to assure that they are safe,” Douglas passes over the guide to my waiting hands and wraps his fingers around mine.

“Markus had placed his trust in you,” He said with his eyes dedicated to me.

“I do not know what the King saw inside you but the Kingdom will face a great peril, and only the hero can stop it from-,”

“But I am no hero!” I said, having to know what Douglas would have spouted.

According to the Book of Legends, a hero will reign down from above and bring peace at every race. My arrival was timely as the hero that the world has reborn.

“Like an Icarus resurrecting; You will be the light of the world. Destiny chooses no one, not even for a goblin.”

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A hard pounding fist arouses Elanor with the rest of the goblins at the back. I did not know that Douglas could land a hit to the powerful elf, unlike someone who could not win a spar.

“Wake up, you bastards,” The rider said while attempting to pour down a boiling pot of water on top of Grer’s head.

Elanor knew what was coming, so he ran past the forest and excused himself to get some dry woods for our campfire. An elf-like him to fear the infamous tamer is clearly astonishing.

“Unfortunately, ladies, we will spend the night here in an isolated woodland,” The old man chuckles in delight while he lit his enormous tobacco and placed it in his mouth. The cloudy aroma of the nicotine hovers around the air, forming a thick mist enveloping his face.

A short cough escapes my breath. But there was nothing I could do to stop the long-beard man.

“Lake, Grer, and Izz.” The old man said while picking each of us a spiky branch-like weapon that Grer is holding in his hands.

“Go grab us some meat while we wait for Elanor to return,” He said while preparing the soft linens and make-shift pillows for our beds.

“Why can’t you do it yourself, geezer?” Grer quipped at him with an insult while slouching over the nearby log.

“I would not do that if I were you,” Douglas said while throwing his unfinished cigar, still ablaze with the orange fire, beside the tree.

The ember quickly ignites and spreads upwards to the branches and down the fallen twigs. Thankfully, Izz pulls him over to safety before setting his emerald arse on fire.

We fill the entire area with our relentless laugh while watching Grer desperately put out the flames. After a while, the light finally dies out, leaving a darkened scar on between his thighs.

“Now that I have wasted my precious smoke, will you please hunt down those horned rabbits for me?” The aged bloke irritatingly said while seated on the stump, feet crossed over together with his arms.

__________________________________________________

“I think we’re lost, Lake,” Izz announced while her legs walked in a shivering manner. “Shouldn’t you be more aware of our surroundings?”

“I would if it was not for Grer getting too scared by the sounds of a mere coney!” I shouted, unable to content my anger towards the male goblin.

Grer, who wanted to repent his sins and show off as the apex monster, keeps shouting like a madman to ‘attract’ the tiny creatures we call food.

However, his plans inelegantly fail as we run deeper in the dark forest. To make matters worse, we curve from left to right, trying to avoid those distinct insects that had a more terrifying appearance than to those living back in my world.

“What do we do now?” Izz asks once more, this time nearly bursting into tears.

“We will make it back,” I falsely assured. “I hope so.”