After retracing the road along the river, the four arrived back at dusk in Osbillach, where as soon as they were spotted, a large number of Goblins took to the streets to meet them.
Young and old, male or female, the whole clan cheered the entrance to the village of their four new heroes, waiting to learn the new deeds accomplished. The village chief was obviously present in the front row to welcome them and said:
"Tché... you are back, our saviors...
How did it go?!"
"We should have solved the problem.
Let me taste the water…" Jorael answered a little annoyed.
"Tché... so what's the problem ?!" the chief asked curiously, having noticed that Jorael was dissatisfied.
He did not answer and went straight to the riverbank in the city center to taste the water. He took some with his hands and drank it, then said:
"It's all good now!"
The crowd began to celebrate, cheering for Osbillach's new heroes, but despite all the hype and exultation, Jorael was smiling, but Sulth'krag could tell that something was wrong.
"Tché... what happened, Succubus?" the chief asked.
"Can we talk somewhere in private?" Jorael asked.
Sulth'krag nodded and led the way to his hut. While Jorael followed him in silence, Bromur laughed and exulted raising his arms to the sky. Cyn'Thia smiled and waved her hand at the crowd, and Kimora walked seriously surprisingly in silence.
The five reached the shack and made sure they were the only ones inside, then closed the door as the crowd outside continued their party.
Sulth'krag approached his central seat as village chief, sat down, and asked:
"Tché... Saviors of Osbillach, what's going on?"
Jorael walked over to the chief and began explaining in detail what had happened, step by step. When he finished the report, he noticed that Sulth'krag's face was not as surprised as he thought, so Jorael asked:
"I don't see an inordinate amount of surprise in your face, may I know why?"
"Tché... you all need to know two things that will perhaps make things easier to understand.
Number one:
Orcs and Goblins are not on good terms. It's something that goes back in time to the dawn of our Kingdom, and even we don't really know why, as it has been lost over time, but we both know we can't stand each other.
Tché... Once before the reign of our powerful last King, we would have waged war between our two clans, but thanks to the tournament we have solved that bloody part of our history..." Sulth'krag was explaining before being interrupted by Kimora shouting:
"Tournament!?"
"Tché... yes, the tournament ... why are you looking at me like that?" Sulth'krag asked everyone, as he saw ignorance in their gaze, so he spoke again:
"Tché... you know, the tournament created by our King who unified the 72 clans ?!"
"I'm sorry, we don't know ...
Do you mind explaining it?" Jorael asked curiously.
"Tché... more than 200 years ago, our King did something he thought impossible: he unified all the clans.
Tché... We Demons follow a simple rule: we follow strong leaders. I myself am the strongest Goblin in the village, so I became the leader.
Tché... the King, traveling throughout the Kingdom, understood this and instituted the 72-clan tournament hosted every 7 years in Drahyr.
The top 4 finishers are elected into the rank of the Generals of the Kingdom, and the winner of the tournament has the chance to fight with the King, to become the new ruler."
"Interesting." Jorael commented.
"Ah! There has been no King in the last 200 years...
I've heard there's only one Queen..." Bromur exclaimed.
"Tché... you are right Dwarf Savior since in 200 years no one has defeated the Queen, so the tournament has become a way only to elect the 4 new generals." Sulth'krag explained.
"200 years?! Strange for the Demons...
What does the Queen look like?" Cyn'Thia asked curiously.
"Tché... she is a Beastwoman, but she is special.
By your standards you would say she is a middle-aged woman." the chief replied.
"So, what about your second point?" Jorael asked.
"Tché... the Cursed Faction.
They are opponents of the Queen, who want her to be dethroned." Sulth'krag explained.
"Why?" everyone asked.
"Tché... I don't know, just as I don't know why they targeted our city, but if there were Orcs in their ranks... I can imagine why." the chief finished explaining.
"Well, now things are starting to make some sense...
But I have yet to understand the reason behind the actions of the Cursed Faction…" Jorael whispered.
"Tché... forget it for now, because we have to make a feast for the Saviors!" Sulth'krag yelled as he suddenly stood up.
"Ah ah ah! That's something I approve of!" Bromur exclaimed excitedly.
The chief went to the entrance, slammed the door of his hut and shouted:
"Tché... We'll have a party for our Saviors!
Go prepare the fire, the meat, and the grog already!
May Atremis give us strength as the Krypster-slayers!"
The crowd waiting for orders outside the chief's hut began to cheer madly, shouting the names of the Saviors and hurried to prepare for the banquet.
"Ugh... meat..." Cyn'Thia whispered in disgust.
"Sulth'krag, do you eat anything other than meat?" Jorael asked.
"Tché... Is meat not to your liking?
We eat mainly meat and fish...
But also, some roots and tubers, what barely offers this arid land…" he replied.
"No, I eat meat but Elves don't.
By the way, I recommend not to eat fish for a while..." Jorael said.
"Tché... then let's all eat together and drink the freshly purified water!" Sulth'krag said.
...
That same night, everyone gathered in the city to celebrate the new heroes. A long circular table arranged around a large bonfire was set up in the center of the village, where young and old goblins cheered together, cheering the four Saviors as they ate, drank, or danced tribally to the drums' rhythm the fire.
"...and after exterminatin' those horrible insects all by myself, I found myself in the Queen's room, 20 times larger and more repulsive than her offspring. With her cold and monstrous eyes, she stared at me trying to instill fear in me and she attacked me fiercely with its sharp legs, which I promptly dodged and counterattacked with my blades, slashin' her belly from head to tail!" Kimora was telling the Goblin children gathered around her in awe before Bromur stepped in and revealed the truth:
"She's been running away from insects the whole time... Ah ah ah!"
All the Goblins near them started laughing together as they ate well-cooked meat from the bonfire and drank rivers of grog, while Kimora began screaming in rage at the tipsy Dwarf.
"Tché... you have some rather interesting companions Succubus..." Sulth'krag said.
"Er... yes." Jorael whispered as Cyn'Thia laughed out loud.
"Tché... I like them, they're like Goblins...
Oh... but now it's time for the talk!" the village chief yelled.
As soon as the Goblins heard him, they started inciting and banging on the table to encourage the village chief and get everyone's attention. Sulth'krag stood up and began his speech:
"Tché... My strong brothers and sisters, tonight we celebrate the four Saviors, the Krypster-slayers!
Tché... our village would have been condemned if these four travelers hadn't arrived in time to save us, they do really are our Saviors!
Tché... I hereby announce to you that from today they are part of the Goblin clan as our brothers and sisters!
Tché... and as our brother...
I want Jorael to participate in the next tournament!"
The crowd of Goblins cheered for Jorael screaming and clapping loudly, while Kimora and Bromur began to laugh, Cyn'Thia smiled, but the Traveler remained silent lost in thought. The whole clan of Demons began to incite:
"Jorael, the Krypster-slayer!
Jorael, the Krypster-slayer!
Jorael, the Krypster-slayer! ..."
"I REFUSE!" Jorael yelled, suddenly standing up, abruptly silencing all the people.
"Tché... Why are you saying that!?
It is the greatest honor for a Demon to participate in the tournament...
We will take your rejection as a personal offense!" Sulth'krag said seemingly offended.
"I just want to gather some information, don't fight all the Demon clans!" Jorael exclaimed.
"Tché... again with this thing.
What do you want to know?" the village chief asked.
"About my clan, and a particular condition of mine ... I call it "the hunger" and when it happ..." Jorael was explaining before being abruptly interrupted by Sulth'krag who screamed:
"Tché... are you still hungry?!
Brothers bring more food for the Krypster-slayer!"
"No... NO! I'm full!
I mean, when I happen to charm people, I suddenly go into a trance and I feel a certain hunger growing inside of me and I can't understand what's happening to me, because I start harassing people... like... smelling them..."Jorael explained.
"Tché... Oh, that...
I do not know.
We haven't seen a Succubus in 200 years, and we don't care about them anymore...
Tché... I think you should go ask the Queen." Sulth'krag recommended.
"T-the Queen!" Jorael exclaimed.
"Tché... She should know.
But never talk to her daughter." the chief explained.
"Daughter?!
How will I be able to talk with the Queen?" Jorael asked.
"Tchah ah ah ah!
It's simple... Join the tournament! "Sulth'krag said after laughing.
As Jorael sighed, Cyn'Thia, who had remained silent until that moment, finally spoke:
"Jo, it's the only way."
"Fine... I'll do it." Jorael said without realizing what he was about to awaken.
"TCHÉ... HE SAID HE WILL DO IT!" Suddenly Sulth'krag screamed with all the air in his lungs.
The whole town began to celebrate even louder, cheering the new champion of the Goblin clan:
"JORAEL, THE KRYPSTER-SLAYER!
JORAEL, THE KRYPSTER-SLAYER!
JORAEL, THE KRYPSTER-SLAYER! ..."
Bromur and Kimora also started chanting his name, amidst their laughter as they were both tipsy.
"What have I done ..." Jorael whispered, looking down and touching his forehead with his hand.
"Tchah ah ah ah!
There is a little detail I haven't told you about…" Sulth'krag whispered after laughing.
"What is it ..." Jorael said suspiciously.
"Tché... Only the Demons of the same clan can be the champions of that clan." explained the leader.
"So how can he be the Goblin champion?!" Cyn'Thia exclaimed.
"Tché... we'll give him the Goblin armor!" Sulth'krag replied.
"Uhm... not to break it to you, but I'm almost twice the average of the Goblin.
We will have problems." said Jorael.
"Tché... I don't care.
You are one of us now." said the chief.
"Sigh... What should I wear?" Jorael asked.
"Tché... Bring the champion's armor!" Sulth'krag ordered the Goblins.
The Goblins promptly went to take the armor rejoicing at the news of the new champion. They returned with the new gear for Jorael who looked at it hesitantly: it had a Warg skull as a helmet, rusty iron pauldrons and greaves, as cuirass it had Warg's chest bones, and everything was held together by red Warg fur and leather.
"It's... picturesque." Jorael commented as his companions barely held back their laughter. He resumed speaking:
"...but I won't be able to get into that thing!"
"Tché... let the grannies work on it all night, I guarantee you it will be ready for tomorrow!" Sulth'krag exclaimed.
"Tomorrow?!" Cyn'Thia asked.
"Tché... the tournament starts in a few days!
I myself should have been there already delivering the armor if it weren't for the disease! "The chief replied.
"Only a few days to reach Drahyr?! How?!" asked Jorael.
"Tchah ah ah ah!
We have mounts for these occasions...
Only three of them at the moment, but they are really fast!" Sulth'krag explained.
"Horses?! Finally!" Kimora exclaimed in relief.
"Tché... Horses are for Humans.
We have Raptors! "The boss pointed out.
"Do you use Raptors?! How?!" Jorael asked in shock.
"Tché... they are quite difficult to tame, but they are loyal... if you keep feeding them fresh meat." Sulth'krag explained.
"Ah! Raptors! Man-eating monsters similar to giant lizards... what a thrill!" Bromur shouted.
"then we should go to sleep ..." Cyn'Thia said sleepily.
" Tché… NO!
We still have to dance!" Sulth'krag exclaimed pulling the elf by the arm, dragging her beside the bonfire where the Goblins were dancing.
"Uhm... I don't really know how to dance..." Cyn'Thia whispered shyly.
"Tché... look at me!
Guys bring the rest of the Saviors here!" the chief ordered as other Goblins forced Jorael, Kimora and Bromur to dance.
"W-wait no! I'm going to throw up!" Kimora yelled as she was tossed around by the Goblins to dance around the bonfire.
"Ah ah ah! These little fellows know how to have fun!" Bromur exclaimed as he danced uncoordinated.
As Jorael tried to immerse himself in the tribal rhythm, he approached the elf who was having difficulty following the dance step and said:
"Hold on! This party isn't that bad...
I almost feel like I'm... happy."
...
The next day was early in the morning and the four companions had prepared everything to leave Osbillach. Jorael wore the Goblin armor which was fixed all night for his size. Wearing the armor left almost no skin exposed, and even fake green pointy ears were put out of Warg's skull-shaped helmet.
When he came out of the hut he was prepared, all his companions began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Ah ah ah! Brother, you are a sight to behold!" Bromur exclaimed.
"Please stop." Jorael whispered embarrassedly.
"Tché... Jorael you are majestic!
Goblin Clan!
Behold the new Goblin champion who will win the tournament!" Sulth'krag cheered, and his tribe responded to him fiercely chanting the same words:
"JORAEL, THE KRYPSTER-SLAYER!"
The stablemen arrived with the three mounts, to the amazement of the four companions who had never seen the Raptors flaunting their splendor in a myriad of colors. Their size was roughly the same as horses, but they walked on two hind legs in balance thanks to their long lizard-like tail, while the small front legs were used to hunt thanks to their powerful claws.
"Such bright colors!" Bromur exclaimed.
"They do look like dinosaurs..." Jorael whispered.
"What is a dinosaur?!" Cyn'Thia asked confused.
"I'll explain later..." Jorael answered.
"Tché... now let's go to Drahyr!" Sulth'krag said excitement.
"Are ya comin' too?!" Kimora asked.
"Tché… sure.
The leaders of each clan must be present in their respective seats.
This is the tradition." The chief explained.
"Oh... but there are five of us and there are only three Raptors..." Cyn'Thia pointed out.
"Tché... there were other Raptors, but my daughter left a week ago for Drahyr with other Goblins, so we'll have to share the ride on raptor back." Sulth'krag suggested.
"Your daughter?
Okay... I guess I'll ride with..." Jorael was saying before Kimora yelled unexpectedly:
"ME!!!"
Everyone was confused by the request and Cyn'Thia was left speechless. Kimora added embarrassingly:
"I-it's my request because ya have to take responsibility for what ya made me do in the cave..."
"W-what?!" shrieked the Elf, then she angrily asked Jorael:
"What have you done?!"
"I have no idea what that means." he replied.
"He kept me going regardless... when I had that thing between my legs..." Kimora whispered.
"W-wh-aaaat?!" cried Cyn'Thia again.
"She is referring to the bug.
Don't fall victim to her delusions, Thia…" Jorael defended himself.
"Yep! I told ya that if we meet one ya will have to pay ... and SURELY we have met more than one!" Kimora yelled still enraged.
"Oh..." Cyn'Thia breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fine. We will ride together to Drahyr..." Jorael said.
"Ah! Sister, will you ride with your Brother?" Bromur asked the elf.
"No." Cyn'Thia answered firmly.
"W-what?!" Bromur asked in surprise.
"I'm going with Sulth'krag." stated the Elf.
"Is it because I'm a Dwarf?!" he asked.
"No, it's because you burp and fart now and then." Cyn'Thia pointed out.
"Ah! My belly is alive and it lets me know..." Bromur explained.
"We will be grateful if your belly won't let us know..." the Elf whispered.
"Tché... I'll be very pleased to ride with our Savior!" Sulth'krag said as he mounted on the Yellow-red Raptor.
"Then, we should go..." Jorael said trying to mount on the yellow-purple Raptor.
"So ... don't show fear.
Kruma hears it and she bites." the stableman warned.
"Who is Kruma?!" Kimora asked.
"Tché... she's Kruma." he replied by petting the Raptor on which Jorael finally mounted.
"Here." said the Traveler offering his hand to the black-haired Human to help her mount.
Cyn'Thia mounted behind Sulth'krag, and Bromur with the help of the Goblins mounted the yellow-blue Raptor.
"We're ready..." Jorael stated as the entire Goblin clan watched him, patiently waiting as if he had to say something.
"Tché... Champion, say something..." whispered Sulth'krag.
"Oh... I'll make sure I don't bring shame to Osbillach, and win the tournament!" yelled Jorael a little embarrassed.
The crowd began cheering and applauding Jorael again, as the Raptors squeaked loudly before leaving the town.
"Woah! They're super fast!" Jorael commented.
"I would even say faster than horses!" Kimora said surprised.
"We will arrive at the capital of the Demon Kingdom in no time at all..." he said.
"I hope not..." she whispered faintly as she put her arms around Jorael's waist and leaned her body against his back.
"W-what is it?" he asked a little embarrassed, surprised to feel her body warmth on him.
"I... I want to thank you again.
For giving me another chance...
You remind me a lot of him." she said in an emotional tone.
"So ... can you really talk without Solaria's accent?!
Are you referring to the guild leader? "Jorael asked.
"Yeah... He was always a nice and kind person.
He also wanted like you to stop slavery, starting with the involvement of the Guild." she explained.
"Let me guess...
Did he disappear after he made his will public?" Jorael asked.
"I've already investigated X if you're asking me this." she replied reading between the lines.
"Nothing relevant?" he asked.
"Nothing at all.
That man is as if he never existed." she answered.
"I have a bad feeling about him.
I can't understand what, but I know he has no good intentions." he explained.
"I guess one day we'll find out..." she whispered as she laid her head on his back, smiling serenely with her eyes closed.
"WILL YOU STOP IT ALREADY?!" Cyn'Thia suddenly shouted following them from behind with Sulth'krag.
Kimora smiled back at the Elf and whispered:
"For this time... it's my reward."
...
In a few hours, they left the arid lands that surrounded Osbillach, to enter another landscape surrounded by sand and dunes: The Scorching Desert.
"Tché... beware of sandworms now." Sulth'krag warned as they continued their ride with the Raptors.
"What are they?" Bromur asked.
"Think of them as a giant snake the size of a Behemoth swimming in the sands. They will open their big mouths to swallow anything that moves." Jorael explained.
"Tché ... you are quite knowledgeable." the chief complimented him.
"Oh... it's all thanks to my studies at Vas'Anellir.
Sage Fel'Enyor's bestiary was quite comprehensive." he explained.
"Fel'Enyor, the only Sage of the Dark Elves.
What was his epithet again?" Cyn'Thia asked.
"The Scholar." Jorael replied.
"Tché... and now we also have a Sage... if the Queen accepts you." Sulth'krag exclaimed.
"I'm dying with this thing on...
So, you say you have a daughter?" Jorael asked after complaining about the armor.
"Tché... maybe are you interested in getting a bride?
I'll be happy to let you marry her..." the chief replied.
"I'm already married.
You said she had already left for Drahyr with others, which got me thinking...
She was the champion, right?" Jorael asked.
"Tché... It had to be her.
I was going to leave Osbillach with my guards, bringing her the armor, but... I changed my mind." Sulth'krag explained.
"Wouldn't she have resentments with you and me?" Jorael asked.
"Tché... she will understand." solemnly answered the chief.
"If you say so…
How does a Goblin fight?
I'll need to know to continue this unlikely farce…" Jorael asked.
"Tché... we fight with the sword. We know Firebolt." Sulth'krag replied with pride.
"That's all?" Jorael exclaimed in surprise.
"Tché... yes.
Each clan of Demons keeps the spells to themselves.
We only know one, and it is passed down from generation to generation." the chief explained.
"Then I guess ya will have to keep a very low profile..." Kimora whispered.
"Ahhhh... how comfortable it is to travel alone on the back of a Raptor! Ah ah ah!" Bromur exclaimed from behind everyone.
"You can fart all you want, but be careful not to scare your mount." Cyn'Thia said furiously.
"Sister, don't be mean to me if you're actually mad at someone else." said the Dwarf, but in return, he got a withering glance from the Elf.
"It's almost sunset, we should find a place to stop." Jorael suggested.
Sulth'krag looked at him and said seriously:
"Tché... Never stop in the Scorching Desert.
If you rest, you die."