Shritoo was dashing to where Stranbrai had told her. She soon found herself in front of a gate leading out of the district. She could hear the sounds of laughing and destruction accented why the cries of pursuers. Grizt was really doing a number on them. Shritoo frowned. It was disappointing that her friend wasn't having proper fun. There wasn't any fire anywhere. Shritoo loved fire and considered it to be her greatest joy. Too bad she didn't have time to fix the issue. ~Oh well, we'll have to settle for something else.~
With this thought, she picked up some rocks and pocketed them. She just needed one more thing to have a little fun. The problem is she had no idea where she'd get some oil or grease. ~That's fine, I'll just have to settle for being rough!~
It was at this time that her playmate arrived. There Grizt was with about 20 humans in pursuit. Many of them were clearly battered and bruised. Grizt was skipping and dancing all the while laughing. One of the guard managed to catch up. He went for a downward swing of his halberd. It never even came close as the violet skinned goblin literally danced out of the way and to the man's side. As the man was recovering from his swing and turning to face the goblin, she jumped up and over his shoulder. In passing, she held out an arm with which she latched onto his neck to swing about to his other side. As she passed him, she twirled about to land a powerful kick. The man was sent tumbling with a small foot shaped dent on his breastplate. The man didn't move, but her was alive if the groan was anything to go by.
More cries of outrage sounded from the humans. Grizt just continued to jump about and pummel her would be assailants into the ground all the while laughing and dancing. As for Shritoo, she knew shouldn't fight Grizt directly. Letting her get close was not a good idea at the moment. It was then she decided, as Grizt was airborne after taking out her seventh human of the bunch, that she threw the first rock. Grizt just caught it and used it to take out another guard as she twisted around upon touching the ground once more.
~Really? That's not right...Fine! I'll show you!~ Shritoo thought as she decided to throw caution to the wind and run up to her friend, a rock in each hand. Grizt took note and jumped to the side again. A smile on her face that would soon vanish as something went wrong. Shritoo had tucked into a roll and dodged to the side. This ruined the counter Grizt was likely setting up, but even more so, something had taken her by surprise as she tripped on a rock that wasn't there before. Grizt stopped to take a look at Shritoo. The red goblin smirked as she retrieved another rock from her pocket. This had held Grizt's attention longer than it should as two more halberds came swinging towards her. Grizt would have been split in two if not for Shritoo tackling her out of the way. Unfortunately, she didn't make it without injury. Shritoo grit her teeth as she took stock of her leg. The was a slice along it. She knows she avoided the ax blades, but the halberd's spike had got her. That wasn't good.
As for Grizt, she was frowning now. Whatever joy she held before was gone as she became ruthless. No more was she playfully dancing about and playing acrobatically. She simply became an engine of pain for the remaining humans. The remaining guards were quickly overwhelmed as Grizt went from one to the next. She charged them and delivered far worse blows than before. Shritoo was wondering if the one with a broken leg would ever walk again.
"Please," Shritoo pleaded softly as she limped towards them,"Stop."
Grizt stopped for a moment to look at Shritoo. All the while the humans were backing away in for. It was after a solid minute before she answered," No."
With this said, she went back to attacking the fear, former pursuers. Shritoo stood in shock. After all, this was no longer the Grizt she knew. She was the Boss the hero loving Oaguz followed. She was the Chief that gave Stranbrai new purpose. She was Weye's sister who gave the opportunity her family denied her. As for Shritoo, that was a matter she would never reveal. However she couldn't help but to remember one thing. Grizt had made a promise to her. One she would never break. This was not Grizt.
"Who?" Shritoo demanded. The not Grizt ignored her her until the last conscious human had fled. The fake turned to her and opened her mouth.
It was odd how mortals went about things. They always tried to differentiate themselves and find excuses to mistreat one another. At one time not long ago, a human child was born in the palace chapel to Minerva. This child had been born the numerous differences and a tragic fate born of circumstances beyond the child's agency. Minerva had granted a blessing to the child. However, it would not be enough as the blessing had only doomed the child's heart instead of their life. It was after a particularly traumatic incident that a second boon would be granted.
That boon was a servant of Minerva being charged to watch the princess closely. It was this servant's duty to follow and protect the Princess. Not in the normal sense, mind. Instead of her health, she was tasked to protect her heart. For this reason the wolpertinger, "Jade" came into being.
Right now, she was watching the conflict and considering her options. The goblins were of great concern. They indeed could hold the key to keeping the princess's heart from turning dark. However that was only so long as they were able to keep themselves together. Sadly, their leader was key. A key that could soon be lost. Something had to be done.
As for why Jade had separated from the others. She was communing with Minerva for guidance on the manner. In fact, she was just finishing. All she knew was she had been told to go with the flow. ~What even does that mean!~
If everything were to pass as is, the idiot goblin leader was bound to be executed. There was no way that the simple flow of things were going to be fixed just like that! However, Jade may have been confused, but she served Minerva. The Goddess's will be done.
It was at this point that the sound of someone climbing up onto the rooftop could be heard. Jade turned to see one of the goblins was now making her way to her.~Interesting, this one seems to be a tracker. I guess the princess noticed I'd gone missing and sent her to look for me.~
"Hello there ya little sneak!" The odd goblin greeted before grabbing Jade's ears. It hurt quite a bit to be yanked and held up by your ears. Jade could attest to this at the very moment as her wings opened up and she struggled to get out of the rude goblin's hands," Well well, looks like you won't be getting away from me you little sneak. Now I can't help but notice a few things off about you. A pure white wolpertinger? According to certain books the princess own, that is not a thing for worpertingers. Their feathers always have a shade or hue to them. Not to mention that you're too docile and smart. Wolpertingers are supposed to have fangs and are know to be quite vicious. You're a fake. So then, what are you? I give you a minute before I cut the ears off."
As she finished, she pulled out a broken bottle of wine. She brandished it threateningly.
"I'll explain what's going on later princess, but we're on a timer if we want to save Grizt. Jade, get to work ya little sneak!" Stranbrai yelled at the white wolpertinger.
"Hey! Don't be mean to Jade! Hand her to me," Grace demanded. Stranbrai nodded and shut her mouth as she handed the creature over to its owner," Now, I-"
"Hold up, I promised to explain later. Just we don't have time. All you need ta know now is that Jade has been hiding things from you," Stranbrai quickly cut her off. She then nodded to the creature in the princess's arms. It nodded back intelligently and then jumped up onto Grace's should and then onto her head. The street was then filled with a blinding light. Weye had stumbled back in shock and let out a yelp as she clutched her now blinded eyes. Stranbrai was prepared and instead was cheering her own brilliance on while praising alcohol. As the light died down, a new sight stood before the goblins in place of the princess.
"Oh yeah, score another to drunk me!" Stranbrai whooped in celebration. Weye could only look on in shock once her eyes had recovered.
"Wha-?"
"No time, now let's clean this mess up fast before it gets worse!"
Elsewhere Jerich Ana Alice was making his was to the magic district with a contingent of knights. The empress had made it clear that the problem should be resolved. The target was to be captured alive. However, he had been given permission to kill the creature if things were in danger of escalating. If someone is in danger of dying, especially the Princess, he would be able to kill it. He hoped it would stand down. Princess Grace deserved so much better than to be treated so poorly. It's too bad the girl refused to speak to him. He couldn't blame her though. Not with the reports of what had happened that day.
He shrugged these thoughts away as he and his fellows marched on. Regardless, he will soon be able to set things right. At least he hoped so. It would pain his very soul to hurt Grace again.