“Can you heal him? Just enough that he does not bleed out.” I ask.

  “Of course.” Julie says.

  “Here you go. I- I kept the knife safe and close. For you.” Sylvar offers me the Varknife.

  I have to admit, I missed my weapon. Blago’s gift.

  “What is this power?” Tiaj mumbles, shocked at Julie’s healing.

  “Imagine our surprise. We have been fighting them for years.” Zamayular says.

  Daldrag stumbles over to us, resting on the ground.

  “What were you trying to achieve?” I ask, picking up the book.

  “I am afraid any answers from my person would require certain assurances.” Tiaj says. “I believe even a simple minded man like you would understand.”

  The battlefield us gives off the stench of death. The uneven ground is like a trap for getting your leg caught in and potentially broken. Still, we cannot move away from this location yet. Not until certain things are resolved.

  “I would urge you to reconsider your position. There is no reason to keep you alive if you do not offer a sliver of your knowledge. A way of showing your value. I am sure a wizard of your power is aware of that.” Sylvar says, backing me up.

  Meuko is standing between me and the hobgoblins. She is not directly facing them but I can tell by her stance. She is protecting me. Always the big sister.

  “Will the land heal, now that you are done with your spells?” Julie asks.

  “Where is Sylvie?” I whisper.

  “Back home with the kids.” Sylvar says.

  “I suppose. Eventually. But you should be worrying about the ramifications of stopping me instead.” Tiaj responds.

  “And they are?” I ask, mildly annoyed at this point.

  Meuko has the right idea. These hobgoblins could turn on us at any minute. Only thing I have left on me is the reacquired Varknife. I have to hope it is enough.

  “Are you that blind to the outside world? Has the Old Guard truly not informed you of the state we find ourselves in? What about this elf, clearly a survivor of the Abomination Surge? Have you kept them in the dark?” Tiaj shouts in his frustration.

  “How did you…” Sylvar’s voice trails off.

  “Apparently so.” I look at Sylvar, who has lowered his head.

  “We have fought with the people you call the Old Guard. They are not as powerful as the legends say. They must be impostors.” Zamayular says.

  “What do you think it is that your tribes followed here, hobgoblin? Why would this place have the artifact of your salvation?” Tiaj asks.

  This is completely their discussion now. I would interrupt them but I need all the information I can get.

  “This is where Orenmir was buried, hidden from the rest of the world.” Zamayular responds.

  “You ephemeral goblinoids and your gullible brains. You have kept control of the Ruinous Mountains for five decades. Which generation are you? What about your Queen’s generation?” Tiaj asks.

  Generations? What is he talking about.

  “Fourth. So is hers.” Zamayular responds.

  Daldrag grunts, annoyed that Zamayular gives this information willingly.

  “Fourth.” Tiaj proclaims, lifting the remainder of his severed arm. “In other words, you are not following the orders of your royalty. You are following the orders given by royalty that is following the previous orders of obstinate information, the source of which information is about five decades old, not to mention untrue.”

  “Do you live for that short of a time?” I ask.

  I look at Snaray, who has stayed behind me the whole time, clutching my leg. He nods in agreement.

  “About twenty years for a goblin, thirty for a hobgoblin. But our bodies mature faster and are more versatile than yours.” Snaray chuckles.

  “War has certainly taken a toll on your numbers. That is to be expected from goblinoids who did not know any better. Inserting yourself between the world and its promised deliverance is never an effective way of flourishing in life.” Tiaj says.

  “Why is the world and the goblinoids so obsessed with this place? With finding us? And this Orenmir.” I ask, hopefully taking advantage of the flow of the conversation.

  “A misguided attempt at a changed life. The goblinoids want to change their short lived fate.” Tiaj explains.

  “We will be taking him prisoner now. He has prattled on long enough.” Zamayular says, moving closer.

  “I know what you do to prisoners. You are not having him.” I step between Zamayular and Tiaj, Varknife at hand.

  “This is not a negotiation. Do not forget your place.” Zamayular’s magic escapes his sharp teeth, his arms flexing with purple lightning magic.

  “And we have reached the inevitable climax of this turbulent alliance. Agreements based on violence end with violence. A dynamic of the world your betters should have taught you, Volter of no family.” Tiaj laughs.

  “Are you sure you want to try me right now?” I growl.

  “You would not live.” Zamayular says.

  “Was not talking to you.” I respond.

  “We cannot fight them, Zamayular. Daldrag is injured and they outnumber us.” Snaray says.

  “As if you would not help them, you traitor goblin. The only reason you are alive is because your eye for tribal politics is better than your fighting.” Daldrag says, lifting himself up and readying his weapons.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “Are we doing this?” Meuko says.

  “Not yet.” I say. “I am not interested in fighting the both of you. I want you to bring a message to your Queen. Even better… Here. A gift.” I offer Tiaj’s book.

  “What are you doing? You cannot. Absolutely not.” Tiaj says.

  “And what message would that be?” Zamayular says, trying to hide his excitement.

  “I still want to work with her. And since Tiaj seems to know so much about this Orenmir and the history of the world.” I look at the wizard with intent. “I want him to tell you that Orenmir does not exist. At least, that is what he believes. I have never seen it. Our Village has not seen it. We hold no such relic. Not to our knowledge at least.”

  “And why should we believe anything this maniac says?” Zamayular asks.

  “Because his survival depends on it. If he fails to make his point, I kill him.” I say.

  “That is preposte-”

  Tiaj is interrupted by a stab from my Varknife. I look at Zamayular, as emotionless as possible. The old wizard grinds his teeth through the pain. He is more tolerant than I expected.

  “I will kill you. Make no mistake.” I growl, making sure Tiaj can see my eyes.

  I draw the knife out and Julie immediately seals his wound.

  “Volt.” Julie sighs.

  “A creative, if not stupid, solution.” Zamayular says. “How do you know your betters do not actually possess this relic?”

  “Have they ever used it? Ever, in our entire lives, have you seen or heard or even suspected that our way of life is run by this relic?” I shout at Sylvar, my voice guided mostly by pain.

  I sign with my injured arm, which is hidden from Zamayular’s sight.

  Please get this, Sylvar. Come on, my dear friend.

  A message saying one simple thing.

  Lie. Say you have no idea.

  “No. I suppose not.” Sylvar responds in the blink of an eye.

  That is why I love you.

  “Is what they say true?” Zamayular asks.

  “I am afraid so. According to my calculations, Orenmir was destroyed. Or rather, spent. That is how the Ruinous Mountains came to be.” Tiaj says.

  “Not if the death of your supposed hero was what created the Un’Becad.”

  “Let me guess, Ruinous Mountains?” I ask.

  “More like Mountains of Ruin.” Snaray says.

  “Imaginative.” I sigh.

  “It is not common knowledge that Edvath was, at their late stage of their life, weaker. Using a divine weapon comes at a price. Of course, history would not want you to be aware of such depressing realities. It is in the Archives of the Blazing crown where you can find long lost information or rightly isolated facts. Which makes my survival rather paramount if you wish to know what I offer.” Tiaj growls, looking directly at me.

  Almost as if he is trying to convince me I should not kill him.

  “Explain.” Zamayular says.

  Daldrag is unfazed, despite his bleeding. He is bandaging himself, making sure his sword is close at hand.

  “To create these Mountains, Edvath had to use the entirety of Orenmir’s power, as well as their own. What you see all around you is the Flaring Out of a legend. Others can destroy buildings, maybe make a tree sprout. Edvath created an entire ecosystem, along with a violent exterior to protect it. As to why, we can only dream of the reasons. If you had just let me finish my ritual, I would have finally known the answer.” Tiaj shouts.

  “Wait. This whole necromantic energy, slowly stealing the life off this land. All that, for bringing Edvath back to life?” I ask.

  “I see. You are a fool.” Zamayular says.

  “With the second coming of Edvath, can you imagine the influence? I could bring the Old Guard back into action, stop the spread of the Abomination Wall. I would be a hero myself.” Tiaj responds.

  “A husk of a former legend, paraded in decaying skin. What an honor.” Daldrag mocks.

  “Such practices are forbidden for a reason.” Sylvar says.

  “Necromancy is not forbidden. It is safeguarded. Against the simple minded. For a reason.” Tiaj says, looking directly at me.

  I feel like the term simple minded was used to remind me that I am somehow at fault.

  “I do not feel bad for stopping a, what was it Zamayular said? Right, a maniac. But, you keep saying Old Guard. Is there a new one? Why can you not just have them help you? Why all this risk?” I say.

  “Simple. He lost whatever standing he had with the Blazing Crown. Hence, the mercenaries. Otherwise, his group would be wearing Crown insignia. This mission was not sanctioned.” Zamayular says.

  “Enough. You got what you want from me. There is no Orenmir. Not anymore. Do as you please, yet the truth will not change.” Tiaj says.

  “And if he is lying or is just wrong?” Zamayular says.

  “Then I will get you that sword, as promised. My deal with the Queen stands. You also get a book out of this encounter.” I say.

  My group looks around frantically, unsure of what they just heard. We are all full of surprises today.

  “If you do not deliver on that promise, the Queen will hook you again, just like last time.” Daldrag finally weighs in.

  Still, a pretty strong threat.

  “Off you go now.” I say.

  “See you soon.” Zamayular chuckles, grabbing Tiaj’s book.

  It leaves my hands fast enough that I do not even get to properly see it. More important things were kinda happening.

  Snaray moves away, before being quickly held back by me.

  “You stay.” I say.

  “What?” Snaray asks.

  “He is collateral. There needs to be a price for betraying us and he needs to pay. Cannot have you backstabbing us.” I grin.

  “Very well.” Zamayular says.

  The two hobgoblins disappear behind the hills, quickly out of sight. Pretending like Snaray is collateral. They do not care about his life.

  “Keep your voices low. We need to move quickly. Rope.” I gesture at Sylvar.

  “Of course.”

  “Is anybody going to talk about this Queen deal?” Meuko asks.

  “I have so many questions.” Julie says.

  “All of us.” I respond, tying Tiaj’s arms and legs. “Carry him.”

  “I suppose you are not as simple minded as I thought. You realized it too, have you not?” Tiaj says.

  “Realized what?” Meuko asks, lifting Tiaj.

  “We are being betrayed.” Sylvar says.

  “When are they coming back?” Julie asks.

  The group is working in unison, just like we used to.

  “Where are your bags?” I ask.

  “Follow me.” Sylvar leads, bow and arrow on the ready.

  “Where do I go?” Snaray says.

  “You come with us, for now. If you went with them, they would have killed you. Then, say you died in the fight or something like that. That is why they let you come with us. They do not care if you die now or later. They are coming.” I explain

  “Still, did you have to give them my book? You offered them a priceless weapon.” Tiaj wails.

  “They probably have to stabilize Daldrag and come up with a plan of ambush for us. You can either stealthily leave and find your own way home safely or you can fight with us. I would not blame you for running.” I say, ignoring the wizard.

  “Wait, Volt.” Julie says, finally laying her hands on my shoulder.

  The warm light embraces me, in a weird way cooling down my whole right side and my head. I have the use of my right arm again. I spent so long without stretching it that it takes some time to properly rotate it and have it feel normal.

  “Oh, I so love you all guys. But, we have to focus on the fight ahead. Then, we can embrace properly.” I say.

  “No.” Meuko says, dropping Tiaj, much to his frustration,

  She hugs me. Then Julie and Sylvar join in.

  “We thought we lost you.” Julie says.

  “I know. You went around killing a bunch of goblins. Probably should not have done that.” I chuckle.

  “What you would have done.” Meuko responds.

  “That is not the argument you think it is.” I say.

  “I so missed you, my dear friend Volter.” Sylvar says.

  We all laugh and hold back our tears. I know they feel the same way I do. Like we are now complete. Functioning as we should.

  “Your message was enough to give us hope. We almost killed the kids.” Sylvar says.

  “What? They did not tell me that.” Snaray gasps.

  “That was Sylvar’s fault.” Julie chuckles.

  “It is not my fault I have superior vision.” He responds.

  “Please do not kill me.” Snaray uncomfortably blurts out.

  “Nobody from this group will harm you.” I say, finally escaping the hug. “He was only helping them because they held his daughter prisoner. She helped me escape and Snaray kept me alive when confronted by that hobgoblin. His name is Daldrag, by the way. In case you did not know.” I explain.

  “Can we get back on track in terms of getting me out of here alive?” Tiaj groans. “I must say I am rather attached to the idea of breathing.”

  “Come on.” Sylvar leads again.

  With renewed spirit, we march forward, hoping we can either outpace our imminent attackers or survive the fight.

  At least, I am no longer alone. At least, I am back with the people I belong. My friends.

  “Why did you give them the book?” Sylvar asks.

  “Are we really doing this?” I ask.

  “Yes.” Meuko responds.

  “I was not healed and we are almost out of magic. I thought giving them the book would be enticing enough to walk away for a while. We do not get the book, they do not get the wizard. If we bargained for every advantage, they might have fought us right there. Now, we get to rest before they attack us later. Good?” I say.

  “Good.” The group responds in unison.

  “Not good. Not at all.” Tiaj says.

  I missed this. Not the wizard, though.