Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

Still, so many questions plagued her. Why did some of the human farmers leave and others stay? What did the goblins hope to achieve by infiltrating human towns? For that matter, why were inferns guarding human cities as opposed to burning them to ash? What caused the mystifying flow of magic and what purpose did it serve? Most perplexing, what did Prilgrat stand to gain from the turmoil he seemed most eager to create?

She doubted she would find specific answers to any of those questions in Huntston, but she remained determined to discover the purpose of the goblins. It was not so much the need to find a key to the puzzle that brought her back. It was more of a desire to fill in the gaps between questions. Isolate and remove single issues-that was now her objective.

Toward that end, she found the goblin behavior extremely intriguing. Goblins could be manipulated, but they weren't complete stooges. There had to be some enticement for them to peacefully gather in human cities and towns. If she could establish their reasons for infiltrating Huntston, she could then refocus on her remaining questions and perhaps link it back to Ashlan.

There was also the matter of the magic. She didn't believe the anomaly was caused by the goblins, for they were not normally prone to use the energy. Goblins, however, were often part of a larger threat. Mages of power often used them as minions. Once more, it all came down removing the mysteries behind the diminutive monsters so that she could concentrate on the real danger.

While Holli moved across the bridge with firm resolve to investigate the goblins, Ryson focused on the more immediate hazards.

"You sure about this?" the delver wondered aloud as he eyed the soldiers at the town's edge. He knew they were not skilled guards, but inviting a conflict during the middle of the day hardly seemed like wise tactics.

Holli understood Ryson's concern. Though she did not wish to dismiss his unease, she saw the potential risk in a larger context and recognized the soldiers posed no real danger.

"They will not try to take us again."

She sounded absolutely certain, and yet the delver's confidence remained shaken. Ryson remembered that the regional steward had promised to rescind the arrest order, but such a message could not have possibly reached Huntston so quickly.

"How are they going to know the steward already talked to us? Even if Prilgrat sent out a message to revoke his orders, it probably hasn't reached here yet."

"Do not worry. I am certain Huntston's guard captain has already taken care of it. After what happened last time, he will not want us captured again. It would only make him look that much more of a fool, and that is something he would try to avoid. Trust me."

"I trust you, I just don't trust that captain. Maybe he told his guards to shoot us on sight."

Holli chuckled.

"You give him entirely too much credit. Look for yourself. The guards can see us, but not one has drawn a bow."

"They don't look too happy though."

Holli offered a different reassurance.

"Do you want your sword back?"

Ryson shook his head. He wasn't ready to take back the weapon. It wasn't the thought of holding a deadly blade that caused his reluctance. In fact, he missed its weight on his back. Not so long ago, it was a welcome reminder of all the hardships he had previously faced and overcome with the help of the sword's magic. That, however, was before the attack of the inferns, and the blade's enchantment weighed upon him in a much different manner.

He still remembered how close he came to being incinerated by demon fire. He could almost smell the unnatural flames. He saw the pale face of the half-demon within a white hot blaze. In his mind, the horrible expression of the infern became one with fire that could burn the air around him in an instant.

As a delver, the magic was a part of him. If a demon could fix upon energy caught within rocks, then what of the magic within him? And if demon fire could cross great distances simply by following magical energy, how could he ever hope to avoid such danger? Adding an enchanted blade to the mix simply heightened his distress. Just as the turmoil in the valleys vexed the elf guard, the magic confounded the delver and fear didn't always listen to logic.

"Please just hold onto it for now," Ryson requested. "When we really know what's going on, then I'll take it back."

"As you wish."

Holli marched across the bridge with Ryson at her side. She sighed as the guards at the far end of the span failed entirely at displaying any authority or control. Instead, they appeared confused. From their reaction, she knew that at least most of the soldiers recognized her and Ryson, and they were clearly in a quandary as to what to do.

Indecision. Weakness.

Eventually, they decided on at least one form of action. A single guard was sent back toward the center of town, probably to alert the captain. It was basically a plea for help, but beyond that, the soldiers made no move to defend the bridge.

As Holli and Ryson reached the far end of the river crossing, one of the soldiers finally felt brave enough to carry out the orders that placed him at the edge of the river. He signaled for Holli and Ryson to stop before exiting the bridge, but did so without much self assurance.

"What's your business in Huntston?"

Holli did not wish to waste time, but she wanted each guard to appreciate her view of their authority.

"It has nothing to do with you. Has your captain not informed you of that?"

The soldier appeared perplexed.

Holli shook her head. She would have to lead him to a clearer understanding of the situation.

"You know who we are, yes?"

The soldier nodded.

"And you are no longer under orders to arrest us, correct?"

"Yes, but…" the guard's voice trailed off as he considered the new orders of the town's captain. It was as Holli expected. The captain had informed the town guard that she and Ryson were not the two Prilgrat wished to question, and that they were not to be arrested again.

"Then you know our business is none of your concern and we will be on our way," Holli stated, as if the issue was closed.

The one soldier, to the displeasure of his comrades, did not hold the same viewpoint.

"We aren't supposed to hold you, but we are under orders to question anyone who crosses this bridge."

Holli sighed again, but then decided to take advantage of the apparent inconsistency in the guard's directive.

"You do not question goblins," she pointed out with an accusing glare.

"You're not goblins," the soldier stated defiantly, still hoping to regain some control.

"That is true, but why do you have to question us when you do not question goblins?"

"We know where they're going."

"We are going to the same place." Holli then pointed to the warehouse just past the guard shack.

The response further shattered the soldier's confidence. The rest of the guards found even greater dismay at Holli's proposal.

"We're not supposed to disturb them," the soldier said.

"And we do not have to follow the same orders," Holli noted.

The quandary deepened for the soldier. The goblins had been allowed free passage in and out of the city for as long as he had been a guard. The captain made those orders very clear. The monsters were not to be detained, delayed, or disturbed. The people of Huntston offered little objection to that order, and the guards' directive had been made easy… until that moment.

"I don't think I can let you do that."

Holli almost laughed, but she retained her composure as she painted a clear picture that left the guard speechless.

"If you are not authorized to arrest us, then what will you do when I dismiss your wishes? Are you prepared to draw your weapon? I would advise against that." Upon receiving silence from the soldier, Holli then looked to the rest of the guards. "Anyone else? No? Then we will be on our way."