Chapter 4:

Stryg woke up with aches ranging all over his body. Gathi had not held back. He thought he had a chance of beating her. No, he shook his head. He definitely could have beaten her, had someone not pushed him from the crowd. That one moment had cost him everything. He groaned from pain as he rolled out of his straw mat. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves.

 Everything had gone horribly wrong last night. He had lost his first night challenge, been beaten up, shamed in front of the whole tribe, and worst of all, he had cried in front of everyone. Crying was the sign of the weak. And now everyone knew just how weak he was. Stryg forced his injured body to stand. But, there was still hope. He was still alive and the moon herself had chosen him, given him a chance to redeem himself. He may not be strong, but he was special. Maybe not as special as Cruvor, but Stryg too had been chosen by the moon. This was his chance. He could finally become strong. This wasn’t the time to wallow in self pity. He had gone down that path before, and there was nothing for him there. Only the truly fragile would cry themselves to sleep. And he wasn’t ready to accept such a fate just yet. Today would be the beginning of his change. He picked up his spear and walked out of the tent. 

Several goblins were already waiting in the front of the village. Cruvor, the shaman was speaking with the chief and First Mother. Bril was already there, but was  standing behind some other goblins, keeping her distance from Cruvor. As Stryg drew close, other goblins noticed him, and turned away, going so far as walking a dozen feet from him. Stryg sighed, it was expected, he admitted grudgingly.

Ostroz, a young goblin a few months older than Stryg didn’t shy away, in fact, he greeted him. “Hello, Stryg. How are the injuries?” 

Stryg was surprised, he hadn’t thought anyone would talk to him. He knew Ostroz was a bit shorter than the other male goblins, but he had still managed to become a decent fighter and hunter. 

“I-I’m fine,” Stryg spoke with caution.

Ostroz smiled, “I’m glad. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to travel.”

Stryg clenched his teeth, little fangs appearing above his lip, “I’m not as frail as you think.”

Ostroz gave him a quizzical look and laughed, “I don’t think you’re frail at all. Here’s your travel sack by the way, some of the cooks got them ready for the group.” 

He handed Stryg the sack and walked away.

Stryg was unsure of what to make of him. Goblins weren’t just kind to each other. They only respected the powerful, and Stryg hadn’t made a great showing of that trait. A few minutes later, the group was ready to leave. 

“Cruvor, may the moon bless you on your journey,” The chief said in a solemn voice.

Cruvor nodded, “Thank you and may the stars light your path.” He was ready to leave already, and be out of the prying eyes of the chief and First Mother.

“Be sure to tell me of everything you see during your travels. Do I make myself clear, Second Mother?” First Mother spoke.

    “Yes, First Mother, I promise you I will,” Second Mother bowed.

“Oh, and Second Mother, I am well aware that some feeble goblins may try to push  other goblins without a challenge. If you see any goblin try such a thing be sure to let them know that I will personally punish them on their return. Remember, there will be no night challenges on this journey,” The chief spoke in a loud voice, his eyes never leaving Cruvor.

    Cruvor cursed under his breath. Those two had it out for him, it would be difficult doing anything drastic while their lackey Second Mother was around. Not that it mattered if all went as planned.

    “Well, we best be off now,” said Cruvor. “Let’s go everyone,” he waved them onward. He noticed how Bril stayed at the back of the group as they began walking. Dammit, hiding won’t help you, I’ll have you soon enough, he swore. 

    Stryg looked at the village. He had spent his whole life here. He had only gone a few miles away at most, to practice hunting. This was the first time he’d be leaving for such a long journey. He caught First Mother glaring at him. He quickly turned around. She may hate him now, but someday, he’d come back here and they’d all stand in awe of his prowess. He would become the greatest hunter they had ever seen. Looking at the endless grey trees before him, the sounds of creatures echoing in the distance, he knew he had a long journey ahead.

    The walk was quite long. They had to constantly take winding paths in order to avoid the predators’ known hunting grounds. It was boring to be honest, and Stryg had quickly found himself isolated, with no one bothering to look at him let alone talk with him. He had become a pariah. Even Ostroz, who had spoken to him earlier had stayed away. Ostroz was actually having a long conversation with Cruvor. He had never seen that before. A few minutes later, Ostroz left Cruvor and walked over toward Stryg. Stryg was unsettled, why come over here?

“Hello, Stryg.” Ostroz smiled.

“Hello,” Stryg answered slowly. He didn’t trust Ostroz, but honestly he wanted someone to talk to. 

“What are you up to?” Ostroz asked.

“Nothing, how about you? I saw you talking to the Cruvor.” 

    “Not much. You know, you don’t have to be so wary of me, we may not be close, but I’m not your enemy.” Ostroz spread his arms out in mock surrender. “In fact I came here so I could give you some advice.”

Stryg paused, “Okay, I’m listening.”

“Great, well where to start. Hm...” He waved his hand, “I went to talk to the great shaman because I saw a problem and I offered my services to help with his little problem.”

    “What kind of problem?” Now Stryg was worried. Was there some unknown enemy that an accomplished hunter like Ostroz had noticed?

    “Hm, well who do you see walking at the front of our group?”

“Cruvor.” Obviously, Stryg thought.

    “And who do you see in the back?” 

Stryg turned around, “Bril is walking behind Second Mother.”

    “Ah, you see there’s the problem, or should I say two problems.” Ostroz raised two fingers. “The first being that the shaman wants Bril to be with him if you know what I mean.”

    “Ah, right.” Stryg had seen the way Cruvor had treated her last night.

“But, the only way that can happen is if Second Mother leaves him alone. That’s where I come in.” Ostroz gazed at the woman in question, “I’ve had my eye on Srixa for a long time. She used to beat me the most when I was younger. She always made me bow down to her, before letting me go. I want payback, but I also like her. This time I want to defeat her, show her I’m strong, that I’m a worthy mate.”

    Stryg laughed, “Well, you’ve got a problem there. Even if you do challenge her, I’ve seen her fight, she’d knock your ass to the ground in seconds. Not to mention we are in the middle of traveling. There are no night challenges here. Second Mother wouldn’t allow it.”

“You’re thinking too small Stryg.” He waved his arm, “We are in the middle of Vulture Woods. Far from the village, and until we get back, the one in charge, the one acting as commanding chief, is Cruvor, our shaman. Not Second Mother.”

    Stryg tilted his head, “Ok, but what are you trying to get at.”

Ostroz shook his head, “The chief can call off challenges anytime he wants, like last night.” 

    Stryg frowned; he didn’t want to think about his own fight that had ended so badly.

Ostroz continued, “But, he can also start challenges. He could even go as far as to bypass certain rules.”

    “But if he does that the others would rebel.”

Ostroz smirked, “Maybe in the village where the chief and First Mother could object. But do you think anyone here is willing to go against Cruvor? Are you?”

Stryg stopped walking, “Of course not. I don’t want to die. But, why are you telling me all of this?”

    Ostroz scratched his head, “Because you remind me of my old self. I was always smaller than the others. They made fun of me too. I hated being at the bottom of the food chain, until I realized something. Do you know why you lost last night?” 

“Because I got pushed by someone in the crowd. It gave Gathi a chance to knock me down. I couldn’t get back up.” Stryg replied, anger dripping in his voice.

Ostroz shook his head, “Wrong. While I admit that getting pushed hurt your chances, it's not why you lost. You lost because you gave up.”

“What was I supposed to do!?” Stryg exclaimed.

Ostroz stared at him, “Anything. Everything. If you want something you don’t give up on it. You do anything to achieve that goal, whether it be biting off their face, or stabbing them in the back. That’s how you survive, that’s how you get what you want. Who cares what they think. If they can’t stop you, then they don’t matter. That’s what I learned and that’s my advice to you.”

Stryg wasn’t sure what to think. He had always wanted the respect of his tribe. “But, if I do something that goes against our ways, something cowardly, like backstabbing someone, they’d just call me a coward and hate me.”

Ostroz saw the look of shame on his face, “Stryg most of them already hate you. Look, you don’t have to think so hard about it. It’s simple, you can either be the runt of the tribe, or you can be a giant.”

“You’re not a giant,” Stryg muttered.

Ostroz raised his hand to the evening sky, as if he could grab the moon herself. “Not yet. But, I will be. Just watch me. You’ll see.” He turned and walked away. 

Stryg thought of the tribe’s most important lesson. 

“The strongest get what they want, so be the strongest, huh?” He muttered.

Deep down he knew he’d never be the strongest, but maybe he could still get what he wanted, if he followed Ostroz’s track of thinking, just maybe. Stryg shook his head, what was he saying? He remembered Cruvor’s words. The shaman had said he was chosen by the moon so that he could redeem himself. Stryg smiled, he was chosen, special even. He’d do great things, right? Soon he’d have the respect of the tribe and even become great. There was no need for him to act cowardly. Still, he couldn’t help but watch Ostroz as the goblin walked away, his shadow cast a silhouette larger than the rest.