Theko turned and gazed in the direction of the forest again. Noticing me observing his action, he lowered his head. Maapu took the initiative and asked the question.

“Grand Mistress, like things goblins bring?” Maapu has been direct in his thoughts.

“We should go” Taltil urged.

We have rested enough. Considering the fact that the so-called Merrick would be soon arriving with forces to apprehend me, the offer to move back to the forest was not only ideal but also optimal.

The return trek towards the forest was spent in relative silence. Apart from the occasional howls of night creatures and a few nocturnal predators, our journey was uninterrupted. Though the creatures, the strange sights of constellations, the cold night breeze were all intriguing and demanding of my attention, I had to hold myself back. Satisfying my curiosity will have to wait.

Taltil broke the silence again.

“Mistress, lot of animals and food. Water too.”

Her words brought my senses back. I have not had a decent meal since my exile. During my ascent, I had relied on moss, algae and some rodent  that I could forage.

“Lot of deer, boar in the forest. More meat for Grand Mistress. “ Theko voiced.

So they are eager to get me back to the forest. Since our flight, I had not decided on a path, and I have let the goblins decide the path. For some unknown reason, they intend to bring me back to the forest.

As we proceeded further the vegetation got denser. Once I concluded that we have traveled sufficiently further into the forest, I lifted my hands signalling my intention to halt. The goblins stopped their walking and turned an expectant look towards me.

“Where can I stay? “ I enquired.

Not that I have any intention of living permanently in the forest. I still have to find Lyria and if my prediction was correct, once dawn breaks, the town guard will know of my escape and they would start sending patrols after me. Maybe even place a minor bounty on my head. Once Merrick is informed, Lord Korvanor would place more resources in capturing me which would inevitably lead to well-funded hunting parties combing through the forest. If news spreads further, it is highly certain that one or the other drow houses would join the fray to hunt me. Not that they needed the additional motivation. They would join the hunt as a matter of general principles.

“All the forest, if Dark Mistress desires.” Stressed Taltil. She had a better vocabulary than the other two.

“I do not need a whole forest. Only someplace to rest and stay for a few days.”

“Grand Dark Mistress has all forest. Live long in the forest.”

I certainly do not intend to stay here indefinitely.

“Grand Mistress can rule goblins.” Maapu voiced.

At last, Maapu has openly voiced their hidden intentions. It is time to get the truth.

“Why are you not back with your clan? and what do you want me to do now?”

The three exchanged knowing glances at each other. Finally, it was Theko who took the bold step.

“Goblins serve Grand Mistress. Grand Mistress rule goblins. With Grand Mistress, Goblins win all enemies. Kill big wolves and trolls.”

“You want me to protect your tribe?”

Thinking analytically, I am about to be hunted by a trained force and I would need all the help I can muster. Allying with the goblins would be prudent. They know the forest well and they can maintain a measure of discreteness. The goblins could serve as my eyes and ears in the forest. In exchange, the goblins would receive my protection against their natural enemies. A mutually symbiotic agreement that benefits both of us.

“How many of you are in your tribe?”

If I am going to rely on them, I need to know their exact numbers.

“Flint-tooth tribe not very big but strong and listen to Grand Mistress.” Theko scratched his arm while responding.

I should not have expected a quantitative answer. I have to infer the answer to my question indirectly. Drawing my knowledge on goblin communities, I formed my next question.

“How many families are there in your tribe?” Not wishing to receive another large or many as a reply. I held all my ten fingers.

“No. More.” said Taltil. Maapu just started counting his toes. In hindsight, that might be the wrong way to estimate their strength. After all, goblin tribes are not known for their monogamy.

“How many huts in the village? tents? sleeping place?” I tried to approach the matter from another facet.

Again Maapu started counting his toes. Theko took a more practical approach to count pebbles.

“Is it more than 10 or less?” I asked.

“More” replied Taltil.

“Do you have any Hobgoblins in the tribe?”

Tailtil shook her head.

“How many Bugbears?”

“No Bugbear.”

So a goblin tribe with more than 10 sleeping areas but no Hobgoblins or bugbears. That would put their tribe strength to be anywhere between two hundred to three hundred goblins.

“They are only 3 trolls, Dark Mistress,” Theko spoke.

“Aram not in the forest, now trolls come back. Trolls fight flint-tooths. Now Grand Mistress will win trolls. Aram then trolls. “

So Aram left and the trolls came back to reclaim their territory. Again, the crafty goblins want me to relieve another one of their enemies. All their assistance in rescuing me was not so altruistic as I thought. But still, it is a good bargain. Killing three trolls to gain the alliance of a small goblin tribe is agreeable. Besides with two hundred goblins, killing three trolls is not a behemoth of a task.

With a plot forming in my mind, I ordered the goblins to take me to their tribe.

Maapu immediately renewed his pace and moved briskly ahead. Taltil stood by my side, observing me and waiting for my instructions. Theko just tagged behind carrying the leftover bundles. It amazed me how Theko, in spite of his small stature, could carry those bundles on his back.

The first rays of the sun filtered through the leaves indicating the end of dawn and the beginning of a new day. Had I known the further ordeals that would follow the day, I would not have welcomed the day eagerly.