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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 3527794" data-attributes="member: 143">Thanks, Koewn!* * * * * Chapter 168FILCHER’S STORY“I remember you,” the goblin said.  They were back in the tunnel leading to the market cavern.  Varo’s daylight spell had expired, leaving them with the weaker, more natural light cast from their various objects imbued with continual flame.  Talen had set watched in both directions of the tunnel, with Baraka and Kalend close enough to call out if they spotted enemies.  He had kept Shay back to translate, but it appeared as if that would be unnecessary, as the goblin spoke the common tongue. “You were the leader of that group we met in the spider tunnels,” Allera said.  The goblin nodded.  “You said then that you were enemies of the demon priests.”“That is still the case,” Talen said. “That priest, he was a gobbo too,” Dar said.  “You guys have a little falling out?”The goblin sighed and leaned back against the wall behind him.  That was all he could do, with the ropes still wrapped around his legs and torso, and fastening his wrists behind his back. “We were betrayed by the followers of the Demon.  I was on patrol when they attacked.  They took a number of patrols, and mining teams.  We were taken to one of their temples, where most of my kin were turned into undead, creatures of shadow and darkness.”The companions exchanged a look.  “So that is where they have been getting their army,” Talen said. “What of Grezneck?” Shay asked. The goblin looked up at the scout.  “I only learned of the fate of the city only after I escaped, and returned to Grezneck.  I met up with a few survivors... I think they’re all dead now, but they told me what had happened.  It was Tribitz, the high priest of Orcus.  A ‘gobbo’, as you said, human.  He and his fanatics struck at the height of a market gathering.  They had a huge monster of stone, and demons, as well.  The warriors tried to fight back, but they were heavily outclassed.”“Not surprising,” Talen said, “Given what we’ve seen ourselves of the cult’s resources.” “You said you were brought to one of their temples,” Varo said.  “Can you find your way back there again?”The goblin shuddered, and looked away.  “No, never,” he said.  Allera knelt beside him, and cast a minor healing orison on him, easing his injuries.  The goblin let out a small sigh.  “What is your name?” she said.  “Filcher,” he replied.  “Are you going to kill me?”“Keep telling us what we want to hear, and you might just survive this meeting,” Dar said, looking menacing as he loomed over the creature, Valor balanced against his shoulder. “Are there any more survivors still fighting?” Talen asked.  Filcher nodded.  “From what I heard, the leader of the warriors, a powerful hobgoblin named Herzord, has holed up in the barracks with a considerable part of the garrison.  I tried to get to him, but the clerics have a large force outside, blocking the only way in.  Dar looked at Talen.  “Enemy of my enemy?”“This is not our mission,” Varo reminded them.  “We’re here to take out the temple.”“We’ve taken losses,” Talen said, “And we’re not certain of what we’re up against.  If we can help the goblins, maybe they can help us, in return.”Dar leaned in closer to the knight.  Quietly, he said, “I stand by what I said before.  Goblins are not trustworthy, and I wouldn’t turn my back on one.”Talen looked at him.  “Not long ago, colonel, I would have said the same about you.  I understand and agree with your caution, Dar, but we cannot afford to turn away any source of aid.”“All right.  It’s your call, commander, but I hope we’re not pulling our fat from the pan, and dumping it into the fire.”Talen turned to their prisoner.  “Filcher, if we cut you free, will you take us to the barracks?”The goblin nodded.  He shifted slightly, and to their surprise, he stood up, the ropes holding him falling away.  The companions looked at him in surprise, and then Dar laughed.  “I think I’m going to like you, gobbo,” he said.</blockquote>

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