The commander stood just shy of six feet tall and was powerfully built. Most of the goblins he had seen were either a dark green or a sickly lighter green. The one notable exception had been Big Red, the goblin Richter had killed to gain control of the Mist Village. This goblin’s color was a mix of red and black, like a lightly glowing coal. The commander’s muscle structure was different as well. Goblins could definitely be strong, but their arms and legs had muscles like a frog: wiry and built for snap movements. The commander defied Richter’s expectations in this as well.
The bastard was built like a brick house. He stood bare-chested, with large pecs and every muscle on his torso standing out in sharp definition. The commander looked like a bodybuilder, but Richter knew that the goblin’s physique was not just for show. The myriad scars crisscrossing his body were proof of that. Tattoos covered his body as well. Richter cursed the fact that he couldn’t use Analyze to find out more about the goblins’ leader, but this was just a memory.
“Took your time getting here!” the commander said scathingly. A hooded figure stood in a shadowed corner of the tent, and two pleasure slaves cowered upon the leader’s bed. The Witch Doctor gazed hatefully at the commander’s pet caster for a moment, but then turned his attention back to the goblin glaring death at him.
“I came as soon as I received your message, Heqht-jo,” Sin-ak replied, with barely concealed hate. That was how Richter learned the name of his enemy.
“Then you are slow like an old woman!” Heqht-jo responded. He took a step forward, his hand brushing the head of an axe hanging at his belt. The commander glared at Sin-ak. This time, the Witch Doctor held his tongue. After a few seconds, Heqht-jo leered, enjoying the power he had over the Mage and stepped back. “I summoned you because one of the hill rats escaped. You will take a squad and bring him back, dead or alive.”
“Send the mercenaries,” Sin-ak snapped. “I am here to feed the Bloodstone and get through the protective barrier. It is not my job to hunt down sprite vermin!” The idea that he would have to stoop to hunting a single puny escapee, even if it was one of their racial enemies, was insulting. If the commander only knew how dangerous it was to be around a Bloodstone, let alone what is was like to touch and feed one… Suffice it to say that while being entrusted with such a powerful relic was an honor, it was an honor the Witch Doctor could do without. Sin-ak was sure the larger goblin would be licking his feet, if only the commander’s small mind could comprehend even a tenth of how valuable his contribution was! It appeared, however, that the two of them had a difference of opinion.
“Your job is whatever I say!” Heqht-jo roared. Spittle flew from his jaws. This time the hand axe did not stay on his belt but instead found a new home in the commander’s hand. His eyes widened and the weapon shook in his grasp, so great was his anger. Sin-ak saw the camp leader’s eyes redden for a moment.
The Mage stood completely still, unwilling to push further. It was not just Heqht-jo’s personal power that kept him firmly in command of the goblin encampment. It was also his horrible temper. While Sin-ak might enjoy torturing a scout or fighter every once in a while, the commander was an animal. It was not unheard of for Heqht-jo to rip the arms or legs off of those who would oppose him. If he lost himself to rage, the commander was normally only soothed by literally bathing in his enemy’s blood. The problem was, no one ever knew how much would be required. Suffice it to say, the goblins that served under him never wished to find out.
Sin-ak bowed his head, though it brought bile to his throat. As powerful as he was, he couldn’t best the commander in close quarters combat and they both knew it. Richter held his proverbial breath. He knew that Sin-ak had survived this encounter, otherwise Richter would never have been able to fight him later, but reliving the Witch Doctor’s memory meant reliving the fear the Mage had experienced as well. Luckily, the commander was appeased by the show of deference.
Only a foot separated them, and when the commander spoke again, Sin-ak could smell Heqht-jo’s fetid breath, “You will take a squad to find the hill sprite. You will claim his body, living or dead. If he goes into the abyss, you will go after him and bring him back.” Heqht-jo placed the blade of his axe under the Mage’s chin and applied pressure until the Witch Doctor had to tilt his head back and look him in the face. His voice was measured and intense. It was frightening when contrasted with the wild anger in his eyes.
“I will not allow escaped vermin to threaten my mission. The clan has tasked me with recovering the item, and I will do that. We cannot allow the sprite to alert his kinsmen that we are here. Come back with the sprite, or I will bathe in your blood. Do you understand?” The commander’s voice had gone deadly quiet. It was somehow more frightening than when he was screaming. Sin-ak’s mouth went dry.
“I understand, commander.” He licked his lips, “I would like to request some Professionals accompany me. This area is wild and the monsters can be dangerous.”
“Ha!” Heqht-jo sneered at the caster. “You may have two Warriors. I will not commit all of our resources to what should be a simple task. Prove your worth or die trying. If you fail in this, no members of the tribe will object to your death… no matter who your father is.”
That was the core of Heqht-jo’s dislike of the Witch Doctor. Sin-ak’s father was part of the ruling council for the powerful Black Death tribe, one of the most powerful tribes in the clan. The commander never wasted an opportunity to make the point that Sin-ak had only progressed in the tribe due to nepotism. Warranted or not, the accusations had created a deep rift, filled with hate, between the two goblins.
“Now go!” Heqht-jo said dismissively. He turned away and walked back to his pleasure slaves as if Sin-ak was already forgotten.
Something inside of the Witch Doctor just couldn’t resist responding. “Have you had any luck penetrating the shield around the artifact? You are correct about one thing. The tribal leaders will be most displeased if you fail to obtain an object of such power.”
Heqht-jo stopped walking, but did not turn around. The Witch Doctor could see the powerful muscles in the commander’s back tighten. When the goblin leader spoke, the hatred in his voice was palpable, “Focus on sacrificing the prisoners to the Bloodstone. If your magic was good for anything more than shade on a sunny day, you could have filled the stone and we would be gone from this place!” Heqht-jo turned his head and made eye contact with his subordinate, “I will make you a promise. Any ill fate that befalls me due to this mission’s failure will find you as well. I swear it. I swear it. I swear it.”