Chapter LX: No Easy Way Out

Odessa didn’t know what to do. She could only stare at the lifeless body she held in her arms. Middlesky’s eyes gazed back up into hers.

The light had gone out of them. He lay dead on the ground.

She scarcely even noticed when Fated burst through the tunnel behind her. He sped forward like a man possessed. With the metallic clang of steel against steel, an arrow splintered against his shield. The Paladin turned with panic-stricken eyes, reaching out his hand towards Odessa. He was shouting something. Demons howled as they drew nearer, and she could not hear him. Her head turned as madness unfolded around her.

Demons were touching down from above her. They came in droves, masses of fangs and claws with horribly glowing eyes. There had to be fifty or more; perched over rocks, stomping across the ground, flying overhead. Shouts in the hideous demon language tore into her. They were closing in. Odessa shook her head, fighting for clarity. The Goblins were dead. They had killed the Goblins. If this was a trap all along, why do that? Middlesky was dead.

They hadn’t killed Middlesky or the Goblins. Odessa realized the demons had nothing to do with it. She didn’t see a bow among them.

She raised her head and looked dead in front of her. Forty paces away, a man holding a great bow stood amongst the demons.

The Hume’s auburn hair was cropped short, and mostly hidden beneath a broad-brimmed and conical hat. His body was draped in a garment of white with a blue cloak streaming down from it. It was plated with elaborate armor across the middle, a creation of intricate goldwork and exotic fabrics. There was an arrow burning black fire across its blade nocked in the bow he held, already drawn back. He stared right back at Odessa, and without hesitation, let the arrow fly.

Odessa was knocked aside as Raidom dove in the way. She heard him grunt as it pierced the thick plate surrounding his shoulder, sinking into flesh underneath. The Dark Knight’s head rose with fury in his eyes as he brandished the enormous sword he held. Feeding off of his own pain, he rose in a fog of blood-hued power rising from his body. The demons held their ground, laughing at Raidom as he brandished his great sword. Fated took up his flank, and the two stood back to back over Odessa. They were both saying something she couldn’t make out. Her eyes were locked on the archer.

He lowered his bow, raising one leather-gloved hand instead. At the snap of his fingers, twin portals of quivering darkness blossomed on either side of him. They faded to reveal two newcomers. An Elvaan with hair black as night stepped forward, covered in ornate armor of silver and gold. A sword with a golden blade was held in one of his gauntleted hands, and the other grasped a shield which he held at the ready. On the other side of the archer, a Hume had materialized. The polar opposite of the Elvaan, his hair was long and brown, and spilled out from underneath a demonic helmet as black as the night. The Hume’s armor was all dark as the helmet, covered in thick plates and wicked spikes, inlaid with a purple metal Odessa had never seen before. The construction of the breastplate gave the impression of exposed ribs. The Hume held out an enormous scythe, as black as his armor, and both he and the Elvaan stepped towards Fated and Raidom, raising their weapons menacingly.

The archer said something to them, but the howling of the demons kept Odessa from hearing. There were so many demons. The realization that she was going to die here began to sink in.

Steadily advancing, the archer’s own Paladin and Dark Knight came forward deliberately. Demons dropped down out of the sky as they did, taking up ranks behind them. Even as they did so, the Kindred around Odessa closed in their circle. They had no way out. Raidom hefted his sword, and as he did so a demon charged in ahead of the others. With a mighty cleave, Raidom swung his sword down at the monster, slicing its chest open as it got too close. It cried out in anger, deep black blood oozing from its wound. That was enough to open the floodgates. The rest of the demons poured in.

Like a shot from a Bastokan cannon, Celeres burst forth from the cave. The Monk’s body was glowing red, flames of his aura visible to the eye. He propelled himself past Raidom and Fated, and one of his clawed fists found its home in the chest of the wounded demon. A spew of black blood flew from its mouth, but before it could even topple over, Celeres ripped his hand free and turned to the next one. The Monk caught a swing from one of their jagged, hooked swords in a guard, lashing out with his other hand to leave three bone-deep lacerations across the demon’s face. Even as he did, the swarm moved in on him. Two were down, a small army remained.

Odessa could hear the strikes of weapon upon weapon as Fated and Raidom stood poised over her, defending her at risk of their own lives. She felt magic welling up nearby, and turned to see the Dark Knight the archer had summoned raising one of his hands. Fire bloomed in his grasp, and he shot the incendiary spell towards Raidom with deadly accuracy. Even as the Lieutenant drove back a demon with his sword, he lashed out with a burst of his own fire. The two bolts collided in midair, sending a shower of arcane sparks across the battlefield. The sensation of magic being called grew ten times over in Odessa’s head. Not all of the demons were warriors, she realized.

Fire and ice rained down upon them. Celeres was blasted aside by a bolt of lightning. Raidom was struck three times at once, his armor splintering under the force of the spells called down on him. Fated burst into flames, then froze simultaneously. The Paladin fell to the ground, and then released his own magic. Curative force washed over him, illuminating his being. The mage demons were standing well behind the advancing throng, Odessa could see now, grasping their gnarled staves in preparation for another barrage.

Their chance to strike again was taken away as suddenly a song swept across them. Eig had made her way silently towards the mage line, and all at once released the power of her spellsong. The light in the demons eyes dimmed visibly, and all at once the group of casters toppled over in a haze of magic-induced sleep. Almost instantly, Eig shrieked as a demon wielding a broad axe leaped towards her, with intent to cut the Bard in two. Celeres, however, tackled her, and both went tumbling across the ground towards where Odessa still sat perched over Middlesky’s body.

A demon slashed Raidom across the face, blood spilling out on the green grass beneath him. The Dark Knight countered with a strike of his own, slicing open the monster’s gut all the way to its spine. Two more appeared where it fell. Behind her, Fated was being battered relentlessly by a tide he could not possibly hold back.

Three of the demons were dead. Some eight or ten were asleep in the power of Eig’s spellsong. Close to forty were still on their feet and closing in. The archer stood stock still as he watched the situation unfold, his two surrogates coming closer with every second.

“Odessa!” a voice reached her ears. She turned to see Eig, the Mithra shouting at her despite being only a few feet away. “Get us out of here, Odessa! A spell! A spell!”

She stared at her, and then cast a desperate look at Middlesky’s body. The dead could not travel the way Eig was suggesting.

“We have to save the living, Odessa!” Eig screamed. “Teleport us out!”

The words struck her like a slap to the face. As a White Mage, the greatest failure she could suffer was letting someone in her care die. She had saved Raidom when they found him lying near death in the mountains. She kept Betrayil alive when Tzee Xicu had nearly killed him. She rescued Rykoshet when the Roc had torn him to pieces. Now Middlesky was dead, and she had never even been given the chance to save him.

She looked up from the body, and saw Fated buckle down to one knee. He held his shield firm as the demons pounded down over him. A shell of his chi crackled forth, hardening the very air around them as he used his reserves of energy to defend the others. Raidom grunted as a demon struck his arm, almost causing him to drop his weapon. All at once, however, a cascade of dark energy swirled over him as the Dark Knight called upon the power of his Souleater. Standing his ground to defend Odessa was worth the cost of his own life. Celeres hacked with his steel-bladed claws, each strike losing momentum as he simply ran out of strength. They would be dead in seconds.

The Paladin and the Dark Knight across the field from them halted. The archer had given them some sort of command.

Odessa knew Eig was right. She could not fail again.

White magic swelled within her being, reaching out into the void. Searching, seeking a point to hone in on. She knew what she was looking for. She only needed to maintain her concentration long enough to find it. Redoubling her effort, a haze of white light began surging around her. The image of her teammates held fast in her mind, she zeroed in on what she wanted. She sought a point of power, a node of the eldritch force which held Vana’diel together. Her thoughts swept across the continent, across Sauromugue, over the Meriphataud Mountains, and finally into what she sought. The image of a great crystal came to life in her mind.

A demon swooped down from above and took Fated by surprise. The Paladin’s armor cracked as his shield was knocked from his hands. He collapsed to the ground, and the demon raised his sword to strike Odessa down. Celeres tackled the fiend, rushing into it with his shoulder and propelling both of them into the clutch of demons surrounding them. Raidom released his devastating energy, slicing through one of the monsters with such ferocity that his swing ripped it completely in half. No sooner had he done so, however, then a demon’s axe fell on his arm, breaking his gauntlets and perhaps his bones. His sword fell to the ground as he gave a cry of agony. The two Humes and the Elvaan watching the fight observed dispassionately.

The archer’s eyes fell on Odessa. Without changing expression, he pulled back another arrow.

The magic welled up inside Odessa finally reached its peak. She threw one arm towards the sky, with the image of the Crag of Mea fixed in her mind’s eye. Around her, the terrain began to shift. Sweeping vistas of green grass and verdant fields melted away to broad chasms and endless rock. The scent of rolanberries was replaced by stale dust. Odessa’s magic reached out for the power of the crystal, and pulled her and those around her away from where they stood. Latching on to it, she let the crystal take her in, take them all to safety. Away from the demons, away from the death.

The archer’s arrow struck her just below the shoulder, sliding under her clavicle and piercing through her back. Blood immediately began staining both sides of her snowy white robes. She released her spell in the same instant, but shock and pain overcame her. Something twisted inside of her, and she knew something had gone terribly wrong. The faces of the others swirled around her. She could see Fated raising his head. Raidom was valiantly standing his ground, though he could not lift his arms. Celeres ran towards her, his fists bloodied as he shouted something which was lost in the embrace of her spell.

There was a surge of white magic which shook the ground as Odessa’s concentration splintered at the moment of completion. In the next moment, they were gone.

The spell was complete. They were safe.

Celeres stared out from the Crag of Mea. One of several points of such concentrated energy that one with enough skill could actually focus in on it and teleport there. Tahrongi Canyon stretched out around them. A day or two marching north and they would be back in Oztroja. It appeared Antiqix would be spared.

Fated lay on his back, trying to rise. Raidom was barely holding on to consciousness. Odessa turned and saw the arrow sticking out of her shoulder, and was taken aback by the amount of blood staining her robes.

That was not their greatest problem at all, in her mind.

Her spell had been interrupted at the exact moment of release. Celeres, Raidom, and Fated had all come with her, appearing where she intended. In that split second of having her concentration shattered, however, her spell had been altered, splintered as her concentration.

Eig was not with them. And Odessa had no idea where the Bard had been sent.

She sat on her knees, looking up at the sky as night crept over them. They had all been wounded. Eig was gone. Middlesky was dead.

Silently, Odessa prayed to Altana, not having the strength to fight the tears which came streaming down.


The archer stepped forward towards the scorched grass. The demons howled their frustration all around him, but he did not bother to call for silence. On the ground, the body of the Red Mage he had shot lay still. Two Goblins were not far off, each as dead as the mage.

“The Goblins are in the nest, like we thought,” he told the two at his side. They shared a look, and then awaited further orders. The archer himself was thinking about what his next move should be.

“Forget about them,” he ordered finally, standing and turning away. A few Goblins were hardly worth the effort compared to what they had just discovered. “Lahhan,” he ordered the Paladin, “go back to Doshu. Tell him what we saw. MacBeth, you’re with me.” The Dark Knight nodded in acquiescence, holstering his scythe in place at his back.

“What should I say to Doshu, Eudon?” the Paladin asked.

The archer stared at the scorch marks in the ground.

“Tell him we know where the survivors are hiding.”

Chapter LVIX: What Happened Next

One could tell when Rolanberry Fields was near. It was a location that you had to go to in order to appreciate. It was more than a simple place. The sprawling miles of hills, mountains, and endless fields were an experience. You went to Rolanberry Fields to be there, to see and smell and taste the landscape. Unique on the continent, it could be dazzling to someone whom had never been there before. Even having traveled across the length and breadth of it several times in her life, Odessa still took a moment to appreciate the natural beauty.

Everything as far as the eye could see was green. Acres of grass spread out before them, waving gently upon the warm touch of a midday breeze. Trees dotted the scenery, playful birches and maples which invited one to rest beneath their shade or enjoy a climb in their branches. The peaks which rose up around the valley were tiny in comparison to the towering rocks of Sauromugue Champaign from which they came. Instead they served not as an obstacle, but a pleasant divider between the untamed beauty of the outskirts and the orderly fields below.

Therein lay the true marvel. Stretching out further than could be ridden in a day were the Rolanberry fields of Jeuno. The succulent berries, used for everything from jam to wine to magical ingredients, produced an aroma which perfumed the entirety of the area. Odessa could smell it on the wind as they grew close, wafting through the air to comfort and soothe. She closed her eyes, taking an appreciative breath of the scented breeze. Nothing quite compared to Rolanberry.

“This,” Middlesky said, some distance in front of her, “is a place of tremendous peace.” The Red Mage’s eyes were closed, hands outstretched and palms open at his side. His chin was raised, and his breathing deep. A smile was on his lips.

“Rolanberry Fields is one of the more hospitable territories of the Duchy,” Raidom stopped at Odessa’s side, his expression as hardened as ever. “The presence of the Quadav seems negligible in comparison to the numbers of Orcs which inhabit Batallia Downs, or the Yagudo in Sauromugue, for that matter. Furthermore, with the exception of Goobbue, which are largely easy to avoid, there are practically no dangerous monsters to be found here.”

“There are Morbols here,” Eig corrected. The Mithra looked to be in delight, making the remark almost absently as she eagerly tasted the air.

Raidom puffed out his chest slightly. “While some Morbol occasionally wander up here from the marshlands in the south, the idea that they routinely wander the area is the stuff of stories.”

“Stories are my business,” she smiled, and then wandered towards Middlesky.

“You seem to know a lot about the area, Lieuntenant,” Odessa complimented.

Raidom nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. “The Ducal Guards are required to be aware of all the Duchy’s holdings, insofar as territorial advantages, inherent dangers, and important travel routes. We learn this all in basic training.”

She cocked an eyebrow at the earnest soldier from Jeuno. “And the inspiring natural beauty?”

“Beauty is well and good, Lady Odessa,” Raidom said evenly, “but it does little to protect the Duchy.”

“I think it’s amazing,” a young voice said in a reverent tone, and Fated joined them a moment later. With eyes full of marvel, he stared out at the sea of green, a smile spreading across his face as memories of Rolanberry pie struck him. “I’ve never been here. I flew over it once, in the airship, but we didn’t get to actually walk through.”

“You’re a long way from the Musketeers now,” Odessa told him. She instantly regretted it. She had meant it to sound friendly, but the circumstances changed everything. Fortunately, Fated seemed not to notice.

“Crawler’s Nest,” Raidom said, loudly enough to get their attention, “is due west. A natural cave home to several varieties of the crawler species, as well as their nesting grounds. While some are aggressive if they feel threatened, they are, for the most part, harmless. Celeres,” he asked, turning around to the Monk who was just now cresting the hill behind them, “have the chocobos been secured?”

He nodded firmly. “Sure, I hitched ‘em up back there somewhere. They’ll be here when we get back.”

“You know,” Raidom remarked, “you’re an awfully loose sort of fellow for a Monk.”

Celeres smiled broadly in response, bringing up a hand and cracking his knuckles. “Hey soldier boy,” he clenched his fists together, “I follow my oaths like everybody else. But when it comes to a good throw down, well, I just can’t resist.”

“A good throw down,” Raidom repeated with obvious disapproval. “That’s hardly the attitude for a bodyguard of a superior officer.”

The Monk shrugged. “Maybe so, but hey, tell me that’s not the reason I’m here in the first place.”

Raidom turned to Odessa, who gave a long-suffering sigh as she twirled a lock of her silver hair between her fingers. “We met Celeres in a monastery on Elshimo,” she explained to the soldier. “He helped us quell an uprising from the Goblins that live in Ifrit’s Cauldron. The elders were . . . quite insistent that it was a sign he should travel with us and bend his destructive ways towards doing good.”

“Hey,” Celeres said defensively, “I always fixed whatever I broke there.”

“The monastery was short two prayer rooms.”

“Anyone could’ve knocked down those support beams.”

The Elvaan woman felt her eyelid twitch involuntarily. “Let’s . . . just hurry up and go.”

The chocobos were abandoned out of necessity. Time was an issue, of course, but without the towering cliffs and dilapidated fortress remnants of Sauromugue to mask them, they had to be even more cautious about being seen. That meant slowing down their pace, and definitely not riding six giant yellow birds across a bright green landscape. They would be able to recover them when they returned. For now, it was less than a day’s march to Crawler’s Nest, where the truth behind Antiqix’s plea could be determined. Odessa could determine her next move from there.

They stuck close to the hills, trying to stay as far away from Jeuno as possible at all times. Its towering walls were visible in the distance, as well as the crushing darkness covering its skies. Now and then the sight of a demon on the wing was visible, but would always quickly vanish back into the city. Raidom’s throat made an audible noise every time he caught a glimpse of his city being controlled by demons. As they walked on, Odessa tried as best she could to make sure they walked south at every chance. The further they were from the sight of Jeuno, the better. Not just for keeping themselves safe, but sane as well.

By and large, the trip was uneventful. As the gray, ugly skies gave way to a cloudy evening, Crawler’s Nest came within reach. Sure enough, a monstrous goobbue lurked in the trees nearby, but it paid them no heed as they approached. The small party approached the low-hanging cave entrance, Odessa pulling her cloak around her shoulders. Rolanberry Fields was temperate all through the year, but with winter coming the night would still have a chill. Nothing compared to the freezing temperatures of Sauromugue, though. Also, cooling temperatures meant beasts which fed on vegetation, like the crawlers, would be in a mostly dormant cycle. Ignoring the fact that they were even out here in the first place, things appeared to be going their way.

“Careful,” Raidom warned. “There are also some aggressive breeds of giant beetle within. The scorpions that feed on crawlers live here as well, and make little distinction in their meals.”

“The spirits here are ill at ease,” Middlesky said, stepping forward. His head was tilted into the wind, and a troubled look creased his brow. “The nest has been intruded.”

“Goblins?” Eig queried.

Middlesky nodded. “I would assume so.”

“The elders back at the temple were always talking about the spirits,” Celeres commented, “but I don’t remember any of ‘em saying the spirits talked to them.”

“Perhaps they were simply not listening,” the Red Mage theorized.

“Is listening to the spirits part of what the culture is like on Ulbuku?” Eig leaned forward, ears twitching with curiousity.

Middlesky only gave a fleeting smile. “I came across the great sea to learn more of your ways, Eig. When I return to my people, I shall invite you along, and you may hear all of our wisdom from the source.”

The Bard’s eyes danced at the prospect. “I’d be the first Bard to visit the Western Continent in decades,” she mused. “I could get onboard with that. When do you plan to return home?”

The Red Mage shrugged. “Many moons have passed since I left. I have not yet planned my homecoming. But I will return to my people.”

“Alright,” Odessa interrupted, “we’ll talk about all this when we’re not exposed in demon territory. Let’s get this over with. Fated, lead the way.”

The Paladin nodded, taking up his shield and heading down the tunnel before them. Raidom loosened the great sword on his back, carefully walking behind the young Bastokan, but in front of Celeres. Middlesky followed next, and then Odessa and Eig brought up the rear.

Crawler’s Nest was oddly luminous at night. Patches of exposed stone stood out here and there, but the lifeless gray was by and large the exception. Being born from Rolanberry Fields, the cave structure was similarly alive with vegetation. Flowers with iridescent bulbs dotted the walls, growing from thick vines of deepest green. Moss blanketed the area from ceiling to floor, wet with moisture and alive with insects. Most were of the normal variety, but here and there a buzzing sound told of giant wasps native to the nest. They flitted about, ignoring the group as they passed by. Lit by the glowing plants, it seemed as if a path was being laid out in front of them. Odessa brushed off the coincidence as they pressed onwards.

A moment later they came to an abrupt halt. Fated had stopped at a ledge, and was looking down into the sprawling cavern below. Raidom took a step forward to look in, and then he froze as well.

Odessa pushed her way through to them, annoyed at the hold up. “What is the issue here?” she demanded, brushing by Middlesky.

Below her, the sound of several dozen crossbows being pulled back at once echoed throughout the cavern.

“Found them,” Fated reported, as they stared down at the mass of Goblins assembled in Crawler’s Nest, ready to let a storm of bolts soar forward with the slightest provocation.

The three of them stood mutely at the ledge. Below them, hundreds of eyes peered up through a variety of masks. Some were leather, like the one worn by Antiqix, and covered the entirety of the Goblin’s face. Others were forged of steel specifically to fit over a Goblin head, and they stared up with swords drawn and large, untrusting eyes narrowed. The stunted beastmen passed murmers between them, a dull roar of echoing, unseemly comments building in the cavern. The weapons pointed up at them were extended, and from her vantage point Odessa could tell some trigger fingers looked unbearably itchy. One inch at a time, Fated began to raise his shield.

The White Mage had to think fast. If they were intent on attacking, they would have fired at first sight. Instead, they seemed to be quickly discussing what to do about the appearance of the interlopers in their midst. Goblins, however, were notoriously impatient and not known for asking questions. One of them might fire a crossbow at any second, which would start a fire she wouldn’t be able to put out. If she startled them, this could happen anyway. Suddenly, a name materialized in her head.

“Antiqix!” she shouted out. Three crossbow bolts fired off in near unison, streaking into the walls surrounding the narrow opening. Two passed by harmlessly, a third bounced off of Fated’s hastily risen shield. Three out of dozens. She had gotten their attention.

“Antiqix!” she repeated loudly. This time, no one fired. Fated lowered his shield cautiously, though Raidom still held his great sword defensively in both hands.

“Who’s callin’ for Antiqix?” someone called out below. Scores of angry Goblin voices joined in the demand for an answer.

“I’m an Elvaan,” she stated, knowing her name would be meaningless here, “asked to come here by a Goblin named Antiqix. He told me the Goblins of Jeuno had come here when the demons attacked.”

One Goblin, carrying an enormous sack with dozens of patches across it, pushed his way through the crowd. The chamber below was positively littered with Goblins, branching off into the many snaking tunnels of the nest. Goblins of all shapes and sizes, wearing all manner of piecemeal armor and clothing shuffled back and forth. There had to be a hundred of them at least, and no telling how many more down the unseen paths. The Goblin which emerged to speak gave an uncouth snort, shaking a white-gloved fist at the three on the ledge.

“You got no proof!” he said in an accusatory tone. “How do we know the demons ain’t sentcha?”

Piecing through his grammar, Odessa replied, “If the demons knew you were here, they’d just come and either demand your obedience or wipe you out. We’re six Children of Altana here to talk business.”

That sparked some noise. In the Goblin language, business meant money, and Children of Altana meant suckers.

“You come down here,” the Goblin told her, “I ain’t gonna shout at you the whole time.”

“You climb up here,” Odessa countered, not willing to lower herself into a pit of Goblins. It was clear from the reaction that her request was met with similar distrust.

“Pffah!” the Goblin spat. “We can’t very well meet halfway!”

“Alright,” Odessa conceded, “give me a moment.”

“What should we do, Lady Odessa?” Fated whispered hurriedly as she pulled them in for a conference. “We can’t let you go down there, they’ll kill you.”

“Not necessarily,” Raidom interjected. “Goblins are rabidly faithful to profit if nothing else. If they think there’s something in this for them, they’ll at least hear her out.”

“But if they don’t like what she has to say . . . “ Eig let the suggestion take root in their minds.

“Alright, hush up,” Odessa snapped, rubbing her temples. “Celeres,” she looked dead at the Monk, “how many of them could you handle?”

He shrugged. “Ten, maybe?” Odessa ground her teeth. Not nearly enough.

“They will do no harm.” Collectively, they looked at Middlesky. His voice had not a shred of doubt in it.

“How can you be sure?” Fated whispered urgently.

“From them I sense fear, confusion,” he spoke softly and confidently. “No malice or ill-intent towards us. They are frightened, though they do not show it. A bargain for safety will be easily struck.”

Fated looked at the Red Mage with a mixture of surprise and doubt. “I won’t let you go alone,” he told Odessa. “Let me be your shield, at least.”

Odessa considered her options. Goblins did worship money, but they also respected power. A show of it could be in order.

“Okay, this is how it works,” she shouted down, her tone brooking no nonsense. “I’m coming down there. I’m bringing with me a Paladin from the Bastokan Mythril Musketeers and a Dark Knight who is a ranking officer amongst the Jeunoan Ducal Guard. I’m leaving up here three others who will run at the first sign of trouble. One of them is a Monk whom you’ll never catch. If anything happens to us, they’ll return with plenty of friends to even the score.”

This time, the Goblins had a huddle of their own. Several of them gathered together, whispering in their scratchy, hoarse language. A minute later, the one Odessa had been speaking to turned, extending his arms.

“Acceptable,” he approved, “but if we don’t like what you have to say, we’ll throw you out for the demons to find. You can’t take revenge on us for what they do.”

The logic didn’t quite fit, but she had gotten them to agree not to kill them outright. Nodding to Fated and Raidom, she stepped forward.

The ledge was not terribly high, but she still had an awkward time climbing down. There was an eruption of snickering from the Goblins as she ungracefully searched for each new rock and crevice with her feet. By the time she finally reached the ground, anger was creeping in to an already exasperated mood. Fated appeared by her side a moment later, opting to fall most of the way and land in a crouch. He stood up cautiously, his shield raised and hand on his hilt. The youth was then joined by the older, stonier face of Lieutenant Raidom, who leveled a dangerous stare into the beastman delegation.

“Tell us how you knew we were here,” the Goblin demanded, “and what you have to offer.”

“We are part of a coalition residing in Castle Oztroja,” she said, noting the confusion registering in the Goblin’s eyes. “Tzee Xicu has surrendered authority over the Yagudo to Rykoshet, leader of Those Guys. The survivors of the attack on Jeuno were also recently rescued and taken there.”

“That’s a tall tale if I ever heard one,” the Goblin said dismissively. “The feather-faces chief feather-face just stepping aside? Yagudo and Altanans living together?”

“Can you deny that the world of Dynamis has invaded our own, and the Kindred are at this moment roaming free through Jeuno itself?” Raidom flinched slightly at her words, but they had the desired effect.

“I realize things are bad,” the Goblin countered, “but that story is ridiculous.”

“We came here because Antiqix came to ask the Yagudo for help in getting you out of this cave,” Odessa pressed, rolling over his objection. “You know Antiqix, it sounds like, so you know he regularly did business with the Yagudo and regularly took up residence in Oztroja.”

“So?” he seemed unimpressed by her knowledge, but Odessa knew she was being tested.

“So,” she answered, “his business was exclusively with the Yagudo. He never dealt with Bastokans, or Jeunoans, or even San d’Orians like me. He spoke with the Yagudo and the Goblins. Yet here we are, knowing his name and his business. Because he told us.”

“Even if he did, and I ain’t saying it’s true,” the Goblin’s eyes shifted back and forth between their three faces, “what’s in it for you to help us?”

This time Odessa lowered her eyes to meet his. What she said next had to be absolutely true or the entire thing would blow up in her face. Goblins were a lot of things, but they were not fond of being lied to, and they could smell something dirty in a business deal like a rotting slab of meat. It was the principle reason they seldom did business with one another.

“Because one of your kind came asking for help, and so we decided to take him at his word,” she stated. “Because if you wanted to be working for the Kindred, you would never have left Jeuno in the first place. Because as much as we despise Goblins, we hate demons even more. Because people shouldn’t be forced to huddle together for protection,” she pointedly cocked an eyebrow “or hide in caves for survival. I’ll put it as plain as this; you help us, we help you. Come back to Castle Oztroja and fight together with us. We can’t guarantee victory, but we will protect you like any other comrades until the end, whatever it may be.” She stood straight now, looking out at all the dozens of Goblin faces staring back suspiciously at her. No one was whispering anymore. They were listening to what she had to say. Finally, she looked down at the Goblin whom had emerged as their spokesperson.

“Otherwise, Vana’diel falls into the hands of a band of Greedaloxes.”

A laugh that sounded like a cross between an owl hooting and a belch burst from behind the Goblin’s mask. “Greedaloxes!” he said approvingly. “I’m surprised you ain’t forgotten, Odessa.”

“I have not, Bluffnix,” she affirmed, folding her arms in front of her. “It’s good to know you can listen to a deal that doesn’t involve ridiculous demands for you to do some sewing.”

Bluffnix scoffed. “I ask what’s my due for working with you Altanans,” he said with conviction. He then looked at his fellow beastmen, scratching behind one of his elongated ears. “You’ve been a loyal customer, but things have changed. We’re not in Jeuno anymore.”

“No one’s in Jeuno but demons, Bluffnix,” Odessa replied.

“Bluffnix,” Raidom suddenly spoke up, causing both of them to turn their heads, “you were always a valued addition to Jeuno, no matter what you may think. Both the former Duke and Lady Esha’ntarl have been quite insistant that we protect Goblins from the racial tensions in the city. Yes, we distrust you, because we know how you distrust us. But everyone, Bluffnix, everyone knows about Fickblix. We know there is another way.”

The Goblin looked taken aback. All of them started saying the name in hushed tones. Odessa didn’t know what they were talking about, but the name Fickblix apparently held some weight.

Bluffnix turned and called another meeting of the Goblins around him. While she couldn’t recall many names, Odessa realized the group assigned leadership was comprised entirely of the Goblins whom ran the junk shop in Lower Jeuno. After a long deliberation, Bluffnix stepped forward again. Slowly, he extended his hand.

Odessa stared at it for a long moment. Finally, she reached out her own slim fingers, and took Bluffnix’s hand in hers.

“Now, by Goblin law, we’re married,” he declared.

“What?!” she shrieked, tearing her hand away. The entire throng of Goblins burst into laughter. It echoed from every wall. The enormous crawler egg sacs suspended from the ceiling shook in their intricate webs. She turned to see Raidom struggling not to chuckle.

“You Altanans,” one of the lenses on Bluffnix’s mask slid away, and he wiped a fat tear of mirth from his eye. The laughter continued, some Goblins actually rolling on the ground. Odessa could feel her face turning red with anger. “You’ve got a deal, missy. But look, there’s a lot of us in here. This isn’t just the Jeunoan Goblins. We’ve got some of the nomads from Batallia, the mountain-Goblins of Sauromugue, the foragers from right here in Rolanberry . . . this place is crawling with us, and we ain’t all heard your pretty speech. It’s going to take time to get us all moving in the same direction.” His tone suddenly grew solemn. “Even when we do,” he said warningly, “not all of us are gonna follow, if you catch my meaning.”

She did. Antiqix had said himself, some of them would fight for the demons. She only hoped Goblins inability to be duplicitous with one another would keep those Goblins from mingling in with the rest. “We’ll take the risk,” she acknowledged.

“Then bargain struck,” he told her, and a murmer of agreement passed through the Goblin ranks. Activity began to pick up as orders started to be shouted over what to do next, and Odessa strained to hear Bluffnix over the sudden din. “We found a secret way outta here not too long ago, probably be safer for ya. I’ll have some of the boys take you there.”

“What will you do?” she inquired.

“We’ll start spreading the word and rounding up whoever wants to take a chance on the feather-face rock palace.” He beckoned two steel-masked Goblins to his side, giving them instructions to take Odessa and the others to the exit he had mentioned. “We’ll come in our own time, Odessa, but we’ll get there.”

“Fair enough,” she said, and gave a simple curtsy. “Bluffnix, as always, it’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

“Ha!” the Goblin laughed. “We’re just eager to getting back to fleecing the suckers. They’ll be more desperate than ever.”

“As you say,” she smirked, but she realized already that Wolfgang was right. These Goblins were citizens of Jeuno. It would appear that was exactly how they felt about the matter, too.


The walk back to the surface was uneventful, for the most part. The sight of five adventurers, a soldier, and two Goblin warriors kept the monsters away. It was quite awhile before they even got to a part of the Nest still occupied by monsters in any event. Bluffnix had not been kidding about the number of Goblins hiding there.

“I think we grossly underestimated things,” Raidom said as they neared the tunnel. A shaft of dim sunlight shot in from above, telling of a setting sun awaiting them. “The Goblins in Jeuno were a hundred at most. Adding in the hordes roving the countryside, however . . . Lady Odessa, there could be over a thousand Goblins in these caves.”

“At least we’ll have some time to prepare,” she said, though she was worried about their miscalculation as well. “It will take them plenty of time to organize themselves and then sneak across to Oztroja.”

Before the matter could continue, Middlesky, who had been at point, halted them. He gazed up the tunnel unwinding in front of the party with a hardened glare.

“What is it?” Eig asked, and the others looked around for an answer as well.

“Something is . . . out there,” he replied, somewhat softly. “the spirits do not know what. They feel very wary.”

“I’ll go take a look,” Fated offered, but Middlesky stopped him with a hand on the shoulder.

“No,” he said, his voice distant, “let me.”

“Are you sure?” the Paladin indicated his shield.

“Yes,” Middlesky told him, “yes, I think it would be best. I do not know what awaits us, but my magic will allow me to take a glimpse without bringing harm upon us.”

“Okay,” Odessa said, “but take the Goblins with you.”

“Cowards,” one of them growled, shaking his head. “We’ll keep you safe from the scary monsters.”

The other laughed dryly. “Come on then, let’s get it over with.”

Middlesky nodded his agreement, and began walking the path up towards open air. He vanished from sight a moment later, his escort at his side.

“Uh oh,” Fated said, his eyes suddenly alight.

“What?” Odessa demanded, rounding on the Hume.

“It’s just . . . “ he looked incredibly nervous all of the sudden. “This is very similar to what happened to Rykoshet. You know, before Battousai rescued him.”

“I’ve heard the story . . . “ Raidom said, a grimace now creasing his face. “The species he did battle with . . . . is not unknown in this part of the world.”

"We're not going to have to fight some giant bird, are we?" she asked with exasperation. She loosened the stave on her back, and the white jewel surmounting it began to glow in response to her touch. “Middlesky!” she shouted out. “Tell us what you see!”

A moment passed without response. Odessa's brow furrowed.

"Middlesky?" She called out. "What's up there?"

Her Elvaan ears twitched as she heard the sound of something whistle briefly through the air. A moment later, it stopped dead. She looked back and forth from face to face, but no one else gave any indication they had heard it. Now there was only silence.

"Middlesky?"

Anxiety took control of Odessa's legs, pushing them up the tunnel. As each second of silence became more pronounced, she began unconsciously running towards the light. She pressed a hand over her forehead, shielding her eyes from the sunlight which poured over her. Blinking the spots away, the White Mage breathed a heavy sigh of relief when a blot of darkness in front of her coalesced into the shape of Middlesky.

"What's wrong with you?" She chastised. "Why wouldn't you answer?" He did not turn around to face her as she yelled.

"I had just hoped . . . " the fragile whisper that escaped the Red Mage's lips made Odessa's eyes go wide. " . . .hoped you wouldn't be discovered."

He turned slowly. The blood had drained from his face, and his body was beginning to tremble. Two Goblins lie on either side of him, steel arrowheads protruding from their backs as their bodies grew cold. With a final gasp, the Red Mage's eyes rolled into the back of his head as he collapsed to the ground, an arrow lodged firmly in his chest. She cried out, taking hold of him. A trickle of blood oozed down his mouth.

"Another one," she heard a voice say nearby. "Kill her."

The laughter of demons swept over Odessa as Middlesky went still in her arms.