Chapter 1, First day on the job

***

"We haven't talked in a while, I know that I have been busy and that isn't an excuse. It's just been hard, I appreciate the cool breeze across my skin, the gentle sound through the trees. The opportunity to spend yet another day with my family. I ask you, please. Grant me yet another day..."

***

Year of Wrath 1231, Season of Heat, D.21

     Dawn, it's always dawn when they wake. Do they never just sleep in a little? The sun directly in my eyes as it passed through the leaves of the trees. I sighed and allowed myself to enjoy the warmth for a moment, letting the faint breeze brush the stray strands of hair away from my eyes. I yawned, and rubbed the dark sleepy circles under my eyes, I was the last on watch so the boys could sleep. 

     Regardless, we need to get this done. I got to my feet and made my way to the roadside. Careful not to kick any rocks, stalked through the grass with little movement. I need to keep the boys quiet. Too much noise and it'll spook the wagon. I heard them wake behind me, grab their gear quickly and head my way. I wonder what we can get out of this? I hope it's something I can use, maybe a new sword, I'd be just as happy with a better knife too. Maybe the Clan will be a little fatter and happier today. Maybe the High Priestess would be happier than the Chief today, that is if we found something she liked. Maybe the Chief would honor us today if we were successful. 

     That wagon is scheduled to cross our path today, at least that's what I overheard from the guards, when I was under the city bridge near the docks. I thought back to that little bit of reconnaissance. I managed to take a blanket from a clothes line off a house in the Outer Fields. I needed it to keep the rain off me. You know, I wonder if I just bring the rain with me when I go scouting. Always seemed to happen more often than not. Either way, the dreary atmosphere let me blend in better.

     Lucky me, it was the same color as the wheat in the field. Snuck past the guards, and hid under docks. Sunk under the water so only my ears floated on top of the water. Overheard those loose lipped guards talking about some wagon heading to this gate full of nice meat. I guess the cattle in the farms were a bit small this season. Though I never really understood how the people could make so much chatter. That city, full of noise, it was hard to hear them honestly. Added that it was raining and the drops hitting the water didn't help, but I got the information I needed.

     I never understood why the Clan never did this kind of thing. Go get information, find out a bit more. Set up better traps, make the whole thing go smoother if you ask me. Though that really was just my idea, as the Chief gave me this raider crew a few weeks ago. Said it was time to prove my place in the Clan, time to see where I fit amongst my kin, a trial by hardship. This would be our first job. The insects began buzzing as the sunlight hit them finally, it muffled our movements even more. Thank Bhal for these noisy things, you wonder how anyone hears anything in the middle of the hot season. It's humid today, I want to get this done before the heat gets any worse. My braid keeps sticking to my back, and started getting itchy and annoying.

     I wanted to check the small amount of gear I had. Belts on the bag were still snug, and tight against my waist. Should make sure the knife comes loose without any issue. I remember Ghet telling me the knifes stick a little in the wet morning air, something about the wood and leather getting bigger in heat and moisture. Good, slides out without any issue.

     The wagon began its move, the crew had been waiting since the middle of the night to see when they would get going. The old thing creaking, waking the birds as it moved down the path. The guards were still sleepy, not as observant as they should have been, fools. Don't they realize the roads are dangerous these days. I chuckled to myself, their boots sounded like hammer strikes on the stone. Could they make any more noise? They sure didn't seem to care if everyone and everything knew their position. You could track them off sound alone, a sightless old man could find them with half a leg.

     They didn't even see us as we moved in the tall grass along the roadsides. Knew even less when we put a spear through the spokes of the wheel and the momentum of the wagon turned it on its side. Perfect, Hob followed orders right on time. I knew making him train with that pointy stick would help for this. 

     In a hurry we descended, I commanded the crew not to attack unless they drew their swords this morning. I don't want any blood here, I told them, the less people we kill, the less likely we were to die, and that we wouldn't have the men from the city hunting us like our fathers. I still remember Hob, when his Da' died, he was old as me, but he begged the Chief to let him go and avenge him. Chief said no, he was too young. That he needed to be here for his family, and his younger kin in the Clan. 

     I also remember the Clan hunting for him after he defied the Chief. Saw the hurt in his eyes after the Chief beat him for disobeying. Chastised him for risking the family, our Clan. Chief told him that if he wanted to do something foolish again, he should attack a Wraith and see how well it went for him. Hob was reminded that day as to why we raid in crews under the loving gaze of our High Priestess, and the Chief. I snapped back out of my reverie. 

     But, they just looked at me with glazed eyes. Hob said he's willing to kill a few men, as if that was the point. I suppose Hob would always be bull headed. We moved up behind them, sun in their eyes, and as they were still trying to see where the spear came from, we caught them off guard. Most didn't have time to react by the time all four guards had three knives pressed against their throats. I ordered a hold. No one moved. Good, they are still listening to me. Maybe the High Priestess was right, maybe they just needed a guiding hand and someone to look to. 

     This is the part I hate, that tension. The kind that holds in your chest, wondering if you are going to be listened to or not, or whether someone is going to break and defy orders. I tagged along with far too many raids to see it turn bad. Granted, the Clan only let me watch, and kept me a ways away. Told me I was too young back then. But, here and now, I need to get this done, hopefully one of the boys doesn't slip off the human's backs and accidentally slit their throat.

     "Where is the merchant?" I yelled.

     I thought back to the practice we did the weeks before. The stubborn boys not wanting to practice. Said to me that what's the point when they would get all the practice they want during the raids. I had to point out to them that practice means better chances. Better odds of getting back home. A lot of grunting and head shaking, but they listened. Hob made such an argument about learning the spear and to hit small things consistently with it. Told me that the only real way to practice was on live targets, not little wooden squares. Told me he wanted his knife, I told him a knife is up close and personal, a spear keeps you out of swinging distance, and told him to shut it. He always wanted to use his knife, they all did. Part of me wanted to as well, they were gifts from the Chief after a raid he had done.

     I heard flustered cursing and frantic rustling from the fabric top of the wagon. The poles holding up the jumbled mess in the front, burst open in a wide arc. A man in a blue tunic, and a short brown beard with yellow eyes was in the flaps of the wagon "You have quite a lot of nerve. What do you want, you filthy little goblin?" The merchant said. Putting his hand on his hip, and lifting his chin. I saw all the boys tense up a little, they didn't really like comments like that. The Clan had a propensity to take umbridge when the women were insulted. Granted this human didn't seem to realize I was a girl, and I suppose I couldn't fault him for that.

     "I'd have thought that would be obvious, we are here to take your goods." I tried to keep my voice a little lower, calm. I had to sound certain, intimidate him a bit. I couldn't look weak in front of the boys, this had to be successful otherwise they'd complain to the Chief and I'd be back in the village.

     "All of it?" The merchant said as he surveyed the situation "I see your crew is a little preoccupied at the moment." He paused, and continued "What happens when I give you anything, and the guards are free to move? You can't think that I'm just going to hand what I have over to you, do you?" He sneered. Those yellow eyes narrowing, the look on his face seemed to be just a mask, he looked terrified all things considered.

     "Take one of your empty boxes and fill it with whatever you can fit in it. Then you are going to bring it to me and set it down." I told him in as calm a voice as I could muster. I could see a few of the boys getting anxious, I was getting the jitters, I needed to get this done quickly. Ghet was starting to get too tired, I could see his arms straining as he held down the guards arm and kept his knife in position. I mean, really, I just hoped he couldn't see me shaking from the adrenaline and nerves. 

     The merchant muttered something under his breath, then did as I asked. He took his sweet time, picking through what had fallen over out of the wagon. Picking up broken boxes, and putting small things in an empty box. Sifted through a box that let the smell of cured ham out, and pulled a few pieces out. Dumping a few iron items in the box and a few oiled knives. He paused and looked at me, looked me up and down and picked up something else, I couldn't see what it was, and added it to the box. I slid my knife out of its sheath a little, thinking it would help if I needed it. 

     He brought the box full of iron and meat and set it softly down at my feet. He looked at me and his eyes widened, and he said "You are young, too young to be robbing people by the road." He had an odd look in his eye when he looked at me. What was that about? His eyes lingered on my braid for a moment. "You know, I didn't think they would listen to you, I thought your crude little culture didn't respect the young." His hand darted down and he drew his sword. But, before it left his sheath, I had a knife to his throat. I'm quicker than I looked. I put my foot on top of his thigh as he knelt down, and used it to press the knife hard up and drew a little blood from his neck. Besides I had been making the boys practice with me about quick drawing what we had.

     The road was on the dusty section and dust blown up from my movement, got in my face.  "I told you to do nothing else. Did I ask for a challenge?" I whispered to him. I dropped my voice a little lower for the next part and leaned in a little closer so the boys couldn't hear me. "Please, don't do anything else, my boys are jumpy, I do not want to kill you. Please, put your sword back, walk away, I'm not taking everything from you, just what we can take." The look in his eyes gave me the answer I wanted. He slammed his sword back in the sheath, and grunted. He backed away from the blade at his neck, I didn't take my eyes off him.

     I picked up the box, and walked back into the tall grass. I could tell the boys were a little impressed by the speed of that. I whistled, and heard my boys withdraw and run back to me. We ran with our bounty back to the clan. A whole crate full of iron, and meat. The clan would be happy, I knew it. No one died, it was a good start to the day. The boys were happy with me, not much work, and we got what we wanted. Proved I can actually show my fangs when I need to. Hob could eat it, he needed to be shown his claims were baseless.

     A little ways out of sight of the wagon, we stopped and watched the wagon get turned right back up. We stopped just outside of the grass field, right before the tree line along the bluffs. The guards fixed the wheel, and they headed toward the City to the north. The sun hadn't even moved much past the horizon, it was still in their eyes. We could try again, and take more, No. They would just kill us the second time around. Not worth the risk. I couldn't risk the family like that.

     "Why were you smiling at him the whole time?" Hob asked me, trying not to laugh. 

     "What are you talking about, I wasn't smiling." I flatly told him, and shoved him with my shoulder lightly. 

     "Yes you were, you looked like you were trying to impress him" He laughed. "Maybe more, with that leg bit, looked like you really wanted more". The rest of the boys laughed as we ran.

     "Oh piss off Hob." The entire crew laughed, so did I, just to break the tension. The boys jostled me as we went, still giggling. I knew they were doing this to make me feel better, make me feel like one of the boys. Was I really smiling? Maybe that's why he gave me all those weird looks. I should make use of that. Might put people at ease, make them underestimate us, me. 

***

     "Another attack on the side of the road? What do you mean that no died this time? They didn't take everything? Why?" The dockhand said to the man sitting on the railing.

     "I don't know, but the survivors say it is a young band of them led by an even younger female." The rail man said with his hands moving in the shape of a woman.

     "Odd, they usually don't listen to the females."  The dockhand had lit a pipe, and was puffing on it for a while before the rail man spoke again.

     "Indeed, but that merchant said she could talk clearly. Not that guttural nonsense that goblins think passes for language." His eyes were wide like he thought that was impossible. Everyone knew the goblins were just dumb, aggressive, and murderous.

     "Nah, it's gotta be a fluke." The dockhand said, waving his hand at the suggestion. 

     "I'm serious, said something like she didn't want to kill him, that she was trying to keep the other raiders from killing his guards", he raised his hand to accentuate his point.

     "Bullshit."

     "That's what I heard him telling the city watch, he was talking about lost profits" The rail man rolled his eyes. 

     "Odd indeed." He took a few more puffs and let the smoke envelop the area. He handed the pipe over to the other man, who took a few puffs of his own.

*** 

     We got back to the clan about an hour or so after the wagon was raided. We brought the box to the Chief, and the high Priestess, as she needed to bless the offerings to Bhal and the Chief to determine the merit of our raid. We all knelt before the two, raised our hands in submission, palms up. Our Chief rose and came and inspected our knives. Pulling them from our sheaths. "Why is there no blood on any of them, except yours Ilgor?" The chief had a voice that sounded like falling gravel echoing up in a valley. He looked down at me, I wouldn't meet his eyes until he asked me to, the High Priestess would be mad otherwise "Why are none of our boys dead? Every first raid leads to the death of at least a few of our warriors." 

     "We made sure there was a plan, I told my boys to move quickly, keep quiet, move only when we needed to." I said to him, my head still down. 

     "You did well." My cheeks flushed from the rare praise of my Chief. "Tell me, what was your plan, was it why you forbade our warriors from raiding while you trained?" He asked in an inquisitive voice, I could see his shadow cock his head from where I was looking at the ground, and he scratched his chin.

     "I made them practice, I made Hob and the others learn the spears more after I watched the humans kill that serpent. We picked our hit, waited until the sun was in their eyes, and descended on them all at once. Forced the hand of the merchant to obey. It went well, no one died." I quickly told him, the Father of the clan suffered no long speeches. 

     "Why the spears?" 

     "Farther away, out of swinging distance, good for getting something done without being right under it. Used it to bind the wheel of the wagon, keep Hob from trying to put his knife in the axle, breaking his fingers, or anyone else. Safer."

     "Hmm, Ilgor, look at me." I did, and met his eyes. His were the same dark purple as mine, I could almost see myself in them. He had a wide toothy smile, that made the bags under his eyes vanish a little. I saw that his light green skin was more wrinkled than I remembered. "I want you to take the rest of our raiders, and teach them that spear trick." My eyes widened, and my ears reflexively went back. I didn't think I had done that well, to deserve to teach the whole clan something new.

     "This tactic of your intrigues me, tell me your whole story up to the wagon, I want to know how much work it would take to repeat this." I told him of my reconnaissance, the tracking, the training, and the waiting. I had his full attention, the High Priestess' full attention. I could see more of the clan gathering around us, listening. After I was done, he nodded and told me to do this again, he hoped that there would be more raiding like this.

     The priestess stepped forward and raised her staff above the box. She chanted a prayer that we had all heard a thousand times before. "So for the souls that you have created, we dedicate these spoils to you, oh Great Bhal. So for the souls that you have created, we dedicate our efforts to you, oh Great Bhal. So for the souls that you have created, may we join you in your struggles, Oh Great Bhal." An odd light emitted from the staff and the box glowed as she waved the staff over it. "So it is done, Chief Bhal is satisfied" She spun so that her robe flared out and looked at the Chief with a wide smile of her own. She wouldn't say it to me until later, but she told me she was proud of me. It made me flush all over again. She giggled at that and told me it looked cute on me as she put her hands on my cheeks, still smiling.

     The chief rummaged through the box, and handed me a large iron bead that was highly polished and told me to tie off my braid with it. I didn't see the merchant put that in there, but I didn't see the Chief pull it from anywhere either. He also gave me all three knives in the box. He handed the rest of the meat out to the raiding crew, and some of the extra to anyone who was standing nearby. He took the only bottle of hooch for himself. "Ilgor, what do you need for the clan to start practicing with spears."

     "Only long sticks for now, Chief" 

     "Very good, Hob, Ghet, Yvet, go get these sticks. I believe Ilgor has earned a rest for the rest of the day. She will begin teaching in the morning, after that she will try to get more news." He dismissed us all. He then sat his great bulk back on his rock, and began speaking with the High Priestess. 

*** 

     After the fires in the cave died down, I went outside. I wanted to look at the stars. It was a beautifully clear night for star watching. New moon, cool breeze, not too humid. The wind through the trees shimmered softly. I enjoyed this for a while and closed my eyes while I sat back against the bluff wall. When I opened them again, the stars were still there. Sparkling, twinkling, and shifting colors. I wondered to myself, how am I so small? Every time I look at the stars I feel a reverence that I can't quite explain.

     I like the sound of the trees, the crash of the waves against the sand. I like the warmth of the bluff wall against my back. I like the twinkling stars. I like the feeling of the sand between my toes. I like being alive. I felt the wind rustle my hair. The High Priestess helped me and the rest of the women of the village undo our hair at the end of the day. I liked the way it fell down my back, ending at my knees. The Priestess said she liked how it was gently curly when not done up in a braid. It always made me smile.

     There was a shooting start streaking slowly across the sky. All felt right in the world, in this moment of calm. The peaceful breathing of the family inside the caves. My family.  

     "It's been a good day"