Eris' Handmaiden Page 9

Written by the player of Kadatha of the Mad Kobolds

The young kobold moved stealthily through the darkness, barely daring to breathe. Just a few hours before, the streets had been bustling with activity, but now all was silent. Each footstep was carefully placed, so that no trail would be left on the earthen path.
Approaching the hut, Korbel paused, his heart pounding heavily. Inching the door open just enough that he could slip inside, he entered the elder’s home. The youth waited for a moment as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, and then surveyed the room. It seemed that they were alone, he and the stranger.
Silently, he moved towards the shadowy figure on the bench, praying to the gods that she would not awake and alert anyone of his presence. “Enemy…” he thought for a moment, as he stared at the woman. Gently, he brushed a few strands of hair away from the bruise on her face. The fiery red of her hair was so similar to the Vikings he had trained with, yet the others were convinced she was from faraway lands.
Carefully, Korbel opened a pouch which hung from his belt, removing a small bottle. Emptying a bit of the salve onto his fingertips, he spread it onto the wound, trying desperately not to wake the woman. Brushing his soft hand against her cheek, he smiled slightly. She was warm again, and the mixture would hopefully ease her pain.
As quietly as he had arrived, the kobold slipped back out of the hut, and disappeared into the night.
The morning dew was still heavy as Knutha arrived at Sarry’s hut with Korth and Darrius. The door was slightly ajar, and Sarry beckoned the group inside as he heard their footsteps.
“Sarry glad yous com early. She awake,” the spiritmaster spoke as he motioned towards the captive. Though the woman turned her head slightly, her eyes did not focus on Knutha as she approached, but rather stared blankly towards her. Knutha cocked her head slightly as she looked down at the human. With a sudden motion, she moved her hand at the woman’s face, stopping just before contact. The woman did not flinch.
“She not see?” Knutha asked. Sarry nodded slightly. “Hrm,” Knutha muttered as she returned to the others. “We knows if she kin walk?” Sarry shook his head slightly. “Korth do gud job wit vines, Sarry cud not dispel dem to find out.”
Korth grinned slightly at Sarry’s remark. “Wat yu expect from me? Tink me see dis many moons com an go witout lerning a lil magics?” With a swift motion, Korth waved at the vines, which almost instantly faded from green to brown, withering until they were dry and brittle.
Knutha motioned to Darrius, who moved to the woman’s side and gripped her wrist as he tugged slightly. “Git up humin,” he ordered, pulling at her wrist. Slowly, the woman moved, fumbling slightly as she attempted to feel around with her free hand. Pushing the furs away, she found the edge of the bench and turned her body until her feet touched the ground and she was sitting upright. Darrius tugged again. “Git up,” he repeated, this time more forcefully. The woman shifted her weight slightly forwards, timidly standing up as the kobold yanked her forwards. “She kin stand, dat gud enuf,” he muttered.
Knutha shook her head as she watched Darrius. While she had no real concern for the prisoner, his gruffness annoyed her. He did not appreciate the secrets this human might hold, and his apathy worried her. Binding her wrists behind her back, Darrius pushed the woman forwards, forcing her to take a step forward. The kobold grinned. “Is much easier den draggin her, dat fer shure.”
Knutha nodded pensively and turned towards the elders. “We go alone?” “Ja, is best, Sarry habs him students comin today, and me needs to get back to werk as well,” Korth replied. “She dun seem to be in any shape to gib us truble,” Knutha spoke as she pondered the sad state of their captive. “Les get dis done wit.”
Knutha pushed open the door as Darrius guided the woman through. The town was still quiet; Knutha was glad of that. It would be best to be off to the isles before other stuck their noses in this business—or worse before humans intervened. Though the sun was beginning to break over the horizon, a thick fog still lingered over the land. Mornings were often this way along the Southern coast.
The isles could be reached by ship, but the ancient portal guarded by the trolls was a far more efficient way to travel. Knutha had arranged for two horses to carry them south to Nalliten, where they would pass through the gate and head down to Knarr.
“Wait!” a tiny voice shouted as the kobolds approached the stables. Korbel ran towards them hurriedly, panting as he called again. “Wait fer me!” Knutha sighed as the young kobold stared up at her, eyes wide. “Yu almos fergot Korbel,” he panted, between breaths. “Alrite Korbel, les go,” Knutha replied, as she lifted him up onto the horse. The stablemaster helped Darrius lift the woman onto his horse, and the kobolds set off south through the mist.
Images from
Archer image from Graphic Knights
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