Chapter 3

I have been walking long enough for the sky to become dark. I hunger for sustenance but the only food available was already given to the master. I cannot stop until I fulfill my orders. The master’s orders are to be completed, even at the cost of my own life. Of course, this is ironic as I was ordered not to die. The forest is dense with trees and other wild plant growth. It is not safe to travel alone, but I must despite the predators watching me from the darkness.

No path leads to my destination, though I know where it is. These memories are not mine but they read easily, as if from a book. Finally, I approach the small clearing and the glimmering light of fire becomes visible. This area was once part of the forest, its trees torn down to be used for construction. An encampment, if one could truly call it that, is out in the open. A series of wooden logs stacked in a disorderly manner form what these creatures must consider to be a wall. I count ten cabins, varying in appearance, and numerous tents making up the encampment. Some are formed from the remnants of ruined wagons others from crates, both of which they presumably have taken from their raids. A massive bonfire roars in the center. Fire is one of the few things these creatures are good at.

I approach the entrance to the camp where a lone sentry stands at guard. His flimsy wooden spear is resting against his shoulder. Of course these inferior creatures cannot even perform even the simplest tasks, as the sentry is fast asleep, leaning against the wall of logs. I know him, his name is Gork, the strongest fighter in the camp but also the most stupid. I pull my dagger from its sheath. The blade has been broken in half but its edge remains sharp. I slash out horizontally at Gork's face. A shallow cut forms across his face, and blood begins to dribble out as he wakes and begins screaming. He readies his weapon before noticing me.

"Boss!? Me sorry! Me think you were dead!" His eyes move to my head. "Wow boss you kill demon... and make hat? Boss good leader." he says while smirking. Of course these simple beings are not intelligent enough to understand something is seriously wrong here. They only understand and respect one thing. Violence. But this works to my advantage.

"Gork you idiot, do not fall asleep while on guard duty. We could be ambushed at any moment, we are already in the plain view to anyone walking by here." I groan out while rubbing my jaw. I try practicing opening and closing my mouth while moving my tongue. Talking is still strange to me.

"Boss why you want bush?" asks Gork. I let out a sigh.

"Just keep watch. I'm going to speak with the others. No sleeping this time."

"Got it Boss." He gives me an awful attempt at a salute.

I walk into the camp through the entrance. No gate or door stands here to slow down intruders. A few wooden spikes point outward. Most of the goblins are currently fast asleep. I approach the bonfire, with its only caretakers being two goblins sitting on logs, repurposed as seating. Two skewered rats roast over the open fire. These two are also supposed to be on sentry duty. They were— are, my personal guards. Their names come to me as I see their faces. The scrawnier of the two is named Dimwit, the most intelligent goblin in the camp. Still an idiot compared to other races. The other goblin’s skin appears as if it could rip off any moment from the sheer size of his muscles. This one's name is Dak and he is close to his first evolution. He will be this clan's first hobgoblin. When a goblin manages to evolve they typically kill the current leader and take over the clan. Of course most goblins don't live long enough to evolve. They usually live out there lives scavenging and raiding. They rarely manage to kill enough in their short life span to evolve. Of course, goblins love killing but when your targets are often other goblins how will you live long enough to grow any stronger?

"Boss you live?" Dimwit shouts in excitement.

"Boss safe. That good." says Dak. I feel anger bubble up inside me, a leftover effect of how this body felt in its final moments as its soldiers fled.

“You fools are my personal guards but you ran away the second a monster appeared. You should be punished." I say while glaring at them.

"We sorry boss! We no want fight demon! Too scary! But boss kill demon! Boss true boss!" Says Dimwit. Dak nods silently in agreement. I let out a well drawn sigh.

"Nevermind. We are moving to that cave we found, it will be our new home. We cannot remain in this raiding camp forever. We need a true home." I say.

"But shiny ball makes nasty demons! Shiny ball no good for goblins even if very shiny! Shouts Dimwit in protest.

"I did not ask for your opinion Dimwit. We WILL move to that cave and that shiny ball is my master now and is a god compared to the rest of you inferior creatures." My anger accidentally spills out. I must be more careful when managing these inferior creatures.

"Shiny ball is Shiny God? Oh that good. We worship and offer many shiny! Get demon hats!” Says Dimwit.

"Shiny god make goblins strong." says Dak in agreement. I proceed to give them orders.

"Gather the others we will only take what we can carry. Leave everything else behind.”

"Understood" says both goblins as they give a clumsy salute and run off to grab the others. There are twenty goblins in this camp and they will make great materials for the master.

“I'm sure Master will be happy with me!" I smirk while thinking of my master’s praise and begin cackling uncontrollably. Luckily the goblins rushing around are either too busy grabbing supplies or don't find this abnormal.

An old goblin hag sits in front of her shack, topped on a rotten tree stump. A large cauldron rests next to her over a small fire. Various animal parts make up the contents of the soup bubbling inside. She is staring at their leader who is cackling uncontrollably. She leans over to another goblin who is rushing around frantically to fill up bags with various pieces of meat and corpses.

"Dimwit must told boss good joke again." They both look at each other and begin laughing as well.