Day Five. Early Morning.

I waited ten minutes before exiting the tavern myself. It was not that I feared Forsyth and his gang, but I could do without them dogging my heels as I went about my business.

I hadn’t planned on leaving the safe zone so soon again, but matters were moving quicker than I’d anticipated, and I could not risk delaying.

Somehow Forsyth already knew enough to suspect me of being involved with the killings in the Howler fort. If I gave Ishita’s sworn enough time, they might just manage to convince the Howlers’ shaman they had nothing to do with the matter—which would be bad for me.

I had to strike now, while the shaman’s outrage was still fresh, and he harbored no doubts as to the perpetrator. Then, I would have more chances of succeeding in what I aimed to accomplish next.

Ducking into the narrow alley between two buildings, I concealed myself in the shadows and crept towards the fort’s inner gate. When I got there, I found a crowd of players had gathered before it. Here we go again, I thought. Leaving the shadows, I strolled boldly towards the gate.

The players attempted to bar my way, not obviously—the rules governing the safe zone precluded that—but with their mere presence. I was too quick for them, though, and slipped deftly under outstretched arms and around broad backs.

Deaf to the cries of “Stop!” and “Halt!” I slipped up to the gate and pounded on its solid surface with a closed fist. “Hey! You two in there, open up!”

There was no response.

“They’re not going to let you through,” a voice sneered from behind me.

Ignoring the heckler, I closed my eyes and reached out with mindsight, identifying the two goblins standing guard on the other side of the gate. “Ingu and Siltuk,” I shouted, addressing the pair by name, “let me in! Your shaman will want to hear what I have to say.”

A grate that served as a peephole was yanked back, and two scowling eyes scrutinized me. “Who are you?” the guard—Ingu—demanded.

“I’m Michael,” I said evenly. I jerked my thumb to point at the players behind me. “And I am no friend of theirs.”

“Why should we believe you?” Ingu asked. “Or even care?”

“Because,” I said, leaning in close to him so the players behind me could not overhear, “I have information your shaman will want to hear.” I paused to make sure he focused on my next words. “It is about the Red Rats. They are on the move south.”

Ingu’s eyes flared at the mention of his tribe’s hated enemies. “Wait there,” he ordered peremptorily and slammed shut the grate.

“Of course,” I murmured. “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

~~~

The goblins kept me waiting for thirty minutes.

Closing my eyes and slouching against the gate, I affected indifference to the jeers and continued heckling of the nearby players. So successful was my pretense that I actually managed to doze off, awakening with a rude start at the sound of the locks being drawn back on the other side of the gate.

“What’s going on?” someone asked from behind me.

“They’re letting us through,” another said.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I folded my arms and waited.

The gate opened wide to reveal nearly one hundred goblins arrayed around the entrance. Their weapons were lowered and pointed towards the gate in unmistakable threat.

“Halt!” the goblin captain-in-charge roared to the players attempting to shove their way through. “We will slay whoever attempts to pass without permission.”

The mob drew back fearfully.

The captain’s gaze slid to my patiently waiting figure. “You! Come through. The shaman will see you now.”

With a smile for the unhappy players at my back, I strode forward and followed on the captain’s heels as the gate slammed shut behind me.

So far, so good, I thought to myself.

~~~

The shaman, of course, resided in the central keep. The goblin captain led me through its labyrinth interior to a large hall on the third floor. Nodding to the two guards on either side of the door, he waved me through, not entering himself.

Inside I found Shaman Hyek, leader of the Howlers’ delegation, waiting.

Thick fur rugs covered the floor, and large banners with symbols and insignias that I didn’t recognize lined the hall’s walls. Other than that, the room contained little in the way of decor.

The Howler leader was seated at a stone table in the center of the chamber. He was alone, unaccompanied by even a single guard. It was, I thought, a deliberate gesture and one made to show how little the shaman feared me.

And from his physical appearance alone, Hyek’s confidence seemed warranted.

The shaman was bigger than any other goblin I’d yet met. He was larger even than the long-dead leader of the Fangtooths. Even seated, Hyek towered over me. Standing, I estimated he would be at least two and a half times my height.

The shaman wore robes of startling white and a multicolored feathered headdress. The nails of his hands, which had been filed to points, drummed impatiently on the table as he waited for me.

As I drew closer, I cast insight upon him.

The target is Hyek, a level 85 goblin shaman and goliath.

Goliaths are a mutated and rare subspecies of goblins. They are thought to be blessed by the Forces with unusual size and strength.

“So,” the shaman said, his eyes narrowed as he considered me, “you are the player that has been causing so much fuss.”

I bowed slightly. “Guilty as charged.”

“What do you want?” he demanded, moving straight to business.

“Like I told your guards, I have news to share about the Red Rats.”

“That they have left that crater of theirs? Yes, I’m aware already,” Hyek said mildly. “My scouts informed me yesterday that the scum march in force upon the Long Fangs’ encampment.”

I scrutinized the goblin shaman. He was better informed than I expected. It didn’t matter, though. “And are you also aware that they plan on heading south to your own fort once the Long Fangs have been defeated?”

Hyek said nothing, but the slight stiffening of his face betrayed him.

I smiled. “I see that you were unaware. Consider the information—freely provided—a gift, a gesture of goodwill.”

Hyek studied me for a drawn-out moment. “Even if what you say is true,” he said slowly, “it is of little consequence. The Red Rats will shatter on these walls.”

“Are you so sure of that?” I asked lightly. “They outnumber you two to one.”

“Their numbers mean little,” Hyek said unperturbed. “My men are better trained, and our defenses are strong.”

Both true, sadly.

Strolling nonchalantly through the chamber, I seated myself without permission on the other side of the table. From the tightening of the shaman’s lips, I could tell that doing so irritated him.

“Strong enough to repel an army of players too?” I asked, resuming the conversation.

The shaman leaned back in his chair. “What mischief are you trying to stir? I’ve been warned about you, you know. Do not think I am unaware of the bounty the spider goddess has placed on your head.” He smiled toothily, revealing teeth filed as sharp as his fingertips. “I’m inclined to claim it myself.”

I laughed, showing him how little his threat bothered me. “Oh, you won’t do that.”

“Why not?” the shaman asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

“Because right now, you and your ‘allies’ are not on the best of terms,” I said evenly.

“‘Allies?’ What allies?” the shaman asked with pretended ignorance.

But he had waited a breath too long to make his denial. I had surprised him.

I smiled. “Do not bother with denials, Hyek. I already know that your tribe has pledged its allegiance to Ishita.”

The shaman fell silent again, and this time the sense of menace in the air was palpable. “You play a dangerous game,” he said softly. “I could kill you here, and no one would care.”

He hadn’t denied my accusation, I noted. That was all the confirmation I needed. “Again, Hyek, I don’t think you will do that. If you did, you would not learn of things vital to your tribe’s survival.”

“Go on,” he said tightly. “Enlighten me then.”

“I’m sure you’re wondering why one of Ishita’s sworn slew a barrack full of your men.” I paused, waiting to see his response.

Hyek grunted, unimpressed. “They claim you did that.”

So Ishita’s followers had already got to him.

I chuckled, outwardly at ease. “And why would I do that?” I leaned forward across the table. “More importantly, how could I? You must know my level. Do you really believe me capable of the slaying of—what was it?—forty of your men?” I asked, deliberately getting the number wrong.

The shaman had himself under control now, though, and he betrayed no reaction at my words.

I shook my head. “No, it wasn’t me. Nor were the killings senseless. There was a reason Xrex did what he did.” I held his gaze. “It is,” I went on slowly, “because the Red Rats and the Awakened Dead have forged their own alliance. Stayne himself has pledged to gift the Red Rats this fort once your delegation has been destroyed.”

I paused, then drove home the point. “Your alliance with the Awakened Dead is no more. You have been discarded, Hyek.”

Unable to keep himself in check any longer, the shaman’s face contorted in fury. “Lies!” he roared.

I held his gaze. “I have proof,” I said evenly.

“Show me,” he demanded, breathing harshly.

Silently, I extracted Stayne’s letter and slid it across the table to the shaman. With trembling fingers, Hyek picked up the parchment and began to read.

I waited, striving to betray no sign of my own nerves. Will he recognize the handwriting? I wondered. I’d played my final card. Now, it all depended on what Hyek made of my ‘proof.’

“No,” the shaman whispered, his face paling. “No, No, NO!” he roared, his voice increasing in volume with each utterance.

The tension eased out of me. I hadn’t been certain the shaman wouldn’t reject the proof I presented him with or that he would draw the ‘right’ conclusions. But my gamble seemed like it was paying off.

Bowing his head, Hyek rested it on the table, saying nothing further. Observing the shaman’s despair, I felt guilt stir in me. I squashed it ruthlessly.

The Howlers were my enemies. As were the Red Rats and anyone else who called Erebus master. The Howlers may not have attacked me outright yet, but I was certain that if Erebus or Ishita ever commanded it, they wouldn’t hesitate to do so.

I do what I have to.

I spoke quietly into the hushed silence. “‘The time to move openly’ that Stayne talks about? That time has come.”

The shaman looked up at me, his face still ashen. “Why would Erebus and Ishita do this?”

I sighed. “I don’t know, but it has been my experience that the Awakened Dead cannot be trusted.”

Hyek laughed harshly. “You players. We are nothing more than pawns in your Game.” He shook his head and looked at me bitterly. “You would not have brought this information here if you didn’t want something. What is it?” he demanded.

I looked over the goblin carefully. The moment had arrived for me to make a choice.