“Fate does not dictate her path. She possesses a will too resolute for fate to decree. She will direct her own destiny. Whatever the path she decides, she will pave the way. She will lead and the rest will follow. Your daughter, Matriarch, “ the oracle addressed me by the formal title, except not the full title, “ is and will be unconventional in her approach and unorthodox in her leadership.”

“That is wonderful. If she were to lead the house, she needs to be pristinely sublime in her leadership.” I voiced my opinion. Not bothering to hide my pride.

“Matriarch, A steadfast character defines your daughter. Her decisions will be both nonconformist and idiosyncratic. As mother and daughter, you both will always be at odds. Neither of you can align with the determination of the other. “ The oracle's words were firm and uncanny.

“I worry not, Esteemed Oracle. When the time comes I will gladly relinquish my power and title to my daughter. Knowing that my daughter is capable, there is nothing more that would please a mother. I would contentedly retire when the time comes. “ My smug pride overflowed like the contents of a frothing cauldron and I did not bother hiding the fact.

“Matriarch, Do you hold the view that Augury is all about reading the tapestry of fate and presenting the facts to the seeker?”

“No, Esteemed One. If that is the case a simple soothsayer or fortune-teller would be held in the same regard. You are more. “ I stopped short. We have mutual respect.

“You are wise, as all matrons should be. Being an oracle is not just all about prophecies from an unknown external agency. Sometimes, it is all about taking things that are in front of my eyes and analysing them to their logical conclusion. “ She paused for a few moments as if to allow the meaning of her words to sink in and then she continued, “Hence I say this Matriarch, with the utmost respect, people like you will not and cannot retire. “

“Responsibilities will find you. You will bear them. Responsibilities bring followers. Followers deliver power. Powers that will clash. “ She concluded.

And then I woke up. A dream from a long-forgotten memory.

*****

The first thing I noticed upon waking up was a bunch of goblins tumulting around. As my waking up was noticed, a goblin rushed to me bringing a basin filled with water. It was comical to see the small creature, running towards me holding a much larger vessel. Examining the content, I saw a few herbs mixed in the water. A few I could identify. Spearmint, thyme, chives and a few others that I could not infer. Probably someone instructed that goblins prepare the herbal infused water. Maybe Taltil but most likely Beld.

I freshened myself with the offered water. Washed my face to wipe off the sleep. Gurgled a bit to refresh my breath. After feeling sufficiently satisfied with my waking up ritual, I set about in search of Theko.

I took the time to finally assess the place where I slept last night. A temporary transitional tent of some sort provided me with a sleeping place. I called it a tent, while in reality, it was just a large interwoven leather held by two poles. The leather seemed to belong to various species of animals. To be fair, at this point, it hardly classifies as leather but rather cured hide.

Appreciating the amount of effort these goblins put in to make my stay comfortable, I made a mental note to thank them when I see Theko.

I stopped one of the goblins and asked him to bring Theko.

My request set the goblins clamouring about. There were around fifteen goblins. So the whole group with Maapu from yesterday decided to follow. I should have another conversation with Beld about this predicament.

Theko shortly appeared, followed by Maapu.

“I thank you for this wonderful sleeping arrangement Theko. “ I extended my thanks. There was no need to question who erected those. It was obvious that Theko would have gladly volunteered for the task.

Theko remained motionless. But his expression betrayed. He was elated.

“Now, I need to meet with Beld urgently. Could you please ask permission if I could visit Beld?”

Theko took my message and departed in the direction of their village.

The ever-present Taltil was nowhere to be seen. Most likely she is with Beld. I would meet her soon then.

I took the remaining time to wander about my new surrounding and familiarise myself a bit with the forest. After all, should the conflict with Merrick reach its climax, the forest is where the last stand would occur. Knowledge of the terrain would prove invaluable under those circumstances.

*****

Theko found me while I was curiously examining a beehive. The fact that I did not hide my whereabouts from the goblins made it easier for Theko to approach my supposed location.

“Shaman says Dark Mistress Welcome in Beld’s simple Abode,” Theko uttered. The last part was probably repeated as Beld told him in person.

“Let us go then. “ I acknowledged.

I expected Beld to live in the Village of the goblins but instead, Theko took me around a winding path close to the village which led to a small cliffside in the vicinity of the village.

The path that Theko took ended in front of a small grotto. The opening was narrow and could have been easily concealed. This appeared to be intentional by design. I could see Beld’s ingenuity behind it. Theko hastily disappeared into the grotto and I decided to follow.

The inside of the grotto was surprisingly well ventilated. On one side were scattered some bedding, a small sack containing some grains or cereals, a few wooden bowls, some bone dice and some other trinkets. The other side was stockpiled with barrels and large sacks. So the goblins indeed have a storehouse.

Beld’s voice finally broke the silence.

“Vera, Please accept my apologies. I needed the rest after the fight. So I could not partake in the feast.”

My eyes scanned for the presence of Taltil. Taltil was nowhere to be seen in the grotto. Either Taltil is somewhere on her own or Beld has sent her on some errand. Considering that Taltil has shown remarkable loyalty to me for the past few days, it is unlikely that she would be away from my side. So the only logical possibility is that Beld has her running errands. Beld has apparently made his move.

“You are very formal, Beld. After a tough fight, there is no need to apologise for a well-earned recuperation. Candidly speaking, I should apologise for intruding. “

“What do you need from us? “ Beld was straight to the point.

“I needed to know about the situation surrounding my pursuers. And for that, I need the help from you and the flint-tooth tribe.” I laid my facts in the open.

“I have already sent Taltil to check on them. She should be back with the knowledge you need. We could then meet with the tribe Chief. “

So that is where Beld has sent Taltil.

Beld added after a bit of hesitation. “ Once Taltil returns with the news, the flint-tooth tribe will offer all our help, Vera. In turn, please promise that you will take those young ones as your followers when you leave. They are already fascinated by the story of you defeating the trolls. It does not help that Maapu and Theko were fanatical in spreading the tale upon our return.”

Thus the choice has been taken from me. It has already been decided that in return for the help with Merrick’s Warband, I would be taking a few of their problematic young ones with me.

“So what do you propose? How to deal with those humans, Vera? ” Beld asked while rummaging through some gourd whose content he finally poured into a small bowl. I took the filled bowl.

“Kumis,” Beld answered seeing my questioning glance.

“Made from horse milk. We trade sometimes with humans. Not the humans from towns or cities. But travelling groups of humans are nice to us. We barter. Fur, Leather, Lard and meat. We do with what we can.”

I could see where he is hinting at.

“I take it, Beld. No slaughtering the hunters. Bad for your business with other humans, right?”

Beld nodded in approval.

The brief conversation with Beld said a lot about the flint-tooth tribe. They have decided to go with a peaceful co-existence with the humans to ensure the survivability of their tribe. Also explains why Beld would have wanted the trio to be exiled from the tribe.

“ I am hoping to resolve the conflict peacefully, Beld.” My words brought a sign of relief on Beld’s visage.

“The whole affair was a misunderstanding and a false accusation anyway. One that I hope to clear it with the authority.” I spoke my mind for once without rethinking.

My immediate plan was to evade my pursuers long enough to directly parley with Merrick himself, prove my innocence and tail Aram till I get to know Lyria’s whereabouts. The miserable futility of my plan revealed itself when Taltil returned with the following day and with that the last embers for any peaceful resolution died out.