Chapter 11: All Alone

Chapter 11: All Alone

Karen studied the strange goblins features. It was different for sure, but shed never think it belonged to a freak. In fact, shed say he was quite handsome, in an exotic kind of way. But it was his eyes that really caught her attention. The lilac irises enveloping the vertical slit pupil. His pupils were always contracted to thin lines, as if prepared to fight at any moment, perhaps he was. But, it was something that laid deeper within, that drew her attention. It was raw, untainted, pure. It was pain.

I like your eyes, I think theyre pretty.

Stryg's eyes widened at the compliment. No one had said that before. For a brief moment she saw his pupils form into an oval. She glanced away, You know, like a girl. I mean youre as short as a girl, and you have no facial hair. I think you might be able to pull it off.

His pupils reverted to slits, Are you mocking me? Did she want to fight? Did he have the energy to? His muscles still ached every step he took.

She pulled her head back, scrunched her eyebrows, and made a half smile, Relax, it's just a joke.

...Hm. He backed down.

I do like your eyes though. She reached for his shoulder playfully.

But the moment was gone. Stryg stepped away. Karen lowered her hand.

Hey, how did you get so fast? She opted to change the topic.

What do you mean?

This morning, I saw you running. Ive never seen a goblin run that fast.

He grit his teeth, he was one of the slowest in the entire tribe. I dont know what youre talking about.

Dont play dumb. I saw it for myself. You ran like a vampire, it was pretty cool.

I dont know what you saw. Last I checked I got last place in most of my tribe's races.

Wait, wait. Youre saying that people in your Blood Tooth tribe-

Blood Fang tribe.

Yeah, sure, whatever, you're saying that your tribe has a lot of people faster than you?

Yep.

I call bullshit. Unless you guys have some secret magic technique to make you as fast as vampires.

Vampires? What exactly were they anyway? Most of them are faster than me and theres no magic technique. We just train everyday in order to survive in the forest. He looked at the abundance of food on display throughout the stands. But, I guess you guys dont need to. Youve all just gotten fat and slow.

Hey, now youre mocking me. She furrowed her brow.

Youre the one who thinks Im fast.

She doubted he was considered slow among his tribe. Sure, most people here didnt train everyday in the wilds, after all they lived in a damn city. But even if they had, shed doubt they could come close to his speed. He was just lying about his agility. She recalled how he had looked when he admitted he to being a freak. Perhaps he didnt see it that way. She paused in her steps.

Why were you running anyway?

...I failed to join a tribe. Or gang as they called it here. Whats the difference?

Karen was confused. He wanted to join Jaxs gang? Then why did he break his nose? Gangs are just groups people make up to get some things done is all. You shouldnt join any theyre not very good people.

Is it because theyre weak?

She gripped her skirt, No, it's because theyre criminals. Sometimes innocent people just get caught up with them, because they have no choice. But, gangsters are bad people. They beat others up who are weaker than them and take their belongings. Simply put, they bully the weak.

That sounds pretty good to me.

What? No, thats literally the meaning of a bad person.

Why? Its the right of the strong to take what they want. If someones weak they should expect to bow to the strong, anything else would be strange.

"What in all the Realms are you talking about? So, if youre weak you should just roll over and be someone else's bitch?

No, he looked at his hands, Im saying if youre weak you should strive to get strong. And if you cant, then you should roll over and be someones bitch.

Why would anyone do that? What was wrong with this guy?

The weak need the strong to survive. The strong have a right to what they want, thats just the way it is. If the weak try to resist they simply get crushed. Stryg knew that from personal experience.

Well maybe thats the way it is where you came from but here-

Stryg saw her sign of submission. This dwarf was stronger than her. Karen was trying to protect him. He decided to let the insult go. He simply wasnt sure how strong this dwarf was.

Agatha opened the wooden box and pulled out a couple of large dumplings. She handed one to each of them. Stryg watched the exchange with great care. So, it was a bartering system, he surmised. The coins were given in exchange for food and entrance to the city. He had heard as much from a few goblins in the tribe, but he was pleased he could now confirm the stories.

Thank you Agatha, Karen smiled.

Its my pleasure. Now be sure to stay out of trouble. She glanced at Stryg, Especially with that one and make sure to say hi to your folks for me.

Will do. Karen was filled with guilt as she nodded. She was dating a gangster and was a pickpocket, it was a little late for staying out of trouble.

Stryg took a tentative bite from the steaming dumpling. He had never tasted something so good. The flavors practically exploded in his mouth. There was definitely salt in here, but there were so many other tastes as well. What was this incredible delicacy? He scarfed the food down in the blink of an eye. Was this food magic, he felt like life was returning to his deadened limbs.

Karen laughed as she looked at Stryg who was salivating at her dumping. You can have it. I can eat something at my house.

Stryg grabbed the dumpling before she finished talking.

Youre welcome, Karen grinned.

Ive never had something this good. What is it called again?

Chicken dumplings. Yeah, auntie Agatha makes the best dumplings around.

Well, Im glad I got a chance to try some. When I didnt see any food on the stall I thought we might have to eat the small woman.

Karen chuckled, Youre ridiculous you know that.

Yeah, I thought itd be hard to kill her with so many people around. Im happy we didnt. Now, I can go back and eat more of her dumplings later.

Karens smile fell, What? Youre not serious right?

He blinked at her innocently. It was a desperate move he admitted. He didnt like eating goblins anyway, dwarves probably didnt taste much better.

She laughed awkwardly, Well, lets get something to drink at least. Theres a shop right around the corner that sells minotaur milk.

Minotaur?

Yeah, you know? They look human for the most part, except for the horns, downward fur covered ears, cloven feet. Beastkin. Ring a bell? No? Well, dont worry about it. Their milk is amazing though, youll love it.

If the dumplings tasted this good, Stryg could only imagine how flavorful this milk could be.

Karen? A voice called out.

Oh no, Karen whispered.

Hm? Strygs thoughts of food vanished as he saw Jax standing in front of him. He wasnt alone. Leroy and five other goblins stood behind him.

You really found him, Karen! Well done, Leroy said.

Stryg looked at Karen in confusion, Whats going on?

Its pretty simple, idiot. My girlfriend found you and brought you to me. Jax tried to smile through the bandaged face, but failed as he winced in pain.

No, its not like that. I swear I didnt know they would be here, Karen looked horrified as she tried reaching out for Stryg, but he jumped back.

You dont have to lie to him. Get behind me Karen. Hes dangerous, Jax said.

Stryg hissed.

Youre a freak, Jax said.

No, hes not. Stryg, Im sorry, I didnt mean for this to happen, Karen pleaded.

Stryg was a moron. How could he have been so trusting. His exhaustion and hunger had clouded his mind. The goblins had already begun to surround him. His back was to a wall, Karen had played him for a fool, and he was the idiot who had fallen for the trap.

Leroy, Jax commanded.

On it, Leroy grabbed Karen by from behind the waist and pulled her away.

Let go of me Leroy! Run Stryg! Run! Karen cried out as she thrashed around.

Youre not going anywhere, Jax pulled out a knife. Youre all alone now, your gang isnt here to save you.