Like a jackal following lions. He smiled sourly. Well enough. For when lions fight, jackals win.
Toth-Ra had little doubt these lions would fight. Even without the Northerners, the very richness of what lay above guaranteed that.
And if perchance he was wrong? If the fragile coalition that governed the League could hold together under the pressure of the indescribable wealth and power from this hoard? Well, there would still be crumbs for a clever jackal to gather.
With his face set in an unaccustomed smile, Toth-Ra continued his climb.
Shiara and Cormac were almost to the tree line when they heard a noise. The trail paralleled a cliff here and a thin moan came from a clump of bushes off the trail off the cliff side.
Cormac drew his sword, but Shiara moved instinctively to the sound of a creature in pain. She thrust through the narrow band of bushes that lay between them and the cliff face.
“Cormac, come here.”
As Cormac breasted through the brush he saw a twisted shape like a small man lying on the rocks. Obviously it had fallen from the cliff above them.
“It’s a wood goblin,” Cormac siad, looking over it. “Leave the poor creature.”
Shiara shook her head. “He has a soul and so deserves succor.”
“Have we time to do this?”
She looked up at him. “Have we time not to?”
Gently she moved the twisted broken body off the blood-smeared rocks and placed it carefully on a patch of grass. Quickly the wizardess spread out a collection of healing implements and set to work.
Shiara labored the chance-found creature as if it were one of her own. She chanted and muttered, made passes with her silver wand and sprinkled the body with herbs and powders.
As Cormac watched the wounds scabbed over and began to close. The twisted limbs straightened and the bones within them knit. The little creature’s breathing slowed and became more regular. At last it relaxed and began to snore sonorously.
“Now what?” Cormac asked as Shiara turned away fro the sleeping goblin.
“He needs rest and a chance to rebuild his strength. In another day or two he will be fine, but now . . .”
“We do not have a day or two to give over to nursing him. Have you forgotten what brought us here?”
“No, I have not forgotten. But he,” she nodded to the creature, “will be awake soon and we can ask where his tribe is. I will have to rest a bit in any case.” She finished packing her kit and sat down heavily beside her patient.
It was less than an hour later that the wood goblin stirred, moaned and opened his eyes. He started and tried to rise at the sight of the two humans, but Shiara placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Rest now,” she told him. “We’re friends.” The goblin looked dubious but settled back. “I am Shiara and this is Cormac. What is your name?”
“Ugo. Me Ugo.” The goblin’s speech was creaky and slurred but he was understandable.
“Does your tribe live nearby?” Shiara asked.
“Tribe all dead,” the little goblin said sadly. “Ugo all alone.”
Cormac grunted in sympathy. Unlike their large cousins the hobgoblins, wood goblins lived in closely knit groups. A wood goblin whose tribe had perished had little to live for and scant chance of surviving.
“I am sorry,” Shiara said. “Now rest here for a while and you will feel better.” She rose and signaled Cormac that she was ready to move on.
“Wait, Lady,” cried Ugo. The little creature scrambled painfully up and knelt in front of her. “Take me with you. I serve you, Lady,” the goblin pleaded. “Let me stay and serve you.”
Cormac looked at Shiara. The last thing they needed was a servant of any sort, much less an ailing wood goblin. But refusing would surely doom him. Without a substitute for his tribe the little creature had no will to live.
Shiara reached down and put a hand on the goblin’s head. “Very well, Ugo. We accept your service.” His ugly face glowed and he looked up adoringly at Shiara.
“Here is your first task, Ugo, and it is an important one. We go to the top of this mountain on a mission from the Council of the North. If we are not back in three sunsets,” she held up three fingers for emphasis, “you must make your way to the Fringe and contact the Council. Tell them we have failed and others must be sent to complete the business. Do you understand?”