A tale by Sir Williams
We knew the goblins were coming, we just didn’t know when. My men and I were on the outskirts of town when it happened. I caught the motion out of the corner of my eyes, turning I heard someone shout, “They are coming! The goblins are coming!”
Drawing my sword I yelled, “To arms, to arms! We are under attack!”
I readied myself. I could see the creatures, lurching through the woods towards us. They were dressed in rags for the most part, but they carried sharp swords. We managed to pull together a loose defensive line. A few of the Watch were there along with some villagers wielding pitchforks and sickles. Screeching and roaring the goblins came upon us.
Lifting my shield, I deflected the first blow, and swinging my own sword, I felt it bite deep into the creature’s flesh. It let loose a hideous scream. It attacked again with a ferocity I had seldom seen on the battle field. I deflected its sword blows and finally managed to stab it through the throat. Purple blood gushed from the wound. It let out a piteous gurgle and fell dead.
As I pulled my sword from the carcass, I slowly became aware of the battle around me. Boardoc and Jerrick fought to my left, Everett to my right. I was glad to have them fighting beside me. Two of the villagers were lying dead, their necks bloodied from where the goblins fangs had sunk deep. My heart cried out at the horrible sight.
“Retreat!” I called. “Fall back to Falton!”
Just then, one of the creatures leapt upon me. I took its head off with one swipe of my sword but another rushed at me. I swung my sword, missed, and felt something cold and hard slip between my ribs. I fell down, weak, unable to stand. The creature roared in victory and moved on to its next victim. My grasp weakened, the sword falling from my hand. Then the pain set in. My side burned like fire. Darkness closed in, like I was falling down a well, then everything went still.
“Can I have your shield?” a young voice questioned.
I slowly opened my eyes, to found myself staring into the face of a small child. Blond hair flowed over her shoulders. She wore a somewhat ratty multi colored dress and carried a short sword. What was a child doing on the battle field, and why was she carrying a sword? Then again, I corrected myself, it was Falton, weird things like that happened some times.
She spoke again, “Are you a goblin? I’ve never seen a goblin before.”
“No, I’m not a goblin, and you can’t have my shield.” I rasped out in pain.
“Oh, okay” The girl said in a small voice.
Just then another voice spoke up, “Are you a goblin?”
I swiveled my head in the new comers’ direction. She was wearing a long stocking cap and a bandolier full of green healing potions. She appeared to be about my age.
“No!” I hissed, “How many times do I have to tell you people, I’m not a goblin!?”
“Well ok, no need to get angry, I was just asking a question.” the girl with the stocking cap retorted. I decided she must have been a healer.
I breathed a sigh. Well it would have been a sigh if I could breathe, but instead it was more of a cough/wheeze.
“Do you need healing?” she asked.
“Yes I need healing, do you think I would be lying on the ground in a pool of my own blood if I didn’t need healing?” I snapped. “Sorry, it’s the pain from my sword wound.” which had come back in full force, by now.
“Well I don’t know, might be kind of fun, but here, drink this.” The nastiest tasting liquid I have ever had the pleasure of having, poured down my throat. I could feel the potion begin to work on my wounds, strength began to seep back through my bones.
“Much obliged.” I thanked.
“No problem.” She said. “It’s what I do.”
I hauled myself to my feet, and stumbled back to town to await the next attack, and to look for my friends, and the rest of the Watch. I threw a glance over my shoulder to the healer and the little girl. “I’d be careful if I were you, I wouldn’t go wandering alone, not with these goblins about.” I said. “And uh… thanks again.”