Chapter 15 | Part 2

A loose stone clicked beside the path.

Drusniel turned. A small green-grey figure crouched beside the rock, one hand held against its chest. It looked past them toward the trees.

“Lost,” it said. “And hunted. Srietz has been watching you make both worse.”

Drusniel lifted his hand. Elion stepped in front of him, feet spread on the path.

“Wait.” The goblin showed both palms. “Srietz is hunted too. Knows the way out, cannot reach it alone. You need a guide. Srietz needs company.”

“Why should we trust you?” Drusniel asked.

“Trust?” Srietz gave a dry, rasping laugh. “Too expensive. Srietz asks for trade.”

“Srietz knows what hunts you. Knows how to stay alive here.” He pointed at Drusniel, then Elion. “You protect while Srietz guides.”

Another shriek echoed through the trees, closer now.

“What hunts us?” Elion demanded.

“Coatly.” Srietz’s voice dropped. “Vexrath’s creatures. Sound first. Strange signatures when they get close.” He pointed at Drusniel. “Your magic leaves one.” Then at Elion. “You leave another. Srietz does not know what yours is.”

“How close?”

“Close enough that running matters. Casting is worse. Cast, and they do not need to search.”

“You know Vexrath?”

The goblin’s hand closed on his pack strap. “Worked for him. Left without permission.” He pointed to a carved skull. “Still his territory. Srietz would prefer to discuss this elsewhere.”

The shrieks overlapped until he could no longer separate them.

“What’s your offer?” Drusniel asked, turning toward a cry that had come from behind them.

“You keep them off Srietz. Srietz gets you out. After that, we separate. No debt.”

Elion looked at Drusniel, then back at the trees. “Choose. They’re close.”

Drusniel could no longer find the forked trunk. Srietz had already picked a gap between the rocks and was edging toward it.

“Take me with you.” Srietz’s voice rose. “Do not leave Srietz when the route gets difficult. That is the price.”

“Lead,” Drusniel said. “But if you betray us…”

“Betrayal is bad business.” Srietz was already moving. “Srietz is good at business. Now run. They’re coming.”

End of Chapter 15.2 —> 15.3: The Goblin Who Counts Costs: The Hunters