by Adam Drake
The being was barely four feet tall, with a sickly frame, as if it had been on the edge of starvation all its life. Its wide head sprouted long pointed ears, one pierced with a hooped earring. Its skin was a mottled green, like rotting fruit.
A ragged shirt hung from its bony shoulders like an afterthought. Dirty trousers were tied at its waist with a string. Its bare feet were huge, compared to its tiny stature, and mud covered its legs up to the knees.
Its eyes were huge, like two saucer dishes, widened with surprise. It was panting heavily, and Rob could see jagged lines of sharp teeth inside its mouth.
In one hand, it clutched a piece of wood, a nail sticking out of the end.
As the two looked at each other, the goblin kept glancing down at the chicken which squabbled at its feet. The humanoid appeared to be trying to decide which was more worthy of its attention; Rob or the chicken.
Then, as the chicken jumped up too close, the goblin decided, and snatched the bird out of the air. The little being crammed the chicken's head into its mouth and bit down with a crunch.
The goblin chewed, eyes on Rob, the body of the chicken hanging limp from its mouth.
This was what's been terrorizing the farmers? The pathetic looking creature was practically ready to fall over at the next gust of wind.
Rob tightened the grip on his sword and smiled at the idiot goblin. “Don't worry, buddy. I'll make this quick.”
Before he could move, three other goblins suddenly appeared from around the back end of the house to his right. Seeing Rob, one snarled a command, and the beings approached.
Four against one, huh? Rob thought.
Unlike their chicken-munching brethren, these goblins were armed with forged weaponry. One with a dagger, one with what looked like a short sword, and the last with a small hand axe.
If they were afraid of Rob's drawn steel sword, they didn't show it. Instead, they moved in closer.
Rob's heart pounded in his chest and blood drummed in his ears. This wasn't panic he felt, it was something else entirely.
Excitement.
As the goblins fanned out to try and surround him, he could see their grins. They considered him easy pickings, like that chicken.
Rob found himself yearning to prove them wrong, so he grinned back, like a welcoming friend. He tensed up, shield drawn in close, sword gripped so hard his hand ached.
The rain started to pick up again.
“Okay, assholes!” Rob shouted, his body practically vibrating with coiled energy. “Let's do this!”
Time for a fight.
CHAPTER THREE
Standing out in the open, Rob realized he was greatly exposed. If the goblins completely encircled him, they'd be able to strike him from behind at will.
The dagger wielding goblin grumbled and spat a series of words he couldn't understand. The others chuckled and sneered. To Rob's ears, their language sounded like someone choking half to death.
He needed to take action before they did. Let him be the one to strike first.
Impulsively, he suddenly turned away from the three goblins approaching from the house, and charged at the chicken-chewing one. Shield up like a riot-cop, and sword held high over his shoulder, Rob roared as he ran through the mud.
The Chicken goblin's large eyes got even larger. Not sure how to react, the little humanoid backpedaled several steps before Rob was on him.
Rob swung at him, but despite being caught off guard, the goblin was able to dodge to one side, chicken still hanging from its mouth.
His sword did knock the stick from the goblin's hand as it turned to race over to a wooden pen. It jumped up onto the pen's fencing, but the rotting boards fell off under its weight, sending it to the ground.
Painfully aware the other goblins were running up behind him, Rob swung backhanded at the chicken goblin. He caught it fully across one shoulder as it tried to stand up.
The goblin's severed arm pinwheeled through the air and the creature shrieked in pain, grabbing at its bloody stump.
Rob didn't have time to finish the job. He spun around just in time to block an axe attack with his shield. He thrust forward, but missed as the Axe goblin danced to the side.
The other two crowded in, but didn't attack. They sputtered at each other in their cryptic language, trying to form a plan.
Rob wouldn't give them time. Shield up, he took a menacing step toward the goblin on his left. As he did so the two on his right reacted as he hoped, by moving in on his exposed side.
Faking a thrust forward, Rob suddenly swung wide to his right catching the Sword goblin with the tip of his sword.
The being gasped in pain as a bloody gash appeared across its filthy tunic. Although not a fatal wound, it was a start.
The Axe goblin moved quickly to Rob's right, causing him to turn to keep him in view. The Dagger goblin behind him lunged forward at his exposed back.
Realizing his mistake, Rob tried to twist back around to block it with the shield, but was too late.
The dagger jabbed into his left side, piercing through his leather jacket.
Shouting in pain, Rob spun to face the Dagger goblin, and leaned in hard with a Shield Bash.
The attack only partially succeeded, striking the goblin against the shoulder and causing it stagger back. It still held the dagger, and Rob was alarmed to see his own blood on the blade.
Another burst of pain, this time on his right forearm as the Sword goblin sliced across it.
Rob parried the blade, with a loud clash of metal on metal, barely keeping his footing in the mud.
Damn. He was surrounded. The plan was not to let that happen, yet here he was trying to defend himself on all sides. A feeling of panic seized at his chest.
Keep it together, he thought, as he blocked an axe swing. He needed to move out of this death circle or they'd cut him to pieces.
As if to emphasize the point, Dagger goblin suddenly jumped at him, holding its weapon high with a spindly arm. It landed on his shield, grabbing at the top edge with one hand while swinging down with the other.
Rob tried to stab at the creature, but the movement was made awkward by its close proximity. Instead, the dagger jabbed into the flesh of his left shoulder. Blinding pain shot down his arm, and he nearly dropped the shield.
Then his foot slipped, and he stumbled backwards.
The accidental movement probably saved his life, as Sword goblin, weapon in both hands, was in mid-downward swing when Rob fell. But instead of cleaving Rob in two, it struck the back of the goblin on the shield, which fell away with a cry of agony.
Trying to regain his footing, Rob kept the shield between him and his attackers. The pain in his side and shoulder was indescribable, and he could feel his left arm weakening, causing him to lower the shield.
He somehow managed to block a series of blows from both Sword and Axe goblins, barely countering them in turn.
Shit, shit, shit, he thought. He messed up. This wasn't going to end well. He needed to drink a damn Healing Potion, but couldn't grab one while holding his sword and shield.
Now would be a great time to cast a Healing spell, he thought dryly, as he clashed sword against sword.
Dagger goblin thrashed and screamed on the ground at Rob's feet. The massive cut across its back exposed raw flesh, and the bone of a shoulder blade.
Sensing the end, Sword and Axe goblin pressed in for the kill. Sword kept slashing at Rob, to keep him busy while Axe goblin tried to flank him again.
Easing backwards, Rob suddenly found his back against one of the rotten wooden support beams of the barn's yawning entrance.
Sword goblin launched into a volley of strikes, attacking Rob's shield over and over with thrusts and swings. His shield arm greatly weakened, Rob had to press his sword hand against the shield to keep it raised.
Axe goblin used this opportunity and lunged at Rob's exposed right side, screaming.
Had the creature not screamed, Rob might not of instinctively reacted. He swung
out with his sword at the sound, but not fast enough. Instead of hitting the goblin, his sword caught under the axe's head, causing the goblin to slide the weapon down Rob's blade and slam against the hilt with a loud twang.
So that's what those things are for, Rob found himself thinking as he pulled his sword quickly to the side.
The axe wrenched from goblin's grasp and the weapon launched through the air to vanish into the barn. The Axe goblin shrieked as it grabbed at its injured wrist. It spat angrily at Rob before scampering off to find its weapon.
Sword goblin was still continuing with its crazed fury of attacks. So much so its sword tore splinters of wood from his shield.
Having regained his balance, Rob waited for the goblin to overextend itself. So caught up in its rage, the creature did just that, with a vicious downward swing.
Using his sword arm for extra support, Rob immediately lunged forward with his shield. The Shield Bash caught the goblin full on, slamming against its small body and sending it sprawling into the mud.
Now I gotcha, he thought, as he moved in to finish off the dazed humanoid. But a sharp pain lanced through the back of his left thigh forcing him to stop.
Twisting around in rage, he saw the Chicken goblin standing behind him holding its stick, the nail on the end dripping blood.
Rob blinked in surprise. Not because the goblin was back in the fight without a limb, but at the limp body of the chicken still hanging from its mouth.
The goblin jeered at him with wide crazy eyes.
A surge of anger darkened Rob's vision. Whether it was from all the pain, or the fact he'd let himself get into this stupid situation, he shouted incoherently and swung his sword.
The swing was meant for the goblin's neck, but the humanoid was fast and ducked the swing, rolling to the ground. With all Rob's strength behind it, the sword's momentum easily smashed through the rotten wood of the barn's support beam.
As the beam splintered in half, the barn's roof suddenly sagged above. Wood cracked, and other beams splintered.
Realizing what was happening, Rob tried to turn and run, but the cut on his thigh prevented him from moving. In a desperate attempt he twisted around and held up his shield as the barn's roof crashed downward.
The goblin stared as the imploding barn loomed over it, chicken in mouth, stupefied.
From the corner of his eye, Rob saw the Axe goblin suddenly emerge from the darkness of the barn. Weapon held over its head with both hands, the creature screamed as it rushed toward him.
The next moment, the barn completely collapsed, and both the Axe and Chicken goblin vanished beneath.
As Rob desperately moved to escape, a section of falling roof slammed into his shield and he fell back into the mud, sliding several feet.
The barn crumpled inward, kicking up mud and debris.
Rob shook his head, dazed. Destroying a building was an unexpected bonus. He looked over the scene of destruction and found only the Sword goblin remained. The humanoid was equally surprised by the barn's collapse, but quickly recovered, picked up its sword and charged.
Oh, crap. Rob pushed himself to his feet and barely raised his shield before the goblin slammed bodily into it. The collision knocked Rob back, the mud slippery beneath his boots.
Again, the goblin attacked with an unhinged ferocity, stabbing and slashing. Rob could feel his shield weakening under the onslaught. But each time he tried to counter the goblin, his skill failed him and his swings were parried aside.
In moments, the two combatants crossed over the clearing until Rob found himself next to the farmhouse. A glance showed the windows had been shattered, and the door wrenched free off its hinges.
Growing tired and frustrated, the goblin switched up tactics. Instead of a forward assault, it swung at Rob's lower legs the shield left exposed.
Surprised by the change, Rob felt the tip of the blade slash his right shin, cutting into the bone. He screamed with pain and his knees buckled.
Sensing victory, the goblin vaulted at him.
But Rob reacted quickly, and stepped forward, leaning into his shield. The Shield Bash, again, caught the goblin full in the chest and the humanoid was sent crashing backwards to the ground.
Although his enemy was momentarily dazed, Rob couldn't get his legs to cooperate, his energy almost completely gone. He only managed a single step before the goblin recovered and stood with its sword.
I'm not going to die here! Rob thought, his mind grasping for an advantage. Then he looked at the open door of the house. Struck with an idea he limped backward through the doorway to stand just inside.
The goblin followed and swung at him, again and again. Nearly all its blows hit the door's frame. Blinded with fury the creature continued its assault, but the house took most of the damage.
Panting heavily, and bleeding all over, Rob tried to think of a way to drink a Healing potion. If he could do that, he'd win this.
Without warning, the goblin's thin sword suddenly snapped against the door's frame, the broken blade stuck in the wood. The goblin stared in surprise at the bladeless pommel in its hands. When it looked back at Rob, it caught his sword right between the eyes.
Rob watched as the goblin fell to the ground, like a marionette with its strings cut.
He sagged against the doorframe, absolutely exhausted. The thumping of his rapid heartbeat in his ears nearly deafened him.
“Son of bitch,” he said, taking several deep breaths. Now that he could spare a moment, he looked at his health.
Hit Points: 11/100
Geez. That was close. But one other stat was just as dire.
Energy: 2/100
Yup. This certainly feels like 2 energy, he thought grimly, as he righted himself. Time for a damn Healing potion. He propped his sword within easy reach against the doorframe.
But as he fumbled with the drawstring of the Holding Bag with the potions, a movement caught his attention.
Another goblin was standing by the collapsed barn, looking over the damage and scratching its head. It wore a red sash, wrapped around its body.
Where did it come from?
Suddenly, it caught sight of Rob, its eyes widening.
“Oh, no,” Rob said, “Not now!” Trying to keep one eye on the goblin, he finally took out the Major Healing Potion.
But as he pulled the stopper out, the goblin shrieked a quick series of words and raised the palm of a hand in Rob's direction.
Even as his brain registered what was about to happen, Rob used the last of his energy to try and get out of the way. The next second a Fireball the size of his head whizzed through the doorway. Rob's shield was still exposed, and the Fireball glanced off of it to exploded against the opposite wall.
His weakened shield practically evaporated at the Fireball's impact. As he fell to the floor, the Healing potion slipped out of his hand and shattered.
“No!” Rob shouted. But he didn't have time to grab another potion. The other goblin would be on him in seconds.
As he stood with wobbly legs, he was aware of the fire which consumed the wall behind him. Through the window he searched for the goblin in the red sash.
To his immense relief the humanoid ran for the trees to the east, giving Rob a frightened backward glance. Then it vanished from view.
Smoke billowed through the doorway around Rob as he staggered out, coughing.
I'm alive, he thought, then stopped.
The scroll!
He spun around and looked at the little house, its roof ablaze.
It was in there! He had to get it!
With a complete disregard for his safety, he lurched through the doorway and back inside.
As he entered, he managed to pull out a Minor Potion of Healing and quaffed it. The effect wasn't what he expected. The blinding pain of his wounds lessened a little, but his energy still felt bottomed out.
This is stupid, he thought, as he tried to peer through the smoke, covering his mouth and nose with an arm.
Where is the mantelpiece? There it is! It was set across from the door, its stonework blackened having taken the brunt of the Fireball.
As he moved closer, red and orange flames danced along the wood beams above, and crept across the floor.
At the mantle, he feverishly grabbed at its stones. The scroll was behind one of these, wasn't it?
After what seemed like eons, he found a loose stone and pulled it away. There, secreted in a small hollow was a little narrow wooden box.
