By the time Harm and Pardew had returned to where Carli had fallen, Harm was exhausted. Mante sat quietly by her, a small fire burning, its glow reduced by the gorse shrubbery that grew amongst the rocky terrain. Where they were, no one would have seen a fire from the valley, even in the dead of night.
Mante was talking to Carli in soothing tones, humming a tune that Harm had heard goblin mothers hum to their sproglings. This cantankerous old scout had a hidden heart. So many of the stories about goblins that Harm had been told growing up and even during his adventuring days were untrue. They were as civilised as any other race, although treated as outcasts by many. Yes, the larger towns and cities had improved recently, accepting more of their kind, but Harm still knew that many never would take them. He hadn't until he started living with the clan, and now they were his family.
"How's she doing?" Harm asked.
"Weak," Mante replied as he mopped her brow.
Harm lifted the backpack off his shoulders, and the instant relief from the removed weight made him sigh. He had pushed his body to its limit in carrying the weight of the weapons.
Pardew moved to Carli's side. "Carli, can you hear me?"
Carli's eyes slowly opened as she stirred.
"I'm going to apply a poultice to your ankle, but the cleric said I need to straighten it before I do. You have to drink this first to cope with the pain," Pardew said as he removed the potion he had been given.
Mante helped sit Carli upright as Pardew uncorked the bottle and slowly poured it into her mouth. The tonic wasn't a healing potion, but instead a powerful painkiller and sedative, and as it started to take effect, Carli's face softened. The tension in her jaw released, and a soft smile broke across her face as the pain lessened. "Thanks," Carli almost whispered as her eyes started to flutter. Within moments, her eyes closed, and her breathing relaxed as she fell into a deep, healing sleep.
"Right, now the hard part. I'm not sure I can do this bit," Pardew said, looking at his weathered hands. "These hands of mine aren't as steady as they used to be."
"I'll do it," Harm said as he crouched down. Her ankle was twisted sideways at a horrible angle, and he gently took hold of it.
"The cleric said to align it as best as possible and then bind it," Pardew added.
Harm had dealt with many things in his life, especially during his adventuring days, but taking hold of someone's malformed leg and straightening it wasn't something he had ever done. As he moved the leg, the grating sound of the bones and sinew made him almost gag, the taste of bile in the back of his throat. He placed his hand over his mouth as he finished moving it.
Mante had looked away, not able to watch; only Pardew had been able to as Harm repositioned her limb.
"That looks about as straight as it's going to be," Pardew said as he moved to wrap Carli's ankle tightly with the poultice.
Once her leg was immobilised as best as they could, Harm looked at the small form of Carli. She looked so peaceful with the tonic providing her with respite from the searing pain she must have been suffering. He felt pride in her ability to be so stalwart and ensure that the mission had been completed.
"Right, we need to stash the weapons. I can't carry them back along with Carli," Harm said.
"What?" Mante said.
"I'll carry Carli back to the clan. I can make a sling from the backpack and put her on my back. I just won't be able to carry the weapons as well, and nor will you," Harm said knowingly. The old scout may be fit, but if he had struggled to carry the bundle with his strength, the goblin didn't stand a chance, and Pardew wouldn't be able to bring much either.
After finding a suitable location to stash the weapons in a crevice in the rock face, they covered it with brush before Harm, with the help of Mante and Pardew, lifted her onto his back. She wasn't heavy, but it would not be easy to traverse the route back.
It was as the first light of morning shattered the gloomy, rain-filled skies that they returned to the clan. The return journey had been much slower. Harm had been intensely cautious as he travelled with Carli, trying to jostle her as little as possible. She was still asleep, or whatever the tonic had done to her; her breathing had remained calm and steady, even after Harm stumbled a couple of times. The climbs had been particularly challenging, even with her lightweight; the feeling of being unbalanced had made them feel treacherous, and Harm had been grateful to reach flatter terrain.
Harm had told Dafu what had happened via the crystal an hour before reaching the clan. Dafu had immediately sent a party to meet up with them and retrieve the weapons. Mante volunteered to go back with them once they had met up on the rough trail. It still amazed Harm that the hills and mountains surrounding the valley had their own ecosystem and paths, which the majority of beings would never have set foot on or even known existed.
"How is she?" Dafu looked concerned on seeing Harm return.
"Not sure. She's been asleep since she drank the tonic."
Dafu and Luubu carefully lifted Carli from his back before carrying her into a hut, where one of the matrons would take care of her.
Harm wondered if he looked as bad as Pardew did. The man looked exhausted.
"Go rest. You've earned it," Harm smiled.
"Aye, I think I will," Pardew said, not resisting and walking to his hut. As he neared his hut, the goblin who had shown him attention in his workshop hurried over to him. Harm chuckled as he saw Pardew trying to resist her help.
"Harm, you also need to rest. I'll wake you when the group returns," Dafu said, returning to him.
"I'm fine," Harm brushed Dafu off.
"If fine is looking like death, then I'd agree. At least get a couple of hours."
Harm grumbled as Luubu stepped in and ordered him to his hut.
The next thing Harm could remember was the excitement bubbling outside, what felt like moments later, though the light at the door suggested it was late afternoon. He climbed out of his bed gingerly, his ankle sore, having forgotten about the landing. He rubbed it before pulling his boots on and heading outside. It was definitely late afternoon, at least, looking at where the sun hung in the sky, and he shielded his eyes as he looked over to where the noise was coming from.
The party had returned after collecting the weapons, and Harm could see them all gathered around with Luubu barking at the gathered masses to put them down and leave them alone.
Harm walked over, a little more gingerly than he wished to show, preferring to put more weight on his good ankle. He didn't limp, but he didn't stride with confidence either.
"Do as Luubu says," Harm spoke, and on doing so, the goblins immediately placed the weapons back that they had grabbed from the pile; many looked at him sheepishly. "The weapons will be issued out in due course, and to the fighters before anyone else."
Several goblins grumbled, looking at the shiny weapons, knowing they were unlikely to be given one.
As Harm stood there, hands on his hips, the majority headed away again.
"Where's Dafu?" Harm asked once they had dispersed.
"He's helping in the field," Luubu said.
"What's he doing there? I know he's good with crops, but he isn't a farmer," Harm said as he made his way to the field. The crops had been thriving since Harm had overseen the area, and Harm was hopeful for a healthy harvest when they were fully grown.
Harm found Dafu crouched by one of the ploughs, hammering a pin with the butt of his dagger.
"There," Dafu said, standing up. "That'll do it."
The goblin, who had been operating the hand plough, thanked him before continuing his task of turning the earth. Harm had requested that a new section be prepared after the clan's growth.
"I thought you were actually farming for a moment," Harm said to his friend.
"Farming! Me, never," Dafu smiled.
"Now I'm awake again, we need to talk."
"About what?"
"The mercenaries in the valley."
"The what?" Dafu said, confused.
"Satil's hired a mercenary band. I'm not quite sure what for, but they are going to make our job ten times harder."
"Fuck. Why's he done that?"
"That may in part be my fault. Apparently, there was a rumour of a demon in the area."
Dafu's shoulders slumped. "And that demon would be you," as he shook his head with resignation.
Harm just shrugged, grinning. "It may work in our favour. I was thinking about it as I drifted off to sleep. I can use it to create fear."
"And how would you do that without putting yourself in harm's way?"
"Of course I'd be in Harm's way; I'm Harm after all," Harm chuckled at his terrible joke.
Dafu punched him on the arm. "Be serious for a minute, will you?" Dafu scoffed.
"Look, whatever Satil has planned or whomever he brings, they will all fall. That has always been my aim. I don't understand why, with the thought of a demon, he would need extra mercenaries. I think he has bigger plans."
"Like what?"
"I have no idea. I wish I did. Pardew mentioned that he had been blocking trade towards Hillnot. Perhaps something to do with that."
"Why would he do that?"
"It's Satil. You remember the amount of gear he had stashed in Dasir's warehouse. He had enough for a small army. I wonder if he is thinking he can take Hillnot."
"What? That's ridiculous; he wouldn't stand a chance against the dwarves. Their guard is the strongest in the valley. Their weapons and armour are leagues above the guards from Sallew."
"They may be, but if he has brought in mercenaries..."
"That could be our opportunity to strike Sallew," Dafu said thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"If the mercenaries are headed towards Hillnot and that's Satil's plan, they won't be at the town. It would take them several hours to return, even if a message were to reach them. Also, I would guess he would also send his guards to attack Hillnot. I can't see him leaving Hillnot to the mercenaries from what you have said about his greed."
"Perhaps, but if mercenaries attack without the town guard, Satil, whatever happens, can plead ignorance."
By the time they finished discussing what Satil might be planning, the evening meal was ready. They made their way to the fire pit to collect plates, and to Harm's astonishment, he saw Carli sitting by the fire.
"Carli, what are you doing here?" Harm said at seeing her.
Carli smiled, looking at him, and finished her mouthful of food before replying. "Eating, what's it look like?" Carli was one of the few goblins who had never shown any nerves around Harm. Many were still wary of him, as occasionally he had outbursts of anger, but she had always been the same with him, never seeing him in a different light.
Harm chuckled. "How's the ankle?"
"Sore, and I ain't sure I'll ever scout again, but at least it's mending," Carli then looked away. "Thank you for carrying me." Her cheeks flushed.
Harm just smiled warmly. "I'd carry any of the clan if they were injured."
Carli managed to look back at him, her embarrassment still plain to see. "I don't know any other chief who would ever have carried an injured clan member." Her statement was raw and honest.
"I'm not a chief. I'm Harm."
"You know what I mean."
Harm sat with her, and they talked for a while as the light started to fade. The matron came and escorted Carli back to her cot, saying she needed rest.
"She likes you," Dafu said, nudging his friend.
"What!" Harm said, shocked.
"First old Arblu with Pardew and now Carli with you. We may end up with more young soon," Dafu chuckled.
"Shut up," Harm said, pushing him.
Luubu had joined them at the fire while they ate and turned to Harm. "You can't stop a female once she sets her sights on you," she said, looping her arm through Dafu's.
Harm just shook his head.
"Anyway, back to business now you're here as well," Harm said. He had been mulling over various ideas since discussing the initial concerns with Dafu and had decided on a plan, although he was unsure how it would play out. Nevertheless, it was at least a start.
"Go on?" Luubu said.
"I need a group to scout Sallew. This time, though, I want them to cause some problems."
"Such as?"
"Maybe start a couple of fires or similar, one of the older properties on the outskirts. I want to see how the guards react. We could even perhaps burn down a couple of the local farmers' barns, not that I really want to hurt their livelihoods." It didn't matter how much hatred Harm had for Satil; he generally didn't want to hurt the normal residents of Sallew or the valley unless absolutely necessary. His target was Satil and his followers.
"I'm sure that can be arranged. It won't be easy, though, with their patrols constantly out."
"I'll be going with them."
Both Luubu and Dafu frowned at that comment.
"Why would you do that?" Luubu asked.
"Because I want to strike the fear of a demon into them."
