Chapter 33 - The Letter (Major Wekt's POV)

Not far from the warren there was the camp of soldiers waiting for the proper time to strike. In a field of smaller tents was a single large one for the officer in charge of the operation. Devoid of any luxury save that of the gilded ornamentation on the iron scale armor, Major Wekts stood opposite of Chief Mudohoon and three of his slaves. For the past hour, the Gobbo had been recounting fantastical tales that he believed were utter nonsense. Placed in charge of the operation of dealing with the warren for his skill and ability to comprehend their speech, he knew that they were deceitful and manipulative creatures.

“Let me get this straight,” he began, “You were entrusted by General Lokadis to infiltrate the warren, assassinate its leader and install yourself as the new leader until such a time as we return. Then those under your command just so happened to come across the ambassadors attacked by the Dwellin, save her, and you plan on giving her back in exchange for your safety?”

“Yes. Not my safety, but that of my tribe.” Chief Mudohoon explained.

He had seen plenty of Gobbos before, but Mudohoon was a little different. His complexion was dark green, and his ears were limp and cut, he had a bloated belly with spindly arms and legs. He looked like he could roll in and out of the camp if he only curled up. His slaves were fairer skinned Gobbos, three females who had to be in their early twenties while he was of similar age, but it was hard to tell for sure. They were all dressed in what appeared to be remnants of sailcloth, the durable fabric stained from the warren, but otherwise in good condition despite having been pilfered eight years ago. It was clear from their outfits that Mudohoon’s tribe was exceedingly poor to even be using such things as clothing. He carried no weapons, but the slaves of his carried small and well-cared for cooking knives. It was surprising that he could control them with his voice alone, any one of the three were capable of killing Mudohoon and yet they did not. Perhaps they recognized him as a real leader and not just their master? It did not matter, killing all of them was the order.

“Where is Lady Geraen now?” He maintained his composure and made his movements slow and measured, trying to remain calm as to his intentions.

“With the other fifteen members of my tribe. She is well and so is her child.” Mudohoon smiled faintly, “When Rock was mortally wounded, we took our steps and made sure to uphold our end of the deal. Now I ask that you uphold the other end.”

“Exactly what do you mean by that?” He did not like where this is headed.

“The warren should be weak, as they have distributed poisoned gruel, but see to it that every last one of them dies. Slaughter them as you like, but make sure to kill the head priestess and do what you want with that Mikarya brat, V. She is alive just as General Lokadis ordered.”

Why would a General know or care enough about some specific Gobbo in the untamed lands? Mudohoon was cryptic and mad even for a Gobbo. He would even poison the whole of his warren to escape with members of his tribe while eagerly condemning the rest to death? This type of leader was not unlike the scheming nobles of Menna, but so long as the Lady lived it offered him protection. He was unusually cruel and intelligent for a Gobbo, that is for sure. A wicked schemer who claimed to have risen to power by assassination, deceit, and murder and relished in the details, but he was not Mudohoon’s handler nor did such a person likely ever exist. It was time to end the farce.

“Why should we care about this, V?” He asked.

“Not for me to say, but I have been given a letter for just such an occasion as this. May have looked at it from time to time, so mind the wax seal, but anything impressed in gold must be genuine.” Mudohoon produced a letter and handed it to him.

The letter was slightly dirtied and greasy, the folded corners of the parchment was in six neat folds and pressed flat with a central red seal that was immediately recognizable as that of the military. Its existence alone added great weight to all this rambling. This changed things and he waited until the very end to pull this! Did this Gobbo really walk into a camp of fifty soldiers thinking himself untouchable?

I, General Lokadis of the Sixth Army of Menna’s and Hand of the Order of Rysteralia, give the bearer of this letter, an agent operating under the name Mudohoon, my faith and protection equal to my station for the purposes of furthering the Ecumene of Mahn. Mudohoon has accepted a mission of great importance to the Order of Rysteralia and has been tasked with keeping the reincarnation of a Demon confined to this place. Of such importance that the declared child {Vinara–} of the two Gobbos, Hawkeyes and Biergenn, be kept alive until she can be secured and returned to the Order of Rysteralia. Any soldier, officer or clergy is duty bound to facilitate this. Any slave, farmer, sellsword, merchant is granted noble status and will have a purse of not less than six hundred thousand gold coins for this mission. Protect my agent and ensure the success of this mission. Under the authority granted by Ecumenia Ryneria Lycoreas the XI, the Demon must not be allowed to perish nor shall the agent Mudohoon come to harm! ~ General Hyugrath Lokadis

The emblazoned seal of the General sealed it. Under the direct authority of the Ecumenia and in service of the Order of Rysteralia, the clergy of the divinity, this far-flung Gobbo settlement had a Demon of such importance as to put the backing of an entire realm on the line. The letter was more than proof, it was binding and only General Stronghold would be able to disagree with its contents. This wicked Mudohoon would trade a Lady for safety; does he not know what the letter says?

He handed the letter back to Mudohoon, suspecting that this Gobbo knew, and that the Lady was nothing more than an insurance. He knew enough that the paper was no protection against the sword, but a noble held hostage made him nigh untouchable. A dangerous game, but in order to be able to know its success, it had to have been made in person. It was almost commendable if not for the truly despicable methods being employed.

“So, this child. Did you give it the poison too?”

“She has been captured by some of your soldiers and a conflict occurred, but V has headed into the dungeon with them. They set fire to the cavern to cover their escape so you can send some after her, but make sure to finish off the warren first.”

“Why do you want us to do your dirty work?” He openly said.

“If you do not act, they will rally others and a repeat of eight years ago will happen again.”

Mudohoon could not be trusted, but unfortunately that meant they would have to delay their operation to verify the letter. It may not have been what Mudohoon had wanted, but he had bought protection for now. Though it would not be long before his deception would be uncovered and those left in the warren would seek their revenge. The letter made him duty-bound to protect this agent. His hands were tied for now. He would work under Mudohoon’s order.

“Are you sure this V is not in the warren? Have you personally seen this to be true?” He asked.

“Not personally-”

“Then we wait. You will meet with General Stronghold and be returned to Menna and afforded all the protection and compensation you are due. Once V is confirmed safe then we will wipe out the warren as you have directed.”

“Very well.” Mudohoon grumbled as he rose to take his leave, “She is important it seems.”

“She is.” He affirmed, “Five guards will accompany you to Lordstowne.”

“And as for my tribe?”

“Safe once the Lady Geraen has been returned to us. Is that acceptable?”

“More than acceptable, wonderful.” Mudohoon grinned.

Such a foul creature, but all Gobbos seemed to be cut from the same cloth. This one known as V was dangerous. It did not make sense, but orders were orders. It was best not to alert Mudohoon to the details. This was a matter for General Stronghold to handle after all.