Slave Girl 3: Chapter 72 (Patreon)

After a quick scan around us I take a knee beside Colly and look at the area around the pottery. I was no tracker but even I can piece together a muddled picture of the imprints in the damp earth around the base of the oak. Among the long human tracks and the more squat goblin footprints were deep conical impressions nearly the width of my palm on the surface and cutting several inches deep. As I imagine the sort of creature that would leave these types of marks I am given pause but not cowed. If anything the sight of those two abandoned cups only inspires me not to dally.

“No blood.” I say, throwing the spur of shell to the side. “That’s a good sign.”

“But no newlyweds.” Colly says, sniffing the wine before sipping out what was left. “Just meanth they probably took’em thomewhere else to…um…”

“Let’s not think about that just now.”

Just then Cassie trots up. We catch her up on the situation and I inform her about the trails that spread out into the island just beyond the tree. She looks to Rosa who was still communing with the old oak, her hands on the bark as she stares up into the thick twisted boughs. Standing apart from us Kreer watches Rosa closely.

“Hey.” I say to him pulling his focus my way as Cassie shifts to interpose herself and block his view of our Lady. “You came for a purpose, Kreer. You said you could help us find the kobaloi. Help now or go back.”

He studies me a moment then gives a slight bow. “They are concentrated to the hills of the west and based out of a number of caverns along a valley that leads to the northwest coast. You have two options. Follow the trails through the interior forests and valleys or make for the north coast and follow it to where their valley meets the sea. My recommendation would be through the interior as we would be less exposed.”

“The forest cover would work both ways, but I take your point.” I ponder a moment. “And…”

“The coast.” Rosa whispers.

Turning around I find Rosa resting her horned head against the trunk. In front of her dancing a tiny mote of golden-green light, a singular nymph no larger than the head of a pin, bobbing up and down the bark of the tree directly before her eyes. I stand a moment surprised as I had never seen a lone forest nymph before nor one so brazen as to reveal itself in the middle of the day.

The telchine mage stands taller, trying to peer over Cassie. “Is she communicating with the…!?”

“You heard Quin, Kreer.” Cassie warns, cutting him off and staying between him and Rosa. “We’re not answering anymore questions. You wanted to help that village for your captain so focus on that. We will not help you construct the gallows that you intend to build for Rosa. Move!” She shoves Kreer back a step. “Let’s find that trail, hm?”

“Cassie. Easy.” I say in a low voice, reminding her that at a whim he could change his mind and report us the moment we arrived in Athens.

Looking over her shoulder at me she gives a nod of understanding. In a too courteous tone she extends her arm to direct Kreer around the tree and away from Rosa. “After you, your wizardness.”

Though he hid his feelings well I knew the shove would have bruised the mage’s pride. For time being at least he puts his ego to the side and takes a wide berth around the tree, Cassie following him step for step. I sigh and shake my head as I could not tell just how solid this uneasy alliance really was. My worries are contrasted with the giggle that then escapes Rosa. I step closer to her and watch as the nymph flits back up the tree to disappear among the leaves.

Unbothered by the nymph’s departure Rosa pushes away from the tree and uses her telchine ‘sight’ to locate me and find my arm which she hugs close to her body. “Are you searching for the monsters or the goblins?”

“Uh.” I consider the unexpected question for a moment. “The young lovers. Though, ultimately, it is the Scylla-spawn we have to find along with whoever is controlling them. It is them that has thrown the balance of power on this island off kilter.”

She nods. “That’s what I thought. So follow the coast. Neptune’s creatures are not home here in Sylvanus’ garden. The forest does not welcome them to this island. They might visit but they cannot stay.”

“The nymph told you?”

“No!” She laughs. “The nymph sang me a song, silly.”

“Of course. Silly me.”

Knocking on the tree she says. “Sovereign Mother has felt the monster’s touch and she did not care for it. The forest wants them gone too.”

I look at the tree dubious. “The tree told you?”

“Quin, baby.” Rosa pats my cheek like she might a child. “Trees can’t talk.”

“Of course. What was I thinking.”

“Call it a hunch.”

“Not a bad hunch.” Colly says as she takes both of our hands. “Crab monsters probably gonna thtay close to water, yeah? And I doubt my people are gonna let them smelly things snuggle up with them up in their nice warm, dry caveth.”

Patting her head I remind her. “We’re ‘your people’.”

She smiles. “You know what I mean.”

“Okay. We’ll head to the north shore and follow it west.” I say. “Probably the last direction they’d expect a group on foot to come from anyway.” Kissing Rosa’s head between her horns I whisper. “We trust the hunch.”

We share a hug then were on our way. We find Cassie and Kreer at a gap in the shrubbery where four different paths converged. Cassie was a few steps into the forest peering through the trees for danger as Kreer waited patiently at the trail head.

“I can hear nothing unusual.” He reports as we approach.

“Change of plan. We make for the coast first then follow it across.”

He doesn’t argue or try to change my mind and, after hearing the thinking behind it, he says. “Sound reasoning. There is a natural grotto along the coast not far from where the kobaloi valley meets the sea. The entrance would be submerged at this tide, it is barely visible even in low tide. I’ve been there many times to meditate undisturbed.”

“The perfect hidey hole.”

“Whatever shaman they have controlling those creatures will most likely have to remain near them to ensure the pattern stays knit.”

“That’s perfect. Deal with this whole situation in one fell swoop.” I say. “If we can avoid the main goblin community in those valley caves then all the better. The less blood shed the better.”

“Gobbos are people too.” Colly says.

“Exactly.” I pat her shoulder.

“People with barbed spears tipped with viper venom.” Kreer says, bringing the mood down in a hurry. “I admire your restraint but there is a time and a place.”

“We take no unnecessary chances. We’ll spill blood when we must.”

“May I ask how you intend on dealing with the kobaloi knot magic?” Kreer asks. “Even I…”

“What did I tell you about questions.” Cassie prods him. “You may not.”

Kreer holds his hands up to indicate that he withdrew the query.

“Okay. Single file, these paths are narrow. Quiet as you can. Collywaddle, you’re with Rosa. Cassie, you cover our asses.”

“I’m good with asses. But I don’t have to tell you, Wyrmslayer.” She quips, making me roll my eyes with a grin.

“Kreer, you stay behind me and keep those…” I look at his bulbous earless head. “…holes peeled for any sounds not us. Now, which way?”

He indicates on of the central paths and we were on our way. On high alert we weave our way through the wild slopes of Thoronos tensing at every rustle of a slithering snake or skitter of a startled hare. Of the kobaloi we find an old campsite but we see not a one of them out here braving the warmth sapping mist and wind. After our desperate rush to Buxentum I never thought I’d miss traveling on foot as much as I did now but after all those days at sea I felt that we were back in our element despite the slick clay-rich soil that continually challenged us. From time to time I would check back with my companions. Kreer, as always, was unreadable. Behind him Rosa and Colly walked with a somber but determined courage. And at the back Cassie’s blue eyes still gleamed with the thrill of adventure. Along the way Danae rejoins us, her muzzle still stained with the blood of her unfortunate quarry. The scant few miles pass quickly and it is not much more than an hour of walking when we crest a rise to see the vast gray sea stretching off to the horizon.

Ahead of us the packed earth trail angles steeply down through the brush toward the rocky shore. I raise my hand for the group to stop then quickly drop to my belly as I spot a campfire just past the point where the trail met the beach. After taking in the scene I turn back to huddle with the group.

“Goblins. Six, maybe seven, tending a fire. Could be more.” I say. “The vegetation thins closer to shore. It’ll be tough taking them by surprise.”

“Any femaleth?” Colly asks.

“I think they’re all men.”

“I could take them out at range.” Cassie says.

“You’d get what, two before they hit cover?” I say. “I might be able to close the distance and get another. But I don’t think we could get all of them. A good chance they’ll run straight back home to warn the others.”

“We could try to go around?” Rosa suggests.

“It’ll be tough going off the trail.” I say. “And the footing will be as slick as hog grease in the exposed sections. We might just end up sliding down the slope and straight onto their cooking fire.”

“Wouldn’t that be convenient, for them.” Cassie says. “Fresh human, no waiting.”

“We don’t eat humanth!” Colly protests. “Well…most of us.”

The group goes quiet a moment as we ponder the situation.

“Thounds like we need a distraction. A good distraction. A great distraction!” Colly says with a twinkle in her amber eyes. “Lucky for you, Thir… I mean, Quin. Like for us I brought…” She rummages into her small satchel and yanks out a wad of white cotton cloth. “…a thecret weapon!”

“A secret weap…” Just as I am asking I am hit with a sickly sweet aromatic blast of wet goblin pussy! “Oh!”

“Gods almighty!” Cassie covers her mouth and nose. “What in Hades’ gooch is that!?”

“My underbreeches.” Colly says with a big grin. “From back when I was hot and dripping and FERTILE.” Looking up to me with a big proud smile she says. “I wore’em off and on for days. Hot, sweaty, horny days. Been keeping them ever since, jutht in cathe they could be useful. Heh heh heh!” She chortles, her big green titties bouncing. “Those boys won’t know what hit’em!”