Paul’s POV
Paul woke up to Liora entering his tent. If was possible to be a wraith and be disheveled Liora had accomplished it. Her normally calm and stoic face was twisted in worry and disgust.
“What happened?” He asked.
“The assassinations didn’t go as easily as I had hoped.” Liora said. “The second mark, was their leader, but he put up a fight and help came rushing in. They had more ghost powder. Then outside the leader’s tent Grandler and Thunderroar and the last one, whose name I don’t know, were all seen and caused a giant battle to break out. They killed Grandler’s mount.”
Paul got up quickly. “Did they follow you here?”
Liora shook her head. “No, they regrouped, but stayed at their encampment.” Her form flickered slightly.
“Do we have spies in their camp, or scouts, that can let us know what is going on over there?”
“No on both fronts.” Liora looked away. “This was a lot harder than I thought it would be.”
“War is always hard.”
“This damned ghost powder.” Liora looked at him as her eyes became darker.
“How much of it do they have?” Paul stood and walked closer to her.
“Enough.”
“So, this ghost powder allows them to strike ethereal creatures?” Paul asked.
“It also prevented me from turning invisible.” Liora said. “It was also slightly harder to phase through the tent wall, now that I think about it.”
“Word of us is spreading rapidly through the forest. I refuse to believe the more powerful tribes, coincidentally, happen to have anti undead materials just lying around. I need to see if there's a way to counteract this. I won’t have my strongest assets crippled before the real fight begins.” Paul said. “Let’s go, we have a war to win.”
They both left the tent. Outside Rikkard already had the living troops in order and ready to move out. “Ready when you are, blood sucker.” Rikkard said when Paul approached. “Scouts report that the army hasn’t moved through the day and they report they’ve set up defensive lines, and it looks like they expect an attack at dusk.”
“Good.” Paul said. “Let’s move out.”
The army marched for several hours, before the enemy army came into view. The scouts reported that there were around 200 enemy soldiers, primarily equipped with swords and shields. Their own scouts must have told them Paul’s army was on the march because the enemy had stopped everything and stood in formation.
The enemy army was made up of mostly goblins. From this distance, Paul could see a handful of bugbears and a few hobgoblins. A lone hobgoblin stepped from the rest bearing a white flag. The hobgoblin wasn’t large as far as hobgoblins go, standing around 5’10”. His skin was a blood red and his hair was their customary black, tied back in a braid.
A parley?
“What do you suppose they want to talk about?” Paul asked.
“Maybe it’s a surrender?” Liora asked.
“After seeing our host, I wouldn’t put surrender off the table. Goblins aren’t brave creatures. Yesterday’s performance probably intimidated his troops.” Rikkard said.
“Well, let’s go see what he has to say.” Paul said.
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Paul and his captains moved forwards to meet the lone hobgoblin. Reaching the halfway point between both armies, Paul’s party stopped.
“I am Paul Alaricsson, these re my captains, who do I have the honor of speaking to?” Paul called out.
“I am Durnakh son of Rowan. I now lead the Broken Claw army.” The hobgoblin said.
“Why do you seek this parlay Durnakh?” Paul asked.
“Your assassins killed all our leaders yesterday. You have done me a great favor in advancing myself, but now that I lead the army; I don’t want to give It up so quickly and be killed alongside my old chief.” Durnakh said.
“So, you will surrender unconditionally to my forces?” Paul asked.
“No.” Durnakh said. “I have conditions. First, I want to be recognized as leader of the Broken Claw army and leader of its ten villages. Second, I want the authority to gather the tribute in my territory. Third, I want a seat at your table, recognized as a leader and councilor.”
“We would easily win this battle. Why should I give in to these demands instead of just crushing your forced and forcing an unconditional surrender?” Paul asked.
“You may win the battle, but it won’t be an easy victory.” Durnakh said. “And if you thought it would be you wouldn’t have sent your people in to soften us up. We even killed one of your wraiths without any preparation. Now we are ready for you. Do you really want to waste valuable resources fighting us when we ask for so little in return?”
Paul thought about it for a moment. In reality, Durnakh wasn’t asking for much. Rikkard had a similar deal, without even asking for it. If I take him in, I must ensure his loyalty. Fear? Rewards? What keeps hobgoblins in line?
If Paul accepted this offer, he would gain a powerful ally without having to use up valuable resources, but if Durnakh betrayed him later, he would have a large empowered enemy in his ranks. Was the offer worth it?
Yes. Without any risk, Paul would have nothing. Without proper protections he would have no way to defeat the adventures that were looking for him. Even training Grag came with risks.
The important thing was what came with the risks. If Durnakh helped bring a few more villages under Paul’s domain, then he would be worth it. Just like with Rikkard. Durnakh’s army could always become undead later.
“How many troops do you have, and what are their make up?” Paul asked.
“I will assume you ask as my liege and not an enemy.” Durnakh said.
“Yes. I accept your terms and your army will fight for me when called.” Paul waved a hand over Durnakh’s troops.
“We have 188 goblin spearmen, 33 bugbear heavy axe men, and 24 hobgoblins who use sword and shield, totaling 245 troops.” Durnakh smiled proudly. “We are a professional unit. My villages provide us with everything we need. I promise, you will not regret this.”
“He’s ambitious. If he betrayed his previous leaders, he may betray you.” Liora said.
“I am no traitor!” Durnakh growled. “My leaders were assassinated, by you if I recall.”
“Fair enough,” Liora said, “but I will be watching you.”
“Watch all you like and be impressed by it.” Durnakh said with a grin.
“Gather your men up, Durnakh, we march for a mine a little north and west of here.” Paul said.
“I know of the mine you seek. It has been overrun by undead.” Durnakh said.
“Good.” Eryndral said. “We are looking for the lich that inhabits it.”
“We are looking for sources of iron.” Paul said. “The lich is a bonus.” He looked over at Eryndral. “If he cooperates, he will get to keep his life, as it is.”
Durnakh’s grin faltered. “You plan to negotiate with it?”
“We are an army that consists of a great deal of undead. Eryndral,” Paul indicated her with a wave of his hand, “and I are vampires. Liora is a wraith. The only living member here is Rikkard, and now you.”
“Hopefully this will be a long and productive partnership.” Durnakh said. “I am proud to be a member of your council as well.” Durnakh bowed. “I will gather my troops and have them ready to march within the hour.”
“Good.” Paul said. “We will wait for you. When you are ready seek out Rikkard. He will help organize your troops with ours.”
Durnakh opened his mouth to protest, but Paul cut him off. “I said you had a seat at the council, not that you would be the sole leader of my living troops. Prove your loyalty as Rikkard has done; then we will see about having you command more than what you bring to the table.”
“Yes, my lord.” Durnakh said with a tight jaw.
Durnakh bowed slightly before leaving back to his own troops.
After he was beyond earshot Rikkard said, “He is going to be trouble.”
“He is ambitious, like I said.” Liora said.
“He doesn’t seem to like the undead much.” Eryndral said.
“None of those matter much.” Paul said. “As long as he does as he is told he can be as ambitious and bigoted as he likes.”
“You say that now, but what happens if our forces grow and so does his influence in them?” Rikkard said.
“He will have plenty of time to show his true colors before that happens.” Paul answered. “Gather the men, Rikkard, we march when Durnakh is ready.” Paul began to walk back to his forces. “If push comes to shove, we will simply have more undead in the army.”