CH 138: The Weight of Honor

Firewater decided to tag along, leaving his brethren. With a parting salute, he dismissed the goblins, and they retreated into the forest. Lily hastily cleaned the interior for their guest as they all hoped he didn’t notice.

The ride was silent as they approached the traffickers’ hideout. Like before, their eyes swept every inch of the surrounding forest. Jasmine returned to her perch up top while Claire drove. Eventually, they arrived at the section Firewater had told them about.

Waiting, there were a dozen goblins. These had a darker, almost grey-green skin. They seemed stronger than the ones from before. Firewater emerged from the carriage, silencing their hostility.

Claire and Jasmine silently watched as the goblin man conversed with the others. The series of grunts and gestures confused the two, but they waited patiently. Firewater nodded to Claire, and she pulled forward.

“My brothers will guard your carriage. Unfortunately, we’ll have to leave it here.” he said.

Claire eyed the goblins warily. “Do you promise their safety?”

Firewater gave a small, reassuring smile as he spoke. “I promise your horses’ safety. Goblins aren’t fond of horsemeat anyway.”

He chuckled and helped Claire down. When he offered his help to Jasmine, she declined with a curt nod. The Scarlet Seraphs grouped together as one goblin took over Claire’s seat. She flinched, a bit of panic flaring within her.

“Relax.” The goblin man said gently. “These are my most trusted brothers. They’ll be safe.”

Claire nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay, now time for you to explain your plan.”

He nodded and gestured forward. “There are a few things you should know about these women. One, they are ruthless. Two…” he grimaced. “They’re sex-obsessed perverts.”

“Perverts?” Jasmine asked, eyeing her party members.

“Yes, very much so,” Firewater said in a serious tone. “Obsessed with those feminine boys… makes my skin crawl.”

“Okay… so how does that help us?” Jasmine asked skeptically.

“Use it.” Firewater said bluntly. “Threaten their supply of boys, and you’ll get results.”

“We won’t be using them,” Claire interjected sharply.

“I know. It’s just the easiest way.” Firewater said, his eyes distant. “The harder way is to free them under their noses.”

“Right, I can see what I can do.” Jasmine said. She took a deep breath and prepared herself to disappear into the woods.

Only to be grabbed by Firewater.

“No!” he barked. He held on to Jasmine’s shoulder firmly, causing Ursa and Claire to draw their weapons.

“Sorry…” Firewater exhaled letting go. “She… already tried that.”

“Your wife?” Elsie asked as Jasmine stepped back.

He nodded solemnly, “I thank any god who will listen for her beauty… It’s the only reason she’s still alive.”

“Oh,” Jasmine murmured. She ignored every instinct that told her to strike back and rested her hand on his shoulder. “That… must be torture.”

“Like no other.” He said firmly. “That is why I formally ask to end Astrid myself.”

Silence fell over the group as the reality of Firewater’s pain settled in. Claire eyed the goblin as they continued to walk through the forest.

“We’ll get her back,” Claire whispered to the man. He paused, and his head sank. “She’s waiting for you.”

“I know.” He said, his voice trembling. “I failed her. Worked for the damn bitch who tortures her. All because I’m a coward.”

“You’re no coward.” Claire insisted.

“I am!” he snapped. “Any honorable man would have stormed the damn castle and ripped her away… but I’m weak.”

“No, you’re not,” Ursa interjected, nudging him with her elbow. “A stupid woman would charge in with no regard, an honorable one would do whatever it took to protect the innocent.”

Elsie chuckled, “So you’re saying you’re a stupid woman?”

Ursa shot her a menacing look before smirking. Firewater was staring at the ground, his hand gripping his sword.

“I disagree.” He said softly. “Any honorable man would protect his wife’s honor over anything…”

“At the cost of her life?” Jasmine added.

Firewater hesitantly nodded. “That is my weakness…”

“Thank the gods for your weakness then,” Elsie said with a soft smile. “I bet your wife would say it was worth it to keep you safe.”

“She would,” Firewater admitted as his shoulders dropped. “She’ll probably say it was all worth it to protect me…”

Claire pursed her lips, wanting to ask more. But Ursa put her hand up, silencing the conversation. Ursa listened to their surroundings.

“We’re close,” Jasmine said in a whisper that could barely be heard. “I’ll scout ahead, protect our backline.”

Claire nodded and glanced back at the three behind her. Elsie and Ana gripped their wands tightly as Lily fidgeted with her slingshot. She turned to the goblin and offered her hand.

“I promise you Astrid’s head, if you promise to fight beside us,” Claire said as her hand glowed faintly with divine light.

Firewater eyed the hand and took it. A matching green light mingled with hers as they shook.

“Ursa,” Claire unsheathed her sword and readied her shield. “We can handle this. Move freely if we’re attacked.”

Ursa’s smile widened as her axe dropped from her shoulder. Her eyes glowed red as they waited for Jasmine to return. Silence overtook the forest as Ursa paced impatiently.

Five minutes passed before Jasmine reappeared. She was out of breath and took a moment to recover.

“I can see why you were worried.” She said between gasps. “There’s an archer among them with incredibly sharp senses. She’s a Ravian.”

Claire saw Ursa’s eye twitch. Her eyes burned brighter as she clenched her axe handle. They could hear the strain her grip had on the handle.

“She must be the one who gave them lycanthropy,” Jasmine added, as she studied Ursa. “Breath. It’s no time to run in.”

Ursa fiddled with her collar, nearly crushing the charm between her fingers. Between seething breaths, she responded. “I know. Hate traitors.”

Claire placed a calming hand on her forearm, gently rubbing her skin, doing her best to soothe the anger bubbling within her lover. “Ursa. You’ll get her, just be patient.”

Elsie smirked. “Only dumb women rush in recklessly, remember?”

She flinched at the death stare Ursa shot her. But a smile slowly appeared. Ursa shook her head in annoyance. “This is why I prefer Ana.”

Elsie silently exhaled and laughed. “That’s fair.”

Firewater eyed the group as he slowly connected the dots. “Are you all… never mind. I’ll worry about that later.”

Claire fought back her smile as another person immediately figured them out. Jasmine was the only one with a serious expression still on her face.

“Well, it’s better than being nervous.” She said with a shrug. She readied her bow as they all refocused. “Now, as for how to approach this…”

Firewater nodded and pulled out a map. He spread it across a nearby rock as a detailed diagram of the hideout was displayed.

“There are guards here, here, and here. Roaming ones that travel from the perimeter around.” He said, pointing to posts. ”The archer sits up here. She only leaves to… sample their supply.”

Ursa tensed up upon hearing that, as her bloodlust was palpable. Lily and Ana grabbed her arms, grounding her. Firewater eyed the three for a moment before continuing.

“Right… she tends to do so in the evening.” He said, uneasily. “Depending on whether Jasmine was spotted or not, she should be leaving soon.”

“I probably wasn’t,” Jasmine said, rubbing her chin. “There were deer close to me that she focused on, but we’ll have to see.”

“Okay…” Claire said, tracing her finger across the map. “For now, we’ll assume she leaves. We move in towards the back at this blind spot. Jasmine, infiltrate like before.”

“I won’t be caught again,” Jasmine said, ice cold.

Claire nodded. “Ursa, wait for her return. Then you and Firewater can storm the castle.”