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    Geltab Omnibus Volume: 35 stories for your mind
    Geltab Omnibus Volume: 35 stories for your mind
    Geltab Omnibus Volume: 35 stories for your mind
    Ebook633 pages10 hours

    Geltab Omnibus Volume: 35 stories for your mind

    By Geltab

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    About this ebook

    This Omnibus volume covers everything written thus far by Geltab. With everything from dragons and dwarves to nanotechnology. From erotica to future alternate realities, this Omnibus expands on the first twenty stories released. This volume is packed with over 400 pages of enjoyment for your imagination and mind. These 35 works have been a long time in the creation with the reader in mind. Enjoy!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGeltab
    Release dateNov 22, 2011
    ISBN9781466033139
    Geltab Omnibus Volume: 35 stories for your mind
    Author

    Geltab

    Please take time to enjoy your imagination. You can contact me atGeltabs11@yahoo.com.

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      Book preview

      Geltab Omnibus Volume - Geltab

      Geltab Omnibus Volume

      The Ghost Legion: Stories I-VIII

      By

      Geltab

      SMASHWORDS EDITION

      * * * * *

      PUBLISHED BY:

      Geltab on Smashwords

      The Ghost Legion: Cold Blades

      Copyright © 2011 by Geltab

      All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

      The Ghost Legion: Cold Blades

      There, that should do it. Cannon said moving the folds of my robe inward to conceal what I carried.

      Are you blind or just stupid? I can see the damn things bulging under there a mile away. Wormy had to put his negative two cents in, as always.

      Thanks Wormy, that makes me feel much better. He shot me a hideous smirk out of his purple face and narrowed his eyes, and then he raised his bottle to me and went back to drinking.

      The robe needs to be longer.

      And the man skinnier, Cast and Spell, the two sorcerers of our lovely group, rare breed these days sorcerers, said having a good laugh at my expense. I was standing upon a wooden stool in the middle of our temporary field barracks while the huge man Cannon, also the outfits tailor fitted me properly. The rest of the company lounged, either drinking and playing cards or watching me, enjoying the show. I was glad to be the source relieving some of their tension; they knew what was to come as well as I did. All we could do was hope for success.

      You two is the bloody sorcerers’, make the damn robe bigger! Cannon shot back at the two sorcerers now playing cards. They looked up from their game.

      But don’t make me skinnier! I barked and pointed my finger. I remember what you two did to that poor chicken. They both snickered and pointed at each other accusingly, and then they joined hands and eyes, without missing a beat. As they did this my robe began to grow, down past my ankles and wrists until several feet of slack lay on the floor. They stopped; each took a drink and went back to playing cards. No big deal.

      Better to have too much than too little, the big man Cannon said as he set about fitting me appropriately and providing proper cover of the items I would carry, somewhat awkward items I might add.

      Hold still Dagger or I’ll poke you in the balls! Cannon bellowed, I held stiff as a statue from then on, ignoring the items strapped to my body.

      We are brothers and sisters, assassins, mercenaries, heroes, terrorists, whatever you wish to label us; I suppose it depends on your perspective. Regardless, we are a family. We have been currently hired by King Lurel to infiltrate and destroy the main rebel base situated within the eastern half of his kingdom. The rebels there have been fighting for autonomy in the lands of Lurel for countless generations. We care nothing for their politics or problems. Their king paid us the highest price and we would wipe out the base and all within it, that’s what we do. To the world we are known as The Ghost Legion. We have no name for our outfit ourselves, we need none. We are all outcasts, our pasts forgotten, we are forged in the brotherhood of war, assassination and treachery. If the rebel leader Xaxer had paid us more, we would slay the king instead and destroy his castle. We are free; therefore we are dangerous to all sides.

      As far as anyone knows we are also the most deadly of assassin brotherhoods because true magic still only exists within our outfit in the persons of Cast and Spell. They are the oldest of the outfit and only the ones’ they serve magically are more powerful than they are. Cast and Spell are therefore especially important to the outfit, even if they refuse to divulge their magic secrets or where their power originates, we are just glad they are with us, the ghost legion as the world says.

      Why do I have to do this again? I asked, looking at everyone’s faces, they now faced the door. Cannon looked up, then quickly back down going to work again.

      Because I ordered it Dagger, do you have a problem? It was the knight-captain, captain Iron was what they called him. Scarred and clad in our outfits red armor and blood red robes with hood draped halfway about his huge mangled head.

      No sir, I managed to stammer as everyone stood to attention.

      As you were, captain Iron spoke, and then entered the barracks. Every man was scared stiff, even the sorcerers. The knight-captain is rumored to have fought and defeated Bern, a great and evil mage, thousands of years ago. Captain Iron belongs to a race that is an offshoot of human, they can live for hundreds of thousands of years if not killed, and I hadn’t met a man yet who I thought could kill knight-captain Iron magic or not.

      Cannon continued working on the robe, concealing the items as best he could.

      It really is an ugly color isn’t it? The knight-captain scowled, examining the drab brown robe of the rebel armies’ religious order of monks I was draped in.

      Yes sir, Cannon and I answered as the same time. We looked at each other, he went back to sewing.

      The air was cold, your knees went weak, just being around the knight-captain was an event that took considerable power. He was a mystery to us. Every now and then after a successful mission, hopefully like tonight, he gets good and drunk, then I can get some stories out of him. Not much, but what he reveals scares the living hell out of me and all the others who hear it.

      There we go, Cannon announced as he stepped back to examine his work. The knight-captain, Wormy, Cast, Spell as well as some of the other brothers were watching me intensely. (We call each other brother, whether female or male. For instance the sorcerer Cast is female.)

      Looks good to me, knight-captain Iron announced. If I didn’t know Dagger I would say he was a rebel monk, well done Cannon. Now, all that’s left is for our Dagger here to infiltrate their base and place the explosive magic devices throughout their compound unnoticed. The knight-captain said with a hard edge on the word unnoticed as he raised an eyebrow. Of course, after the knight-captain found my robe disguise agreeable so did all the others.

      Oh yeah, looks great to me, Wormy said drunkenly.

      Ditto for us, Cast said for her and Spell without even looking up from their card game.

      I gave them all a fake smile.

      I’ll leave you to finish preparing, the knight-captain said as he left and all rose to say goodnight while he walked out of the field barracks. After a few moments of making sure captain Iron was truly gone Cannon spoke.

      Walk around some Dagger, let’s see if you look like a monk or we can see those damned explosive jelly candies you carry.

      Cast and Spell scoffed, Those jelly candies you refer to have been magically infused by the highest of explosive powers, and they are no toy or anything to be played with. One false move by our man Dagger here and we’re all gone before we know it. She took on a harder edge than usual; there was no playful demeanor this time. She slapped down a card.

      As you’ll find out in a few hours…should Dagger succeed that is? Spell spoke after her as they both went back to their cards and drink. Sure didn’t make me feel better knowing I was a walking explosion. I walked around the barracks as everyone nodded approvingly.

      Good job Cannon, Wormy spoke saluting him with the whiskey flask again.

      Right then, on to the mission. Dagger, go see the knight-captain, Cannon said to me as he reached down and began cleaning. That’s how we brothers of the outfit are, once done one task we’re immediately on to the next with no fuss, no complaint, no need to make a big deal, we just do what needs done. I left the barracks and walked across the field to the knight-captain’s tent, captain Iron was standing outside, probably been waiting for me this whole time with my luck.

      Where the hell have you been Dagger? I’ve been waiting for you this whole time!

      I am ready to go now sir. I responded trying not to reveal my nervousness both about the mission and simply being in knight-captain Iron’s presence. I had been on many, many assassination missions, but one this ambitious, this deep behind enemy lines with no backup never. Never has a mission of such importance been up to one brother of the outfit.

      Cast and Spell will transport you close to the entrance of the rebel base. I turned, they were both behind me smiling, snuck up on me again, how do they do that?

      Keep sneaking up on me and I’ll remind you two why the outfit calls me Dagger, I jokingly said as I turned around.

      We know why you’re called Dagger; we’re hundreds of years older than you remember?

      Oh, yeah, their smiling continued.

      The knight-captain clasped my shoulder, it felt like a ton and the grip was like a vice, I tried not to show it.

      Good luck Dagger, our reputation of hundreds of years depends on your success, no pressure. The knight-captain squeezed tighter and then smirked, knight-captain Iron actually smirked! Then he turned away, I knew he was only half joking. In a way I suppose the hundreds of years of the outfits’ reputation did rest upon my shoulders. This operation would be the deciding factor as to whether or not we still had what it took to succeed on a large scale with so few members. Should I succeed we would also attract new members. I walked with Cast and Spell twenty yards from the knight-captain’s tent, there we joined hands in a circle.

      Clear your mind and imagine yourself at the entry point to their base, they said in unison, there was no joking. As I began to relax I saw the base and its walls, the surrounding military road and trees. Bending, seeming to come into shape, I felt a rush of wind and a pressure like a hand on my neck, when I opened my eyes I was standing alone in a thicket not more than fifty to sixty feet from the entrance to the rebel base. Cast and Spell were nowhere to be seen. I pulled up the hood on my robe, tucked my hands together and began walking towards the entrance. Luckily for me, new initiates wearing the brown robe such as the one I was wearing take a vow of silence; hopefully this would make for a nice smooth entrance to the base.

      I approached the gate solemnly as a monk would with my head bowed, stopped and dropped to one knee as is their custom and waited. I’m not sure I breathed until I heard the creaking of the old oak and iron doors. I stood, ignoring the guards, keeping my head bowed I walked until I was fully inside the base. The gate closed and locked behind me, giving me a chill I did not expect. I must be getting soft in my old age, I thought to myself.

      This base was truly impressive; the king was in greater trouble than he had let on. There were thousands of men here and permanent stone structures. It was clear the kingdoms control had been lost in the east; still I had a job to do, for the outfit, for my brothers. I moved silently unnoticed as any other monk would in the base, more like a small city. Flittering here and there, jotting notes, examining structures, basically remaining invisible.

      I placed an explosive magic charge on every structure on that base right down to the temporary tents over the next four and a half hours, I was able to cover everything. I was exhausted, and covered in sweat, thanks to this damned robe by the time I was finished. I leaned against the last building I had rigged to catch my breath as I began to walk my way out.

      No one notices a holy man, I whispered out loud to myself.

      You shouldn’t pray so hard mister, a soft voice came from behind me.

      What? I startled and answered.

      You’re all sweaty and out of breath, the Gods hear you whether you are sweaty or not. See ya.

      Wait… Before I could speak the kid had skipped away, damn. Leave now! I said to myself, I knew better than to humanize my targets after all these years. I turned and walked out the rear exit of the base which led up a road on the side of a large mountain. I walked until I had the perfect view of the base, lit up by small fires and torches at night, soldiers drilling, machinery being repaired, I had no personal quarrel with anyone down there, and business is business. The outfit goes to the highest bidder, always has always will, simple.

      I felt a cold wind bite me as I stood on that high bluff overlooking the rebel base and knew both Cast and Spell were now behind me. I did not move or react, simply kept staring at the base, going over the mental map in my head making sure I had rigged absolutely everything. I needed to do something other than think about the carnage I had wrought that was to come.

      Great job Dagger you got everything, Cast spoke first. I eyed her curiously; I don’t even bother to ask how they know anymore.

      Now enjoy the show, Spell said wickedly as he raised his hands.

      Explosions rang out simultaneously; I was startled by the noise, standing there I watched just how well I had rigged the base, everything exploded at once. There was no dramatic crescendo, only flames and ruins. I don’t think the rebels even had time to scream, the kid skipping away crossed my mind and I looked down, tightening my eyes fighting tears. After all this time, I couldn’t help it, I still felt. Others in the outfit were merciless and felt nothing, I still had feelings, I wanted them, I deserved to burn in them.

      The base went up in flames, absolute fire, less than an hour after the initial explosions nothing remained where a thriving base with stone structures had been. Fire hot enough to burn stone? I asked myself. Absolutely nothing but charred, smoldering ruins, never had I seen a fire burn so hot or so fast. Cast and Spell’s explosives must have truly been magical fire.

      Before the embers died down our camp was struck and we were gone from the area. Another job, albeit a very important one, done and in the outfits history books, even knight-captain Iron gave me a pat on the back as we packed camp, though I wish he hadn’t. It was like a weight slamming my spine; the knight-captain is bigger than Cannon and twice as strong at least.

      We packed camp; we were going to the court of king Lurel to collect the other half of our payment for a job well done. There were two hundred of us on this particular mission. Though none ended up being needed due to my subterfuge being successful, not even as clean up. Still, to the king’s court we marched, all in red as we always do. We look identical, everyone, civilian and military moved out of the way of our column as we passed and entered the city. Marching we came upon the entrance to the court. The king greeted old knight-captain Iron outside on the steps to his court as we stopped below. I couldn’t decide if it was a warm gesture or a way to keep us out of his court.

      Once again you have provided an invaluable service to the kingdom, the king spoke to the knight-captain. Dropping to one knee, knight-captain Iron replied.

      Your majesty, our esteemed brother Dagger deserves all credit for this most successful mission.

      The king shifted his glance to me, Rise Dagger, I did so but kept my head bowed. I don’t know why, maybe so many years of being trained in the art of deception.

      You have struck perhaps a death blow to the heart of this insurgency, this cancer within my kingdom. The king’s voice rang with superiority; it was the kind of voice that made you want to shut it up. Of course I could only stand there and take it, especially since we were still owed half our payment.

      All of you, the king called, Have done a great service, the ghost legion as people call you; the kingdom thanks you for removing the main rebel base and threat, now of course you must also be removed.

      I looked up, the knight-captain rose; the rest of the two hundred of us did the same. An army loyal to the king was emerging, surrounding us three rows deep, with spears and shields and snarls. It was an ambush. The hunters had become the prey.

      Damn, how could I have been so blind? The knight-captain began cussing and stomping, Cast and Spell looked at each other dumbfounded, unable to believe someone with stronger magic blinded them to danger, they had not prepared anything. Wormy, well Wormy kept drinking and drew his blade, just like every other day. I did the same, we are brothers in the outfit, I don’t care how outnumbered we are, we’re taking a lot of these bastards with us on our way out.

      Stand and fight brothers, we serve no king, no queen, no land, we are the free outfit, the ghost legion, the cold blade, the knight-captain screamed to all of us, it was the first time I had heard captain Iron use the term ghost legion or cold blade when referring to the outfit. The two hundred of us huddled into a circle, swords and spears sticking out like a vast porcupine, as the king’s soldiers encroached on us. The king had disappeared, If I see that son of a bitch, the knight-captain growled.

      Cast and Spell seemed out of it, not knowing what else to do and knowing we would be dead without them, I slapped them, as hard as I could.

      Do something! Damn sorcerers what good is magic if you’re dead! I couldn’t help myself; I lost it at that moment for the first time in years. My slap and panicked screaming seemed to work though as instantly they joined hands and I saw before my very eyes little Cast and Spell merge and grow into a grotesque monster from some nightmare shadow. They grew into a shaggy grey, thirty foot tall fanged beast; the king’s men stopped their advance. Only the knight-captain seemed unfazed by the transformation of the two little sorcerers.

      Seen it all before, I thought as I looked as the scarred old face of knight-captain Iron, what a complex bastard! He looked at me like he knew my thoughts and pointed at the beast.

      Watch, he mouthed silently to me as if he knew what was coming and was preparing to enjoy the show. The great beast that was Cast and Spell had begun trampling the circle of the king’s men which was three deep that had surrounded us, walking around their formation squishing them as if they were mere ants. With its unnaturally long arms it also reached down and swept away dozens of men at a time, some were eaten; others were flung hundreds of yards away like yesterdays trash. I was mesmerized and frightened at the same time. I knew both Cast and Spell were sorcerers. I had seen them do some impressive things, but this, I had no idea they were capable of such a feat. I was hoping for merely a force field, perhaps a call for help, even a few shadow monsters. Never would I have imagined them this powerful, I was sorry I slapped them now. I hope they didn’t hold it against me. They were the oldest in the outfit according to the knight-captain, but how old?

      Suddenly there were so many things I began to realize I didn’t know about my brothers. As it is with us all I suppose. Like I said, we are outcasts, when we joined the outfit we tossed aside and forgot our past no matter what. I certainly was glad to forget mine, we were held together by something much stronger, our code of assassination. Money is not more important than the outfit, only everything else. That’s what every member is taught from the beginning and understands. The outfit and your brothers within it come first. We serve only the highest bidder, never their cause, we are our own cause. Many former brothers have been executed due to their treachery disobeying that golden rule. The outfit over money, this is one reason our ranks have thinned compared to times past, there are fewer honorable men.

      The king’s men were in a panic and we took advantage. Though we were outnumbered at least five to one we charged what remained of their lines and began decimating the panicked soldiers. They were easy pickings, as the Cast and Spell monster had already dispersed their formation and broken their ranks. There was nowhere for them to run, only narrow footpaths which we blocked. We cut them down like cordwood, it was sickening. The sorcerers’ monster crushed thousands as if there would be no end. There of course was an end.

      In the end when all was said and done the king was brought, bound before the knight-captain, all of his men were either dead or had defected, pledging to join the outfit or die trying as we had lost over fifty men thanks to this treachery when we could not afford to lose one. Knight-captain Iron was pissed, he was always pissed and scary, but never had I seen his face this red. It matched his armor.

      We all stood stoic covered in the blood of his men as the king begged for his life like a traitorous maggot.

      Why not just pay us? You were so rich, why be so greedy? All my years, I will never understand those like you. The knight-captain grumbled kneeling next to the now gagged king. There was no muffled answer, knight-captain Iron began to pace. He looked at me with his steel eyes, What do you think Dagger?

      I think we should take all his wealth for the outfit, there’s bound to be tons around this city. Then we should ransom him to the rebel leader Xaxer for all of their gold as well. Pathetic as he is, he should net us a tidy profit. Two birds with one stone. The knight-captain stared at me silently considering what I had just said. He decidedly quickly as he usually does.

      Very well, brothers, ransack the warehouses and send everything back home to our secret outfit base. Wormy, you arrange it all and make sure it arrives, not one coin missing. After you have this city and its treasures headed to our base, do the same with the rebel loot I am going to send Dagger to collect.

      Yes sir, Wormy answered and was gone in a flash. That little drunk sure can move when he wants.

      As for you Dagger, take Cast and Spell as well as Cannon with you to the camp of Xaxer with our fair king here; see what we can get for his sorry ass.

      Yes sir, then I turned, Cannon would be a fine addition to the group, if the king tried anything he would be smacked right back down.

      We transported right into the middle of an emergency war meeting Xaxer was holding with his remaining generals. Trying to figure out what happened to their main base in the east. To say they were surprised by our intrusion would be a bit of an understatement. Weapons were drawn, curses were shouted, and guards were summoned. I spoke before it got out of hand.

      Wait honorable Xaxer, I am Dagger of the ghost legion, we bring to you king Lurel, the crown jewel sought by your insurgency. They dropped their weapons and softened their faces when they saw the bound up king. I noticed gray hair, the lines of worry etched on Xaxer’s face. At this moment however, Xaxer and the entire room seemed overcome with joy at the gift placed at their feet. But this was no gift. We are not merry men friendly to strangers.

      Shut up! Cannon boomed in a voice so loud I swear a brick above the hearth cracked. They all froze.

      Thank you Cannon, do you think he is a gift? No, we come to treat.

      Treat, huh? What’s to stop us from killing you now and taking him? Xaxer’s eyes narrowed and his hand fell on the hilt of his sword. I smiled,

      Come now sir Xaxer, you don’t want to end up like your friend here, I kicked the bound and gagged king, getting a whimper out of him. We don’t serve him, no need to die for him, he has served his purpose. Surely he is worth a great deal to you and your generals, especially after what he just did to your eastern base and the thousands stationed there.

      True, he is, he is. I’ll tell you what…Dagger is it? I nodded. I’ll make you a deal, you show me how you got that name, just you alone, no help from your friends here, just you against my two bodyguards and not only will I give you my entire horde of gold and jewels, but my army will be on call should it ever be needed to suit the ghost legion’s purposes. Deal?

      Cannon, Cast and Spell looked at each other and stood back, they knew what was coming.

      Deal, I answered in a higher pitched, almost questioning tone as I smiled.

      Xaxer stepped back as his two bodyguards clad in mail armor stepped forward. One was tall and skinny with a short stabbing blade in one hand and knife in the other. The second bodyguard was shorter and wider, he was holding a one handed axe in each hand. They approached me slowly, crouching in fighting stances.

      Simple bastards, I thought to myself. They have no idea I am over one hundred years old and have killed thousands of men tougher than them for a whole lot less. I was quite the son of a bitch in my younger days.

      Tall and skinny struck out first with his short sword; I pivoted one hundred and eighty degrees ending up behind him as he ended up on his knees with a dagger in his throat spraying blood all over fat axe boy. He seemed shaken by my speed and the blood on his face that a minute ago was in his friend. I would be.

      Before he could react I used tall and skinny who was on his knees as a launching pad. Springing over the short axe man’s head in a somersault, as I swung by him I deposited a dagger in each carotid artery. I removed them as I landed; he collapsed in a sickening fountain of his own blood. A move I had perfected over many decades ago. Xaxer’s face had gone white, deathly white; my brothers laughed and collected their money from Xaxer’s soldiers who had bet on my death as I gathered my blades. I stood and looked at Xaxer as I cleaned my daggers.

      Yes, Dagger, I see. Was all Xaxer said, he waved his hand and twenty four wagon loads of gold, silver and jewels were ours. Wormy had appeared towards the end of my fight and immediately set about inventory and shipping the goods to our secret base.

      Do we also have your rebel army should we need it? I wanted to remind Xaxer of that part of the bargain also in case my little demonstration made him forget.

      Of course Dagger, of course

      Tell me Xaxer; now that king Lurel is out of the picture, I assume soon to be dead, will you keep fighting?

      We will fight if the new ruler refuses us autonomy in the east, we owe that to those who have died.

      I understand, best of luck to you Xaxer, you may hear from one of us should we require it. Goodbye.

      Before he could say goodbye Cast and Spell had transported us out of there and back to our temporary base. The knight-captain was on us immediately and wanted to know every detail right away. I explained the ransom we received and the right to call on the rebel army should it suit the outfit’s needs. Knight-captain Iron immediately contacted our secret base to make sure the wagons of loot were arriving and to speak to Wormy. Sure enough, they were arriving as scheduled, with Wormy right on top of them. We made out clean, but I was beginning to feel dirty. Who did we serve? Are we no better than those we work for? The outfit has to stand for more, there must be a reason the ghost legion still exists after so many battles over so many hundreds of years.

      I was snapped out of my thoughts by an alarm, there were visitors approaching the perimeter and they didn’t look friendly.

      Goblins, Cannon growled.

      It was a contingent of green skinned, sharp fanged and double crossing goblins. Our kind of people, they were led by a rather large goblin covered in scars and body piercings. I recognized him, it was Slice. This meeting could either be something good or very, very bad. My history with Slice had been a mixed bag.

      What do you think Dagger? It was Hammer sidling up to me; he was a blacksmith for the outfit, also a damn good fencer and chess player.

      I think old knight-captain Iron’s either going to get us more money or get us all killed. I replied, we smiled at each other, gallows humor.

      The knight-captain approached Slice and hailed him, they began conversing, in goblin of course. Good thing captain Iron is old enough to know most every language I can think of. I never had a desire to learn that guttural tongue. Things seemed to be rather cordial from what I could tell between Slice and knight-captain Iron.

      What do you suppose they’re talking about Dagger? Spell asked me as he, Cast, Cannon, Hammer and several dozen of the men looked on eagerly.

      The knight-captain’s just negotiating down the number of us they can eat of course. Finally, a bit of laughter, just like that the conversation between the two leaders was over, the goblins broke off and appeared to be setting up camp adjacent to ours. Knight-captain Iron came to us to let us know the situation.

      Slice and his contingent were on their way to join the rebels, I told him we took care of that problem and had already delivered Xaxer the king, of course I left out the part where we killed thousands of rebels first by destroying their main eastern base. He winked at me and continued. "So, we’ll just be camping near each other till we move on tomorrow, you can trade with them if you want. You all already know be careful trading with goblins.

      I grabbed a bagful of gold coins and along with Wormy and Cannon headed to the goblin camp to see what we could get into.

      The Ghost Legion: Dagger’s Fate

      They were mean and green, by the Gods, if you believe in them these goblins are ugly. But then so are we. Me, Cannon and Wormy set off, each with a bag of that rebel gold I had earned with my little knife fight earlier.

      Cannon was a big, clumsy looking oaf anyway. Bumbling through smaller objects wherever he went and Wormy, well he looks half goblin. My specialty is blending in stealthily before a kill, so we all fit right in to the crowd.

      Now, it’s true goblins are shady, double dealing, murderous bastards. It’s also true they have the most exotic of items for sale, weapons and armor included. If you happen upon a goblin encampment any good brother of the outfit knows to go shopping. If you know how to talk to them and deal with them they’re not so bad. Like I said, I never learned their language, but Wormy is fluent.

      It is funny that while I don’t speak their language I have many times had good dealings with them, they try to strike me, I strike and knock them down, everybody seems happy. I would always get what I wanted for the price I wanted, it usually only took one attempt on my life. Goblins like to test outsiders. Hopefully, all this is unnecessary as Wormy can verbally assault them just as well as physically.

      Let’s get some goblin grog in us first, get us in the mood Wormy suggested. We nodded and he led the way. Suddenly, I was pleased to have Wormy with us as a guide, even with big Cannon there as backup. He was clever and tricky, it was becoming clear, despite the front he put up; there were many layers to wormy and his knowledge, beneath that veneer of an angry drunk, though he was that as well. Many things to many people as they say.

      Wormy led us right to the goblin tent serving grog like a bloodhound; the goblins always have such a tent in their encampments. They usually set it up even before their kitchen in their military camps. Goblins tend to get a little testy without grog.

      The barkeep looked us over and smiled a toothless smile, except for the one gold fang, Nice I thought to myself. He leaned in,

      What’ll it be gents grog or grog?

      Grog, three, now! Wormy replied in their native tongue. The barkeep seemed a little surprised, but he went about gathering the cups and pouring our grog with no further comments. Wormy turned around and leaned back, comfortable with his elbows on the bar. We all surveyed the camp and took in the mood of the surrounding scene. No doubt they took us for spies, but no one seemed to be paying any extra special attention to us, there were plenty of other outfit members in the camp at the time besides us. The goblins were doing as we were, drowning their sorrows in pints of grog.

      We took our cups of grog, paid the barkeep in gold; he bit the coin with his gold fang before winking at us as we left. I wonder what he would have done if it was fake? We began walking around the camp, quite extensive.

      Time to find a merchant, hopefully some non-goblin new guy, a hanger on, Wormy said as he finished his grog, And another barkeep.

      Cannon had barely said a word since we entered the goblin camp. He wasn’t especially talkative to begin with, now was just less than usual.

      Problem? I looked up and asked him quietly, using the sound of our footsteps to mask the question as we walked.

      Don’t like being this outnumbered and lacking in arms if something goes wrong, that’s all, he grunted back down to me, not caring who heard. I understood his trepidation; I nodded and said nothing more of it. We stopped off at a second grog tent before entering the merchant section of the camp, we would be there awhile.

      Goblins keep a large merchant section active within their traveling armies. The army will heavily tax and live off the merchant goods and earnings. Even with these taxes levied against them the merchants still make a tidy profit, and they travel all over the world relatively unmolested unless they come across something terrible like the ghost legion. The merchants are of every race populating the known world, selling all manners of goods and creatures. From goblins themselves, to dwarves, to humans, they were all there selling their wares.

      They always have a magical items merchant hidden for special customers, don’t they Wormy? I asked him leaning in, too close for his comfort. He eyed me and nodded, I’m sure he was remembering our last visit to the magic merchant at the last goblin army stop we came across. Wormy had touched an orb because he couldn’t keep still while I talked, this triggered an illusion that made it seem like The Abandoner, one of the horrible old Gods of legend himself was coming for the violator of the orb, this time being Wormy. It took the merchant ten minutes to reset the orb; I still laugh my ass off every time I think of Wormy’s frozen purple face, the ugly bastard! He was really being an ass that day, he deserved it.

      I laughed, Be more careful this time when we go inside will you Wormy? Sometimes chiding him was fun. Behind me Cannon chuckled and sounded like a huge bullfrog.

      Oh shut up, it was your fault Dagger, if you hadn’t spent so much time haggling with the merchant, I wouldn’t have gotten bored and fidgety. He finished his third grog with one last swig looking at me with his twitching eye; I was still nursing half of my first.

      Either way let’s find this merchant or see it the outfit needs anything, I said as I mockingly bowed and waved my hand, motioning him forward.

      We walked on, past food vendors, ale vendors, smoke able herb vendors, past these stalls led into the armory section. Though we did stop for Cannon to eat, I had a venison steak as well, which was delicious. Wormy had to refill his herb bag and have more grog.

      In the armory section was all manner of armor and weapons from across multiple countries and people. We were good to go in terms of the everyday arms and armor defense department, what we like about goblin camps is the exotics I talked about; I knew Wormy would find the right place or the right man to talk to.

      Find him he did, we made a beeline to a goblin merchant that was working with a dark dwarf. They gave each other a quick glance as we approached.

      Don’t like that, I thought to myself.

      Wormy doesn’t like to waste time when it comes to business, I know that much. It kills his buzz. So he began chatting furiously in goblin with the merchant as if he was trying to start a fight. For all I knew they were speaking gibberish. I stood there with Cannon as the big man looked around, fidgeting nervously. The goblin’s partner the dark dwarf also stood there silently. After a minute that felt like an hour, Wormy stopped yelling and the goblin motioned for us to follow him into a black tent that was attached to the back of his merchant booth.

      No, that don’t look suspicious at all, Cannon grumbled into my ear sarcastically.

      He was right, but I’ve been around quite awhile now, much longer than Cannon. I understood and I had many dealing with them before; everything about goblins is suspicious, especially when it comes to magical items. They feel magical items provide them a connection to their Gods. You just have to be careful and discerning. We entered the black tent after the merchant, Slice was right there waiting for us in the middle smirking, lovely.

      There he was the leader of this goblin army that we had seen speaking to knight-captain Iron earlier and notorious goblin warlord Slice, he was flanked by two henchmen. One I did not recognize, the other I know all too well, Shadow. That wasn’t always his name, he used to go by the name Razor, I wasn’t as kind as I am now when I was younger and didn’t like his name having anything to do with blades and I told him so. Shit, it is such a stupid thing to fight over, I wanted to kill him because his name had a similar meaning to mine, weird how time and circumstance change and shapes us. We got into it and I cut him so badly he has kept himself hidden under a mask ever since and gone by the name of Shadow. I know he was still waiting to get his revenge. I would be.

      That was a long time ago and he had inserted himself between the outfit and success, he’s lucky to be alive. Still, this merchant it would seem had betrayed us to Slice, though besides my past with Shadow which Slice wouldn’t care about unless the price was right, we had done nothing wrong. I wasn’t particularly worried yet.

      Well hello Wormy, Cannon and Dagger the man himself, Slice spoke through his mangled face, made worse by piercings and self mutilation, he was a hard thing to look at.

      Hello Slice, Wormy spoke back in goblin.

      Speak in the common tongue purple face, I want everyone to be able to understand, otherwise it’s just being rude you see? Slice pointed at Wormy as he spoke.

      You got it Slice, Wormy replied in our common tongue.

      Now, it’s all fine and good for you boys to come trade and spend your hard earned gold on the best goblin goods money can buy. You do it often, you brothers of the ghost legion. He chuckled, But it’s always you Dagger and you Wormy who are found to be seeking the magic items, not even your outfits sorcerers like the exotic stuff as much as you two. I guess those who don’t have, seek. Huh boys? Another chuckle, sometimes I don’t like Slice.

      A little magic to help the blade along never hurt. Wormy said offering his flask to Slice, who took and drained it before handing it back empty.

      Alright then, Shadow here is going to take you to the special items we got in stock today. Slice held out his hand, Wormy filled it with gold, we know the routine.

      A passageway leading underground opened with a staircase leading down. Shadow went in first and we followed. The underground tunnel was huge, big enough for Cannon to walk upright comfortably in. We walked ninety seven paces; I counted, until we came to a large red door with a black demon head affixed to the front. It opened as Shadow raised his palm to its face; he stood to the side motioning for us to enter. Wormy, Cannon, followed by me entered the room. Shadow grabbed my elbow as I reached the doorway.

      Revenge is going to be mine, I’m coming for you. Time is running out for you Dagger, next time I see you, I’m gonna cut you…bad…real bad. There was nothing but hatred in his eyes. A burning flame of revenge, I recognized it from myself, I know that flame well. I couldn’t blame him.

      Looking forward to it…Razor, I jerked my arm away and walked into the room, as I did so the door closed behind me.

      That poor guy just doesn’t know when to quit. Wormy said about Shadow.

      Some people don’t until they’re dead, I answered, slightly above a whisper.

      What’s this all about? Cannon asked us, he’s unaware of the incident, Wormy was there.

      Long story Cannon, I’ll explain later on back at the camp, I answered.

      We were in a room that was well lit for being so far underground. The walls were covered in a garish green cloth; there were several counters and display cases showing various magical wares. Some items were glowing others were not, Wormy had already begun his inspection. Looking around I noticed the ceiling seemed to be a good twenty feet high, it was a nice sized room. Then I saw the merchant working the magic items shop.

      Now I understand, I muttered to myself.

      Those ceilings better be high, it was a mountain troll. Draped in a black robe, he was around twelve to fifteen feet tall with a huge head full of warts. His skin was the color of ash and the texture of hewn stone. The black robe he wore made his massive body seem like one huge blob.

      How do they control his mind? Wormy asked into my ear.

      Magic beyond our understanding, maybe Cast or Spell will know when we get back, I said.

      If we get back, Cannon said. We didn’t smile but we got the joke.

      Mountain trolls normally are wild and murderous with no speech, they enjoy anything made of meat, anything! To see one serving calmly as a merchant may rank as the most unusual thing I have ever seen in my life and I have seen some crazy shit over the last hundred years. I hope no goblin shaman has this type of magic able to control this troll or we all might be in trouble eventually.

      Gentlemen, he belched out. Please look around.

      We did, we were poking through everything we could…carefully. We talked amongst ourselves about the talking troll; there was a limited selection today, smaller than the last time. It wasn’t a total loss though; we found Cannon a new helm and wrist guards enchanted by the elves to never break, dent or rust. They fit him perfectly, like they were made for him. Yet another magical property of the metal they were made from.

      You gents heard the news? The huge troll merchant asked as we browsed. I really had never been this close to a mountain troll in decades, with their stench who wants to? I had forgotten just how big they are, their sheer size is overwhelming. Cannon was like a dwarf next to him.

      News of what? We’ve been traveling a bit lately, I replied calling upwards.

      I see, well Slice had us all move up here to prepare for the return and the wars to come from it, says we can make a lot of gold. Them’s the rumors anyway. Gods his breath was awful.

      What do you mean? Slice came here to aid the rebels against the king, nothing more! All three of us were quite interested in these rumors by now.

      Who’s return? Wormy asked quickly.

      What wars? You’re right, could be good for business, especially the outfit, Cannon added.

      Why The Abandoner of course, rumor has it he’s been sending messages to his wizards in the tower of the forgotten in the northern mountains. They say they has risen from the sealed tombs; he’s on his way to free them from the tower now. Guess they ain’t forgotten no more and guess he figures the lands been abandoned long enough. The troll about split his sides laughing at his own joke, filling the room with his death breath.

      Rumors, innuendo, let’s hope your wares are better than your gossip troll. I replied, trying to sound cool and unaffected by this news.

      The knight-captain would have told us about this if it were true…wouldn’t he? I questioned myself. I could see Wormy and Cannon asking themselves the same question.

      Let’s go find answers to the rumors, Cannon said, reading my mind. I’d like to know the direction the outfit is headed.

      Shame I couldn’t find anything this time, but at least Cannon found some nice enchanted armor. Wormy said, resigned to leaving empty handed.

      Let’s move, I said as we walked towards the door, I noticed it hadn’t opened yet.

      Thank you for the business gents, good luck in your travels. The troll rumbled and gave us a hideous grin.

      Enough for nightmares, I thought to myself.

      Cannon went to open the door and it didn’t budge. We looked back at the troll merchant, still flashing his nightmarish black toothed grin.

      Oh that’s right, I forgot, your travels end here! He bellowed like a rabid beast.

      The room went black and the laughter began.

      Using our mind tricks against us huh? Wormy said to no one in particular.

      We all popped flares formed a triangle back to back and drew weapons. Moments like this, past experience and training kicks in, muscle memory takes over. In the light of our flares we could see everything needed. If I remember correctly, Wormy has eyes similar to a cat anyway. They work better in the dark.

      The troll merchant had shed his robe, there were five goblins with him now, one of them happened to be shadow, of course.

      This is all for revenge against me? I asked myself, Damn!

      Screw you Dagger, why is it everywhere I go with you, people try to kill us? Wormy asked me. Every damn time.

      Just lucky I guess.

      Good, I love it. Stay lucky brother. He grinned.

      Man, Wormy was crazy, anything for a fight. Maybe it was the alcohol, nah it was Wormy. Cannon I could tell was nervous but ready, as he always was. I felt just a little bit sorry for the poor bastard who had to face Cannon one on one every time we fought.

      The goblins flanked us while the troll came straight forward slowly, almost arrogantly. Shadow came straight for me with his blade, I parried. Again he sliced, I blocked, moved two steps back. I could see Wormy and Cannon engaged with three others.

      Where’s the fourth? I wondered mentally as I rolled past Shadow’s swinging blade, using his force against him. I learned that in Aikido. I felt a tingle of a presence behind me,

      All but the fourth goblin accounted for, a voice in my head spoke to me without my conscious thought. I immediately reached, pulled and stabbed all in one motion, leaving the fourth goblin who had been seeking a cheap kill from behind while I fought with Shadow, disemboweled.

      The troll lifted his leg to crush Wormy, I screamed. Wormy looked up and rolled like a ball out of the way. It was the fastest roll I had ever seen. He had been fighting two goblins alone, just as he rolled clear that massive troll foot crushed the two goblins into the floor. Wormy cut the tendon of the troll’s foot after he planted it. Then he got the hell out of reach and sight. The troll became enraged with pain, beginning to holler furiously.

      Cannon was already done ripping the head off his lone goblin assailant with his bare hands; he now turned to the troll. There was a look on his face I hadn’t seen before, was it even still Cannon?

      Shadow saw me distracted and thought it was his opportunity for his revenge, finally. He thought wrong. As he stabbed at me profile going for my neck, more specifically my carotid artery, I leaned back allowing his blade to pass about an inch or two in front of my face. Thank you Kenjutsu lessons. Faster than the blink of an eye, I deposited a dagger under his armpit, and thank you Ninjutsu. The sword fell and so did his arm as he staggered back, clutching his wound, it was bleeding profusely. I made sure it was a death blow.

      That’s all for you Shadow. He collapsed, this all happened in a matter of seconds.

      Simultaneously as Wormy hid in the shadows after slicing the monstrous troll’s tendon Cannon faced him in the light. The light of the flares was enough to see, but there was no natural light to turn the troll to stone. The troll laughed down at Cannon standing before him. He lifted his massive tree trunk of a leg and brought it down to crush Cannon as he had done the two goblins. There was nothing Wormy or I could do, it happened too fast. Then something occurred that taught me another lesson about the uniqueness of my brothers and our outfit. Things you could not believe unless they are witnessed. Instead of the troll’s foot crushing Cannon, he caught it and held the troll in place until after a few moments of struggle, with a twist he ripped its entire leg right off at the hip.

      Who the hell is this person? I thought to myself, I mean, my Gods I knew Cannon was strong but this? What is this?

      After his leg was ripped off, the troll fell over, howling and bleeding to death. Cannon sped and finished the job by beating the troll to death with his own leg.

      Battles are strange. After the action comes the silence, Wormy and I glanced at each other then over at Cannon who was covered in black troll blood. We all stood amidst the corpses.

      What? I just sewed this robe…I couldn’t let it get squished now could I? Cannon bellowed to us in a higher octave than usual. We burst out laughing just as Slice burst into the room, elite guards in tow; minus a shadow of course.

      He surveyed the wreckage for a moment, without saying a word he motioned for us to follow him outside. What choice did we have? We did so. Slice began speaking immediately.

      I told that no good worm Shadow his lust for revenge against you would only bring him ruin Dagger. I had no idea he would be dense enough to try and kill you now in my camp! If he were alive, I’d kill him! I had no knowledge, truly I apologize. Slice sounded sincere, he was lying of course,

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