Darkness

-A Legend Fanfic-

Written by Gale

IV - Promises Broken

Mortal-folk were stupid. It was something that every goblin came to understand in life -- if they went on long enough not to meet some grisly end, that is. For Blix, this was no exception, and his full awareness of that fact stretched far longer than the memory of any lesser goblin could. He was reminded yet again of this great truth as he spurred his horse into action and tore after his prey.

The Baron's orders to the girl had been clear. She would bury her kin then return with no trouble along the way. The burial rite, though drawn out by both idiot mortal tradition and the weight of her mourning, went according to instructions. Finished without any setbacks.

And then she ran.

That stupid, thoughtless child broke her word at the last moment and fled.

Blix cursed his pride at insisting he handle this task by himself, but he would not have it disproven either. He spent a great deal of his life in the service of his Master, and through cunning and a kind of succinctness that he worked down to an art, he proved himself more than worthy as a great leader and soldier for the dark. All from his simple birth as a trickster.

All goblins by nature were the great gluttons. They thrived on excess; eating more than their fill, taking more than necessary, delighting in the basest of humors and actions. Stupidity was rampant and in their ignorance and glee for the misfortune of anyone but themselves, they were for the most part content. Or as content as anyone of that kind of background could be.

Of course, Blix was different. By sheer insistance he elevated himself to something more advanced. He was a better hunter than any pack animal and twice as deadly. Ever watchful, always listening, he drank in knowledge as opposed to ignoring or laughing at it. While his dialect still dripped with the riddle and song of his people, their one beauty, he was something else entirely. Among Goblins, he was the demon. He was the Prince whose title was promised by his master in form and mind.

And by failing to realize that, the girl risked more than her freedom by running from him. She risked her life.

It was knowing that her death would put the Baron off so that spared her for now. However, at this point, she was a danger to the both of them, as Blix felt sure that tardiness was something the Baron would overlook only once.

Those things in mind, he drew his bow only as a way of diversion. By firing off-target, he could drive her in the direction he needed to.

She fell for his bluff, and eventually she circled he back in the direction of the castle. That was hours off, but if he could have her run some of the distance, it would save more time than chasing her the other way.

Desperation eventually drove her into parts of the forest left unblazed, and he was forced to dismount. On foot, his confidence soared, eyes able to pick out tracks in the dark with more ease, and in spite of his armor and sword, he knew she was too tired to stay ahead of him for long.

She was in sight, now, scrambling along short of breath and a limp developing. Blix growled low under his breath as he forced himself into more brisk of a pace. Taking advantage of the extra space, he rounded off of the path she was making, cutting along with a wide curve until he was running alongside her. He kept his weapons holstered for now, allowing that there would be little use for them at this point, save to cause unwanted injury on both their parts.

A glance behind her told him that she still believed he pursued from the rear, and that realization drew a fast smirk across his grotesque face.

He steeled himself and leapt, coming out just ahead and illiciting a shrill cry from her as she twisted away from him and fell. She was not slow on any account, immediately clawing at the earth and greenery beneath her and breaking into a scramble again. He dove and grabbed at her, gloved fingers taking purchase on one of her ankles.

The sound of bone cracking against bone rang in the goblin's ears when she gave a kick at his skull with her free leg, but by some miracle he did not loose his hold. Another growl, and he yanked her closer to him, dragging her across mud and thorn in the process. That one strike on her part was apparrently her last resort. Once he got his bearings about him and looked down at her in the dark, all she could do was whimper and hold her arms up in some effort to protect her face.

"P-please, don't --"

He did not speak. Pleas for mercy were just part of the job at this point. While annoyed to no end, part of him did not blame her for trying to run.

They all did in the end, after all.

Ignoring any further entreaties from her, he found a hand and pulled her up. A dagger drawn on her throat stopped any further attempts at struggles, and he led her patiently back to the horse.

He would tell the Baron she went back on her word and tried to escape. Whatever punishment she garnered from that would be enough. For once in his life, Blix thought of little else but doing his job, at least in consideration of his Master's desires first and foremost.

A well-aimed shove mounted her, and he climbed up behind, placing a warning hand on her arm before taking the reigns.

It had been a long day and night. Despite his restless heart, some light repose would be welcome after this. More than welcome.

Author's Note: Apologies for the long wait, and sorry for the shortness as well. Now that I'm over this hurdle I can continue happily.