A few chapters ago, Chapter 31 I believe, I made the comment that Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh were not the same card game. I have received some very hurtful e-mails lately that accuses me of insulting Yu-Gi-Oh players. If you have actually read the commentary at the top of the page, you'll notice that I have NOT ONCE made any insults or rude comments about Yu-Gi-Oh or those who play it. I was merely stating that the two games are different. Yes they are both card games, but they are not played the same way. As to the child whom I have spoken of, it was only feeble that he would try to use Magic cards as though they were Yu-Gi-Oh cards. It was the situation, NOT the player that I considered stupid! And I did try to explain to him that you can't take cards from one game and introduce them into another, it doesn't work that way. Although with some creativity I suppose you could at home or with friends, but not in a tournament setting, like FNM at which the occurrence took place in.

Case in point. I am NOT insulting those who play Yu-Gi-Oh, nor am I saying that Magic: The Gathering is a better game, because every person has their own preference to which game he or she likes better. So please stop sending me inappropriate E-mails demanding that I stop writing. As far as I know, I have not once made any comment that would be offensive.

Disclaimer: You want to know a secret? I don't own Magic: The Gathering. I only own the idea for this story and it's made up characters.

WARNING: You know what should go here.

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Chapter 35 – Goblin Counseling

Night was approaching just as Themis, Zyerne and Narkgul had crossed the threshold from mountain slope into forest lands. Owls began their calls, as wolves and coyotes howled at the rising moon. This place, though a forest, mirrored the image of children's nightmares. Thoughts of the boogieman and other classic childhood monsters crept into Themis' mind. Even though he believed such things were ridicules, his opinions changed as he now resided in a world were such creatures were commonplace. In fact, a goblin was one of his travel companions.

"Lord Themis, I believe now would be the time we settle down for the night."

"Narkgul agree."

The goblin said as he cradles his pet mouse in his green clawed hands.

"No like owls. They eat Nesbit if they see him."

He was careful not to crush Nesbit as he tried to hide his pet from any owls that might have been spying on them now. Themis agreed with both of them. Walking in the dark wouldn't get them anywhere, especially in a place like the one they were now in. During the day, trees can look so majestic, so ancient and full of life and wisdom, but in the shadows of nightfall, they tend to change to monstrous shapes to scare the mind.

"Alright. I'm not looking forward to going any further myself. We'll stop here."

Narkgul made a heavy sigh of relief. It's amazing how comical this individual can be without trying.

As they began to set up camp, Themis dared the night to find any sticks or twigs that haven fallen. He would not dare take a fresh limb from a tree just so he could use it for firewood. For all he knew, there were Elves nearby, and he was sure they would be offended if Themis had harmed a living tree. As he picked up a bundle, he wondered to himself. Since when did he think in such ways? The thoughts of Elves did not bother him before. But then again, the last Elf he spoke to was rather aggressive to him. Clearing his head, he returned to the camp sight.

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Unbeknownst to Themis were the pair of eyes that watched him and his companions from the darkness of the canopy. The Coretapper kept itself hidden, but it had to reveal itself to others once the Etched Oracle had given it new orders.

"You understand what I ask of you?"

The Oracle asked. The Coretapper nodded in full understanding.

"Good. Remember, tonight, nothing should befall them, but in the morning…"

The Coretapper nodded again, understanding its orders.

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The small fire shed its glow about them. Themis kept it small to lower the risk of it getting out of hand and burning the forest around them. The more he thought about it, the more comfortable he became in his surroundings. He was a city boy, born, and raised in the city suburbs. You would believe that such a person would have unsure feelings about camping out, but strangely for Themis, he felt more at home here, than anywhere else he's been.

I've been here for so long; this place is starting to grow on me. But I can't let that happen.

Why not?

Because then it will be that much harder to leave.

Then why leave at all?

Don't bring THAT up again.

His thoughts would have continued to argue, but luckily, Narkguls arrival distracted him, much to Themis' silent relief.

"Narkgul not mind reader, but can tell Themis thinking about stuff. Stuff that make Themis look worried."

Narkgul took a seat next to Themis while carefully cradling a sleeping Nesbit in the palm of his green hands.

"You want to talk?"

"No offense Narkgul, but I don't really think talking to you will help."

Narkgul shrugged.

"No one else to talk to. Zyerne asleep."

Themis noticed that. Zyerne had her back toward the fire, as she slept semi-curled nearby. The way the fires light shone upon her form made her look so majestic, yet at the same time, so frail and delicate. He glanced at Narkgul, who sat silently next to him, waiting for some kind of response. Themis wrestled with his inner demons. He had disliked goblins, but for some unseen reason, that prejudice didn't seem to apply to Narkgul at the moment. Perhaps Themis could talk to this creature.

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do."

Themis started

"I want to go home, but I am constantly asking myself why I should go home."

"Why Themis ask that? Aren't family waiting?"

"That's just it. I hate my family. My Father sees me as an outlet for his anger and the woman he married thinks I'm her personal slave."

The mere thought of them made Themis grind his teeth together and clutch his hands tightly. Narkgul witnessed Themis anger, and tried to divert it.

"You at least have family. Narkguls got killed when Dwarves attack home."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Not Themis' fault. You two were first to actually treat Narkgul like a living creature. Maybe they be friends. Narkgul guess he just lonely, so that why Narkgul stays."

"To be honest Narkgul, goblins and I don't get along very well."

"Why not?"

"That's a long story."

Themis sighed. He really didn't want to get into that right now, but the goblin was persistent if nothing else.

"Themis and Narkgul get along fine. Like now. We talk to each other, and we no fight. Narkgul don't understand why Themis no like goblin-kin."

Themis thought hard. He wanted to find the easiest way to explain himself so that the goblin would understand. Choosing his words with extreme care, Themis began his story.

"First of all, where I come from, there's this game…"

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The night held many things in its grasp, and Themis would glance in whatever direction the source of an unfamiliar sound would make. After he told his story to Narkgul, the little goblin retired for the night. It was amazing how calm Narkgul was when he learned that he is a game piece for Magic: The Gathering on Earth. Did the goblin understand? Or did he simply not care? Either way, Narkgul didn't seem to mind at all. Themis recalled the conversation, and Narkgul gave one comment that made Themis think back.

"You seem to be handling this much better than Zyerne has. Aren't you upset that in my home you're nothing but a piece to a game?"

Themis had asked. To which Narkgul replied.

"Why should I? Narkgul here now. And Themis no seem to mind, so why should Narkgul? If we are playthings on Earth, that no make us any less real. Just like you, Narkgul have skin, and bone and blood. So why worry?"

'Why worry? That is what he asked me. I'm not sure if I can really answer that.'

Themis, you don't seem to grasp the concept. Narkgul is much smarter than you think he is, but because he's a goblin, you blind yourself to that fact.

'Ok then. Why don't YOU tell me what he means, since you seem to know EVERYTHING that's best for me?'

Themis' mind argued sarcastically to it's other self.

It's quite simple. Why worry about an occurrence that is beyond your control? Narkgul can't change how Earth thinks about him, but also, he's not on Earth, so what he thinks about himself as a card doesn't bother him.

'That really doesn't make much sense to me.'

Now if Narkgul actually SAW the card that's suppose to be him, he may be upset, but he doesn't let his emotions get in the way. As he said. Why worry?

'Easy for him to say. He's not trying to go back.'

Yet he sticks with you. Just like Zyerne, even though she was hurt to realize that you are trying to go to a place where she couldn't exist. Do you think it is easy for her to be with you when you're trying to leave her behind?

'I've given her many chances to stop following me…'

Open your Goddamn eyes Themis! SHE LOVES YOU! And that's no simple love either. She's willing to face a broken heart just so she can be with you as long as possible. Are you so truly blind that you can't see that? Why do you think she kissed you back then?

'I thought it was her hormones. We WERE naked together remember?'

But you didn't seem to want her in return.

'I did, but I'm not a pervert. We may have had a lustful moment, but I didn't give in to my urges.'

Because you were scared.

'Damn right.'

You do realize you never needed to be?

'Look Themis, this has gone far enough. I'm tired of all your Yoda type wisdom and your entire New Age mumbo jumbo. You may be my Feelings, but I'm the Reason.'

Suite yourself Themis. But you do realize that your feelings have more power over you than you realize. You have Narkgul to thank for having you recognize that.

And the two voices in Themis' mind silenced, and for some unknown reason that he could not fathom, it bothered him.

TO BE CONTINUED

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A lot of thinking is going on in this chapter. Hope some of you weren't lost in the whole sha-bang. For those of you who have no idea what's going on, I'll tell you. The plot thickens.

Until Next Time

Theo