While our poor players prepare for their next scenes, let me tell you a story lest you become fatigued from the wait till our players to next strut upon this stage.
It is entitled:
The Massacre at Ewloe
Every story needs a hero and ours is but a lowly foot soldier in the Dwarf Kings army.
Every story needs a villain, and for this I wish to present you -- The Dwarf King. In this measure no finer could be sought.
Now let us begin.
-----
King Mahanaga, sat on his throne pondering his problem. He was tall and thin, with dark hair and blonde highlights. His eyes were brown with blue flecks and he had that feral grace that is so common among the fae.
Rhodri, Mahanaga's captain of the guards, entered the room. He was unusually short and squat for a fae, but still taller than your average dwarf. Both dark eyed and dark haired. With a permanent scowl on his face.
"Rhodri, what am I to do about those that speak against me. They are like vermin. You kill one and two more take their place." Mahanaga slapped his fist into his palm in frustration.
"Sire, what you need is a focus for the people's hatred. Someone that you are protecting them from." Rhodri suggest to his King.
"But who?"
"Rebels are always a good choice. They massacre a village or two then the people will be begging you to protect them."
The King gave his Captain a calculated look. "But there has been no such attacks."
Rhodri smiled, "Let me change that, sire."
"Excellent, let me review you plans when you are prepared."
On the practice field, our hero, trained with his short sword with all the other new recruits. All able bodied males served in the army.
Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang.
At the sound of the supper bell, all the recruits sheathed their weapons and went to the meal tent. The best thing that could be said about being in the army was that you got regular meals.
Other were of the opinion that the worst thing about the army was that you regularly had to eat their meals.
Our hero wiped his forehead with a cloth and ran after his friends. "I'm glad to git that over with."
Rhodri strode into the throne room carrying several documents, which he laid out on a table.
King Mahanaga strode over to the table to look them over.
Rohdri pointed out a section of the map. "These are the Beaumaris Hills, which divide you land from those of the Brownie Kingdom." He stabs a certain point on the map near the hills. "This is the village of Ewloe."
The King nodded. "What makes this village more suitable than any other in the area?"
"Let me show you," Rhodri started pointing about areas of the map as he explained. "You can see that the lay of the land is such that the fields are hidden from the village."
"Yes, I see. The men will be in the field, where they can't know what is happening in the village."
"Exactly, they won't be able to interfere, nor will they know who acted. Only that someone has killed their families." Rhodri smiled with anticipation.
"Perfect, take whatever troops you need." King Mahanaga stalked over to his throne and waved Rhodri away as he contemplated the uproar over this 'rebel' attack.
Rhodri strode into the practice field and signaled for the attention of the men. "All right dwarfs, you know about the recent rebel strikes."
His men just look at each other and shrugging shoulders or shaking their heads. None of them had heard of any rebel activity.
One brave soul piped up "Um, what's happened, we ain't heard nuthing."
"What!" roared Rhodri, causing all the assembled troops to start to shiver, some even clutching a friend in fear. "You've not heard of the fearsome rebels that have terrorized and killed villagers,"
There was a collective gasp from his audience. They all came from a village somewhere.
"Villagers like your own good families. Do you want to make sure they are safe?"
Every dwarf was now was now nodding in agreement. One very bold dwarf even shouted out "Lets git those bastards!"
Rhodri smiled, he knew that these dwarfs were very green and could easily be swayed by emotions. He'd frightened them so much that they would do want he wanted them to do, because in their minds they would be 'keeping their families safe'. Good thing he had checked to make sure that none of these men and family in Ewloe.
Our hero stirred his porridge listlessly next to the makeshift tent that he shared with several others. They were camped a three hour march from Ewloe. They had arrived the previous night and would be attacking in a few hours.
One of our hero's tent mates nudged him in the ribs and asked, grinning. "Don'ts you like the food?"
"This makes the stuff we gots before look good." He puts down the bowl and just broods. He's never been in a battle before and from what Rhodri and told them on the four day march here, the rebels were blood thirsty and didn't care who they hurt.
Elgvia, a pretty dwarf with long dark hair and smiling eyes, served breakfast to her husband, Capall, and children. Capall like Elgvia was in his late twenties, but like most villagers had married young so they had been together for just shy of 15 years.
They had three children: Aldgyth who is their eldest child. She is about 14. The middle child is a boy --Owain who is about 3-4 years old. The youngest is the baby Cadell.
"What will you and the men git up to today?" Elgvia asked of Capall as she served him.
"We'll be tendin' the wheat, so don'ts expect us for lunch, best make me up one. You knows how far it is."
Owain, tugging on his father's tunic cried, "Daddy, Daddy, come toooo!"
Capall pulled his son on his lap so that he could look him in the eyes. "You need to git bigger, before you can work in the fields."
At Owain's pout, Capall bounced him on his knee a few moments before returning his to his place at the table and kissing him. "You looks after you Mom for me, promise?"
Owain broke out in a big smile, "Promise."
The troop of guards marched into the village about an hour after their menfolk had left for the fields.
Those that saw the guards approaching didn't think anything of it. If they King wanted to his men to march or patrol anywhere then it was his decision.
So when the advance guard attacked they were totally unprepared.
The advance guard were specially picked by Rhodri, he had very stiff regulations against those who seemed to like inflicting pain on others -- but he promoted them first.
The advance guard gathered up all the woman and children left in the village and none too gently put them under house arrest.
When everything was quiet, the main troop were signaled to march in.
Elgvia was terrified when the troops swarmed into their village, or at least it had seemed like it at the time. Looking out the window she would see that it was maybe only 10 in reality, but that was more than enough as she rubbed her shoulder where on the guards had grabbed her roughly and shoved her into her home.
She really couldn't see much as her house was furthest from the road, nearly in the woods, they were only a few feet away.
Elgvia began to nurse Cadell to keep him quiet. She didn't want to attract the guards attention. Owain and Aldgyth stayed close to her, Owain was clutching Elgvia's skirt for comfort while Aldgyth hugged him close.
Rhodri prepared his speech to the remain men. "All the rebels have been rounded up. All you need do is dispatch them and you all can go home heroes. It may be a hard thing at first but remember what these animals did to other villages. Just think about what how it could have been your families." Rhodri gave a long, hard glare at the assembled troops. "All right, dwarves, it is time to earn your keep."
All the troops drew their short swords and marched into the village. None were looking forward to the task at hand.
Rhodri was pointing out a house to each trooper. Our hero was at the very back so he was among the last to have a house chosen for him.
The Hero goes into a small hut to find Elgvia and her children, from a baby to a nearly grown girl.
He then goes out again and address Rhodri "Sir, I thinks you've made a mistake, there ain't no rebels in here."
Rhodri goes into the hut and points out Elgvia's son Owain "There the rebel is, now get on with it."
The Hero just stares after Rhodri as Owain is peeking around his mothers skirt as this is going on. The "rebel" can't be more than 3 or 4 years old.
He hears screams all around him, all high pitched, the screams of women and children.
He starts hacking up the table and sacks of flour, "Scream," he says through clenched teeth.
She catches on and screams, her children not understanding but following along.
"Lay down thar," he points with his short sword. They lay alongside the overturned and hacked table.
The hero leaves, Rhodri takes a quick look in and pats the hero on the back and says. "You've done a good job boy."
"I think I'm going to be sick."
Rhodri smiled and pushed him towards the woods just beyond the hut. "Don't worry, it becomes easier each time."
Our hero just nods but as soon as Rhodri walks away he runs into the trees behind the house and empties his stomach at the thought of all those that have been killed, and for no reason. There are no rebels here.
When he returns from the woods he sees that the soldiers are preparing to leave. There is nobody near the hut at this time.
Every so often a scream pierces the air. He can see Rhodri going slowly from hut to hut making sure that everyone his dead.
He watches as Rhodri enters a house a little ways from the one he stands behind. Shouting through the window, "Come outs this way!!"
Elgvia hands out Owain, Aldgyth climbed out next. She handed Cadell out to her daughter and then climbed out herself. They all ran out into woods. Elgvia carrying Cadell and our hero carrying Owain. He knew that he could run faster with the boy's weight than his sister Aldgyth could.
When they thought they were far enough away, they stopped to make their plan.
"Do you have a plan?" Elgvia asked breathlessly.
"No, but I knows something is very wrong. He ain't no rebel" he replied patting Owain on the back.
Elgvia thought for a moment. "I have a sister, Athelfreda, in Gwenhwyseg. That isn't that far from here. I know the way."
"Good then leads the way," he handed Owain over to Aldgyth, "I'll keeps an eye on the rear."
Rhodri had one more house to check before they could leave. He was really surprise at the little dwarf. He thought that this one would give him a lot more problems. You just can never tell.
He opened the door and walked in to check the bodies that he had glimpsed earlier, but they were gone!! That no good dwarf!!! He had tricked him. When I get my hands on him, he will rue the day he ever was born!!!.
But for the moment he had to hurry. Who knew what the dreg was up to. The men of the village could see them at any moment. And it was vital that they not be seen.
"Men, back to the castle. FORWARD MARCH!!!" he shouted and the troops marched (well stumbled or shuffled, any were looking rather ill about what had happened).
An hour later they arrived at Gwenhwyseg. Elgvia started to run out towards the villagers when she noticed that the hero wasn't following her. "Why don't you come. My sister and her husband will be very please to welcome you."
"I wants to make shur yer safe, but I needs to report this. The Captain of the Guard has gone to far and someone's got to stop him."
Elgvia kissed him on the cheek. "You will always be welcome in our home. Thank you." Then she and her children ran off towards the villagers who welcomed her happily until she told them what happened.
The Hero turned back into the woods as Aldgyth pointed him out to her aunt Athelfreda.
He made his way back to the castle as fast as he could. When he arrived he begged an audience with the King on a very urgent matter.
He was shown into the throne room and told to wait.
King Mahanaga appeared a few moments later. "What is so important that you *demand* to see me." he said as he lounged on his throne.
"Yer Majesty, I have horrible news about your Captain of the Guards. Hes sent us to kill rebels."
"Of course, I sent him on that mission." the king said dismissively. "What is so horrible about that?"
"We didn't find no rebels, only women and children. But he still had thems killed. I questioned him on it and he pointed out the rebels. But alls he pointed to was a bouts 3 year old child. That ain't no rebel."
"Yes, I see your point. Hmmm."
"Well, what's you gonna do about it." He was getting upset, the king seemed to be very unconcerned about the deaths.
"This," he motioned for a servant and spoke to him. "Send for Rhodri."
Rhodri entered only a moment later.
The King point to the hero. "He's all yours."
"But, But...." he screamed.
The King bent down to look him in the eye. "You should have listened. I told you *I sent him*." And started to chuckle at the hero's horrified expression as Rhodri dragged him out.
"You know I haven't tortured anyone to death in a looong time." Rhodri gloated has he pulled the resisting dwarf behind him.
Days later, in agony, he lay in a filthy dudgeon floor wishing he would die. Sometimes his traitorous mind would wish that he had killed the family like he was ordered to, but he knew in his heart that he had done the right thing.
He heard he cell door opening but didn't bother to move. It hurt too much, besides it was probably just the Captain come to finish him off.
He was wrapped in a blanket, he thought that it was a little odd, but the moment caused so much pain that he blacked out.
An unknown amount of time later, he awoke in a bed. A very soft bed. "I must be dead," he croaked through broken lips.
"No, but it was a near thing." and unknown voice said from off the side.
The hero tried to get up put a hand gently pushed him down.
"Rest, my friend." and he recognized Elgvia's voice. "This is Llywarch. He is a healer."
"Wha-a--at?"
"My brother, Gwynedd, works at the castle. I sent word to him of what happened and to give you our thanks. But he discovered that you were to be killed, he bribed a few of the guards -- I think that they were friends of yours -- to help smuggle you out of the castle and bring you here."
"You can't stay long at the Llanfair Pwll, I've sure they'll be checking every tavern and house in the kingdom for you soon." Another voice spoke to him, this must be Egvia's brother Gwyneed. "But Llywarch says that in a few hours you'll be ready to travel. I'll take you to the border of the Goblin King's lands. He might take you in. His goblins are very stupid so he often hires others to work for him, also he hates his brother."
"Ill wills be better soon?"
Llywarch responded, "You will never be completely recovered. You leg was very badly damaged. I'm afraid that you will always limp from now on."
He tried to chuckle but it hurt too much. "If that's the worst of it, then I counts myself lucky."
Several hours later he found himself in the Goblin King's lands. "I wants to take service with you!" He shouted knowing that he would be heard.
Suddenly out of nowhere a tall, thin, elegantly dress blonde fae appeared. "You were in my brother's army weren't you?" he more announced than asked.
"I, I rans away. I couldn't stand it. I want to work for you." He stammered, shifting his eyes from right to left.
The fae looked bored. "Then do so." Holding his fingers in a V-shape and pointing down.
He dropped, as best he could, to his knees. "I swear on my life to serve you faithfully for the rest of my life."
Leaning against a tree and not even have looked at him the whole time he threw a crystal at him and spoke. "You'll need to be armed to serve me." When he caught the crystal it turned into a sprayer. "I hope you know how to use it."
He just nodded.
"Good," he started to walk away but then turned around, "Oh yes, what is your name?"
"Hoggle, sire."
"Attend to your duties, Higgle." And with a wave of the fae's hand he found himself at the front gate.
"Well I best start. I wonder whats I'm spraying for?" Suddenly a fairy lit on his hand. "Well ain't you pretty."
The fairy bit his hand then flew off. Hoggle quickly swung his spraying at the fairy. "Hah, gots you!!"
It is entitled:
The Massacre at Ewloe
Every story needs a hero and ours is but a lowly foot soldier in the Dwarf Kings army.
Every story needs a villain, and for this I wish to present you -- The Dwarf King. In this measure no finer could be sought.
Now let us begin.
-----
King Mahanaga, sat on his throne pondering his problem. He was tall and thin, with dark hair and blonde highlights. His eyes were brown with blue flecks and he had that feral grace that is so common among the fae.
Rhodri, Mahanaga's captain of the guards, entered the room. He was unusually short and squat for a fae, but still taller than your average dwarf. Both dark eyed and dark haired. With a permanent scowl on his face.
"Rhodri, what am I to do about those that speak against me. They are like vermin. You kill one and two more take their place." Mahanaga slapped his fist into his palm in frustration.
"Sire, what you need is a focus for the people's hatred. Someone that you are protecting them from." Rhodri suggest to his King.
"But who?"
"Rebels are always a good choice. They massacre a village or two then the people will be begging you to protect them."
The King gave his Captain a calculated look. "But there has been no such attacks."
Rhodri smiled, "Let me change that, sire."
"Excellent, let me review you plans when you are prepared."
On the practice field, our hero, trained with his short sword with all the other new recruits. All able bodied males served in the army.
Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang.
At the sound of the supper bell, all the recruits sheathed their weapons and went to the meal tent. The best thing that could be said about being in the army was that you got regular meals.
Other were of the opinion that the worst thing about the army was that you regularly had to eat their meals.
Our hero wiped his forehead with a cloth and ran after his friends. "I'm glad to git that over with."
Rhodri strode into the throne room carrying several documents, which he laid out on a table.
King Mahanaga strode over to the table to look them over.
Rohdri pointed out a section of the map. "These are the Beaumaris Hills, which divide you land from those of the Brownie Kingdom." He stabs a certain point on the map near the hills. "This is the village of Ewloe."
The King nodded. "What makes this village more suitable than any other in the area?"
"Let me show you," Rhodri started pointing about areas of the map as he explained. "You can see that the lay of the land is such that the fields are hidden from the village."
"Yes, I see. The men will be in the field, where they can't know what is happening in the village."
"Exactly, they won't be able to interfere, nor will they know who acted. Only that someone has killed their families." Rhodri smiled with anticipation.
"Perfect, take whatever troops you need." King Mahanaga stalked over to his throne and waved Rhodri away as he contemplated the uproar over this 'rebel' attack.
Rhodri strode into the practice field and signaled for the attention of the men. "All right dwarfs, you know about the recent rebel strikes."
His men just look at each other and shrugging shoulders or shaking their heads. None of them had heard of any rebel activity.
One brave soul piped up "Um, what's happened, we ain't heard nuthing."
"What!" roared Rhodri, causing all the assembled troops to start to shiver, some even clutching a friend in fear. "You've not heard of the fearsome rebels that have terrorized and killed villagers,"
There was a collective gasp from his audience. They all came from a village somewhere.
"Villagers like your own good families. Do you want to make sure they are safe?"
Every dwarf was now was now nodding in agreement. One very bold dwarf even shouted out "Lets git those bastards!"
Rhodri smiled, he knew that these dwarfs were very green and could easily be swayed by emotions. He'd frightened them so much that they would do want he wanted them to do, because in their minds they would be 'keeping their families safe'. Good thing he had checked to make sure that none of these men and family in Ewloe.
Our hero stirred his porridge listlessly next to the makeshift tent that he shared with several others. They were camped a three hour march from Ewloe. They had arrived the previous night and would be attacking in a few hours.
One of our hero's tent mates nudged him in the ribs and asked, grinning. "Don'ts you like the food?"
"This makes the stuff we gots before look good." He puts down the bowl and just broods. He's never been in a battle before and from what Rhodri and told them on the four day march here, the rebels were blood thirsty and didn't care who they hurt.
Elgvia, a pretty dwarf with long dark hair and smiling eyes, served breakfast to her husband, Capall, and children. Capall like Elgvia was in his late twenties, but like most villagers had married young so they had been together for just shy of 15 years.
They had three children: Aldgyth who is their eldest child. She is about 14. The middle child is a boy --Owain who is about 3-4 years old. The youngest is the baby Cadell.
"What will you and the men git up to today?" Elgvia asked of Capall as she served him.
"We'll be tendin' the wheat, so don'ts expect us for lunch, best make me up one. You knows how far it is."
Owain, tugging on his father's tunic cried, "Daddy, Daddy, come toooo!"
Capall pulled his son on his lap so that he could look him in the eyes. "You need to git bigger, before you can work in the fields."
At Owain's pout, Capall bounced him on his knee a few moments before returning his to his place at the table and kissing him. "You looks after you Mom for me, promise?"
Owain broke out in a big smile, "Promise."
The troop of guards marched into the village about an hour after their menfolk had left for the fields.
Those that saw the guards approaching didn't think anything of it. If they King wanted to his men to march or patrol anywhere then it was his decision.
So when the advance guard attacked they were totally unprepared.
The advance guard were specially picked by Rhodri, he had very stiff regulations against those who seemed to like inflicting pain on others -- but he promoted them first.
The advance guard gathered up all the woman and children left in the village and none too gently put them under house arrest.
When everything was quiet, the main troop were signaled to march in.
Elgvia was terrified when the troops swarmed into their village, or at least it had seemed like it at the time. Looking out the window she would see that it was maybe only 10 in reality, but that was more than enough as she rubbed her shoulder where on the guards had grabbed her roughly and shoved her into her home.
She really couldn't see much as her house was furthest from the road, nearly in the woods, they were only a few feet away.
Elgvia began to nurse Cadell to keep him quiet. She didn't want to attract the guards attention. Owain and Aldgyth stayed close to her, Owain was clutching Elgvia's skirt for comfort while Aldgyth hugged him close.
Rhodri prepared his speech to the remain men. "All the rebels have been rounded up. All you need do is dispatch them and you all can go home heroes. It may be a hard thing at first but remember what these animals did to other villages. Just think about what how it could have been your families." Rhodri gave a long, hard glare at the assembled troops. "All right, dwarves, it is time to earn your keep."
All the troops drew their short swords and marched into the village. None were looking forward to the task at hand.
Rhodri was pointing out a house to each trooper. Our hero was at the very back so he was among the last to have a house chosen for him.
The Hero goes into a small hut to find Elgvia and her children, from a baby to a nearly grown girl.
He then goes out again and address Rhodri "Sir, I thinks you've made a mistake, there ain't no rebels in here."
Rhodri goes into the hut and points out Elgvia's son Owain "There the rebel is, now get on with it."
The Hero just stares after Rhodri as Owain is peeking around his mothers skirt as this is going on. The "rebel" can't be more than 3 or 4 years old.
He hears screams all around him, all high pitched, the screams of women and children.
He starts hacking up the table and sacks of flour, "Scream," he says through clenched teeth.
She catches on and screams, her children not understanding but following along.
"Lay down thar," he points with his short sword. They lay alongside the overturned and hacked table.
The hero leaves, Rhodri takes a quick look in and pats the hero on the back and says. "You've done a good job boy."
"I think I'm going to be sick."
Rhodri smiled and pushed him towards the woods just beyond the hut. "Don't worry, it becomes easier each time."
Our hero just nods but as soon as Rhodri walks away he runs into the trees behind the house and empties his stomach at the thought of all those that have been killed, and for no reason. There are no rebels here.
When he returns from the woods he sees that the soldiers are preparing to leave. There is nobody near the hut at this time.
Every so often a scream pierces the air. He can see Rhodri going slowly from hut to hut making sure that everyone his dead.
He watches as Rhodri enters a house a little ways from the one he stands behind. Shouting through the window, "Come outs this way!!"
Elgvia hands out Owain, Aldgyth climbed out next. She handed Cadell out to her daughter and then climbed out herself. They all ran out into woods. Elgvia carrying Cadell and our hero carrying Owain. He knew that he could run faster with the boy's weight than his sister Aldgyth could.
When they thought they were far enough away, they stopped to make their plan.
"Do you have a plan?" Elgvia asked breathlessly.
"No, but I knows something is very wrong. He ain't no rebel" he replied patting Owain on the back.
Elgvia thought for a moment. "I have a sister, Athelfreda, in Gwenhwyseg. That isn't that far from here. I know the way."
"Good then leads the way," he handed Owain over to Aldgyth, "I'll keeps an eye on the rear."
Rhodri had one more house to check before they could leave. He was really surprise at the little dwarf. He thought that this one would give him a lot more problems. You just can never tell.
He opened the door and walked in to check the bodies that he had glimpsed earlier, but they were gone!! That no good dwarf!!! He had tricked him. When I get my hands on him, he will rue the day he ever was born!!!.
But for the moment he had to hurry. Who knew what the dreg was up to. The men of the village could see them at any moment. And it was vital that they not be seen.
"Men, back to the castle. FORWARD MARCH!!!" he shouted and the troops marched (well stumbled or shuffled, any were looking rather ill about what had happened).
An hour later they arrived at Gwenhwyseg. Elgvia started to run out towards the villagers when she noticed that the hero wasn't following her. "Why don't you come. My sister and her husband will be very please to welcome you."
"I wants to make shur yer safe, but I needs to report this. The Captain of the Guard has gone to far and someone's got to stop him."
Elgvia kissed him on the cheek. "You will always be welcome in our home. Thank you." Then she and her children ran off towards the villagers who welcomed her happily until she told them what happened.
The Hero turned back into the woods as Aldgyth pointed him out to her aunt Athelfreda.
He made his way back to the castle as fast as he could. When he arrived he begged an audience with the King on a very urgent matter.
He was shown into the throne room and told to wait.
King Mahanaga appeared a few moments later. "What is so important that you *demand* to see me." he said as he lounged on his throne.
"Yer Majesty, I have horrible news about your Captain of the Guards. Hes sent us to kill rebels."
"Of course, I sent him on that mission." the king said dismissively. "What is so horrible about that?"
"We didn't find no rebels, only women and children. But he still had thems killed. I questioned him on it and he pointed out the rebels. But alls he pointed to was a bouts 3 year old child. That ain't no rebel."
"Yes, I see your point. Hmmm."
"Well, what's you gonna do about it." He was getting upset, the king seemed to be very unconcerned about the deaths.
"This," he motioned for a servant and spoke to him. "Send for Rhodri."
Rhodri entered only a moment later.
The King point to the hero. "He's all yours."
"But, But...." he screamed.
The King bent down to look him in the eye. "You should have listened. I told you *I sent him*." And started to chuckle at the hero's horrified expression as Rhodri dragged him out.
"You know I haven't tortured anyone to death in a looong time." Rhodri gloated has he pulled the resisting dwarf behind him.
Days later, in agony, he lay in a filthy dudgeon floor wishing he would die. Sometimes his traitorous mind would wish that he had killed the family like he was ordered to, but he knew in his heart that he had done the right thing.
He heard he cell door opening but didn't bother to move. It hurt too much, besides it was probably just the Captain come to finish him off.
He was wrapped in a blanket, he thought that it was a little odd, but the moment caused so much pain that he blacked out.
An unknown amount of time later, he awoke in a bed. A very soft bed. "I must be dead," he croaked through broken lips.
"No, but it was a near thing." and unknown voice said from off the side.
The hero tried to get up put a hand gently pushed him down.
"Rest, my friend." and he recognized Elgvia's voice. "This is Llywarch. He is a healer."
"Wha-a--at?"
"My brother, Gwynedd, works at the castle. I sent word to him of what happened and to give you our thanks. But he discovered that you were to be killed, he bribed a few of the guards -- I think that they were friends of yours -- to help smuggle you out of the castle and bring you here."
"You can't stay long at the Llanfair Pwll, I've sure they'll be checking every tavern and house in the kingdom for you soon." Another voice spoke to him, this must be Egvia's brother Gwyneed. "But Llywarch says that in a few hours you'll be ready to travel. I'll take you to the border of the Goblin King's lands. He might take you in. His goblins are very stupid so he often hires others to work for him, also he hates his brother."
"Ill wills be better soon?"
Llywarch responded, "You will never be completely recovered. You leg was very badly damaged. I'm afraid that you will always limp from now on."
He tried to chuckle but it hurt too much. "If that's the worst of it, then I counts myself lucky."
Several hours later he found himself in the Goblin King's lands. "I wants to take service with you!" He shouted knowing that he would be heard.
Suddenly out of nowhere a tall, thin, elegantly dress blonde fae appeared. "You were in my brother's army weren't you?" he more announced than asked.
"I, I rans away. I couldn't stand it. I want to work for you." He stammered, shifting his eyes from right to left.
The fae looked bored. "Then do so." Holding his fingers in a V-shape and pointing down.
He dropped, as best he could, to his knees. "I swear on my life to serve you faithfully for the rest of my life."
Leaning against a tree and not even have looked at him the whole time he threw a crystal at him and spoke. "You'll need to be armed to serve me." When he caught the crystal it turned into a sprayer. "I hope you know how to use it."
He just nodded.
"Good," he started to walk away but then turned around, "Oh yes, what is your name?"
"Hoggle, sire."
"Attend to your duties, Higgle." And with a wave of the fae's hand he found himself at the front gate.
"Well I best start. I wonder whats I'm spraying for?" Suddenly a fairy lit on his hand. "Well ain't you pretty."
The fairy bit his hand then flew off. Hoggle quickly swung his spraying at the fairy. "Hah, gots you!!"