Preparations

Kace, Durz and Gyn found themselves kneeling before a throne made of bones that had been raised high in the center of a newly constructed room within the caverns. To the left and right of them were ten goblins in armour and carrying blades that seemed to be of better quality than anything he had seen on the others so far.

Upon the throne sat a larger than usual goblin. His body was covered in a barbaric suit of leather and iron red painted armour. A full plate helm with small horns sat beside the throne. Just behind it laying against the armrest was a large double headed axe. Currently upon the goblins head rested a crown of bone.

"King Shagrat. I have returned." Kace announced solemnly. Keeping his head bowed in respect.

"Haha, it's good to see yeh alive lad! Tell me, was your hunt fruitful at least?!" Shagrat replied as Vaskra stared at him from the side.

"Indeed it was your highness."

At this moment the atmosphere in the room was disturbed by a girlish squeal. Vaskra was pointing at him in disbelief.

"It... It can't be! That pressure coming from you! Don't tell me! You're a Captain already!" she screamed while trembling. "How? That should take years and that's only if your lucky!"

Shagrat, Durz, Gyn and the guards looked at him with a mix of admiration and horror. This was a real monster amongst them. Shagrat began laughing heartily while Vaskra looked as though she may faint.

"Well if that's the case lad then I'll have to make you a commander in this fight! Only the tribe leaders and Vaskra are at the captain rank you know. So with you we'll now have six commanders. Haha."

"Ah, that reminds. What rank are you sir?" Kace asked curiously.

"Oh! I'm just a single rank above yourself. I'm of the Lord rank. Be warned though, the same goes for Kharja. Do not underestimate him!"

Kace could not understand why Shagrat gave him this warning. After all hadn't he defeated Kharja before?

"Your Highness, he can't be much of a threat. I took him down when I had only just been born in these caverns." He said a little arrogantly.

"Don't be a fool lad! Tell me! Was Kharja wielding a weapon? Perhaps he was wearing his armour? Or maybe he didn't underestimate you and actually went all out from the start?" Shagrat announced making it very clear. "Don't get full of yourself after coming so far so fast. Overcoming a difference in level is completely different to overcoming one of ranks. If you meet him in battle you must do all you can to escape lad!"

Kace's heart skipped a beat. 'You mean? He could've killed me easily? What the fuck?'

"Sir, please tell me why Kharja did not use his full power!?"

"Lad, listen. Your victory in that fight was well won. Don't doubt that. It's just that, although I hate to say, Kharja is an Orc who is full of pride and honour. He would have seen it to be below himself to use all his strength on a mere newborn. However he won't make that mistake again. The only reason we had not noticed your growth was 'cause we simply weren't paying attention ya see? Vaskra always gauges others out of habit. It's something that Kharja and her have in common. He'll notice it right away lad, and that makes it dangerous fer yeh. You'll be a perfect chance fer him to stretch his muscles, that and he'll have a grudge to settle."

Kace felt his confidence shatter. Sure he had come out on top although barely in every fight so far but had any of them been clear victories? He had passed out during his fight with Kharja and Vaskra. The only reason he hadn't died there was because of the shamans choice. With the spider, well he had help and even lost some comrades. Then again with Hunters, he had not been able to take them all out. These thoughts circled in his mind making him gloomy. Yeah, that's right. How could he claim to have actually won anything so far. He was still so weak. He had been nothing but lucky.

"Anyway lad, we'll have to arrange for a squad to serve under yeh now." Shagrat began to say.

"Ehm, actually... about that." Interrupted Gyn, raising his hand. "I actually wouldn't mind the position?"

Shagrat, Durz and Vaskra stared at him incredulously. The Scavvies were already infamous for not wanting to join anyone else other than their leader. They just seemed to have no interest in the fight itself, only the chance to test out some of their contraptions. Needless to say they were not too keen on the idea of entrusting their friends life to any of those oddballs.

'Ah, this could be a chance to get a hold of some things to help me out!' Kace immediately thought upon hearing that.

"Well, looks like it's decided. I'll take Gyn as my second in command." He said while sounding confident in his choice.

"Look lad, are you sure your ok wi' that?" Shagrat had an apologetic look on his face as he replied.

"Yeah, I don't see a reason to decline."

"Well, if yer sure I wulnae say anythin' 'bout it."

"T-thank you, Your Highness!" Gyn replied.

"Ah one more thing Your Highness. I was wondering if we could have a chat about something. Gyn you stay here for this ok? Hey kid you should go get some rest or whatever for now. Don't worry the fighting won't start until tomorrow." Durz said.

Nodding in agreement Kace took his leave from the throne room. Gyn looked a bit reluctant but stayed behind. Kace did not think twice about this though as he wandered off to get some food. He was about to take a turn into the tunnel that would lead him there when he heard the sound of metal banging on metal again. 'Ah yeah, I need to see about some armour.' he thought as he followed the noise instead.

Taking a turn into the tunnel that lead to the new forge room he was surprised by what he saw. The room in question was quite large. The forge was a rather crude thing, but hey, they are goblins. What did you expect? There was a number of the little green devils carrying chunks of metal ore to what appeared to be a smelter. Others were banging away, working to make equipment from the newly formed metal.

"Oi! You! Who the Hell are you?!" a squat goblin with thick arms said as he waddled over carrying a hammer.

"Hm? Oh, I'm Kace. Was hoping to talk to someone about some armour for myself."

"Ah, custom order is it? Well it would be since your not normal size. But all regular troops are to be armed with the standard gear."

"Yeah, I don't need full armour. It would get in the way of my movements."

"A nimble fucker are you?" the goblin snorted discontentedly. "Hate you lot. You just wear it like an ornament. Armour is meant to be hit! It's not just there incase you happen to get hit. Let the fucker hit you then gut them I say. That's what real armour is all about!"

Kace immediately felt a headache coming on talking to this goblin. Who actually would just let themselves be beaten on purpose?

"Listen could you just measure up some shinguards and bracers for me? I promise I'm intending for them to get hit."

"Hmm, so you'll use them to deflect before gutting them? Now that! I can work with! C'mon over here." The Goblin said as he lead Kace over to a separated area. "Stand there and don't move! Stick your arms out."

Kace took his coat off and did as he was instructed. The Goblin never even batted an eye at his appearance. Completely focused on its job. Once it was done getting the measurements it needed it signalled him to put his coat back on.

"Right, they'll be done in a couple of hours. When you come back just ask for Duren. I'll see what I can do to balance thickness and weight for you. Off with you now."

Kace waved his farewell, excited that he was making some progress. 'I should get some food and rest now. After that I'll speak to Gyn and see if he'll let me in to the Scavvies workshop. There could be some useful things in there. He thought as he made his way to get some grub to fill his growling belly.

As he came into the cave for eating he halted in his tracks. His eyes went wide before he doubled over laughing. Little green cannonballs were flying through the air. Mouths wide open attempting to snatch a bite of the meat as it was cooking.

'Oh fuck me. I guess there really are consequences to everything you do.'