Chapter 18

Wyrtt stared up at the imposing white stone walls and shimmering spires of Silvertop Keep, the famous headquarters of the Trailblazer Society. As a young goblin alchemist, joining their prestigious ranks had always been his dream. Yet now that he stood before their towering gates, doubt crept in. Would they ever truly accept someone like him?

Squaring his narrow shoulders, Wyrtt strode up and banged the griffin-shaped knocker firmly, its echo resounding through the silence.

After an anxious wait, a helmeted guard glared down suspiciously through a sliding panel. "State your business, goblin!" he barked.

"Greetings! I'm Wurtt, an alchemist. I was invited to join the Trailblazers," Wyrtt declared, hoping the guard did not hear the quaver in his voice.

The guard scrutinized him dubiously before swinging the gates open. "We'll see about that. Follow the path, and don't stray!"

Intimidated but eager, Wyrtt followed the winding stone path through the immaculate gardens towards the keep's towering oak doors. This was his big chance to prove goblins could be heroes too, if given the opportunity.

After knocking smartly, Wurtt was greeted by a stern dwarven warrior wearing gleaming mail. "You're the goblin recruit? Hrmm. Magister Finn wishes to...evaluate you," he rumbled dubiously. "This way."

Wurtt trailed the dwarf down soaring corridors decorated with magnificent tapestries of heroic conquests. The opulence only heightened his anxiety as curious Trailblazers eyed his askance. Would they ever see him as more than just a goblin?

Finally, they entered a spacious study where a bald man in blue robes sat reading—presumably Magister Finn. His piercing gray eyes scrutinized Wurtt as he took a seat.

"Welcome, Wurtt. I understand you have certain skills to offer our group." His tone was polite but reserved.

"Yes sir! Alchemy, inventions, you name it!" Wurtt proclaimed it eagerly.

Finn smiled thinly. "Indeed. Let us start by assessing your alchemical prowess."

He presented Wurtt with various vials and ingredients. Driven by nervous excitement, Wurtt combined them into a clear solution. "This potion will safely render someone unconscious for an hour when ingested," he explained.

"Impressive..." Finn murmured as he inspected the draft. Next, he led Wurtt to a workshop and challenged him to construct something. Wurtt rapidly created a noise-making distraction device that produced whistles when activated.

Finn examined the gadget with grudging interest before fixing Wurtt with a piercing stare. "But tell me, of what use is a goblin among our ranks? Your kind are mistrusted by most."

Wurtt stood tall against the doubt. "I aim to prove not all goblins are raiders and thieves. We can be honorable allies. Given a chance, I believe I can change hearts and minds."

Finn stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well spoken, but it shall not be easy." He extended a hand. "Complete five trials successfully, and you shall have your chance."

Thrilled by even this provisional acceptance, Wurtt pumped Finn's hand eagerly. "Thank you, sir! Just say the word; I'm ready for anything!"

"Good. Report to Commander Alerich at dawn tomorrow. He will assess your abilities in the field," Finn instructed. "We will see what you are made of, but let it be known there will be guards posted, so don't try any funny business. It's not that we don't trust you, Wyrtt; we just don't believe that a goblin would be joining for good reasons."

"Yes, I agree; however, I don't find it to be all that fair that, because of my race, I have to jump through hoops to prove my worth. When other races who are proven to be just as evil can just join. Yes, Wyrtt, someday that will hopefully change with you leading the charge. Perhaps we will have a whole squad of goblins," Finn said. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful; I really am, but this is all I really want in life: to serve and help others. Why, just today, a farmer passed me in the rain and spat at me, saying I don't pick up goblins? Later, I saw him break down. Most would thumb their noses at them, but not me. I helped him. That is who I am.

That night, Wurtt tossed and turned anxiously in his modest quarters. He wanted nothing more than to prove himself, yet nagging doubts plagued him. Could he ever live up to the Trailblazers' heroic standards? Maybe he should just settle for being like other goblins...

No! He was meant for more than skulking and scavenging. This was his chance to show the world his true worth. Tomorrow, he would seize that opportunity with both hands.

At the crack of dawn, Wurtt stood ready at the gates in his modified leather armor, a satchel of alchemicals slung over one shoulder. Commander Alerich soon appeared, looking Wurtt up and down appraisingly.

"Right. Let's see if you can keep up, goblin," he challenged before striding off towards the forest.

They hiked for hours with few breaks over increasingly rough terrain. Wurtt scrambled to match the commander's punishing pace, refusing to show weakness. Just when he thought he couldn't take another step, Alerich called a halt by a rushing river.

"There's a nest of venomous stirges on the far bank," he declared, pointing across the frothing currents. "Extract three undamaged egg sacks and return here within one hour."

Wurtt's spirits sank at the formidable challenge, but he swallowed his doubts. This was the perfect chance to prove his ingenuity.

Donning a protective leather garb, he mixed a pungent herbal rub over himself to throw off the stirgers' sense of smell. Then he activated a clever noise-making gadget to draw the swarm away from their nest. Under this distraction, he crossed the river via improvised floatation devices and located three intact egg sacs. Hearing the angry buzzing stirges returning, he quickly retreated back across the river with seconds to spare.

Alerich raised one bushy eyebrow as he inspected the retrieved egg sacs. "Well, well. It seems you are full of surprises, young Wurtt. Few manage to complete that test."

Very good, Wyrtt. Four more challenges, and you will be allowed to join as a student in the Trailblazer society.