Baby Steps Are For Babies

My first combat test was on spike-throwing day. How could I forget? In the morning, instead of the obstacle course, they pulled us to a line of cages on the other side of the field. In each cage was a goblin.

Let me be clear, a goblin adult. Armored in mixes of leather and chain and plate, but fitted to each goblin. Before the cage, the goblin's weapons. Mine had a cleaver and and butcher knife. I'm not certain whether they were trying to be kind, or perhaps to test my knowledge of goblins.

Those who have read my earlier work know that goblins tend to be self centered and violent. This means that in addition to cooking skills, the cooks have enough combat skills to protect from small groups.

They might as well have given me a champion with an arming sword.

"Two throws, and then we open the cages." Bitaxes said. "Each goblin has been promised their freedom if they can kill you. Begin."