Reflection

At a slow pace, I meandered back to my tent before falling deep into the ramshackle bed that had been laid out for me. 

Reflecting on the mission left me with a variety of questions. 

The first of which was why both the parties already embroiled in war put so much value on this artefact. For the goblin king to send one of his two children let alone being one of the only two characteristic bearers in their tribe seemed strange in such a situation. 

What power lay unclaimed so close to our territory which warranted such grand movements? 

The second major question was why I was sent. With no experience in sanctuaries, why would the king send me and not Lorath? If this artefact was so powerful and important then why send an unexperienced rookie while leaving the wise and experienced wizard behind?

Lorath was clearly an important cog in the war machine but with an easy battle ahead of them and most likely a long string of smaller skirmishes before another large battle there would be no need to keep him here. With his experience, he would surely be able to collect the artefact and get back before another grand battle was upon us. And in the meantime, I would be able to pick up the slack. 

This question however answered itself. There is another reason that I was chosen. 

The most obvious answer would be that the king intends to strengthen one of his stronger pawns prior to the larger battles ahead. 

Most definitely plausible but that relied on something all rats knew never to depend on. Trust. 

He would be placing his trust solely in the king. Trust that he has not lied and that my life does have some importance placed upon it. 

I am yet to see the full power of either the king or Lorath himself. Let alone any other surprises they kept hidden. 

The haunting visage of the creature that lay waste to the goblin army still weighed heavy on my mind. 

Who's to say I am needed to win this war? Assuming that the goblin king and the rat king are of equal strength. The only two pieces remaining are Skulk and this princess. I would be stupid to believe that Lorath would be weaker than the lanky goblin prince. Especially one with one less eye.

So all that leaves is the princess. From the king's words, she seems no stronger than myself. Judging by the fact that he expects me to kill her upon contact. 

In addition to the captains of the clans and any other monstrosities still held secret it seems we outnumber the other side almost 4 - 1 in terms of heavy hitters. So why do we wait so long between each battle and elongate this conflict? 

A swift decisive few attacks would leave the goblins at our complete mercy. 

There had to be a reason. Lorath is no moron.

My mind fixated on the problem eventually pulling out some sort of reasoning.

There must be some sort of third party involved. Something that is somewhat held at bay by the presence of the two kingdoms. Most likely by the continued living of both kings. The kings are prolonging this conflict so both remain alive for as long as possible. 

This would explain the reluctance of Lorath to leave to search for the artefact. He worries that in his leave this third part would pick up the courage to launch a large-scale attack. With him away it would weaken the rats significantly. 

The reason for the frantic scramble to find said artefact and the seemingly over-willingness to nurture new characteristic wielders must be to hold this third part at bay for when the conflict does end. both sides are searching for a replacement for one another's power. 

Laying back into my bed it pulsated my fingers gently against my temples. I see what Itch was trying so hard to protect me from before. The political conflicts. Prior to awakening, I was a mere pawn, something easily disposable but also something easily lost. 

I could run away at any point. My shackles were purely theoretical. Neither the goblins nor the rats would have a reason to chase some rouge rat or small group of rats. And I'm sure this third party had no reason to either. 

However, this has changed. The rat king can chase me down and track me through our shared characteristics. I have created enemies within the goblins that would search the ends of the world to kill me. And I doubt this third part would leave a rat with a devour characteristic just wandering. 

I have been foolish up to this point. Wandered through life at the behest of others. Attacked when I was told to, ran away at command and lived according to their rules.

I can no longer think of myself as a pawn for the king. My life may no longer lay in my own hands however my will is still free. 

This expedition can be used to sway the power dynamic. The kings and Lorath are stuck in place. Only three pieces on the board can be played. Myself, Skulk and this princess. Adding one or two in for this third party as well would leave 5. 

The third-party could send no more than a few before risking a joint attack from both kingdoms. Therefore 5 seemed relatively accurate enough. 

I could reevaluate my freedom. As the only movable piece for the rats, the king would be unlikely to kill me upon minor insubordination. However, that is only to be tested if needs be. 

The power to devour one's free will does not seem too outlandish for our characteristics. 

That left two options leading forward. 

Run or hunt for this artefact. 

Running would be the worst of all. Chances are the second I leave this third party hunts me down and ends me. Without the collaboration or protection of the king, I would be a sitting duck. 

Therefore that left artefact hunting. I would retrieve this artefact. However not for the king or for Lorath. I would take it at my own behest. I do not have the power yet to escape being a piece on the board. However, I do have enough will to control my movement across it.