The Iron Teeth: A Goblin's Tale

A Tradesman’s Tools 10

The cloaked hobgoblin found himself in another bedroom that was a smaller version of Lupheras, and he wasnt alone. A blonde woman in a lacy red shift was standing not too far from the window. She was deathly pale and staring at him in horror.

Blacknail slowly looked up and met her gaze. Her only reaction was a slight shiver; she seemed too scared to move. He had absolutely no interest in this woman, and she obviously wasnt dangerous, so maybe he could just ignore her? The hobgoblin took one slow step forward.

Instantly, the blonde started screaming shrilly. The long high pitched sound ripped into Blacknails sensitive ears. He winced in pain, as a sharp ache developed in the back of his skull. Not only would the womans screams attract too much unwanted attention but it also was really annoying. He had to get her to stop.

Shut up! he yelled at her angrily.

She didnt stop, and Blacknail groaned. This called for desperate measures. The hobgoblin took a step forward and grabbed the woman. He then drew his knife and waved it in front of her face.

Quiet or Ill stab-ss you! he hissed in her ear.

Amazingly enough this actually caused her to scream louder, which Blacknail hadnt thought possible. This human was too stupid and annoying to live. Why wouldnt she just shut up!

The hobgoblin couldnt take the noise any longer; something had to be done. He sheathed his knife, tightened his grip on the woman, and then pulled. A second later the woman was flying out the window, and much to the hobgoblins relief the screams finally stopped.

There was a thud and a grunt of pain from outside. Blacknail giggled in satisfaction and amusement. It sounded like shed hit one of the men standing out there on the way down. Hopefully, it had been the crossbowman.

Blacknail knew he didnt have a lot of time, so he hurriedly dashed out of the room and into another hallway. Hed lost his pursuit for now, but probably not for much longer. He needed to find this Najget man and kill him quickly. Then, hopefully all his problems would go away.

However, before Blacknail could even figure out which way to go he heard footsteps quickly approaching from both directions. He was cut off; there was nowhere to run.

Cheese weevils, Blacknail swore viciously.

He really should have just run back to Herad, instead of going to see Luphera. She was nothing but trouble, and lots of it. Especially her long legs

Blacknail smacked himself along the side of his head to clear his thoughts. He couldnt think of anything else to do, so he dashed up to a random door and silently opened the door a crack. Maybe he could find somewhere to hide until everyone stopped looking for him, or maybe Najget would walk by so Blacknail could kill him. That would certainly simplify things.

The hobgoblin peeked through the door and into the room on the other side. The chamber wasnt empty; there were two women inside.

A scantily clad woman similar to the others Blacknail had run across was cowering behind a more muscular woman who was holding a sword. The swordswoman looked like shed dressed in a hurry; shed thrown on a jacket but wasnt wearing a shirt beneath it.

Both of them were focused on the door, one in fear and the other with determination. Blacknail didnt think it was a good idea to go in there, unless he wanted to get stabbed or screamed at again, so he hurriedly moved on to the next door.

The hobgoblin was unsurprised to discover that it led into another bedroom. This one was thankfully empty though, so Blacknail quickly slipped inside. Seconds later, he heard a large group of people stomp out into the hallway. Why did this place have so many beds? Did people come here just to sleep? That didnt make much sense to him.

Other than the large four post bed with white hanging curtains, there were several other pieces of furniture in the room. A large heavy clothes drawer stood against one wall, and a small side table had been placed beside the bed. There was also a closet and another window, but Blacknail didnt think it was a good idea to try and go back outside right now.

The sound of doors being opened and closed as men searched the nearby rooms, reminded the hobgoblin that he didnt have a lot of time. He couldnt see any better options so he rushed over to the closet and pulled the door open. He was tempted to try hiding under the bed, but that hadnt really worked out all that well for him last time.

It was small and cramped inside, but Blacknail dove inside and closed the closet door behind himself anyway. Most of the space was taken up by clothes that were hanging from a rod. The majority of the clothes were dresses, but there were a lot of smaller more frilly bits as well. There was also a large brown sack lying on the floor.

Blacknail opened the sack and found it full of dirty clothes that smelled strongly of human sweat. He frowned at them and then looked around the rest of closet. There were no good hiding spots in sight. With a disgusted sneer Blacknail reached up under his mask and pinched his nose shut, before climbing into the sack. It would hide him for a few more seconds anyway.

As soon as he was discovered Blacknail planned on jumping the closest human, and then making a dash for the window. Since so many men were now searching for him inside the house, there were probably fewer humans guarding the perimeter. The longer he hid the more likely it became that he could slip through the remaining guards and escape.

He was beginning to think that Luphera had tricked him, and that he hadnt imagined sensing some hostility from her after all. He wasnt sure why she would be angry at him though. Hed done nothing but help her out.

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Even if a man name Najget existed, she must have known that Blacknail wouldnt be able to get to him nearly as easily as shed said he would. If she had tricked him then she was going to regret it. He might have to flee for now, but someday soon when she least expected it hed be back to get his revenge.

The hobgoblin had already drawn his knife, but for now all he could do was wait, and hope the humans looking for him were even stupider than normal. The clothes inside the sack really smelled bad. What had the woman been doing when she wore them that had gotten them so smelly?

The hobgoblins thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the rooms door bursting open. Several sets of footsteps then rushed inside. Blacknail instantly went still and quieted his breathing. Hed been hoping there would be fewer of them; it would be difficult to get past so many.

I got the bed, you check the closet, someone said from the other side of the closet door.

There was a ruckus and more than a few thuds as the men tore the room apart looking for Blacknail. Then the floor boards creaked as someone approached the closet. There was another creaking noise as the door was pulled open, and a flood of light illuminated the closet. Blacknail could make it out even from inside the sack.

Anything in there? one of the men asked.

A lot of womans clothes, the man by the closet answered as he looked around.

Lets get going then; we got a lot of rooms to search, the other replied.

One second, I should check this sack, the first man said.

The mans shadow blocked the light as he reached towards the sack. From within his hiding spot Blacknail tightened his grip on his knife. The second the man looked in the sack he was going to get a knife in his eye, and an angry hobgoblin in his face.

You think the Faceless Assassin is hiding in a whores laundry sack? Hes probably on the other side of the building by now, the second man chuckled in amusement.

The first man paused. His hand was hovering only inches from Blacknail. The hobgoblins heart started pounding as he readied himself to attack.

Malthus told us to be thorough, and check everywhere, the closer man told his companion.

Fine whatever, just make it quick, you disgusting pervert, the other man replied dismissively.

The man began to reach towards the top of the sack again. Blacknail tensed and held his breath. If he could take the first human out before he could make any noise then he should be able to make his escape.

Stop! everyone who is not an employee is to leave the premises immediately. All house guards are to stop searching and escort them out, a familiar female voice suddenly commanded from out in the hallway.

Luphera projected her voice loud enough that it echoed through the hallway outside the room Blacknail was in, and through all the adjacent chambers as well.

Whats this? the man reaching towards Blacknails hiding spot said, as he froze again.

A second later he stepped back and away from the concealed hobgoblin. Blacknail was more than a little confused as well. What was Luphera doing? He hadnt killed the Najget person yet. Had she betrayed him, and come to finish Blacknail off herself?

What do you think youre doing? Stop interfering in my search! Malthus yelled back from another room.

There was then the sound of heavy footsteps as Malthus stomped out to confront the woman.

There is no more search, and your services are no longer required, Luphera answered disdainfully a few seconds later.

What? That hell begotten assassin is still running around this place! Theres no way Najget cancelled our contract now. Youre going to be in a lot of trouble when he finds out about this foolishness, woman the assassin told her.

What Najget wants also no longer matters to anyone but the gods; your men failed to protect him, and now hes dead, Luphera calmly explained.

Thats impossible! I had two of my best men guarding him, and Herads knifeman never went anywhere near them, Malthus replied with obvious shock.

Blacknail carefully nodded to himself. The annoying human assassin was right; he hadnt even seen anyone who looked anything like the man Luphera had described.

Nonetheless, all three of them are now dead. I dont know how he did it, but this faceless assassin has made you and your guild look like fools, again. I understand this isnt the first time hes sneaked right past you and killed a man under your protection, Luphera pointed out.

No, I refuse to believe that the bastard escaped me. He must have had an accomplice that struck at Najget while he distracted us. That means hes still here somewhere, and I intend to find him, Malthus replied angrily.

Blacknail definitely hadnt killed a group of three people. He would remember that. Had Herad sent backup, or had the humans perhaps done something stupid and killed themselves? Blacknail knew from experience that it was hard just keeping humans alive sometimes. Half of Herads band would be dead if he hadnt kept getting them out of trouble.

I know theres more than one assassin here, and thats the problem. Youre disturbing our business with all this violence, and its unacceptable. The only reason the assassin came here was to kill Najget because he allied himself with you, Luphera replied coldly.

We were just here to protect our employee; we can hardly be blamed for him having enemies. Thats why he hired us in the first place, Malthus responded scornfully.

Then why have so many of you Knifemen been coming and going? Im not blind. Youve been using this place as some sort of way station or hideout, and thats unacceptable. This is a brothel not a den of assassins, Luphera told him.

Well leave when weve captured the masked assassin, and not before. Well be doing you a favor by getting rid of him anyway, Malthus countered.

Im not an idiot. Now that Najget is dead, the other assassin will have no reason to stick around. He was smart and skilled enough to completely outplay you, so hes probably already long gone. If I let you stay until you find him, then youll never leave. I have no intention of letting you control me the way you did Najget Luphera argued.

Thats not my intention! I want that bastard's head. Hes here somewhere, and Im going to find him! the assassin growled with barely contained fury.

No, youre not. This is my business now, and Im telling you to leave! If you refuse then these gentlemen behind me and the many others like them throughout this building will forcibly remove you in the most unpleasant method possible, Luphera ordered the man.

We could offer you the same deal we gave your boss, Malthus pleaded.

Frankly, even if I required your services, and I dont, I doubt you could deliver on any promises you made. Your track record lately has been truly pathetic, the new mistress of the house told him dismissively.

Youll regret this, the furious sounding assassin hissed.

I doubt it. Now get the hell out of my brothel and dont come back, unless its to spend your coin on our services, Luphera commanded him coldly.

Muttering and the sound of footsteps filled the entire floor as all the searchers started giving up and leaving. Blacknail was relieved when the man closest to him walked away and shut the closet door. The closet grew dark again, and the hobgoblin took a second to scratch himself now that there was no one around to see. He was getting kind of hot and sweaty.

After a few minutes had passed the building around the hobgoblin grew quiet.

Go make sure theyve all left. I want some privacy, Luphera then announced from where she was standing out in the hall.

As you wish, a male voice replied before fading footsteps signaled his departure.

That means you can come out, Blacknail. Its just me here now, Luphera then said aloud.

That didnt actually make the hobgoblin feel safe, or like coming out

He was still more than a little confused as to what had just happened, but he knew hes been tricked. He should never have agreed to help her out. She was a lying liar.

I know youre there, and we have important things we need to discuss. I have a message for Herad that you need to deliver, the woman announced.

Blacknail sighed, and reluctantly pulled himself out of the bag. It didnt smell very good in there anyway, and he couldnt stay there forever.

He then stalked out of the closet and to the bedroom door. Silently, he peeked out into the hallway. Luphera was there, and she was alone. She also wasnt armed; hed been half expecting her to be carrying a loaded crossbow or something.

She was however wearing more clothes than Blacknail had ever seen her in before. A full length purple frock with golden embroidery covered her, and she also seemed to have a new air of authority to her.

The hobgoblin took a tentative step out into the hallway. Luphera turned towards the masked hobgoblin and smiled his way when she heard him approach.

There you are. For a second I thought you were avoiding me, Luphera joked.

Luphera was a little unsettling most the time, but now he thought he heard something weird in her voice. It made Blacknail uncomfortable, but he really wanted to know what was going on.

I didnt kill Najget yet-ss, but I was totally going to-ss, he told her, as he carefully walked over.

Luphera just smiled at him, and winked conspiratorially.

Nonsense, I have several guards that will swear they saw you do it. Im told it was very impressive too, she responded with a chuckle.

Blacknail had no idea why she was making that weird eye motion, but compared to some of the other things he didnt understand about Luphera he supposed it was nothing. The hobgoblin was also sure he would have remembered killing a man in purple with a mustache with two guards

Well, whatever. He would have killed the man if hed found him first, so it was kind of like hed done it anyway.

Im very good-ss at killing people, he bragged, which caused Luphera to smile.

So Ive heard, its also very impressive how you led that idiot Malthus on such a merry chase, and avoided him so effortlessly, she said appreciatively as she stepped closer to him.

Yes, Im very stealthy; even when Im right beside them people cant see me, Blacknail told her arrogantly.

It was even technically true sometimes, like when it was very dark or when he was hiding in a sack. All of a sudden Blacknail felt Lupheras hand on his shoulder. He flinched in surprise. When had she gotten so close?

Wait, he was doing it again! He was letting Lupheras words and smiles distract him. He had to focus.

You lied about-ss how easy the job would be. I think you tried to trick me. Why? Blacknail asked her suspiciously.

Lupheras grin broadened and took on a slightly sinister look. Blacknail instinctively took a step back away from her.

I owed you one, or it might be more accurate to say you owed me one. I know that it was you who killed Galive, and he wasnt the only one that died that night. There was a woman, and while I barely knew her, she was still one of mine, Luphera explained.

Blacknail frowned as he thought about her words. He did remember killing a woman who had been in bed with Galive. He hadnt really had a choice though; she would have messed everything up. Had she been of Lupheras tribe and not Galives? Human tribes sure were complicated.

Sorry-ss, I didnt know she was yours. She was going-ss to mess things up, Blacknail explained reluctantly.

Did this mean they were enemies now? The hobgoblin's left hand crept closer to the dagger he kept hidden in his coat, but Luphera didn't make any hostile moves.

Thats alright, you didn't know, and youve almost paid me back now. Theres just one more thing you can do for me, she told him as she walked closer.

Now Blacknail was very uncomfortable. He took another step backwards, but Luphera glided effortlessly after him. She was impressively nimble on her feet

Um right-ss, I need to go back to Herad you said you had-ss a message for her? Blacknail remarked nervously.

Running away to another woman, eh? How mean. Well, youre not going anywhere until I get a chance to properly thank you. Why dont you take your mask off and relax with me? Luphera asked him playfully, as she smiled knowingly.

I cant do that I was told-ss not to, because um... magic, the hobgoblin replied nervously.

The woman just smiled at his response though, and took his hand. Blacknail flinched.

I don't believe you. Could the real reason be because underneath of it youre not human? Dont worry a bit of green skin isnt going to scare me off. It sounds exciting, actually Luphera told him excitedly with a hungry smile.

Blacknails eyes went very wide. Hed been kind of hoping it would though and wait, she knew he was a hobgoblin. Hed been found out! How had she figured it out? He was a great pretender, and had acted exactly like a human at all times. Someone must have let the secret slip. It had probably been Khita, she practically never shut up.

Why are you so surprised? Knowing things is my business, or half of it anyway. I look forward to showing you the other half very shortly, Luphera explained flirtatiously.

Her closeness and the scent of her skin caused a shiver to work its way down the hobgoblins spine, and then come to rest below his gut. He smelled a lingering trace of the perfume from before on her clothes, and it began to do strange things to his head.