CHAPTER 11. WAITING FOR GUESTS

After Warden Appo had learned more about the Ant Power, he could hardly wait to test it. He took one of the pouches from the casket, bit it open, and drank the thick, slightly sweet liquid, which he had long since decided to call nectar. Within moments, the Warden felt his body filling with a strength unlike anything he had ever experienced before. It was as though the power of dozens of goblins had entered him.
Eager to test his newfound abilities at once, he ordered his five best warriors to be brought before him. As always, Lukdun carried out the order quickly and without a trace of emotion. Before long, five broad-shouldered goblins stood in the central square, armed with swords and shields.
The Warden ordered them to attack him as though he were their most hated enemy. But the warriors merely shifted from foot to foot and exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to raise their weapons. They knew perfectly well what punishment awaited anyone who attacked the Warden of a goblinum. And yet they had been ordered to fight for real.
Meanwhile, goblins began gathering in the square. Everyone wanted to know why Warden Appo had suddenly decided to fight several of his finest warriors at once.
Time passed, but the five goblins still did not move. Then the Warden repeated his order and warned them that disobedience would be severely punished. The poor warriors had no choice but to raise their swords.
At first they attacked cautiously. Then their fear faded, and the goblins began fighting with all their skill. To the amazement of the onlookers, the Warden effortlessly parried every attack and still found time to strike back. His crushing blows made shields crack and nearly shatter to pieces. Of course, he had no intention of killing his finest warriors, but neither did he intend to treat them too gently.
The crowd watched in utter bewilderment. On the face of Lukdun, who followed the duel closely, surprise and concern could be seen at the same time. He understood that not even the mightiest goblin could possess such strength.
So the Warden has gained some kind of extraordinary strength. Or perhaps it’s the magic of his Counselor — that cunning old man who keeps gaining more and more influence over him. If Torul truly is a sorcerer, then he’s probably capable not only of granting strength but of taking it away as well. I’d better be more careful around him, Lukdun thought.
Not far away stood Brakha. He had recently finished tending the riding rams and was watching the fight as well. Unlike the other spectators, Brakha immediately understood why the Warden was handling five warriors with such ease. For the first time, he was seeing with his own eyes what the Ant Power was capable of.
If only I could find out where the second key is. As for getting to the casket, I’d surely think of a way, kept running through his mind.
The moment he reached the square, he noticed that only one key hung around the Warden’s neck. It wasn’t hard to guess that the second key had already been hidden somewhere.
The duel did not last long. Warden Appo stood triumphantly over his defeated opponents. They lay around him, completely exhausted. Their shattered shields and broken swords were scattered like worthless junk. Dried blood stained parts of the warriors’ bodies, although the Warden had still tried to avoid inflicting dangerous wounds.
“You are worthy warriors,” he said to the goblins, who had only just managed to struggle back to their feet. “And very soon, great deeds await you.”
Then he raised his victorious sword high and shouted,
“Soon everyone will know our true strength!”
The square answered with a rumble of approval.
After that, the Warden headed back to his house and summoned Torul.
“You can probably guess what just happened in the square?” he asked once they were alone.
“Of course, Warden. At last I’ve seen what a goblin with the Ant Power is capable of. And I suspect you showed only a fraction of it. Otherwise, there would be dead warriors lying in the square instead of beaten ones.”
“That’s right, Torul. I didn’t use all my strength. Why would I kill my finest warriors when they’ll soon become the strongest warriors in our forest?”
“You are truly far-sighted, Warden. No goblin clan could defeat such an army. And what do you think of my plan? Are you ready to follow it?”
“The plan is good enough. At least I like the beginning of it. So we’ll soon be receiving some very distinguished guests.” The Warden smiled slyly. “The Wardens of every goblinum in our clan. I asked you to come so I could warn you about it. Do your best to make sure the Warden of your goblinum doesn’t see you. I don’t want any unnecessary commotion. Once he submits to me, though, you may step out of the shadows. I may even send you back to your native goblinum to keep order there. And perhaps you’ll even satisfy your thirst for revenge. I can see how your eyes light up every time that goblin is mentioned.”
“Oh, you are most generous, Warden. Thank you for such an opportunity. I will certainly make use of it, though I won’t be in any hurry. A defeated enemy is useful only while he’s alive. Let him serve you first. Once he becomes useless, I’ll settle my score with him. With your permission, of course.”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Or did you really think you could dispose of a goblinum Warden’s life so easily? That goblin will swear loyalty to me, not to you. And I alone will be the master of his fate. Of course, I’ll take your interest into account. But without my permission, you won’t do anything.”
Appo’s voice turned hard, as though it had been forged from iron.
“I understand. Without your permission, I won’t dare do anything,” Torul replied obediently.
“Good. Then you may go, unless, of course, you have something else to tell me. I have no important business left today, so I’m ready to hear you out.”
“I’m always happy to share my knowledge with you. What would you like to know?”
“A little while ago, you wanted to tell me something about humans. Go on then — surprise me.”
“With pleasure. I wanted to tell you about a legend that says goblins descended from humans. Long, long ago, a human tribe was driven from its homeland. To avoid perishing altogether, they fled into the mountains, where they languished in caves, constantly suffering from the raids of vile trolls. They lived under such dreadful conditions for so long that their appearance changed forever. That is how goblins came into being. Later, they were saved by the heavenly White Rider. Today, we call him the Supreme Rider,” the Counselor said with great enthusiasm, then waited eagerly for the Warden’s reaction.
The Warden merely smirked, making it clear what he thought of the story.
“I heard that legend long ago, and now you’ve brought it up again. So you’re saying we descended from humans?” the Warden asked with a smile.
“That isn’t what I’m saying. It’s what the legend says. Whether you believe it or not is for you to decide. But I think there may be some truth to it. We’re the only creatures in this forest who can speak. Humans can speak as well. Besides, we walk on two legs. Yes, I know trolls are bipedal too, but they cannot speak. So we have quite a lot in common with humans. Perhaps this legend isn’t a legend at all, but the memory of our distant ancestors. And I’m certain that somewhere there is a manuscript stating this outright. It’s probably gathering dust in some goblinum at this very moment. But I’ll find it,” Torul replied seriously.
“You see? You do believe it after all. I don’t. And I have no idea where goblins came from,” the Warden said firmly.
“What about the Supreme Rider? Every goblin reveres him. They believe it was he who gave them this forest and watched over them. But then the goblins began spreading evil throughout the forest. He grew angry and ascended back into the heavens,” the Counselor insisted.
“You’re right about that. Goblins do revere him and consider him their protector. Though I doubt he even exists. But if he really is up there…” The Warden raised a hand toward the sky. “…then he could have forgiven us by now. It’s been a very long time. Probably thousands of years.”
“He cannot forgive us. You’re forgetting the war the Bignoses started. And before that, the goblins may have committed other atrocities as well. They simply aren’t mentioned in the manuscripts.”
“If everything is as you say, then because of me the Supreme Rider’s wrath will only grow stronger. It may fall upon me — and upon our entire clan. After all, we’re about to start another war,” the Warden said, sounding slightly unsettled.
“Oh no, Warden. What you’re about to do cannot be called evil. You want to improve the lives of your goblins and of our entire clan. You’ve often said that we’ve been left with the poorest lands in all the Goblin Forest. And that is a great injustice that must be corrected. So why shouldn’t you do a good deed? Even if someone must be conquered, the ultimate goal remains a noble one.”
“The ultimate goal is power. But I have no intention of telling everyone that. Before you told me about the Ant Power, I intended to conquer only my own clan. Now I want far more power.”
“I’m certain you’ll become the finest ruler all the forest goblins. And perhaps not only for them,” the Counselor said mysteriously.
“You’re hinting at humans again?”
“Yes. I’d very much like to get to know them better. Many mysteries would finally be revealed.”
Torul’s eyes lit up once again.
“Perhaps they will. But right now, humans are of no concern to me.” As for the future… anything is possible. For now, there are more important matters to deal with. The first is meeting with the Wardens. I think we’re finished here for today. The sun will soon be disappearing behind the forest.”
“Of course, Warden. Then I’ll take my leave,” the Counselor said, turning toward the door.
He never made it outside.
The door swung open, and a goblin stepped into the room.
“Warden, three guests have arrived.”
“They’re here already?” Appo asked in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting them today. I wonder what kind of riding rams they travel on if they managed to reach us so quickly. Perhaps our Hermit brothers have bred unusually fast rams. I’ll have to ask them about that.”
He was still speaking thoughtfully to himself when the goblin added,
“They’re guests from the clan of the Bignoses. They wish to see the Warden of the goblinum.”
The news not only surprised Appo but also put him on guard. Torul grew uneasy as well.
At that moment, both the Counselor and the Warden found themselves asking the same question.
Could the Bignoses already know who took the Ant Power?
A tense silence settled over the room. After a while, it was broken by the Warden’s calm voice.
“If they wish to see me, then show them in. And you stay here, Torul.”
Appo had already decided how he would deal with the Bignoses if they had indeed come because of the Ant Power.