Wondrous goblin of magic

Chapter 4: The Unusual Goblin

Shanna, a fourteen-year-old villager, had only planned to join the local men on a simple supply run to town. No one had expected goblins to attack. But here she was, captured and dragged into their dark, stinking lair. Helplessly, she’d watched her companions be torn apart by the savage creatures, their brutality far worse than the rumors that had haunted her village. The mercenaries her community had scraped together every last coin to hire had supposedly wiped out these threats. Clearly, someone had made a serious miscalculation.

Now, it was Shanna’s turn. Her tear-streaked face paled as a sneering goblin brandished a dagger, its beady eyes gleaming with cruel intent. She tried to struggle, but the ropes bound her tightly.

Just then, another goblin stepped into the room. Smaller, leaner, and wearing—wait—human clothes? And was that... her wool blanket? Shanna’s stomach dropped. If one goblin was bad, what would two, or even three, do? She braced herself for the worst.

What happened next was so absurd, she almost laughed.

The smaller goblin was clearly in charge. A larger goblin trailed behind it, bowing with pitiful obedience. Shanna blinked. Was that groveling? Since when did goblins grovel?

Before she could process it, the goblin with the dagger went wild. With a manic cackle, it lunged for her, tearing at her clothes with disgusting frenzy. Fear exploded in Shanna’s chest, erasing any sliver of hope. She shut her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable.

WHAM!

A wet splat echoed in the room. Shanna opened her eyes to find the terrifying goblin reduced to a greenish smear on the wall, like an unfortunate bug on a cart wheel. She was free of her restraints, and it wasn’t some knight in shining armor who had saved her, but… the smaller goblin? What on earth was happening?

She stared, trying to make sense of her odd, unexpected rescuer. This goblin looked at her, not with hunger or malice, but with what could only be described as—sympathy? Admiration, even?

“Who… is this?” she whispered, hope and disbelief wrestling in her chest.

The small goblin, who was none other than Alex, turned to the larger goblin, which had already dropped to its knees in terror. “Get that clothing bundle,” Alex ordered, exasperation clear in his voice.

“Clothing bundle?” the big goblin stammered, looking baffled. Alex rolled his eyes with an expression that seemed almost human. Clearly, if he wanted something done right, he’d have to do it himself. He stepped forward to grab the clothes when he felt a small, trembling hand clutch his arm.

Shanna didn’t know why she’d reached for him—why her instinct had told her that this goblin was safe. But somehow, amidst the horror, he seemed like her only chance.

Alex paused, glancing down at the human girl. The way she clung to him said it all: she was putting her faith in him, against all logic and reason. Maybe she sensed he was different.

Hand in hand—an unlikely duo of a goblin and a girl—they stepped out of the chamber and into the heart of the goblin lair. The place was an unnerving chaos of low growls, glinting eyes, and an overwhelming stench. Shanna swallowed, her fear renewing as every pair of goblin eyes zeroed in on her, drool trickling from greedy mouths.

Some of the more daring goblins edged forward, sizing her up like a buffet.

“Back off!” Alex barked, his voice carrying a commanding edge. The hungry goblins immediately shrank back, remembering who had obliterated their would-be leader without breaking a sweat. Shanna clung tighter to Alex, her hand brushing against his rough, green skin, strangely reassured by his presence.

Alex led her to a stash of clothing he’d previously discovered. Shanna hastily threw on a coarse, oversized robe, grateful for even the rough fabric. Still, she didn’t let go of Alex. Her fear hadn’t vanished, but there was a flicker of hope now, an ember she clung to.

That night, Alex settled her on his stone “throne,” a crude seat he had accepted as his symbol of leadership, albeit begrudgingly. Exhausted, Shanna curled up beside him, her small frame trembling slightly before she fell into a fitful sleep. Anyone watching might have thought she looked like a lost child clinging to her protector—a bizarre, green-skinned guardian.

In the lair’s darkness, Alex felt his own gnawing hunger. The goblins' stored food was probably spoiled or worse, so he’d have to venture out to hunt. He started to rise, only to feel a half-asleep Shanna tighten her grip on his arm. “Please... don’t leave me,” she whispered, her voice frail and pleading.

Alex hesitated, her fear tugging at some part of his old human heart. “Alright,” he murmured softly. He decided he would take her with him. Better than leaving her defenseless in a nest of predators.

Together, they slipped out of the lair. The moon bathed the world in silvery light, highlighting the surreal scene of a goblin and a girl creeping through the wilderness side by side.

As they walked, Shanna’s curiosity began to outweigh her terror. “What… what’s your name?” she asked hesitantly, startled to hear him speak in human tongue.

The goblin looked at her, his voice rough, but managing, “Alex.”

“Alex,” she repeated, the name rolling off her tongue in a way that sounded oddly... comforting. And so, with cautious hope, Shanna followed her peculiar protector into the night, still clinging to the wild notion that he truly was different.