A Royal Gamble

[Gar]

Heeding Sahltie's advice, Gar ditched the wagon behind some brush and unhooked the horses. She gave one horse to Sahltie, while the other hobgoblin saddled up in front of her. "Your freedom is less than a day away and you have--more or less--come out unharmed," she told her two charges dryly as they rode the horses back to the road, "You've been treated better than you treat your own captives. Also, you'll be regaled as champions for completing the trial. I hope this will be enough incentive not to cross me again and go on your way once you're released."

The half-orc glanced sideways at Salhtie, trying to get a read on him, though she knew she was never any good at it. She could only judge people by their actions and deductive reasoning. Traveling into the hobgoblin capital with the two of them was going to be a very dangerous gamble. 

After hours of travel Gar finally saw the city in the distance. Soon they were riding their horses up to the main gate.

[Bay]

The massive city loomed in the distance as the sun rose. A wall of stone and iron encircled the intimidating towers within as siege weapons rested atop the fortified perimeter, manned by hundreds of grey and reddish skinned hobgoblins.

The fields outside the walls were filled with slaves of every race and age, working the grummy farms as the steady cracks of whips snapped at the air. Thousands could be seen planting and harvesting, all to feed the war machine within.

A large gate sat just before the dark swirling moat that bubbled with a foul odor.

A bored looking hobgoblin in leather armor with an insignia on his chest shifted his spear as he signaled Gar to stop.

"What be your business here half-orc?"

Above the gate, a dozen or so smaller green goblins giggled as they pointed their crossbows at Gar.

"Not seen a mixed blood in some time," one of them squealed, "What they taste like, I wonder."

[Gar]

Gar straightened her back and narrowed her eyes, attempting to make herself appear threatening. (12 intimidate) She glanced at Sahltie, then directly looked into the eyes of the hobgoblin gatekeeper. "My name is Gar. We have completed your trial," she answered, loud enough for all present to hear, as she raised her fist to show the ring she won from the dungeon, "We are here to request an audience with the king, our right as trial champions."

[Bay]

A cackle of giggles burst from above the gate.

"Hahaha, a champion! She's a champion boys and girls! All bow down to the champion!" The goblins creened in amusement.

"Pipe down maggots!" The guard barked.

He took a step closer to Gar and inspected the ring. His brows raised in recognition.

"You looking to enlist? Don't look to me like you're in the army. Folks don't just take the trials for fun."

[Gar]

Gar's stony expression did not falter as she listened to the jeers from the goblins, her eyes remaining locked on the guard. "It sounded like a worthy challenge," she answered simply, "And the treasure wasn't half bad, either." Her fists clenched over the reins and she could feel the hair on the back of her neck bristling.

[Bay]

The guard nodded and raised his spear. The gate began to open.

"Follow the main road and keep to yourself. You may be a champion, but you ain't a citizen. You ain't got no rights here. Announce yourself to the castle guards and they'll see 'bout letting you speak to the king."

Beyond the walls, the city was surprisingly organized. Districts were numbered and organized to maximize efficiency. Buildings were militant and intimidating. Screams of pain could be heard sporadically, but no local seemed to care.

Units of hobgoblins patrolled the streets, often accompanied with a bugbear or a small troop of normal green goblins. Crews of non-goblins were also seen, mostly doing menial work around the city. A lines of slaves were being led to what was obviously the main market.

[Gar]

The half-orc grunted and nodded in acknowledgement. She kept her eyes to the road and puffed herself up to deter any onlookers from trying anything (intimidate 17), riding her horse close to Sahltie. "Any advice?" she muttered lowly to the hobgoblin as they made their way up to the castle.

[Bay]

"Once we reach the gates, the guards will ask what your business is with the king. If you say you are seeking citizenship they'll probably believe you. Outsiders must prove their worth to join our armies and the trial of the burning goblin has been used in this way before."

Sahltie then pointed to the hobgoblin riding with Gar.

"I'd also kill D'ngon," Sahltie simply, "he's not under the life debt and he's a coward that licked your boots as soon as you spared him. He'll betray you if he can."

[Gar]

Gar looked down at the hobgoblin, D'ngon, that sat in front of her in the saddle. Being this close, it would be easy to break his neck or slit his throat in one stroke, but the idea did not sit well with her. "So, hobgoblin," she addressed him coldly, "Would you forget everything you've seen and heard in exchange for your life? I will allow you to dismount and scurry away right now if you agree to this." Gar glanced at Sahltie, throwing him a look that urged for the honor bound hobgoblin to watch D'ngon's face for any sign of falsehood.

[Bay]

D'ngon visibly shook as he cowered under Gar's gaze, "I'll slit me own mother's throat if you want mistress. I ain't got no ill will to you. You spared me!"

Sahltie spat in disgust.