After a few moments of respite, several chain bolas come flying at Krankos. One hits and wraps around the tree trunk, causing Krankos to fall on its arse. "Nibbles, run!" Krankos commands as Nibbles climbs the tree.
Three dwarfs come out from the darkness, one of these is Hordor. "Now we have you Elmforge. There's no running, time to pay for your crimes against dwarf-kind."
"Isn't it dwarven-kind?" Krankos replies, keeping the dwarfs attention fully focused on itself while Nibbles gets to safety.
Hordor smirks, "Oh, I'm going to enjoy pulling you apart.” He draws his sword and approaches Krankos.
Nibbles sees the dwarf and, although Krankos wanted it to run, it couldn't just walk away and let Krankos be destroyed. Instead of running, Nibbles jumps from the tree and glides down, latching to Hordor's face and scratching it as the dwarf tries pulling it off.
The two dwarfs behind Hordor come running, one falls after taking a single step. Both Krankos and Nibbles recognise the dart sticking out of his neck. Another dart is flung towards the other dwarf who sidesteps, avoiding impact as Keetuk jumps down from one of the trees.
Seeing Nibbles now in danger, Krankos tries to break out of its chains. Although there is some movement the chains do not break.
Hordor finally pulls Nibbles off his face and throws the squirrel towards a tree. Seconds before impact, Nibbles disappears; Hordor see’s a flash of green in the corner of his eye. Unsure what this could be, he quickly flicks back from the Elmforge to Nibbles.
Krankos’s eyes are locked onto Hordor, rage building after seeing him harm Nibbles.
Behind Hordor, the other dwarf throws a bola at Keetuk in an attempt to stop her from jumping around. Keetuk dodges this with ease and fires another dart towards him, this time she does not miss as it sticks into his forehead.
Filled with rage, Krankos breaks free by the time Hordor turns back towards it. In a panic, Hordor runs at Krankos and swings his sword.
Krankos grabs the sword firmly mid-swing, "Don't."
It rises to its feet and pulls the sword from Hordor's hands, throwing it to the side, "Hurt."
Unsheathing its rapier, Krankos thrusts it’s sword through Hordor's skull, "Nibbles!"
As it pulls the sword back out, Nibbles reappears and runs back towards Krankos.
Krankos turns and sees the squirrel running back, it kneels down to allow it to climb up its shoulder, "Are you okay little friend? What were you thinking?" whilst gently rubbing its head.
Nibbles replies with a simple squeak.
Keetuk smiles, "Okay. So with the squirrel safe, what is the deal with these dwarfs? Are you friend or foe?"
"Well, they don't seem to like me very much. Not sure why."
"Then why do you travel with one?"
"Not all dwarfs are the same. Borkin has been a good friend."
Keetuk raises her eyes, "I see," with a tone of uncertainty, "I guess we best find him then."
Krankos nods as they retrace their steps to find Borkin.
"There is something I have been wondering. Why did you help us back on the road?" Krankos ponders aloud while walking through the forest together.
"I could sense something unusual from you both; I couldn't pass on the opportunity to find out what it is."
"Hmm, then why kill them? Couldn't you negotiate?"
"Yeah, because they looked like the negotiating type. Look, Krankos, being nice is great but sometimes you need to take action, even when you wish you don't have to."
They hear commotion up ahead. One voice particularly stands out, it is Curtmar, "Where is the Elmforge?!?"
"I have no fuckin' clue, probably scared it off!" Borkin replies.
"I will go ahead, the trees provide me with cover, stay here," Keetuk informs as she flies to the treetops.
Sounds of screaming echo through the forest. The shattering screams cause a bubbling sensation in the center of Krankos’s stomach. It cannot hold back and leave Borkin to suffer so creeps closer to assess what it can do. Unfortunately for Krankos everyone notices as soon as it gets close.
The archers draw their bows and soldiers ready to draw their weapons.
Curtmar chuckles, "Well, what have we here?" as the group moves to the side, letting Krankos through. Krankos can see about a dozen men on either side. At the front is Borkin on his knees, bloody and beaten, with Nadeer, Poltak and Curtmar. "Just who we have been waiting for!"
"Idiot," Keetuk whispers to herself high in the trees.
"Let Borkin go!" Krankos commands.
"Hey! I gave you a chance. You have no leverage here," Curtmar replies smugly. Krankos begins to walk forward as Curtmar takes his sword from his scabbard and puts it to Borkin's neck. "Nah-ah, hold up there, or I will end his life."
"What do you want?" Krankos asks.
"Initially it was just you, but apparently there is a Coori that occupies these woods. A Coori that not only killed members from our battalion but we believe is responsible for killing and stealing from several dwarfs."
Keetuk clutches her darts from the trees, few as they are now, holding back her anger from these accusations.
"Okay, get on with it, what do you want?" Krankos asks again.
"I want that Coori so it can pay for its crimes. And you, of course," Curtmar replies.
"Why do you think I can help with the Coori?"
"Please, we know you found it earlier... Using that squirrel you have there."
Krankos’s fists clench.
"You use your squirrel to find the Coori, come with us and Borkin-boo here gets to live. Deal?"
Krankos looks towards Nibbles who nods. Hesitantly, it replies, "Deal."
Curtmar's smile returns with full control of the situation, "Good," he says before releasing Borkin. Curtmar then adds, "Oh and don't try running, we will be right with you, ready to attack should we notice even the slightest mis-step.”
Krankos nods, grabbing Borkin as he stumbles forward, struggling to stand. Borkin uses the machine to prop himself up and steady himself, "I'm alright. I'll just stay by you."
"Lead the way," Curtmar commands, with a gesture to move onwards.
Krankos follows Nibbles’ direction as it did before with the dwarven battalion behind them.
After several miles of walking, the sun begins to fade. Nibbles leads the party deep into the forest. The trees are darker, soil wet and uneven. There are scratch marks on the trees nearby however they don't match the marks Krankos and Borkin saw earlier.
"Okay, how much further?" Curtmar asks, becoming impatient.
"Not sure. I'm just following Nibbles direction. Squirrels can't speak," Krankos replies.
In an attempt in intimidate the giant, Poltak interjects,"You best talk to us with some fucking respect Elmforge."
Krankos isn't phased as it stops and turns to the dwarf, looking down, "It probably isn't a good idea to try threaten an Elmforge. Don't ask stupid questions if you don't want obvious answers."
Poltak backs down; something Borkin never thought he would see.
The night sets in, “Okay, this is far enough!” Curtmar calls out.
Krankos stops and turns, “But we have yet to find the Coori.”
“Yes, well we only have so much food and water. I feel it is far wiser to turn back. We can always get supplies and return.”
“So Borkin is free?”
“Of course not. He will be free only once you have helped us capture this Coori. But never worry, he will be safe in the dungeons.”
“That’s not fair!” Krankos exclaims with a raised voice.
“Too bad. You had your chance Elmforge. Now follow.”
As Curtmar turns, growling echoes from around them in the deep dark forest.
"What is that?" Curtmar asks.
The growls get louder as red eyes appear around them.
"Where have you taken us Elmforge?!?" Curtmar bellows.
Krankos replies confidently, "I have no idea."
Borkin whispers to Krankos, "I recognise those growls... We should get out of here while we can."
Upon hearing this, Curtmar screams, "Why?! What are they?! Where have you led us?!?" Curtmar's voice getting louder while drawing his sword with the approaching danger.
From the darkness they emerge, a pack of mammoth-wolves, drooling at the mouth. The wolf in front of them is nine feet long with grey fur. The rest surrounding them are slightly smaller with thick black fur.
"Archers, form a circle and ready yourselves!" Nadeer commands her troops.
Curtmar shouts to his soldiers, "Get the Elmforge!"
From behind, Keetuk fires a smoke arrow from her one-handed crossbow in the middle of the party creating a cloud of smoke, obscuring the dwarfs vision. The wolves charge. Krankos grabs Borkin and throws him over its left shoulder with Nibbles on its right, hiding under the cape.
Krankos runs at the dwarfs behind them, avoiding Curtmar. A wolf lunges at Krankos as it passes but it is able to move out of the way. The wolf collides with one of Curtmar's men as Krankos keeps running.
On exiting the smoke, Krankos runs to the nearest tree. Keetuk jumps down, "Now follow me, I will take you to the nearest town through this forest."
Krankos accepts, "Okay, lead the way."
Borkin asks, "That's all well 'n' fuckin' good but can I please get down!"
"No. Carrying you will be much faster," Krankos replies as they begin running through the forest.
They hear the clanging sounds from behind them. The wolves' shrieking makes it clear Curtmar's men are in no danger, but this should slow them down.
Krankos and Keetuk run for miles before they emerge out of the woods. The road is clear, no dwarven soldiers in sight with the next town visible up ahead.
Krankos puts down Borkin, his facial expression most unpleasant. "What the fuck did ya do that for? May I remind ya we still don't have ma stuff!"
"Keetuk said she didn't have them and we have been stuck in the woods for days. You need to rest and eat.”
It is hard for Borkin to argue, after all, he didn't have any more rations and is wounded, "How can we trust that bitch?"
"Well, she has saved us... Twice"
"At least," Keetuk adds.
Borkin gives her a look of disgust.
Keetuk continues, "Look, I don't have your goods. You can choose not to trust me if you like but you aren't getting rid of me."
"Perhaps we should go to town, get some food and rest. We can look for your things in the morning," Krankos suggests.
Keetuk agrees, "And I will help however I can, no point going back into these woods while being hunted, besides, still have a lot to learn about what Nibbles really is."
"It's a squirrel... But aye, the food 'n' rest would be good. Guess escorting mi to Mount Lyke will have to wait then," Borkin concedes.
"That's true, I didn't feel I was a good escort anyway. I guess now I can be your Golden Retriever."
Keetuk's face scrunches in confusion, "Krankos, I don't think that means what you think it means..."
Borkin interjects, putting his hand on her arm, almost to hold back her words, "Trust mi. It's far better to leave it..."
The group then continues on the road to the next town, Effurd Hir.
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