Chapter 1: The Odd Goblin (Part 2)

  As he was still considered a child he was forced to sleep in the common youth male tent. But that would all change today. Tonight he would turn eighteen and officially be an adult in the tribe’s eyes. He’d be able to have his own tent and finally have his own space. More importantly he would be able to join one of the tribal paths.

  Sadly, Stryg knew he wasn’t very strong compared to most of the goblins. He probably wouldn’t be able to join the hunters. Though he could still join the guards, he hoped. Or at least the cooking team. Everyone loved the cooks, and excluding the chieftain, the shaman, and the Mothers, they were the first to eat.

  However, there weren’t many cook positions and it required knowing how to skin and dismember animals quickly and thoroughly, a skill which Stryg wasn’t very confident in. He was really beginning to regret spending his time learning how to draw on the ground.

  Still, so long as he wasn’t placed in with the gatherers or builders he’d be fine. The girls never paid much attention to the builders and the gatherers always went missing in the forest, eaten by wolves, enemy tribes, dire bears, or honestly anything that was larger than a goblin, which was most things in the forest.

  After a few minutes, Stryg finally made his way to an empty patch of blue grass, at the edge of the village. With slow movements he began practicing the hand-to-hand techniques that the Mothers had taught him and the rest of his generation as children.

  Stryg began with a series of punches and transitioned into a few low kicks. After about half-an-hour his hands were resting on his knees and he was taking short breaths, gasping for air. He had practiced for years, but his stamina hadn’t improved much compared to the rest. The others could maintain their breath for over an hour of training and run for several more.

  Stryg wouldn’t complain, no one would care to listen, nor would it help him personally, well, maybe just a little. He knew he needed to get stronger if he ever had any hope of joining the hunters someday. They were one of the most respected of any tribal path, excluding the Mothers, and he was a male so he couldn’t join the Mothers anyway.

  The shaman, Crovor, had the most prestigious tribal path, even the chieftain and First Mother paid their respects to him. But, one needed to have the moon’s blessing of magic to ever become Crovor’s apprentice. Last Stryg checked, no one else in the tribe could summon fire. He could kiss the apprenticeship goodbye.

  All that was left for Stryg was to train more. He forced his arms and legs to go through the fighting motions once again. After another forty minutes he was forced to take a break, his body couldn’t keep going.

  The sun’s light was shining through the blood-red leaves now, breakfast would be starting any minute. He shuffled his tired muscles back to the village.

  As Stryg grew closer he saw the chief walk out of his tent, followed by two goblin women who the chief had personally taken a liking to.

  As the chief eyed him, Stryg made sure to bow deeply. The chieftain of the tribe was the greatest tribal path Stryg could aspire to. Not that Stryg thought he’d ever be strong enough to become chief, he probably wouldn’t even be able to join the hunters. Although, the chief had once been a hunter.

  Still, Stryg had to try to chase his dreams. Tonight would be a good display to everyone on why he could be a great hunter. Stryg nodded to himself and smiled, tonight was his chance to prove everyone that they were wrong about him.

  The chief gazed at the young goblin walking away.

  “Oh, it’s the weird little blue one, what’s his name again?” One of the women yawned as she sent the boy a dismissive glance.

  “His name is Stryg and he’s not that little, only an inch or two smaller than you,” the chief said.

  “Yeah, but he’s a male. He should be like, four feet, not three and a half,” she giggled.

  The chief sighed, “That boy trains harder than anyone in this tribe. He has the heart of a true goblin.”

  “Too bad he doesn’t have the body of one, not much of a fighter is he?” the other woman chimed in.

  The chief shook his head, “Tonight he becomes an adult. We’ll see how well he can fight then.”