The spear was being held by a strange creature. She looked faintly like a fifteen-year-old girl in well-worn travel clothes but smaller. Even Sal towered over her. Freckles were sprinkled all over her face and her orange hair matched the autumn leaves. There was something rodentlike about her features and teeth. Her ears were long and pointy, her hands were paws covered in fine fur, and there was a tail between her legs.

Sal moved fast and stepped between Cassio and the spear.

“I am Salvatore Torrini, head advisor of viscount Cassio de Rossi. Who you are currently pointing a spear at. A hanging offense in some parts of Garuccia, by the way.” Sal said and then showed her the letter: “Old Badger invited us.”

The strange girl lowered her spear.

“You came?”

“Really setting yourself up for a sex joke there, my dear, but… yeah. We’re here. You the lady who owes us a new window?”

“I’m not your dear or your lady.” The girl said and looked at Cassio: “Milord. I am Little Ant. Bravest warrior of the goblins.”

If Little Ant had called herself the smallest warrior of the goblins, Cassio might have believed her but instead of calling the girl out, he gave her a nod. He could see some of his younger self in Little Ant’s prickly pride.

“Then I am honored to meet you, Little Ant. Blessing of Garuccia upon you.” Cassio said.

A hint of a smile spread on Little Ant’s pouty lips and her tail started wagging.

“And blessing of the Quiet upon you.” Little Ant said and then pointed deeper into the woods with her spear: “Old Badger wants to speak with you.”

“Don’t I get a blessing?” Sal asked.

Little Ant only glared at him.

“You make too much noise.”

“Well… can’t argue with that. Blessing of the Wild upon you anyway.”

Little Ant’s eyes widened at the mention of the Wild.

“A human… worships the Wild?”

“What can I say? The first tenet of the Wild really spoke to me. Excess is the path to wisdom.” Sal said.

Little Ant stared at Sal with a mixture of annoyance and anger before turning her back.

“Follow me.”

When Little Ant started leading them into The Wyrding woods, Cassio couldn’t help but admire how silently Little Ant moved. A ghost would have made more noise. Cassio had always prided himself on being able to sneak up on game but next to Little Ant he felt clumsy and loud.

“Sal.” Cassio whispered.

“Yeah?” Sal whispered back.

“Do goblins have warriors?”

“This tribe doesn’t.”

A girl playing at being a warrior. This did not bode well. Another lord might have taken it as an insult that a child was sent to guide him.

They walked in silence but silence among strangers was oppressive and demanded to be filled. Little Ant broke first and began talking.

“I am sorry about your window, but Old Badger told me to deliver the message as fast as possible and then get back to The Wyrding.” Little Ant said.

“You could have used the mailbox. I really liked that window.” Sal said.

Little Ant glanced at Sal and then looked at Cassio.

“Does he always talk this much?”

“Wait till you see me drunk.” Sal said.

Little Ant rolled her eyes in silent contempt.

“I’m not sure why Old Badger wanted to ask for your help… or how she knew you would help us. We don’t usually involve with humans, but I guess that’s why she’s our wise woman.” Little Ant said.

Cassio glanced at Sal who had suddenly fallen quiet.

“Guess so.” Cassio said.

“We used to have a guardian deity. His Savage Highness. Prince of the Fox Clan. We sacrificed him meat and beer and in return he would keep us safe, but he disappeared. That’s what you get with skin-changers. Liars every one of them.” Little Ant said.

“Wow, tell us how you really feel.” Sal said.

“Sal.” Cassio said.

“No, no. Let the lady talk.”

“Still not your lady.” Little Ant said.

“Sal, be quiet for a moment.” Cassio said.

Mercifully, Sal held his tongue, and they could keep going. The further they went, the darker the forest became until he couldn’t see the sun through the branches. Even with the rifle on his back and the knife on his belt, he started feeling uneasy.

“Are we close?” Cassio asked.

“We’re almost there.” Little Ant responded.

“I don’t see anything.”

Little Ant smiled with a hint of pride.

“Goblins are very good at not being seen, milord.”

Cassio wasn’t sure when they had walked into the camp. All he could say that at one moment it hadn’t been there and the next it was. The tents were camouflaged so well he had to concentrate to see them and the goblins that surrounded them made as much sound as falling leaves when they moved. He hadn’t even smelled them. In preparation for their trip, Sal had told him that goblins lived as hunter-gatherers, moving all around The Wyrding between their different holy sites.

All the goblins in the camp had the wiry look of people who lived on their feet and knew how to survive off the land. Like Little Ant, they had long, pointy ears, tails, and furry paws. Some didn’t even bother with shoes. The soles of their feet were dark and hard like old roots.

“Grandmother, I have returned.” Little Ant said.

The goblins gave way to an old woman with salt and pepper hair. The fur in her paws and tail had turned completely white. Her face was deeply lined and her back slightly hunched but her steps were still light, and she looked fit. Despite all the wrinkles around her eyes, her gaze was clear. Little Ant bowed to the grandmother goblin who rewarded her with a smile.

“Welcome back, Little Ant.” The grandmother goblin said and embraced Little Ant before turning to look at her guests: “Lord Torrini. Lord viscount. Blessing of the Quiet upon you both.”

“Lord viscount and his servant.” Little Ant corrected her.

Sal smirked in response.

“Lord viscount and his partner in crime.” Sal said.

A smile deepened every line in the grandmother goblin’s face until she looked like an old apple.

“Is that so? I welcome you all the same. I am Old Badger and I thank you for coming. Why don’t we continue this in my tent?”