Read Vampire Lanterns :: Goblins

The ridge of the hill was rocky and covered by dark ashes, which came from the volcanos. It wasn't as bad as in the northern part of the country, where Demyan's castle was situated, but still, it even reached this far.
Adrik leaned more in and waved his left hand in front of his eyes, they began to glow icy blue. It was an easy spell, which worked like a telescope. Demyan's curiosity brought him almost into Adrik's face. "What is it?"
Adrik pushed him and without looking at Demyan, still focusing his gaze on the sight in the distance, he waved his palm in front of Demyna's face. His eyes also began to glow and he saw far into the distance. He was impressed. "I never knew, what kind of powers you demons possess."
Adrik chuckled. "Well, this is my special secret spell." Suspecting, Demyan glanced at Adrik, with the spell making his head huge. He looked rather back at the Goblins. "I am happy I signed a peace contract with you. I am not sure if I ever will be strong enough to fight you." Adrik sighed. "You don't know that, but you are worthy already."
These unexpected words caught Demyan by surprise. "So what do you think about those Goblins, down there?" Adrik scanned the goblin soldiers. "What the hell?! Do you see that?" Adrik pointed at the far left. "Isn't that the sheltered Goblin Prince Viridi? The Goblin King never lets his son go to war. Does that mean, he found him a bride and has already an offspring?" Demyan searched for the spot Adrik was showing him. "So those rumors are true?"
Adrik's eyes stopped glowing and looked at Demyan.
"Those are not rumors. The old King was for a long time sick, because of a war wound, which tells me, you had something to do with that." Demyan closed his eyes and shook off the glow. "You are not wrong. We fought and I almost slashed him in half and made him into two uglier ones.
An orc unfortunately jumped in and saved him. He managed to survive and I am not sure how, but that old bastard is tough. I admire him for that one." Demyan ready to fight took out his sword with a smirk. "Well, should I test out his son now?"
Horns began to blow in the distance and the Goblins started to retreat. Both Adrik and Demyan stopped to talk for a bit and both were watching them leaving. "That's odd, don't you think? They intruded into your territory and suddenly left, without a fight or anything. This might mean something or nothing. What do you think?"
Demyan hid his sword disappointed. "Maybe they were just probing the territory and might start a fight later, but for today... No fun for me! I hoped to beat out my frustration a little, but oh, well." Adrik teased him a little. "You have changed a lot and you are indeed cold-blooded." Demyan shot him a glare and then flew home.
Adrik just watched him with a slight smile. He was right, Demyan became different after meeting Petrona. He looks more alive now. Despite the hiccup with the furniture, Demyan managed to put himself back together in no time.

At the castle, Demyan reported to his father about the border disruption by Goblins. The King was suspiciously demanding to know, why he was there. Demyan on one knee, with his arm across his chest and staring to the ground explained himself with a little white lie.
"I am the crown Prince and it is my duty to routinely check my own territory if I am not wrong." Sava dismissed him with a hand wave followed by a heavy sigh. He wanted to catch him admitting to escape from Livia, but Demyan was too cunning. Demyan stood up, didn't even glance at him, turned on his heel, and was about to leave.
Sava stopped him short before the door. "I must inform you, that tomorrow evening will be held a grand Ball to introduce your fiancee to our supporters and other nobility, so I order dress accordingly!" Demyan slightly turned his head to the side and nodded. Shortly after he pushed the door and left the king's hall.

Demyan was sitting in his room and the boys were keeping him some company. Livia didn't bother him right now, because she was busy choosing her dress and jewelry for tomorrow. Demyan got a headache and threw himself on his old bed.
He despised being in her presence just for a short time and now he was forced to be with her the whole night. Mirko sat on the floor and tried to calm him down. Luka flattened on the chair next to the library playing with a book, which he couldn't read since it was written in the ancient language was teasing him.
Adrik sat at the window dazing out and was unusually silent. All of a sudden he became agitated and somehow "catapulted" himself out. Demyan with the boys were shocked. The door of Demyan's room flew open. The guards did it for the KING. He almost never came to his son, so this was strange.
Luka and Mirko jumped into standing and then bowed down. Demyan calmly stood up and kneeled down in front of his father. He waited in front of Sava to say something. The King glared and scanned the room.
"You were right. I was informed about Goblins repeatedly entering and leaving our territory. After the Ball, you will lead the investigation. I want to know why they are playing so bold now." With that said, he left.
Adrik returned. Mirko asked him about that dramatic disappearance. Why he didn't just hide in the shadows like always? "That's the King... I am pretty sure, he would sense me in such a small space." Luka holding his face by his chin. "When you mentioned it... he did look around like he would feel something strange." Demyan was even more afraid of his father by this revelation. He must be very powerful.

The next morning Demyan had to go through the clothes fitting. Something that always annoyed him and he found it boring. The door flew open on the small salon, where he was putting cufflinks into his suit. Mirko full in his fighting gear came to notify him, that Goblins invaded deeper into their territory and were heading for his castle.