‘What are my intentions huh. Well, I’ve kind of been joking yet also not joking with Velora about taking gang green to the top. I’ve even talked about making a kingdom for Goblins. Neither of those have really changed but I guess the meaning behind them has changed somewhat.

  ‘When I first came here, I was filled with a lot of excitement and aspirations for growing our little settlement of Goblins, but things are different now.

  ‘A lot different…

  ‘I’ve learned a whole lot of things when it came to Goblins and our place in this world. It’s not a nice one from my perspective. It’s not nice from any Goblin’s perspective.

  ‘Unless it’s in obscure places like this forest that lack the presence of humans and other sentient races, then Goblins aren’t respected.

  ‘We’re seen as simple monsters. Things to be hunted for resources, or pests to be removed from areas another group wishes to exist in. And that’s not even taking into account the travesty that’s been going on in the Iris River Plains.

  ‘Goblins not only had to pay some type of tribute, which in all honesty isn’t the worst thing in the world. It can be treated as a tax of sorts. If the Orcs were providing protection, and a small tribute was collected as payment, then it would be hard to find too much fault there.

  ‘But no…it wasn’t that simple at all.

  ‘The actual reality of it all was far more sinister…

  ‘Sigh…So what are my intentions then eh.’

  After deliberating for a few moments, Rick looked up at the Serpent with seemingly a new found conviction present in his eyes.

  “My intentions are to bring a better life for a Goblins. Not just the ones in this forest, but everywhere. A place for all Goblins to call home, a place that all Goblins can live freely, a place where Goblins don’t need to fear the presence of Orcs or any other race or person for that matter.

  “That’s my intention.

  “A better life for Goblins.”

  There was a momentary silence as the words from Rick sunk into the surroundings.

  The Goblins of course resonated deeply with everything he stated.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Rogu and the others from the Clans felt it even more so because they were more in tune with the situations of Goblins across the continent.

  Of course, this was not to belittle the Goblins who had to live through generations of torment form the Orcs, but there were likely millions of Goblins on the continent.

  Some of them had lives like Jaba and the original tribe before Rick came into play, while some had lives akin to the ones in the plains. But there were definitely plenty of others who had it far worse than even the Goblins in the plains did.

  The Goblins continued to watch on from behind Rick with intensity in their eyes. The Fox continued to seem as if it was watching a show play out, and the Serpent…The Serpent remained silent as it stared at Rick.

  There was no discernable expression gracing its face.

  Just staring until it finally spoke.

  “A better life…so…you to grow your little settlement to be a place for Goblins far and wide is it…

  “…What if say no?

  “What if I no longer desire your presence in this forest?

  “What if I wanted you gone?”

  The Serpent paused as the tone in its voice dropped to a level of iciness it hadn’t reached before.

  “Haven’t you wondered why the Orcs are not welcomed here? Why are there no other communities save your own?

  “It is by my will.

  “I do not like to be bothered Goblin, and over there have been a few such as yourself who have sought to develop this forest.

  “But I found it all a bother, so they were removed. It was either they left, or they were destroyed. You and your Goblins are reaching the point of being bothersome.

  “I do not care if you continue to grow in strength. But a safe haven for Goblins? You will have to find a new one. This is not your home. It is mine.

  “And you have also invited war here. One that you won’t survive if you remain. So, listen well Goblin.

  “You will leave before the Orcs reach here, or you will leave during the war when you realize you are far more outmatched that you can ever imagine, or you will leave if you manage to survive the devastation you have brought upon yourself.

  “It matters not to me the manner in which you will leave but know that you will.”

  ???

  The silence in the area was so low it was almost deafening. It felt as if even the air in the area chilled to fevering degrees as the Serpent allowed some of its restrained aura to leak out, causing even the Goblins who remained in the Village to feel the fear course through their bodies.

  The Fox who had been watching with an amused glint in its eye hand long since lost it and now looked towards the Serpent with a hint of something else in its eyes…a hint of anger perhaps.

  But as fast as it appeared, it was only there for a moment before the Fox vanished from the area altogether.

  Not caring about the ending of this conflict any longer.

  The disappearance of the Fox didn’t do anything to lighten the mood or bring life back to the area.

  In fact, it seemed to only grow worse as the Goblins remained utter silent, all eyes focused on Rick.

  Who himself had his eyes closed.

  The Serpent observed all of this but didn’t say a word.

  Simply lifting its large body up and turning around and heading back towards the lake. Leaving a new path of destruction in its wake.

  Even after the Serpent left, Rick himself didn’t speak. His eyes remaining closed and at some point, even his fists, which had bawled up during the Serpents speech, were now hanging loosely at his side.

  By the time Rick opened his eyes again, they were still.

  He was far calmer than one would expect in this situation.