Free The Kartoss Gambit (The Way of the Shaman: Book #2) by Vasily Mahanenko Page A

goblins.
    The main thing was for my disguise to work or all my efforts would have been in vain. Before heading off to conquer the pointy-eared minions, I went to the nearby stream and looked at my reflection. It was really something! I did a great job of making myself look truly ugly: green, scary and black haired. A real orc. But something was still lacking. I wrinkled my brow, as the image remained incomplete. Yes, I was green, in a skirt, with a Mallet in my hand, but some small detail was missing. The goblins wouldn’t fall for me as I am, I was damn certain. A quiet growl made me turn around. Grey Death, if I correctly understood that was the name of the she-wolf, brought me a small bone in her teeth. That it! The orc-woman in the picture had a bone sticking out of her nose. I tore off a couple of hairs from the wig and used them to tie the bone in place. Now the look was complete. If I didn’t manage to seduce anyone looking like this, I understand nothing of goblin notions of beauty. One thing made me nervous – the she-wolf kept snorting, as if she was laughing at me. That’s fine, keep laughing, I’ll find a way to get my own back.
    I gathered my wits about me, selected one of the archers on the closest tower and stepped out of the bushes. Now was the moment of truth. The hidden pack of wolves, ready to attack the goblins, stayed in the grass. Some time went by, but the little buggers didn’t look like they were going to do anything. Did they just completely fail to spot me or something? All right then, let’s give them a hand. I filled my lungs with air and whistled, carefully watching the status of the goblin. If he became aggressive straight away, my idea had fallen through. All that careful paint application would have been for nothing.
    A couple of seconds went by, but the goblins were not turning red. I no longer had any doubts that they saw me: both archers nearly jumped over the railing, trying to get a better look at the beauty that had come to pay them a visit. Suddenly the goblin that I kept selected gained a buff in the form of a heart: 'Adoration'. He threw down the bow and started to climb down from the tower, leaping over steps. The other one wasn't far behind. Did it work then? I started to take slow steps towards the forest and the protection of the wolf attack force. The love-struck goblins opened the gates and sped in my direction. Yup, those guys were ready — completely losing their heads as they ran towards me, blowing me kisses on the way. How disgusting. One of the lover boys jumped to a shrub behind which a wolf was sitting and tore off a few branches. Were they going to bring me flowers as well? Cool, I think I’d like that… Blagh! What’s got into me! I have to take the goblins deeper into the forest, where their screams wouldn’t be heard. I hurried away from the mine. Immediately the goblin that I selected acquired a second buff: 'Fervour', again in the form of a heart. Oops. So that’s dating orc-style then, eh? Great. I ran off about two hundred meters from the mine and turned towards the goblins, who were rushing to get their hands on the orc beauty. Damn! I didn’t think things through when I put my ambush right on the edge of the forest. The wolves were shifting in the shadows either side of us were hurrying to take their new places for the attack, but weren’t quite going to make it. Goblins were going to get to me first. Buggerit! I can’t summon any spirits, because I’ll get out of character and this duo would wipe me out in the blink of an eye. Even if their stats are focused on Agility, I was no match for their 30 levels at my level 14. Killing me would be a walk in the park. Gripping my Mallet, I decided to use that to fend them off until the pack got here. I only needed half a minute or so.
    The goblin flew up to me, arms outstretched, and tried to catch me in his embrace, but got hit by the Mallet straight on the nose. He staggered back and cried out and