Free Delver Magic Book VII: Altered Messages by Jeff Inlo Page A

did not appreciate the intricate schemes. While Okyiq was no serp, his fundamental ability to grasp basic tactics was somewhat impressive, and Rivira decided to gain the goblin's perspective.
    "Well, what did they promise you when you first joined?" she asked.
    "The forest, but it was already mine."
    It was a boastful claim, but Rivira saw nothing to be gained from debating the issue. She had no desire for the forest. As far as she was concerned, Okyiq could have it. She did, however, wonder what the enormous goblin might do if the serps decided to punish him for not following their order to return to Portsans.
    "Aren't you worried they might take it away from you?"
    "How? They going to make it disappear?"
    "I doubt that, but maybe they would give it to someone else."
    "They could give it to anyone they want. Doesn't change anything."
    "I think it would change a great deal. Someone else would have claim to the forest, someone that had the serps' blessing."
    "How would that stop me from taking what's mine?"
    "The new owner could hunt you down... kill you."
    "Good luck."
    "I'll give you credit. You're definitely an independent thinker."
    Rivira eyed the goblin more carefully and then quickly reconsidered what she just claimed.
    "Actually, I'm not so sure about just how independent you are. If you aren't worried about the serps," the sorceress wondered aloud, "then why did you agree to follow them this far?"
    Okyiq grimaced but actually revealed the truth.
    "Because of stupid human and stupid delver."
    "I don't follow you."
    "I told captain of human town I'd kill every goblin that once followed me. Told delver same thing. Goblins left me during a raid. They had to be punished. Delver and captain didn't think I could do it, but I didn't care. I would have found them all. Don't care how big forest is."
    "So you joined with the serps so you could prove the captain and delver wrong?"
    "You listen like a human."
    "And you talk like a goblin," the sorceress responded to the obvious insult. "Why don't you try explaining it so it makes sense."
    "Makes perfect sense. I didn't need serps to find and kill goblins. Didn't need serps to prove delver and captain wrong. Would have done it all by myself."
    "Then why didn't you?"
    "Because forest is big and goblins that once followed were afraid. Would have taken long time. Didn't want to wait, but could have done it myself. Serps just made it faster. They use the magic. Weaker goblins just listen to snake faces. Walked right up to me. I didn't even have to look for them. All I had to do was collect fingers and send message to humans. Thought it was a good idea. Enjoyed letting delver and captain know they were wrong. But didn't need serps, just wanted to get it done faster and didn't have to give up anything of importance. Understand now?"
    "I think I do."
    "You think too much, just like serps."
    "Speaking of the serps, they want us to return. Do you want to come with me, or should I give them your regrets?"
    "Don't care what you give them. Staying here... for now."
    #
    Pru lacked the staggering speed and unyielding stamina of a purebred delver, but he possessed far more of both than the average human. He would eventually need to rest, but he could maintain a robust running pace long enough to catch up to Okyiq... or so he believed.
    The half-delver estimated Okyiq was racing through the forest at a staggering pace, especially for such a large goblin. Pru believed the beast would have to rest before very long, and when he did, the distance would shrink between them. The half-delver would simply have to keep moving at a quick pace of his own and remain focused on the trail he followed.
    Following the large goblin's trail was far simpler than Pru expected. He lost little time in analyzing the tracks, barely had to stop to search for clear signs. The trail broke through the forest with a clarity that matched the sun in a clear blue sky. The half-delver couldn't miss it, but understanding it was