When she realized the beast was eating a small animal alive, she gasped aloud in revulsion.
The goblin heard her and whirled around to face her. Its fangs dripped with blood and entrails as it growled at her. The little animal in its grasp continued squealing in agony. Chandra’s appalled gaze flashed to the animal’s eviscerated torso and wiggling paws.
“Ugh! What are you doing?” she demanded. “Even for a goblin, this is unbelievable!”
The goblin stared at her for a moment, crouching frozen while its agonized prey flailed and squealed. Then, as if afraid Chandra would try to steal its treat, the creature stuffed the entire mole into its mouth and crunched down hard. Chandra winced at the mole’s final, shrill scream, followed closely by the sound of its splintering bones. The goblin’s cheeks bulged as it chewed, still staring at Chandra.
Then the creature swallowed its meal in one huge gulp and went completely still. The goblin and Chandra stared at each other in silence.
“Well,” she said at last. “That may not be the single most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen, but it’s definitely on the list.”
“List?” The goblin’s voice was deep and husky.
“Never mind.”
“Don’t kill,” it said.
“Agreed. You don’t kill me, and I won’t kill you.”
It nodded. Its ears flopped a little.
“Where are we?” Chandra asked.
The goblin looked around for a moment, then returned its gaze to Chandra. “Bushes.”
“I meant, what’s the name of this realm?”
“Diraden.”
“Never heard of it.”
The goblin pointed at her. “What name?”
“Chandra. And you?”
“Jurl.”
“Jurl, show me where there’s water.” When the goblin didn’t move, just continued to stare at her, she added, “I don’t like to brag, Jurl, but I’m a powerful fire mage. If you take me to water, I’ll be nice. If you don’t, I’ll be mean.”
“Water.” The goblin looked over its shoulder. “Maybe not safe.”
“Not safe? Is the water bad?” That might explain why everything around here was dying.
Jurl shook his head. “Water good.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Maybe guarded.”
“By who?”
“Prince Velrav. Sometimes.”
“A prince guards the water?” Chandra said skeptically.
“Servants.”
“Oh, servants of the prince guard the water.” That made a little more sense. But not much. “Why guard water in a place as wet as Diraden?”
“See who come. Maybe take.”
“Take? You mean, the prince’s servants capture those who come to the water?”
“Sometimes.”
“Do they take everyone? Or just goblins?” “Everyone.”
“So far, you’re the only, er, person that I’ve met. Who else lives on Diraden?”
“Some like me. Some like…” Jurl shrugged. “Others. Many others. And some like you.”
“And Prince Velrav’s servants take them all?”
“Take some of all.”
“Why?” Chandra asked.
“Hunger.”
That was disconcerting. “They’re taken when they’re near the water?”
The goblin shrugged. “Near water. Near wood. Near ruins. Near hill. Near village. Near castle. Near-”
“So you’re saying that the prince’s servants have taken individuals from everywhere?” What a lovely plane she had stumbled onto.
“Yes.”
“In that case, I might as well get water.” And then maybe she’d try leaving Diraden straight away, without bothering to pause for rest. The situation here sounded deranged and deadly-and perfectly in keeping with the atmosphere she had sensed. If she felt better after drinking her fill, then perhaps leaving while she was still fatigued-but with proper preparation this time-would be better than sticking around here until she felt stronger. “Jurl, I’ll bet you know this place well. Do you know how to get water without being bothered by Prince Velrav’s servants?”
The goblin stared at her silently. Although its grotesque face showed no expression, she sensed it was suspicious of her request.
“If you take me there,” Chandra said, “I won’t tell anyone. I won’t betray you. I’m thirsty. I just want to get water, and then go away.”
“Go away?”
“Yes. You’ll never see me again.” It was a promise she intended to keep.