[rework] Minglings - chapter 43: Backstab

Jake lay silently on a patch of grass, tired and hungry, his mind wandering all over the place. He was looking at the sleeping form of Melissa. Her soft breathing was steady again. According to Beatrice, she should be fine if she just stayed put. His stomach was growling, and it took all his effort to ignore it. He would have to hunt later because he couldn't ask anyone else to do it. It wasn't safe.

His gaze wandered from Melissa to the small curled-up lizard on a makeshift bed of leaves. A sad pang made him nuzzle Tir. She had woken up for a minute but had only cried when she saw him. She couldn't tell him what had happened to herself or Ter, unable even to let him know if their brother was still alive. She fell back into a restless sleep almost right after, twitching and crying out on occasion.

When I get my hands on those insects, Jake thought.

Murderous thoughts played through his mind when a loud, slapping noise drew him back to the here and now. Right. He had been doing something important before he got distracted.

Tergin was pinning a softly struggling Goblin down, slapping him in the face repeatedly.

"Don't try and run away again. Next time I will eat you!" Jake said.

He growled low, trying to be quiet so he wouldn't wake Melissa. He probably should take this business elsewhere, but he wanted to see her awake first.

The Goblin looked at him and spat a thick wad of bloody slime on the ground. "I don't care what you do. I ain't talking. Peltmans and his new goon will get you!"

Jake frowned, feeling his icy calm heat up slightly.

"What new goon?" he heard the coldness in his own words. After exiting the water, he found that his emotions stayed calm and collected, to calm almost. And when he became angry, instead of fiery rage, it felt like the ice took hold of his mind.

"I ain't telling!"

The Goblin tried to spit again, but Tergin struck him below the jaw. With a woosh, spit sprayed through the Goblin's nose. Coughing, he glared at Tergin but seemed undaunted by the Kobold's size.

Tergin glared back before turning to Jake. "Let me take him somewhere quiet. I'll get him to talk. He doesn't need all his fingers and toes for that, right?"

Jake blinked. He had never imagined anyone would say something like that to him. It sounded like something out of a bad movie. The Goblin's eyes wandered around, looking for a way to escape, green snot covering his mouth and jaw. Jake shuddered as the thing that had been human only months earlier licked the snot from his face with a long, nimble green tongue, then started chewing.

Trying to decide what to do, he gazed around the open area. Kobolds moved around, dragging wood towards a pile. Above them, the long weeping branches of the enormous tree looked like a child who tried to cut its own hair.

Kobolds climbed across them, using sharp rocks, teeth, and claws to saw and chop more parts off. A heavy thud to the side of the open area signaled another success. Waist thick, the pieces of the branches looked more like logged trees.

Another group of Kobolds dragged them from the pile along two muddy paths through the dense vegetation. Straight-up poles and cross beams were showing at the end of the path.

"Jake?"

Jake shook awake and saw Tergin staring at him. The Goblin he was suppressing had cleaned his bruised face and was still looking for a way out.

"Fine. But do it inside the old insect caves. No need to alarm the others."

Tergin's eyes widened in surprise. Then he nodded and dragged the struggling Goblin towards the massive building-sized tree trunk. A mound lay abandoned near it, the previously large opening partially closed.

Jake watched as Tergin dragged the Goblin into the looming darkness and frowned. They should really flood or collapse that place. Who knew what disgusting and dangerous things were still lurking in the lowest regions? In the week they were here, he had heard people complain about noises coming from inside. But every time he went in, he had found nothing. That didn't mean there wasn't anything down there, though.

A scream came from the entrance, too soft for anybody without his enhanced dragon ears to pick up. He lowered his head to the ground beside Melissa and hoped the Goblin would talk soon.

Less than an hour later, Tergin sprinted from the cavern entrance, a look of fear on his face.

Jake got up with a start. He had almost fallen asleep, and his mind felt clogged by cotton wool. Even the perpetual screaming and the painful stabs in his stomach couldn't distract him from the fact that he was dead tired. Seeing the barely concealed panic on Tergin's face, however, slowly caused his mind to start running again as adrenaline, or whatever a dragon had that was similar to it, pumped through his veins. He had a horrible premonition, the skin below his scales itching.

Tergin reached him and started talking before he even came to a full stop.

"The Insectoids and Goblins have the Antracii trapped between here and the sea. The Hydraci are attacking them from the deep! They will be wiped out if we don't go and help them!"

Jake blinked at the torrent of information. "Wait, calm down! What are you talking about? Didn't we wipe out most of the Goblins just now?"

Tergin shook his head, taking a few deep breaths. "No, it was a trick! They wanted to distract us, keep us here! That Goblin only knew a bit... but someone called Peltmans sent this group and only came along to distract us! Please, Jake, there are only so few of the Antracii left. We have to save them!"

Shit, I should have gone hunting!

Jake took a deep breath. He was tired, and the Kobolds had only just fought a battle. But could he really leave the Antracii to die? Who knew what the Goblins and Hydraci could be plotting!

"Alright! Did he say anything else? How many Goblins and Insectoids are there? How close to the sea they are?"

"He didn't know!" Tergin said, fidgeting and appearing ready to set out on his own if Jake didn't move quickly.

"Damnit, what a bloody day. Gather all the nonwounded that can breathe underwater. Tell the others to gather in the center and scout the area for any trouble!"

Tergin ran before the last word passed Jake's lips, sprinting towards the construction area. He yelled at everyone he came across to head to Jake.

Jake shook his head when he saw panicking Kobolds look at each other before running towards him. With a last look at the still form of Melissa, he moved to the center of the open area. The first Kobolds running to him stopped as they reached him. To his utter relief, they didn't start screaming questions right away.

Within minutes a group of Kobolds gathered around him, whispering as they stared at him. Jake waited for Tergin, who came running back with another group of mostly blue-scaled Kobolds. The panic had fled the native Kobold's face, replaced by a look of resolve.

"Before you all panic, there aren't more Goblins on the way," Jake said. His deep and guttural voice silenced everyone, and as he looked around for a moment. The rustling of leaves was the only sound. He knew there was no time for lengthy explanations or a round of questions; he needed to explain it so they would understand.

"You've probably all heard by now that Bolyr went to get the Antraci tribe to help us. Well, they are in trouble. The Goblins and Insectoids have them pinned down in the river near the coast. I am going with Tergin to save them and bring them here."

A stunned silence followed his words, and then all hell broke loose.

"You can't leave us alone here! What do we do if the Goblins come back!"

"It could be a trap to lure you away!"

"Why should we help them, we don't even know them!"

"You can't leave!"

Between his hunger, fatigue, and the screaming, Jake felt a throbbing headache pop up. He suddenly became furious, and the cold disconnected feeling he had felt since changing vaporized.

How dare they! He had stayed here to help them while all he wanted was to find Mason. And now they wanted to tell him what he should do? The suppressed desires and instincts all rushed forward, and suddenly, he couldn't take it anymore. Taking a deep, sharp breath, he roared in the air.

A deadly silence followed as the complaints stopped and the surrounding Kobolds stepped or even jumped back.

"Who do you people think you are? I am not asking for your opinion! Do you think I am just here to keep all of you safe? Half of you were wandering around this bloody island for weeks or longer without doing anything but survive! My friends and I saved you, brought you together, and gave you a place to build something."

As he spoke, Jake calmed down. He knew that directing his rage at them wasn't entirely fair. They were scared and tired and had the feeling their only lifeline would leave them. But they weren't the only ones tired and stressed. With a sigh, he shook his head.

"If we save the Antracii, they can teach us about this world. They have nowhere else to go, just like us. Together we can change this island into a great place to live." He forced a sense of surety into his words. He had never been good at it, and as he looked at the uncertain stares directed at him, he realized that hadn't changed.

He wished Mason or Sandra was here; they made this look so easy. He turned to look at the Kobolds standing behind Tergin and blinked. Many had glistening eyes and seemed all riled up as they stared at him. The difference with the others was staggering. What was up with them?

No time for that now, he told himself. "We need your help to save the Antraci. It will be dangerous but-"

"I am coming!" One of the blue-scaled Kobolds interrupted him and stepped forward, two others only one beat behind. Within two seconds, all of the Kobolds, including Tergin, stood next to him. They seemed to chomp at the bit, ready to rush into the water and slaughter Goblins.

It's the scales. It has to be, he realized, curing his mind for not waking up.

Feeling a mixture of relief and sadness at the prospect of leading them to their potential doom, he shared a look with Tergin, but the native Kobold just grinned, eyes glittering.

So it works on him to, whatever it is, he thought.

He took a last look at Tir and Melissa, wishing the latter was awake to help him. She would have been able to keep those not coming from doing anything stupid. Then he moved towards the path leading to the lakeside. Hellen was standing there, a bit apart from the rest.

"Continue building the wall around the island. We will be back with the Antraci as soon as we can," Jake muttered to her before leading the group of Kobolds toward the sparkling water.

"Scout ahead and find out how the situation is. But be careful," he said as he turned to Tergin.

Tergin nodded and shot forward, graceful like a dolphin and twice as fast.

I hope this doesn't end in a bloodbath, Jake thought as he looked at the Kobolds following him.

--

They left the lake, following the current of the river. The sun was right above, casting shadows from branches to occasionally twirl on the river bed. If their reason for leaving hadn't been so dire, Jake might have enjoyed being in the water.

Now, he silently swam forward, close to the muddy bottom. The group of energetic Kobolds followed in his wake. There was still no sight of Tergin, and he wondered how far he had gone.

A large fish down below, he thought as he sensed movement within a few dozen feet, somewhere between a cluster of teal plants.

He sighed as the water's energy continued to alleviate his weariness.

Since his change, he more clearly felt the draw of the water. The heightening of positive emotions and the boost in energy intoxicated him, almost like a drug. Before, he had only felt it when out of the water, but the power of ice had changed that. Well, he guessed it was the power of ice. What else could it be? He wished he could discuss what had happened with Mason.

A rumble echoed through the water, and he cringed as the hunger intensified. He searched around, scanning the water for the larger fish, but there was nothing. Only some small fish swam close to the bottom, which he left alone. They were so small that it wouldn't help him one bit. What he needed was something substantial! Where the hell were all the big fish? He knew he had overhunted this area, but to find nothing?

Trying to distract himself, he tried calculating how much longer the trip would be. According to Tergin, it would take almost an hour to get to the coast from the island. That meant they would need to swim for at least half an hour longer. Jake hoped the Antraci were still alive when he got there.

He snapped his head up when something splashed into the water a dozen meters above them. A fist-sized stone quickly sank toward them. Before it got halfway to the bottom, a second splash came, and another stone followed.

What the hell? Jake looked up and saw another stone angle through the air before hitting the water in a white cloud of bubbles.

"Stay here," he said.

With a swipe of his tail, he headed up. Two feet from the shimmering and bobbing surface, he got a view from the river banks. A female Fiend stood in the mud, readying another stone.

That's Tess!

Surprised, Jake was about to swim up when he caught himself. Why was she here? This was a bit too coincidental, wasn't it? He frowned, looking around the jungle behind the fiend for anything out of the ordinary. He checked the other side as well but still saw nothing but leaves.

I wish I could sense things outside of the water, he thought.

Not at all at ease by this, he drew in the mana particles around him.

Another stone splashed close to his head, and Tess's mouth moved as she stared at him.

Ready for anything, he rose up and carefully stuck his head out of the water. The sounds of the jungle sprang into focus, rustling leaves, animal screams, and a strong wind that sprayed waterdrops on him. He took a quick look around, but still, nothing seemed ready to jump him.

"Jake, I presume? It is good to see you. You have changed a little." Tess stared at him with a half-smile on her lips.

Seeing her grey skin and black eyes, so much like David's, Jake's instincts told him to attack. He forced them down and stared back at her.

"Why are you here?" he said, surprised by the coldness of his own voice.

"Straight to the point I see. That is fine. We don't have time for pleasantries anyway," Tess replied. The smile on her face disappeared, and now she was looking at him with unveiled interest.

"You are being tricked. I have information that says the Insectoids were waiting for you to leave. They are attacking the Kobolds you left behind as we speak."

Jake was stunned. He stared at Tess, trying to find any indication that she was lying. What she said made sense, and if someone else had told him, he might have turned around instantly. Crazy with worry. But looking at her, he only felt distrust.

When he didn't respond, a frown appeared on the Fiend her face.

"Don't you believe me? I have no reason to lie to you! You need to go back and save Emma!"

Jake felt a stab of pain. "Emma is dead. The Goblins killed her," he bit back.

A sad look appeared on Tess her face. "I am sorry to hear that. I liked that little girl. She reminded me of myself when I was younger."

She sighed, and Jake frowned. Was she being genuine? He couldn't tell.

"You have to listen to me! The Insectoids will-"

"Jake, look out!" Tergin's voice startled Jake. Looking further down the river.

Tergin's head was sticking out, and the Kobold was pointing at something above him. Cold anger rising, he snapped his head up. There was a group of Insectoids silently descending from above, almost on top of him. When he looked up, they shot down, producing a buzz like an attack of giant wasps.

Jake stopped trying to float and sank into the water while focusing his energy. For a second, he played with the idea of trying his new power and freezing all the Insectoids. The trouble was he didn't know if he could control it without killing himself and the Kobolds. Instead, a geyser of water shot up around him, blasting into the flying Insectoids. As if hit by an anti-riot water canon, the Insectoids were flung up, wings bending backward, and legs snapping. Two plummeted down into the water while the rest fled towards the jungle.

Not getting away that easy, Jake thought with frigid calm.

More geysers shot up, but this time the Insectoids managed to dodge them. A second later, they disappeared above the canopy.

Jake slowly released his control of the water, and a wave of fatigue caused the world around him to grow blurry. He needed food! Even if he reached the Antraci in time, he would be almost useless like this. A dull burning hunger made him mechanically scan for food, and when he sensed the other Kobolds, he had to retrain his desire to eat them.

I need food! Or this is going to end badly, he thought.

If he used any more of his skills, it would kill him or turn him into a raging hunger monster again. A trashing sound reminded him of something, and he looked at the two Insectoids trying hard to stay afloat.

A surge of instincts and desires swamped him, and he hesitated for only a moment before giving in to them. There wasn't any other way.

With an uncomfortable image of a shark rushing up at paddling feet, he shot up and chomped down into the legs of one of the struggling insects. Pulling it under, the blood in his mouth fanning his hunger, he forced himself to until it stopped moving and struggling. The sight of the green insect limbs and scaled torso almost made him vomit, while at the same time, his stomach roared for sustenance. Closing his eyes, he grabbed it with his claws and ripped open the chest area.

A waft of blood engulfed his head, and his eyes shot open as a ravenous hunger threatened to take hold of him. Instinctively he drew in energy and began turning it to ice.

No!

It took all of his willpower to stop himself, and instead, he ripped a piece of flesh from the inside of the insect. He didn't chew but swallowed it whole before ripping away another piece.

It took him only moments to change the intact insectoid to a smattering of limbs, slowly dropping to the river floor. Green blood tinged the water, and small pieces of meat, tendons, and chitin floated around him in a wave.

The worst of the hunger was gone, but as soon as he heard the splashing of the second insect, he rushed up. He tried not to think about what he was doing. Instead, he made short work of the other one. When he finally released the second carcass, he found a group of Kobolds swimming in front of him. Tergin was in the middle, and Irwin saw him take a look at the pieces of insect leg drift by before shivering.

"We need to hurry! The Antraci won't last much longer!" Without looking at Jake, Tergin swam away.

The other Kobolds followed him, leaving Jake to stare after them. Looking at the dead insect parts floating around, he blinked. Had he seriously just eaten an intelligent being? Feeling an onset of revulsion, he forced it down and shot forward after the others. Without looking at them, he swam passed them until he was beside Tergin.

Next to him, Tergin kept his eyes focused on where they were going. Jake suppressed an onset of anger. So what if he had eaten that insect? Taking a few deep breaths, he felt the anger abate.

"Will I get into trouble for eating those things?" he asked, keeping his gaze forward. When he didn't get a response after a few seconds, he looked at Tergin. The Kobold seemed to be struggling with something.

"Tergin?"

The other sighed. "I don't know. Insectoids are poisonous sometimes, and some Kobolds think eating them makes you unclean. Many of the Antracii believe this..."

"Wait, so it's not because I ate an intelligent being?" Jake shot back in surprise.

"What? No! Nobody would care as long as you don't eat Kobolds, and even that has happened in our history."

Kobolds eating Kobolds? Jake felt a new sense of revulsion.

They swam forward in silence. Gradually, muted sounds from somewhere ahead began increasing in volume. They should be ten or more minutes away, but the sound of a battle was already reaching them.

"What did you see when you were scouting?"

"The Goblins blocked the river with trees and have a small army on top. Insectoids are flying around, harassing any Antraci that surface or try to reach the shore. I couldn't see beyond the blockage, but I could hear the sounds of more fighting," Tergin said, increasing his swimming speed.

Jake looked behind to make sure the others were keeping up and saw many were struggling.

"Slow down a bit, or we will lose the others."

Tergin cursed in his native language but slowed down.

Ten minutes later, Jake could make out the individual shouts. Focusing, he drew in the blue mana particles, preparing for what was to come.

It still took another five minutes before a shadow appeared ahead of them. Sticking close to the ground to avoid detection, they closed in on a wall of uprooted trees, branches, stone, and mud. The water was blurry here, and the screams of rage and pain coming from the other side of the wall sent shivers down Jake's spine.

"Tergin, go up and see how many Goblins are on the wall," Jake whispered. He was too large to do any sneaking around.

Without a sound, Tergin swam up. Within seconds, he came back, a look of despair on his face.

"They outnumber us four to one, but that isn't the worst thing. I saw eight Orcs, all wielding thick spears. If they surround you..." Tergin's voice trailed off, and he looked at Jake. His eyes had a crazed look to them, and he seemed ready to snap at any moment.

"Then let's not let them surround me," Jake growled.