[rework] Minglings - chapter 36: Bad news, worse news

"Are you certain?" Jake asked Bolyr, unsure of what the other even meant. His mind was still reeling from what he'd seen, and he hoped he wouldn't have nightmares.

Bolyr sat on a nearby rock, tending to his wounds, but he nodded vigorously. As angry as he had been when first seeing the bodies, all of that seemed to have left him, replaced by a fervent excitement.

"Yes, Jake. When we were down there, it was impossible to miss. This island has a mana-well. It should be underneath the tree, which explains its size, which isn't normal on such a small island. No, I am sure of it!"

Jake sighed, looking at the cave entrance. Bolyr's exuberance was such a stark contrast with how he felt that he was having a hard time not snapping at the other to calm down.

"Yes, I believe you, but that's not what I meant. Are you sure it's a good idea to relocate here?"

Bolyr froze and looked back in confusion, and Jake saw it took him a while to realize he was serious. A weary smile crept up Bolyr's face, and the excitement faded, though Jake could see it simmering below the surface.

"I keep forgetting there are so many things you don't know yet," Bolyr said.

He resumed cleaning the gash on his leg while watching the other Kobolds tending the wounded.

"Mana-wells are rare beyond what you can imagine. Even on the mainland, I know of only a few officially, though I'm sure many are hidden by those who found them. There, if a tribe finds a new one, they would relocate their capital on top of it to keep it safe. If they were a smaller tribe and couldn't keep it a secret, wars would be waged for it!"

A stunned silence followed his words as Jake gawked at him. It took him a moment to find his bearings, processing what he had just heard. So, the thing below the island wasn't just some common natural occurrence... somehow, he'd expected that.

"So, what use are mana-wells?" he asked.

Finished with his cleaning, Bolyr wrapped a few leaves around his leg before getting up and looking around the clearing.

"A mana-well is an area or thing that draws in ambient mana of a certain type, increasing the density to incredible amounts. Besides increasing the natural healing of any creature nearby, they do different things for different races. Goblins born near them have a chance to be born as Orcs, even if they don't have one Orc parent. Rumors said that Insectoids could lay dozens of eggs instead of a few, and we've already seen that's true. And for us? Those who match the type of mana the well draws in will have a bigger chance to awaken!" As he spoke the last words, he stared at the ground below the tree with a burning desire on his face. "I don't know what this one draws, but from its location, it has to be either water, earth, or some form of plant mana."

Jake silently processed everything, and a bad feeling began growing. "That means the Insectoids will probably come back to get it back," he said slowly before getting an ominous feeling. "And what if they tell the Goblins? Perhaps it's not a good idea to stay here. We lost so many already..."

The other Kobolds were moving closer, listening to their conversation. Purplish leaves like the one Bolyr had were wrapped around many an arm or leg.

Bolyr looked at Jake in astonishment. "I know, but do you realize what will happen if the Goblins get this mana-well? Of all the races out there, they are amongst the most dangerous if they have one!"

Jake rose, inspecting the other. He seemed calm and stoic as always, but as the other gazed back, he saw Bolyr's barely concealed panic.

"What would happen if the Goblins got the mana-well?" he asked, keeping his tone as calm as possible to not create panic.

A deathly quiet spread across the area as everyone waited for the answer. Bolyr audibly licked his lips with his purplish tongue. It was something Jake had never seen him do.

"They will breed beside it, giving birth to Orcs and other abominations. And with time... a Diadr born." He hissed the last part, and his voice contained fear and loathing unlike any Jake had heard from the other.

He shook his head, trying to remain calm. "A Diadr?"

"The most powerful of the Goblin kinds, and if one is born here, we will need to flee!" Seeing Jake's confused draconic visage, Bolyr ground his teeth. "We only have legends and stories about them! But even the Dragons were weary when dealing with fully grown Diadr..."

Jake sighed as he saw the other Kobolds look around in fear. So, that meant they couldn't just go back and lick their wounds... they had to stay here and guard this well. Great, just great.

"Fine, we will stay here for now. I will go get the others, and while I am gone, you start thinking of ways to keep the Goblins and Insectoids out," he said.

The Kobolds began talking amongst themselves but stopped when Bolyr sprang forward, blocking Jake's path. "No, wait! If you are here, you can use your control over water to stop them if they return! Let me go. You can't carry that many, so it won't be any slower."

"But I can fly there. You have to walk," Jake said with a frown on his draconic face. "The faster we are all here, the better."

"Yes, but we have no guarantee that the Insectoids won't be here before then," Bolyr said.

Jake hesitated, and in the end, Bolyr managed to convince him. He took three of the least wounded and headed out to bring the others.

Jake took up watch near the island's edge, keeping his eyes and ears open for anything that might swim toward them. He could hear the other Kobolds rummaging around the island. Those least wounded were building temporary shelters against the harsh rains. Nobody had been willing to sleep in the Insectoid caves.

He listened to the wind rustling through the trees while staring at the softly lapping waves of the crystal clear water and thought of Mason, Sandra, and Willson. Would they be alright? He hoped they could find their way back, but at the same time, he knew it was unlikely. As he stared out across the water, into the purple and green jungle, his mind drifted off.

He had no idea how long he sat there, but he flinched when something burst from the jungle. Staying as still as possible, he quickly saw that it was Bolyr. Behind him came one of the other Kobolds that had gone with him, a green-blue one with a tattered and dirty white tank top.

Where are the others?

Bolyr stumbled, and Jake heard his groan even from across the water while a spot of blood appeared in the crystal clear water.

"Shit!" he hissed as he dove into the water.

The dreariness he felt washed away as soon as he submerged into the water, and a surge of energy shot through his body. Wings tight against his body, he used his tail and hind legs and shot forward like a dragon-shaped torpedo crossing the distance in under ten seconds.

Bolyr was swimming through the water, leaving a trail of pink in his wake.

"What happened? Where are the others?" Jake asked, head above the water as he came to a surging stop. A wave of water engulfed Bolyr and the other Kobold, and they sputtered back up before struggling forward.

"We were tricked! Those fucking insect monsters joined with the Goblins and attacked the camp after we left! There was nothing left alive except for those they left behind to ambush us. We barely managed to get away, but they got George and Sally," The white-tank-top-wearing Kobold said, his voice filled with pain and anger.

Jake's heart skipped a beat, and he moved closer to them, sticking out his tail for them to latch on. As soon as they had a good grip, he began swimming back to the island. "Bolyr, where are Emma and the little ones?"

The yellow-armed Kobold just shook his head, a grimace on his face as he used a single arm to hold onto Jake's tail.

A surge of fright and anger flooded Jake as he thought of the small girl and his little serpentine siblings. What had happened to them? Ignoring the complaints from behind, he sped up, intent on bringing the others to the island and heading out to find them.

--

"Stop crying, or I will rip out your tongue!"

The harsh, emotionless voice snapped. The small Kobold boy held his hands for his mouth, but it barely smothered his insistent hicking and crying. A kick in his back caused him to cry out. After another hissed warning, he managed to stay quiet.

Emma looked at the small boy, tears rolling down his face, eyes wide with fear, and hands clutched in front of his mouth. Angry, she looked at the Insectoid that had kicked the boy.

When Jake gets here, he will punish you! she thought as she suppressed her concern that that was no more than a dream. They had been walking for days, and there was still no sign of his draconic presence. Hopefully Tir and Ter got away safely and warned him. If they could find him.

The last she had seen of her new lizard friends was when they rushed off, chased by silent and scary insects. She shivered at the memory of their scared cries and focused on the here and now.

She was walking at the back of the line of Kobolds. Three times their number in Insectoids kept their ugly multifaceted eyes on them, pushing them for more speed. She shivered as she looked at one with four legs, a face covered in shiny black eyes, and pale green chitting armor covering his body.

Ugly monsters. Vile, creepy! I hope you all get eaten by snakes! The thought of snakes caused her to shiver even worse. She hoped there weren't snakes in the jungle.

A few hours later, they were still walking. Emma jumped every time something screamed or roared in the night, but she managed to stay quiet. The young boy's bruised scales showed he had not and had been harshly reprimanded for it.

Jake, where are you? Please come and save us. She chanted the words non-stop in her mind, but as the moon rose, barely noticeable through the thick canopy of leaves, it had turned into a weak, soft call. A soft, roaring sound came from the direction they were moving in, increasing in volume with every step.

Emma smelled the salty air and almost cried. They are bringing us to the sea!

She could escape if she could reach the water. She knew it! Hope and anticipation made her want to rush forward, but she knew better and held back the urge. She was proud of herself for keeping her enthusiasm in check. If only she had learned how to do this before. She might not have been sent away from all the foster homes. Dark memories threatened to bubble up from below, and she resolutely shoved them back down. It had hardly mattered in the end. It was doubtful that either the Jacksons or Cliftons had survived.

Ten minutes later, tree stumps began appearing, mangled bushes and broken branches all around showing where they had fallen. The trail of stamped earth they were walking on showed drag traces, and as they continued, the jungle thinned.

After a few minutes, Emma saw something glisten and shimmer in the distance, only partially blocked by vegetation. Following the others, her anticipation grew with each step as she smelled the salty air. Then they stepped from between the last of the trees into a massive muddy clearing. Tree stumps dotted the ground, but none of the Kobolds noticed. All their attention was on the fires on the other side.

Torches burned on top of a five-meter-high wooden palisade that ran the breadth of the open area and seemed to curve around backward. The torchlight illuminated dozens of spear-wielding goblins, painting them in an orange glow. Two large bonfires flanked the path leading up to the palisade, and behind them was a large open gate. A host of small fires, torches, and others burned beyond.

Emma's eyes widened as she gaped at the chaotic jumble of wooden shacks, buildings, and muddy paths covered with debris and waste. One of the Insectoids began ushering them on, and as they got closer, she could smell the stink of rot over the salty air.

No, if I am brought in there, I can't get to the sea! Her panic began to grow, and Emma looked to the left. The sea sparkled there, perhaps a few hundred meters away. The dark water's smell and the glowing energy particles seemed to beckon her, promising freedom and energy.

With a dry mouth, she looked around at the Insectoids. There were two in the front, four on each side, and three behind her. She gauged the distance. She needed to make it to the sea! Warn Jake and tell him about this place! With a look at the Kobolds in front of her, she noticed many stalling, looking around in fright. One of the Insectoids on the side of the sea crept towards Henry, an older Kobold and a kindly man she knew from the camp.

With a last look at the city, Henry turned, and she saw him look at the sea, his eyes flicking around. Don't! They have seen you! Even worse, Henry was yellow and green, and she knew he couldn't breathe underwater.

The old Kobold man rushed forward, heading towards the sea.

Two of the insectoids had almost reached him, and they moved without a word, and as they did, Emma ran. She didn't plan it and didn't know why she did it, but without a second thought, she sprinted across the muddy black earth, jumping over and dodging around tree stumps. From behind came more footsteps, but she didn't look. Henry ran to the side and in front of her, and she saw the two Insectoids quickly gaining on him.

Halfway to the sea, they caught him, jumped on his back, and dragged his struggling and shouting form to the ground. Emma felt her heartbeat increase, fear making her legs move faster and faster. She could almost feel the energy from the sea, but the running from behind got closer and closer. Jumping across the last stump, she felt her taloned feet sink into the beach's soft sand, and she felt like shouting for joy! She was going to make it!

A heavy object collided with her, knocking her off balance. She skidded across the sand, and something jumped on her back.

"No! Let me go. Let me go!" She screamed and struggled, flinging her hands around. She knocked against something with her elbow and heard a muffled grunt. Then something hit her in the back of the head, and she felt sand in her mouth. Seeing bright spots, she tried to struggle up when another blow hit her head, and everything turned black.

--

The loud bleating of scared, fleeing goats drowned out the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.

With practiced ease Mason snapped the stringy goat's neck, tasting the warm coppery blood on his tongue. He looked around, squinting his eyes against the glare. The scorching heat caused shimmers in the air, making it hard to see, but there wasn't any movement. No more stone snakes creeping towards him, ready to rush him.

Knowing he had little time, he flipped over the heavy goat and sank his teeth in the soft belly. It was the only place he could easily rip the thick hide. The rest was like boiled leather, and even his strong jaws couldn't pierce it without great effort. And there was no time for that.

He wasn't all that hungry yet, but he tore into the carcass. After a few seconds, he raised his head to scan the surroundings again, chewing on the meat. In the back of his mind, he knew the chewing wasn't necessary; he could just as easily swallow the stuff whole. But like many things, he'd found he preferred doing it as he remembered from his old body.

Or bodies, he thought as he frowned down.

He was standing on the slope of the last lonely mountain, bordering a seemingly unending desert. From its bleak grey top, he had seen nothing but sand, sand, and more sand.

Finally tired of chewing, Mason swallowed the large mouthful of slimy meat before finishing the rest of the goat, this time wasting no more time on chewing.

Finished, he climbed back up the mountainside, using his nimble tongue to remove the slivers of meat from between his teeth. It didn't take long to climb the sharp-edged rocks, and he continued until he hung horizontally on the side of the peak.

Damnit, Jake...

Mason felt like weeping as he stared at the sea. Its black depths caused him to shiver in fear at the prospect of going inside. He tried to push it down, but it didn't help, his heart speeding up until it was racing. No matter how much he wanted to cross the sea in search of Jake, he knew the chances of finding his friend were infinitesimal. Between this and his ever-increasing fear of the dark sea, he knew it was time.

"Can't postpone it anymore..." he whispered as he climbed to the mountain's other side.

For a week now, he was camping out here, searching the night's sky to no avail. None of the stars matched what he had memorized back on the jungle-covered island, and he was starting to wonder if he was even on the same planet.

He squinted again, his double eyelids sliding down and protecting his eyes from the harsh glare. In front of him was the desert, its white gleaming sand stretching out, dangerous, foreboding, and seemingly without end. To the right, the dusty sand changed into beaches, glistening where the sea washed across it. To the left, the now thin line of volcanic mountains looked like a wall separating dry from wet.

As he felt the bloat in his stomach, courtesy of the dozens of goats he had hunted, he squared his shoulders. Forcing the fear of the unknown away, he took a deep breath and roared to release his stress. As loud as it was, the sound seemed to be sucked away by the vast nothingness around him. Even then, he did feel a little better.

"I don't know how, but I will find that stupid island again, Jake. Somehow, someday. But for now, I need to find others, so try not to die!"

Shoving the fear for his friend away, Mason jumped into the air and flew towards the depths of the desert.

--

Emma woke up, shivering violently. She was almost starting to get used to it. Trying not to move, she quietly looked around at the unmoving disheveled shapes on the ground around her. The soft roaring of the sea in the distance was a cruel reminder of the freedom she longed for.

The group around her was still asleep, and she stayed as quiet as possible. If she woke them, they wouldn't have the energy to work through the day. Not that they would blame her, but she just couldn't stand watching that Orc beat another one of the Kobolds to death for 'fainting on the job.'

Eventually, a loud slam outside signaled the arrival of their guard.

Jake, where are you? she thought, wishing she was anywhere but here.

In a few more seconds, the nasty with the whip would force them to the work yard. With a miserable feeling, she stretched. The slight noise was enough to cause half of the group to shoot up in fear, covering their heads with their hands.

"Whipper is coming," she whispered softly, causing moans and muffled curses. But within ten seconds, everyone was sitting, ready, and looking at the door.

One of the others, an old female Kobold with dull blue scales and a slight hunch, smiled gratefully at her. Besides Emma, she was the only one left with a sheen in her eyes.

"Emma, dear. I had another dream! I was soaring through the sea, through a forest of kelp, free as a bird," the old woman whispered as she closed her eyes and cocked her head to the side with a smile.

A sad look disappeared quickly from Emma's face, replaced by a pained smile. She didn't want the woman to worry. Staying here too long would endanger her.

Rita will leave too, and I'll be alone again! Why am I still here? What if I have an episode during the day? She shivered, feeling her eyes turn moist. She'd been having dreams for so long, but still hadn't turned! Why not? If this continued and she had an episode during the day... The Goblins killed all Kobolds who showed signs of finishing their awakening. She rubbed her eyes and saw Rita staring at her with a worried look.

"No, no, Emma. There is no need for that. You will go through the change soon, you will see! Your dreams are already during the day. You are so close," Rita whispered as she raised her hand towards Emma's face just as the thick wooden door slammed open. Like a cobra, Rita snatched her hand back and clamped her mouth shut.

All ten of the Kobolds of their slave group silently stared at the grinning Goblin in the doorway. Wearing what remained of a leather jacket and gray jeans, two sizes too large and bound with a simple rope, he looked like a schoolyard bully.

"Are you awake again, little darlings? Good! We have a big day ahead of us! We need to finish another dock," the Goblin smiled nastily as the sound of startled shouts came from the Kobolds.

Emma felt her heart start pounding. If they were going to be allowed near the sea, she could escape! They could al-

An evil grin crept up Whipper's face, and he cackled loudly. "Got ya! Fools! Did you really think we would let you near the sea?" The end of the whip he was holding hit the ground. The smile on his lips dissipated, and he pursed them, staring at the shocked Kobolds.

"Out, you pack off mangy lizards!" he yelled, raising his hand and taking a step forward.

Before the Kobolds could even follow his order, the whip lashed forward, striking one of them in the chest. The Kobold grunted but didn't stop, and within seconds the dirty wooden shack emptied. None of the Kobolds touched the Goblin, trying desperately to stay far from him so as not to risk raising his ire. It didn't matter. It never did. Whipper, true to his name, began striking at everything he saw.

Emma was one of the first out of the door, her small stature and quick movements getting her past the Goblin untouched. Not all were so lucky. As she ran across the muddy ground towards the east gate, she heard cries and groans from behind as the whip cracked home. A quick look around the courtyard showed the other Kobolds also chased out of their shelters by their own green demons.

Less than a minute later, four groups of miserable-looking Kobolds stood before as many gates, a group of Goblins with each yelling at them what they would be doing that day.

Hiding behind Rita's bulk, Emma barely listened to Whipper's snarled orders. Most of the time, they were the same. Chop trees, carry logs, or use logs to build huts and barricades.

"Emma," Rita whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder to guide her along.

Through the raised gate, they walked out into the Goblin village. Dozens of the vile green things were loitering about, laughing as they held some sort of fist-fighting match. Around them was a chaotic mismatch of poorly constructed cabins which created the kind of labyrinth most people would get lost in within moments.

Whipper marched forward, the Kobolds behind him and a few spear-wielding Goblins finishing their group. From the direction he was heading, Emma knew straight away it would be another day of moving logs. Her head dipped as she suppressed the desire to cry. She was tired of sleeping on an empty stomach, tired of muscle pain and the whip. But most of all, she missed Jake and Mason and how protective they had been of her. With them, she'd finally had people that liked her.

Where are you, Jake? she thought as she took a quick look at the sky.

A few days ago, she had seen something circle around above the town, and she had hoped it was him. It wasn't, or if it was, he hadn't come to get her. Deep down, she knew it was unfair to expect him to charge into a base filled with hundreds of Goblins, but she felt abandoned anyway.

Three streets from the east exit, they marched across a muddy area bordering the largest building in town. With wooden pillars angled until they touched, it resembled a cross between an oversized cabin and a tent. Emma had seen it before when they arrived. It was where Peltmans, the leader of the Goblins, lived. Like the other buildings, it was entirely made of wood bound together by vines.

With a loud bang, the poorly made door slammed open. A Fiend walked out of the house, gray-skinned with long hair and a frown on her sharp-lined face.

Tess! Emma almost called out, then bit her tongue to hold it still.

What was Tess doing here? Should she say something? A second figure stomped out after the Fiend, a green quadruped Insectoid. It had thin limbs and a pair of folded wings on its mantis body.

"Stop and think. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. We need his help, or we-" It hissed through a thin head that mostly resembled that of an ant, stopping when its bulbous eyes took in the Kobolds. Staring at them for a moment, he turned to the Fiend. "The hive demands your presence. You have until tomorrow."

It stepped forward and jumped into the air, its wings buzzing loudly as it flew away.

Whipper had been staring at the Insectoid, and as it flew away, he snorted and turned to the Kobolds staring after the Insectoid. With a snap of his whip to get their attention, he began walking again.

Emma quickly looked at Tess and saw the Fiend staring at the Goblins and Kobolds alike with contempt before she stomped off in another direction. She felt the tiny sliver of hope from seeing someone she knew wither and die from that. As young as she was, she knew the look Tess had given the Kobolds. There would be no help from her if she even could. Hanging her head, she followed the others.

The rest of the trip through town and across the grass and mud-covered stretch beyond passed in a blur. She only returned to the present when they arrived at their destination.

"Right you, Lizard brains! Grab those logs and haul them back to the town. Place them next to the gate as I told you!" A snap of the whip accompanied Whipper's shout, and the Kobolds rushed to it.

Emma shook awake from her depressing thoughts and followed Rita across the grassy fields. They were outside of the town, close to the edge of the forest. Dozens of chopped-down trees lay around, a group of Kobolds ripping off the leaves and using their teeth to remove small branches.

A gray, heavyset Insectoid was using its impressive mandibles to gnaw through the leafless trees before removing the larger branches and separating them and the trunk into three-meter-long logs.

Two others joined Emma and Rita, and they began dragging and pushing one of the logs back along the path. Feeling her stomach gnaw its complaints, Emma knew it would be a long day until supper, and she forgot about Tess as she forced her body to comply.