Claire decided to let it all go for now. She and Jasmine went to the trafficker’s stronghold to check on the conditions of the carriages. Lily and Ana took over for Ursa, allowing her to help Elsie in preparing for their departure.
“You know, with Firewater’s army, we’d have an actual chance to overthrow Lady Lloyd,” Jasmine said as they approached the walls. The goblins around them were busy cleaning up the bodies and looting the supplies.
“I… didn’t even think about that,” Claire muttered. She was too focused on the two goblins’ oddities. “But wouldn’t that get the royal army’s attention?”
“Mmm, maybe.” Jasmine bit her lip. “We could try disguising them. Cover their entire bodies so they weren’t found to be goblins.”
Claire chuckled. “They’re at max 4 feet tall. Then people would assume we resurrected the dwarves to fight alongside us.”
“Damn, maybe illusion magic then.” Jasmine continued with a sly smile. “I wonder if Samira or Silkie has any skill with it.”
“If we’re bringing Samira into it, why couldn’t she just mind control our Lady’s forces?” Claire retorted. “It’d be far easier…”
“I doubt her powers work like that.” Jasmine’s smile dropped. She rubbed her chin as they entered through the breach in the wall. “If it were, she could have mind-controlled the bandits.”
“Another question we’d need to ask if we find her,” Claire said with an exasperated sigh.
“Yeah,” Jasmine said.
“No more questions!” Claire cried out in frustration, throwing her hands up. Her head was already hurting, and all she wanted to do was work. Shut her mind down and focus on manual labor. “I just want to get my hands busy and stop with all the questions!”
Jasmine tilted her head, her smile returning. “Too much stimulation for a poor farm girl?”
“Yes,” Claire said without hesitation. “I do my best thinking while working.”
Jasmine laughed. “Did your Goddess give you anything noteworthy last night?”
Claire shook her head. “Only that those two were obscured by old magic. Seems like she did know of Samira…”
“Then they could be unrelated,” Jasmine replied.
They were met by the admiral goblin, stopping their conversation. The goblin’s expression looked grim, its head hanging low. It gestured to follow him, and they were escorted to the west.
They stopped in front of a small, wooden shed built into the wall surrounding the stronghold. A few of the elite goblins were standing before it, their heads down as well. Claire could feel her stomach churn.
The admiral stopped before the doors and looked up at the two women. Its expression said it all. Claire gulped and nodded. Jasmine glanced at the redhead, torn on whether Claire should really see what was inside.
Jasmine stepped forward first, blocking Claire’s view. It was similar to Silkie’s room, but larger. There were tools of torture and sadism strung about the place. Dried blood coated the floors and walls. In the corner were several kegs.
“Move,” Claire said from behind. Jasmine felt Claire’s firm grip on her shoulder. “I can handle it.”
Jasmine hesitated. She didn’t want to move. She didn’t want to expose Claire to this sight. But Claire squeezed her shoulder, and Jasmine moved.
“Goddess…” Claire murmured as her knees weakened. She held back the nausea clawing up her throat as she took in the horrid sight. “This is what they’ve had to endure…”
Claire was surprised to feel a calloused hand grip hers, an unfamiliar feeling. She looked down at the admiral goblin, whose eyes were fixed on her. Its yellow eyes seemed far more human now. For a moment, she forgot the torture chamber. This creature even had empathy.
Jasmine was staring at the goblin with wide eyes. She, too, was shocked at the gesture. The goblin forced a toothy smile and bowed his head. It let go of Claire’s hand and walked towards the kegs.
The two women watched it, stunned. It gestured to the barrels, trying to communicate something. It reached for its belt, pulling out a flask that snapped them out of their shock.
“Alcohol?” Jasmine asked, slowly approaching the goblin.
It nodded, but held up its finger. It mimed a gesture, its thumb crossing its throat. Claire glanced around the room, slowly processing the place. The goblin successfully helped her suppress her nausea.
“Poisoned alcohol?” Jasmine asked.
It shook its head. It took a moment to think. It slumped its shoulders and acted drowsy.
“Drugged alcohol?” Jasmine corrected. It straightened and pointed to her. Jasmine glanced at Claire as the two pieced everything together.
“They were mixing that drug with their alcohol,” Claire muttered. She was staring at the restraints, visualizing what would go on. “Testing it on those boys…”
“More than testing,” Jasmine added. She found whips, knives, and paddles. “These women were true sadists.”
Claire focused on keeping it together. The walls around her seemed to close in, she could only feel hate and nausea build up in her. She stepped out of the shed, the room feeling too suffocating. Jasmine followed quickly behind her.
“You okay?” Jasmine asked softly, following her out.
“I think so.” Claire nodded slowly. “I think Ursa was right. These women had this coming.”
Jasmine pursed her lips. It hurt her heart to hear Claire say it. “Yeah, maybe…”
“I keep being reminded how desperately men need the help,” Claire said before taking a deep breath. “Imagine if this shit didn’t get ignored.”
“World would be a whole lot better if nobles did what they promised.” Jasmine agreed. She rubbed the back of Claire’s back, “It’s why you were chosen. It’s why you were given your divine mission.”
“Yeah, I just feel powerless to stop it all right now.” Claire admitted with a sharp exhale. The admiral goblin grabbed her hand once more, bringing her smile back.
“Looks like he supports you, too.” Jasmine said with a small laugh. “But that’s what these missions are for. We need to build up your strength and Her influence.”
Claire nodded. “Right. I just need to focus on getting stronger. On fulfilling my promises.”
Claire kneeled before the admiral goblin, meeting its eyes. She clasped his hand with both of hers. “Thank you. For both showing this to me and comforting me. You all surprise me with each interaction.”
The goblin gave her a toothy smile and nodded.
“Makes me wish we could communicate better,” Jasmine said, helping Claire to her feet. “I’d like to learn more about them and their leaders.”
“Yeah,” Claire murmured. She glanced at the shed one last time. “Mr. Goblin, can you destroy this shed?”
It chuckled and released her hand. It let out a series of commands to one of the elite goblins. It disappeared, then the admiral beckoned the two to follow. The goblin led them to the carriages waiting for them.
“These look like those ruined ones we found,” Jasmine whispered. “You remember? When we met Ursa.”
“I do,” Claire said, stiffening. “And the cargo within them.”
Jasmine squeezed Claire’s hand tightly. “We’ll prevent these kids from suffering the same fate.”
“I hope so,” Claire said, hanging her head. “I hope we can get them to Lady Efreit or Fyre… I just worry about the next batch. Or the uncounted boys.”
The two watched the goblins file out of the back, cleaning tools in hand. They were replaced by others bringing in blankets and supplies. Claire had to admit that she would miss having the goblin army. They were very convenient for both battle and cleanup.
“Can’t even distract myself with work,” Claire huffed. “They’re doing all of it.”