The Blade of Absolution by Lou Yardley

Author:Lou Yardley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: monsters, fiendish fantasy, dark fantasy, goblins
Publisher: The Goblin Storybook
Published: 2023-06-23T00:00:00+00:00

A Trap

Fighting the urge to turn herself invisible, Yelkrie took Everfrost through the castle. Goblins were brilliant at sneaking around, but she still felt vulnerable. She would have felt a whole lot better if most people couldn’t see her, but she couldn’t hide the girl as well. While they were picking up a wand and some Witch’s Blood from Gerdelai’s study, perhaps she could pick up the ingredients for a cloaking spell as well.

“How much further?” Everfrost asked as they climbed another set of stairs. Yelkrie was about to take the piss out of her companion for being unfit, but the speedy climb had left her feeling winded, too.

“Not far,” she replied, keeping her panting in check. “It’s just along this corridor and to the left.”

Wanting to check the study was empty, Yelkrie ran off ahead. She could hear Everfrost’s boots slapping against the floor. So much for stealth.

The goblin paused and hissed over her shoulder. “Keep it down! We don’t want to let the whole castle know we’re here, do we? They want us dead, remember?”

Everfrost blushed. “Sorry!”

Yelkrie bit back another remark. There was no point in saying anything else. If there was someone in the study, they would have either heard Everfrost’s noisy footfalls or their whispered exchange. Bitching about it wouldn’t change anything. The goblin would save that for when they were waiting on the gallows. Or the pyre. Or the chopping block. Whichever method Queen Elsbeth chose for their execution, there would be a moment for last words, and Yelkrie would use hers to let everyone know exactly what she thought of them all.

“Yelkrie?” a familiar voice called from inside the study.

“Pyggbe?” she called back, racing towards the door. A hand landed on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. “What are you doing?” she said, as she was spun around to face Everfrost.

“It could be a trap,” Everfrost replied, keeping her grip tight on Yelkrie’s shoulder. “Anyone could be in there.”

“S’pose you’re right.” Yelkrie kept to one side of the open door so she couldn’t be seen and called through. “Pyggbe? You there?”

“Yes! Who else would it be?” the voice called back.

“See,” Yelkrie said.

“That could be anyone!” Everfrost said. “I thought goblins were supposed to be smart and tricksy.”

“We are.” It was hard not to take offense at that. “Of course we are. We got you outta that dungeon, didn’t we?”

The girl rolled her eyes and Yelkrie was tempted to rip her throat out, magick and deal be damned.

“Ever thought someone might try to trick you?” Everfrost asked. “We don’t even know that’s Pyggbe in here. It could be someone impersonating him.”

“Nah, my Pyggbe has a very distinctive voice. Nobody speaks quite like him.” It was the truth.

“Fine, but what about if he’s trapped and someone’s in there with him?” Everfrost asked.

Pausing for a moment, Yelkrie considered the girl’s words. She made a fair point, but the goblin knew Pyggbe wouldn’t put her in harm’s way. If it was a trap, he’d tell her.

Providing, of course, that the voice belonged to Pyggbe.

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