Risha: Chapter 57

“Bring Under Goblin Ola here,” Risha said, looking at the heart of Koliekan as it continued to pulse. “She is meant to take care of the heart-”

“Grand Mother.”

Risha turned away from one of Glo’s Lieutenants to see a lightly bloodied Gray Lupus Kobold. It took her a moment to realize that it was the same one she’d had outside her door when she’d taken her trip through town and killed the panther. 

Risha smiled. She’d been worried that something had happened to the coyote when she hadn’t seen her during the battle, “Mist-Prowler, where’ve you been?”

The shapeshifter motioned for Risha to follow her, and Risha did so without hesitation. As they walked, they passed monsters of all kinds making their way through the tunnels. 

The portion of Risha’s army that had joined her here were organizing the dead, establishing the exits, and searching the many tunnels of the portion of the labyrinth they found themselves in. A total of forty enemy warriors had been captured, but more were being discovered every moment as they fully explored their territory.

“After I disguised myself as a demon, they accepted me without too much question.” Mist-Prowler said as they turned down a corridor. “They knew you were coming, and they didn’t know how much time they’d need to buy for their chieftain to complete his ritual.” She paused, looking at Risha, “I didn’t know what the ritual was, and if I had, I would’ve done everything in my power to save those goblins.”

Risha believed the kobold.

Mist-Prowler took a deep breath, then let it out, she turned towards a random wall and pressed her hand against it. “You won’t like this.” 

She pressed something into the wall, and loud thuds echoed out as ancient gears moved. 

Risha’s eyes widened as the wall opened, and then she saw what lay behind it. 

Demon children huddled together behind a couple demon women. The women held up knives towards Risha, barely able to hold them up from the injuries that covered them. Every child, and every woman were covered in burns and cuts, disfigured beyond recognition. Risha couldn’t believe the history of pain she saw before her. Even orcs didn’t hurt their own people like this. Risha looked beyond the huddled groups and saw the dead. 

They’d been moved, their bodies beginning to rot.

Risha’s focus narrowed as wrath filled her. [Mother’s Care] shot out, wrapping the people in its warm embrace, and easing their wounds.

Risha’s hand lowered to the sword she carried, “Are any of their warriors worth saving?”

“Only a few.” Mist-Prowler answered. 

Risha looked to the closest female demon, her hand trembling as she barely held up the rusty knife she’d found. She’d once had two horns, but both were cut off. 

“Have Glo execute anyone responsible for this.”

“Yes Grand Mother.”

“Have Tya brought here as well.”

“Right away.” The kobold bowed, then left Risha alone with the terrified demons.

Risha stepped into the room, and the demon woman screamed, running forward with her knife. 

Risha sidestepped the stab, and grabbed the woman’s arm, making her drop the knife.

The woman twisted, trying to bite and kick Risha. Risha held her away easily, the woman’s weakened muscles unable to resist Risha’s grip.

Risha focused her healing on the woman, holding her as gently as she could. Risha was terrified of breaking a bone with too much force. 

The woman’s thrashing slowed as wounds closed and pain left her. Burns were hard for Risha’s power to heal fully, but the woman’s many bruises and cuts disappeared.

The woman fell into Risha, then began crying.

Risha let go of the woman’s arms, and just managed to catch the woman as the demoness’s legs gave out. 

Risha cradled the woman as she sobbed.

The others in the room watched the interaction with bated breath. Risha looked up at them, her eyes finding the dead bodies. 

“Come out with me,” The demons didn’t respond, instead huddling closer together. “Follow.” Risha commanded, the strength in her voice finally moving them as they responded without thinking. 

Risha picked up the woman she held. The demoness didn’t react, her head still on Risha's shoulder. Risha walked behind the injured and terrified demons until they were outside the room. Risha looked back, finally noticing the shinies and books that were hidden on the shelves. She hadn’t even noticed them with the horror that had sat in front.

She looked away without care, focusing instead on her healing of those with her. 

A group of healers quickly arrived, helping Risha take care of the tortured demons. Risha didn’t leave them, instead staying with them. Risha made her way through the women and children, learning their names, offering comforting words and healing where she could. The woman she’d carried fell asleep at some point, so Risha set her down in a small cot the healers had brought.

Risha held more women and children as the hours passed, not leaving until every single one was resting and healed.

Unfortunately, she had more to do, and returned to the main room with Koliekan’s heart. She saw the bodies of many of her former prisoners, their heads rolling from where their necks had been cut.

She walked past them uncaring, instead making her way to the tiny pale goblins who huddled in groups.

The next several hours were spent evolving her brethren. Ola, the first one she’d evolved, seemed to have taken to the role of leader well. She helped Glo organize her people, and together they began to take over the former demon’s home.

***

Risha held up one of the crystals that the tiny goblins had been mining, studying it. There was an energy to it that Risha couldn’t quite define. She looked up as someone came towards her.

A Goblin Warrior walked over to her, Talo the shade trailing behind him. 

“Grand Mother,” The Goblin Warrior bowed to her, “There’s… someone here to see you.”

Risha paused in confusion, “Where?” 

“From deeper.”

Risha stood up, meeting Talo’s eyes. “Do you know them?”

“I do not know.”

Risha motioned for them to lead her towards the messenger.

They walked through the caverns, passing the Under Goblins who’d begun to repurpose the depths for themselves. Deeper they went, past any part of the place that Risha had already been to.

They stopped in front of a pair of open doors, a contingent of warriors and a Red Fox Kobold standing ready from behind fortifications that had been built long ago.

Waiting on the other side of the doors was a Shade with her wraps pulled over her face. Next to her was a male Dark Elf. He wore finery, and had an earring on one ear piercing it in multiple spots, a small chain connecting each piercing. Behind them, a large lizard blended in with the rocks, only visible from the reigns leading from it to the wagon behind it. More wagons and warriors of different races hung back, 

The Dark Elf bowed, “You are Empress Risha, I presume?” 

Risha nodded her head in greeting, “I’m surprised you know my name.”

The Dark Elf smiled, “We have a mutual friend, your majesty. I am Emilio, a trader from Undercity Freerala. Our mutual friend has requested that I give you a taste of the trade our wonderful city can offer.” Emilio motioned to the many carts behind him. “Am I correct in understanding that you now have access to this tribe's crystal mines?” 

Risha nodded. She wondered if Grand Mother Maya was the mutual friend he was speaking of.

“Wonderful, then I look forward to our collaboration. May we come inside?”

Risha looked at Talo, but his gaze was lost in the other Shade’s eyes. Risha realized that the two of them had been looking at each other since they’d arrived.

Finally Talo seemed to realize that Risha was asking for his opinion. He looked at her and gave a nod. 

Risha motioned for the group to come through. The caravan took off slowly as the lizards led the wagons through the doors. There were more shades with the group than Risha had originally realized. There were even a few demons, and a dwarf driving the wagons. 

Risha motioned to one of the Under Goblins who stood nearby, “Do you know where we can take them?”

The Under Goblin nodded, then led the caravan through the tunnels to a large cave, glowing with the same metal that lit up the rest of the caves. Half of the warriors guarding the exit split off to accompany the strangers to their location.

Emilio approached Risha as boxes were unloaded from the wagons, the shade trailing behind him. He gave a deep and practiced bow, “Empress Risha, if you would lead us to somewhere we can talk more privately.”

Risha looked to the Under Goblin, who quickly realized what she was asking, and motioned for them to follow. 

They made their way to a small room with a table, chests and a couple chairs. Furs that Risha didn’t recognize covered the floor and the chairs. A door was closed behind them, leaving Risha and Talo alone with the Dark Elf and the Shade.

The Dark Elf stepped back towards the door, crossing his arms.

The shade jumped at Risha, wrapping her arms around the surprised goblin. “Risha, You’re strong and beautiful.” 

Risha blinked, recognizing the voice. “Cala?” 

The Shade Grand Mother pulled away, her eyes glistening from under the wrappings that hid her face. “I had to come.” 

Her eyes moved to Talo. The shade fell to his knees, placing his head against the floor, “Mother Cala.” 

Cala stared at him for a long time, her hand still resting on Risha’s arm. “It has been long, Talo.” 

Talo remained silent, not moving from where he kneeled.

Cala closed her eyes, letting out a breath. Then turned back to Risha. “How has Talo been?”

Risha looked between the two, wondering at the tenseness in the air, “He has fought hard for me.”

“Tell me.” The aloofness that the woman usually carried returned.

“He protected one of my children until she came to me. We have fought many battles together since.”

Cala watched the kneeling Shade as Risha spoke. “Does guilt fuel you, Talo?”

“No, mother.” Talo answered, “Duty and purpose.”

“I see.” Cala stayed silent for a long time. Finally, she spoke, “Keep Risha safe.”

“Your will, mother.” 

Cala turned back to Risha, “Talo is young. Treat him well.” She motioned for Emilio to step forward, “My gifts are yours. I must return home soon.” 

“Thank you, Cala.”

The woman placed her hand on Risha’s head, “The Darkness will treat you kindly, Risha.” 

With that said, the woman stepped out of the room, leaving her alone with Talo and Emilio.

“I will return,” Talo rose and followed her out.

“Well, that was fascinating.” Emilio walked over to one of the chairs, “May I sit?”

Risha nodded, her gaze still on the door where they’d left.

“I brought you many shinies.” 

Her head whipped towards the man, and he laughed.

“Sorry, the Shade Mother asked me to say that.”