Kobold
Jobdan Boswitz it was then... Kobold did not like the idea of working with the cattle baron, but he had to admit, he was their best bet. As such, he reluctantly took the long walk to the far side of Baliho, where Boswitz resided in a modest town house, two-stories high, with a small wall surrounding its front yard. The street in front was paved with cobblestone, but currently covered with muddy, half-melted snow. In the large cities of the Bornland, no respectable merchant would have settled for a house this modest. But then again, Jobdan Boswitz was no Bornish merchant, merely the biggest fish in the tiny pond that was Baliho.
The goblin stopped as he spotted the armed guard in front of Boswitz' home. He was certain the man hadn't seen him yet, but even from afar Kobold recognized his face. Short, black hair, pale skin, a clean-shaven face, so far so common for a human of Meadows, but what actually gave him away was the huge, downright gruesome scar on his left arm, exposed to the elements despite the cold. It had healed badly, leaving behind a deep gash and two knotty lines on each side. A small wonder he had been able to keep the arm and even more so that he was still able to use it just fine, as his weapon of choice implied. Casually, the man held a crossbow in both hands, an unusual weapon so far to the north, but Kobold had seen it in action before and he knew just how dangerous it was.
“Ah, shit... it's that guy”, he mumbled, as he held Eret back. The two had stopped at the corner of a small side street, keeping to the shadows. “He's the one I told you about earlier. The barmaid's boyfriend. Real piece of work”, he growled. “His name is Dan... something. Sounds like Dick and trust me, that's exactly what he is”
“Doesn't seem too bad”, Eret replied, just as that bloody guardsman gave one of the few passers-by a friendly nod. Kobold shook his head. “To you, maybe”, he admitted. “But if you got too much fur or pointy ears... let's just say, he's part of why I like to avoid Baliho. You go and talk to him, alright? Try to introduce me, get him to calm down before he even sees me, aye?”
Eret raised an eyebrow. “I'm not your herald”, he stated firmly and Kobold flashed him a brief grin. “You are now, if you want to keep working for me”, he spoke, a clear lie, before he gave him a pat onto the back. “Why, you got no problem beating people up for me, but you draw the line at speaking in my name? You Nivesians sure are a strange bunch” Eret sighed. “Didn't say I won't do it”, he clarified. “Just saying, this might not be the best idea” He shrugged. “But what do I know, eh? Give me a moment, I'll talk to him”
He turned around, while Kobold remained hidden in the alleyway. From there, he watched Eret walk across the street, towards the guardsman. As expected, the other man turned to him with a polite smile. He was like that towards other humans, but the moment Kobold would show up... well, nothing he couldn't handle. He was used to working around certain people, wherever he went. And it was a good thing that he never forgot a face.
“Can I help you, mate?”, the guardsman asked and Eret gave him a nod. “I'm looking for the cattle baron”, he replied. “My employer would like to meet him” The guardsman raised an eyebrow. “Master Boswitz doesn't receive visitors. He is a very busy man these days”, he replied calmly. “Sorry, but if he wants to meet you, he will send for you. If you want to, I can pass on a message”
Eret paused and Kobold knew, this was not going according to plan. It was true, Boswitz was a busy man, but he had never been so solitary in the past. With a proper talk, even a goblin had been able to get an appointment with him. “I'm not really sure that'll work”, Eret replied. “What my employer has to say is for the cattle baron's ears only. I'm sure he wants to hear it”
“Does he now?”, the guardsman asked. “Listen, if your boss comes around personally, maybe I can arrange something. No offence mate, but I'm not going to take your word for it. If I am to disturb Master Boswitz in his work, then your boss needs to give me a proper reason” He sighed. “See, if it's just some crap you want, then I'm going to be in trouble”
Eret turned around, glancing at the alleyway, where Kobold was still hiding. “You wanna come over?”, he asked and Kobold took a deep breath. That was part of why he kept Eret around. The boy was human and in this world, that meant everything. All Kobold had, his moderate wealth, his connections, his pride, he had despite not being human. For all of it, he had to work ten times as hard as one of those long-legged smooth-skins. Because people like that guardsman, they held him back at every turn.
“Alright, I'm coming!”, he exclaimed. “Just, stay calm” He moved out onto the street and the moment he stepped into the moonlight, leaning onto his cane, he noticed a change on the guardsman's face. The smile was gone in an instant and instead, he saw a strong frown. “I should have known your mangy fur is involved in this”, he growled.
Kobold spread his arms, a decidedly friendly smile on his face. “Ah, now, don't be like that, Dannick!”, he exclaimed and the man narrowed his eyes. “Dangig”, he growled and Kobold gave Eret a wink. “Told you it sounds like Dick”, he mouthed, before he flashed Dangig a wide, toothy grin. “Long time no see!”, he spoke. “Since when does the city guard play watchdog for Jobdan Boswitz?”
“Since when do they allow a reeking Redfur to walk among us?”, Dangig replied. “Had I known you were his boss, I would have sent him away at once” He glanced at the crossbow in his hands. “Why don't you fuck off, Kobold?”, he asked. “Go back to where people won't throw stones at you” The goblin sighed, as he gave Eret a signal not to intervene. “Yeah, sometimes I wonder about it myself...”, he mumbled. “Listen, Dickon, no hard feelings, alright? I just want to talk to Boswitz”
“He doesn't want to talk to you”, Dangig snarled. “He's got better things to do than to waste his time on someone like you” This was too much for Eret, who straightened his back. “Why, because he's a goblin?”, he asked and Dangig shook his head. “Because he brings trouble with him wherever he goes”, he stated. “I couldn't care less if he's a flea-ridden crossbreed between an ork and a mangy dog, but honestly he's worse than most of his kind. Only here to bother innocent citizens”
Kobold raised an eyebrow. “Well, you don't have to worry about that”, he assured him. “We both know the cattle baron is by no means innocent” Dangig glared at him. “Jobdan Boswitz is a pillar of this city. It's why the count himself ordered me to guard his mansion while this serial killer is on the loose. I have strict orders not to let anyone through whom I deem a threat to Boswitz”
This time, the goblin looked down at himself, inspecting his claws and his heavy clothing. “I wouldn't say I'm threatening at all”, he spoke. “Especially not to such a tall, well-built human such as you. Would you disagree?” Dangig rolled his eyes. “I could rip you apart if I wanted to”, he claimed. “Frankly, you gave me reason enough last time you were here”
“You would die in an instant”, Eret spoke coldly, placing a hand on his dagger and Dangig took a step away from him. “Easy, I don't want any trouble with you”, he was quick to try and ease the tension. “Your boss is the one I have a bone to pick. But you, man, I'm sorry, but I can't let you through. You're definitely dangerous”
“Eret can leave his weapons behind”, Kobold offered and Dangig looked at him as one would look at a dead critter. “Do I really have to spell it out for you, goblin?”, he growled. “You're not getting in there” Slowly, the tip of the crossbow began to move, until it pointed right at Kobold. “I can be more direct if you want to, but honestly, I'd prefer if you just get the hint”
“Oi, he gets it”, another voice barked from behind, darker and more grizzled. Kobold glanced past Dangig and to his surprise, he spotted a dwarf approaching him. Fairly young for his race, as Kobold spotted at once. Surprisingly, he had little problem with telling dwarves apart. Perhaps it was their beards. This one in particular kept his beard all in black, without a streak of grey in it. It was tied into several mighty braids that fell down onto his chest, while the hair on his head was tied into a thick knot. Bushy eyebrows failed to fully conceal his piercing grey eyes, whereas his facial features beneath the beard were sharp, even if the skin was still smooth. He wore simple clothing, a brown vest and white clothes beneath, befitting for a craftsman.
Most importantly, Kobold faintly recognized this dwarf. “Ah...”, he greeted him and the dwarf replied with a nod. “Darbrek, isn't it?” The dwarf stopped next to Dangig, who glanced at him with slight irritation. “Darbrek Son of Darmor, aye”, he confirmed. “I'm surprised to see you in this city, Kobold. Thought you were always the first to flee a sinking ship” Though his voice was sharp, there was a thin smile beneath his beard.
“I wasn't aware things were this dire”, Kobold replied. “Armed guards in front of Jobdan Boswitz' house... and you, since when did you work for him?” Darbrek shook his head. “I'm not working for him. Neither is young Dangig here. He got his orders, I simply came to visit my old friend Jobdan. Had to wonder what the commotion outside is all about” Briefly, he narrowed his eyes. “Seeing you, I am not surprised anymore”
“You know that rat, Darbrek?”, Dangig asked and the dwarf gave him a nod. “Aye, I do”, he stated. “And don't call him a rat. Depending on where you stand, you're either not giving him enough credit, or it's an insult to rats” Kobold gulped, as he and Eret exchanged a glance. The boy raised an eyebrow and with slight annoyance, the goblin shook his head. “And where do you stand, Darbrek?”, he asked, hoping to win the dwarf over. Here in Meadows, it was rare to make a good impression with all of his fur, but as far as he remembered, he and Darbrek got along well enough.
“I think you're not stupid enough to come here without reason”, the dwarf replied. “Nor are you brave enough to do so” He glanced at Dangig. “You should have guessed that much, boy”, he told him sternly. “I say you can come in. But I'll keep an eye on you” He looked at Eret. “Especially on you, mate. Don't like that look on your face”
Eret narrowed his eyes, but after an urgent glare from Kobold, he remained quiet. “Excuse me, but since when are you in charge, dwarf?”, Dangig asked sharply, though his voice lacked the hatred he showed with Kobold. Still, he looked down upon Darbrek, it was honestly hard not to. The dwarf smirked. “I've been in charge since before you were born, youngling”, he chuckled, though he briefly flexed his impressive dwarven muscles.
It was enough for Dangig to back off. For all his flaws, he wasn't one to pick a fight for no reason. “Whatever you say...”, he mumbled. “But don't blame me if this one gets sticky fingers in Master Boswitz' mansion” He turned away from the dwarf, who in return waved them through the gate. The goblin allowed himself a small sigh. He knew Dangig would be difficult to deal with, but having Darbrek here was certainly fortunate. There was no bad blood between him and the dwarf and he gladly accompanied him through the gate, relishing in Dangig's irritated look as he walked past him.
“Man, what is his problem?”, Eret hissed and Kobold shrugged. “He's just an asshole when it comes to non-humans”, the goblin replied, which earned him a thoroughly deserved glare from Darbrek. “Don't act like you are innocent here, Kobold”, he growled and the goblin sighed, especially after Eret's curious glance hit him with full force. “Well... you seen that scar on his arm?”, he admitted and Eret raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, that was me...”, Kobold confirmed. “With an axe. Asshole didn't see it coming, but before you give me that look, he deserved it” Eret smirked. “Did he now?”, he spoke. “Honestly, I'm more surprised you hit someone with an axe. Since when are you the violent type?” Kobold flashed him a toothy grin. “That was three years ago, shortly before we first met. Might not sound much to you, but three years for my kind... gods, I was good back then”
“Must have been a nasty wound”, Eret spoke and Kobold heard clear appreciation from his voice. “Aye, a small miracle he was able to keep the arm at all”, he replied and he noticed Darbrek's chuckle. “I won't say he didn't deserve it”, the dwarf admitted. “Dangig is not a bad kid. Quite decent actually, to most in this city. But he picked that fight. Should have known better than to bully a goblin geezer”
Kobold narrowed his large eyes. “I'm not that old”, he protested, another clear lie, as the grey streaks in his fur clearly proved. His kind aged faster and where a human still had their best years ahead of them in their forties, Kobold already had to think about death. Back home, the oldest goblins he had ever met had been a little over fifty. That would be ten years from now for him.
Before Kobold could fully sink into such dark thoughts, Darbrek's voice snapped him out of it. “You know, you're not the first to visit Jobdan today”, the dwarf growled. “So, I wasn't surprised to see you at the gate. Strange times call for strange alliances” He sighed. “Let's just hope Jobdan sees it the same way. I know you two got a bone to pick”
This actually gained Kobol's interest. “Another one, you say?”, he spoke, as they walked through Boswitz' modest entrance hall, lying almost entirely in darkness. His kind had no problem seeing in such twilight and he was able to make out old paintings on the walls and a floor where only few people walked upon lately, as evidenced by the layer of dust they walked through. Indeed, he knew the cattle baron spent only the harsh winter months within the city itself.
“Yeah...”, Darbrek mumbled, actually lowering his voice as he walked up the staircase. “She's... you know, the witch” Kobold narrowed his eyes. “I don't know any witch”, he spoke. “At least none I'd expect here” Darbrek shrugged. “Maybe not a witch. A mage at least and they are all the same. There's something off about that woman, I tell you”
He stopped in front of a door and Kobold's fine hearing was able to hear the faint whispers of a conversation behind it. After a brief knock, the dwarf opened it, revealing a familiar study behind. Kobold had been to this room before and it hadn't changed a bit. It was still too small for the massive amount of documents the cattle baron kept there. Accounting books, deeds of ownership, debentures... they would be neatly sorted, if not for their sheer amount making such a thing downright impossible in this comparably tiny room.
Beyond the two massive shelves taking over most of the room, there was only enough space for one large table, the large candlestick on it barely illuminating the entire room, and a few chairs around it, as well as a single window, through which the pale light of the moon was seen. The cattle baron himself stood there, looking out of the window, though he glanced over his shoulder as Darbrek entered.
Jobdan Boswitz was by no means an impressive figure. Of course, Kobold was in no position to judge, but the cattle baron was small and lean for a human, over a head shorter than the guard he kept in front of his mansion. Perhaps he had to compensate for something? That being said, his lean body had some strength to it, as Kobold was painfully aware of. Over the last three years, the rest of his hair had turned grey, his hairline heavily receding, though his moustache remained as thick as ever. Fitting for a man of his position, the cattle baron wore a fine mixture of fur and leather, with the thick vest held together by a golden chain. If not for the typically piercing look in his eyes, it would be easy to consider him harmless, judging by his unassuming, almost grandfatherly face. That was one thing he and Kobold had in common.
“Ah, Darbek, what...”, he began in a friendly tone, before his expression hardened. “What the hells?” The words were uttered with cold anger and as the cattle baron turned around to face Kobold, he had his fists clenched. “Hey, Boss-man!”, the goblin exclaimed, spreading his arms as he entered the room. There was another person there, sitting in the shadows, but he focussed solely on the cattle baron for now, responding to the man's glare with a calm smile. “I know, I know, we haven't parted on the best of terms, but...”
“What are you doing here?”, Boswitz interrupted him loudly. His voice was oozing anger, but he made no move for now. That was good... wasn't it? Behind him, he noticed Eret shifting uncomfortably. In the past, admittedly, he had underestimated his foes. If not for Eret, he would have been dead by now. Knowing the pup, he was trying to come up with a way to get out of this building, him and Kobold both. That was certainly good.
“I was getting there...”, Kobold growled. “Now, I don't want to be here, you don't want me here, but trust me, I have good reason for coming to this place. Just hear me out...” Once more, Boswitz cut him off. “And why should I do that?”, he hissed. “Why should I listen to some godsforsaken thief?” Behind him, Eret gulped audibly. “Thief?”, he whispered and Kobold frowned. “A misunderstanding, boss-man”, he claimed and Boswitz shot him a vicious glare. “I'm asking you again, Kobold... what are you doing here?”, he snarled. “You have one try to convince me not to throw you out”
“He's here for the same reason as me”, another voice sounded, higher, softer and notably more tired than Boswitz' aggravated snarl. A smile formed on Kobold's face as he turned to the woman in the corner. “Now, that is a welcome surprise”, he spoke, as she leant forward, closer to the candle. Her skin was pale, almost pasty, even for these pasty-skinned humans of Meadows and her long brown hair was in a disarray. Dark brown eyes looked at him, the dark bags beneath them hinting at her almost chronic lack of proper sleep and though she was young by the standards of her race, her gaze reminded him of a woman who had seen too much. Her face was as unnervingly human as could be, to him she looked as disgusting as Eret or Boswitz, but twice as tired. “Hello, Abby!”
Abigale Sithkho was precisely the woman he had wanted to meet after talking to Boswitz. Her being here made things a lot easier. For once, he knew that she was among the few people in this city who had no bad blood with him. “Abigale”, she corrected him and he gave her a clever grin, knowing fully well how much she hated the nickname. “And you shouldn't be surprised to see me here. After all, you didn't cover your tracks too well”
It didn't take Kobold too long to realize what she meant. “So, you've talked to Arris”, he deduced and she gave him a nod. “And Cilie over at the inn”, she confirmed. “Wasn't hard to find out whom you'd try and talk to. Was even easier to beat you to it. Seems like you're finally getting old” She flashed him an almost sardonic smile, with little actual joy wrung into it and it faded as quick as it came.
“Oh, I... I'm Eret!”, Eret spoke up, as he awkwardly entered the room, his smile solely directed at Abigale, who merely raised an eyebrow. “Good for you”, she mumbled, before she glanced at Kobold. “I take it you wanted to speak to me as well, so I decided to make things a bit easier for you by coming here. Had something to discuss with Boswitz either way” Even for a human, her attempt at winking came off as half-hearted. “You're welcome”
“Yeah, you're bloody welcome, goblin”, Jobdan Boswitz hissed. “Eyes on me. Why are you here?” Kobold shot Abigale a thin smile, but it faded by the time he looked at Bosqitz. “I... well, I need your help”, he managed to utter. When it came to such things, he was not too proud to admit when he needed assistance. His kind usually didn't make it very far in this world if they clung to false pride.
Before Boswitz could reject him, Kobold cut him off. “Now, let me explain!”, he was quick to bark. “I have come here because one of my contacts was violently murdered. Poor girl by the name of Tsaja, maybe you heard of her case” Briefly, Boswitz' features relaxed. “A victim of the Whorescarver, yes”, he confirmed and Eret still frowned at the name. “The town criers were all over it. Surprised you care enough, knowing I won't tolerate you in my city”
Abigale narrowed her eyes and Kobold noticed her eyes upon him. She had always been quick-witted, that one, clever beyond her age. “I don't think that's his only reason”, she deduced and given enough time, she would probably realize that he wasn't here just for a single murder. To cut things short, he gave her a nod. “Aye, it's not just Tsaja...”, he spoke. “Boss-man... Jobdan, I know we had our differences in the past. I stole from you, you tried to have me murdered, can you honestly tell who threw the first stone here?”
Jobdan Boswitz shot him a vicious glare. “Yes, I can”, he stated firmly, even if Kobold's memory was a bit more muddy in these regards. A lot of people had tried to kill him in the past, few entirely without reason, but he was fairly certain that Jobdan at least gave him good reason to steal his coin. The fact that he was standing here, having an almost civil conversation with the cattle baron proved him right.
“What if I tell you, this is bigger than just Tsaja, bigger than just the Whorescarver here in Baliho, something that concerns me very much and something that might grow into a problem for you...?”, he began. “Would that be enough to hear me out?” Jobdan crossed his arms, as he leant against the window. “I'm listening”, he confirmed in a low tone. Though he was unarmed and Darbrek made no move to intimidate them, Kobold felt instinctively threatened.
“Yeah, so...”, the gobin began and without asking, he grabbed the only free chair on his side of the table, the other being occupied by Abigale, who leant closer to listen. “As you know, I have a small network of, well, let's call them informants in the larger cities of the north. Wherever there's trade, there's opportunity and my little eyes, they made sure to tell me whenever something particularly good came up”
“Get to the point”, Boswitz growled and Kobold sighed. “A while ago, someone started killing my people. First in Notmark, then Festum, then Uhdenmount. And little Tsaja, she was my only contact here in Meadows, the only one between Uhdenmount and Baliho at least” This time, the cattle baron seemed to think of what the goblin told him. “A straight line from Notmark to Baliho, where some nutjob kills your people...”, he deduced.
“Aye, but he's not the Whorescarver”, Kobold continued. “First murder here happened around the time my friend in Festum was murdered. Still, I don't believe in a coincidence. There's two serial killers in a medium-sized city and you're telling me they have nothing to do with each other. I want to find the Whorescarver because he might be able to point me into the right direction”
“And here I thought you were getting altruistic in your age”, Abigale stated and Kobold gave her a wink. “So... two serial killers run rampant in this city”, he continued. “Isn't that reason enough to work together?” He looked at the cattle baron who seemed decidedly unconvinced. “Two serial killers...”, he mumbled, before he shook his head. “Do you have any idea how bad things are in the duchy?”
For a moment, Kobold hesitated, before he glanced at Eret, who merely shrugged. “No...?”, he admitted and Boswitz sighed. “People are disappearing all over the place”, he growled. “I mean, people disappear from time to time, no one knows it better than me and you, but it never happened like this, not on such a scale. One day it's all fine, the next you know these people are just gone. No trace, as if they just stood up one day and left”
Kobold raised an eyebrow. “And in Baliho?”, he asked, to which Boswitz finally sat down on his chair. “Just one”, he growled. “And I know where he ended up at. Elbaran, one of my enforcers, he left a few weeks before the whole Whorescarver situation began” He shook his head. “Back then, our count had guests, the Baron Dustward of Menzhome and his daughter, Ulgraine. As a citizen of note, I was invited to dinner with them and I took Elbaran with me as my personal guard”, he explained. “Baroness Ulgraine couldn't keep her eyes off him for the whole evening, probably the whole night, given her reputation. He wasn't her first, he won't be her last and she is still the heiress of Menzhome, so it was clear as day that nothing serious would ever happen out of it”
“But Elbaran fell in love, eh?”, Kobold deduced, shaking his head at such a silly human notion. Of course, goblins knew love as well, but it was rare for his kind to stay with one partner for long. Jobdan rolled his eyes. “Of course he did”, he growled. “A damn fine enforcer, that man had ice in his veins, but all of a sudden, he's out of his mind for that highborn bitch. And she ain't even that pretty, not the type to throw your life away for. In any way, the baron and his daughter left a few days later and Elbaran went with them, hoping to gain a spot at the baron's court, a chance to continue his fling with the baroness. I offered to take him back if he ever tires of being a fool, but so far, not a word”
“Doesn't sound like he's missing at all then”, Eret growled and the cattle baron looked past Kobold, as if he just now realized there was someone else standing there. “Here in Baliho, people don't go missing...”, Abigale mumbled, before her gaze grew slightly sharper. “They are not disappearing here, they are dying. Whatever is happening all over the rest of the duchy, it's worse here. Whatever is taking all these people, it doesn't even bother in this city. Either it's working with the Whorescarver, or that son of a bitch is so bad that he is actively scaring it away from Baliho. One way or the other, he is the key”
Kobold leant forwards, ignoring Jobdan's irritated glare. Once, they worked well together and truth be told, it was a shame their former agreement had come to and end. Of course, Kobold would insist that it was Jobdan's fault first and foremost, though even he would not deny that a tiny bit of the blame was on him just as well. But perhaps they could come together one last time, for their mutual interest in seeing that murderer brought to justice. “What do we know about him?”, he asked.
“Not much”, Abigale replied and Jobdan seemed relieved that he didn't have to speak. “He is not the first serial killer in the history of Baliho, but he is shaping up to be the worst. The city guard is looking into him, of course, but so far, they got...” She paused and Kobold gave her a curious look. “Nothing?”, he guessed and she shook her head. “Oh, they got a lot”, she admitted. “They won't reveal it to the public, which is smart, I guess, but I got my sources”
“What she told me is the only reason why I haven't thrown you out yet”, Jobdan stated grimly. “But for all your flaws, I gotta admit you're smarter than most. Explains how such a wretched creature could make it this far in our world” He and Kobold exchanged a glare, before both turned to Abigale, who had a dry smirk on her face. “Are you two done?”, she asked and the smirk faded again. “Good. Then I can tell you what the guard told me. Some of the things this Whorescarver did, they shouldn't be possible. One of his victims was hiding in a room. That bastard tore the door from its frame and proceeded to maul the poor girl to death. Ripped out her entire throat, but the guard says it wasn't done with a weapon. Another, he split her chest and took her heart with him” She raised an eyebrow. “Does that sound like a human being to you?”
Kobold gulped and and the fur near his neck was slightly itching. “That doesn't sound like anything I know”, he admitted. “At least nothing that hunts within a proper human city. Ripping people and buildings apart... normally I'd say that sounds like an ogre, but well...” He shrugged and Abigale gave him a grim nod. “Exactly”, she spoke. “The city guard has no clue either. He doesn't even use a weapon as far as they know”
“How terribly intriguing...”, Kobold mumbled, before he straightened his back. “I mean, just terrible. So, the Whorescarver is no human... well, turns out I got some experience in not being human, more than any of you, Darbrek excluded...” He glanced at the dwarf who shot him a crooked grin beneath his thick beard. “It seems, with all due respect, that you need my help”
“Could he be a mage?”, Eret asked and Kobold shot him a glare at the interruption. Immediately, he shook his head. “Don't think so”, he spoke. “Why would someone take all the effort to learn spells and shit just to rip people apart with raw strength? But still, you tried, good thinking!” With a toothy smile, he turned back to Jobdan. “See, Boss-man?”, he spoke up. “We have something to offer to this investigation. For all time's sake, let's do this together”
The cattle baron leant forward, his eyes narrowed. “And if you find the Whorescarver?”, he growled, to which Kobold's smile grew decidedly more sinister. “Oh, you should know, I am not a charitable man”, he declared. “I'm not doing this to catch your serial killer, I'm doing this to catch mine. So, I don't give a shit about the Whorescarver. Once I find him, and that is only a matter of time, I will have a nice, long talk with him and in the end, he will spill the beans” He made a dismissive gesture with his left hand, as he leant back in his chair. “Then, you can have what is left of him”, he stated.
Jobdan seemed to think about these words, before he slowly nodded. “I don't plan on being any kinder to him”, he promised. “He's already bad for business, so it's only a matter of time until he becomes a true thorn in my side” He hesitated for a second, before he nodded at the goblin. “For old time's sake, I will not turn you into gloves this time, you rat”, he promised. “We can work together, just this once”
Kobold glanced at Abigale, whose smirk had grown slightly wider, almost amused at the situation. “My, what a pair of heroes you are”, she chirped and as quick as it came, the genuine smile faded, replaced by a look of sullen concern. “But I told you already, these people are dying. This is not theft, extortion or any other of your usual tricks. Are you certain this is not beyond your limits?”
Truth be told, Kobold had the same thought before, but he was prepared, so he merely smiled. “Well, Abby”, he stated. “Why do you think I want you by my side during this? Don't assume I have forgotten about that little trick of yours. One might say dead people are sort of your speciality” For once, a brief look of anger appeared on the young woman's face. “Fine, I'm in”, she hissed. “Kinda want to see how long you'll last against the Whorescarver”
“And I'm in as well!”, the dwarf growled from behind. “Knew some of the victims, they've been good folk. It's my duty to avenge them” Kobold smiled before he turned around, glad to know that Darbrek would be on their side. He was not a fighter by trade, but like all of his kind, he was sturdy, stout and stubborn. He was a reliable companion for the things to come and smarter than he looked.
“Of course, I won't get involved in person”, Jobdan was quick to explain. “I got a reputation to lose. Being seen with someone like you, it's bad for business” Kobold gave him a disgruntled nod. “Of course it is”, he hissed, noticing that Jobdan clearly enjoyed this remark. “But my support can open a lot of doors for you. Want to talk to the right people? I can point you in their direction and I can make them talk. Want to do research on our killer? The library archives are always open for me”
Kobold gave him a nod. “Sounds good enough”, he admitted. “Since the city guard failed to find that bastard, I bet our approach can get better results” He looked around at this odd little group that had gathered around him. Though he was by no means a hero, he allowed himself a hint of confidence in this moment. Catching the Whorescarver, it felt like something he could actually do and rare for one of his plans, he would do this city a favour.
“They should give me a bloody medal for this...”, he mumbled, before he turned to his companions. “So, any idea on where to start?” While Jobdan leant back, indicating that he could not expect any suggestions from the cattle baron, it was Eret who spoke up first. “What about Arris?”, he asked. “He already agreed to help, maybe he can keep an eye out for that killer” Darbrek nodded quickly. “Arris is a bit of a coward, but he knows this city. He and the other beggars, they don't like the city guard. Doubt they told them all they know. But you... no offence, but you could be one of them”
Kobold chuckled dryly. “No offence taken, mate”, he promised, just as Abigale leant forward. “My first instinct would be the library”, she revealed. “We know the Whorescarver is likely not a human being, but none of us know just what exactly we are up against. The library here in Baliho is the largest in the whole duchy and if Master Boswitz can get us in there, then we should use this to our advantage. Learn more about our enemy, that is the only way we can even hope to defeat him”
“I can get you in there, of course”, Jobdan confirmed, visibly pleased at Abigale's manners. His smug smile grew thinner as he and Kobold exchanged a long look. “There's many things I won't trust you with, goblin”, he growled. “Money, keeping your word, empathy... my, you are a terrible creature” He shook his head. “But you have a personal stake in this and if anything, I trust you to always do what is best for you”, he admitted. “Whatever you decide, it'll lead you to the Whorescarver. I'm just curious to see if you can take him down”
Kobold gave him a nod, though he was certain that Boswitz gave him not enough credit. Still, he had a decision to make. Two potential leads, a choice to make. He could get in contact with Arris once more, enlist him and the beggars to find the Whorescarver, perhaps in places the city guard would never look into. But then again, Abigale had a damn fine point. Knowledge about their enemy was valuable just as well and perhaps the library, quite extensive for this backwater duchy, held the answers they needed to not just find, but actually overpower the killer...
[Go to the library first] [Seek help from Arris first]