Risha Interlude: Kulos, And the Machinations of Mothers

Elder Kulos made his way through the town, dodging through partying monsters of all kinds. Goblins, orcs, wolf-like kobolds, spiders, and even the occasional human merrily celebrated their return to the former Orctown.

None of them noticed the Elder walking through them, their gazes shifted off of him, his skills working overtime to hide his presence. Behind him, a billowing silk-cloak shifted colors with his background, further hiding him from even the sharpest eyed hunters in the crowd. 

Elder Kulos turned down an alleyway, and knocked on a doorway. Three sets of three. 

The door opened a crack, striking yellow eyes looking through, before opening the door wider. A kobold wearing the same cloak as the Elder stood there, yellowish brown fur covering her back and a beautiful white fur flowing down her front.  The Canis Latrans Kobold bowed to the Elder, then motioned for him to follow her. 

“Mist-Prowler, how is the child?” Elder Kulos asked. 

“She is safe. My Second killed the assassins before they reached her room.” Mist-Prowler’s voice was light, not giving away any of her emotions as they walked to the back of the room. The coyote opened a small hatch, and motioned for the Elder to enter first. As he did, Mist-Prowler’s form shifted, taking the form of a High Goblin warrior. She placed a mask over her face, further hiding her identity as she jumped down behind him.

They arrived at a tunnel, dug by one of the spy-network’s Trap-Weaver spiders. 

“How did they get so close?” Elder Kulos asked.

“Their dark magic was stronger than expected.” Mist-Prowler answered as she stepped in front of the Elder and led him deeper into the tunnels. 

The Elder couldn’t help but admire the way the Kobold so easily shifted into another race. There were small signs he could look for, but even his enhanced senses could only sense that something wasn’t quite right with the way she walked. 

“There are others that we suspect, but they have not yet made their move. The girl’s proximity to the Grand Mother makes them wary.” Even her voice changed, losing the light rumble of a kobold, and taking on the accent of the High Goblins. However, it still sounded like her. Anyone who knew Mist-Prowler would recognize the similarities.

“And the Grand Mother?” 

“She is partying with her people. First Hunter will know more, his Second watches her.” They reached another door and stopped, Mist-Prowler turning to the Elder. “I worry about the Shade, Talo. He wants something, but I do not know what it is.” 

Elder Kulos nodded, “He will reveal himself soon.”

Mist-Prowler bowed her head, then opened the door for them. 

Elder Kulos walked into the room, every head turning towards him as he made his way to the front. Mist-Prowler slipped in behind him, her presence unnoticeable in comparison to the Spymaster. 

The room was filled with monsters, the majority of which were High-Goblins. The pair of orcs, and the few kobolds in the room stood out, despite the masks and cloaks that everyone wore. Trap-Weaver Spiders hung from the ceiling watching the procession with their many eyes.

Elder Kulos calmly walked to the front of the room, and stepped onto a raised platform, his eyes falling onto the gathered spies. A chair was pulled for him, and he sat down, looking over the secret protectors of the Grand Mother.

The monsters quickly organized themselves, falling behind their Firsts. 

Elder Kulos looked at one of the Goblins, “First Warrior, you have news.”

The Goblin stepped forward, “Scaled creatures in the swamplands are moving. We don’t know why yet, but they’ve been watching us and testing our scouts in small battles.” 

Elder Kulos nodded, then looked to the First Hunter, “You also have news.” 

“Yes Elder,” The Goblin stepped forward and motioned for his Third to hand him something. The First Hunter held up a large claw, nearly the size of his forearm. “This comes from a monster in the west. They’ve been expanding their territories. Our people have managed to keep the path between Goblin City and Orctown clear, but we worry that more dangerous creatures wait in the forests.” 

Elder Kulos frowned, then nodded and turned to the First Orc. “How do your people fare?” 

The female orc shaman stepped forward, then bowed low. “Most have seen Grand Mother Risha’s light. Mystic Klu deals with those who stay in the darkness.” There was a note of fanaticism when she spoke, particularly on the Grand Mother and the Mystic’s names.

Elder Kulos was not opposed to fanaticism. It was a tool to be used, and he could trust an orc who valued the Grand Mother’s name so highly.

Elder Kulos turned to one of the kobolds, a brown fox. While Mist-Prowler was technically their first, she preferred to keep her position secret, as such her Second took her place. “Second Kobold, any news from the wolf packs?”

The Kobold stepped forward, his steps confident and sure. He bowed low to Elder Kulos, “Sun-Chaser’s position is held by the new generation, but she faces opposition from the older packs. They do not approve of being ruled by the Grand Mother. Some wolves have infiltrated the traitors, but another Red Fox advises them and hides their movements from Sun-Chaser.”

Elder Kulos frowned. It was to be expected from those who had not fought with the Grand Mother, but he didn’t like having enemies so close to home. “Keep a close eye. I want to know when they make their move.”

The Second Kobold bowed, and stepped back. 

Elder Kulos rose, “Things are going to change now that we are home. I do not know what plans the Grand Mother has for us, but we will follow her till the end. We are the shield that protects her from the dark, and the eyes that see where she is blind.” The High Goblin looked to the sky, “For the Grand Mother!”

“For The Grand Mother!” 

“For The Grand Mother!”

The cheer made its way around the room as every creature pledged themselves to the Goblin who made their dreams a reality.

***

Raphael walked through the neatly ordered trees, approaching the steps where the Sky Mother stood before her ancient tree. 

He stopped at the bottom of the steps, and kneeled, his wings of flame flaring out behind him. 

“Sky Mother, your son has returned,” Raphael greeted, his head lowered.

Sky Mother Sarah held her hand against the glowing white moss that grew over her tree, her eyes closed as she felt at the health of her carefully maintained home. Long white hair, glowing with the same brightness as the moss, flowed down her back, touching against beautiful white feathered wings. She turned, and opened her eyes, revealing striking blue orbs.

“Raphael, it is good to see you. What news do you bring?”

“Your suspicions were true. The monster held no class.”

“Is she dead then?” 

“No, Sky Mother. Shyanne’s son fought me until she escaped to the mountains where Iris guarded her passage.”

“Saint Michael met you? I thought he was deep in the labyrinths.” 

“It was a younger child. Soul.” 

The Sky Mother looked up sharply at the admission, “That young child held you off? Do not think me a fool Raphael.” 

“I had no desire to kill him, and the goblin escaped at a speed I did not expect.” Raphael lowered himself to the ground even further, “I have failed you, Sky Mother, forgive me.” 

Sky Mother Sarah let out a breath, “I expect more from you, Raphael. But it is of no matter, you have confirmed it. She is without a class. I do not know how she arrived at the council, but she has no right to their protection. Gather our people, I will speak to the Ocean Mother for passage, and we will annihilate the rot, once and for all.” 

“Yes, Sky Mother.”

***

Empress Shyanne walked through the halls of her palace, her royal guards saluting her as she made her way past them. Her head was held high, despite the weight of her jewels and the crown on her forehead. Her heels clicked against stone, announcing her presence before anyone saw her. 

She approached a large pair of doors and they were opened wide, revealing a room full of high leveled nobles, her Saints, and the few spellcasters who could claim the title of Archmage.

All of them bowed low as she entered. 

The click, click, of her heels continued as she made her way up stone steps and turned to rest her back against the cold stone of her throne.

No one spoke, every single person keeping their heads lowered as she looked them over. 

“Rise.” 

The simple word was all that needed to be said, and the room moved as one, turning to the Grand Mother. 

“Soul, step forward.” 

The saints in the room stepped apart, revealing a young man wearing a full face mask of bone, two bird-skull earrings hanging from his ears. 

The young man stepped forward, his gaze staying forward as the room held its breath. 

He bowed low, “The Saint Of Death greets Mother Shyanne.” 

“You have news.” 

The Saint rose at her words. “Yes, Mother. On the border of Alveron, I fought for and defended a High Goblin against Seraphim Raphael.” 

The room broke into whispers at the news. Everyone knew the name of the Seraphim Raphael, those who’d been alive for the Second Age war against the angels remembered his name with terror. However, it was the mention of the High Goblin that struck the others as odd.

Empress Shyanne smiled, “Why would you defend a goblin?”

“She had brought her people to peace, killing several of the orc tribes. Beyond that, she had offered refuge to our people escaping the tyranny of Alveron.” Those who knew Soul, few as they were, recognized the stilted way he spoke the words, as if they’d been rehearsed. 

“You’re vouching for this goblin?”

“I have been told that she is a strong defender of her people, much as you are, Mother. I could not leave her defenceless against the terror of the Seraphim.” 

“Oh? You liken her to me?” 

Soul bowed again, “Many here know the way that we used to act. Much like the goblins, we were leaderless and destructive. That was, until you came along, Mother. I believe that this High Goblin Risha can do the same for her people.” 

“And you believed that enough to fight one of the strongest Seraphim. I believe your words, son of mine. If there is a chance that order can be brought to the monsters, then we must protect that. Do any disagree?”

There were rumblings, until a nobleman stepped forward, “Empress Shyanne, are you suggesting we turn against the Angels?” 

“Of course not, Lord Ederon, but the Angels have disrespected us for long enough. They believe us weak. We will remind them who won their war against the depths” 

Empress Shyanne’s smile was a calculated one. Powerful and cunning, showing her beauty, while reminding those in the room who she was. She stood up from her throne.

“We will remind the angels why they should fear us.” 

She didn’t wait for any response as she made her way down from the throne. Her royal guard fell into place around her, their silver and golden armor reflecting the calculating and excited faces of her people.