The expressions on the goblin chief and the others were a picture as Harm looked at them. He did not know he had replied in goblin tongue, and the fact that he had was a startling revelation. Never mind that he had been able to understand them, but speaking the tongue even took him by surprise.

"How do you know goblin tongue?" the chief asked him.

Harm didn't have an immediate response, but he quickly considered how to respond. "I learned it when I adventured. I had a goblin who was a party member, and he taught me your language," Harm replied.

The chief's frown deepened further, and his hand moved to the hilt of the long sword he carried. "You are an adventurer?" he said with caution in his tone.

"I retired years ago now."

"So, you're not a legionnaire?"

"No," Harm said, surprised that the chief knew what a legionnaire was. He had always assumed that the goblin clans were uncivilised and unorganised, but this chief wasn't stupid; there was intelligence in his eyes.

"I have never met a human who can speak the goblin tongue," the chief said.

"I have never met a clan chief before," Harm said, a smile creasing his lips. Harm got the feeling that this chief wasn't planning to murder him immediately, at least, and if he could continue talking to him, then he might be released from the net, and if so, he could then deal with them appropriately.

"Why are you here?" the chief asked.

"I was brought here," Harm scoffed.

The goblin chief snarled. "You know what I mean. Why are you in the hills? The humans never come into the hills; that is why we live here."

"I was staying away from the road. I am returning to Sallew."

"The town is at the valley mouth. I see. Why do you not just use the path, though? The terrain up here is not easy to pass."

"As I said. I was staying off the path. I didn't want any unnecessary attention."

The chief raised his eyebrows. "Are you a criminal? Do you have a bounty?"

Harm didn't know whether he had a bounty on him. He may very well have. Although he doubted that anything would have reached far from Sallew by now, even if Satil had done so.

"It's a long story," Harm replied.

"You can tell me your story while I decide what is to come of you," the chief said, turning and heading back to near the large hut. "Bring him," he said as he strode off.

The four party members looked at their leader, and after the chief, Harm felt the tip of a spear again poke him in his back. "You heard the chief move," one said.

Harm stumbled forward behind the chief. Defu, their party leader, was still sitting on the ground and rubbing his face, where the chief had struck him.

"Sit," the chief said to Harm as they neared the hut. Outside the hut were several chairs, and Harm shuffled towards one. "On the floor," the chief added.

Harm did as he was instructed, half-falling, half-sitting down in his imbalanced state, with the net still tightly wrapped around him. It was even more awkward for him to do anything sitting, and he cursed in his mind.

You didn't help much. Harm thought.

Wait and see! Stranger things have happened! The voice replied.

Why the fuck am I talking to myself? Harm thought.

Ah, but is it just you? Or is it two? The demonic voice said, chuckling.

"Tell me your story, human," the chief said after sitting in an oversized chair to support his significant frame.

"Where would you like me to start?" Harm asked.

"Do you have a bounty on you?" Harm could see the chief calculating as he spoke. He assumed that if he said he did, then the chief might even think of a way to claim it.

"I don't know if I do or don't, being honest. I may do," Harm shrugged, which was difficult with the weight of the net pulling his shoulders down. "And do I have to keep this net on?"

"You think I am stupid? I don't know what you have on you. If you think I am going to free you from the net before we talk, then maybe I should just have Rebo here take you into the woods and kill you."

The large goblin, who had initially approached the party as they arrived in the clan's home, had joined them, sitting in another chair. He didn't look friendly or happy, and Harm could feel the hatred seeping from him. As he stared at Harm, his lip curled.

"He looks like he would enjoy that," Harm replied.

The chief laughed. "He probably would. He has no love for humans; they killed his family."

Harm glanced at Rebo. His gaze met Harms's. Rebo sat with his fists clenched. He had no love of humans.

"I know the feeling," Harm said, turning back to the chief.

"What? Your family was killed?"

"Yes."

The chief looked intrigued by this. "Why?"

Harm explained what had happened to him recently. 

"I know your farmstead you speak of," the chief said. "It's in disrepair; not much of the farm remains."

Harm felt unusually ashamed by the chief's comment and angered, not replying to the chief's words.

"So, this chief of your town killed your family?" the chief asked.

"Indirectly, yes. He is responsible; he and his family are the reason for their deaths, and it all started because of his son."

"I see. It seems you have a problem."

"You think?" Harm replied, laughing at the sheer absurdity of the situation. He was sitting in the middle of a goblin clan, chatting with a chief and sharing his recent hardships with him. 

What am I doing? Harm thought.

What is needed? Trust is what you need, trust! The voice said.

Trust? Harm thought.

Yes! Yes! Build trust!

Harm had no idea why the voice was telling him to build up trust with the goblins, but in the predicament he was in, he hadn't seen any point in lying about what had happened. They could have just killed him easily after all, and it was evident from their actions that this wasn't a priority.

"You seek revenge, then, I assume?" the chief asked.

"I do. I am on my way back to Sallew to kill him."

"That will not be easy," the chief shook his head.

Harm frowned. "Why?"

"The town guards have been on constant patrol. They have prevented our recent activities because of the increase."

"So, you usually go to the valley?"

"Not always, but we do when we need things."

"What is it you need?" Harm asked, genuinely intrigued. He had no idea how goblin clans ran.

The chief pointed over to where the hand plough stood by the tilled ground. "A new plough and many tools are worn or broken."

"You plan on stealing them?"

"How else? We have no coins, and we are not welcome in local towns even if we had any. Humans have a habit of attacking us on sight."

In Dasir's warehouse, there were many various items, and Harm was sure that the goblins could probably find most of what they needed there.

"Do you know where the large warehouse is? Not far from Sallew?"

The chief looked across at Rebo, and Rebo nodded. "We do."

"I was recently there. Less than a week ago, and it probably has most of what you seek."

The chief looked at him cautiously. "Why would you share this knowledge with us?"

"Why not? I killed the bastard who owned it, and I now own the deed. Under Amatherean law, the warehouse is my property."

The chief looked at Harm before tilting his head back and laughing. That got some surprised looks from several of the goblins, who had gathered nearby listening to the conversation. 

"I see. Then maybe we will see what we can find," the chief said, again looking at Rebo.

Rebo stood and moved from the hut over to one of the other buildings before entering. Harm watched him go, wondering what he was doing.

"If what you say is true. Then maybe Rebo won't need to deal with you," the chief said.

Harm sat thinking for a while before he spoke again. "Chief, why do you live like this, in the hills?"

"It is quiet. We have tried to settle in many places before, but up here, we get left alone. No humans come searching up here or hunting."

A goblin walked up to the chief carrying a large plate. Harm could see the juicy, freshly cooked hogling sitting on it. His stomach growled at the sight of the food, and his eyes gave away his hunger. The chief heard and saw his reaction.

"You wish to eat?" the chief asked.

"I have been living off dry rations and pears for the past few days," Harm answered.

"That will not sustain you," the chief shook his head.

Harm couldn't disagree; the dry rations gave you the sustenance that your body needed, but they were still not as good as a decent cooked meal. The smell of the hogling wafted to his nostrils as the chief picked up what appeared to be a haunch and took a huge bite. His sharp teeth easily cut into the meat, its juices escaping and dripping down his mail shirt. 

Harm couldn't help but lick his lips at the sight. The chief raised an eyebrow before signalling to one of the goblins out of Harm's line of sight.

"Bring him some," the chief said.

Moments later, a plate was brought and placed in front of Harm on the ground. Several thick slices of freshly cooked hogling were vying for his attention. He leaned forward, almost falling flat on his face as he moved within the confines of the net and half-kneeling, half-propped on his side, he managed to work his mouth just far enough from the restrictions of the net to grab a piece. Carefully using his tongue, he manoeuvred the hogling meat and ate it. 

A goblin, seeing Harm scrabbling for the food, laughed. The chief stared at him, scowling. "Should I put a net on you and see how you do?" he said.

Harm heard the goblin gulp. "No, chief, sorry." 

After Harm had finished the meat, he wriggled in his confines and knelt down. "Thank you," he said.

The chief just nodded as he continued to eat his much larger portion of meat. When the chief finished, he threw the plate to one side, and another goblin rushed over, picked it up, and hurried off with it. The clan followed every order the chief gave without question. What to have that authority. Harm thought

Maybe you can! The voice sparked up in his mind.

How? Harm asked.

Kill the chief! The voice cackled.

"What?" Harm said aloud.

The chief looked at Harm, confused. 

"Sorry," Harm said. "I meant to say, what are you planning for me?"

"I have not decided yet," the chief shrugged. "If what you say about the items we need is true, maybe you will be allowed to leave."

Harm felt a sense of hope from the words. "That would be appreciated."

There was silence for a moment before Harm spoke again. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Ask what you like?" the chief said, as he picked at his teeth, removing a piece of hogling that had got stuck before popping it in his mouth again.

"How do the clans work? I know there are several in the area."

"There are. We are only a small clan, and peaceful compared to others."

"Peaceful?" 

"Yes. Many clans are at war with each other. Fighting over land. Yet, we are left alone here in the hills. No one wants this area. Which suits us fine."

"I see. Why do they fight? Would not they be stronger together?"

"Yes. But their chiefs are idiots. They are always arguing," the chief shrugged.

"Are there not better lands you could move to? If this isn't the best?"

The chief laughed at the comments: "Wherever we move, we are shunned. Some of our kin may live in peace with humans, but we prefer our way of life. We live according to our rules and our needs, not answering to others."

"Not all humans or other beings force their will on others," Harm said.

Again, the chief laughed. His chainmail shirt clanked. "You are naive if you think that is the case. Did you not live under rules that bound you?"

"No. I lived the life I wished for," Harm said.

"Really? Are you sure? Were you not controlled by others' actions?"

Harm thought for a few moments. The towns had rules and expectations, but they were nothing that would prevent him from living the life he chose. They were standard rules that most followed. As he thought about it, it became apparent that even if he had never considered it, his life had been controlled by rules. The thought struck him as odd.

"Without rules, there is lawlessness," Harm said.

"We have rules. Just ours, not those defined by others. We are free to choose, not trapped under someone's control or power."

"Is the clan not controlled by your power?" Harm asked.

The chief looked at Harm for a moment before he replied. "If they were unhappy with my rule, they could always challenge me to lead."

"How does that work?" Harm asked.

"As I said. Anyone may challenge a chief. The winner then takes over. It is the standard of all clans."

"Aren't you afraid someone may challenge you?"

The chief roared with laughter, looking around. "And who in my clan would challenge me?" he said as he waved his arm around.

"Perhaps me?" Harm said.