The Adventure of Stan and the Emerald of Foundation

  Chapter Nine

  Blood. Sweat. Adrenalin. The smell of the three filled the air, and Grimey loved it. He was stood on a large pillar, raised above the ground, allowing him to see across the fields. All he could see before him was goblins. Impatient, blood thirsty goblins, all of whom were ready for battle. Finally all of the goblins had been united, come together to fight for one cause. Grimey unsheathed his curved, banana shaped sword and thrust it in the air, roaring as he did so. His call was met by the thousands.

  Several higher ranked goblins bellowed out orders, and the goblins began to march.

  Grimey slipped away into the shadows and climbed up the winding tower atop which Gustavo lived, and opened the door, knowing his master was waiting for him. Sure enough he was there, gazing out of the window to observe his army’s departure. Grimey sensed an air of excitement, and knew that his words of caution had been ignored.

  “I will leave shortly, we will catch the body of our troops within a day, Grimey you will accompany me,” he said, without turning away from his window, hands behind his back and drink by his side, as if he was watching a simple ball sport which he found mildly amusing.

  “Mighty wizard, this is not wise,” Grimey croaked, “the road is dangerous, and there may be others who seek the Emerald.”

  “Enough of this,” snapped Gustavo, turning away from his window. “I don’t want to hear of it again; I’m going and that is final. I am the only one who knows how to end the curse. I will not leave the fate of my destiny in the hands of some half-witted, filthy GOBLIN,” he bellowed, breathing heavily and turning back to his window.

  Grimey didn’t feel emotion, but even he felt slightly hurt by this comment, although he made sure not to allow his expression to show this.

  “For too long I have waited for this moment, sat in the shadows as other, less gifted wizards decided the fate of our kingdom, letting them take the limelight, but that ends soon. When we get that Emerald we will be unstoppable, and I will burn to the ground every last wizard, and anyone else who is even remotely a threat to my cause! I saw you watching the goblins out there, you were impressed. Let me tell you something Grimey,” he added, raising an eyebrow as a smirk spread across his face “… you’ve seen nothing yet.”

  Gustavo was right; Grimey had been impressed by what he had seen. He had been around goblins all of his life, and he had never seen them so coherent, so disciplined, so willing to obey.

  “Times are changing,” Grimey started, “the era of man is coming to an end. This new era will be beautiful, mighty and magnificent. The time of the goblin is now!”

  Gustavo chuckled, still staring out of his window, eyes following the flames of torches being used beneath him as they moved away.

  “You are very right, my friend. Now go, be gone, sharpen your sword, slay a goat, do whatever it is you animals do before a battle!” He turned, looking at Grimey deep in the eyes, to the point where the goblin noticed a sparkle deep within his cold, dark eyes.

  “We’ve got an emerald to go get!”

  Grimey nodded in reply, turned and left, allowing himself a rare, wry smile as he did so.