In a strange world as a Doppelganger

Chapter 44 - The Interrogation

The night comes and hunger and fatigue catches up with us. Thi especially is not used to these treks. While they often go on scout missions around the village they haven't been this far away from it in some time, possibly ever.

We stay a fair distance away from the encampment, even though I badly want to go take a closer look. Eventually someone will come by on patrol of their perimeter, that's our hope at least. When they do, Thi will jump them and I will show myself in the armor and the form of the fallen soldier. The visage should make them spill some beans I'd think and if not we'll just have to ask our question under some minor duress.

The moon peers through the canopy and leaves spots of silver around the underbrush. Two soldiers are coming our way. Thi is shaking their head, not wanting to engage under these circumstances. I wrack my brain for an idea to split them up, thinking and focusing on my magical capabilities. I don't mind the risk of showing myself to both but without Thi I'd be an easy prey if it comes down to steel and spells.

Luckily, one of them were not part of the patrol, just going for a leak in the woods. One of them, who is wearing thin leather armor over flowing robes turns back toward the camp after some quick words of caution.

The remaining patrol wears thicker leather but with open joints, designed for mobility. They hold a crossbow, loaded and at the ready, in hand and is keeping a keen eye about. They have pointed ears and slender limbs. Not human then.

"It's an elf?" Thi whispers and almost gasps. "I've heard they're strong and wise... and supposedly tastes delicious. Grandma goblin used to say you'd live long if you ate as little as a nibble." I give Thi my best cocked eyebrow, which I now actually can as I have real eyebrows in my human form.

"But do you think you can incapacitate them?" I turn my gaze back to the scout, who is moving slowly along a path.

"Probably. If you grab their attention I'm sure I can get a drop on them", Thi starts to quietly climb a nearby tree and balances out on branches to get a better vantage point.

The armor is incredibly noisy and I've been staying put since changing shape and donning it around sunset. As I stand up there's no way the scout misses the rickety noise of chain mail and steel rubbing against steel.

"Halt! Who goes there?!" the scout calls out and swerves in my direction. With the limited light from the moon, I find it hard to see in my current, human, form.

"A friend, I mean no harm!" I call out and take a tentative step toward them while raising my hands.

I hear the breaking of twigs and crunching of leaves as the elves draw nearer. I can only make out the silhouette at this point. The moonlight reflects of the metal tip of the loaded bolt. I take a deep breath and go over the plan in my head.

"You wear our crest but I don't know your face", the elf comes almost close enough for Thi to be able to jump them, just a little closer.

"I've been away for some time but I cannot see in the dark so well", I hope the charade is going to work. "Have I reached the outpost?" this better work or I'm in deep trouble.

"Yes you're almost there, you're lucky I didn't-" A soft rustle is followed by a gasp and a grunt. The scout had stepped forward and with cold precision Thi threw a dagger down, cutting the string of the crossbow while also dropping themselves on top of the scout. I rush in just as Thi lands on the elf's head and tackle them to the ground. I hold a hand sternly over their mouth as Thi starts tying their hands and feet.

"I know this seems odd but I only want to talk. I'm going to remove my hand to alleviate some discomfort, this glove probably stinks anyway, and then we're going to talk. As long as you cooperate you are safe. If you try to scream or if I think you're casting a spell, my friend here will be more than happy to eat you. It is said, among the goblins, that eating an elf gives longevity", I stare down the elf and slowly withdraw my hand after they give a nod of acknowledgment. 

Surprisingly they stay quiet as I remove my hand. Even Thi seem surprised at this but we keep on with the plan.

"Now, you did not recognize my form so I assume you are new to this camp?" the elf nods slowly at the question and takes a closer look at my face.

"I came in just a few days ago", the elf speaks slowly and swallows hard after speaking. "You do look slightly familiar though. I wouldn't say I know you but I have seen you", almost as to indicate that they've spoken to freely, Thi pushes slightly with the dagger against the elf's throat but releases the tension right away again.

"That would be because I'm dead. Or at least the person this form belongs to. They were brought back to camp earlier today by another scout and someone whom I bet uses magic. No?" a light shines behind the eyes of the elf as they come to the realization of the situation.

"How, how can that be? If you're dead? I saw your body", a fear of the unknown creeps across the elf's face.

"You saw the original, I'm just mimicking their form. Now I want to know, why are you here?"

"What? I was sent here by the commander of the city guard", the elf's brow furrows as they are trying to analyze the situation while answering the question.

"No, why are You here?" I gesture at the outpost as I speak and emphasize the words.

"Oh, we're here to fight the blight. It kills our crops and our cattle, the kingdom won't last the winter at this rate. That's all I know, I'm not from around here originally", they calm down and answer properly. I wonder if they've been trained for situations like this.

"We heard the scouts mention the goblins, what are your plans regarding them?"

"Aren't they the cause? They made a deal with the hags didn't they?"

Thi and I look at each other and share a worried look.