Northern Grass Saga

6 Legend has it

Everstone's expression turned somber. "What's the toll on your people, Fost? How many casualties have you suffered?"

Fost's face clouded, his eyes dropping to the floor. "We've lost many good people, Everstone. The Goblins showed no mercy, slaughtering anyone who stood in their way. But it's not just the dead we need to worry about."

Everstone's brow furrowed, sensing a darker truth. "What do you mean?"

Fost's voice dropped to a whisper. "The male Goblins... they have a twisted desire for human females. They've taken many of our women, subjecting them to... unspeakable acts. Rape, torture, and worse. We've found some of the survivors, but others are still missing, and I fear for their fate."

Everstone's face twisted in disgust and anger. "By the gods... that's a horror beyond anything I could have imagined. We'll make sure to put an end to this, Fost. I promise you that."

Fost nodded, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "I know we will, Everstone. But the thought of what those women have endured... it haunts me still."

Fost leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I've heard rumors, Everstone, about how the Goblins came to be. Legend has it they've always hidden deep within the caves, mating with each other for generations. But it seems they've recently overpopulated their underground lairs and are now venturing into our lands."

Everstone's eyes widened, intrigued by the tale. "Go on."

Fost's expression turned grim. "It's said they've developed a twisted taste for human females. They're attracted to them, but not in any way that's natural or healthy. They're driven to do horrible things to them, to claim them as their own."

Everstone's face darkened, his mind reeling with the implications. "That's a sickening thought. If it's true, it explains why they're so focused on capturing and terrorizing our women."

Fost nodded. "I fear it's more than just a rumor, Everstone. I've seen the way they look at our women, with a hunger that's almost... animalistic. We need to be careful, not just for our people's safety, but for their very souls."

Everstone's face paled, his eyes haunted by the thought of the Goblins' twisted desires. But then, a fierce determination burned within him. "I'll do anything to kill them all, Fost. Anything. Even if it means death."

Fost's expression turned solemn, but then Everstone's face cracked into a sly smile. "But first, my friend, I need something to calm my nerves. Do you have any... devil's lettuce?"

Fost burst out laughing, his tension broken. "I always stay strapped with it, Everstone! You know me too well."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch of dried herbs, which he handed to Everstone. "Here, take a pinch. It's the good stuff."

Everstone grinned, taking the pouch and inhaling deeply. "Ah, bliss. Now, let's plan our attack on those Goblin fiends."

Fost chuckled, joining Everstone in his laughter. "With this weed and our steel, we'll send them back to the depths of hell."

The room was thick with fog, the air heavy with the sweet scent of devil's lettuce. Two hours had passed, and the night had worn on, but Everstone and Fost didn't notice. They were too busy laughing, their bellies aching from the constant hilarity.

Everstone wiped tears from his eyes, his grin still plastered on his face. "Oh, man... I think I've forgotten what we were talking about."

Fost chuckled, his eyes bloodshot. "I think we were planning our attack on the Goblins... or was it our next meal?"