The Goblin's Heir

Chapter Forty Six: Master of Swords

I stood from my crouched position and continued down the slope to the inner circle. "Llinos, always a pleasure. I hope we weren't interrupting anything." I clenched my jaw, willing every muscle within my body not to react to the throbbing ache in my leg. "You were waiting on us?" I asked, hearing the children follow behind me. 

Llinos' eyes followed my motion and twitched along the line of our bodies as we fanned out around him. "Two Unseelie armies haven't been able to stop you in the past. What hope had I?" Llinos snickered as if he hadn't let us get here. 

"Serender, Llinos." I said in a low stern voice. "You're outnumbered. Forefeight and we'll let you live." 

"Matilda, always so wonderfully arrogant. I'm sorry, but I can't do that. My work is too important."

"I don't want to fight you, Llinos." I sighed.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that. You've been fighting me all day, Empress." 

"Please, Sir, stand down." Floki helplessly reverted back to terms from childhood. Knut and I had taught them to show Llinos respect. He'd taught me much and had worked tirelessly at my side during the Upheaval to take down Mab and all her minions. 

"There's no need for this." Frit added, echoing his twin's sentiment. The pleading in their voices made me ache. Odd, on the other hand, was unnaturally quiet. Not even a growl escaped his throat.

Llinos shook his head from side to side. "I cannot. Forgive me, Princelings."

"Why did you do it, Llinos?" Cat demanded, gripping the hilt of her sword, the sword Llios had given her, in a grip that trembled. "You've served many goblin kings. You helped build the empire. You trained all of us. I don't understand..." Cat's lips trembled and fat tears dripped down her face. "What did we do that was so wrong? Why would you turn on us?"

"Turn on you?" Llinos barked a short laugh. " My dear pupil, there is no goblin more loyal to your family than I." His voice was sad.

"Liar! You're protecting him! Magni killed Knut! He betrayed all of us and you're helping him!" Cat roared, the tips of her teeth flashing with every sylable for a moment, they looked as sharp as her cousins'.

He tilted his head in that birdlike way he had. "Goblins are honest creatures. I do not lie. Everything I do, everything I have chosen to do has been for your sakes, children. I am not your enemy and nor is Magni."

"He made himself our enemy when he murdered our father and stole what's ours. So did you, the moment you decided to side with him." Odd growled, bashing the end of his halberd's shaft against the ground. The sound echoed like the beat of a wardrum. 

Cat yanked her golden sword free of its sheath and pointed it toward him. "Fight me!" She demanded. "I challenge you to a duel! If I win, you must surrender!" 

"And if I win?"

"You won't." She growled confidently. 

"I see." Llinos huffed a small laugh. He slid his sword out in one fluid motion, stepping into his almost beautiful starting position with his blade stretched outward at an angle, an extension of his arm. "You sound far more confident than I remember. I accept." 

"Cat!" I grabbed for her arm. "Don't-"

She shook herself free, cutting her eyes at me. "Give me five minutes. Let me try to get him surrender."

Odd pressed his hand to my shoulder, giving her a nod and a knowing sort of smirk. 

Cat reset her focus on her old teacher, glaring at him with eyes still wet with tears. She inhaled and exhaled, settling her nerves, shifting her stance so that she gripped her weapon with both hands. They sized each other up,  beginning a circular dance around Ib's old chair.