When Goblins Rage (Book 3) Read Online Free

move. When she did, it was with cautious stealth that she left the knotted path and entered the treeline to creep through the bristling undergrowth.
    The forest, like much of the woodlands this close the Bloods, was mostly a riddle of densely cluttered trees, each with a trunk rarely thicker than her leg. But which reached high up toward the sky.
    They yearned for space, jostling each other in the breeze in a slow fight for light and moisture. A fight measured in centuries and where death could last a decade.
    Despite the branches wrestling above, snow still managed to slide down to wet the earth and spread in mottled patches.
    Crawling from trunk to trunk, rivers of vine strangled the younger trees and nestled seductively up the older ones.
    But it was the dense and tangled underbrush forming ragged walls which proved the difficult obstacle. While not often taller than her, they were made more despairing by the thorns which bristled like savage needles hungry for blood.
    The journey through the forest, then, was slow. And gave her plenty of time to wonder at what might lay buried beyond the trees.
    There had been too much smoke for just one fire.
    And even if it had been only one campfire, she'd still be as careful in her approach. Because the Deadlands was unforgiving.
    Expecting bandits, or perhaps more goblins, she kept silent and alert. Eyes scraping away the shadows. Peeling back the foliage to reveal the slightest hint of danger.
    She moved slowly, crouching low and with one fist wrapped around Go With My Blessing 's sweat-stained handle as she weaved through narrow gaps.  
    Didn't take long until she could hear a bubbling of voices. Couldn't make out any words yet, but her frown deepened as she recognised the basic pitch and tone of Caspiellans.
    She saw a slight flutter of movement and froze.
    Waited a moment, then dropped lower to the ground. Pressed her belly against the snow-speckled ground and lifted her head in the direction of the loping shadow.
    A sentry, perhaps.
    And not a good one by the noise he was making.
    He approached from her left side, muttering curses as his grey clothes were snagged by the thorny bushes. The elf watched through the corner of her eye as he moved closer. Didn't want to move her head just in case he caught the movement.
    He yawned loudly.
    Found a tree he liked.
    Gave a cursory look around, then waggled his hips as he fumbled with his trousers.
    Unconsciously, his need for privacy had made him turn away from the camp. Which meant he had his back aimed almost directly at her.
    The elf's violet eyes glittered.
    If the man turned, even a little, he'd see her. He couldn't help but spot her.
    Go With My Blessing shivered from its sheath and she slowly turned the blade in her hand, holding it in a reverse grip.  
    She'd have to be fast.
    She licked her lips.
    Heard his piss riddle down the tree. A satisfied sigh shook his body.
    Then she moved.
    The first two steps were silent.
    The third touched dry twigs buried under a small patch of snow.
    The crack of wood sounded louder in her ears than a scream.
    He half-turned, still holding his dick in one hand. Aimed at the tree. Feeling safe enough not to clench and disrupt the flow of piss. Not until his gaze touched hers. And his pupils widened at the hatred burning in her eyes.
    Managed a puzzled “Wha-?”
    Then her arm wrapped around his head, hand pressing tight against his mouth. Her knee thudded into the small of his back, bending him back and slightly down. He staggered, venting a roar which was stifled by her firm hold.
    Go With My Blessing flashed, spearing into the back of his neck, aimed upward. The blade entered at the point where his spine kissed his skull. It drove explosively into his brain and his body gave a wracking shudder as he slumped in her arms.  
    Bright blood sparked at first, then became a river down his back.
    He crumpled so suddenly she couldn't hold his weight and, as he dropped, the knife was jerked from her