Acloo crouched by Harm. "The patrols have moved off. We need to cross now."

Harm nodded, signalling to the others hidden in the shrubs near the road. This was the main track that ran through the valley's centre. They were two-thirds of the way up the valley, closer to Hillnot now than Sallew. Harm stayed crouched as he left cover, staying low and hurrying across the open ground, wary of how long they would be exposed. This was the narrowest gap they had found, where they could get from one side to the other to reach cover as quickly as possible. There were a few trees along the path that followed the river as it wound its way up the valley.

He checked behind him, seeing the rest of his group following. Harm was by far the most visible, his size compared to the goblins standing out. Harm reached the copse of trees they had aimed for and sighed as he ducked inside its cover. Nathic was the last to arrive, ensuring the others all got across. The group working as a unit had impressed Harm. 

Luubu came to Harm's side. "We will move to the woods on the far side of the copse and then rest for a while before we head to Teras's. I will get Acloo to scout ahead again and see if he can locate them."

Luubu just nodded in understanding.

"Right, let's move," Harm said quietly, but loud enough for them all to hear. Acloo had already started to move ahead again as they continued their journey. 

They had left at first light from the clan. The three hours it took to reach the valley, followed by the time to cross and reach the sunken wood, meant that they wouldn't return until the next day, and that was if everything went as Harm had hoped. He was determined that, whatever happened, the clan would grow. Whether through choice or force, he didn't care, but would prefer not to kill other goblins if he could help it. 

They continued for another hour before Harm called them to stop. They would rest and eat, and then Acloo would go looking for the clan. Luubu and Nathic sat with Harm, eating the meat cuts they had brought with them and drinking from their skins.

"Have you decided how you are going to approach Teras yet?" Luubu asked.

Harm looked thoughtful. "I am just going to ask him. There is no point in doing anything else. From what others have said, Teras enjoys strength. I see no need to try and cajole him; I need to be blunt and to the point."

"Are you sure that's best?" Nathic asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Harm asked.

"Would it not be better to play to his ego?" Nathic asked.

"And let him think he holds power over me? That isn't going to happen. He either agrees to join in our fight with his clan, or I will challenge him. It's that simple. Trying to negotiate or play to his ego will show me as weaker than he is."

Luubu frowned. "Shall we wait and see his reaction first? We have no idea how he will be towards you. We know you as our leader. He will only see you as a human, a being he despises. I doubt anything you say will prevent you from challenging him. I would have preferred you to challenge him directly. Even if he agreed to join with his clan, he would never see you as an equal. You will always be a human."

Since Harm had taken over as chief, he no longer saw himself differently from the goblins. They were all clan members; to him, being human meant nothing, but he could understand Luubu's concerns. "As you say, then. Let's wait and see what happens." 

"Acloo. Once you have eaten, could you please scout ahead? See if you can locate them," Harm said.

"I've finished now."

"Good." Harm checked his display; it was nearly 02:00 p.m. "Be back here by five, whatever you discover."

"Understood," Acloo said, as his waterskin disappeared back into his inventory, and he rose to set off.

"Good luck," Nathic said. Acloo just nodded as he disappeared silently into the woods.

Time had passed slowly. Harm had been checking his display regularly. The wind had picked up, and the treetops rustled. The sounds of birds, complaining or otherwise, filtered through the canopy. A young hogling had even walked by where the group sat, seeing them before bolting, startled by their silent presence. Hardly two words had been spoken, each sitting with their thoughts. Luubu's head lifted, and she looked in the direction Acloo had left. 

"He's coming," Luubu said.

Harm knew that goblin hearing was much better than human hearing; their ears were shaped perfectly to collect sound in comparison. Harm followed Luubu's gaze and, after a few moments, heard the almost inaudible sound of movement. Acloo appeared much faster than Harm had expected, believing him still much further away than he had been. He really did creep. Harm, with his size and class as a fighter, wasn't the most dextrous of beings and knew that as soon as he started travelling in the woods, anyone listening would hear him even if he did try to be quiet.

"Did you find them?" Harm asked, feeling pensive and nervous.

"Yes. Well, at least I found a couple of them. I think it may have been their scouts. They were in a tree overlooking the marshes."

Harm then noticed Acloo's boots, which were stained dark with mud.

"How far into the marshes is it?"

"A fair distance, and there is no easy path. All the routes I could see require you to cross open marshland. They are, as I thought, behind the sunken wood, much nearer the valley side. It may be possible to reach there from the side, but I didn't have time to check properly."

"Okay. At least we know they are there now. I guess they didn't see you?"

Acloo looked hurt by Harm's words. "No, of course not."

Harm chuckled. "Good. Then let's move before it gets too late. We don't want to be in the marshes at night. You lot may be alright, but without a lantern I would be screwed."

The group followed Acloo as he took them towards where he had seen the scouts. It was further than Harm had expected, taking nearly two hours from where they had been. It proved how fast Acloo must have been moving to have got there and back, including scouting. As Acloo stopped, he waited for Harm to reach him. The ground underfoot was becoming softer, and Harm's feet were sinking slightly already.

"The marshes stretch from here all the way to where the scouts were. I found a rough path, but it still means getting your feet wet."

Harm looked across towards the valleyside. The surface was steep, and if there was a path that could be used to get around the marshes, it wasn't clearly visible. He thought for a few moments before he replied. "Well, now that we are here. There is no point in hiding. We aren't planning to attack them, not immediately at least," Harm said. "Lead the way."

"Follow me single file," Acloo said, turning to the others. "I don't know how deep the waters are apart from where I went earlier."

The goblins all nodded in understanding as they moved again. Acloo stepped cautiously, and Harm was busy looking down, watching where he stepped. His boots were sinking nearly to the tops of his ankles, not that that stopped the water from soaking through them. They were still made of soft leather and not designed for trekking. After a while, Harm was still watching his footing when a voice called out.

"Stop there," a deep-voiced goblin called, menace clear in its tone.

Acloo stopped, Harm nearly crashing into his back, before he looked up. Acloo raised his arms.

"We are here to see Teras," Harm called. He couldn't even see the goblin was who had challenged them, his eyes scanning the trees.

"What do you want to see Teras for?" the voice came back.

"That's between me and Teras. I don't need to tell you why I am here."

"I can't even see them," Harm whispered.

Acloo still had his hands up, whispered back. "They weren't here before the tree I saw them in is further yet. They are on the right. In the marshes."

Harm, easily able to see over Acloo's head, looked to the right ahead of them. There, about forty feet from them, only their heads visible, were two goblins. Harm immediately recognised that both were holding crossbows.

"You can wait there. Teras will be here soon. He will decide," the voice said.

Harm's feet were slowly sinking, staying on the same piece of ground, and he lifted his feet, replacing them while the group stood in a line awaiting the arrival of Teras. It wasn't long before there was movement and sound as a group of goblins started to appear in front of them. A goblin stepped forward from those who had arrived. In total, Harm could see no more than fourteen, including the two scouts.

"Who wanted to see me?" the new arrival said, obviously Teras. He was short but powerful looking, his shoulders broad and arms much larger than most goblins, many of whom were more spindly. He even shadowed Luubu.

"I do," Harm called, looking over at him.

Teras's face became a sneer. "Ah, so the human scum who murdered Murgo."

That response immediately told Harm the way this conversation was going, even before he considered how he would know. Then he remembered that some of Murgo's had immediately fled and bet they had eventually found their way to Teras's clan.

"Teras. I hereby challenge you as chief," Harm said.

Yes! Death! The demon suddenly screamed.

None of those who had travelled with him responded, but Teras's members did. Cursing and chatter erupted from them.

"You challenge me," Teras said, smirking.

"I do. You're not interested in what I came to discuss with you. Therefore, I challenge you as chief of your clan," Harm shrugged.

"Fine," Teras said.

In an instant, Teras crossed the marshy ground between them, and as he did, a battleaxe appeared in his grip. It was already mid-swing as Harm realised what was happening, triggering Equip and Florence appearing in his hand. Acloo dived sideways, out of Teras's path, splashing into the marshy water. Harm just got Florence up in time as the battleaxe met her blade, ringing loudly, forcing Harm to step back. His foot sank deeper, and he lost his balance.

"Fuck," Harm cursed.

Teras laughed as he swung his axe again. It cleaved through the air, leaving Harm with no option but to dive backwards. His footing was hampered, and he was still recovering from the goblin's initial attack speed. He landed on his back, splashing into the soggy ground. His group had retreated away from the pair as Harm struggled to stand.

Teras didn't hold back, stepping forward with his axe held high as he swung it down towards him. Harm rolled sideways, into the water. The weight of his armour immediately dragged him down as he tried to get his feet underneath him.

Well, this is just fucking great. He thought as his feet caught the firmer ground below and he pushed himself upright. The water was up over his waist.

Teras swung his axe again, but Harm noticed and stopped stepping closer. If Teras entered the water, it would be up to his chest, restricting any movement with the axe. Harm took refuge in his position. He had a moment to gather himself as the axe swung short. Teras screamed in fury as he moved around the firmer ground to get in a position he could reach Harm. His advantage was lost.

Harm watched him cautiously, wiping the murky water from his face, following his movements with Florence. He kept glancing down, where he was putting his feet, and as he did, Harm thrust at him. His reach was much greater than Teras's. Teras danced back out of the way, cursing. Teras then surprised Harm as he leapt forward, swinging his axe towards Harm's face. Harm lifted Florence using one palm as an anchor for the blade, as he caught the axe's blow, blocking it. Teras continued past and landed on firmer ground behind him. Harm turned, churning up silt and dirt in the water, his feet sucking and movement hindered in the sludge-filled marsh.

"Fucking hell," Harm swore in frustration. Florence gave him the reach from his position, but if this goblin were able to leap across and attack, he would have little opportunity to attack between blocks. Teras had landed and turned again. Harm watched his legs, seeing the slight bend in his knee as he went to repeat his previous attack.

Harm's mind raced. If only he were on solid ground. He could easily deal with the attacks, but in the marsh, it was a different story.

Kill him! The demon screamed.

Again, Harm blocked, almost falling sideways as his arms and Florence absorbed the impact of the axe.

Fuck this. Harm thought, triggering his Bash skill.

Usually, he would instantly move, but through the water and marsh, it sucked at him like thick syrup. He still closed quickly, but not as fast as he would have hoped. He brought Florence across in a swing as he neared the firmer ground. Teras was still turning, but seeing the move at the last moment, he skipped backwards. His eyes opened slightly, surprised by the move. Harm took advantage, stepping onto firmer ground and pushing at him, Florence singing as she cut the air. The goblins on both sides had been shouting encouragement, but Harm had heard none of it, focused on the battle at hand.

Teras parried the blow, thrusting the spiked tip of the battle axe towards Harm. He jinked sideways, just avoiding the tip. Florence wasn't in the best position to counter, holding her in his right hand, so Harm balled his left fist and punched at Teras. The fist caught Teras in his arm. It did no damage, but gave Harm enough time to regain his balance, as well as knocking Teras out of his stride. As Harm swung Flornce, he screamed, his left hand reaching the grip as he did. The power in the blow as it met the resistance of Teras's axe shaft sent shockwaves down Harm's arms, but also had the desired effect, as Florence gouged deeply into the shaft.

Teras growled as he swung his axe behind him to bring its full force at Harm, who was now half facing away from him. That was when it happened. The shaft creaked under the strain, the damage from Florence too much for it to endure, until it snapped with a loud crack. The sudden weight shift as the head of the battle axe fell behind Teras threw the goblin forward to Harm, as he stumbled, flailing. He couldn't stop his momentum as he crashed into Harm, sending them both backwards into the marshy water.

Harm's armour immediately dragged him down again. The water wasn't deep, but it was much deeper for Teras than for himself, and he grappled with the goblin as he returned Florence to his inventory. They were both under the water. Harm grabbed the goblin by his ears, knowing from Dafu how sensitive they could be and pushed his head away and down under the water.

Bubbles erupted across the surface of the water as those watching fell silent. Harm continued his struggle, twisting and bringing his knee onto the goblin's chest. Teras's clawed hands dug into Harm. He could feel them penetrating, digging into his flesh as he held on tight under the water. The weight of his armoured body was too much even for the strength of the goblin. Harm's breath was running out as he felt Teras shudder beneath him. He couldn't see underwater; it was too dark, with silt entering his eyes when he tried to open them. Only when the goblin stopped struggling did Harm push his body out of the water, gasping for air.

Harm reached down again into the water, grabbing Teras by his tunic, lifting the goblin from below. He screamed in anger as he gripped him with both hands, lifting his body above his head and throwing it onto the firm ground at the pool's side. His eyes were wide, frenzied, and blood freely flowing from the various deep claw marks on his arms and even across his chest, where his leather jacket had been opened in the tussle.

"YOU HAVE A NEW CHIEF," he screamed at Teras's clan members, who stood silently watching, most in shock at the scene that had unfolded. His clan members stood behind him, their faces gleaming with pride at their leader.