The Creeps

   Zigny and Reke sped up as they neared the site of the battle. Neither could hear any more fighting. They only hoped they had won the day. They reached the new hole in the tunnel and jumped through without looking to see what lie on the other side. They were greeted by the remnants of the Doorway Svirfguard. Only Ilk and one of the half-goblins remained unhurt among the goblin force. The Sikli lay dead at Ilk's bound feet. The shard-slingers and Yshtra lay dead or dying along the farthest wall. Goblin bodies were strewn all over the chamber. The surviving Gert brother remained unbound, but sat defeated and unarmed next to the dead body of his brother crying insensibly. Two gnomes stood over Yshtra debating whether the bindings on her wounds would be enough to save her. Reke allowed himself a smile. They had lost brothers and cousins to her arrows and still they attempted to save the life of the wicked thing. That compassion was truly noble.
   Zigny too thought it noble, but futile. She would die, whether by the wounds sustained in battle or by a knife across the throat, it mattered little. She had seen too much and couldn't be trusted to survive, nor did the gnomes keep slaves, generally. He looked over his command and called them to assemble. The tired gnomes grabbed weapons and formed back into their lines, leaving spaces where the fallen would have stood. Nearly a third had died, including the ill-fated Third Rank. However they had killed over two thirds of the goblins and eliminated the entire number of kobolds. The flights of urd had either been found and dispatched in the first moments of the battle or fled the warren altogether. Now only fifty goblins or so stood between them and their homes.
   "We have been granted a miraculous victory by Gargin, he favors the Seventh Pick it seems. But our battle isn't complete. The remainder of this force and their Chief have taken our cavern, as we have taken their's. We must retake our guardhouse, though our own defenses now stand against us. The Door is safe. We have secured the warren. Let us now secure our gate," shouted Zigny to the assembled Ranks. A resounding battle cry responded to his announcement. Reke surveyed the gathered gnomes, then looked to his commander. Zigny stood straight and unmoving with a very serious expression painted across his face. Reke could almost read his mind. They both took a moment to look at the heroic warriors wondering how many more would never see their families again. The dead svirfs had been laid in rows with their weapons across their chests for burial in the Soul Mines, catacombs of the svirf town. They would each recieve a hero's funeral, both Zigny and Reke separately and silently promised themselves.

   "Our hold is even now under siege by the dark elves, who have used our own tunnels and distraction to place our town in danger. We will retake the guardhouse and march against their rear flank. Much battle awaits us, but we will prevail," spoke Zigny. The gnomes were taken aback by the fell news, but pulled themselves together and with grim faces waited for their Master's order to march. Reke turned to Zigny to see why he hesitated to order them out and noticed the Master on the verge of being overcome by emotion. The brave svirfs made his own heart swell with emotion, but Master Zigny could feel the wieght of his command acutely and found it hard to order them to march where he knew even more might die.
   "Doorguard, March," shouted the Sergeant, who earned a sharp glance from Zigny. Reke knew the glance was equal parts thanks and surprise at his taking charge. The gnomes filed out one Rank at a time through the broken wall. Reke hurried to the fore and led the gnomes through the tunnels, mostly to escape any further looks from Zingy. As the Sixth Rank began to march out of the chamber, Zigny called them to a halt.
   "You have the unfortunate duty of securing our prisoners," Zigny told Mand'r Aridkirtils Dirjade, giving him the signal to slit their throats. The look of horror he recieved told him he had chosen badly.
   "Take your men and follow the others, I will handle these creatures," said Zigny with more confidence than he felt. Mand'r Dirjade gave Master Zigny a look of heartfelt gratitude and ordered his gnomes to march double quick to catch up with the rest of the svirfguard.
   As soon as he was alone with the hobgoblins, Zigny pulled his shortsword from the scabbard and walked slowly to the remaining half-goblin.
   Yorbut Gert didn't even see the Master of the Doorway advancing on him with a naked blade, he was engrossed in the loss of his twin, Hurb, who had stood with him against every foe they had encountered. They had never been apart and Yorbut couldn't imagine how he would continue without his brother.
   He didn't have to imagine nor live without his brother, because Zigny knew the standing orders of the Captain of the Seventh Pick, no survivors, period. He didn't really agree and felt pity for the sad and defeated beast weeping in a crumpled mass, but had his orders. He raised the sword to take Yorbut's head from his shoulders when a small voice from behind him spoke up.