CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO:

  AN OLD ALLY OR A NEW ENEMY

  Only once during his reign had Goblin King Taudridor closed off his cavern kingdom. In response to Elf Queen Ilsa Lightshower, when she threatened that she would reign down magic and arrows upon the goblins when they had killed Queen Marianna Brock of The Human Kingdom Lands, after her goodwill visit to The Elven Forest.

  Queen Lightshower was primarily an isolationist, almost always staying within the confines of The Elven Forest, but the ambush and murder of Queen Marianna had taken place on a well-traveled road just outside her wooden gates, and in doing so had made the sorceress look self-centered and apathetic.

  In time, King Taudridor had pulled the boulders away from the many openings of his caverns, but he never forgot that feeling of uncertainty, knowing that his enemy was not only wanting victory, but revenge.

  When her anger had subsided, their battles returned to normal. However, now someone else had revenge on his mind, and if what was told to him was true, Landon Rosser, now known as Lord Grimdall, seemed even more powerful. Not only did he have magic like the elf queen, he still had the knowledge and experience of conquest and war.

  Yes, King Taudridor’s caverns were on the other side of The Elven Forest, giving him time to think if his old ally came for him, but the goblin king would not take any chances. And thus, the boulders were placed into the multiple entrances to his cavern kingdom for a second time.

  All this Taudridor muddled over in his mind as he walked toward his secret weapon. The weapon, or weapons in all actuality, that would help him survive an attack by his former ally, or would be the reason the mighty man would partner with him yet again.

  If Lord Grimdall wanted to conquer Daniaria, as was the rumor, he would need help, no matter how powerful he was. He was starting from one side of the world. From The Dwarven Mountains, he would move next to The Human Kingdom Lands, but The Elven Forest was well past that. If he won his war of revenge against King Ironhearth and King Brock, going up against the might and magic of The Elven Forest, most likely having incurred heavy casualties, would be foolish, and that Taudridor knew was where he came in. He and Lord Grimdall could attack their adversaries from both sides, leaving the leaders of the so-called good races of Danaria broken, if not destroyed.

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  As the goblin king descended lower and lower into the oldest, deepest cave in the kingdom he smiled, knowing that that was the best course of action. When he finally came to the bottom of the cavern, where it looked almost as if it was a dead end, he found a lever on the wall and pulled it.

  Slowly but surely the rock wall lifted up, revealing the dark room that housed the giant bats. If not for the glowing crystal below still shining toward the monsters, they would possibly have been hidden for the rest of eternity.

  After King Taudridor lit the three torches that illuminated the room considerably, he moved to the three bats and marveled again at their size, their wingspans, and fangs. Then the goblin king suddenly jumped back and quickly grabbed his club from his side.

  The bats had moved. It was only for a few seconds and then they looked as if they were frozen again, but move they did. As King Taudridor checked the glowing crystal that was emanating magical power he saw the middle bat move again, but it wasn’t its wing or its foot, or head. Its stomach moved. And from multiple places.

  King Taudridor smiled and, though he did not touch the bat’s mid section, he placed his grimy hand as close to it as he could.

  “So, you were a mother before the Crystal of Dragos Repelion kept you in check?” replied Taudridor, his eyes wide and gleaming. Then he looked over at the two male bats that flanked the female and stepped away.

  When he opened the stone door again he blew out the torches and walked out. As the goblin king walked up the dark cavern hall, he heard the wall slam back into place. After what he had just seen, he grinned from ear to ear all the way back to his throne room.

  When he sat down upon his throne, Taudridor motioned a goblin to him.

  “Yes, your eminence,” replied the filthy creature, bowing. “What do you require?”

  “Neengin. Go. Tell the ones that guard the cavern entrances to pull the boulders away,” declared King Taudridor as he placed his finger tips together in front of his chest. “Return to raiding and spying on The Elven Forest. We will no longer shut ourselves off from the rest of Danaria.” Then King Taudridor grabbed a rotting leg of mutton and took a bite. After he swallowed, he looked down at Neengin again and announced.

  “Not now...or ever again.”