The Iron Teeth: A Goblin's Tale - From RoyalRoadl.com by ClearMadness

It Echoes Onward 3

Imp was easy enough to find. The newly transformed hobgoblin was hanging out near the clay pits. He always seemed to be there, working on something that Blacknail didn't understand. It was almost like he enjoyed it, which was unsettling. Why would he enjoy working? It was weird behavior for a hobgoblin. Even Gob spent most his time bossing goblins around instead of doing chores himself. Blacknail had considered making Imp work somewhere else, but he was too productive to waste. With Imp there, the clay pits were producing over twice as much as before.

On the other hand, Scamp was much more difficult to track down. Blacknail had to look around the base for a while before he found him. He wasn't in the longhouse or the larder. Eventually, he located Scamp napping over by some rocks on the far side of the camp.

After a swift kick to the ribs, the sleeping hobgoblin yelped and jumped to his feet. When he calmed down and recognized Blacknail, Scamp smiled nervously and greeted his chieftain. Blacknail just snorted and told him to follow. He led Scamp over towards the center of the base, where Imp was waiting. Khita and Elyias were also lounging nearby and sitting in the shade at the base of a hill. Both of them had their swords at their hips, but they only looked up as the new arrivals approached and didn't move.

"Well, this ought to be an amusing show. It's usually very boring around here." Elyias remarked as he grinned nastily at the hobgoblins.

"Now I will teach you how to use a blade," Blacknail told the other two hobgoblins as he tossed them wooden practice blades. He picked up one for himself and took up position in front of his minions.

Imp didn't look that impressed. He studied the sword for a second and then looked back towards where he had been working. Scamp smiled excitedly and waved his new weapon around a few times experimentally.

"I always wanted to get a shiny sword. When I learn this, will I get one?" Scamp asked. He looked hopeful, which amused Blacknail.

"Yes, when your training is done," Blacknail told him. He had a small stash of extra blades he had taken from people who were incapable of using them anymore.

"Now, stand like this and hold the blade up," Blacknail ordered Scamp and Imp as he showed them the proper stance and technique.

That was alright. Blacknail had a plan for motivating them. He ordered Scamp forward and told him to take up a defensive stance. Scamp obeyed and sloppily raised his blade up. A moment later, it was bashed aside and Blacknail's wooden sword smashed into his shoulder.

"Ugh, that hurt!" Scamp yelped as he was knocked over sideways.

"Too slow," Blacknail hissed coldly. "It was also weak. Are you a real hob or an overgrown goblin?"

"I'm a hobgoblin!" Scamp whined as he got back up. He was wincing from the pain and rubbing his shoulder.

"Then act like it, you runt. Step back and let Imp come over here."

Both the hobgoblins quickly obeyed. Imp didn't look very excited about taking his turn. He wasn't stupid, so he'd already figured out what was coming next.

"Take a defensive stance," Blacknail told him.

"Can you just show me how to do it?" Imp asked hopefully. "I don't think I know the right way, but I'm sure a great teacher like you could show me."

There was a nervous smile on his face as he met his instructor's gaze. Blacknail grinned back, but it wasn't a pleasant expression.
"Nope," he laughed as he swung his blade. The weapon hit Imp in the stomach. He crumpled and fell to his knees.

"Ow," Imp groaned.

"Pay attention next time, you arrogant runt. You aren't smarter than anyone else. You're just an arrogant prick of a hobgoblin," Blacknail told him. His voice and expression were both harsh and unyielding.