Two Fronts, One War

The battle at the gates was still raging, but my focus had already shifted to the second force approaching from the treeline. Another army. Another unknown threat.

I gritted my teeth as I watched the torches flickering in the distance. They were moving fast, but they weren't charging blindly. Whoever they were, they had discipline.

The Shadeborn crouched beside me, her violet eyes narrowed. "They aren't Carridan's men. Different formation, different movement."

"Then who the hell are they?" I muttered.

She didn't answer. Instead, she vanished into the shadows, slipping through the battlefield to get a closer look.

I turned back toward the main fight. The second wave of Carridan's men had pushed hard, their heavier armor allowing them to resist my archers. But our traps had slowed them down, and my goblins had cut into their ranks like wolves into a weakened herd.

My B-rank Guardian was an unrelenting force, its massive greatsword cleaving through multiple enemies at once. The Advanced Goblin Warriors fought like savages, their brutal cleavers tearing through shields and armor. But even with all that power, the enemy still outnumbered us.

If the mystery force behind us was hostile, I was about to be crushed between two armies.

Gorak slammed his axe into an enemy's skull, then yanked it free, turning toward me. "More coming from the trees. Do we fight, or do we run?"

I hated that he had to ask that. But the truth was, if this turned into a full encirclement, we were doomed.

Before I could answer, the Shadeborn reappeared beside me, breathing slightly heavier than usual.

"They're not attacking," she said. "At least, not yet."

I turned sharply. "What?"

"They're watching," she said. "Their leader is at the front, mounted. They haven't drawn weapons."

That meant they weren't immediately hostile.

I had a choice.

If I ignored them and focused on Carridan's men, I risked being ambushed from behind.

If I sent someone to meet them, I risked walking into a trap.

I turned to my human scout leader. "Take three men. Approach them slowly. Find out who they are and what they want."

He frowned but nodded. "If they start shooting?"

I met his gaze. "Then get the hell out of there."

As the scouts disappeared into the darkness, I turned back toward the fight.

We had to end this quickly.

"Push forward!" I roared, leaping down from the wall.

The goblins surged forward, the morale boost from my command sending them into a frenzy of aggression. I charged with them, spear in hand, catching an enemy soldier off guard and driving the blade through his chest.

The battle shifted.

The enemy had already suffered losses from our traps and arrows, and now our counterattack broke their already failing formation. The first soldiers began retreating, their discipline cracking under the relentless assault.

Carridan's men weren't cowards, but they had been sent to probe our defenses, not die in a full-scale engagement.

The retreat turned into a rout.

I gritted my teeth as the last of them fled into the forest. We had won the first battle. But that didn't mean we had won the war.

My chest rose and fell with deep, controlled breaths. Blood dripped from my spear. Around me, goblins howled their victory, banging weapons against their shields. The human archers in the towers lowered their bows, exhaustion clear on their faces.

I turned my attention back to the second army.

The scout leader had returned. His expression was unreadable as he strode toward me, wiping sweat from his brow.

"They want to talk," he said.

That was unexpected. "Who are they?"

He hesitated before answering. "A mercenary company. The Iron Fangs."

I froze.

I knew that name.

The Iron Fangs weren't just any mercenary band. They were one of the most ruthless and effective companies in the region. They had no loyalty except to coin, and they had been responsible for both toppling warlords and propping them up.

"Who hired them?" I asked.

"They wouldn't say," the scout replied. "Only that their leader wants to speak with you. Immediately."

I glanced at Gorak, who scowled. "Could be a trick."

The Shadeborn folded her arms. "Or an opportunity."

She was right. If the Iron Fangs were looking to negotiate, that meant they weren't here to kill us.

Yet.

I exhaled. "Fine. Bring me their leader."

The goblins bristled as three figures entered the outpost. They wore dark leather and chainmail, their armor worn but well-kept. Their weapons were practical, deadly, and expensive. The center figure stood taller than the others, his helmet removed to reveal graying hair and a scar running down his cheek.

His gaze met mine with calm confidence.

"You're the outworlder," he said. His voice was steady, deep. The kind of voice that belonged to a man who had seen countless battles and survived them all.

I didn't react. "And you're the Iron Fangs."

He gave a slight smirk. "Captain Draven. I lead this company."

I cut straight to the point. "Who hired you?"

Draven's smirk didn't fade. "That depends."

I narrowed my eyes. "On what?"

"On whether you can make me a better offer."

I blinked, surprised for the first time since this battle started. "You're saying you're not with Carridan?"

Draven shrugged. "We were approached, but we haven't signed anything yet. My men don't move for free. I came here because I wanted to see who you were first."

I studied him carefully. This was a test.

He wanted to know if I was worth investing in.

If I handled this wrong, he'd walk away and sell his swords to Carridan.

I gripped my spear tighter.

"So what do you want?" I asked.

Draven's eyes gleamed. "A reason to fight for you instead of against you."

This was an opportunity. A dangerous one, but an opportunity nonetheless.

I had three choices.

1. Offer Gold – If I spent enough, I could buy their loyalty for a time. But mercenaries followed coin, not ideals.

2. Offer Power – I could promise them land, command, or status if we won this war. But that meant trusting them long-term.

3. Offer Blood – I could convince them that Carridan is the losing side. That by backing me, they would be on the stronger, better path.