The Goblin Merchant

Lord Aldric Nachtdorn had managed to escape the clutches of the Inquisition by the skin of his teeth. He had thankfully managed to drain the Inquisitor who was after him enough to slip away. But his worries were far from over. Losing his connection to the Church left him vulnerable, forcing him to rely on less trustworthy allies. One such ally was Dedrex Grimm, a merchant infamous for his questionable ethics and insatiable greed.

Aldric descended into the lower district, his nose scrunching involuntarily at the stench permeating the narrow streets. Rotting refuse piled high against crumbling walls, and beggars huddled in doorways, their hollow eyes pleading silently. Aldric gave them a wide berth, his boots clicking sharply against the cobblestones as he hurried past. He despised this part of the city, the filth, the despair, but with his current predicament, he had few alternatives.

He took a pair of stairs leading down to a cellar with a vaulted, reinforced door. This was the place where Dedrax usually was. He knocked and waited for someone to respond. It took a while before a narrow slit by the door opened and dull, lifeless eyes peered out. 

"Lord Aldric, what a pleasure, what a pleasure. Didn't expect you to come here. How was the game?"

Aldric grimaced, "Open the door, we need to talk."

Without further ado, Dedrex complied, sliding back the bolt and lifting the drawbar. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room cluttered with scrolls, trinkets, and half-empty bottles. Sconces flickered weakly on the walls, casting eerie shadows over the chaos. It looked as though a storm had swept through, leaving only destruction in its wake. Aldric navigated the mess with careful steps, masking his expression.

Dedrex, an unassuming man in his late forties or early fifties, ambled beside him, pouring two glasses of wine. He offered one to Aldric, who accepted it with a curt nod.

"So what can I do for you?"

"I'm in trouble."

"Aren't you always? What is it this time? Debtors? Enraged Gamblers…"

"Inquisitors," Aldric interrupted. "I had a falling out with the church, and I am in deep trouble."

The Merchant narrowed his eyes. "And you bring that kind of trouble into my establishment?"

"I didn't have many other avenues to go."

"Were ya followed?" Dedrex snarled suddenly, his fingers elongating grotesquely until they ended in razor-sharp claws. He pointed them directly at Aldric's chest, his expression darkening with suspicion.

Aldric shook his head vehemently. "No, no, I checked multiple times. I swear." He knew better than to lie; Dedrex wasn't human. He was a shapeshifter, a goblin, a mischievous spirit drawn to shiny objects and lucrative deals.

"You know I don't take kindly to risks, Lord Aldric," Dedrex growled, his voice low and menacing. "Especially not ones involving the Inquisition."

Aldric reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch containing the gold coins he'd managed to snatch after the witch tossed them at him. He jingled the bag enticingly. "Interested now?"

Dedrex's eyes gleamed with barely contained greed. "Eh, give it." He reached for the bag, his clawed hand twitching impatiently.

Aldric yanked it back, holding it just out of reach. "Not so fast. I want a way out of Bramholt. Better yet, out of Hochwalden."

For a moment, Dedrex froze, his lips curling into a sinister smile. Then, with a sickening series of transformations, his appearance shifted. Clumps of hair fell away, revealing leathery green skin beneath. His ears stretched unnaturally upward, tapering into pointed tips, while rows of jagged, needle-like teeth sprouted from his widening grin. His beady eyes turned yellow and fiery, glowing with an otherworldly light.

"Nyeh. Fine, you got yerself a deal," Dedrex cackled, his voice had become a whispery echo that sent shivers crawling up Aldric's spine. "But you have to follow me. I'll get you away from Bramholt, but it'll cost you."

The goblin waddled over to a massive iron door, its surface corroded with age and bound by thick chains that rattled softly as though disturbed by unseen hands. "Follow me, Lord Aldric. Hehehehe. Follow me."

With a flick of his elongated fingers, the chains slid away effortlessly. The door creaked open slowly, as if pushed by an invisible force. As it swung wide, a chilling wind rushed out, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth and decay. The flickering sconces cast dancing shadows across the walls, making the air feel heavier, almost oppressive.

"What is this, Dedrex?" Aldric asked, his voice trembling despite his attempt to sound composed.

"You want salvation, don't you? To be free of the Church?" Dedrex replied, his unsettling grin widening further. "Nyeh, this is the path you must follow." He gestured mockingly, waving Aldric forward with a clawed hand. "Come along, Lord Aldric. Your freedom awaits."

Aldric hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But desperation outweighed caution. Taking a deep breath, he stepped through the doorway, the foreign air wrapping around him like a suffocating shroud.

They descended the creaking staircase until they arrived in a dimly lit chamber. A brazier burned in the center, filling the room with the heavy aroma of sandalwood and myrrh. Standing candles cast wavering shadows across the stone walls, their flames competing with the oppressive weight of the silence. At the far end of the room, a coffin lay draped in tangled wild roses, their petals brittle and blackened as though drained of life.

"If you wish to flee, then you must serve, Lord Aldric," Dedrex cackled, waddling over to the coffin and pulling away the wilted flowers. The lid creaked open, releasing a swirl of icy mist that slithered across the floor, curling around Aldric's ankles like ghostly fingers.

Before Aldric could react, a figure levitated out of the coffin, his amber eyes glowing with cold intensity. He was breathtakingly beautiful, his neat hair slicked back, his dusty yet opulent attire adorned with glittering jewelry. His rich black cape billowed behind him as he floated gracefully to the ground, his movements deliberate and calculated.

Glinting fangs flashed as he smiled at Dedrex. "Why have you awoken me?" he demanded in a commanding voice that seemed to echo in Aldric's bones.

Dedrex bowed low, his usual smug grin replaced by a look of forced deference. "Master, I require your judgment. Allow me to present Lord Aldric Nachtdorn." He gestured toward Aldric, his clawed hand shaking imperceptibly. "He is the one I entrusted with laundering your money, hehehe. But he is now unable to fulfill such a service, most unfortunately. He has… requested transport out of Hochwalden, for he is hunted by the Inquisition."

The vampire narrowed his eyes at Aldric before hitting the ground. It walked closer to the fallen noble, inspecting him with intensity. 

"Then he is of no use," The Vampire hissed and grabbed Aldric's throat, ready to sink his teeth in.

"Wait, Master," The Goblin said. "Lord Aldric may prove useful as a bookkeeper. His knowledge in the financial domain should not be underestimated."

The vampire stopped and looked at his nervous prey. His claw traced the outline of Aldric's throat. "A bookkeeper? Very well, you will serve to keep my accounts in order. And, you will serve as my blood bank. In exchange, we will offer protection from the Church. Agreed?"

Aldric was too nervous to speak and simply nodded his head.

"Excellent," the vampire hissed before sinking his teeth into the Lord's shoulder.