Haggle With The Old Man.

“I see. Oh well. Have fun with the goblins.” I shrugged and turned around.

“What goblins?” he asked.

“You heard about them terrorizing the area right.”

“Course I have. Across the river.”

“Well, I just found out they are working with some other race and looking to maybe expand.”

“Damn fucking creatures. The king should just kill every last one of them damn godless creatures and save us all. Get rid of the demihumans to. Damn animal fuckers. What's that got to do with my land though?” he yelled. Seemed I hit a nerve. If he didn't like half breeds he sure as hell hated goblins and there like. Till I meet Terra I didn't have much love for them myself.

“That is only a days ride from here. You will have a hard time selling your land at even half the price you are asking for if they move south.”

“So you would have to deal with them then.” He pointed his cane.

“I am a young man. I can wait out the season. Hell if they do come I am sure others will sell their land at a much cheaper price then anything you can offer. Good luck with selling your land then.”

“Wait. Two hundred.

“One hundred.”

“Now you are just trying to rip me off.” He sneered.

“Like you did with the satyr?”

“Who told you about them goat fuckers.” He huffed.

“Does it matter? I know you have no problem hiring demi-humans to work your fields but won't sell to them.”

“Damn right I don't. Fucking beast are breed for working fields. Bet they are good eating to though I never eat one of those disgusting things.”

“And you think they will work your land this year after that stunt you pulled on those two. You will have to pay more for humans to do it from now on and with the state your field is in you will have to pay a lot before anyone is going to give you two hundred for the lot. But not my problem. I will be sure to tell the scribes in the city the correct price for you so they can put up new notices.” I smiled as I turned my back. I am sure Gypsy could make his life a living hell by keeping him from selling the place.

“I can go as low as one fifty but only if you do something for me,” he said. That was faster then I thought it would take.

“That is?”

“Your a hunter right or are those things just for show.” He pointed with his cane.

“I am.”

“Well, my damn cow got loose. Not the cow's fault but the damn one who built the fence. She wandered off but she is old so she wouldn't get far. Find the cow and you got yourself a deal.”

“Very well.” I sighed. Nothing was ever easy, was it. The fence looked to be rotted through and not poorly made as the old man said. He just hadn't bothered to replace it which didn't surprise me in the least. I followed the cow tracks a ways which wasn't easy since what should be farmland was nothing but overgrown grass but there was a bit of path where she had made her way through, eating as she went. I hope Gypsy knew what she was getting into buying this place as much work as it would take to get the vines planted. I found fresh tracks at the forest edge. I didn't get far into the woods before I heard a noise. A wolves howl.

“Fuck,” I said drawing my bow and looking around. It sounded distant but not as far off as I would like. I knew well enough not to run for it since they might here me. I was about to slip back out of the woods when I heard a voice.

“Back, back, you foul beast,” the voice said loudly followed by the sound of a cow mooing in fear.

“Fuck,” I said again and shook my head. I ran toward the sound up a hill where I saw a goblin holding a sword as big as he was at three wolves who were encircling him and the cow who he seemed to be defending. He wore an armored chest plate that looked to big for him, Maybe a kobold's with a human-sized bowl-like helmet. He had almost no skill with the blade as he swung it wildly at the beast in front of him but he was at least keeping the wolves at bay. I drew and fired my arrow at one of them hitting the wolf in the neck as it let out a whelp in pain and fled back away. One of the animals lunged at the goblin and he managed to slash it across the face. Rather by purpose or circumstance, I couldn't say. He landed on his ass scurrying backward. I fired an arrow at the wolf who was about to pounce on him killing it instantly. The cow bolted showing it still had some life left in her but not enough to outrun a wolf after her.

I took off after the cow and hoped the goblin had enough spunk in him to defend himself against the one I had injured or that it would turn tell. On the other side, it could go after me and the cow and I would be screwed. It didn't take the wolf long to catch the cow and snip at its backside. The animal turned towards the wolf trying to keep its horns toward the wolf. I fired at the wolf hitting it in its hindquarters as it let out a yelp and took off running away as it whimpered with an arrow in its ass. Not my best shot in the world but it did the trick.

“Easy girl.” I put my hand up and inched toward the cow. I knew it still had to be scared. It backed away a few times before letting me get close and grab the rope. I turned when I heard a noise and saw the goblin standing over the other wolf who I had wounded as he hit it time after time with his sword until he was out of breath. He looked toward me.

“Good human. You catch me noble steed. Thank you.”

“It's not a horse.”

“It's big like horse. Me try to ride but it no go where I want. Very stubborn horse.” He shook his head then fixed his helmet.

“It's a cow. It produces milk.”

“So cow is like really big goat?” He took off his helmet and scratched his head.

“Something like that. That is why I am here. The owner sent me looking for it.”

“Damn. Knight need horse.” He kicked the ground.

“You're a knight?” I laughed.

“Yes. Me got armor. Me a knight. Me do good deeds for the people. Least drive off wolves. You kill one and I kill one. That makes three,” he said holding up two fingers.

“Two.”

“That what I said. Two. We fought heroic battle. Do good for people.”

“Thank you for protecting the cow gallant knight.” I smiled and we parted ways. Nothing else I had one hell of a story to tell.

“There she is. Duchess,” the old man said as he came out.

“She almost got eaten by wolves,” I said.

“Damn. now wolves! I can't wait to move into the city.” He shook his head and took the rope.

“Well the sooner you give me the papers you can have your money and be on your way.”

“Very well.” He nodded and tied the cow up.

“Here are the papers they drew up for me. Already signed by the castle whatever the fuck he is and all. I wrote my name as well. All you got to do is sign it.” I had to count out the coin that thankfully was in silver or I would have been here for a long time. “Give me a few days and I will be moved out to the city and away from all these fucking beasts.”

“Very well.” I nodded. I headed back to the road and then over to Gypsy's. I didn't even have to knock before the door sprung open.

“So.” She smiled. I held up the piece of paper and she almost tackled me as she hugged me. “You did it. Yes, thank you.”

“Just don't go digging up anything until after he is gone.” I shook my head.

“Hope he didn't give you to much trouble,” she said and invited me in with a wave of her hand.

“Some. Had to save a cow but least I got to meet a valiant goblin knight who assisted me in the battle against a pack of wolves.”

“That fool goblin is still at it? He is going to get himself killed.” She laughed.

“You know him?”

“Yes. He is an idiot but at least he tries to be better than his kin. Sadly he is about as smart as the others.”

“You do know the entire field is covered with grass, its going to be a lot of work,” I said. The season was still early but that was a lot of field to cover for the two of them.

“Lucky for me I know someone with an ass load of sheep. Brutus would be happy to send them over to fatten them up.” She smiled slyly as she poured two glasses of wine and brought one over to me.

“Fair point.” I smiled and took it taking a drink then pulled out the coin purse and handed it to her. “Here, even saved you five silver.”

“You didn't have to do that.” She smiled as she took it.

“No, but it was fun. He tried to scam me as well and say the price was two-fifty.”

“Speaking of fun.” She smiled and rubbed my chest.

“You don't have to do that.” I shook my head.

“No, but I want to, but I should tell you something.”

“What's that?” I asked and she downed her whole cup of wine as if trying to build up courage.

“Despite how I act I am... I'm still a virgin. I know I seem perverse but...” She looked down.

“Why hide it?” I touched her chin lifting it up.

“I am a satyr. Most people see us as horny fuckers.”

“This doesn't count towards me repaying you for what you did. It's more of a way to celebrate with someone I like.” She looked at me with her deep brown eyes and bit her lip.