I grabbed the knife

For a moment I wanted nothing more then to strike.

Blood called for blood, and iron called iron.

"Why?" I choked the word out.

"It was vermin, and you were done with it." The Exciser flicked the blood from her blade. "Why do you care?"

It was a damn good question but, frankly, I was too damn angry to answer.

Tension hung in the air as we each gripped our blades, and for a moment it seemed like a fight was inevitable. But then I realized it was only inevitable if I chose it. I pulled the knife from the ground and looked into it's curved edge; I met my eyes, my human eyes, and let out a sign. I **** myself to look at the body of the goblin, and acknowledged that I didn't really care that she'd died.

The Exciser asked why I cared, and the answer was illuminating.

I only cared that she died after I chose to spare her. I had made a choice, and then had that choice taken away. And that made me angry, that loss of control. But, even so, I'd been raised by a merchant and throwing my life away seemed like a poor transaction. Even if my father had died just as senselessly as the goblin, with just as little regard.

The Exciser took a step back as sparks crossed my vision, lightning coursing around me. I hissed, a bestial noise, and the ground around me started to glow red from the heat. I felt a roar bubble up and I gave it voice, the power surging from me and sinking into the ground. Arcs of lightning danced on the ground and disappeared, and I sighed. "Give me a moment."

"I refuse." The Exciser replied, the blood dripping from her sword. "I don't want to deal with a runaway."

"Fuck you," I tossed my knife to her, the blade still smoking. She plucked it from the air with contemptuous ease. "You're such a bitch. That blade is the only thing I own, I'm not leaving without it."

A silence stretched between us.

"Go!" I shouted the word, my voice raw. My fingers sharpened, black as night, and I swung them into the ground. I tore the earth open, striking again and again and again. It took time, hours or minutes, before I found a small grave in front of me. I was alone, accompanied only by the scent of blood and spilt bile.

I gathered up the nameless goblin and placed her in the earth.

I marked her grave with a pile of stones.