Although I helped with some NPC's in this one, it's officially a Sir Fumblies solo.

He put most of the work into it anyway as you'll see. Fumblies gets a strange letter and Scaros visits Seaside Town.

 
Edited and assisted by Dash

Threats

It was a a quiet morning. Well, as quiet as it could be in a bustling military fortress. Seated on a crate watching some of his soldiers train was the form of half-orc Sir Fumblies Falanges, the man who had until only a couple of weeks earlier been a General in the Feline Empire. He was somewhat sad that his time within the Feline Empire had come to an end though he knew that he had done. What he had needed to in order to maintain his nobility. He had seen the corruption and callous disregard that Catrina had shown towards the Goblins and he would miss having the chance to protect them.

He had realized shortly after the formation of the Fumblies Command that the Goblin Kingdom, and as a result the Feline Empire, was full of undisciplined and directionless leadership. Fumblies could see that there was great potential for the Goblins given the proper training and the time to develop as a people. It seemed to him from the times he had been able spend observing the other Feline Empire Generals that the most talented and organized command were none other than the Fumblies Command.

Though he was also willing to admit that his opinion could very well be colored by the pride he felt for the command he had built from the ground up. The Fumblies Command had been built up to its current size in only a few months. Yet, even now the ranks were continuing to swell in the wake of his defection from the Feline Empire. While his defection had not been a publicly known event, there had been those who had went into hiding rather than serve the Feline Empire. It pained him now to know that only months earlier, when he had first joined the Feline Empire, he had been responsible for taking out those opposed to Catrina's rule.

He could now see how badly he had been used during his time as a Feline Empire military figure. He just hoped that in the coming months he would be able to atone for his gullibility. Yet, he knew that to be honest part of the problem had been his own pride and ego and his desire to be revered for his accomplishments. That was another part of why he had left the Feline Empire; he knew that his superiors didn't value what he had done for them. Deep down he knew that sooner rather than later he would have been targeted as a threat to the throne. He could justify this feeling by the way those under his command revered him and had sworn their loyalty him.

"Sir, I have something that you needs to see." Fumblies thoughts were interrupted by Bones, the Fumblies Command's best Necromancer. The thin looking black robed goblin held a scroll in his hand which he held out to Fumblies.

Fumblies took the scroll, slowly opened it, cracking the wax seal. He read it carefully. After a minute, he cringed knowing that he was now in a tough position.

Kingslayer,

I am impressed that you have finally grown the backbone to stroke it out on your own. Yet, I wonder how long you will last if those under your leadership knew that you were the one to kill their imprisoned monarch. I also have to wonder how much it is worth to you for me to maintain my silence. I have a task for you that if you complete will ensure that I keep your secret safe from discovery. All you have to do is bring Father Crimbo to Farnsworthy Tower. Do this and your secret will remain intact a while longer. Ignore this task and your world come crashing down around you.

P

Sir Fumblies looked at Bones, wondering for just a few seconds how the Necromancer had ended up with this message. He would puzzle that out later but for now he needed to figure out how to react to this threat and he knew it was a threat. A threat that he could either shirk from or find a way to disarm. For now he had to make preparations. "Where is Scaros?"

"Last I saw he was overseeing the integration of some of the new recruits." Bones replied as he watched his commander. Bones could sense that the message troubled Fumblies greatly and as a result had to wonder what it was that set him on edge.

Fumblies got up, nodded to Bones and went to find Scaros. No matter what, the first step would be to get Father Crimbo safely to this fort. Once that was done, he could defuse the hold that Philler still had over him. A hold that would remain a threat so long as he had the power to reveal the truth of the Goblin King's death.

 
In Seaside Town: The Truth about Scaros [Part 2]

Several days later Scaros, the second in command of the Fumblies Command, was leading a squad of Goblins. This squad was the best troops that Scaros could find as their mission was one that was involved royalty. He had been commissioned with the task of getting Father Crimbo's festival to the fort without incident. Yet to him, this mission was not just about escorting Father Crimbo. No, this particular task had a very personal nature to it. The squad made its way to an inn and settled in while Scaros went to find where Father Crimbo and the princesses were staying. It had only been a couple of weeks since he had last seen Lady Goblin so he was looking forward to catching up with her.

It somewhat amazed him how freely he could move through the city even after all that happened between the Goblin Kingdom and the KOKOL. Though in the end it didn't matter since he had played a major role in helping rebuild Seaside Town, so he had an amount of respect from the locals. As he moved through the streets to the Council building, he couldn't help but reflect on the dreams he'd been having lately. They become clearer. It had taken him some time to realize the dreams actually memories. Memories that seemed to indicate that he was some how connected to the former Goblin King. To be honest, he had found it strange the dreams had started coming to him the night after the undead hordes had been dispatched. He had yet to figure out what that really meant. It was a puzzle that he intended to unravel over time.

He arrived at the Council building and shook his head slightly to clear it of his thoughts before entering. He was here for both work and pleasure and hoped that the first did not preclude the second. His orders had been clear. He was supposed to initiate this meeting. Honestly, he approved of the plan. Since the Fumblies Command had left the Feline Empire, nearly a third of the Goblin Kingdom had in one way or another shown their support. Scaros knew what the next logical step was but he hoped that he could make it happen which is what he had been ordered to do.

Although he'd gotten by the outer guards without incident, a large and overly muscular guard stopped him. "Hey, can I help you with something? You got business here?"

"I am Commander Scaros and I have business with Lady Goblin and Father Crimbo. Point me their direction and I will leave you be." Scaros was impressed by the guards demeanor and now waited for a response.

The guard starred hard at him, trying to assert himself. "Sounds legit. Got some credentials on you?"

"Ever hear of the Fumblies Command?" Scaros pointed to the emblazon crest on his uniform before pulling out the sealed letter that he had been given to personally deliver to Father Crimbo.

"Yeah, with the Knob Goblins," he answered. Before Scaros could clarify, the guard stepped closer. "I understand you guys were a part of savin' them, but I seem to recall your Goblin buddies invadin' our town. Killed me brother, they did. Made him fight so hard, he overdrank and had himself a fatal heart attack."

"Well the Fumblies Command was not in existence then but I understand your anger. Now if you will also remember we helped defeat the undead army that lead to the rebuilding of this city. In fact, I personally over saw the Feline Empire contingent that aided in the rebuilding efforts." Scaros looked at the guard, waiting for something. "Now if you would let me move along I would grateful."

The guard huffed. "And if I don't?"

"You will more than likely be moved to another guard post." Scaros remained calm without anger as he wondered if the guard understood that there was a chance said new duty post was in the land of the dead.

"Is there a problem here, gentlemen?" Scaros recognized the familiar voice of Princess Zeala. Her long blond hair flowed behind her.

"Just handlin' the local thugs," the guard said.

"Well, this thug is no local," Zeala said. "Er, let me rephrase that. This one has due rights to be here. I'll handle him."

"But ma'am.." started the thug. That got the princesses ire up. She gave him a dangerous glare, indeed.

"Would you rather I handle him? Or you?"

"Yes ma'am, I mean no ma'am, I mean.." He fumbled his wooden weapon, picked it up, and silently awaited orders.

Zeala turned to Scaros. "Why don't we speak somewhere a little more quiet? You must be here for Lady Goblin."

"In part, Highness." Scaros turned to the fumbling thug and smiled. "Your diligence does you credit, soldier. Keep up the good work but I would advise you to gather a better understanding of local events."

With that Scaros turned back to Zeala and nodded. "After you, mi Lady." If there was one thing that Scaros understood besides being a soldier it was the protocol of addressing a superior in public. She simply nodded, probably used to it, and lead him into a side room. Although to call it quiet would be an overstatement, if not flat out misleading. There were at least four other princesses and each was speaking to between one and three others, in addition to a couple guards standing at attention by the door and a trio of servants, ready to serve the every need of the princesses and their guests. Scaros immediately picked up on the center of activity. They were keeping track of Father Crimbo and potential threats.

"So how can I be of assistance to you, Scaros?" she asked after settling into a comfortable corner.

"Well I am here with a squad to serve as escort for the the Festival's trip up towards the outpost. There has been some Penguins trouble in the area. Additionally, I have a message from Sir Fumblies for Lady Goblin that have been ordered to give directly to her." Scaros smiled slightly as he pauses for a second. "Then of course I would like like to talk with Lady Goblin on a more relaxed note to follow up on the night we had a few weeks ago."

"Oh, wait, the Penguin Mafia?" Zeala asked, confused. "You aren't expecting they would have business with Father Crimbo, are you?"

"No, but I honestly wouldn't put it past them to try something if it meant getting a hold over the outpost." Scaros's reply was one filled with his understanding of the events of the last week or so and just what impact they could have.

Zeala quickly weighed his words. "Then we'd best keep an eye on them, but onto the more relevant matters. Lady Goblin and Jen Pi are having a luncheon with a few of the newer princesses in the new Little Canadia settlement. They're helping celebrate reopening of Chez Snootee. Though I wouldn't advise going. By the time you got through security, they'd be on their way back to town."

She paused, then added, "Jen and I are going for training north of Cobb's Knobb, although we'd prefer to limit who knows."

"I would advise that you don't go right through the Knobb. Times are a bit unsteady right now." It was the closest he could come to revealing what was going on without coming out and saying it.

"We'll be fine," Zeala said dismissively. "She's a highly trained fighter. I've more magic than most experts in this region. But I thank you for your concern."

"My concern is more for the political dangers that you might face. There the Knobb is on the verge of a civil war." Scaros smiled as he made his reply knowing full well what he was hinting at but couldn't just yet come out and say.

"I'll take your concerns under advisement," she answered. "So you'll be meeting Lady Goblin upon her return? She spoke of you recently."

"That was my hope." Scaros smiled hearing that Lady Goblin had spoke of him. "In what manner did she speak of me?"

"Mostly fondly," Zeala said, smiling slowly. "She seemed quite thankful that you reminded her of her obligation to her people. Although she's sensitive on the issue."

"I can imagine she is though I hope the news I bring will be something can cope with." Scaros spoke plainly knowing that his upcoming conversation would do much for his dreams.

"In the meantime, there's a luncheon in the market place," Zeala said. "I'm obligated to attend and the more I can do to fill the room with non stuffy dignitary types, the better. Besides, they might cut down on the rhetoric against the Knob Goblins in the presence of a general who fought with the town against the zombies. It's grown quite tiresome, actually."

"I hadn't planned on going anywhere so I am would be glad to attend." Scaros flashed her a smirk. "After all, if things go the way I want the too I will see be obligated to join such events myself."

"Ah, you'll have to tell me more," she said. "We've got a little time to look over the strategic notes, then we'll head to the formal dinner. Anything you want, I'm sure can be arranged."

Zeala lead him to the strategy session, which proved quite informative. Zeala was right. It was quite fun seeing the same politicians who most likely cut him up behind his back trying to act civil. Especially when Zeala let them make fools of themselves before calling them out on it. In all honesty, Scaros enjoyed the chance to see how the political game was played and found that he had an enjoyment of it. Especially Zeala's occasionally cunning ruthless honesty.

After the exceptionally tasty and expensive lunch an as soon as Lady Goblin returned, Zeala pulled her and Jen Pi aside. After a hastily exchange, Jen and Zeala slipped away, leaving Lady Goblin and Scaros alone in a crowded room which was more interested in political maneuvering and brash boasting than it was in disturbing the two.

"If I'd known you were in town, I'd have invited you with!" she said, delighted to see him.

"Well I arrived only a short while ago so there was no way you would have know I was in town." Scaros's smile pleased her. She liked his smile.

"True. What brings you to Seaside, anyway? Have you reconsidered my offer to tour the world with us? You'd make an excellent general."

"Unfortunately I have duties that prevent me from joining the tour." He sounded wistfully as he contemplated her compliment. "However, I have come to escort the tour up to the borderland outpost."

"I don't know," answered Lady Goblin, "that they're headed that way. Have you heard something on the matter?"

"Not officially but I was asked to be sure you made it there safely so that Sir Fumblies can tell you something about your brother's death." Scaros speaks calmly as he watches her for a reaction.

Lady Goblin's expression turned to ashen stone. "What?"

"He didn't tell me what it was, only that it was important." Scaros frowned slightly as he watched her for a minute. "Though I did get the impression that it bore on the future of the Goblin people."

"I would think so," Lady Goblin said, starting into the distance. "Very well. Whatever you need, I'll make happen. But now, I'd like to get your assessment of the slavers, please. How much of a threat do you see them as?"

"Well I have heard rumors that they are planning something but have little knowledge of just what that could be. However, I do know that the Penguin Mafia has an interest in that region of the Knobb." Scaros spoke quietly as he pondered if he dared honoring her the way he wanted. "Which is why I have been sent to escort Father Crimbo up to the fort."

Lady Goblin looked very serious. "Then I guess we'd better make preparations."

"I live to serve my Queen." Scaros spoke quietly calmly and softly so that only she could hear his words. He waited for her reply as he lets his eyes surveyed the room for any potential threats.

"I'm no queen, only a lowly Lady," she answered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else.

Scaros smiled slightly as he prevented his amusement at her comment from showing on his face. He know that in time her opinion would change after seeing how many in the Knobb were opposed to the Feline Empire. It was a conversation that would be continued later but for now it was time to allow Lady Goblin a chance to make her preparations.

For the record, “Fumblies gets a strange letter and Scaros visits Seaside Town” would be both the longest and weirdest mission title ever. Also, it’d sound like an episode title for InuYasha.

On a more serious note, I’m not sure how to comment on this piece but I really like it. Fumblies has a hell of a showing this mission and this piece is where it all starts for him. It’s a hell of a start, too! What’s with the letter? Does that mean Kwadlin’s still alive? Or at least somehow undead?