The Forest Gnome took another sip of the exotic whiskey at Greth’s bar. The rich, fruity sweetness of the liquor was complemented by flavors of peat and tobacco smoke. The finish was incredibly smooth, with faint intertwined notes of caramel and cinnamon. Truly his people did not make a drink as fine as this and he could not help ordering a second glass…and then a third.

Before he knew it the rhythmic sounds of rain, a never ending rain it seemed, combined with copious amounts of whiskey had the inevitable effect of lulling him into a light slumber….

**

Blood

Copious amount of russet red blood seeped into the ground at his feet. Around him was the chaos of war. These people did not care or see what they were doing but he knew. The entire world would suffer for the sake of this human village on the edge of human lands. We have won, voices cheered in the background….it would get worse soon.

Blood

He stood over a dead Krolvin and behind that Krolvin lay a dozen more corpses each one bleeding from the neck or the eyes where arrows had done their job well. He did not care or see what he was doing. He just kept sending arrows into the enemy as they charged forth.The ground was sanguine having soaked up the blood like a sponge. We have won, voices cheered in the background….he looked around with wonder at this human village on the edge of a wild island.

Blood

He stood over a dead Krolvin, though it might have been a human. It was hard to tell with the hundreds of corpses piled up and mutilated so much by spell and blade. He only cared about protecting the Rosengift who was building a creation that would save this human town. Behind him a flesh-crafted monstrosity rose up and roared with a bellow that could be heard for miles. He knew when he heard that sound that they would win.

Blood

He stood seething in front of a line of his people at the edge of a forest. One by one they turned their back and walked away without saying a word. He looked down at his hands, it took so much more effort to call on the spirits these days but for a moment he was tempted to force them to turn around and acknowledge him. They did not understand a price had to be paid and in the end he had won.

**

The gnome woke up startled and entirely sober….looking around he could not tell how much time had passed but the rain still fell outside. Greth was busy waving at some customers in the back when the gnome pushed away the last of his whiskey and walked out the door muttering about cursed islands.