Forged in Lightning

Scum.

Aegeon heard the cries of a female, there was only one reason why a woman of any race was in a goblins den.

His face was graced with a frown, as he walked towards the cries.

He silently cursed the god of goblins, his hands clenched in a fist, he steeled his nerves as he approached an intricately made cellar, that was too well-made to be built by a goblin. His frown deepened as he opened the doors leading to stairs and the dimly lit passageway.

The pungent odor of rotten meat and flesh assaulting his nose, soft whimpering entered his ears, and the distinct cry and begging from the ones who called him here.

A horrific site awaited him, a damp dungeon full of woman, from most of the humanoid races in cages. If that was all, it would be okay, but the males that were unfortunate, were strewn on the floor half intact.

His eyes scanned around, Elves, dwarfs, humans ten he counted. HIs eyes widened, how the hell did goblins manage to capture them? The cages were too advanced even for a war chief, even the shackles were something goblins couldn't do.

He snapped his finger, lightning flickered around him, lighting up the area. All eyes turned towards him. The woman, in the cage seemed untouched as if they just got here, the men not so lucky, used as food.

And the unfortunate ones that didn't just get here were already dead.

There was a woman at the forefront, a beautiful woman, with brown hair and bright blue eyes.

The other woman looked at her as if she was their leader, waiting for her to speak.

Her lips quivered as she spoke softly like a pleasant-sounding bell. "You are not a goblin" 

That was an understatement.

"A barbarian this close to the capital, can you understand my words?" She tapped the cage and mimicked turning a key.

His eye twitched.

Frustrated at him just watching, she stomped her foot on the cell floor.

"Release us" she glared at him, her clumsily balled up fist, adorable. her personality seemed as fickle as the wind, he ignored her and looked around, his fingers tracing along the metal.

"I am the daughter of the grand duke of the north, if you release me, I will make sure my father will reward you handsomely.

He rolled his eyes, what did that matter? 

"A mage? Do you specialize in lightning barbarian," She spoke gripping the bars of the cell. "How unsightly, a barbarian that doesn't know the imperial tongue" She clicked her tongue, "I never thought the day would come when I ask something from a fifthly barbarian."

A vein popped on his forehead.

"Who brought you here?" He calmly spoke. 

She looked shocked that he spoke the imperial tongue, she blushed remembering that he understood what she was saying.

"Before that release me, I implore you" 

"In due time" He snapped his finger, manipulating the lightning, forming a key and releasing everyone.

Now that we have gotten this far what is your name oh great Divine one, He sheepishly asked.

"The guiding lightning, of my goddess the great Thunderer led me here." He started to Proselytize, lightning dancing behind him as if to agree with his words.

He looked at the condition of the females, they looked haggard, with cuts and scarps everywhere.

Aegeon clasped his hand closing his eyes surrounded by lightning he spoke a soft prayer, a warm smile adorned on his face.

His lightning wrapped around every living thing to heal them. 

A better perception of his church was necessary, and if an influential figure like the daughter of a duke was converted, then he would gain tremendous support.

"So, you're a priest, that would explain the rags, and the scent of poverty." She spoke while touching her hair. 

This girl really had a way with words, his smile faltered.

"So how did you get into a goblin cellar great daughter of the duke?" he sarcastically spoke, his hand waving, praying while conducting the lightning to cremate the bodies of the dead.

The corners of her cheek creased as she frowned, "Bandits, attacked my convoy, my compatriots all perished protecting me." Bandits not goblins, he touched his cheek, that was worrying, he'd assume the bodyguards of a duke's daughter were powerful, if so, that would explain why there were other races here, the people that kidnapped her were powerful, and didn't care who they were grabbing.

"I was put in a cage and then joined the others" She looked around the room, before continuing "In a Caravan, that the slave traders used to transport us disguised as merchants." Her frown deepened, probably remembering something unpleasant.

"The slave traders, and the bandits were up in arms, about what do with me. As if I was some common item", she moved some hair from her face, her eyes glaring off into the distance.

"Did you encounter them perhaps? I would love to have a private word with them" She spoke with a smile that was not a smile.

He waved her off "They will be dealt with soon enough, although I can assure you that the bandits have been killed by now" He promised her, although he wasn't sure that they actually were.

"The basta----" She cleared her throat blushing, before twirling her hair "The Slavers had a disagreement with the scu--- I mean bandits and then sold us to these goblins before running off"

"One mystery solved, why a goblin war chief was here? Judging by the condition of this place, they had been doing business for a long time. He felt disgusted, did he really rush to go help slave traders? Did he die because he tried helping slave traders? He instinctively touched his neck.

She coughed, looking expectantly at her mana powered shackles.

Lightning formed at the tips of his finger; he brought it down cutting the shackles.

"Thats much better" she groaned out rubbing her sore wrists, her abundant 'Mana' filled the room at once. His eyes widened, she was strong, stronger than him, stronger than that old bastard, how did she get captured?

"Don't look at me like that" She turned and blushed, twirling her hair looking bashful.

"How did you get captured?"

She looked at him surprise evident in her face

"You can feel that? I thought you were too weak for that"

He really wanted to hit her.

"One of my maids, turned traitor and drugged, my tea" She spoke with a soft tone, "So I snapped her neck, before I was captured" She shrugged "I was unlucky I guess" she said in a nonchalant tone.

"What's your story priest?"

"I've been doing a lot of answering and not much questioning" She spoke with a smile so bright it could light up the stars.

"None of your business, now follow me", He walked up the stairs, he turned his head behind him to see if they were following him, no one was following him.

The woman all looked towards the daughter of the grand Duke seeking her approval, she nodded with a smile and followed behind him.

He wanted to lead them to a clearing right before the entrance towards, the mountain.

As soon as he stepped out of the cellar, a wall of golden flames erupted before him

What now?