Goblin Sniper by Shabazik on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

The column of imperial infantry walked in a hurry in the narrow road, following their banners to hurry to the ford, where the Dark Legions where trying to force to cross.

But what the Imperial mercenaries, knights, peasants levies and militiamen of the guilds didn't knew, was that already an enemy force had crossed the river.

Hidden by the bushes, a band of goblins had crossed the river the previous night, swimming across. Undetected, they laid an ambush behind the Imperial front lines, taking positions by the roads leading to the front from the town where most human forces were camping.

Now, they had their knives sharp and ready to fall on the marching column of humans. The signal to attack: the shot of a hand cannon.

While it was discussed who invented gunpowder -humans or dwarves-, they tried to keep their secret for themselves. But while goblins feared with almost religious zeal these gunpowder weapons in the hands of their enemies, when they captured some, they loved to use them: the explosions they caused delighted the goblins to no end.

Learning to use them was very difficult. And often, the captured weapons from the humans were too big or heavy for the goblins. So they used them instead as team-based weapons: a fire team was formed of a Deaf, a Burned and a Runner: the Deaf was to hold the barrel, the burned to aim and fire the weapon, and the runner lighted the weapon, before running for cover... as properly charging these weapons was still a mystery for most goblins.

"Aim to the captain!" said the Runner, as he finally was able to light the cord. When they crossed the river, he went with it tied above his head, to avoid the fire to die... but still, it was damp.

"Ah?" asked the Deaf, a little pigmy goblin. But the Runner wasn't talking to him.

"Who's the captain?" asked the Burned.

"The one with more feathers" clarified the Runner.

The goblin band waited eagerly, their arms at the ready.

The Burned carefully aimed the Hand cannon at the feathered head of an Imperial noble from Purpuria. Not that he recognised his heraldic colours.

The Runner lighted the fuse. And then jumped away.

The Deaf clenched his teeth, waiting for the explosion. the Burned closed his eyes.

But instead there was only a wet hissing noise.

The Burned, Deaf and Runner looked each other confused. Why it didn't fired?! They did so many tests with the gunpowder yesterday, before crossing the river by swimming!

The rest of the goblins looked alternatively at the hand cannon crew, and to the marching humans...

And as they marched away.

While the Deaf and the Burned looked down the barrel of the gun, the Runner opened the gunpowder sack on his belt, that was dripping black water. He looked at the wet gunpowder, still pondering why it didn't work out.

Done for Gobril, Goblin April. The theme was Goblin Sniper. Went for Goblin Hand-Cannon team, during the Third War of the Power in Aiers.

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