Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

glorious leader's pretty damn good at fighting, but he's not much of a one for the social graces. Not that I'll hear a word said against him, mind; it's thanks to him we've learned to kill demons. We saw off a whole pack of them, not so long ago.'
    'Wait a minute,' said Rupert slowly. 'You people fought a pack of demons? Where?'
    'Place called Coppertown,' said the smallest goblin. 'Chopped them demons into chutney, we did. Not very tasty, mind; all bone and gristle. Now then, don't you worry about the Castle, sir hero, we'll look after it for you. We know all kinds of nasty things to do with boiling oil.'
    'Wouldn't surprise me in the least,' said Rupert. 'About Coppertown . . .'
    'Nice little place, that. Many's the night me and the lads would steal calves and chickens from the townspeople. Not any more, though.'
    'Why not?'
    'Demons,' said the smallest goblin. 'Ripped the village's guts out, they did. No more humans. All gone.
    Can't stop, sir hero, got to catch up with the lads. Have a nice trip.'
    'Thank you, sir goblin. But remember, if I hear you've molested one lawful traveller between here and the Castle I'll personally have you strung up by the heels for the moat monster to gnaw on. Got it?'
    'Oh sure,' said the smallest goblin. 'Us Forest folk got to stick together. Oh yes. Definitely. Not even one?'
    'Not even one.'
    'Spoilsport,' said the goblin. He grinned, bowed quickly, and hurried after his friends. The guards watched the goblins depart, and glanced respectfully at Rupert. Anyone who could intimidate an entire pack of armed goblins without even raising his voice was clearly a leader to be reckoned with.
    'Coppertown,' said the Champion slowly. 'We could be there by evening.'
    'You know the place?' asked Rupert.
    'Small mining town, Sire. Eight hundred people live there, including half a company of guards. It's not possible Coppertown could have fallen to the darkness ...'
    'The Darkwood must be closer than anyone thought,' said Rupert. 'Eight hundred people . . . We'd better check it out.'
    The Champion nodded grimly, and led the way deeper into the Forest.

    The sun was sinking fast when Rupert and the Champion rode into Coppertown. No lights glowed in the miners' houses, and the narrow streets were full of shadows. The guards eyed the silent houses warily, and eased their swords in their scabbards. The horses tossed their heads and whinnied nervously. Rupert stared about him as he led his men deeper into Coppertown, and the unshuttered windows stared back like so many dark, unseeing eyes. There was no sign of violence or destruction, but every house lay still and silent and abandoned. Somewhere out in the growing dusk a door banged lazily as the wind moved it, and there was no one to shut it. Rupert signalled for his men to stop, and reined in his unicorn.
    'Sir Champion ...'
    'Aye, Sire?'
    'Hold my unicorn. I'm going to check out one of these houses.'
    'I'd be more use guarding your back, Sire.'
    Rupert studied the Champion a moment, and then nodded shortly and swung down from the unicorn.
    There was a general rustling of chain-mail as the guards drew their swords and moved quickly to block off both ends of the street. Rupert unstrapped the lantern from his saddle and struggled to light its candle with flint and steel.
    'Rupert...' said the unicorn.
    'Ah,' said Rupert, 'you've finally decided to stop sulking and talk to me.'
    'I have not been sulking! I've been thinking.'
    'About what?'
    'You, mostly. You've changed, Rupert.'
    'Oh, yeah? How?'
    'Well, you used to have more sense, for one thing. There could be any number of demons hiding in these houses.'
    'I know,' said Rupert, grinning broadly as the candle wick finally caught. 'That's why I'm going to check one out.' He closed the lantern and held it high as he moved cautiously forward to study the nearest house. The unicorn made as though to follow him, and then stopped and turned away as the Champion joined Rupert before the gaping doorway.
    'Ready, Sire?'
    'Ready, sir Champion.'
    Rupert padded forward, slipped silently past the open door, and then slammed it back against the wall in case there was something hiding behind it. There wasn't. The heavy crash echoed loudly on the still air, and the timbered ceiling creaked in sympathy. Rupert moved away from the door and stared about him, the Champion close behind. Dirty straw matting covered the earth floor, and the bare stone walls were discoloured by lichen and running damp. The smoke-blackened