Crazed armored female warrior offers raw meat to green goblin…

When lords and mayors found themselves overwhelmed by a goblin infestation, they rarely sent an army. Armies were too loud, too heavy, and entirely unequipped for the swarming horrors; instead, they hired Candace. Individually, a goblin was weak, cowardly, and easily dispatched. But in packs, their sheer numbers routinely overwhelmed elite parties of seasoned warriors. Candace, however, worked alone. Armed with a battered steel helm, close-fitting chainmail, and a long spear tailored for low-to-the-ground targets, she approached the threat with a weapon far more dangerous than steel: a deep understanding of goblin psychology. Goblins thrived on false bravado and posturing. Threaten them, and they would whip themselves into a violent, bloodthirsty frenzy. But lie to them—blatantly, obviously, and insultingly so—and a crushing wave of paranoia would paralyze their ranks. Stepping quietly through the dense pine forest, Candace spotted a trio of the creatures crouched in a clearing, clutching crude daggers. She slowed her pace, lowering her posture. Clutched in her hand was a strip of dried jerky, held out like a peace offering. Behind her back, in plain sight, the iron tip of her long spear rested ready. "I'm not going to hurt you," Candace murmured, her tone soft and placating. Her eyes, sharp and unwavering, gave her away instantly. The goblins squawked and hollered, huddling together and shifting nervously on their clawed feet. "Liar!" one screeched, pointing a trembling dagger at her. "What's that behind you? What's the spear for?" Candace offered a completely unconvincing smile. "This? Oh, it's just my walking stick." The absurdity of the claim hung heavy in the air. The glaringly obvious lie sent an immediate tremor through the creatures. Their wide, paranoid eyes darted back and forth, their false bravado completely collapsing under the weight of the deception. Before panic could curdle into a coordinated counter-attack, Candace moved.

Entry in the Epic Fantasy Themes theme.