I return to our mountain stronghold with Gorthal and our victorious forces the next day. The captured bandit fort left with a small garrison to secure our new forward position. The valley base has transformed in our absence—new fortifications rising, training grounds expanded, supply caches organized with military precision. It's becoming less a camp and more a proper fortress with each passing day.

  "Reports from scouts," a goblin messenger announces as we enter the main compound. "Nerk's party spotted returning from northern caves. Large goblin contingent with him. Will arrive by nightfall."

  Excellent timing. With Nerk's return, we'll have nearly tripled our goblin forces, creating the balance I sought between our orc and goblin contingents. Only Morrigan remains absent, still on her expedition to recruit hagravens from Skull Peak.

  I spend the afternoon with Gorthal, organizing our expanded territory and planning potential next moves based on the political intelligence we've gathered. The blood-priest has grown increasingly strategic in his thinking—another benefit of our bond enhancing not just his physical capabilities but his mental ones as well.

  "Merchant Confederation could be valuable ally," he suggests, ritual scars pulsing thoughtfully as he studies the maps. "Trade access important for growing army. Need supplies, weapons, information."

  "But they'd be wary of a monster army on their borders," I counter. "We need to demonstrate value before approaching them."

  "Like with villagers," Gorthal nods. "Protection services. Secure trade routes where Keenan fails. Build reputation as useful, controlled force."

  The conversation continues until dusk, when horn blasts announce Nerk's arrival. I move to the main gate, eager to see my first bonded lieutenant after his extended recruitment mission.

  The sight that greets me exceeds expectations. Nerk marches at the head of a column of goblins that stretches back along the mountain path as far as I can see—at least three hundred strong, possibly more. But it's Nerk himself who commands attention.

  He's transformed again.

  Where before he stood as an impressive hobgoblin—larger and stronger than his goblin kin but recognizably of the same species—now he's become something else entirely. Standing nearly seven feet tall, his physique has hardened into an armored carapace of natural plates covering vital areas. His skin has darkened to a deep forest green with black patterning, and bony ridges extend from his spine and forearms like natural weapons.

  Most striking is his face—more refined, almost regal despite its monstrous aspects. Intelligence gleams in his yellow eyes, which now feature vertical slits like a predator's. He moves with the fluid grace of a natural warrior, each step deliberate and powerful.

  "Master," he greets me, his voice deeper and more resonant than before. His speech pattern has evolved completely—no more third-person references or broken sentences. "I return with three hundred and forty-two new recruits from seven different tribes. All have accepted your leadership through me."

  "Nerk," I reply, genuinely impressed by his transformation. "You've evolved again."

  He nods, running a clawed hand over the armored plates on his forearm. "The bond continues to reshape me. The more goblins who acknowledge my leadership, the stronger our connection grows. I am becoming something my kind rarely achieves—a true goblin king."

  Goblin king. The title fits this new form perfectly. No longer merely a hobgoblin lieutenant but a sovereign entity in his own right—connected to me through our bond but developing a distinct identity and power base.

  "Your timing is perfect," I tell him as we walk the perimeter, observing the new goblin forces being integrated into our camp. "Much has happened in your absence."

  I brief him on recent developments—the bandit fort capture, our emerging relationship with nearby villages, the intelligence gathered about regional politics, and most significantly, the opening of my fourth bond slot.

  "I felt it," Nerk confirms, tapping his chest. "Even at distance, the network grows stronger. Have you chosen your fourth bond?"

  "Not yet. I've been waiting for your return, and for Morrigan to complete her mission."

  Nerk's expression shifts to one of concern. "Speaking of Morrigan, did she mention anything unusual before departing? Strange energies or disturbances near Skull Peak?"

  "No," I reply, suddenly alert. "Why?"

  "The northern goblin tribes spoke of strange lights around the peak. Unnatural storms. Some believe it's hagraven magic, but others..." He hesitates. "Others say Death Knights have been seen in the area, searching for something."

  That's concerning. Morrigan's expedition could be heading into more danger than anticipated.

  "How long has she been gone?" Nerk asks.

  "Five days. She estimated eight total for the journey, negotiations, and return."

  The goblin king nods thoughtfully. "Then we should wait three more days before considering action. Morrigan is formidable, especially after your enhancements."

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  He's right, but I can't help feeling concerned. Through our bond, I sense Morrigan is alive and not in immediate danger, but the connection provides limited detail at this distance.

  "For now," Nerk continues, "let me show you what my new recruits bring to our army. The northern cave goblins have skills their forest cousins lack—trap-making, poison-brewing, tunnel fighting. With proper training, they'll complement our existing forces perfectly."

  The next two days are spent integrating Nerk's new forces, expanding our camp to accommodate them, and continuing to enhance our strongest warriors through our bond network. The goblin king spends hours each day in direct training with his subordinates, establishing a clear chain of command and specializing units based on their natural aptitudes.

  By the third day, with no word from Morrigan, my concern grows. That evening, I call Nerk and Gorthal to my command tent to discuss our options.

  "She's alive," I tell them, focusing on our distant bond. "I can feel that much. But something's wrong. The connection feels... strained."

  Gorthal's ritual scars pulse with increased intensity, reflecting his agitation. "Could be many things. Hagraven negotiations difficult. Or Death Knights, if rumors true."

  "We should send reconnaissance," Nerk suggests. "My best scouts could reach Skull Peak in two days, assess the situation without engaging."

  "And if she needs extraction?" I ask.

  The goblin king and blood-priest exchange glances, a silent communication between my two most powerful lieutenants.

  "Rescue force," Gorthal says finally. "Small, elite team. Fifty orc warriors, fifty goblin archers. Fast-moving, light equipment. I lead personally."

  Nerk nods in agreement. "I remain to secure our territories and continue integration of new forces. The command structure must remain partially intact regardless of circumstances."

  Their strategic thinking impresses me—another sign of how my bond has enhanced not just their physical capabilities but their minds as well. No longer just powerful monsters, they've become true commanders, capable of independent decision-making that serves our collective interests.

  "Prepare the rescue force," I decide. "Depart at dawn if we've had no word from Morrigan by then."

  As if summoned by our discussion, a commotion erupts outside the command tent. Moments later, a goblin sentry bursts in, eyes wide with excitement.

  "Master! Sky-witch returns! With others like her!"

  We rush outside to see Morrigan descending from the darkening sky, her wings fully extended in a dramatic landing. Behind her, three more winged figures circle before touching down—hagravens like herself, though none appear as enhanced or powerful as my bonded lieutenant.

  Morrigan approaches, her feathers ruffled but her bearing triumphant. "Mission successful, master," she announces, gesturing to her companions. "Coven from Skull Peak agrees to alliance. These three representatives come to formalize arrangement."

  I notice immediately that something's off. Morrigan's movements seem slightly stiff, her speech pattern more formal than usual. Through our bond, I sense tension and urgency beneath her outward composure.

  "Welcome," I greet the newcomers, studying them carefully. They're similar to Morrigan in general appearance—humanoid upper bodies with raven-like heads and features, wings extending from their backs, taloned hands and feet. But they lack the enhanced aspects my bond has given Morrigan—her wings are larger, her form more powerful, her eyes brighter with intelligence.

  "The coven is honored to meet the Monster Lord," the foremost hagraven responds, her voice a grating croak. "We have heard much of your growing power."

  "Morrigan," I say casually, "walk with me. I want to hear about your journey while Gorthal and Nerk make our guests comfortable."

  My lieutenants pick up on my subtle cue immediately. Nerk steps forward with formal courtesy while Gorthal positions himself to block any potential threat. They understand something's wrong without a word being exchanged.

  Once we're out of earshot, Morrigan's composure cracks slightly. "Death Knights at Skull Peak," she whispers urgently. "Arrived day after I did. Searching mountain caves, interrogating creatures they find. Had to negotiate quickly, quietly to avoid detection."

  "Are these hagravens trustworthy?" I ask, keeping my voice low.

  "Yes and no. Self-interested, as all my kind. Came because I promised protection, power through your bond network. But also because Death Knights threatened their territory, destroyed one coven already."

  "So they're running from Death Knights, not just joining us."

  Morrigan nods. "Skull Peak no longer safe for hagravens. Ancient magical site, apparently important to knights for unknown reason. These three represent coven of twelve total. Others remain hidden nearby, waiting to see if alliance secure."

  This complicates matters, but also presents an opportunity. Twelve hagravens under Morrigan's command would significantly enhance our magical capabilities. And they bring fresh intelligence about the Death Knights' activities.

  "What were the knights searching for specifically?" I ask.

  "Ancient chamber beneath peak. Sealed with old magic. Contains..." Morrigan hesitates, feathers rustling nervously. "Contains something called 'shard of the fallen star.' Supposedly powerful artifact from age before humans."

  The connection to "star metal" seems obvious—the same mysterious substance that forms Gorthal's axe and apparently draws Death Knights' interest wherever it appears.

  "Did they find this chamber?"

  "Still searching when we left. Hagravens kept knowledge of exact location secret for generations. But knights persistent, torturing any creatures they capture for information."

  I consider our options carefully. The immediate priority is securing the hagraven alliance while gathering more intelligence about these Death Knights and their obsession with star metal.

  "Tell the coven leaders we accept their alliance," I decide. "They'll serve under your command, integrated into our force structure. In return, they receive our protection and access to enhancement through the bond network—though not as directly as you experience it."

  Morrigan nods, tension visibly easing from her posture. "Wise decision, master. Their magic complements mine in many ways. Curses, divination, weather-working—all useful for growing army."

  As we return to the main camp, I observe my three lieutenants with pride. Nerk the goblin king, evolved beyond recognition from the simple goblin first bound to me. Gorthal the blood-priest, his ritual scars pulsing with power drawn from our connection. And Morrigan the hagraven witch, her magical abilities expanding alongside her physical transformation.

  With a fourth bond slot open and our understanding of the region's politics improving daily, my army stands poised for even greater growth. But the Death Knights' activities represent an unknown variable—one we'll need to understand better before making our next major move.