Goblins in the Marketplace

Goblin Market

Captain William Carter, Texas Ranger, first saw publication in the form of Goblins in the Marketplace, in the Raconteur Press anthology, Goblin Market. The title of both were self-explanatory, but the goblins were not the star of my story. The stars were William and the elegant faery lady who he’d come to find. The goblins have returned in one other published story. William has been published by Raconteur Press in four other stories, and will soon be published by Three Ravens Publishing. And the faery lady named Joanna has been in two other Raconteur Press stories, and will be in the upcoming Three Ravens Publishing anthology. And of course, they are all recurring characters in many of the stories I have written that have not yet been published and are waiting for the right place. Goblins in the Marketplace is the first story they were all in that was published, so it is the first one that all of you out there have a chance to read. That makes it a first step into the world of Captain William Carter, hunter of otherworldly creatures and threats to mankind.

You can read it in the Raconteur Press anthology Goblin Market, or you can read it here on my Jackofharts substack. The first bit is free, or you can pay a small monthly fee to read all of the stories I have and will publish on the Jackofharts substack. One story every two weeks is the mission I embarked on, and I intend to keep that going. I hope you enjoy the read.

Goblin Market on Amazon

1877, March 14

Oklahoma Territory

Indian Territory

Near Chisholm Trail

Goblins in the Marketplace

Bill Carter walked into the small Indian market as the sun sunk towards the horizon and a full moon rose. The locals aimed distrustful looks at him, but he just smiled back and tried to find something to buy from each vendor as he made his way around the market. A coin here and a coin there for some small object reduced the glares, but did not generate friendly looks.

That wasn’t a surprise. Texians were generally not looked upon with great love in Indian Territory. Especially not this near to Buffalo Springs and the Chisholm Trail. Indians and Texians had fought far too many times in this area for them to ever truly like one in their midst.

But he wasn’t here for the Indian market. He completed his first circuit around the market and kept walking. Less unhappy gazes met his progress, and children giggled as he passed. He aimed a casual look their way, but they were just children. Nothing to worry about. He found something else of interest to buy, handed another coin over, and continued on around the market.

Bill completed his second circuit around the market in half the time of his first. He kept moving through his third time around the market in a nonchalant manner he hoped wouldn’t raise any suspicions from the locals. More children followed him with their giggling laughs, and he spared another gaze in their general direction. There was something peculiar about them, but he couldn’t place it.

Too many? No. Too rambunctious? No. There was something on the tip of his tongue, but... no. Not that either. Bill frowned and continued his final circuit with a shrug. Indian children were not his problem right now. Let their parents deal with them. He had far more important things to do right now.

Bill completed his third circuit of the marketplace and came to a stop as he faced the center of the market. He interlaced his fingers, touching the Celtic cross rings he wore on each hand and spoke a single word in a Celtic language long lost to most of mankind.

The glamour separating the worlds wavered like a pond hit by a rock. And then the veil split wide open to reveal an otherworldly sight to his eyes. New vendors wavered into existence around him, and the old Indian vendors faded away. Grand tents festooned with colorful pennants snapped into focus, and otherworldly creatures of various kinds walked between them. Gay music played from beyond the tents while good food sizzled on a spit nearby.

Bill took a single step into the faery marketplace and stopped as dozens of eyes lock on him. There was no need to startle them any further than he needed to.

“Halt!” a commanding voice cut through tension. “Declare yourself.”

“I am Captain William Carter. Texas Ranger.”

The steady motion of a tall and graceful faery guard moved into his field of vision with a quizzical look.

“That name is known to us. Though another title is usually added to it. Do you know this title?”

Bill licked his lips, but did not consider lying. Truth was more valuable than silver to the faery. “Hunter of otherworldly creatures and threats to mankind.”

A gasp ran through the assembled crowd, but the faery guard simple nodded. “Do you carry proof of your identity?”

“I do.”

“Then you may draw it.”

Bill reached behind his back and carefully removed one of his old cavalry sabers from its sheath. The silver Celtic runes burned into the blade shone bright in the faery light and numerous eyes averted their gaze.

The guard did not twitch but held his hand out.

Bill placed the saber’s hilt into the guard’s hand.

The faery peered at it for a long moment before returning his eyes to Bill. “I will need to verify this.”

Bill nodded his permission to take the weapon from his presence.

The guard bowed his head in thanks and carried the weapon into a guarded tent in the middle of the faery marketplace.

The tent flap opened a few moments later and a tall and elegant faery lady stepped out with the saber in her hand.

“I recognize the workmanship of this blade,” she spoke in a cool tone. “Do you know the name that wrought it?”

“She told me to call her Ruth.”

The woman’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “She must have trusted you a great deal to speak that name.”

“I can not speak for the nature of her trust,” Bill said with a half bow. “Only for the quality of her workmanship.”

“Indeed.” She peered around the sword at him. “I accept your identity, Captain William Carter. Texas Ranger.”

She smiled at the next part. “Hunter of otherworldly creatures and threats to mankind. What brings you to our fair marketplace this day?”

“Might we speak of it in your tent?”

She raised a single eyebrow at him.

“I am hunting no being in this marketplace and will initiate no conflict with any of you.” Bill spread his arms out wide. “May your laws bind my words.”