Chapter 93 - 91: Not Permanent Houseguests!
Did Kasz just really say that?
He can’t just LIVE here. He and his goblins can’t live here. Unless it was an arrangement like the imps worked out with Mrs. Threadgood.
System, what do you say? Run probabilities.
[This is a tough one. See what compassion gets you? On the other hand, it would neatly accomplish the quest goal for you.]
But Lamant and Minette may not want the goblins as permanent houseguests. Run probabilities.
[Here you go.
Scenario 1: Lamant and Minette give the goblins a set time period, say 30 to 60 days. The goblins can live here until then, but they need to look for a new cave system or other hideout. Goblins usually prefer caves.
The goblins either respect the scenario and move out in the allotted timeframe, or they refuse, and the family has to evict them, either on their own or with the village/kingdom authorities.
Scenario 2: Lamant and Minette agree to let the goblins stay permanently, and work out a sort of rental agreement. Since goblins are not the easiest of houseguests, Minette and Lamant would need to establish ground rules.
Scenario 3: Lamant and Minette decide to resettle the goblins immediately and skip the hassle.]
Hmm. I can’t see Lamant and Minette just kicking them to the curb after taking the trouble to welcome them.
[Neither can I. That makes Scenarios 1 and 2 our best bets.]
Can you plot out the likely events?
[What do you think I am? A fortuneteller?]
You appear to be the fortune master.
[Oooo, I like that. Flattery will get you everywhere. Here are the detailed scenarios as I see them, based on my fortune master prowess.
Scenario 1...
Lamant and Minette provide the timeframe. If it’s 30 days, that allows the goblins to get settled and recuperate from their ordeal. Goblins need healing too. Then, they can hunt for a suitable home nearby. Preferably one that isn’t attractive to trolls.
If it’s 60 days, then the goblins have more time to find a suitable home. Unfortunately, that runs the risk that they will still try to extend their stay.}
Got that. What happens then?
[As stated, the goblins will either try to extend their stay and ultimately refuse to leave, or be gracious guests. If they refuse to leave, then magic, beast attacks, Riddlehoeven guards, and outright trickery may be called for. Any or all of them.]
Ooof. That doesn’t sound pleasant. I like Kasz, as much of a handful as he is. Still, you can’t have him staying forever, unless that’s something the family wants. Let’s skip the battle scenario for now, because we can come back to it later.
[Oh, but I have at least three projections as to how that would go.]
Save it for later.
[You’ve gotten attached to Kasz! Kaline is not going to like this. I think it’s sweet, especially considering Kasz’s background.]
He’s a goblin chief who probably killed a bunch of guys to get where he is. Don’t try softening me with backstory.
[You’re already so softened you are melted butter at this point. And Kasz’s entire family ran afoul of trolls from the clan that seized his home.]
OUCH.
My heart feels like a pincushion.
Kasz is an orphan?
[Afraid so. Don’t get me wrong. His enemies tremble.]
Well, that’s not the worst thing in the world. You can’t let people push you around. And now he lost his home, too. Not once but twice, because when your family is gone, that changes everything. That is not just backstory. That explains so much. He is not going to want to leave.
[No. He has attached himself to you. He does not have a goblin chiefess.]
Let me guess. He doesn’t want to have a family for all the obvious reasons.
[Someone’s been boning up on knowledge of people.]
Which I could only do as an animal. I don’t know how to tell this to Kaline. Can I have a Divine Vision for this?
[Coming right up.]
FLASH.
* * * * *
I am sleeping when the explosion wakes me up.
Mother and Father are yelling. Always yelling. That is a goblin’s life.
Except this yelling feels different.
When I look at Mother, I see her in a troll’s fist. The troll squeezes until--
NO!
Bolting out of bed, I run full tilt, swinging my iron hammer above my head. It was stolen from the dwarves. It better not fail me.
WHACK. WHACK.
Mocking me, my hammer bounces off the thick hide of the troll’s leg. The sinews repel the hammer. Stupid, stupid dwarf hammer. What are you even good for?
Father slashes with his sword and tells me to run. Of course, I disobey. He is my father, but I have to fight. I have to protect the family...
Father, NO!
Where is he?
Other goblins scoop me up and carry me away. Running feet .Lots of running feet. heading deeper into the caves. We will be safe, they say.
Where are my parents? Where are they?
I jump down and escape and run toward the trolls. SLAM. What is this slimy rock wall doing here? It wasn’t there a second ago.
A rumbling troll voice. "WELL. The brat didn’t escape after all. I think I’ll keep him as a trophy. In a cage. Feed him scraps. He can amuse me. And I will have his parents stuffed and mounted so that he can look at them and understand what happens when the goblins defy the trolls. Son of a chief? Ha! He will be a thing to ridicule and pity, and he will stay alive a good long time to torment until I get tired of him."
I’m going to make sure he never laughs again. Or eats. I’m going to--
Something hits me on the head and I black out.
* * * * *
FLASH.
I’m back in my body, as Blaze, breaking down from what I just saw.
{BLAZE!]
The cries reach me from Kaline, Lightning, and others. Even Dag joins in, calling me Raar.
Lightning curls around me. [Where did you go?]
I burrow into her. [It was horrible. I saw the trolls kill Kasz’s parents. The same ones that took over his caves.]
Lightning says nothing. Her shock is too great.
[I felt everything he felt, Lightning. The trolls...this was revenge. Kasz’s clan beat them before. They didn’t forget.]
Lightning nuzzles me. [I am so sorry. I wish you hadn’t seen that. How dreadful for him.]
Demos joins in, genuinely shaken. [Trolls killed his parents? No wonder he is so miserable.]
Gussie lectures him. [Honestly! If anyone should have compassion for him, it’s you.]
Kaline’s hand glides over my fur. [Blaze. Talk to me. Was it another vision?]
I tell her everything I saw, omitting a few details in deference to her sensibilities. Although Kaline has a spine of steel, some things are not for her ears.
Kaline strokes my fur and stands up. I disentangle from Lightning’s embrace and face Lamant, Minette, Vedette, Hans, and the others.
Squaring her shoulders, Kaline announces, "We need to let the goblins stay, as long as they want. They’ll have to contribute, and be respectful."
Lamant is struggling to wrap his head around this, despite his sympathy for Kasz and his people. "Kaline, explain. What did Blaze see?"
Aha. He’s quick.
Her voice trembling, Kaline explains what happened to Kasz as a child. The expressions on everyone’s faces shift from grim concern to outright shock and horror. Dag and Gussie have their heads together. I suspect she is explaining things to him. Hans looks outraged. His elven sense of justice won’t stand for this.
Kasz ambles over and lays his hand on my fur. He stares into my eyes with those saucer-sized yellow peepers of his. For a moment, we understand each other completely. The kicker: Lightning even nuzzles him. He pats her clumsily.
Minette turns to Kasz. "That is all true, I assume."
Kasz straightens up. "Stupid dwarf hammer."
Hans grunts. "You must have gotten a bad copy."
Niall offers a serious observation. "No one can go up against those trolls. They’re legendary. You were lucky. But they won’t attack us. They’re cowards when it comes to human settlements. You are safe here."
Vedette is full of grace. "Dear Blaze. You showed us all something new."
Kasz clings to my fur. "Raar can see what was. And Young Miss can talk to him. I wish I could talk to him."
He sounds like a child, not a ruthless goblin leader. Well, he still is a leader. He got his people to safety. Some leaders would have fought until their people were wiped out.
Lamant spreads his hands. "In light of this new information and Blaze’s vision, our choice is clear." He exchanges a look with Minette that is an entire conversation. "Chief Kasz. You and your goblins are under our protection now."
Kasz’s jaw drops. "You mean it?"
Minette folds her arms. "Do not try to talk us out of it. We despise those trolls. They are a blight on this land. Ask anyone. You are staying here." She points to Niall and Maartenwitz. "These two will help you learn the rules of our household. And yes, my daughter is right. You must contribute something useful."
Niall cheers. "Every household needs a goblin army!" Surprisingly, Maartenwitz agrees.
Kasz straightens. "We are not leeches living off someone else. We will defend your house. We will find new treasure. Help with beasts."
Well, I guess we jumped to the third option quickly! The goblins are here to stay.