[center][h1][color=gold] Galaxor’s Week [/color][/h1]

[h2] Underground Folly [/h2][/center]

[hr]

The pulsating mushrooms illuminated the far reaches of that dark tunnel every few seconds. Closer was the red glare of the torch glancing off the damp walls. The air here was not like it was in the Dominion, like home. It smelled of old things, of musk and the occasional stench of decay. There was only a slight current that blew through their loose garbs and the hair that wasn’t stuck with sweat to unwashed skin. How long had it been since they could take a bath? Delight in warmth as the body was cleansed? Not so long surely, but long enough. The tunnel kept going down, down, down. The slope was so insincere. Only the growing warmth was the indication of just how deep they tread.

“I’m hungry.” Barn complained. 

“And I’m thirsty.” Julie snapped back. 

“Take a drink then, miss thirsty.” Barn said in a low mocking way. “We don’t exactly have food I can just shove into my mouth as we walk, not like you can with a water canteen, now can we?”

“You are insufferable.” Julie hissed. 

“Well it takes one to know one.” Barn crossed his arms, head held high. 

No words came next, just the crash of two bodies upon the stone. It seemed Julie hadn’t liked that one. The two rolled around as they grappled for domination. A pot broke free from Barn’s pack and lay next to them. Julie, on top and looking for anything she could use to gain the upperhand, found the pot. She brought it high over her head and was about to bring it down before her wrist was seized by a giant hand and she was yanked off of Barn. 

“Can you two do anything but fight? By Galaxor!” Came the exasperated voice of Kleer. As Julie struggled in his grip, Barn got to his feet with a snarl. He took a step forward but was stopped when a hand was placed upon his chest by Masy. 

She sighed, “Leave it be Barn. You’ll only cause more trouble.”

“Well she-”

“Enough!” Kleer barked. “You’re hungry and she’s thirsty, you don’t need to fight over it just to prove which of you is more insufferable. Haven’t you two learned anything from your schooling days? Use your words, save the fighting for when we have to!” Kleer let go of Julie’s wrist and the young goblin-woman let go of Barn’s pan, cursed something under her breath and began to walk ahead. 

Barn, his green face tinged with red, bent and picked up his pot. He muttered something as he took off his pack to readjust it, then wandered off after Julie. 

Masy, her ears folded back, watched them go with annoyance. 

Kleer’s torch came closer and the great goblin looked down at her. “Your tail is twitching, Mas.”

She folded her arms across her chest and peered up at the bearded goblin. His features sharp and worn. Lines were just beginning to crease his dark green face but his hazel eyes, they had always been kind. 

“Their fighting is getting worse.” She began to walk and the big goblin followed in step at her side. “I still can’t believe you’ve dragged us on this adventure and you still haven’t admitted that we are lost, Kleer.” She gave him a side eye. 

“Lost? Please. We are simply following in the footsteps of the greats. Weathertop Tomgunny, Bladelink Torl, The gray Healer, the Weasel Trio, the Maxi Gems and who could forget Jaxx! You heard the stories, how he came to the Dominion with his party? How he dined with Maxima!”

“What are you getting at, old man.” Masy yawned, seemingly uninterested. 

“Old man, please.” Kleer laughed deep, amplified by the tunnel. “We aren’t lost, we are simply on an adventure Masy!” He gave her a pat on the back. 

“Now come on before those two get-” The great goblin and the elven fox rounded a bend in the tunnel, coming face to face with Julie and Barn. The two goblins were not fighting for once as they rolled on the cavern floor. Instead, they were making out as if their lives depended on it. And with such passion, they didn’t even notice their audience. 

“Oh by the gods.” Kleer sighed, hand sliding down his face. Masy just rolled her eyes.

[hr]

“All I’m saying is that this new time stuff makes little sense.” Barn said, before scooping a spoonful of soup into his mouth. He chewed as he spoke, “You’re telling me, that if we aren’t in the same timeline, things might go awry?” he swallowed, “But how can that be if I’m looking at you right now, at the same time you’re looking at me?”

The great goblin shrugged. The fire between them cast his face in a shadowy light. The fire crackled once before he spoke, “Time is but a construct that we define. Who's to say we haven’t already been here before, having this exact conversation? Or perhaps we haven’t yet? Perhaps we never will?” he touched the silver band at his wrist, his time anchor device. They all wore one, put on at the same time as a precaution. “Is not time but a fickle thing? Let us leave it to Mighty Galaxor to keep.”

The fire burned more as Barn, eyebrows furrowed, continued to eat in silence. 

“It’s for those Diamond gemstones to figure out.” Julie said, coming back with more rootwood for the fire. Masy in tow, having collected more mushrooms for the stew. 

As the two settled in around the fire Masy said, “All that time talk will lead you nowhere. We are here, right now, in the present. The past is the past and the future isn’t knowable.”

“But-” Barn was jabbed with Julie’s elbow, who just so happened to sit next to him. The young goblin almost choked.

“But nothing Barn. Masy knows best. She’s a sapphire after all.” Julie said with a bit of pride. Julie’s own deep purple amethyst sat around her neck. Barn gripped his own orange garnet as he looked between Masy’s blue sapphire ring and Kleer’s red beryl earring. 

“Gemstone ranks hardly mean anything unless you achieve diamond or onyx.” Masy said as she focused on skewering her mushrooms. 

“Oh is that right? But diamond Reginald always said," Here Barn’s voice took on a nasally tone, “If you don’t make at least emerald, you’ll be back studying in no time.”

Julie laughed. “What skills do you have, Barn?”

“Well, the usual, I guess. Good with a dagger. Athletic. Good looks.” Barn took another bite of the stew. 

“If you’re so good, then how come you aren’t a diamond guard?” Julie asked. 

Barn sat a little straighter at that and waved his spoon at Julie. “Those guys are all bluster. I bet ten shakes none ain't ever gone on an adventure like Jaxx. Like us. Show offs all.”

Julie scooched closer to him and Barn stiffened a little. She whispered something in his ear and his face blushed. 

Masy took a bite of her cooked mushrooms as her shifty eyes looked towards Kleer. “Youths are often prone to folly, wouldn’t you say Kleer?”

“Undoubtedly.” he replied, stroking his graying beard as he watched the flames dance. 

“You could have hired any veteran of the caves for this journey, but you picked these two enemies to lovers.” Masy made a face and shook her head. “Folly indeed.”

Julie likewise made a face and she showed her tongue in a child-like gesture. “You old timer’s are all business and never fun. If I recall, you’ve never even left the Dominion either, Masy.”

The elven fox, her orangish red hair with wisps of white strands gave Julie an incredulous look. Then she shrugged. “It’s true, I haven’t left the Dominion. But I did leave the Goblin Underground plenty of times.” She smiled with smug satisfaction. 

Julie glared in return. 

Barn took on a new shocked face as he looked at Masy. “You were… You were born before the Dominion?” 

“Of course, Barn. We of elfkind are long-lived.” Masy took another bite. “My parents relocated to the deep in the dawning days of my kind. When we were created in the Goddesses image. Instead of staying up top with the others, they journeyed below. They always did say they preferred the dark to the light, or whatever that meant.”

“They aren’t…?” Barn began to ask.

“Oh heavens no, they’re still around. They live in the upper tier of the Obsidian Reach. Mother teaches and father runs a business selling gems. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Fire Opal?”

Barn and Julie looked at her blankly. 

Masy frowned. “Well it’s a big place, home.” And she went back to eating. 

“Shouldn’t you be working with your father? Sapphires have plenty of skills, don’t they?” Barn asked. 

“Me? Sitting around a shop all day and listening to my father complain about Maxima’s tax policies? No thanks. Besides, the business is going to my little brother and his wife.” Masy said with a tone of bitterness in her voice. Her eyes darted to the fire as she threw the empty wooden skewer in. 

“I know what you mean.” Julie said in a quest voice. “I have three younger brothers and three older sisters. I’m the middle child. I’m sure right now they might be wondering where I am but eh.” She shrugged. 

“I’m an only child.” Barn confided. “Parent’s split after mom found dad cheating on her with some younger gob lass down the road. It was just my mom and me for a long time. Then she got sick and died. No idea what happened to the old man. I’m sure I’ve some half siblings out there somewhere.”

Masy looked at Barn and she nodded at him. He returned the silent gesture much the same before Julie placed a hand on his shoulder. She pushed back her thick black hair away from her eyes and said, “I’m sorry to hear that, Barn.”

In truth, Barn seemed unbothered but he gave her a soft smile anyway. “Thank you, Julie.” Silence fell for a time, as the two looked at one another. 

Masy rolled her eyes and got up. “I’m going to bed. Wake me when it’s my turn to watch.”

Kleer nodded, turning to watch Masy roll out her assortment of blankets. They had found rest in a small, but wide cave. The drip of water hitting the floor had provided them with a fresh source of liquid. When they had all rested, for it was impossible to tell the time so dark below, they would continue on. 

“What’s the plan boss?” Barn asked Kleer. The great goblin looked back at the two. “You sleep. Separately. And I take the first watch.”

The two blushed slightly and Barn got to his feet. “That’s not- I meant, It’s been great wandering these caves and cleaning up some monster dens, but do you really think we’ll find it?”

“Yes.” Kleer said, putting his fist into his open palm. “We are close. Very close.”

[hr]

The next few days, if you could call it days or weeks, left them wandering aimlessly in the tunnels far below and apart from the Dominion. They hadn’t seen a fellow Goblin or even A diamond patrol for what felt like an age and still they kept going on. Walking topics of discussion ranged from heroic tales of heroes to the old stories about the defense of the Goblin underground during the invasion of outsiders. Masy was tight lipped during those discussions, as if she didn’t want or couldn’t speak about it.  

Barn and Julie fought occasionally but their spats would always be somehow resolved through shared lips. If they were doing more, they were quiet about it. As talking began to become more and more taxing, silence crept in as well as doubt. Kleer had promised a grand adventure, through the depths of the world, all in search of what he called, “The Old Gob.” A rumored figure who granted wishes if found. No one knew if he existed. Perhaps there was a reason old Kleer hadn’t said anything about his own family. Or perhaps it was something else entirely that guided him. 

It wasn’t until they were completely lost in the bioluminescent caves of the vast underground that Kleer stopped dead in his tracks. They had arrived at a fork in the tunnel. Their water supplies were running low and they had not found root sap to keep their torches going. 

“Well this is great.” Julie said as she fidgeted with her stave. 

“What are we going to do Kleer?” Masy asked, the elven fox’s ears twitched as if she was listening for sounds. 

“We at last come to the decision.” Kleer whispered. “Right or left. Damnation or salvation.” he seemed to say to himself. “I’ve dragged you all this far. Time to vote. Left or right.”

“Left.” Masy said with little thought. “I hear… Something. I’m not sure what. But the right tunnel is dead.”

“Left then.” Julie said. 

“I’m with these two.” Barn added at last. 

Kleer looked down the right path with the sort of determination one could only muster if they were absolutely sure of themselves. Then it faltered and he began to walk left. “Left it is.”

The winding path of the dark tunnel, shaped as if something had burrowed its way down or perhaps out, kept them occupied for a long time. They managed to find a drip of water, the noise that Masy had heard. That at least lifted their spirits but as they continued on with full canteens, it became increasingly apparent that the left tunnel was off. The bioluminescence that guided their way and provided food was growing sparser and sparser. Whole sections were lightless, save the torches and even they were becoming wisps. There was no root wood and thus no root sap to sustain a longer fire. 

Luckily, all of the party could see decently in the dark. Just one of the perks of being a deep dwelling people. It mattered not if one was a goblin, beastfolk, or elf. Masy also had excellent hearing and a good nose. Kleer was the muscle and boss. Barn was the jack of all trades, able to do most tasks when required. Whilst Julie was their apothecary, their healer in times of need. Making it all the while funnier when she decided to beat on Barn. Each brought something to the party that complimented the whole. They were lucky for it.

For when Masy froze in her tracks, ears perked, she held out her hands to stop them. She was frowning at the inky black of the tunnel that was ahead. No sound came and then all at once Masy shouted, “Down!” and dove to the ground. The rest followed before the unmistakable sound of arrows whizzing came overhead, followed by the clacking of them hitting stone. 

That wasn't the worst of it though. A hissing flaming arrow sung past and embedded into the floor behind them before exploding with tremendous pressure. They had seen nothing of the sort like it before, the blast, the terror of it, the ringing in their ears. The rock underneath them quivered, trembling like a child that had been struck by their father, before it gave way entirely. Cracking as if the world had cursed it forevermore.

The party fell for what felt like a lifetime. Panic stricken in the dark, torches lost and snuffed out, it was by sheer happenstance that nothing interfered with their descent. No long ledges jutting out and certainly not the bottom. A flickering light gave way below until Masy could see that it was a great cave full of tall glowing mushrooms. Their light, soft blue, gave the reflection of twinkling stars. She could have sworn, beneath all that sudden doom in her chest, that they had been falling upwards. 

Until the bitter cold of icy water blanketed the fall. Now it was a only chance, as boulders and rocks thundered into the waters around her. She swam. Something slick and slimy brushed against her legs but she kept going anyway, up to the light. When she crest the water, and took a great breath of air, she heard Julie shouting for Barn, his own reply muffled. 

“Find a shore!” Kleer's voice came above the din and the ringing. Find the shore.

Masy looked around. Julie found Barn with a bleeding head wound while the great goblin that was Kleer swam for his two smaller compatriots.

Masy swam, the cold leeching all warm from her bones but she swam anyways. She found footing on a rocky bottom and her ascent led her to a small sandy bank that she half dragged herself and fell upon. 

“O-Over h-here!” She cried out as best she could. She turned back to the water, removing her pack and bow as she rubbed her limbs for warmth. Why was that water so cold? 

A large splash caught her eye and she found Kleer, carrying the two goblins, emerge upon the shore. She walked to them in the gloomy light.

“We need a fire. Masy can you find something burnable? Julie, get some dry bandages for Barn ready.” Kleer said in a commanding voice. The voice of a leader. Masy grunted and began to walk off as Kleer set Barn and Julie down. At once the small goblin lass began to fret over a semi-conscious Barn.

“You’re bleeding too.” Julie said, reaching out to Kleer.

The great goblin touched the back of his head and then wiped the blood on his wet tunic. “I’m fine, see to the boy.” And that was that.

The mushroom forest they found themselves in was not without ample kindling and in no time a fire was going that the four sat around. Stripped of clothing save for the essential to warm themselves, while their belongings hung on vines drying in the smoke. Here beyond the fire the world was of luminance. The musky smell of mushrooms was not so unpleasant to the senses and an occasional breeze brought warmth as well as the fragrance of something sweet. The chattering of some small creatures and the occasional splash out on the lake were the only real sounds, beyond distant drips and a low roaring of perhaps a waterfall. No one had the energy to talk after such an ordeal, though their minds were no doubt racing as to what or who had blown up the tunnel and sent them plummeting.

Julie was bandaging Barn’s head, the goblin man looking up at her with rapt admiration. He eventually said, out of nowhere, “Marry me, Julie?”

Masy and Kleer's heads spun to them at the confession.

Julie feigned innocence, “Barn, you're being silly.”

“I am not.” Barn said, using his elbows to prop himself up to look at her. Longing stained his face and his blue eyes were clear. Julie blushed and turned away from him, fussing with the bandages in her bag. “It wouldn't work.” She mumbled.

“Why not?” He said softly.

“Because I'm me and you are you.” She said, flustered.

“You could be a trolley snail and I’d still want you.” Barn said.

Masy bit her lip to avoid laughing at the terrible analogy and Kleer only smirked. Julie turned to look at Barn, with every right to smack him but instead, she placed her hands on either side of his head and kissed him. When they broke apart, faces flushed, she gasped. “You stupid oaf, of course I’ll marry you.”

[hr]

It took them a good long sleep to gather their bearings. Barn needed to heal and Julie was his faithful nurse. Kleer’s own injury was forgotten and he gave no confession to pain. Masy kept herself occupied by scouting and hunting. Not long after they fell, Barn was assaulted by a giant bat that Julie struck over the head with her stave, killing it instantly. For once they had most in their bellies, despite some reservations over eating a pale corpse of a creature. It didn't help when Julie alone threw up after she slept. After that they stuck with mushrooms, tried and true. Though it was curious.

They did not talk of their plight in open discussion either, for Kleer shut them down. Something had begun to change in the old great goblin’s silence. Before the fall he often looked contemplating. Now it was of furrowed brows and muttering. Masy left it alone and the two lovebirds had each other. The fox girl had been in more dire circumstances before, this was just the newest in a long list. The others would cope however they could.

It wasn't until Barn no longer needed to wrap his head that they began onwards. Masy had found a winding path along the cliff-like cave walls that would lead them up to whatever end.

“How deep do you think we've gone?” Barn asked, looking up at Kleer.

“As deep as Galaxor allows.” He shrugged.

“We are far lower than the lowest bowels of the Obsidian Reach. Maybe even lower than the Library.” Masy interjected. “I wouldn't be surprised if we were the first ones to tread here and even so, life goes on without us knowing.” Kleer remained silent, looking ahead. But it was true, the vast Underground was a myriad of wilds that would probably never be explored. Life was as simple as mushrooms or as complex as whatever swam in the cold depths of the lake. The ecosystem thrived with the sounds of insects and the flapping of some invisible creatures. Most of the life gave off bioluminesce much to Julie’s enjoyment but it was a hard life for those not accustomed to it and mortals most of all.

So it came as no surprise to Masy and Julie when Barn murmured, “Well, I'm quite ready to head home.” 

It was then that Kleer stopped and spun upon Barn. The great goblin, with his massive hands with root-like strength rippling from his forearms, grabbed Barn by his garb and lifted him into the wall. “There’s no going home!” He roared. Julie went rigid with fear and Masy unsheathed an arrow. “Not until we find what I'm looking for! Don't you see how close we are? Galaxor guides us! He does!”

“Put him down, Kleer.” Masy commanded.

The great goblin snarled and dropped Barn. The small goblin had Julie at his side in a heartbeat, helping him up.

“What's the matter with you?” Masy said, dropping her arrow slightly. “You’ve been off. You don't act like this.”

“The path before us has always been clear. We are close, so close now. We can't go home until we find what we came here to find.”

“The old gob?” Masy asked.

Kleer began to walk ahead. “The Prophet that never was.”

Masy looked back at Barn and Julie and the three shared a look. But up from ahead came a strange sound. Like a small piece of metal had been dropped upon stone. Tink. Tink. Tink. Silence. Masy looked at Kleer, who had frozen. He began to turn towards them but before he could an explosion rippled forth from under him. Masy didn't have time to fall down. Instead the force of the blast knocked her backwards onto Barn and Julie. She felt like someone had thrown a handful of pebbles at her as hard as they could. Heat washed over them in a bright flash, followed by smoke that billowed forth with sulfurous fumes. Masy gagged, it felt like salt had coated her tongue and tried to breath before rolling over. She grabbed her head, the ringing almost unbearable. She couldn't hear anything. Not as Julie grabbed at her, the goblin’s face, one of concern.

Then a faint breeze washed away the smoke and Masy looked to where Kleer had been standing. She took a ragged breath, not sure what she was looking at, at first. Then her eyes went wide at the realization. Kleer lay in pieces, his blood coating the walls above a charred floor. 

Masy turned her head away. A convulsion went up from her stomach and try as she might to stop herself, she threw up. This time Julie was beside her, rubbing her back as Barn stepped to her other side, blocking her view.

They began to speak as Masy tried to calm her nerves. “She's in a bad way, Barn. I can't tell whose blood is whose and poor Kleer.” Her voice trailed off as if she was in shock.

“Don't think about that right now. Focus on Masy. Come on, let's get away from here.” He began to grab Masy’s left arm, under her shoulder. Julie grabbed her other shoulder and they began to drag her.

“I can… Walk.” Masy protested, but her feet did not listen to her.

“Masy darling, there was blood in your vomit.” Julie said.

The two goblins shared a look. Both looked far paler than average and Julie herself looked ill. They dragged Masy towards a cut out that overlooked the path. There Julie began to cut through her clothing.

“I don't feel…” Masy began, “Pain.” She said with a shaky breath. 

“Masy. Listen to me.” Julie’s hands were coated in fresh blood. “Barn get over here! Apply pressure!” Barn did as expected and cursed under his breath. “Masy. You're going to be okay. I'm going to fix you.”

“Kleer…?” Masy coughed.

“We'll have to bury him later. After we tend to you. Barn! Get the fresh bandages and sutures from my bag.” Julie commanded and was obeyed.

The next few minutes were a blur as they worked upon sealing Masy up. Julie hissed at a shard of metal she extracted from the wound. “Get the poultice ready, Barn. And water. We need water.” This was done and before she knew it, something cold had been pressed into Masy's belly.

She had just been on the verge of a sleep that Julie hadn't been allowing her to have when Barn yelled out, “We have trouble!” Followed by a terribly loud sound that jolted Masy awake. It was like that explosion but not as loud. Barn came up from the lower path out of breath.

“Goblin.” He wheezed, pointing behind him. “Down the path. Hovering. Old. Has some sort of boomstick. Shot at me.”

“What do we do?” Julie asked, her voice flooded with panic. 

“Go and hide.” Masy said. 

“But-”

“No buts Julie.” Masy said, her eyes clear and focused. “I have a gut wound. You saw it. You've healed many things before but this is different. We both know it.” Julie began to tear up. Barn began to grab their things.

“Go up the path and hide. Barn, did he see you?” 

“He must have seen something. He boomed at me.” He let out a frustrated sigh, “We should stand and fight.”

“No. No more death. Okay?” She could see them forming an argument and held up her hand. “No arguing. I’m the boss now, got it? You do as I say.” With lips curling with frustration the two begrudgingly nodded. Masy could tell it pained them beyond reason. “Okay. Now you two get out of here. Don't look back.” Masy said, pulling out a knife and hiding it beneath her hand. The stone floor was cold. Next she ripped off the bandages and Julie hissed, “What are you doing?”

“Making it look like he hit his target. Now get out of here!” She whispered with annoyance and threw the bloody bandages out of sight. She placed her hand over the stitched wound and smiled.

“You better name that child after me if it's a girl.” She said with mirth as she looked at Julie and winked. The goblin lass looked confused for a moment before her eyes went wide and she placed a hand on her abdomen. Barn, oblivious, grabbed Julie's hand and pulled her along.

“Goodbye, Masy.” He said in a shaky voice.

“Tell my family…” Masy gritted her teeth and Barn nodded. Julie looked at her one last time, the heartbreak of a friendship lost, one that could only be forged on an adventure. It broke the elven girl's heart. But there would be no more victims of terrible magicks today. She would make sure of it. For their love had brought her joy and she was dying anyway. Why not make use of it yet? She just hoped they didn't come back to save her. That foolish honor of goblin and friends.

It didn't take long before a figure aloft a long dirty rag rounded the corner. Hunched in an equally dirty cloak, it cackled as it saw her. A long stick glowing of green script was held by gnarled hands. No, not just wood but metal too, she realized. What puzzled her most was the rag it rode, somehow flat where it stood and flowing freely underneath as it moved on a phantom wind.

“What's we haz here?” It said in a tongue of goblin that was old and gnarled like his fingers. For it was an old goblin man. Under that hood, green glowing eyes looked upon her with a mix of curiosity and madness. “Gots it in the bellys we didz.” It snickered. “What is its bez?”

“Elvish.” She gritted her teeth to fake pain. She still couldn't feel her legs or her stomach. “With a bit of fox.” She smiled.

“Foxses eh?” It propped, what Masy could only imagine was the boomstick, up and leaned on it. “Yous the one tripping me triggers. Boom boom boom!” He laughed. “Heards anotha boom. Lost a frend didcha?” She couldn’t see his face but knew he was smiling with glee. 

“A great goblin. Kleer was his name.” Masy said. “Never seen a thing like that explosion. He was just… bits.” her memory flashed and she grimaced. The old gob noticed and tilted his head. 

“Shoulda look where he waz steppin.” he nodded, as if this was the only fact that mattered. He stopped leaning on the boomstick and hoisted it up to a holding position, aimed at her. “Canni have yas livin. No hard feelins.”

“W-Wait!” She stammered, trying to sit up but failing. The goblin lowered the boomstick slightly. “I’m dead anyway but I’m curious. Are you the old gob? The prophet that never was? Why’d ol Kleer want to find you so bad?”

“Ancient gob.” He spat. “I was killed long go, by angry silver goddess. Life brought mees back. I told other gobs, they worship me. Maxima…” he snarled at the word as if it was a stain in his mouth. “Maxima! Maxima! Maxima!” he leaned back on the boomstick again and began to use his gnarled hands to point at nothing, “Shes took them. Shes sent me away. Me! Prophet! Many gob hates her, afraids of her. They comes to find mees.” He paused and removed his hood. Masy felt herself flinch. It wasn’t just his eyes that she had thought deformed. His entire face was inscribed with swirling runes, etched into ancient leathery skin, more like bark. He was a hideous thing and the smile he gave proved it. “I founds the way. Mees! I make powder! I make boom! From batsss, from salts. No gobs can know.” There was a wild look in his eye as he began to lift the boomstick. 
“How do you fly?” Masy asked, her heart beginning to beat faster. 

At that question, the old gob cackled. “Silvers folly.”

Before he could point the boomstick at her, Masy threw her knife right into the goblin’s neck. He gurgled and dropped the stick. It hit the ground with a loud thud as he panicked at the knife wound. Masy only watched as he gurgled more and then he was right in front of her. She blinked, not knowing what had just occurred. The old gob put his weathered hands around her neck and began to squeeze but his strength was already waning and with her own hands she pushed him off and the rag went with him as he drowned in his own dark blood. 

It was then that Masy could see what had happened. His hovering rag had not been a rag but a sword. A beautiful swirling sword that reflected the dying torchlite. A sword that had impaled her. She didn’t feel the pain at first but then it coursed into her as if her veins had caught fire. Try as she might to hold in a scream it was useless. She was being burned from the inside. Her blood seething with a rage she could not last. Then, abruptly, there was no pain and she felt so very tired. The world became fuzzy, her eyes blurring as if she was underwater. She smiled as her body began to spasm. At least those lovebirds would be safe. 

[hr]

“...And that was when we found the magic sword! Your mammy thought it was too pretty to stain with our dirty feet, so we covered it with a cloth. You should have seen the people’s faces when we flew past! Oh it was the darndest thing. Knew where to take us and everything.” Around the hearth, the small goblin children looked up at their papa with a mix of awe and wonder. 

Then he was assaulted with questions. 

“How fast did you go?”

“Did it scare you?”

“Where is it now?”

“Tell me more about the bats!”

“Hold on now kiddos! Hold on!” the old goblin laughed. 

“Kids! What did I say about asking grandpa too many questions?” A goblin woman, curly black hair and wearing the gemstone of a sapphire on her apron walked in. She kissed the old goblin on the cheek. 

“My darling Masy.” he said, taking her hand and squeezing. “Let them ask! Let them be kiddos. I don’t mind.”
She cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand as she smiled. She looked so much like her mother. “I always did love that story.” She said with knowing eyes.

“Me too, darling.” he said with a soft smile. 

“Come on now kids, lunch is ready!” Masy said, “And grandma will be coming home soon!”

At that the children screamed with delight and ran off towards the kitchen, Masy in tow. 

The old goblin rocked in his chair, and looked to the rune covered boomstick hanging above his hearth. He never did figure out how to use it. Then his eyes slid to the corner of the room, where a bundle wrapped in white cloth lay against the wall. 

“Was it a faithful telling?” he asked aloud. 

There came a muffled reply in a familiar voice, “It was good enough, Barn.”

The old goblin smiled.

[hider=Summary]
A band of four adventurers, Barn the Goblin, Julie the goblin healer, Kleer the great gob warrior, and Masy, the halfblood fox elven ranger, go on an adventure to the deep underground beneath the Dominion. They share a few perilous times, a great love story and the tragedy all stories ought to have. In the end we learn that the Goblin, once brought back to life by Allianthe after Sylia’s killing, has gone quite mad and made gunpowder in the forms of traps and the boomstick, his rune gun. A most dangerous invention. How do our heroes handle this? Read and find out!
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