As the high priest bows his head in acknowledgment, you notice something strange. One of the crab's claws. The left one. It seems... different. Slightly larger than before. The change is subtle. So subtle you almost think you imagined it. But no. The claw has definitely grown. Just a little. Just enough to notice.

You file that information away for later consideration.

Blibdoolpoolp rises to his feet. Water streams from his robes. The wounds on his chest and head still seep that dark fluid. But he seems not to notice. Or perhaps not to care.

[b]"It shall be done, Great SHOOGBIMBHALD,"[/b] he says solemnly. [b]"We will seal this tunnel. We will dig in a different direction. The crab of wisdom shall guide us to safer treasures."[/b]

He pauses. His bulging eyes search your face.

[b]"Is there anything else you require of your servants, Great One? Any other wisdom you wish to impart? Any other... tests?"[/b]

The last word comes out carefully. Almost fearfully.

[hr]

After yoo respond, there is a commotion from the tunnel behind you. The wet slap of webbed feet. Running. Fast. Stumbling. The sound of someone tripping. Getting up. Running again.

A kuo-toa bursts into the cavern entrance. Younger than Blibdoolpoolp. His scales are bright green and slick with even more water than usual. He is breathing so hard his whole body heaves. His gill slits flutter like they might fly off his face. One of his eyes seems to be looking in a completely different direction than the other.

[b]"High Priest! Great SHOOG... SHOOG..."[/b] He pauses. Gasps for air. Tries again. [b]"SHOOGBIM... SHOOGBIMBLAD... no wait... SHOOGBING..."[/b]

He stops. Takes several loud gulping breaths.

[b]"GREAT BIG SHOOG!"[/b] he finally shouts in triumph.

Blibdoolpoolp's eye twitches.

[b]"We have... we have..."[/b] The messenger bends over. Hands on his knees. More gasping. [b]"We have captured... a thing! A person thing! An intruder thing! In the south! The south digging place! Where we dig! In the south!"[/b]

He waves his webbed hands frantically as he speaks. Water flies everywhere.

[b]"We found them doing... doing intruder activities! Very suspicious activities! Like... like being there! When they should not be there! And... and having a face we did not recognize!"[/b]

He straightens up suddenly. Points dramatically back toward the tunnel.

[b]"They are in the sitting room! The big sitting room! With the big sitting chair! Your sitting chair! We put them there! Well, not [i]in[/i] the chair, that is YOUR chair, Great Big Shoog, we put them [i]near[/i] the chair! Waiting! For judgment! Your judgment! The judgment of..."[/b]

He pauses again. Squints in concentration.

[b]"...SHOOGBIMBHALD!"[/b]

He looks incredibly pleased with himself for getting it right this time.

[b]"Please come! Please come judge the intruder! They are very... very intruded!"[/b]