>>6047080You receive a few glances from your feasting brethren, receiving confirmatory nods that your presence is welcome. Yerk, the goblin that will be leading today's raid, is sitting back against the wall of the chamber. He seems to have already had his fill, and simply observes you as you proceed.
You make your way to the corpse and eat. The meat is tough but better than the fully-rotten stuff you have previously made do with. You receive a sneer or two from nearby brothers when you take too large a piece, but the session is mostly peaceful.
After silently eating your fill, you return to the garbage chamber. There, you arm yourself for the coming raid.
You wrap your arm with cloth and bone, strap your shoulder with old leather, sling your jug full of glass-grit, and equip your rusting blade.
A full stomach and blade in hand are doing wonders to fight back your creeping fear of combat. You breathe deep to calm your nerves and resolve yourself to survive today.
…
Amber light from the falling sun dances the mouth of the cave as you and the raiding party gather. In total, the raiding party consists of nine goblins
Yerk, bearing a leather rig with a proper iron shoulder guard, eyes your equipment as you approach.
“Rubble, oh miserable thing. Your confusing wrappings and broken weapons make me embarrassed for you. While you bring shame to us, I do acknowledge your attempt to prepare for today's raid. Should you be too weak to be of use, I ask you to please act as a shield for one of your larger brothers.”
While containing some resentment, you sense some hidden acknowledgment in his words.
The other goblins in the raiding party chip in with quips and hoots, loosely chanting “Miserable thing, miserable thing!”
Yerk waves his hand, and the party quiets down. He huffs and points to a goblin sitting in the tree line. “Come and speak to us, Higby the scout.”
Higby, a lanky goblin with big feet, walks from the tree line. He speaks.
“Captain Yerk. The travelers have settled on the far path, before the river. There is one wagon, three horses, and four people. Two human, and two knife-ear. One human uses the sword, the other is unarmed. I suspect one knife-ear is a witch. The other one has a bow.”
Yerk thinks for a moment, tapping his finger to his chin. He looks to you and the raiding party.
“This is a more dangerous raid than usual. As you know, we usually target lone or paired travelers. But do not fear! as I have heard our great leader once before…”
He thinks for a long moment, obviously stressing his mind.
“More food is better even if some of you die!”. This is undoubtedly a quote from the progenitor.
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