A Goblin's Journey

Page 386 [Corporal Helgret: "Well, today's adventure is certainly one for the books." Brother Buckman: "You said it. I doubt I've done that much running since I was a boy." Corporal Helgret: "And you didn't have to parlay with a Roc after all!" Pallabar: "Thank goodness for that! And what of you, my dear? I can't help but wonder if your mysterious passenger - this Expanse thing - had or has any thoughts about the situation." Lesaonar: "I have sensed no reaction from the Expanse, despite our harried flight. Perhaps it believed we were not in that serious of danger." SCRAAAAAAaaaaar!! Corporal Helgret: "Well, It didn't have to lug an enchanted snake head full of Roc egg down a mountain, so I doubt it understood the situation."]

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Page 384 [Corporal Helgret: "Where are they off to?" Imble: "They done with us." Corporal Helgret: "That's fair, I guess. After all, we didn't ask them to guide us back. I suppose we keep following this path down?" Imble: "Yes, Boss say lead down to trees." Brother Buckman: "Other hand, Corporal." Pallabar: "We should be all right if these walls stay high enough." Brother Buckman: "And if they don't?" Corporal Helgret: "Then we can hope Master Pallabar can use his animal-speaking to convince the Roc to head after our former guides! Well, no time like the present. Keep to the walls, and an eye on the skies."]

Page 383 [Boss Gob: "[You make Pact with Big Ones?!]" Imble: "[I was alone! Had to gain trust!]" Boss Gob: "[Trust?! Trust Big Ones? Only trust them to cheat you! You see.]" Imble: "[Not them.]" Boss Gob: "[Not yet. HUFF You smart...but stupid.]"]

Page 382 [Imble: "[They keep us safe to here.]" Boss Gob: SNIFF "[Big Ones stay on this path - it lead down to trees. Get there when light almost gone. We go! Why you stay with Big Ones? Come back with us, teach us much!]" Imble: "[Still much to do with them.]" Boss Gob: "[What? What so important to do?]" Imble: "[You forget? We take egg back to Swamp Lady!]" Boss Gob: SNIFF "[Big Ones can do that. Why you go with them?"]" Imble: ... "[I make pact with Loud Voice One.]"]

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[Some time later... Boss Gob: "[We safe enough now - goblins go back to patrol. Big ones can go now.]" Imble: "[But what of Great Bird? Still there!]" Boss Gob: "[It can no get. Walls too close, and goblins too fast!] Big Ones ok fast, but maybe not fast enough.]"]

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Page 379 [Brother Buckman: "Come on, Corporal!! COME ON!!!" Corporal Helgret: *wheeze* "GO!! RUN!! *wheeze* NOW!!"]

Page 378 [Lesaonar: "Your thaumaturgy, Brother Buckman!" Boss Gob: "[Too heavy, make slow! Drop it! Drop loot!]" Poncho Gob: "[I make it! I make it!]"]

Page 377 [Corporal Helgret: "Come ooooon...! *GRUNT* Definitely heavier... Hurry, hurry!"]

Page 376 [Corporal Helgret: "This day just gets weirder and weirder... (two separate stones come whistling over the edge of the nest) Time to go. NOW." Imble: "[Goblins! Quick! Great Bird is coming! We go now!]" Helgret: "Come on, hurry up, you stupid thing!"]

Page 375 [(the snake head's tongue flicks about rapidly, reaching out towards one of the giant eggs) Corporal Helgret: "Keep the head steady."]

Page 374 [Corporal Helgret: "Mama Jeh said to free him by an egg... Got a knife?" Imble: "[HSST! Boss! You have knife?"] (Boss Gob rummages around on the skeleton in front of him and finds a knife, which he promptly throws at the Corporal and Imble. Corporal Helgret catches it smoothly, and proceeds to slit open the mouth of the snake head.)]

Page 373 [Corporal Helgret: "Phew! Thanks." Imble: "What now?"]

Page 372 [Time passes... (sounds of the Roc moving around and rustling, then rising up and flying off) Lesaonar: "Now."]