Grillek woke up, he shot up and scanned the room. Last night I fell asleep in a carriage, and now I’m in a room? Grillek slowly got down from the bed, across from the bed is a dish basin with fresh water. He gave himself a quick clean. Afterward he went to pick up some clothes but the clothes wouldn’t budge.
“Hello dearie, if you are hearing this, then that means you haven’t washed up completely. The spell will break when you have fully bathed. Thank you!” said a booming voice.
Grillek said some expletives, in his language and in common. He went back to the basin, the water was clean. Grillek got into the basin and cleaned himself. As the dirt dripped from his body and into the basin he noticed the water bubbling, within seconds the dirty water became clear. Once Grillek was done bathing, he grabbed his clothes and put them on. Then he went downstairs.
“There you are, it’s about time you woke up, come into the kitchen, I have your breakfast.”
“No, I’m not hungry.”
“Ah too bad, I just made a fresh pot of Morning Congee with extra guts.”
That tempted Grillek, Morning Congee and with extra guts of various animals? That is a delicacy where he came from. Before King Zazzel took control of Rustspark, Morning Congee was a common dish. After the war, food became scarce. One could only get three hearty meals if they worked the mines.
“I’m fine, I, uh wow that smells good.”
Grillek walked into the dining room, various tables the size of goblins were spread apart. Grillek took his seat, he noticed he was the only one there. How long did he sleep, he wondered to himself. Even the sun doesn’t look as bright. A minute later an older woman came out of the kitchen with a bowl and a small pot, about the size of the pot really.
The older woman put the pot and bowl on the table. Grillek could smell the dish. He could smell the meat broth. For goblins, breakfast congee is made with stock of various animals. For the protein, well, to be frank whatever is available, or family preference. Most have chicken or beef, others prefer a mix, some prefer a little insects. Guts is preferred.
“Eat up dear, you’ll need your strength, why, your friend, after a little coaxing, ate three bowls!”
“Good. How is he?”
“He’s fine, he’s talking to Naomi about his ordeal. And later, I hear the high mother would like to speak with you two.”
“The high mother?”
“She is very old, but doesn’t show it. She is the founder of our order, and is quite active. But her age is finally catching up to her. Please eat.”
“One more thing, what is this place?”
“We were started by the High Mother as a way for women of a certain age to give back. Most of us have grandchildren and while they are our delight, we must find a way to keep busy. Thus, the Old Lioness’s Club was born, don’t ask my mother to make it up. We just call it the OLC for short. However my sister and I are part of a sub group, the Golden Gals Rescue Tea Party. I'm sure it's self expanatory. Now, please eat.”
Lom at the meal, he had seconds of course, didn’t want to be rude. After breakfast, he inquired where Lom and Naomi were. He is told they were at a gazebo, in the back. Grillek took his leave and went out the back door.
Grillek is taken aback by the size of the property. What looked ahead of him was a meadow, and past the meadow were several buildings. Goblins running around, and families too. He found out the gazebo was in the back. Grillek noticed some portal gates next to some of the buildings, he saw a family go through the gate.
Grillek reached the gazebo, it was the size of a small room. Surrounding the gazebo is a garden, with various flowers and herbs. A guard was stationed near the entrance. As Grillek approached, the guard intercepted Lom.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Apologies, there is a counseling session in progress.”
“Counseling? What would he, oh right. Can I see him?”
“They are just wrapping up.”
“Good, so can they hear us?”
“No, there is a distortion field, they can’t hear us and we can’t hear them.”
“I see, well, he needs this, I’m glad he’s getting the help. Don’t tell him I said that.”
“Heh, I won’t, your secret is safe with me. Oh my, what in the word”
Grillek and the guard looked up. Above them was a massive airship, flanked by smaller airships. Dozens of small fighters and bombers whizzing around. Grillek clearly saw the markings, the king is here. Soon explosions rang out from outside the complex, in the distance soldiers teleported in.
Lom and Naomi walked out of the gazebo. Grillek went over to them and held out his hand to Lom. Lom took his hand. Grillek was going to run with his friend in hand, until some soldiers teleported in.
It was a group of six, including the mage. They wore red armor and the mage was floating, wearing a black robe and a long grin on her face. This is the king’s elite army.
“Come with us, don’t resist,”said the mage. “You look like some troublesome lot, cuff them.”
The soldiers put cuffs on Grillek and the others. The mage formed a magical chain through the cuffs. The group was led to the center of the complex. An elevated platform was in the center. The group was corralled into the much larger gathering. Soon a tall soldier, with turquoise and silver armor walked up to the platform.
“Everyone, may I have your attention please. I am First Legate, Claudius, and I speak for the king. King Zazzel has been made aware of this operation for some time. He has tolerated it for some time, but his patience has worn thin. So, to make an example, the king has ordered several of your high ranking and highly skilled ladies to assist him in a project of high importance.
There will be no discussion or debate, the King has stayed the hand of our soldiers. The rest of you left behind will be under the protection of his royal majesty’s personal fleet. Food will be delivered to the compound, but no one leaves or enters unless with specific permission from me or my staff officer.
Those of you whose name I call shall report to the gazebo in the back, the rest will stay. I’ve noticed some portals, no doubt you were smuggling wayward subjects of the king. That nonsense ends today. Now I’m informed that High Magi Ssserez is interested in your portals. Him and his team will be investigating how they work and where they lead to.
Let it be known though, that do not mistake the king’s mercy for weakness. Do not resist, do not fight back. We can destroy you in seconds and leave nothing but a crater, allow us to demonstrate.”
Cladius nodded at the huge airship. Within seconds the airship started to move while firing a barrage at city hall. The building was turned to rubble. As soon as the airship hovered over the ruins, a huge ball erupted from the bottom of the airship and dropped on the ruins. A large explosion occurred and where there was rubble was now a crater.
Shouts of monster and killer rang out from the crowd. The guards moved in to keep the order. Grillek tightened his fist but then Lom gently put his hand on his shoulder. Grillek nodded at Lom and unclenched his fists. Claudius took to the podium once again.
“Let me assure you, we evacuated everyone from the City Hall complex. No one was hurt or killed, we aren’t monsters. Now then, as we call your names, please step onto this platform. The king thanks you for your service.”
The first legate stepped away from the platform. One by one, names were called. As expected, there was no resistance. When a name was called, the person would be escorted to the gazebo, then they are teleported up. As soon as the last name was called, the legate, and most of the soldiers teleported away.
The flagship moved away from the compound, the engines roaring at full speed. About two, smaller airships circled around the compound. About two dozen soldiers patrolled the complex, while a couple of mages floated around, harassing the occupants. Grillek wanted to do something, anything.
That night, curfew was announced. At 8:00, everyone should report to the main hall for evening tea. But only one cup was allowed. At 8:45, everyone must disperse and head back to their quarters. At 9:00 no one is allowed outside of the main hall. At 9:30 is roll call and 10:00 is light’s out, no exceptions.
The first night was rough for Grillek and Lom. The soldiers wouldn’t let any goblin stay in the guest quarters. They were ordered to stay in tents and sleep in makeshift straw beds. During the night Grillek woke to hear rustling outside. He tried to get out of bed without waking up Lom, but he noticed a silhouette near the flap. Grillek checked the bed beside him, Lom wasn’t there.
Lom muttered some expletives and slowly approached Lom and the flap. Lom was known to be curious, a bit too curious if you ask Grillek. Lom looked through the slit, goblins were taken out of their tents and were dragged to a nearby building. Great, they are going to interrogate those poor souls. Grillek made a bird noise, and due to a past life as a ventriloquist was able to throw his voice. Lom got the hint and went back to his bed.