Chapter 183

Heavy

Barnacle-eyes

Chance of Mutiny: 0%

The crowd of goblins was already tight, but a new few dozen made us all squeeze together. Green-fin was as boisterous as I remembered. I gave goblins a hello from me and from Slime-tooth whenever I could.

There were humans, shark monsters, half orcs, and two red goblins! Slime-tooth was so quiet, and it felt like he was getting heavier. He was still probably because he was so overwhelmed. I didn’t want to bother him too much, and he did ask for me to talk for him, so I answered particular questions for him and I made my way ever closer to the packed bar.

There were so many goblins that I was no longer stepping on the floor as I squeezed through. I didn’t think any single goblin was stepping on the floor. We fit in Green-fin like one giant cork in the fat neck of a fat bottle.

Goblins were pressed up against the bar, and I saw Gabby! She was at the top of a green ladder with Sweet-thumps as the bottom. She paid for a couple of tankards, and they moved through the crowd, spraying beer foam as they went.

“Two spit beers, please!” I said to the bartender.

“Your goblin there doesn’t look like he’s in the shape for a drink,” he said.

“This is Slime-tooth. Slime-tooth says hello.” I took his hand and made him wave. Then to Slime-tooth, who I couldn’t quite see, I said, “Do you want a beer, Slime-tooth? Hmm?” He probably wanted me to answer for him. To the bartender, I said, “We’ll share one please.”

“Coming right away, right up, right now. Two coppers!”

I paid my two coppers, hefted the tankard from the bar, and licked the yellow foam that streamed over my knuckles. I lifted the tankard to where I thought Slime-tooth’s mouth was, but he didn’t respond, much less move a single muscle. Whew, he was getting heavy!

“Let me know when you want a sip, okay?” I said.

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I felt I had to shout to be heard. There were so many goblins talking at once that I couldn’t make out a single word. I was only able to make out laughs and nose-blows.

I made a quick squat to readjust Slime-tooth’s body. “Is it just me or are you getting really heavy?”

My tankard was also getting quite heavy the more I held it in one hand. The only way to fix that was to keep drinking. Alternating between a faceful of foam and a faceful of goblins, I crossed the inn. Goblins popped up between goblins for small chits and big chats. I had so much to say, especially since everyone was curious with what I’ve been up to. Slime-tooth received a lot of concern.

It was when I became breathless that word of Slime-tooth’s arrival at Green-fin had spread. Almost every goblin there came asking for blessings from him. I jostled him, but he never responded, so I told everyone he might be up for doling out some blessings later on.

And all the while, it felt like Slime-tooth was getting heavier and heavier.

“Admiral!” said a goblin. “Admiral!”

When I found the owner of the voice, I said, “Stumble-not! Where’ve ya been?”

“I heard about the farm-a-market. Since our garlics aren’t ready yet, I went to buy some. I got four different kinds! Try this one.”

I gave the garlic a good chomp. “So, so good. It’s almost the best!” Like it was a bitten apple, I offered Slime-tooth a bite right next to my teeth marks. “Want some, Slime-tooth? You hungry?”

I jostled him once more, but he didn’t answer.

“Um…Admiral?” said Stumble-not.

Goblins slowly lowered their voices, and eyes were turning my way.

“What,” I said. “What? Is there garlic on my face? Slime-tooth, they’re staring at us. Why is everyone staring? Slime-tooth?”

I circled myself in an attempt to get a good look at Slime-tooth. It felt like I was chasing a tail. He was much too heavy after the second circle, so I lowered him off my back, and onto a chair that a goblin eagerly offered.

Oof! I stretched my back out and groaned.

When I opened my eyes from such a big stretch, I noticed that Slime-tooth had lost his color. He was grey, and he was slumped in his chair. His jaw hung down. I touched his face.

“Slime-tooth?” I said. “You’re really cold.”

“Admiral?” said Stumble-not.

“Up you go, Slime-tooth! Gotta get moving if you wanna get warm.”

Goblins began to whisper slowly and softly, like their voices were leaves in the fall that were settling on the ground.

Stumble-not’s voice was also soft. “Admiral, I—”

To the crowd of goblins, I said, “Slime-tooth’s had a hard time waking up lately.” I jostled him real good, but he just flopped in his seat. “Up you go, Slime-tooth! Time to wake up!” Gabby came through the crowd. “Gabby, help me wake him up. Slime-tooth, wake-wakey! Lots of goblins around waiting on their hellos!”

Gabby didn’t budge to help me. She just stared at Slime-tooth and then at me. Not a single goblin budge to help me. Green-fin had gone completely silent.

I gave Slime-tooth a vigorous shake.

“Slime-tooth?” I said. “What’s going on? Gabby, what’s going on?”