I awoke in a level of pain id never experienced before, every little bit of my body felt raw and hypersensitive really driving home the point that I now had even more body to feel the pain with. There was a crushing weight on me making the already painful process of breathing even more difficult. I summoned the courage to open my eyes only to find myself buried under a literal pile of goblin bodies. Now that I can focus on something other than my own agony, I can make out the sounds of their soft breathing and occasional small snore. It occurs to me I hadn't seen anything like beds in the cavern, so I guess these goblins have been sleeping in piles to stay warm.
“Get off of me”. Is all I manage to croak out sounding like I'd been gargling gravel. There is a fresh wave of pain as the goblins scurry off me in masse. Free from my goblin based blanket I'm able to see myself for the first time and I look like what I am a piece of meat dropped into the fire and allowed to burn through. Blackened, charred, and cracked skin covers all of my body. I can't be sure by how much yet, but I'm taller and in general more muscular. I look more akin to a field hand or laborer than the scholar who's only real exercise had been walking the woods to set snares. Oh and then there's the claws a sharpened one at the end of each digit not just my fingers, it seems the toes were also given the treatment. For an added bonus I appear to have one on the heel of each foot as well. This will make shoes an interesting adventure.
“Drink?” the black haired goblin from before ask. Bringing me out of my self-inspection. I gladly lean my head up allowing her to gently pour the water from a crude wooden bowl for me. Drinking is a sweet release for my parched throat. “thank you.” I say and smile at her.
“Chief had long sleep, was worried” she responds.
“How many days have I been asleep?” I asked, a slew of questions running through my mind.
“Chief slept for three days. We washed but chief never got clean.” she responded
There’s the missing side effect, skin that stays permanently charred. Well I was only ever mildly attractive anyway, and its not like hermits have I lot of dating prospects in the first place. All things considered this could have gone worse. Three days asleep though ill need to eat and figure out what happens now with the goblins.
“What’s your name?” I asked the black haired one again while slowly, very slowly attempting to stand through the pain. I hope that’s part isn't as permanent as the charred skin.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Ultai” she says smiling and standing chest puffed out proudly.
“Okay Ultai, gather the other two you came for me with. I need to eat, and gauging by the gnawed goblin sized bones by the fire you all must be hungry too.”
“Old chief was stringy, not tasty meat” Ultai giggled and set off to gather the others, an excitement to her steps reminding me I was now in charge of a tribe of predators.
After Ultai had gathered the other two I decided to get introductions out of the way. I learned the white hared goblin was named Viess, and the red haired goblin was Sazz. Viess took the initiative leading me by hand through the darkness of the cave’s tunnels. We exited out into a blue moonlit night, with aether sprites falling like rain. Nights where the aether ran thick across the world were some of my favorite, the cascade of sparkling colors drifting through the air always enticed me.
We headed towards my hut first, so I could gather supplies. On a bright night like this we should have made good time if not for me adjusting to my new form which the goblins were quick to notice.
“You walk like baby deer” Ultai started in
“Smells like cooked deer” Sazz was next
“Looks like burnt deer, but spicier” Viess finished setting all of them to a giggling fit.
“You're lucky you're cute and I'm lonely. As your last chief found out, goblin is meat too.” I stated
“Last chief never called us cute or ladies.” Sazz was quick to point out.
After that I decided walking in silence may be to my benefit. We made to my hut and upon entering the goblins immediately set to poking, prodding, lifting, tossing and occasionally chewing on every little thing that caught their attention. Somehow through the chaos I was able to grab my knife, bow, arrows, hatchet, hammer, clothing to replace what had been burnt off me and few assorted camping supplies. We then set off to hunt and I asked them to search the area for rabbits or squirrels to bring back with us, and to come get me if they found anything bigger. Sazz and Ultai took off into the forest immediately as if hunting was their only purpose in life and I suppose that’s not far from the truth. Viess stayed by my side stating “Still walk like baby deer.” I didn’t have much of a retort for that so set to slowly scanning for any signs of life. Viess and I quickly found a rhythm, where if either of us spotted something we would point it out and, Viess would tear into the brush and scare it into the open where I could shoot it with an arrow. It was four rabbit and six squirrels later when from behind I suddenly heard “deer meat” only to wheel around find Sazz had snuck up right next to me. After I got my heart back under control she led me and Viess to a small clearing with a herd of shag deer grazing. Silently I scurried up a nearby tree, shag deer would be perfect for lots of meat and their exceptionally heavy coats are too useful to pass up.
I signaled for Viess and Sazz to circle around the clearing and try and herd the deer towards me from the other side. I drew my bow and waited. It wasn’t long before all the deer perked up at once, then I heard the chattering whooping calls of two goblins as they came storming out of the forest.