“Be ready.” That was the command of the rising powers within The Spire. As the Captains did their best to keep operations running as they had, there was a force growing like a toxic weed threatening the garden. This collection of nightmares and monsters was spiraling toward annihilation because the ignorant had proven itself keen.

Behind the scenes of daily tasks, some within the forges had removed supplies. Others working the subterranean fields had gathered up food. Others that worked about the more secure locations did their best to slip treasures or items away—anything their hands could carry and watching eyes would overlook.

The treasury, which had been off limits since the master was away, hadn’t had anyone around besides the guards at the entry corridor that led to Gohdin’s personal rooms and sanctum. Perhaps it was a bribe, or some other trickery, that allowed the goblin through.

One shifty creature had snuck into the area. He couldn’t bring himself to grab any of the magical weapons or enchanted items. Most were too big to get away with or too strong for him to handle—meaning he’d have to give it to someone else that would be tempted to show off their might.

No, for today, it would be the small jewels he could fit in his pockets, a few smaller scrolls with magics that he wasn’t able to learn but could use, and just a few other bobbles that no one would miss. He couldn’t be bothered with the punishments that could come. He’d only been given a small window to spread the whispers and gather a mass. Some chose to follow him. Some took to the rough speech of the monster that desired the freedom of his animalistic ancestors and kin.

Looking in the final room, Sanctum Mortem, Gem took to rummaging through papers and checking the place over. Was there anything worth stealing? Everything was either covered with words Gem couldn’t understand or looked like something the alchemists worked with. Finding no interest in any of these tools or knowledge, Gem moved to a newer addition to the room. Walking past the tables of books, the altar of oddities, and the various shelves, the goblin found the metallic casket that had been placed flat on a short stand near the back wall.

Humanity’s respect for the dead is not comparable to the actions of goblins and other monsters. Even when civilized, the goblin’s culture is one of more basic action which lacks the philosophies of ethical treatment for the departed. There had to be a reason the dragonkin kept this human body, and Gem intended to search it for answers.

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There wasn’t anything on the body besides torn clothes and loose skin that tore at the touch. Gem couldn’t even make out the facial features of the corpse. It was an incredibly damaged body that his weakened master must have performed experiments on.

Gem snorted at the waste of time; for both himself and the mad wizard. He’d been prepared to shut the casket and leave when he saw the shoes. They were decent boots. They were big for Gem, but perhaps one of his comrades would need them. His rule wouldn’t be threatened by someone with better boots than his, but it would make him look good gifting something.

Yes, he’d taken gold and trinkets. Those were his. He’d use them if he needed to, but they were his new shiny treasures—a payment long overdue for his service to the mad wizard. He’d tucked them all away to leave behind The Spire with wealth and shinies in his pocket. These boots could be handed off. Easy as that.

“Gem won’t need to hand over what Gem took.” He grinned a wide, toothy smile that scrunched his nose. He threw open the door of the casket; which flapped against the wall with a soft thud. The hinges kept the top from falling down or breaking off.

Gem greedily lunged at the boots and began taking them off the corpse. It was true… they were worthless. They were scuffed, partially damaged, and had no magical qualities to make them worth wearing over the other leather boots he wore. In fact, they had no value at all among the ranks. If these boots would garner no favor among the ranks, he might at the very least cause his master some annoyance.

It wasn’t worth it to go through this trouble and come out with nothing.

“Gem and the others will be gone soon, and Gohdin will yell. Gohdin is weak. Gohdin will do nothing, and Gem will laugh.” He pulled up the boots from the rotten feet. The goblin cackled to himself. “Gohdin will see. Gem will laugh and rule better.”

Quite the aspirations for a goblin. The ruler of a mobile nation of monsters… he had his work cut out for him. He looked up to the ceiling with a grin. What a wonderful future he had planned.

Closing the casket, the little green beast hurried out of the chambers. He left behind the corpse of his new master, but he took the boots with a tiny stone held within. Gem had no idea what he’d taken, but he felt pride for his shenanigans.