No goblin ever ventured this deep into the forest, and with the volume of trees, Krum understood why. Too dark, Krum thought while glancing up. The canopy covered most of the forest floor, blocking out any starlight that might guide their trek, and this night was darker than the one preceding it.

“Yes, good,” Krum said to his tribe. They were little more than scrambling shadows in the darkness. “We get far away then return.”

“No good,” a creeping shadow said beside him. It made Krum jump, despite the stalwart vigil he was keeping. It was Snat. Krum held back a low growl. Snat thought he was “Big-Shoes” because he was sneaky. There was more to being Big-Shoes then being clever.

“No Return, stupid,” Snat challenged.

“You stupid,” Krum retorted. “We return after hewmans finish with Grishoovak.”

“Oh, yes, big stupid hewmans. Much truth, they tell. They help Goblins. Then they leave. You dumb as they are. I saw hewmans. They hate goblins. You forget they kill all food-troupe with fire and hammer?”

“That your story. You only one come back.”

“All trust Snat,” Snat said with pride. “Snat no hewman lover like Krum. Snat will find new home.”

“New home?”

“Yes. Old home bad now. Too close to hewmans. New home deeper. Forest protect goblins,” Snat said.

“Oh, yes. Forest big help so far. Glade Fang come and drive us away. You forget?”

“NO. Snat’s memory is big. Best memory. Hewmans anger Glade Fang. Glade Fang turn stupid. That why it attack. We go deeper and no Hewamns. We go deeper and no stupid Glade Fang. We go deeper and no Grishoovak!” Forest will protect. Snat promises!”

Many of the other goblins rouse a cheer in response to Snat’s promises. The goblin tribe was in disarray since the elder had been “chomped down” by the Fang of the Glade. It worried Krum; the tribe might, in their fear, turn to the loudest voice for leadership, not the best.

“But home! Goblins always return home!” Krum responded.

“Home is where the heart stank!” Snat shot back. The tribe erupted in laughter. “You tell us leave, we leave. We run night, then day, now night. Hewmans so far way now. Now we find good place for home.”

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“This wrong. Voogaboogah said…”

“Who is Voogaboogah? Lover?” More laughter followed Snat’s jibe.

“He kill Glade Fang. He strong.”

“You find pretty. Maybe Krum join Voogaboogah! Have tiny Voogaboogah-goblin babies!” Any forward progress through the forest had stopped. The entire tribe was on the ground, laughing.

“You forget Krum protect. During day Krum make tribe look like rocks. We sleep safe!”

“Snat forget nothing! Snat memory is best! You forget…”

“Who is making all that noise?” A deep voice said from the darkness. It had an immediate effect. The entire goblin tribe scampered together in a tight circle looking all around.

“Who there?” Krum demanded in a braver voice, then he felt.

“No need for alarm, my tiny guests. I am Neynauoom, welcome to my clearing.”

“Why hide in shadows?” Snat spoke. “Are you tiny? I never hear of Noonanoonanoo.”

“NEY. NAU. OOM!” The voice thundered as the air grew warm with his fury. The intensity of the stranger’s voice shook the trees, and most of the goblins fell to their knees, holding their ears.

“Forgive Snat,” Krum said quickly. “Is pleasure Neynauoom.”

“Ah, so you do have a modicum of decorum. What is your name, little guest?” The trees snapped in the distance as the creature shifted. Whatever the stranger was, he was massive. A wall appeared behind Krum, blocking him from the rest of his tribe. It appeared suddenly and shook the ground as it landed. It was cold to the touch like a towering rock wall, and it began to move. It slowly pushed Krum further from his tribe toward the voice.

“I am Krum.”

“Well, Krum, it is a pleasure to meet you as well.” Krum could practically feel the heat as the stranger spoke. Was this another Grishoovak? “Tell me, are you their leader?”

“We have no Big-Shoes. Last Big-Shoes dead.”

“Oh, how dreadful. My condolences for your loss.

“Is no worry. Last Big-Shoes was twenty-three. He ancient.

“I see. Well, perhaps it is time for a new leader, someone brave, and charismatic. I think you’d make a splendid ‘Big-Shoes.”

“Is tribe decision. Not mine. Not yours.” Krum said, feeling defensive.

“I meant no disrespect — exactly the opposite. I’m only speaking as a potential new friend who is likely to negotiate with the new ‘Big-Shoes’ often. I’d hate to have to entreat with that loudmouth from before.

“Snat. He loudmouth. You speak true.”

“I couldn’t help but overhear, but they seem to like him a great deal. There might not be much either one of us can do. But… no.”

“What?”

“Well, it seems to me if you were to secure a friendship with a being of great power. Your tribe would be certain to choose you over the loudmouth.”

“Great power?”

“Oh, yes. I could protect your tribe and give you a place to stay until you went home. What do you say?”

“Uh…”

“A leader makes tough decisions, Krum. Are you going to be a good leader?”

“Yes! Krum agrees.”

“Oh, splendid. It has been some time since I've had the pleasure of conversation with such a sophisticated race as yourselves. I think we will become fast friends. Fast friends indeed.”