Even though they were expecting it, the knock on the door a few hours later caused them all to jump.
"You guys still in here?" called Nic as he opened the door and entered.
"Hi! Yep, still here. Just finishing up tea, actually. Want some?" replied Amelia. She held up half a sandwich.
"No, no, thanks! That stuff goes straight through me, don't you know!" He chortled. "Ready to head out?"
"Just give us a sec to pack and tidy up, won't take long!"
The group started stuffing the detritus from their meal into their rucksacks, then spent a moment or two picking up crumbs and bits of wrapping. The skeleton nodded in appreciation.
"Okay, I think we're ready!" Amelia said, shrugging into her rucksack. She eyed her party members, and everybody nodded in agreement.
"John's got a bum ankle, so we can't go too fast. Will that be a problem?"
"Nope. Elpis got the water shut off, and all the slugs have gone back to their cave. We should be good if we leave soon, 'cause it'll take him a while to fix the leak."
"Is that why those things were wandering around?" asked Quiet.
"Yep. Usually they hang out in their cave where it's nice and moist, but one of its walls burst and let them and the water out. Real mess. I hate mopping up that slime! If you aren't careful, it'll dissolve the mop before you know it!"
The skeleton led the way back out through the door. There was a crowd of creatures on the far side of the spike trap, and he waved to them.
"Hope you don't mind, but some friends wanted to come check out your place. After a big job like we just done, we can sneak away for a few days and the Master shouldn't notice we're gone. Don't think we've had a vacation in like, well, forever, so seemed like a good time!"
"Great! Of course they're all welcome. Hi everybody, I'm Amelia! Glad to meet you all!" she called, waving to the group.
The group of creatures backed up a few steps when they heard her name. As one, they bowed low.
Amelia returned the bow, grinning. "I'm learning local customs! This is so cool!"
"Perhaps now is not the time, Caretaker? Perhaps we could delay introductions until after we are safe at home? The portal will not stay open forever."
"Right, Lark! Sorry! Let's go! Quiet, Picker?"
The two goblins moved past Amelia towards the crowd, carefully stepping over the trap trigger. Quiet's wooden wedges had been removed, and they could smell the odors of oil and disinfectant emanating from the holes in the wall.
The crowd parted as the pair approached, allowing them to pass through. Most of them were in the same style of dark blue jumpsuit as Nic was wearing, or with a sash or other appropriate piece of clothing for the non-humanoids.
"Sorry to be rude and not do introductions, but Lark wants us to hurry. That's Lark, by the way." Amelia called, pointing to the bird on her shoulder.
"Greetings, honored companion of the ... Ma'am." growled a large wolf as they passed. Amelia thought she recognized the voice from earlier, but wasn't quite sure. Lark bobbed her head and waved her wing at the greeting.
Amelia tried her best not to stare as she wended through the group. Besides the wolf, there were several spiders, ranging from smaller than Kori to one she mentally named 'Shelob'. A clutch of ratfolk, non-skeletal, were behind them, several of them surely children from their size. There were a couple of people that she thought might be goblins, but they looked nothing like any of the ones she knew. The last figure was hunched in the passageway, its shoulders wedged against the roof and its head thrust forwards. At first, Amelia thought it might be some sort of dragon, then realized it was probably more like a crocodile man. Jagged teeth protruded along its snout, his stubby arms thick and muscled. He wore the same dark blue uniform as the rest, with his name tag reading 'Hello! My name is: Timon'. He gave a little wave as Amelia passed him, bashfully reaching up and adjusting the thick glasses precariously balanced on his snout.
Just as Nic had said, the water that had blocked their path had subsided, and all traces cleared away by the cleaning crew. Luckily the workers had wisely left the chalk marks the goblins had used to mark their path, so they easily made it back to the room with the portal. It was still open, and they could see the clearing beyond the mound illuminated by the moonlight. Several goblins and dwarves were sitting around in front of the portal, waiting for the rescuers to return.
John was the first one through, greeted by cheers and whistles as he hobbled into the clearing. Shock came tumbling through next, running around to slobber on anyone not fast enough to get out of her way.
The crowd silenced, though, as the new visitors emerged, gathering in an awkward huddle to one side of the trilithon.
"Hey everybody! We made it back! And brought some new friends! This is Nic and Kori, and I don't know anybody else's name. They'll be staying a couple of days. Could somebody run and tell Tyni we got guests? Not sure if they've eaten yet, but we at least need pudding!" Amelia called as she stepped through, Lark on her shoulder. They were the last to exit Elara, again just in case the portal closed before they all could get out.
Amelia's announcement and request seemed to thaw the atmosphere, and the current inhabitants of the Hollow started greeting the newcomers, smiling and waving.
"Right! Now, about rooms for you all. What kind of bedrooms do you like? Dark, light? Caves we got, or plain old normal rooms, but whatever you need, we can make happen! Oh, and while we're here, that tree there has the entrance to the pub. That's the shortcut so you don't have to leave the hollow to get there."
"Pub? You got a for real pub? I like it here already!" roared the wolf. There were cheers of agreement from the crowd.
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The visitors were welcomed warmly by the inhabitants of the hollow. Tyni outdid himself with an impromptu feast and somehow managed to find appealing foods for all the guests, including Nic, the skeletal ratman. Nic could taste food, but it literally just dropped through his skeletal body. He usually didn't bother to eat since it just seemed like a waste, but Tyni pulled him aside and explained the magic pantry and that waste wasn't an issue. After that, the vacationing janitor devoured everything the dwarf put in front of him with gusto.
After everyone was stuffed to the gills, the party moved to the pub, which ended up rammed. It was standing room only, but nobody seemed to mind. It was certainly odd to see the villagers who'd stopped in for their evening pint crammed in with the various and sundry inhabitants of the Hollow and not to mention the newcomers. But everybody had a lovely time. Timon, it turned out, had a lovely singing voice. The crocodillian was joined by Jenny and Elisabet, the trio belting out lively danceable tunes. Kori and several of the spiders tap-danced on one of the tables to add percussion, while Mr. Ainsley dragged in his hurdy-gurdy and let loose with the eerie-sounding instrument. Whisper and Fern flitted and wheeled in the air, while below the ratlings and goblins broke into some sort of folk dance that drew claps and cheers. Even Cleon, the wolf, got into the act. He sang a few dirges in his rumbly deep baritone, and after a few bowls of Tuuka's beer-and-brandy mix, he launched into a medley of soppy romantic ballads that proved wildly popular. Sandy and Briar were observed exchanging raunchy song lyrics with the wolf after he finished, all of them giggling and chortling like fools.
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It was well into the wee hours of the morning before they all staggered off to their beds, with some of the villagers electing to sleep it off in the pub. Amelia got Bert to provide blankets and pillows, while Ashlee got them situated on the sofas scattered around the common room. The rest staggered back to their own (or a willing someone else's) room, with the visitors bedding down in guest rooms Amelia had gotten set up for them down in the warrens. The only ones who missed out on the party were the smallest of the children, and Shock, who had been tucked into Amelia's bed early in the evening. It turned out that the puppy snored, and the sudden peals of silence wreaked havoc with the music.
Amelia declared John the guest of honor, as without him, they wouldn't have been all brought together. He was installed in a recliner near the fireplace, ale in hand, with his injured ankle elevated on the footrest, iced appropriately. After Bill had offered to give him a lift home in the morning, he graciously accepted the offer to stay in one of the cottage's second-floor guestrooms.
It was a much subdued mass of people that dragged in for brunch the next morning. Tyni had wisely set out a buffet spread, knowing that quite a few would be sleeping late and stumbling in all throughout the morning for food. Briar set up an "anti-hangover" station with several of her own herbal recipes, which was much appreciated. Shortly after visiting the goblin, most were much better able to enjoy the meats, pastries, cheeses, and fruits on offer.
"Have to say, this is quite the resort you're running here, Ma'am" said Nic, leaning back in one of the raised chairs they'd made available for the more height-challenged diners. The skeleton was rubbing the soft, thick fabric of his bathrobe. Amelia had noticed the visitors hadn't brought any bags or spare clothes, so she'd asked Bert to make a selection of things to wear available in their rooms. She'd been surprised at how popular the robes were for brunch attire. A spider in an eight-armed fleece robe was quite the sight.
"C'mon, just call me Amelia, or caretaker, or something. We're friends, right?"
The skeleton nodded, then cleared his throat. "Sorry, force of habit. Always have to use proper respect with our Dungeon Master, or, well ..." he trailed off, gesturing at his bony physique.
"Tough boss! I've had a few of those. But I'm not the boss, just the caretaker, so would you relax?" she nudged him playfully.
"Ma-uh, Amelia, if I relax any more, bits are gonna start dropping off. This is the first time I've slept in since I died, and that was a long time ago. I mean, sleeping in an actual bed? In an actual room? This spread, after last night's blow-out? Ma'am, I've never heard of a ruler that would do that. Not for the common schmucks like me and my squad. I gotta be honest, though, we don't know any secrets or anything to help you invade. Would that I did, but you can drop the act. We're just the maintenance folks and not the high-clearance ones at that."
Amelia blushed and shook her head in denial. "No act, honest! Just sharing! Bert gets energy from everybody here, particularly if they're happy. So why not make it nice? Seems like a waste, to me. Besides, golden rule, right?"
"Uh, heard that one. 'He who has the gold makes the rules'?"
"No, silly! 'Treat others how you want to be treated'! You know, be nice, share, that sort of thing. 'Cause it's the right thing to do."
"Right. Now that is definitely an unusual attitude. Not sure how it'll help you rule with an iron fist, but that's why I drive a mop, know what I mean?"
"Rule? I'm no ruler. And I'm certainly not invading anything. We just went in to get John, and he went in by accident. Really!"
The ratman eyed her for a moment, appraisingly.
"You know, Amelia, I think you are actually telling the truth. Huh! I just don't get it, though."
"Get what? What's wrong with being nice to people?"
"Look, I see the force you've got here. What you're building. That Mr. Ainsley plays a killer hurdy-gurdy, and I'm certain that's not the only killer thing he does. Ashlee and Jenny? Two of 'em? That monster dog you got? You can't tell me you don't have plans. That goblin adventurer alone is worth her weight in gold. I just can't figure out your angle. What else you gonna do with 'em if you don't plan on invading?"
"Hah! Angle! chortle" replied Pancake. The tiny goat pulled himself up onto the seat next to Amelia, resting his head on the table. He eyed the ratman, grinning wildly. "You got the wrong idea about doll face here, bubs. She really does just want to be nice. Kills me! No clue, right, no clue the kind of muscle she's got lurking around here, despite seein' 'em with her own eyes. Which includes the true sight, just slidin' that piece of intel in there as a bonus, no charge." He stepped up on the table with one leg and dragged a plate of pastries close to the edge of the table with another. He winked at Nic as he bit into a large one and started chewing. "Mrmph umph. 'Scuse me. Love dese here danishes. Sorry. Like I was sayin', miles of kindness, oodle's of sharing, otnay ootay ightbray, kind of thing. Ambition of a lamppost, and that's bringing down lampposts, believe you me. "
"Hey! I'm smart! That's just mean!" Amelia crossed her arms and pouted at the kid.
"Uh huh. Mebbe so, mebbe so, but there's smart, and then there's smart smart, know what I mean, baby cakes?"
"Um, no?"
"See? Sharp as a marble, and about as perceptive. I don't mean to be offensive--well, okay, I do, but in a friendly way, right? But listen, bony mc skull face, she's the real deal. Just in it to help out. Happy to let folks just chill here in paradise, and even does the raking up herself. Kills me, right? Kills me." He shook his head mournfully.
"Why shouldn't people just enjoy it here? The hollow is great! Room for everybody, although we'll have to start doing more underground stuff if we need more space. I really don't want to disturb much more of the forest."
"See? See what I gotta put up with, mister rat-and-bone man?"
"What? Why are you guys so against nice people and nice things? What am I missing? Spill!" she commanded.
"Uh, uh. No way, toots. Way more fun this way. For yours truly, anyway, and that's who counts."
Nic watched the back-and-forth between the two, holding his words until the goat stuffed his mouth with pastry again, chewing valiantly.
"Ma'am, I can't explain it to you. It's just, realms are run for the benefit of those on top, you know? Them's what got get. The way the world works. Some act all goody-goody, and maybe even do some good, but there's always a pecking order, and if you aren't the pecker, you're the peckee. Most don't even bother acting nice, and just do what they want. Us lowly peons do our best not to get stepped on too much, is all."
Amelia nodded at the janitor's words, frowning. She knew he was talking about the realms he knew, but it sounded so much like the mortal realm, it was scary. She'd felt like the lowest of the low before and hadn't liked it one bit. Only Gran's invitation to come to the Hollow had pulled her out of that.
"Well, that might be true elsewhere. And maybe Gran will disagree, and change everything. But while I'm caretaker, the Hollow is gonna be a nice place. For people to come and not get stepped on. To have a safe place to live. Heck, more than just live! To enjoy life. Friends! Bacon and beer and toffee! Dancing and singing. Curling up with a good book in front of the fire, a nice beverage and snack to hand. The good life!"
"There's a war cry for you! See it now, troops panicking, right, pushed back by the enemy, near rout. Cry goes up, sort of thing, 'Good book by the fire, snack and a bevvy!' Crowd goes wild! They rally, take the field!" snickered Pancake.
"You! You--[Water Jet]!"
Amelia was surprised when the stream of water deflected harmlessly off the goat, who didn't even bother trying to dodge.
"Was waitin' for one of you miscreants to try that. Think I taught yous all I know? Haw! Haw! [Deluge]."
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Amelia wrung out her hair as she returned from the creek bed, where the huge wash of water had deposited her. By the time she made it back to the yard, the goat had made good his escape. The tails of Nic's robe dripped, and several of the other eaters looked damper than would normally be comfortable.
"Sorry about Pancake. He's a little twerp sometimes, but he's an angel at heart."
The ratman nodded politely but clearly wasn't convinced of that opinion.
"But anyways, like I said, no invasions, no army. Most of these people were here before I got here, and it'd be rude to force anything on them. Some of them come out on occasion, especially now that we got the pub, but I think this is really more of a retirement place than anything. Everybody just wants peace and to be left alone, and if I can help with that, I will!"