That was so disappointing. I am not going to pretend for a moment that I liked Grimset. I nearly knocked his block off. He may still stab me. The thing is though up until a minute ago I earnestly believed he was acting in good faith. Finding out that the sneaky assassin goblin was being two faced was like finding out Santa wasn’t real… I mean being told by cynical adults that Santa wasn’t real.

Anyways… the liar was talking.

“Everything I have said is true,” Grimset said, not the least bit ashamed. He kept glaring at me.

I couldn’t blame him. I did still have him by his coat. His toes barely touched the ground. I released him, “I am trying to help you.”

“That’s the terrifying bit, you honestly believe that,” He said, stepping back out of my reach.

“And you’re different how?” Nanny Shank asked. The old goblin was visibly angry, but not disappointed

“I am protecting our people,” Grimset declared, “by all means necessary.”

“You understand how that sounds, correct?” Toad asked. It was fairly impressive. Toad sounded polite but the unsaid ‘you stupid asshole’ came through loud and clear.

“If the titan spawns arguments all stand on the same foundation shouldn’t they also crumble?” Grimset asked.

“Are you going to imply that you satirically planned to assassinate someone?” Philp phrased his question in a way that Grimset should be deadly serious in his assassination attempt.

This kicked off a round of shouting. Grimset shouted at Philip. Toad yelled at Grimset. Helen waded into the argument, only for Philip to step in to counter her. A lot of stuff was said all at once. Apparently Grimset had done things like this in the past. Philip's desperation undermined his objectivity. Toad was just looking for personal glory. Helen was a coward unwilling to fight for the good of others. I was too tall and that was weird. A lot of accusations were just flung everywhere.

Brunhilda placed herself between the jostling crowd and Angelica’s foot. She impassively prevented any direct physical impact to her patient. Spine clearly wanted to participate in the escalating not-quite-a-fight-yet, but Nanny Shank held him back. Just before things got off the rails she did that piercing whistle some folks can do. You know the one with two fingers in their mouth? I can’t do it, but it is very loud.

Things went quiet after that.

Nanny Shank shook her head, “You are responsible for our people's lives!”

“Nanny…” Philp started but he fell silent under her glare.

“Let’s cut the bullshit,” The old goblin said. She doubled over coughing. It took her almost a full minute and another slug of her medicine before she could continue, “Grimset, did you plan to kill Madigan, regardless how the trial planned out.”

“Not if he was sentenced to death.” Grimset admitted. “He clearly planned to attack us and hide behind the protection of his patron Lola. I misguessed that his followers would act without him.”

“And what was your plan to stop them from retaliating when he died?” Nanny Shank demanded.

Grimset didn’t have an immediate answer.

“You are a fool,” Toad spat.

“Alright you,” Nanny Shank said. “What is your actual strategy for dealing with the demons?”

Toad straightened said, “Give me thirty thousand fighting goblins, and I can break that tower. We will have a distractionary force draw the enemies focus. Then have three teams of sappers break through the defense. This will provoke a retaliation and that is when the main force will counter attack. Doug or the Chosen One can close the gate. If that happens, we win. Our people won’t have to go into the Dark.”

“What is that going to cost Toad?” Nanny Shank pressed him.

Toad frowned, “At current fighting capacity I believe we will have twenty-five percent casualties minimum.”

“You plan on seven thousand of us dying minimum! Toad, that's madness!” Helen yelled.

“To buy a future for our children and shut out an evil that has plagued us for generations, I would gladly pay it, my life included,” Toad said.

“What is the upper end of the casualties?” Nanny Shank

“That’s not truly the best way to look at it,” Toad explained, “Casualties are mainly a matter of likelihood over time. The longer that battle goes the worse things become for us. If we take the tower within twenty-four hours we will be near the minimum. If the battle drags on to forty-eight hours our casualties will rise to seventy percent of our fighting force. By the end of the third day if we do not close the gate we will all be gone.”

“What are the odds of Doug or Angelica dying?” Nanny Shank asked.

“My battle plans do not factor them in beyond them closing the gate. Their participation will only work for us,” Toad said.

“So you don’t know?” Helen said, dismissively.

“We know for a fact doing nothing will only make things worse,” Philip countered.

“This is a circle,” Nanny Shank cut the argument off, “Philip or Toad, what is the plan after this battle. How are our people going to fight off mobs and … other threats when basically all of our fighters could be dead?”

Toad was unbothered, “They are our sons and daughters. We will have given them a chance. That is all they have ever needed.”

Philip and Spine both looked at me.

I could feel the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders, “If I am warlord, they wouldn’t just be your people. They would be my people, and I will do what I can to protect them.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Grimset scoffed, “Like you did with Madigan’s plans?”

That was a valid criticism. I had been disinterested in both the realities of Goblin and human politics and ignorant to the threats both sides posed. I allowed my decisions to be based solely on my perspective. As a leader I sure as hell could not get away with that.

Angelica was more than ready for it, “Let’s talk about that. First, no shells dropped. Madigan’s plan there was completely stopped. Second, the reason that happened is Doug’s influence on Howard caused him to grow a conscience and flip on Madigan’s other followers, the folks who were going to bomb you. Last, who stopped things? Brand, Dougs…man friend?” She looked to me for confirmation on relationship status. When I hesitated she continued to keep momentum. “Relationship status is less important than results.”

“Some could claim that is simply taking credit for good fortune,” Grimset said evenly.

“They could. That doesn’t change the fact that Doug actively worked to stop violence and an act of violence was stopped.” Angelica shot back.

Grimset frowned at her.

Nanny Shank pulled her pipe out of her pocket. She began packing it with tobacco, “Helen, do you have anything to add.”

“I don’t think we should do this,” Helen said quietly. “We can build something underground.”

Toad harrumphed but didn’t speak.

Nanny Shank lit the pipe. She took a puff and studied Philip. She thought better of asking him. When she spoke she addressed me, “Are you committed to this?”

“If you’re not going to the tower, I will go without you.” I said. Angelica’s eyes sharpened. She watched me carefully as I continued, “I can’t allow the Demon of Frost to continue to hold people in boundage…” I almost didn’t say the next part, “I spoke with him. He did make an offer. Give him 4 weeks and he will turn over everything.” I met Angelica’s eyes, “Including his head.”

“Okay everyone else thinks that’s a bad idea, right?” Spine spoke up.

“Who are you, to talk during this?” Grimset snapped

“He’s the Grand Mugwump,” Nanny Shank said. She exhaled a cloud of smoke, “Tell ‘em, kid.”

“Doug appointed me Grand Mugwump” Spine started uncertainly. When he saw both Grimset and Helen were about to object he plowed on, “The rest of the young people thought it was kinda funny but pretty cool. They got to talking and thought since, the Old, the Engineers, the Soldier, the Spies, and Rangers all get a rep they should too. I was elected Grand Mugwump by them.”

“That’s dumb,” Grimset said. To Grimset’s credit, he had just been told some giant guy said this kid was important, and the rest of the children agreed, so now this kid gets a voice in government.

“That doesn’t give you a right to be here,” Helen pointed out.

“My invitation does,” Nanny Shank said, eyeing both of them. When neither objected she continued, “Honestly the kids have a point. They deserve a voice in things.”

Philip looked concerned. He clearly wanted to say something.

Toad had no reservation, “Agreed.” Toad did not miss opportunities to spite Grimset… he may also believe in the next generation.

“What next, have the dwarf be part of our council?” Grimset said.

“Knock that shit off,” I said. Brunhilda wasn’t hurting anybody, and I wasn’t going to tolerate abuse being thrown at my drinking buddy for no reason.

Grimset glowered at me, “Or what?”

“I’ll stop you,” I explained.

“Doug it isn’t worth it,” Brunhilda still stood implacable between Grimset and Angelica. I could tell the vitriol stung but she continued, “I just want to keep helping them while I can?”

“Besides depopulating a village, and kissing up to the titan spawn, what good have you done?” Grimset demanded.

“Healed 87 wounded, restored the sight to 11 and regrew your son's leg,” Nanny Shank replied.

“I told you to keep him away from her!” Grimset roared. He almost made a move but both Philip and Toad stepped in his way. Helen moved to get clear.

“Your wife made a compelling case to ignore you.” Nanny Shank said flatly. “What are you going to do, stab me, or play ball with you kid?”

Grimset was very quiet for a long moment. He turned to Brunhilda, “Thank you.” that cost him something. His eyes snapped to Nanny Shank, “Let’s stop wasting time. How do you vote?”

“I back Doug,” The old goblin told him quietly.

“Shit!” Helen muttered under her breath.

“So be it,” Grimset sighed.

Everyone looked at me…I really hate that.

“What?” I asked.

“What are your orders, Warlord?” Toad prompted.

“Let’s get back to Ri- Enkidu’s offer. Does anyone think that’s a good idea?” I asked the room.

“No,” Angelica said. She didn’t elaborate. I could tell she and Celeste were having some deep conversations.

“Absolutely not,” Toad said. “Losing surprise is not great, but the more time we give the demons the worse our odds become.”

“They torture people,” Philip said. His eyes told me everything.

Grimset sighed, “We need to move.” he didn’t look at me when he spoke. He just stood there gazing at the floor.

“You're onboard just like that?” Spine asked him. His voice almost sagged with doubt.

“Yes,” Grimset said. He looked Spine in the eye, “Everything I have done has been for our people. I think what we are about to do is madness, but if I can save some lives, I will.”

Spine wasn’t entirely convinced, “How can we know you won’t pull some sneaky sh-” he glanced at Nanny Shank. He stepped out of her reach, “some sneaky stuff and try and kill Doug or something stupid like that.”

“The Titan Spawn is not some petty, would-be tyrant.” Grimset shook his head, “Now we need the Titan’s spawn. He has nothing to fear from me.”

“That’s not reassuring?” Spine said.

I mean I wasn’t convinced either.

“How capable do you really think I am? My plan to kill Madigan was poison. I wouldn’t even know where to start with something like him,” Grimset explained, waving in my general direction.

“Let’s focus on the goal,” I said, stopping further argument. “How long will it take to get us up and moving toward the tower?

“We need the day,” Helen said, not comfortable speaking up, “A lot of our vehicles need wrench time. We can be ready at first light tomorrow. Mostly anyways. Some of the clunkers may need to be towed for a bit but we can get them going.”

“We can get the people ready for that,” Nanny Shank agreed.

Toad considered, “Give me six hours and my soldiers can help with any tasks,”

Grimset nodded, “My people are ready now.”

Philp smiled, “Mine are already finding the way. Two teams went ahead three days ago.”

“How long will it take us to reach the tower?” I asked.

“Three to four days depending on weather,” Helen said looking at her journal.

“What are the main things to worry about on the way there?” I asked.

“The sasquatch dungeon,” Philip said. “We could avoid it but that would likely take another maybe two to circumvent.”

“Does that matter? Shouldn’t we just not go in?” I asked.

“It’s an open dungeon. Think like a city made into a dungeon. The mobs can come and go pretty easily. It’s not a good place.” Angelica looked me in the eye and shot me a grin before saying. “The place will be swarming with bigfoots.”

“Grond would determine how that goes,” Brunhilda said before I could correct the term to bigfeet.

That was more important than pluralization.

I nodded. I need to deal with him, something permanent. Wait, was that why Adora had dropped Aiko on my doorstep? That was an ugly thought. Then again, on the inside Adora was one ugly woman.

“Alright. Does anyone have anything else?” When no one responded I continued, “Let’s go and get these things done.” I turned to leave the tent.

“Where are you going?” Angelica asked. She looked confused.

“To tell five teens they aren’t invited to our war,” I said. I absolutely wasn’t stalling on any hard conversations with her.

Okay… maybe a little.