A Personal Appeal

[mcian]

As expected, both Scar and Vospar witnessed Deminatza's response to the note and events surrounding it... she was extremely worried and was brought to tears by it. Scar swore he would resolve it, that the little goblin would be released regardless of what transpired concerning the relic his father sought.

Scar went once more to visit him. He was angry and the guards he bypassed could see it on his face. They perked up a bit, wondering what his full intentions were, but they were under strict orders never to impede him in any way. He found his father atop the structure practicing his necromancy.

"Father! I must talk with you!" he called to him as he approached, his tone elevated and tinged with emotion. He stopped a few paces away, giving the due respect he knew his father expected of any supplicant.

Damian ceased his chanting, turned to face him, and smiled. "Your visits are always a pleasure. What issue brings you herer?"

Scar sighed. "May we dispense with the pretense? You kidnapped my wife's goblin friend. I am here to treat with you for its release."

Damian moved to his nearby dais and sat down. "I thought my terms were clear? Besides, as it stands, the little thing is very happy with the job it has. I pay her much more than her previous job, but it is intensive and I need her there all day every day."

"You know what this is about! No matter what you say you have kidnapped her. I want you to release her."

Damian paused. "May I assume your wife is distraught?"

"Distraught??!! That's hardly the word! She is deeply distressed over it. She is hurt by it more than anyone! Did you really think kidnapping a female goblin would matter to anybody else around here?!! I mean, besides the ones who knew her? Do you think Itannar would make a trade for her?! He has responsibilities to the government. He has no say in the matter! He could not trade that... thing... no matter who you kidnapped, but especially not for a goblin! By the gods, father, have you lost your mind?!"

Damian sighed. "I shall allow the creature..."

"Pea-dee... it has a name."

"This creature," Damian continued, " to decide. I concede your point and logic."

"When?"

"Today. You may inform your lovely wife of this. It pains me to imagine her so vexed."

Scar snorted. "Don't be a hypocrite; you knew how she would take this."

Damian ignored the jibe. "There is still a price; I promise. Yew will not see peace until it is restored to me, as undamaged and intact as it was. You may tell your friend Itannar this. I do not threaten; I act. You of all people know this."

"Leave Yew out of this!"

Damian shook his head. "Get me the scepter."

"I cannot."

Damian shrugged. "Then what shall be shall be."

Satisfied that he succeeded in getting what he came for and that further argument was futile, Scar gave a slight bow. "Goodbye, father," he said and turned to leave.

"Vira'ni has asked about you. She finds you handsome and intriguing. I heard about your drunken visit here in my absence. I am thankful she restrained herself."

Scar halted and started to speak, but then resumed his exit, wishing he had not brought up that distant bad memory.

When he had gone, Damian spoke as if out loud to no one in particular.  "Make contact with Thraxas' old friends.  Tell them I wish to parlay with them.  They may be as useful to us as they were to him."

The specter/wraith Zhenika became visible at that moment.  "Yes Master," she replied, and recalled away instantly.

[mcian]

THE BIGGER THEY ARE

"You may go now," the towering gargoyle jailor, staring down, spoke to the goblin female. "The boss says you may go home anytime."

Pea-dee scratched her head. "Him... throw me out? Not thinks I do good work here?"

The jailor shook his head. "He said you are free to leave. He said nothing of your service. That is all," he said before he turned and began walking away slowly.

Pea-dee scowled. "I not like this!" she said to herself. "Them owes me shinies!" She hurried after the colossus and tugged at his kilt. He stopped and spun around, glaring. Undaunted, the goblin glared back, pointing a finger at the giant. "Him owes me shinies! I not paid for this last week. I works hard! He pay me before I go! You get from him and give to me!"

The gargoyle could not suppress a chuckle. "Or what, little one? Will you bite me on the leg?"

"Worse! I fill you full of stickies like I do them..."

"Crystal elementals... yes, you told me about them."

Pea-dee nodded. "Yes, thems! I hurt them and kill them. I not kill you but I make you wish of death! Now get for me. I wait heres before I goes," she threatened, folding her thin, tiny, arms.

The gargoyle laughed out loud, drawing the attention of the other gargoyle jailors who had never heard him laugh before. The next thing he knew was intense pain; the goblin bit his knee hard. He reached down to grab either the source of the pain or the spot, but his hands were intercepted by the sharp end of an arrow thrust upward at them. Now he was bleeding and reeling in both pain and anger, but before he could do more that roar in rage, he teetered and fell forward. The goblin had rushed behind him, jumped up, and punched him hard with both fists in the fairly unprotected groin.

Now it was the other jailors' turn to guffaw. Their fellow lay on the floor, gasping and cursing.

Pea-dee stood over him. "You get me shinies now! Yes?"

[mcian]

Even Damian laughed briefly when he heard the tale. "Bring her to me. I have need of humor."