7 The Goblin King

As the sun creeped over the horizon the entrance to the Smalltooth tribe cavern came into view. Two pot-bellied green lumps could be heard softly snoring while failing to keep watch.

Kace sighed at how peacefully the pair looked compared to himself and Shagrat. They were a total mess. They decided to let them sleep as they made their way inside, Shagrat leaned on Kace for support.

As soon as they were safely inside of Shagrats home he lay down on his bed exhausted.

"Listen lad. I'm goin' tae get some sleep. Yeh shuld get yersel some grub then let Vaskra know wit happened oot there." He said softly before falling asleep almost instantly.

Kace shook his head and covered the goblin with the fur blankets laying nearby. Patting him softly as he turned and took his leave.

He retraced his previous steps to find what he assumed to be the kitchens. The place was practically empty just now. A low fire still burned in the cavern. Off to the side sat chunks of cooked meat. Grabbing a stone bowl Kace quickly made his way over. He could not explain why but the sight of the meat made him feel ravenous.

Plucking chunks off several different types he filled the bowl quickly. He then proceed to stuff more into his arms before taking a seat.

Drool started dripping from his mouth as he could no longer contain himself. Jamming as much as he could into his mouth. A series of notifications popped up.

[Digestion Activated]: New DNA detected. Analysing. Awarding a total of +20 exp

[Assimilation Activated]: New DNA strands activated. Awarding +15 HP. Awarding +10 AP.

'Not even going to get upset anymore. It will come when it comes.' he thought while continued munching on the food.

After awhile a realisation dawned on him. The best way to get stronger would just be to eat as much as possible. It seemed that the first time he ate something new he would trigger the Digestion and Assimilation effects. However the other side to that would also mean it would become increasingly unlikely to trigger the more he ate of it.

'I wonder if Vaskra knows of any good hunting grounds around here.'

It took him a good half hour to finish stuffing himself full. A large belch echoed out, clearly the aftermath of his little feast. He washed it down with a strange smelling substance. Some sort of unique brew made by the goblins. It was dark blue and quite thick. Tasting of wild berries and other things he could not place his finger on.

A hand touched his shoulder, causing him to almost jump out of his skin! Durz made his classic entrance with a grin on his face.

"Thought you should know I skinned the big one. It was pretty tough. Vaskra took it, said she wanted to make you some new clothes. You should've seen her face when I told her what happened," he said with a grimace.

"Thought that was your job? Instead I find you sitting in here eating us out of cave and hearth. Is there anything you won't eat?"

"Sorry about that. Shagrat said to get a bit of food but once I came in my gut took over," he replied sheepishly rubbing his head. "Oh, I don't suppose you know some good places to hunt? Like something that you wouldn't usually eat here I guess?"

"What? Food not good enough for you?"

"Ah, no! It's not that, just want to try something new. You know?"

Durz rubbed his chin, deep in thought searching his memories. "I guess you could try the other side of the mountain. Salamanders live there. A type of magical monster if you will."

"That sounds perfect!" he excitedly exclaimed.

"Thing is kid, you should go prepared. You know they have a knack for using fire so just don't get burned."

"Thanks Durz. I'll owe you one when I get back."

Although Durz had told him to prepare there was not much that he could do. He didn't have any belongings in this world yet besides the clothes on his back and his blade. 'Maybe I should grab some blankets?' he thought realising he had no idea how long this would take.

Heading back to the room he had woken up in with Vaskra he began piling up some blankets. It was at this moment that drums began to sound throughout the cavern. Pricking his ears up he could hear suddenly hear footsteps and yelling. Poking his head out of the room he was greeted with a tidal wave of green. A sea of goblins rushed past heading to the epicentre of the drumbeat.

He got washed up in the rush, getting dragged along with the current. They piled out flooding the cavern where his new life had begun. Goblins banged heavily on the drums as they began to chatter amongst themselves. The sound was terrifying, primal even dangerous. Looking around at the crowd it became clear that he had never known how many of them there had been. Literally hundreds of these things creeping around in the walls around him.

Vaskra made her way to the highest point, making sure that everyone could see her. She raised her her hands for silence.

"We have news. Terrible news! Kharja has summoned all the tribes! He is gathering his army!"

Many goblins fell into a panic upon hearing this. Their yells ringing out sounding like a massacre. In fact some even shouted for Vaskra's head. Hiding among the noise of discontent.

"Listen!" Vaskra screamed shrilly, "What's important now is that this is a chance! Our chance to escape from under the thumb of the orcs!"

The crowd mostly responded in the same manner. Although some seemed to think about what she had said.

"We can use this moment to rise up! We can gather the other tribes! All of us! As one! We can have our freedom! We can have our own domain! There are far more of us than there are orcs!"

"Even so! What about Kharja! You can't defeat him so what chance do we have!" the voice of a dissenter rang out.

This was like a spark setting fire to a barrel of gunpowder. They had almost believed her tempting words. Forgetting this crucial information that was relevant to their survival.

"Now, Now! True I am no match for Kharja. Though we have been gifted. Gifted by the almighty gods. With a champion. One with the potential to rule! Kace join me!"

The crowd went silent. Staring at him. True, he was not the same as them but he was born the same way. In their eyes this just made him another kind of them. Most of them had heard about his fight against both leaders. About how it took both to stop him. So maybe there was some hope. The crowd parted giving him a direct line to Vaskra. Eyes viewed him eagerly as he made his way forward.

"I'm sure you all are eager to once again have our domain! To once again strike fear into humans. To be free to live our own lives!"

The crowd went wild. This was it. They had a chance now. They all looked to Vaskra and Kace expectantly as a group of goblins unusually wearing robes wandered in. Carrying a stone throne between them. The one in the lead had a crown between its hands. Made of animal bones and wooden twigs.

The crowd went silent staring at these items. This could only mean one thing. They were going to crown a new king! A new Goblin King! An existence that had not existed in nearly a decade since Kharja killed the last one.

Kace was a bit apprehensive looking at the crown. He had not been here long but they were looking to place all their faith in him. He was kind of touched. After this he would have an army! Finally, something was going right in this new life! He almost teared up, his golden eyes looked into Vaskra's. They both nodded their heads in agreement.

The goblins watched on their excitement taking the shape of a predator about to devour it's prey.

Vaskra took the crown and raised it for the crowd to see.

"Now is our time! Brothers! Sisters! Let us usher in this new age together. The age of the Goblin Empire!"

The goblins erupted with cheers as the drums started up again. Bringing such an atmosphere to cave it felt like a grand celebration!

"And now, I present to you! Your new king!", she yelled as Kace stepped forward. "Goblin King, His Majesty! Shagrat!"

The whole cavern went silent! Staring at her I disbelief. This included Kace, he was utterly dumb struck!

Vaskra noticed his hesitation and realised she had been misleading in her presentation. So she quietly whispered to him.

"Well it wasn't go to be you was it? I mean you can't have a Goblin King without a goblin." she smiled rather embarrassed about the whole thing.