Negotiations.

Rath, Lissa and the mayor finally agreed to accompany the chief's party to his tent. I have to say, that walk was probably the most tense five minutes I had ever experienced. I could palpably feel the anger coming at me from both my mothers. I was going to be in for a hard time after this, no matter the outcome. Perhaps I would get lucky, and we'd all be slaughtered in an ambush.

The group eventually ended up sitting cross-legged in the chief's tent, on the large mat on the ground. I stood behind my mothers. Gisel stood behind her father. 

The chief offered a pipe, which was passed around for everyone to take a puff on. Rath did, Lissa and the mayor refused. I was reminded of an old western movie.

Eventually the talks got underway in earnest, and frankly, I was surprised at how well they went. Not only was the whole attack situated talked out, but it seemed that the human and goblin population had more to offer each other than anyone expected. The forest held many herbs, foodstuffs and plants that were valued by the villagers, whilst the village could provide certain manufactured goods and foods from El and beyond. Both sides had something in the way of weaponry to trade too, and both sides would benefit from keeping hostile intruders at bay.

It turned out this could be the start of something more.

Still there was a trust issue, mostly driven by the mayor, but I knew he wouldn't be the only one. 

"How do we know you won't renege on these agreements?" he demanded.

"We are no base animals!" the chief snarled. "Can trust!"

This went back and forth for several minutes, until I suddenly had a flash of inspiration. It could solve several issues at the same time. Two birds with one stone and all that. I had to phrase it carefully though.

"Excuse me," I said. "Hello?"

No one was listening.

"HELLO!" I shouted. That caught their attention. 

"What is it Theodore?" Rath snapped. Oh, I really was in trouble if she was using my full name.

"I have an idea," I said.

"Go on." At least they were still listening.

"How about we take a…" I didn't want to say hostage. Oh! "How about we take Gisel, the chief's daughter back with us, as a… goodwill ambassador?"

Everyone looked at Gisel, who stared at me, eyes wide. 

"What?" Lissa asked.

"She could come with us, back to the academy. Surely contact between humans and goblins could benefit from some familiarity? Look at the things we've talked about today."

"But she's only three," the mayor pointed out.

"I'm over six actually," Gisel said, snarling.

"Still, very young."

"But that could be a good thing," I went on. "She can join classes at the academy, she's a good fighter, and learn the way of the humans, to bring back understanding to the tribe." I was sweating, this was pushing my luck.

Still the suggestion seemed to be taking root. They talked it over, and finally, amazingly, agreed, although Lissa pointed out they couldn't guarantee the academy would accept her. 

"Still, I'm sure two very well respected teachers could convince them," I said. This drew fierce glares from both my mothers. I mentally shrugged. I had dug a hole so deep by now another few shovels worth weren't going to make any difference.

And with that, it seemed the final major hurdle was cleared. 

In a spirit totally opposite to the one that it had started with, the two groups parted, with promises of more talks to come very soon. Gisel would be allowed to stay until a final agreement was struck. She gave me an odd look, and a small wave as I was ushered out of the tent. I managed a quick smile in return.

The journey back, once the attacking force had been briefed, was accompanied by stone cold silence towards me from my Rath and Lissa, and my legs began to shake a little.

My mothers, Hungerford and I parted from the main group at the road, and turned towards the house, still in total silence. 

Freia met us at the gate, shouting and weeping in relief when she saw us all together. Rath and Lissa both reassured her we were all fine, and she wasn't in any trouble. Hungerford simply patted her on the head, and then headed off towards his hut.

The four of us entered the house, and I stood there, visibly trembling. Freia, sensing the mood, vanished into her room. 

I hadn't been this scared in two lifetimes.

There was no shouting at that point though. Rath simply turned to me and said: "Go to bed." 

I fled, still shaking, went to the toilet, had a very quick wash, and buried myself in the blankets on my bunk, my head spinning.

Amazingly, I fell asleep almost immediately.

~*~

The shouting happened the next morning. 

It went on for a long time, with Lissa and Rath taking turns. There was no bad cop, good cop here. It was bad cop, worse cop, horrific cops. 

Mostly the issues were how I had disobeyed them, broken their trust, and put myself in danger. They were all valid points, I had to admit. 

Guilty on all counts your honour.

Still, all good things come to an end, and they finally wound down.

"Do you have anything to say?" Rath asked, eventually.

"I'm sorry. Very sorry."

Both my mothers took deep breaths, and looked at each other.

"We have discussed long and hard about your punishment for this," Lissa said. 

Here it comes.

"The problem is, you are an intelligent boy," Rath added.

"Far too intelligent for your age," Lissa chimed in again.

"And apart from this very major breach of trust, you're a good lad." Rath once more.

"But even so, there needs to be a punishment." Lissa.

"So, firstly, we are confiscating all your books."

Nooo!

"And you will not be allowed out of the house unaccompanied."

Also not so good.

"You will not be allowed desserts at dinner."

No! I loved Lissa's cakes! This was a heavy blow.

"You will also help Freia with the chores in the afternoons, and this will carry on until we return to the academy. Do you understand?" Rath glared at me.

"I understand mothers," I said, as meekly as possible. 

"I will add," Lissa added. "We are both very disappointed with you."

"Yes mothers."

"However, we are also very proud of you."

Eh?

"Without your intervention, there would have been many casualties, on both sides, and the problems would not have been resolved. They would even have become worse."

"Thank you," I said.

"Very well. You will report outside for training, as usual."

I fled. Being beaten by Hungerford's stick seemed like the preferable choice right now.