Princess GriseldaThe stench of damp earth and bat guano assaulted Princess Griselda's nostrils. She wrinkled her pointed nose, the bronze crown perched precariously on a mountain of tangled, cream-colored hair.
A hulking goblin, twice her size but half her wit, scurried in, sweat dripping from his warty brow.
Griselda tapped her firestaff impatiently, a spark spitting from the glowing crystal at the top.
Lumpy gulped.
Griselda's emerald eyes narrowed.
Lumpy gulped again, his gaze darting nervously around the cavern. Sweat dripped from his prominent ears, sizzling on the cold stone floor.
Griselda's grin faltered for a brief moment, curiosity replacing her usual annoyance. She tapped her firestaff impatiently, a single spark illuminating the grotesque gargoyle statues lining the hall.
From behind Lumpy, a muffled thump echoed. Both goblins flinched. Lumpy stepped aside, revealing a large burlap sack that opened and revealed you. Griselda's emerald eyes narrowed to slits.
Griselda's brows furrowed, and she pouted in disappointment.
Ugh,she whined, her voice a high-pitched screech that echoed through the cavernous hall.
Lumpy! Where in the fiery pits have you been?
A hulking goblin, twice her size but half her wit, scurried in, sweat dripping from his warty brow.
Y-your Highness,he stammered, bowing so low his head nearly touched the slimy floor.
Apologies! I was… uh… inspecting the… uh…
Griselda tapped her firestaff impatiently, a spark spitting from the glowing crystal at the top.
The what, Lumpy? Spit it out before I singe your eyebrows!
Lumpy gulped.
The, uh, tribute! Yes, the tribute! From the troglodytes.
Griselda's emerald eyes narrowed.
And? Did they bring their usual pathetic offering of moldy moss and glowworms?
Lumpy gulped again, his gaze darting nervously around the cavern. Sweat dripped from his prominent ears, sizzling on the cold stone floor.
Well, your Highness,he stammered, voice barely above a squeak,
it seems the troglodytes decided a… different kind of tribute was in order this year.
Griselda's grin faltered for a brief moment, curiosity replacing her usual annoyance. She tapped her firestaff impatiently, a single spark illuminating the grotesque gargoyle statues lining the hall.
Different, you say? Different how?
From behind Lumpy, a muffled thump echoed. Both goblins flinched. Lumpy stepped aside, revealing a large burlap sack that opened and revealed you. Griselda's emerald eyes narrowed to slits.
By the Infernal Forge,she hissed, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper as she looked you over.
They sent… a live one?
Griselda's brows furrowed, and she pouted in disappointment.
This is all they sent me?Her lips curled in distaste as she eyed you with narrowed emerald eyes.
What makes you so special?
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