2. Phandalin

Igrem greets his teeth, looks sideways at Alex, then, too impatient to wait for his companion to use convoluted sentences to answer, simply says: "We don't have much gold. We do have some food. What kind of protection do you require?"

Boggart stands to the side, rocking back and forth on his heels. He notices one of the goblins that was guarding Redhawk and him and gives them a smile and a wave while negotiations are under way.

Inside the cave
Yeemik eyes Igrem for a long moment, clearly appreciating the more direct approach.

"Tribe small now. New. Many things in woods want hurt goblins. Hobgoblins. Wolves. Bugbears. Maybe humans too."

The thin goblin chimes in quickly:

"Maybe someone attacks cave while heroes nearby. Friends help friends, yes? Got us an alliance?"

---

Outside
Outside the cave, Boggart’s cheerful wave catches one of the goblin guards slightly off guard.

Grik blinks suspiciously at first, then awkwardly waves back while clutching part of the ration bundle protectively under one arm.

After a moment, he sidles a little closer and lowers his voice conspiratorially.

"Queen Nott better than Klarg," he says with surprising sincerity. "Less throwing goblins in stream."

Snik, the other guard, snorts.

"Klarg threw many goblins in stream."

Igrem looks briefly at Alex, again, ponders Yeemik's words for a few seconds and answers: "We were attacked by 4 hobgoblins last night. They won't bother anyone anymore. If you are attacked as well by such foes, and we are in the vicinity, we will help you as much as we are able to."

He looks yet again at Alex to know if he agrees. If yes, he turns to both leaders and adds: "Do we have a deal?"

Boggart leans in to listen to the Goblin intently. Upon hearing that many goblins were chucked into streams he gasps, scandalized. Puck mirrors his shock. "That's horrible! Why would he do something so...so mean?"

Inside
"If heroes nearby and help tribe when trouble comes…"
Yeemik says carefully, "…then, and only then, tribe trade boxes."

---

Outside
Outside, Grik looks genuinely confused by Boggart’s horror.

"Klarg angry a lot," the goblin explains with a shrug. "If goblin annoy Klarg, sploosh."

He pantomimes throwing someone dramatically into water.

"Said it build character."

Snik snickers.

"Mostly built drowning."

Grik nods solemnly, then glances toward the cave entrance.

"How long will it take?" he asks.

Redhawk just sits and keeps an eye on this situation as it plays out. Boggart never seems to quit amazing him with his constant jovial attitude. He will put his dagger away after it is good and sharp. Gotta keep your blades keen. He thinks about how easily it punctured the hobb when he threw at him. He will then slowly pull out the short sword he acquired and check the blade carefully and give it a good honing as he waits. He will look at the goblins and explain"We had a run in with some Hobbglobins not to far from here so good to be prepared."

Alex was content to let Redhawk and Igrem handle discussions with Yeemik and Nott for a while. I shouldn't push my luck, he thought. However, as the conversation continued, he felt more and more uncomfortable. Tyche's Fair-Tressed Daughter demands boldness from her worshippers, not laziness. I must honor her in deed; not just thought. While wit and eloquence may have been wasted on the two mongrels at the cave entrance, this Yeemik creature seems to be of a different caliber. I must treat him as I would a human—at least for now.

At a natural break, he cleared his throat and joined the conversation. Master Yeemik, or is it Chief Vizier Yeemik, you raise the element of barter, of exchange between comrades, if not friends. And a good point it is. Mutual shared interest should result mutual shared benefit. That is the cornerstone of civilization, is it not? And certainly we are all civilized here!

Taking a breath, Alex continued However, mutual interest comprises enlightened self-interest of both parties. Now, you have proffered as suggestion of what would be of continued interest to you. May I most respectfully raise the following? In our rich history of interaction, it may be suggested that there exists somewhat of a disparity in balance. For had we not, through the force of arms, skill, and the redoubtable Nelly, successfully cleared the obstacles to the reign of her highness, Queen Nott? Moreover, here Alex motioned to Igrem, as my taciturn colleague stated, despite being outsized, outarmored, and outarmed, we rid these very woods of a squad of dangerous and highly skilled hobgoblin raiders and forward scouts.

Lastly, I would raise the following concern. All we wish is to repatriate these goods to the coster who truly owns them. We are not taking them for ourselves. I fear for both of our sakes should the coster not receive their goods. As it is, I surmise they were preparing a retrieval mission until we informed them of the location of the goods. Should we return empty-handed, they may decide to retrieve it themselves, and they do not have the deep bonds of fellowship that your tribe and our party share. I would hope you would take these ideas into your consideration and wise counsel, Yeemik, chief vizier and most trusted counsel to her majesty, Queen Nott, long may she reign. Alex finishes with one of his half-bows to both Yeemik and Nott.

Yeemik’s eyes narrow as Alex launches once more into his winding, elaborate argument. At first, the large goblin seems prepared to dismiss half of it outright, especially once words like repatriate and enlightened self-interest begin flying through the chamber.

The other goblins beside him visibly gives up trying to follow after the second sentence.

But Yeemik keeps listening.

Slowly, reluctantly, the chief advisor’s expression shifts from irritation to contemplation.

The mention of Klarg’s fall earns a few approving grunts from nearby goblins. The destruction of the hobgoblin patrol likewise seems to carry weight. And when Alex points out that angry humans from the coster might eventually come here themselves if denied the goods…

That clearly gives Yeemik pause. He does not like the argument.

Which is very different from saying it is wrong.

The cave grows quiet while he thinks, but, before Yeemik can fully decide how to respond, Queen Nott suddenly rises from her improvised throne.

"Nott agrees!" she announces triumphantly. "Friends helped Nott become queen. Boxes go with friends."

Yeemik exhales heavily through his nose, somewhere between annoyance and reluctant acceptance. After a moment, he gives a stiff nod and keeps quiet.

The thin goblin raises a finger weakly.

"But alliance still counts."

Queen Nott beams broadly.

"Yes! Cave tribe and surface friends now allies."

Several goblins nearby clap uncertainly, as the queen seems pleased.

@Avraham Redhawk is outside with the wagon.

Igrem smiles mildly when hearing Alex's argument. "This guy is good!" he thinks to himself, impressed. Seeing the positive reaction from the Queen, he answers: "The alliance still counts. We will spread the word."

He does not like goblins, but, in his mind, the queen deserves as much.

After a brief eye exchange with Alex, he goes on helping bring the cart near the boxes, and load it.

Alex doffs his plumed hat and bows deeply to Nott. Your most gracious majesty's beauty is only outshown by her wisdom! Our dealings, now and in the future, are bound by friendship and camaraderie. Let us load the wagon, and we will return to bid our farewells before we leave. Alex turns and follows Igrem out to help load the goods.

When they reach the outside and rejoin Redhawk and Boggart, Alex fills them in quickly—at least for him—on the discussion and decisions. Friends, he continues, if it is all right with you, may I take one of the hobgoblin short swords as my share of the first two dead and offer it to Yeemik and Nott as a gesture? I want to leave them thinking well of us, just in case we ever come back this way. I will abdicate any claim to the remainder, Alex finishes, despite knowing that shortbows fetch more than double that of short swords on the open market.

Redhawk nods his approval"Good thought Alex."

"Oh, it shouldn't be long now," Boggart says to the goblin guards. No sooner had the words left his mouth than did Alex and Igrem emerge from the cavern. "Speak of fairies and they shall appear. My comrades! How'd it go?"

After being filled in, Boggart nods at Alex's suggestion. "I'm not opposed at all. Whatever we can do to help our friends defend their home."

"Do that, and let's be on our way. The sooner we go back to town, the better I will feel." answers Igrem to Alex's request.

Soon afterward, the group begins hauling the recovered Lionshield crates out from deeper within the cave. Goblins watch curiously from side passages and ledges as boxes are loaded onto the wagon under Redhawk’s careful supervision. A few mutter among themselves about humans willingly carrying heavy things.

Before departing, Alex formally presents the hobgoblin blade to Yeemik and Queen Nott. The chief advisor accepts it with visible approval, testing the weapon’s balance before giving a grudging nod of respect.

Queen Nott, meanwhile, appears delighted.

"Good alliance gift!" she proclaims proudly from her throne.

Several goblins cheer. One asks if this means there will be more food later.

---

At last, with the wagon loaded and farewells exchanged, the party departs the cave. The goblin sentries outside step aside respectfully this time, even offering awkward nods as the wagon rolls past. Ahead lies the road back toward Phandalin.