I stare at the goblin as it goes about making tea. I did say no... Right? "You can speak?"
"I know several languages. The grunts and growls you hear from goblins is an actual language. Humans languages are more complex, but that doesn't mean I can't learn it." The sorcerer took offense to that?
Um... What is going on?
"Sit. Rest, Your Highness."
"You know me, but I don't know you." I am slow to sit. It's a basic wooden chair, but made for someone much shorter than me. Guess the goblin doesn't keep human sized guests often. "I can't be teleport pulled from here." It's a guess. Mostly because I assume that would've happened already.
"No. And no one can teleport here without my permission. Can't easily find my entrance and if they do cross the zone, they'll get teleported away."
My mouth hangs open. This goblin is... Keeping themself safe. Then again... Wouldn't that sort of stuff be required?
"Even your teleport friend would struggle."
"Struggle but not find it impossible."
The goblin holds out a tea cup for me. "I assume impossible for now. Maybe next time."
"Next time? You're going to kidnap me again?" I refuse the tea again.
The goblin sits down sipping lightly. "You can find safety here. I don't mind."
Safety... "You're not threatening me. Not going ask for a ransom? What?"
"I am not." The goblin places the tea down and review me. "I need your strength."
"I'm weak... At least compared to many who were around me."
"You're strong enough. Capable enough."
"What is going on?"
The sorcerer leans back watching me. How long before someone reaches me? They'd know where I was but wouldn't know how to reach me. This goblin is master class with teleportation. They have to be old. I didn't study goblins enough to suggest age. As to be older than I am given the skills. "I am--" They offer a series of grunts as if telling me their goblin name. I... I can't imagine copying. "But you can call me Al."
"Al..."
"Yes. I keep up on human politics. You're the crown prince."
"Thomas."
"Yes."
I shake my head. "No. I like being called Thomas. I have limited abilities to act as crown prince. And being called prince first means I'm not being seen as human first."
The sorcerer stares at me for a long moment. "You don't want to be prince?"
"I do..."
"Then be happy others are respectful. When I can called sorcerer instead of Al... I know they are respecting me. I don't need a name when I own a position."
"How many sorcerers are there?"
"Five or six every generation, but most die before twelve." Al seems concerned. "Or are killed. Few live to be ninety like I am. When a goblin surpasses fifty, they are an elder. We deserve careful respect. I am closing on a hundred even. A goblin will not just ignore my moments if I have them."
That gives a lot of information without giving me much of anything. "So... You're important for your family."
"Yes. Just like you."
Born special. Strive to reach heights imaginable. That's who is before me. William could probably learn a few things. The suggestion, though, is I'm not really trapped. "Why did you...?" A weird pulse in my head hits me.
Mirror message?
"What's wrong?"
"I'm getting a call... I think." I pull out the little compact and allow my mana to flow into it.
William stares back at me. He asks if I'm okay through signs. I'm limited on the language but offer up an okay. 'I'm coming.' I tell him not to.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to get them to not come." I pause looking at the goblin. "Will you take me back when we're done?"
"Yes."
I sign, 'I'm safe.'
"I can hope you can help me."
"With?" I don't close the mirror message. In case.
"There's a power struggle right now. Our family split and is fighting." The goblin picks up its tea again. "There can only be one chieftain, but we have two right now."
"So...?"
"You need to kill one of them."
I stare at the goblin. "Me specifically?"
"No. Anyone really." The goblin shrugs. "But one must die and it must die before the seasons change again."
There is a war between the goblins. "Can you give me more details?"
"Yes." The goblin explains about the split that happened over the winter because of issues with last year's harvest season.
I stare at the goblin. "This is because of..." I close my eyes. "We don't want you taking anything from our harvest. Can't you do your own?"
"Can't you share a little? You're covering our hunting grounds." The goblin glowers back.
"Let's get back to the chieftain issue. Is there one you want us to go after?"
"Yes. Brok is a problem. And I know you'd help because of his current plans."
"Which are?"
Al shifts in its shift. "Draw out your queen and kill her. He's doing it to reinforce who is superior."
I blink. "Mom will destroy him."
"Don't be too confident." Al wags a finger at me.
If they know a lot about Mom, there could be a chance... "What do you suggest?"
"Gather a small party and I'll put you in the right location to defeat Brok without any issues. He doesn't have the guards I do."
"Just assassinate the chieftain and escape?" That sounds reasonable. Even for my level.
"Yes. They will attack Telligence estate, but the only real concern is if they succeed at capturing your mother. So, I'll help you."
"And it'll stabilize the family situation."
Al nods. "Either they will rejoin Agoin's family or die through human means." They pause watching me. "Can you agree to giving us a portion of the harvest? Then we can leave you alone."
How do I answer that? I don't have control of the harvest. Goblins are the biggest issues because they are sneak thieves. "How can you guarantee that?"
"Agoin is my niece. If you agree, they will follow my orders."
Orders... That's a key word. I stand up. "I'll discuss it with someone. Or I can have them join the mission you're asking me for. I really am just a kid still. Being born a prince doesn't mean I'm already king."
"Understandable. Let me walk you to the entrance." Al leaves the tea to walk me through his cave like home. "You'll be able to enter without issue. I will hold question for anyone else."
I nod while gulping. I'm accepted? But no one else? It was a kidnapping. But I wasn't really kidnapped. Create a small party to handle Brok so the goblins stabilize. Al is even opening diplomacy. Can I fully make the goblins citizens? Not everyone would be able to speak the tongue. Is that needed?
"It is here." Al steps to the illusion rock face. So it would be hard to find and hard to pass through. It waves a hand killing the illusion.
William, Daniel, Butch, and Lucas stand on the opposite side. By their positions, they were planning something. I offer them a wave.
Al looks to me. "That other knight who followed you before. I suggest adding them. These may just end up dead."
I laugh. "Raida would be happy you saw her prowess."
"If possible, leave the idiot behind." Al says.
"Idiot?" Which one would Al be referring to.
"The red knight. He's the idiot who caused all the problems."
I whistle stepping up to them. "That's Al. They're a ninety year old sorcerer."
"What happened?" William throws up his hands. Lucas looks worried.
I explain everything easily enough. When I look back at the cave entrance it's back to looking like a rock face. "So, a small party for murdering a problematic chieftain. And a large team guarding the Telligence estate."
Lucas rubs his head. "I'm the one to blame?"
"You did lead the Harvest mission last year." Butch offers. Lucas sighs.
"Let's head back first." William glances at me. "Raida, huh? She can handle lead position. Lucas can enjoy his time guarding."
I think it over. "I would like Hydrangea to try chatting with Al. She'd be able to act the diplomat." Lucas grumbles. He should be able to but clearly not desired.
"Alright. Let's gather our missing members, explain the situation, and get moving on this new mission." William has no trouble teleporting us now that I'm out of the blocked zone.
I hope he's not against learning from another species. I can assume Al would offer him knowledge and support no one else can.