Earlier

  "Come on bird thing lay eggs already." Grizzle as he pokes a stick on Sora cheek.

  Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! (For the last time I can't lay eggs)

  "Oh! oh, it's saying something Nibbles what it saying."

  Nibbles put a hand on his chin rubbing it gears turning on his head trying decipher what Sora said.

  "I got it, it say it can't lay eggs." He said proudly, before getting a smack on the head my Glint.

  "You already said that idiot," said Glint angrily as he continued.

  "I'm gonna gut you three, then skin you all alive while your still breathing."

  Snaggle swallowed his throat as a gulping sound his heard. "Isn't all while your still breathing."

  ...

  For a hot minute no one said a thing though their actions speak louder than words.

  Nibbles and Grizzle had their hands on there face shaking both their heads. This our team leader?.

  Glint was furious his yellow face starting to turn red with fury.

  Sora however was a bit confused to say the least.

  Eh?

  Just as Glint grabbed Snaggle by the neck, ready to make good on his threat, a hobgoblin burst into the room, interrupting the chaos.

  "Leader! A group of adventurers is here!"

  Glint turned to looked at the hobgoblin a surprised look on his face.

  "Adventurers here? on this Sky island?"

  The hobgoblin nodded.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Glint bit his nails and paced around. They must've have come from an airship, this is not good all my hard work would be for nothing soon I don't want to go to jail again. he shakes his head.

  Sora beamed upon hearing this, Adventurers are here, this means I'm gonna meet people. I hope their friendly.

  No one in the room shared Sora excitement however as Glint was sweating like a college student speedrunning his homework 1 hour before the deadline.

  He turns to Sora before his gears started shifting.

  He then pointed at the trio. "You three, carry the bird. We’re gonna use it as a distraction to escape. Put it in a sack and let’s move!"

  The trio nodded and did as they ordered.

  Sora however was not having it. He fought back despite being tied up but eventually was inside the sack and was trying to wiggle to get air.

  Near the entrance of the cave Glint peaked his head nervously looking only to see Fiara ripping one his goblin's spine off.

  Bile started to rise inside he pulled his head out and puked on Snaggle already-stained clothes. "Ugh! Boss, really?!" Snaggle whined, but Glint ignored him, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

  Wiping of the remaining puke, he adjust his posture before heading out.

  "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!" Glint loud voice rang out catching everyone attention and turn their heads to Glint.

  "I was called here because you were all having trouble dealing with these adventurers yet all you had 'SPEARS' and instead of using them you throw them to the side with zero care in the world."

  All the goblins looked down on the ground like a parent disappointed to their child. Glint changed his demeanor.

  "I will think of a punishment for you runts later for now whats a group of esteemed adventurer doing here."

  The air was thick with tension as Glint stepped forward, his yellow skin glistening with sweat under the dim torchlight

  His mind raced, scrambling to piece together a plan that would save his skin—and his hard-earned loot. The adventurers before him were no ordinary foes; their weapons were sharp, and their eyes burned with determination. Glint could feel the weight of their gazes, judging him, sizing him up. He had to act fast.

  "Are you the one who killed and destroyed a pioneer caravan?" Creed demanded, stepping forward.

  Glint’s eyes darted around as he dug through the back of his memory. Oh yeah, that one, he thought, recalling the caravan they had ambushed weeks ago. It had been a risky move, but the spoils had been worth it—until now. A sly grin crept across his face as an idea began to form.

  Maybe I can use that to my advantage.

  "Me? Kill and destroy a caravan? Why, I’d never!" Glint said, feigning innocence as he spread his arms wide. His voice was dripping with mock sincerity, but the three adventurers weren’t buying it.

  Their expressions remained stony, their hands tightening around their weapons.

  But Glint wasn’t done. "However," he continued, his grin widening, "I might have... acquired something—or someone—from that little incident. Yes, indeed. A pioneer, to be precise. Quite the valuable little hostage, if I do say so myself."

  Please fall for it

  The three adventurers exchanged glances, their resolve wavering for the first time. Creed narrowed his eyes. "You’re lying," he said, though his voice lacked its earlier conviction.

  "Oh, am I," he snapped his fingers as the trio appeared from the cave with a bag that seemed to squirm around.

  "Now adventurers, Let's make a deal shall we you get one of your pioneers back in exchange we get your airships."

  "Otherwise..." He drew a dagger from his belt and held it menacingly close to where Sora’s is located neck.

  "So which would it be."

  Creed let a out a long sigh, "East our airship is east from here."

  Glint grinned sheathing his dagger, "You heard the elf. Let’s move boys haul the gold first!"

  "Pleasure doing business with you." Glint smiled at the elf who glared in return.

  And so one by one all goblins left with only three guarding the hostage these three are none other than Snaggle, Grizzle, and Nibbles.

  Creed said calmly, "Alright, goblins. You’ve got one chance to make this right. Hand over the hostage, and we might let you live."

  "Or we can skip the talking and I can start breaking bones. Your choice."

  Snaggle whispers to his comrades, "Uh... guys? I think the boss just ditched us."

  Grizzle narrowed his eyes, "No kidding, genius. What do we do now? We’re outnumbered, and these adventurers look like they’re about to turn us into pincushions."

  Nibbles scratches his head, "Maybe we can... uh... negotiate? Like, give them the bird thing and run for it?"

  Snaggle groans "Great plan, Nibbles. Except boss took the airship, and we’re stuck on a floating island. Where exactly are we gonna run to?"

  "Oh," Nibble grimaced then brighten up getting a plan.

  "I got another best idea." The two looked at Nibbles as he moved forward confidently.

  Before getting on his knees putting his hands in the air.

  "We surrender."