3 The Goblin Cave

Decklan moved in and a bit to the side, taking in the entire scene in front of them. A ten foot fall wasn't much, but considering Sildar looked to be in rough shape it might be enough...

Then Alex started in, and Decklan closed his eyes to hide the fact he rolled them as hard as he had. After a moment -- spent supressing the urge to offer a trade -- he shakes his head. "What he said, in as many words as possible because he's in love with the sound of his own voice, is that we can be an agreeable lot but we're running out of patience so state your terms."

Behind his back, a flick of his wrist draws his whip from the ethereal... just in case.

Tatiana stays behind, giving herself space from Alex and Decklan not only to remain away from the cluster, but also to assess the situation from afar. She looks to see if any of the goblins are holding a dwarf prisoner, or if anything might resemble Gundren's body.

"Ammos," she whispers, keeping her brother with her in the shadows, "what cantrips do you have available? Do you still have the one that allows you to mimic a voice? If it comes to battle, we can try to distract the big goblin with an illusory threat from behind."

"Yes I still have the ability to cast that spell, my dear." Ammos whispers to Tatiana's qustion.

Decklan laughs. "By the hells, do I have some good news for you. Hold tight, I think we have what you need."

Raven heard the demands of the goblin, he was surprised and responded loud enough that anyone could hear.

"Damn - do you remember were we left that guy's head..."

Looking at Trakomak, "Didn't you toss it somewhere?"

The farmer turned and looked back the passage.

Tatiana continues to whisper to Ammos, not paying much attention to the parley itself. So engrossed in her discussion, she does not notice that the topic has veered to the head of Klarg, nor the fact that Klarg's blood is oozing down her skirt and boots from where she holds it.

"There's more than just the goblin and Sildar up there," she whispers. "I don't know if it's Gundren or another wolf. Perhaps we pick something that goblins fear, such as a dragon. I will place my illusory image as though charging in from this tunnel, while you supply the proper draconic voice."

Tatiana glances over to the cave again, and this time sees the others in the party looking back at her. Palms up in question and inadvertently lifting Klarg's head to splatter blood and brain across her vest, she exasperatingly asks, "What?"

Raven glanced at Tatiana, "Oh - there it is..."

Seeing Tatiana's response just causes Decklan to laugh harder as he walks up to her. "Hey Princess, they want your new accessory in trade for the people we're here to rescue. You mind?" The man holds a scarred hand out.

Almost instinctively, Tatiana balks at the repossession of her treasure. It takes her a few long seconds to fully process what is being asked. She straightens her back and holds the head out to Decklan. "Certainly," she says politely. Then, much more quietly, says to herself, "I guess it proved useful much earlier than anticipated."

Shortly after Decklan takes ownership of the gruesome trophy, Tatiana steps forward to touch the scarred man's elbow. "Be careful in your negotiations," she warns. "I do not trust these cretins to honor whatever agreement they've declared."

Returning to Ammos with a step back, she whispers to her brother, "Change of plans. We may need your medical skills again if the goblins harm Sildar. I will try to clear the path for you if it becomes necessary."

Decklan freezes at the touch, then looks back at the woman. "Their hostages are the only thing keeping them alive... and because they used them as leverage to talk, it implies they know it too." The man's face cracks into a hint of a smile, and then he holds the head up as he approaches.

"One head, as requested. Now, about the people you're holding?"

During the focus on the reappearance of Klarg's disembodies head—was that snooty?! holding the gruesome trophy?—Alex decided that his coin-walking skills were unnecessary. Letting the coin fall through his fingers into his pouch, he slowly removed one of the daggers in his vest bandolier and starting cleaning his nails, while looking at the goblins with a smile. Of sorts.

Trakomak stands still sneer at the goblin and breathing deeply.

Tatiana turns to Trakomak and says quietly, "If you are able to, please go retrieve Sildar. We will cover you if these goblins look to betray us. There should be a dwarf there, too. Let us know if Master Gundren is unable to walk."

Meanwhile, she watches the goblins, Yemmik and the former-prisoner especially, for any clues as to their intentions.

Alex decides to go with Trakomak and, if possible, take a look at the shelf Lady Grifstone referenced during the prisoner handover.

"Sounds great. My two companions are going to come up and get our friends. Two of us, in case they both need help walking. No funny business from us. That way we can leave you to... whatever it is you do... quickly, and everybody is happy. Good?"

With that, Decklan will watch intently as Alex heads up with Trakomak.

Raven stands quietly near the entrance with Tatiana and Ammos, waiting to see what happens as the goblins seem to agree to release the prisoners.