Ruric finished translating for her and stepped backwards. He listened very carefully as the Council began to speak amongst themselves. He was careful not to look at Jane as they spoke, but eventually his eyes strayed towards her. A short shake of his head was the answer to her unspoken question.
When they did finally speak, it was exactly as Jane had expected. Ruric’s expression tightened in anger as he repeated their words. “Based on the behavior of the humans in the City, the Council has chosen to not honor any promised alliance. The humans must leave this land or become slaves in the mines.”
Jane tried to control her anger as she knew that the only way for any progress to be made was so remain calm. But those words sparked a fire in her that could not be stopped by any means.
“I will not accept that.”
Her voice was a harsh whip crack that echoed in the cavern.
“Ruric, translate.” She glared at him. “I will not accept that.”
She could tell he was trying to warn her to stop. But she kept glaring at him until he finally sighed and stepped forward towards the Council once more.
Jane squared her shoulders and stepped forward with him as she refused to allow this choice.
“These are good people with no wish to harm anyone. They came here knowing that you may enslave them. They came here trusting that you would make the right decision and not make some foolish choice based off of the limited amount of humans that you have met.
“You sit on your thrones and make decisions that have nothing to do with you. They left their homes. They did not have to leave them. But they made this choice because they believed that you would take care of them! And you now want to throw them to their deaths?”
Ruric sighed and translated as the Council began to respond.
“We make this choice for the safety of our people.” Said one elderly goblin.
“The choice is not made lightly.” Said another.
“You know that there are many reasons we do not trust humans.” Yet another goblin threw back in her face.
Jane’s cheeks were starting to heat with anger. “These are not answers. You are running from helping other people and passing judgement without even attempting to meet them. These are healers, builders, farmers, intelligent minds that could only help you. Why would you send them away?”
“Our decision is final.” Jane glared at the familiar male face on the Council.
In this moment, she hated every single one of them. They were staring down at her with disapproving expressions. She didn’t want to ask if they would allow her to stay because she already had an idea of what their opinion would be.
She looked at the Queen who had remained surprisingly silent throughout the entire argument. She had her chin in her palm as she locked gazes with Jane.
“And you? You’re going to allow this?”
The Queen did not answer nor did her eyes waver from Jane’s fierce expression. This reaction only managed to enflame Jane’s anger.
“This is ridiculous! You’re sending away people that have offered to help you! You’re going to make the wrong choice and I will not stand by it.”
Ruric sidled towards her, “Jane don’t say anything you’ll regret.”
“I won’t.” She said firmly. “If this is a community that would send away others in need, I will not stay here.”
Her eyes flashed as they raised to look at the Queen who continued to stare down at her as if bored.
Once more, Jane firmly added, “I will not.”
Ruric clearly wanted to throttle her. Even his green skin had darkened in a deep angry blush. But Jane would not waver as her chin raised even higher. Child or not, she would not have these people teach her own child the wrong things. She would not allow anyone to be prejudiced around her baby.
“Jane,” Ruric murmured. “We haven’t said everything we could.”
“I won’t use that to our advantage.” She replied in hushed tones. “This says more about your people than I thought it would.”
Even Ruric appeared to agree. His shoulders slumped downwards and slowly he nodded. He too was surprised at how callous his people were being.
“Fine.” Jane’s voice rung loudly in the cavern. “Then we leave.”
She hesitated a moment to enjoy the expressions upon the goblin’s faces. A few were surprised, some were apathetic, and the rest held a joy that made her hate them all the more. They were foolish creatures who were not willing to change.
Just as Jane was about to reach out and pull Ruric from the room, there was a loud crashing noise outside the cavern. They could hear rocks as they skittered across the floor and then a very familiar shout.
“Let go! I have to go in there!”
The blood drained out of Jane’s face as she turned to see her wild little sister burst into the cavern and skid to a stop in the center of the room.
Willow’s blonde hair was puffed out around her like a halo and her fists were planted firmly on her hips. She glared at the goblins on their crystal thrones as though they had no right to be looking down upon her.
“You’re making a big mistake.”
Everyone in the cave was shocked that such a small human was standing in front of them. For the moment, they were all entirely speechless.
Willow tsked and repeated herself much louder. “I said, you’re making a big mistake!”
Only then did Ruric step forward, a half smile on his lips as he translated.
He was nearly silenced by the glare on Willow’s face that looked very similar to his wife’s. “What?” He asked her once he had translated her words.
“I don’t need you to talk for me.”
He had to hide
