Saki

  We walked down the road until we came across a large tent that Earring Guy tried to lead us into. After a swift reprimand resulting in him losing his right ear he quickly suggested a restaurant. The food was terrible, the prices outrageous, and Tama was on her fifth plate of whatever in the void they were serving.

  Thankfully, the meal wasn’t on us. Our dear friend Grik, not to be confused with Grok, the honorable war chief from above, was more than happy to pay for Tama’s meals as we discussed their issues. Okay, "happy" wasn’t quite the word. Scared that Tama might run out of gold and decide to use him as a bartering tool? Definitely. I didn’t let him know that Tama was likely richer than all three of us combined. That detail I’d keep to myself for now, and probably forever.

  “So,” I said casually, leaning back in my chair, trying to ignore that my eggs just moved . “What’s the problem? How can I help you today?” I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms in a relaxed state. I knew I held all the leverage here. Tama was ready to kill them all. I didn’t even know why she stopped communicating. It was so unlike her. It worried me about her mental state even more. Silence fell across the table, save for the sound of Tama finishing her sixth plate.

  “Empress Tama demands you listen to her royal advisor!” Tama suddenly snapped, standing and slamming her fist on the table, causing everyone to jump back in surprise. Even I did. It was so unlike her. I saw an anger in her eyes I’d never seen before, and my heart sank again.

  The goblins weren’t citizens of the kingdom of Trissaile and thus weren’t compelled to obey, but they feared Tama greatly. Grik turned to me and spoke quickly, “This witch started a civil war in Surtank. She believes slaves should be executed, they're too much trouble. Too many slave traders lost. I disagree. Slaves are good business, worth the loss of traders, and make plenty of gold!”

  I glanced at Tama as he spoke. Her tail lashed angrily, but her face remained surprisingly calm. Even Tristy sat calmly, though she’d tried to follow Tama and eat the moving eggs. She managed three bites before puking on the floor. Noted: do not eat the eggs.

  I had a feeling Tama wanted to burn the place to the ground. The question was why she was holding back. I could ask, but I didn’t want to ruin the negotiations with a badly timed question, and Tama refused to talk to me alone.

  I looked at Kikat, yes , that’s really her name. Goblins weren’t creative with naming. Kikat glared at Grik and spat, “The slaves aren’t worth our pride as goblin people! They deserve death! All of them!”

  Grik glared back. “ Grik don't think you understand. Slaves make good money. A big smelly man brings them, and we make lots of shiny gold! You don’t understand because you’re a girl!”

  I glanced at Tama again, but that didn’t seem to affect her. It made sense . S he probably didn’t fully understand gender, much less the insult Grik just made. Kikat didn’t care either, which also made sense. The Goblin hierarchy was weird. Women were considered lesser, yet certain women were better than others, and some outranked men. It was like survival of the fittest, but capitalism on steroids with a hefty dose of sexism. Greed and goblins went together like peas in a pod. It didn’t matter if a “lesser woman” was selling or buying. Gold, strength, and the occasional outright murder ruled goblin society.

  I cared little for it all. Women might be physically weaker than men, but they could be manipulative and downright cruel. I’d seen fights to the death across all genders and species, but nothing matched the viciousness of a woman versus another woman. As a Kitsune, I was above such petty squabbles. My form was humanoid female, but I was far from gender norms.

  Lost in thought, I almost missed my chance to intervene. Grik and Kikat stood , screaming at each other. Tama sat calmly, watching like it was a casual chat, but her tail gave her awaytwitching ears, lashing violently. Her hand shook; she clearly wanted to grab her sword. Why wasn’t she? I frowned briefly before plastering on a smile and addressing them before they came to blows.

  “Now, now, let’s calm down before my friend feels threatened and joins you two together like a fish-kebab,” I said simply. Both paused, glanced at Tama, lingered on her katana, Serenity, and sat quickly.

  “This fight is over a few slaves? Tell you what, they’re not worth a war. How about we negotiate a contract that benefits both of you?” I said smoothly, my tone casual but assertive, lightly layering my voice with charm. It had little effect, but it couldn’t hurt to try.

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  Grik looked uncomfortable, but Kikat glared and said, “No! Grik is a greedy man who cares not for people. He needs to be killed and replaced with someone better!”

  Grik’s eye twitched, but I held up a finger, and he stayed quiet. “I see. And I’m assuming that goblin would be you?” I asked. Kikat puffed up her chest, causing me to grab Tama’s hand, which was already halfway across the table. Kikat responded, “I am obviously the best choice for leadership!” I nodded sagely, gently pulling Tama’s hand back. Kikat didn’t notice, which was good. If Tama grabbed her during this meeting, it wouldn’t be like with Terathere’d be bloodshed. Not because goblins cared, but because Tama’s terrifying presence would make them assume the worst, and the city would burn.

  My smile never faded as I wrapped my tail around myself, petting ita benevolent act in Foxkin culture, showing trust. I wasn’t truly Foxkin, but it was enough. The tension eased slightly as I stroked my tail. I could broker peace, but slaves were unacceptable to Tama. As her royal advisor, I knew she was holding back for a reason. A gesture of goodwill might help her talk to me again. I knew she wouldn’t forgive easily, even as her best friend, but with time and effort, she might come around.

  “Let’s say you’re right. You win this war and kill Grik. What’s the first thing you’d do as leader?” I tilted my head, listening intently. Grik looked like he wanted to speak, but I glanced at Tama, and her katana was suddenly at his throat, fast enough to silence him, slow enough for him to pale and stay quiet. Kikat, full of herself, assumed I was on her side. Good. That made this easier.

  She smirked. “Obviously, I’d execute all the slaves and remove the slave trade!” I nodded as if it was logical, trying the nice route first. “What if, instead of executing them, you send them back to the surface? Less mess, and you regain your pride. Tama and I will even help facilitate this change of power.” I winked, laying it on thick.

  Sadly, goblins were as prejudiced as evermore sexist than racist, but still. “No! The slaves have sullied our city and don’t deserve to live! They’ll be slaughtered to the last!” Kikat said angrily, unwilling to budge. I pursed my lips, nodded slowly, and said, “That’s… a shame.” I nodded at Tama. “It appears they are unwilling to reason with Your Highness. What is your royal decree for these goblins?”

  Kikat paled, and Grik shook. The goblin guards reached for their weapons. I watched Tama, starting to understand. If I was right, I’d smack her later. Tama went stiff, and for a moment, I feared I’d misread the situation. Then she spoke, her voice resonating with immense royal power. “Empress Tama hereby decrees the goblin city of Surtank to free all slaves. Those who resist will be killed.” Her voice hit like a truck. I knew she was a princess, but I’d never felt her decrees’ full force, even when she made me her advisor. She was serious, and I saw it in her eyes, her violently lashing tail. This wasn’t about killing, it was about testing if she could trust me to make the right choice. I smiled at her, tears in my eyes. “Yes, my empress.”

  Tama frowned, worried. “Did Tama do it wrong?” I froze mid-tear as horror hit me. My eyes twitched. “T…Tama, was all this to prove you were a mature royal princess?” I asked, barely hiding disbelief.

  Tama nodded sincerely, each word forcing me to reevaluate the past week. “Tama thinks she did very well ! She showed her power, made the goblin leaders listen, then waited for her royal advisor to handle the important talking stuff!” She smiled, tail lashing happily.

  I had no words. This was about being a mature princess. I took a deep breath, sighed, and smiled. “Yes, Tama, you did very well .”

  “I also think you did very well as a royal princess,” Kikat nodded. Grik said nothing, the katana still at his neck, but his eyes agreed. The guards nodded too. Goblins were so stupidpraising Tama’s leadership right before she might slaughter them. I’d think they were scheming to escape, but that implied intelligence. Tama turned to them. “Tama frees the slaves now. Do you fight back?” Tense silence followed. I hoped they’d comply. “No, we fight you to the death!” Kikat said viciously. Grik pulled his blade, trying to stab Tama. It went as expected. The guards and leaders were dead before I could stand. I glanced at the remaining patrons. A few drew weapons and charged. N one made it three steps before their heads hit the floor. The rest looked at the dead, then resumed eating.

  “As expected of a goblin hierarchy,” I smirked. “Pathetic.” They ignored my jabs, not scared, just apathetic. One goblin approached Tama. “This mess needs cleaned up!” she glared. Tama looked uncomfortable. “But they started it!” she said defiantly. “I not care, I not clean up! You make mess, you clean up!” Tama winced. I held back laughter as she followed the goblin to get a mop, moved the bodies outside, and mopped, whining about hating chores.

  I would’ve helped, but they had one mop. Tristy tried to take it, saying it was her duty as a servant, but Tama snapped, “Tama can do her own chores! Sensei entrusted her with them!” She paled, tears welling, and kept mopping , ignoring stares. The goblins, sure she wasn’t attacking, resumed eating.

  I wanted to comfort her but feared her reaction. I was why she was like this. After a moment, I decided it was worth the risk. I took the mop from her, she resisted briefly, then let go. I tossed it to Tristy, who started mopping. I took Tama’s hand and whispered, “Let’s go clean up the bad goblins, okay?”

  She smiled, tears in her eyes, and nodded. “That would make Tama feel better,” she said quietly.

  “I know,” I responded, leading her out toward the gates where the armies clashed, unaware their leaders were dead. At the wall, I turned to Tama with a sad smile. “Go teach those goblins what a strong ninja you are, Tama.”

  Tama smiled through a sniffle, drew Serenity, and vanished, blinking onto the wall and over it. Once she was gone, I sat against the wall and cried.