“Understand, this was two generations back, before I was born,” Gart was saying once they’d reached the ground. “And so I can vouch for none of it directly. But it is a story often told when the children have gone to sleep by the older generations.”

Kreet followed him, trying to pay attention but all the while looking at the tree-village the kobolds had built. This was a new society, she realized. Kobolds living above ground - finding their way back to what Elistraee implied was once their birthright. A life outside the underground in the night. But she refocused, not wanting to offend the Hunt Master.

“...which made her the unanimous choice for Master Designer,” he was saying. “Now you understand, the three Master abilities aren’t really Hunter, Thinker and Designer. Those are their practical names, but we know them also as Masters of Body, MInd and Wisdom. So anyway, now they had a new Master of Wisdom. And all three were undisputed, mind you. But all were female too! The whole clan wondered what would come of this of course.”

He went on…

“So the three Masters had their first task to solve. Would they go through their tenure with no offspring? That is, after all, one of the main purposes of the Masters you see. Well, the Huntress went first. It was her contention that they should pick a male whose size, stamina and virility in the mating chamber was unmatched. Such was the decision of the Master of Body, and it was in perfect keeping with her designation as such.”

“I suppose that would make sense,” Kreet said as she followed Gart. The village was really coming to life now that the sun was going down. Glowing eyes from all the kobolds surrounded her, and followed her. Of course, she would be something of a celebrity here - having been delivered by Goldworm himself.

“Of course the Intellect Master couldn’t agree with that. She argued that the three Master’s mates should be the smartest Male available. Essentially, her closest rival. That is, if she were to die, the male most likely to take her place. That man should be their mate. And again, from her point of view it made perfect sense. But of course, it would favor the mind over the body, and it is said that the two must both be kept in harmony.”

Gart stopped his story as he introduced Kreet to a male and female and their children. They were the cooks of the clan and would be cooking the meat he brought them. They already had a pit of smouldering wood dug in a clearing nearby. But they took the meat and began rubbing it with some powders she didn’t recognize instead, setting it atop some huge leaves that they apparently were going to wrap it in before burying it in the pit.

It was all very fascinating for Kreet, but Gart explained they needed to get back to the Master’s House, so she bade the cooks goodbye and followed him back as he continued his story.

“So of course they turned to the Wisdom Master - the Designer. They are often the arbiter of such things you know. Some say the Designer is the most important of the three in fact. They take what is possible with the body and the ideas of the mind and weave them into practical things. And they are often older of course. Well, the Designer admits that her idea was to hold a lottery and let the gods decide each month who would mate with them among all the adult male kobolds. The idea had merit too. So the three Masters debated for a month…”

They arrived back at the bottom of the Master’s House.

“So? Don’t keep me in suspense!” Kreet demanded. “What did they decide?”

Gart smiled. “They decided to implement all three, changing monthly. For the first month, they would mate with the most virile male in the clan. It became known as Wobbly Month because all the Masters’ tended to wobble when they walked during that month. Then for the next month they would mate with the smartest male in the clan. That month became known as the Month of Smiles, because as it turned out the smartest male was also the most skilled at pleasing his mate - or in this case, mates. And then, of course, came the Lucky Month when all willing and able males were drawn in a lottery.”

Kreet snickered. She couldn’t help it. “And did it work?” she asked.

“Oh yes! It’s said to have been the most fecund generation we’ve ever had. My father was born of the union of the Huntress and the most virile male. He was never made Master Hunter himself, but now I am! He’s very proud of me I must say.”

“I bet!” She said as they began climbing back up the tree.

********

Sythe had finished getting ready and was waiting for them on the first floor - the area Kreet had come to know as the Meeting floor - while Fot had just woken up and was preparing for the day. Outside the night had come on in full.

“So he told you about that?” Sythe laughed. “Yes, it must have been an interesting time!”

“I’d say!” Kreet agreed. “But I understand you had a mate already? Doesn’t that... cause problems?”

Sythe closed her eyes and sighed. “It does. He wants me to retire and return to him, of course. But being a Master - it’s not all about reproduction you know. We are the leaders of the Outside clan. How can I give that up when I know I am the smartest kobold we have here?”

“You could…” Kreet began, wondering if she should say anything.

“Oh, go ahead,” Fot said, climbing down from upstairs. “What would the Humans do?”

“Now I’m not telling you what to do, right? Somehow you’ve made your own system work. But in the human equivalent situation, they wouldn’t mate between the Masters. In fact, you’d all have your own normal homes, and the Master’s House would just be where you gathered to decide things.”

They looked at each other.

“It’s not like we haven’t considered that path,” Fot replied. “It’s been done this way traditionally, but we have the power to change the tradition.”

“We would lose the generational advantage, of course,” Sythe said. “There’s little doubt that the system has produced some of the best of us.”

Gart pointed out, “It produced me.”

“During Wobbly Month,” Kreet laughed. “I mean, you guys do what you want. I’m just pointing out that there are other ways.”

Fot stood up. “Well, we’ll talk about it. But now’s not the time. The clan will be gathering. Gart, you got the meat over to the Cooks? Yes? Good. Then let’s go. It’s time to meet the clan officially Kreet. Then we can talk of the future.”

Kreet stood up and followed the three Masters down the tree.

***********

Their destination was the clearing near the fire pit. Cushions and crude chairs had been set up, along with a long table that Kreet and the three Masters sat behind. One by one the head of the various households came by and introduced themselves to her, introducing their spouses and children. Of course, Kreet struggled to remember them all, but she put on a good front. Sythe’s husband she made particular note of, along with a lean, elderly kobold by the name of Kras who wore a cloak that was totally unlike anything worn by the others.

“And this is Kras. He is the eldest of the Outside clan and keeper of Traditions.”

The kobold walked with a stoop, but the scowl he gave Kreet was obvious.

“This is Goldworm’s avatar?” he asked. “Why she’s barely out of her egg! Are you sure there’s been no mistake here?”

“Kras,” Fot said, standing up in her defense. “Goldworm himself delivered her to us. Surely you saw as well as the rest of us!”

“Pah. With these old eyes? I can see nothing so far. But I see her now . Breasts. In my time females needed no such thing. Tell me, young woman, have you even whelped a clutch?”

Kreet felt her anger rising. She’d been through too much to be scoffed at by this old kobold.

“I certainly have ! I am the mother of three, I’ll have you know. In fact they are searching for me now. Had I not been taken away by circumstances outside my control, I’d be with them now.”

“Three? Three clutches?”

“Well, no. Three children.”

The old kobold sighed and looked back at Fot. “And this inexperienced waif is going to lead us to Goldworm’s promised land among the humans?”

“She’s lived with them all her life, Old Kras. She knows their ways better than anyone Outside or Below. Who better?”

The old kobold grumbled and peered close at Kreet, but she didn’t back off.

“Practically smells human. What were you to them? Servant? Plaything? Did they mock you like an animal as they looked down at you and laughed?”

“I was no such thing! I owned a tavern - a human tavern in fact. I am also a Cleric of Pelor. At least, I was. They treated me with respect. In fact, more respect than I seem to be getting here!”

Kras backed up a step. “Now hold on. I mean no disrespect to you. But from what I know of humans, they think we are stupid and good only for servitude. Perhaps those tales are exaggerated?”

“They are exaggerated. There are certainly those who think of us like that - usually humans who have had little personal contact with kobolds. And there are certainly some who see us in our caverns as only obstacles to their god-given right to treasure. I have my own personal reasons to dislike those types. Yet I’ve learned that these are far from the majority. Most humans are kind and decent people, even to kobolds. Even their king, though I never met him, seemed to be well disposed towards us when we demonstrated our worth.”

The old kobold bowed his head. “I yield to your experience, Kreet of Goldworm, but time will tell the wisdom or foolishness of your words. My role is not to fight the will of Goldworm, but I confess I have a deep love of our own ways. I have agreed to join the Outside clan in order to try as best I can to preserve them and to remind us of who we are. I am the memory of this clan. I will not gladly become a servant of the humans, nor will I encourage my fellows to do so.”

“Then we are in accord, Kras. I respect your wishes. If some action I recommend goes against your traditions, please do tell me. I have not lived my life anticipating this task that Goldworm has set me to. I will do my best, but ultimately it is up to you - all of you - and the Masters to decide. Think of me only as an advisor, please. An advisor and a teacher.”

Kras bowed low at that and left the table.

Kreet looked back at Fot, who nodded before introducing the next family. But the rest of the night she felt the eyes of the old kobold on her, as if looking for any fault in her behavior.

After introductions had been made officially, Kreet turned to Sythe.

“Sythe? I noticed something with all these families. None have any young children. Am I wrong?”

“No, that’s right. Goldworm advised us a year ago to stop having children until we begin the great migration. It would be difficult for the very young, and no one wants to leave their children behind. One family… well, they had a clutch recently. They have chosen to go back to one of the underground clans.”

“Great migration? So you plan to be leaving soon?”

At that Sythe looked at her, as did Fot and Gart.

“Of course! Isn’t that why you’re here? To lead us?”

Kreet’s response was obviously not what they were expecting. “Well, I can tell you about human society. I teach you to speak in the Common tongue. But… guys, I have no idea where we are or where Goldworm wants you to go! When do you plan on leaving?”

Gart answered from the other side of Sythe. “Well, now that you’re rested… tomorrow!”

Kreet’s eyes grew wide in a growing panic. They thought she would lead them? LIterally? She was more lost than they were!

But Fot patted her hand. “Don’t worry about it, Kreet. Goldworm will be back tomorrow. He will know what to do.”

“I sure as hell hope so!” she thought.