Part 3

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Once Glintsprock had been released, the pair moved to the living room where the goblin presented the wotdafuq with a gift. Even in the darkness, the golden crown sparkled.

Basalt reached for it, taking it in both hands, her shadowy appendage now gone (but Glintsprock was sure it could return at any moment).

"Now, this is interesting," she said. "Where did you get it?"

"It's the real deal if that's what you're asking," he said, holding a hand to his ruined ear and wincing as his fingers met the open wound. "I can't say too much about how I came by it, as I'd be up for an execution... but I hope you like it."

Basalt sniffed it. "It's Queen Elsbeth's, isn't it? You cheeky little scamp."

Glintsprock was about to brag about how he'd managed to steal it, even though he said he wouldn't, but Basalt's next action stopped him in his tracks.

After examining the crown for a few more moments, she opened her mouth far wider than it had any business being and popped the treasure inside. A few chews and a gulp later and the crown was gone.

Some paleness left her skin, and her eyes sparkled with life. Her dark hair grew back, thick and glossy. One eye filled a socket.

"That's much better," she said. "You can get more, right?"

Glintsprock nodded.

"Then this partnership is going to be very successful."

They may have said they were partners, but Glintsprock knew the truth: he worked for Basalt now. He wondered how long the partnership would last. How long would it take Basalt to remember that one should never trust a goblin?

*****