Chapter 865 - Goblin Treatise Clause (1/2)
The elderly goblin, Nurnaff quickly made his way down the corridor to the lift. The lift moved far too slowly for his liking, before hurrying out and past the golden gates. The nightguard, Eric Munch is dozing at his post bȧrėly noticing Nurnaff hurry towards the floo hearths. Tossing sparkling floo powder into the flames, he shouts, ”Summoning of the Emergency Council,” before vanishing away.
While Nurnaff travels through whirling green flames, silver goblin forged talismans had been burning brightly summoning goblin elders and clan leaders for the emergency meeting. Before Nurnaff had even arrived, goblin men and women had already abandoned festivities and hurriedly rushed away through the floo fireplace to heed the urgent summons. The goblins appeared in a great stone hall filled with countless stone benches. At the forefront of the circular chamber sit 12 council chairs, six reside on either side of a great, silver goblin forged throne peppered by countless glittering diamond gems.
The goblin elders and clan leaders whisper in hushed voices as they take a seat in the great stone hall. Some whisper that it is another goblin killing, while others wonder what terrible news shall be announced this time around. A few goblins simply study the intricately carved large, stone columns that rise from the floor to connect to the ceiling. While a few turn their attention to the silver goblin-crafted throne that has delicate leaves and trees carved into the silver with tiny gems that seem to sparkle as brightly as the twinkling stars in the heavens.
Quickly the whispering voices fall silent as the twelve goblin council members enter the stone hall. Despite the late hour, all twelve members wear neat, silver embroidered robes as they each take their seat before them. The stone hall is utterly silent before them as the clang of spears can be heard announcing the presence of the goblin king. The goblins bow their heads from their seats as an old goblin with sharp eyes stomps forward.
A few of the older goblins shiver and tug their warm robes around them at the chill. The stone chamber abruptly becomes silent, before every goblin rises and bows before the King of the Goblins, Grok Gringotts. The 12 elderly goblin councilmembers follow directly behind them, before coming to a halt before each of their seats. Grok Gringotts is the first to take a seat and is followed by the rustling sound of clothing as the councilmembers and the rest of those present take their seats.
Grok hides a knowing smile and instead coolly says, ”Stand before your King, Nurnaff, intermediary of the goblins and representative amongst wizards. Why have your summoned us on this night of recollections?”
Nurnaff bows deeply before their King with great gravity. ”Eminence, I come before you with urgent news,” he solemnly said. ”The wizards are under attack from giants!”
Shock-filled gasps of alarm fill the large cavern causing Grok to frown. ”SILENCE!” The chamber falls into a tense silence as he gestures for the elderly goblin to continue to speak. ”Go on, complete your report, intermediary.”
”Yes, your excellency,” Nurnaff sincerely answered. ”Auror Scrimgeour has requested the aid of goblin kind should the giants attack Diagon Alley. He requests a temporary alliance before our enemies as promised within the forgotten clause of the treatise between our people.”
Another burst of shocked whispers fills the air, but Grok does nothing to stop those present. He hides a smile, before lazily waving his hand in the air to silence the crowd. Most do not notice the relaxed air about the Goblin King except for a few like the elderly councilmember Wulm.
Wulm carefully studies the much younger goblin before pensively narrowing her dark gleaming eyes. It would seem that the brat had finally learned to hold his cards to his ċhėst. Good, this would prove to be an ample opportunity for them.
Grok and Wulm's eyes meet in understanding before he gestures for the elderly female goblin master crafter to speak. Wulm's pointed ears twitch as if in excitement but managed to contain herself. ”I say, Aye, your majesty,” she firmly said. ”We stand to lose nothing but have everything to gain should the wizards require our aid. It will not only permit us the open use of force but the Ministry of Magic will be forced to give us certain allowances. After all, they will be in our debt and we will undoubtedly collect with interest.”
”My thoughts as well, Councilmember Wulm,” Grok smoothly said.
Before Grok can continue to speak further a loud shout is heard from the crowd. ”This is simply outrageous, your Eminence!” The crowd's heads whirl around to see the figure of Bodrig, spokesmen of the Brotherhood of Goblins on his feet. (A brotherhood of goblins not for violence but rather against it. However, they most certainly approved when a Goblin committed such a feat!)
The indignant Bodrig hid his surprise and shock at hearing that the news. He simply couldn't allow for the relations between goblins and wizardkind to improve. His future plans hinged upon the tensions that existed between the two groups.
”Pardon for my speaking out, my King. Let the wizards take care of their own! We have suffered already enough at their hands and much more at the hand of the goblins. There is no need for the blood of our kind to be spilled on behalf of the wizards,' Bodrig sneered.
”You need not concern yourself, Bodrig,” Grok replied with a cold thin smile. ”We have already contracted sub-contractors on our behalf to perform the difficult task in ȧssociation with us.”
”Sub-contractors?” Bodrig sputtered in shock. ”Surely, you jest your excellency. At this hour, it would be nigh impossible!”