continued - 8/9

"Are we now clear to enter, captain?"

"Ah, yes. Please. You may enter, master Joe."

Kilniara and Zilnek looked at Joe in shock and great admiration before heading into the dungeon, Zilnek actually bowing and giving his thanks while Kilniara bounced up to him and gave him a big hug. The only one who didn't really act that was Garnedell.

Garnedell stayed behind with Joe, and Joe realized he wanted to talk, so they both slowed as they spiraled down, falling back until the two siblings were beyond line of sight. Garendell quickly leaned in close.

"A slime core, Joe."

"Yeah, I know," Joe let out a defeated sigh.

"Is it…" Garnedell trailed off, asking but actually quite certain.

"I… I think it is. Let's keep this quiet, yeah?"

Garendell quickly nodded but also broke out in an excited smile, "You… are amazing, master. Truly."

"Garendell! You're slipping back. Please, just Joe."

Garnedell turned to him and narrowed his eyes, looking up at him with a seriousness that Joe was unused to, "Sometimes, master, it is important to show respect and honor. In this, for this moment, I wish to call you master because of … how much you truly inspire me and give me hope."

Joe took Garnedell's statement and then began to slowly nod his head, "OK. I can accept that. That's… OK. I understand. But! It better be very, very rare!" Joe ended with firmness.

Garnedell smiled brightly at that, a hint of laughter, "As rare as you are willing to be normal."

Joe smirked at that and shook his head, "Alright, smarty pants. Let's get down there."

"Smarty … pants?"

"It just means some people try to be quick witted or smart above what their intelligence is usually capable of. Some do it and are not smart, but just rude and impolite."

"Well, I was certainly polite, and…"

"You were pushing it," Joe interjected with an arched eyebrow.

"Yet still polite. And what I said was not above my intelligence as I said it."

"Yet you said it in a snarky way."

"This does not lessen the intelligence."

"Is it intelligent to antagonize a person who has seven digits to your two?"

Garnedell opened his mouth to rebut as soon as Joe began, but as Joe continued, he quickly shut his mouth and looked away in chagrin, "Right… so maybe you have a point there."

Joe laughed loudly, shaking his head, "But still, well done. I was only joking in return. I enjoyed it. Thank you. Let's catch up to the others."

Garnedell looked back up at him, then smiled brightly as well, "It is… good to have a master like you, Joe," Garnedell emphasized his name at the end with a soft smile.

Joe grinned back, this time truly grateful, "And you, Garnedell."

Their slow descent quickly sped up at that point and they came out into the safe zone to find the room absolutely crowded, requiring them to push their way through. Groups littered the floor of the goblin area and hardly a single space was available for anyone. The only space that was really available was the corner opposite where they usually were. This corner was a bit further from the entrance into the second floor than their normal corner, and Joe quickly realized why it hadn't been taken; a safe retreat is much closer.

The two had to push their way through and finally made the front, finding Zilnek and Kilniara further on down the crowd. Joe didn't try to push his way to them and simply stepped out past the safe zone, waving to the siblings to catch their attention.

Soon, the other three were with them and they were threading their way through the crowd to the still remaining far corner. When they got there, they settled in but noticed it was a bit more crowded and less useful as a camp. But… a lot more mobs… maybe this place is a better idea from now on?