Going to the trade outpost

After eating our last meal for the day, which we only have two of, 2nd and I decided to go to the ku-ur outpost near hear. Since I only recently become the strongest, I asked 2nd to come with me.

He explained to me that he only goes there once a week due to not wanting to grab unnecessary attention and coincidentally today was the day he was supposed to go.

To be honest the only reason he goes to that outpost was for the water rags since we previously didn't have anything other than metal scraps and dirt. Now though, we have a bit of meat of which we decided to trade the innards of the rat (since I really don't want to eat anything that came into contact with the swallowed rotting meat earlier, even though I'm a goblin).

Holding the bloody sack of rat organs and my shabby spear, we began to set for the outpost quickly so we can reach it before it gets dark. 2nd also has a sack for the metal scraps and his personal weapon, a cloth strip with pointed metal objects attached, kind of like a spiked knuckle but a way, way poorer version of it.

As we were proceeding to the outpost, 2nd continued to explain to me the rules which he had learned painstakingly, literally. His first time going there, after our previous strongest went missing, was especially bad, he said.

"Ma...ny...strong...but...no...like...they...steal.fromm..meee" Saying that all those he met the first time were just thieves and he didn't like them, I can clearly hear the resentment even if he were speaking in a broken way.

"An..oth..er.... week...I...try....got....wa..ter.....good" The water he got from the second week however was his mark of success as after that he was able to continuously bring back the lowest safe quality water.

"How.... far still?" As I was formerly human, I am able to quickly understand the language and chain my words faster than others of my goblin family. I continuously practice opening and closing my mouth whenever I have time but its just been a week so I still speak somewhat brokenly.

"Al...mostt...there.." After a few more minutes of walking, I was able to see what looked like a small compound, nothing fancy. It has a wire fence, a gate and inside that were what I would formerly call stalls and a small building that has what I think is the letters for the word Ku-ur or maybe trade.

"Hu..rry...Clos...ing" We immediately hurried as two hobs approach the wire gate with a big piece of wood.

"Hey there little guys, almost didn't make it huh" One of the hobs said to us as we were entering the gate.

"Hmp, they need'ta or else they be dog food" The other hob said albeit with a li'l bit of a condescending tone.

2nd didn't say anything in response though and I didn't too as I might irritate them with my still broken way of speaking. Quickly making our way to the little building, we ignored the stalls on the open grounds.

"Cheh, the li'l critts prob'ly can't speak yet, heh heh heh"

"Alright Garb, stop complaining 'bout them. We still need to barricade the gate you know"

"Yeah yeah, got it already. I just missed messing with those li'l critts. Less and less of them scavs have been coming here ya' know"

As those two's voices were quite loud, we were still able to hear them even when we're halfway to the building. Apparently something's happening around here that less scavengers are coming to the outpost.

*creak*

Upon entering the small building, I was immediately assaulted with the smell of body odors, smoke, food, alcohol and other stuffs.

*whisper* *whisper*

Contrary to my expectations, it was not as noisy here as I thought considering how this place looks like a tavern in the days before the war. (I visited one while disguised)

"We..go..there.." As 2nd was speaking, he was pointing towards what looks like a bar counter with grills separating it from the rest of the place. There were wooden boards with pictures of object and writing. The drawings, I guess, are there for those who can't read, like me. Hefting our bags we immediately approach the counter all the while trying to avoid bumping into the other patrons here.

"...heard about the...." "yeah....dogs...." "scary.....li'l.." "...Ku-ur....bigger..."

While walking through the tables and people, I was able to hear a few bits of what they were talking about, but not much to actually piece together something conclusive. Ignoring them temporarily, we were able to reach the counter.

*clink* *clink*

Upon reaching the counter, 2nd reached out to a string attached to a bell and shook it lightly, just enough for it to make some clinking sound.

"*yawn* what do have here, eh?" From behind the counter, an old hob rose up, apparently he was sleeping, or was it just napping, somewhere under the counter.

"Wa...ter..." Upon seeing the old hob appear, 2nd immediately told what he want while yoinking the sack he carried to the top of the counter.

"Oh, its you...and a friend. How surprising, first time you brought one here and you still can't speak normally, huh. Usually you come here pretty early and you know, goblins your age can string 2 syllables already. Alright, a sack of scrap, that can get you 3 of the lowest water ration."

*bang*

Glancing momentarily at the contents of the sack, he immediately set it down to below the counter and took out three small styroboxes the size of a fist. Then, looking at me, he immediately asked a question.

"What about you, little guy, what do you want? Oh right, it's your first time here huh?"

"I am...current...head of....this guy.." I said so while pointing at 2nd.

"I want...a room...tonight..." Stating my intentions and taking out the brain of the rat I killed onto the counter, I can see his eyes look more interested.

"Ohhh, so you managed to beat dumb dumb here huh? So, meat for a room for tonight, eh good enough. But what about the rest you have there? It's better you exchange them or else, I won't buy rotten meat you know? We pride ourselves in only buying and selling somewhat quality products after all." Talking so fast as if to see if I can follow his words, he immediately barraged me with some questions and suggestions.

After hearing his slew of words, I yoink my sack containing rat organs on the counter. Immediately snatching the bag, he checked the contents and looked back at me seemingly asking what I want for it.

"Clothes and...strong bag" Hearing my words he immediately took out a thin leather bag, as big as my chest, that has a few holes on top, two bundles of worn cloth and a key. Checking the items, the bag doesn't have any holes on the bottom so that's good, the cloths were long-sleeved adult-sized shirts and the key has engravings of letters or numbers.

"That's the best you can get for these little things and the key is for the room. It's located in the basement, first door to your right. Now, since you don't have anything else for me, you go now." After finishing with his words, I saw him walk to a door behind him with the rat organs in hand.

2nd and I watched him disappear behind the door, with me wondering why he wants to run off with the organs I brought. It was only later that I heard that the type of rat I killed, although common, was quite in demand since its organs can be used to make poison antidotes.