Contents
33. Fucking Unmarriageable
Overview
A goblin ship arrives at the castaways’ island, prompting Kinch, Galva, Norrigal, Malk, and Gormalin to hide all traces of camp and the washed-up corpses. An initial shore party departs without finding them. A spilled mix of Norrigal’s potions creates visible smoke, drawing the ship back. The group prepares to fight.
Summary
Kinch describes goblins—their alien physiology, superstition around nines, and aversion to straight lines—before spotting a goblin sail while hunting puffins. He signals the danger and the group scrambles to erase their camp. Malk explains green sails mean treaty colors, not open hunting, but all agree discovery could be fatal.
They realize three washed-up whaler corpses could betray them and haul the bodies into rocky crags under time pressure. Norrigal retrieves her potion case against Kinch’s advice and ends up stranded in a precarious perch as the goblin ship approaches.
Six goblins land and briefly search the beach, repelled by the birds and their droppings. Galva listens to their harsh language and signals their keen hearing. After a tense debate among the goblins, the shore party withdraws, and the ship prepares to leave. Kinch then sneezes, jostling Norrigal; several potion vials tumble and shatter.
The spilled liquids react, igniting and billowing white smoke that rises in clear view of the ship. The goblin vessel immediately turns back toward the island. With concealment blown, Kinch, Galva, Norrigal, Malk, and Gormalin abandon stealth and ready themselves to fight.
Who Appears
- Kinch Na ShannackNarrator; spots the goblin ship, helps hide evidence, accidentally triggers potion spill that exposes the group.
- NorrigalWitch; insists on retrieving potions, slips, and her spilled vials create smoke that draws goblins back.
- Galva (Spanth)Warrior; prepares to unleash her war bird, interprets goblin speech, and leads readiness to fight.
- MalkSailor-harpooner; explains goblin sails and routes, scouts, and helps conceal the camp and bodies.
- GormalinHarpooner; urges caution about goblin numbers and aids in hiding and preparing for possible combat.
- GoblinsEighteen aboard; six land to scout, initially withdraw, then return when smoke reveals possible survivors.