#15 The color of her panties by Piers Anthony

Author:Piers Anthony [ANTHONY, PIERS]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Xanth (Imaginary place), Fantasy - General, Fiction - Fantasy, General, Fantastic fiction, Fiction, Fantasy fiction, Anthony; Piers - Prose & Criticism
ISBN: 9780688109165
Publisher: New York : W. Morrow, c1992.
Published: 2010-09-24T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10. Gobble

Godiva led the way into Goblin Mountain.

Che had visited here with Gwenny several times in the past two years, but this was different, because he was aware of a muted hostility in the other goblins which hadn't been there before. They knew that he was Gwenny's companion, and that she was first in line to be the new chief', and the goblin men feared and loathed that notion. The goblin women might feel otherwise, but they would not dare evince even half a scintilla of support for fear of retribution if Gwenny didn't achieve the office. Gwenny was essentially alone, for now, except for her mother and Che and Jenny Elf.

In Godiva's pleasant suite they had a proper meal (no Tsoda Popka) while she acquainted them with the situation.

"It seems that when my husband died, in the general confusion Gobble was able to sneak into his father's chambers. He went there to steal anything of value he might find, of course, trusting that no one would notice. But he got something far more treacherous than mere objects.

Gouty had a dragon's ear."

"A dragon's ear!" Che exclaimed.

She glanced at him. "I see you understand. A dragon's ear can be used to hear things magically, when properly applied. Exactly what is heard varies with the species, and sometimes with the dragon. Little is known about this, of course, because dragons' ears are hard to come by. But some ears will hear anything spoken about the one who is listening with the ear. Some will tune in to any spoken dialogue within a certain range. Some will attune to one particular person, and overhear what he says and nothing else; others will hear only what is said to him. Gouty's ear was of the limited-subject type: it could overhear whatever was spoken in Goblin Mountain on a particular subject."

"What subject?" Gwenny asked.

"Whatever subject the listener wished. I believe Gouty used it to tune in on conspiracies against him. Only now do I comprehend how he had such uncanny ability to discover such plots, as he had never seemed unduly intelligent. I despised him, of course, but I always supported him because it was the proper thing to do. Obviously he knew that, because of the ear; he allowed me more power than is normally given a woman, and supported my effort to obtain a companion for my daughter, because he knew that I intended him no harm. Also because it gave him more time to play with other women during my absence."

She glanced at Che. "But the companion was what was essential, whatever the cost. You of course know how that particular endeavor worked out."

"I know," Che agreed.

Godiva paused as if gathering herself for something unpleasant. Then she continued. "Gobble found that ear. He had it for only an hour before he was discovered and relieved of it. But in that time the damage was done, for he has always had an unerring nose for the worst possible mischief. I think you can surmise to what subject he tuned it.

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