Chapter 1430 – Home Sweet Home

“We need more meat for the beasts,” Jozish gurbled at Zluth, her tone flat and angry.

“Of course we need more meat for the beasts,” Zluth snapped, “we need more meat for everyone! Our hunters are working as quickly as they can, but these are unfamiliar hunting grounds. These things take time.”

The rage was bubbling up in him, but he controlled it with difficulty. It wouldn’t do to start chomping on the members of his tribe. The previous Krath’lath had done enough of that and deprived the Slee of too many Krath. Some were incompetent, but others weren’t, and now they were sorely missed.

Soon the eggs would hatch and a new generation of vicious Slee would be born. It would take time for them to grow, but the Krath would never have survived if they hadn’t found ways to put the young to work. Zluth himself had tended to the mould fields, which had a much higher survival rate than the beast pits.

After all, the beasts need meat.

“Now, you will need to make do with the supply we have,” Zluth hissed savagely, “or we will be forced to seek alternate methods to slake the creatures’ hunger.”

“There aren’t enough beast keepers left for you to kill any of us and hope to replenish our stock,” Jozish spat.

“I wasn’t talking about you,” Zluth whispered with glee. “You aren’t wrong, the beast keepers are much too precious to risk. However… did you lay any eggs this season, Jozish?”

The female Krath’s eyes bulged red with fury as her mouth gaped open, revealing her savage fangs. Zluth slid away from her, backing up and giving her the space she needed to control herself.

“I’m glad we understand each other,” he said, once she had calmed down.

Jozish glared at him hatefully.

“The beasts will get their meat,” he assured her, “but do not question my decisions again unless you are willing to pay the price.”

And away she went, back to the pits, while Zluth turned to deal with the next emergency, only to find Goszi waiting. The old Krath looked disgruntled, as he always did at the moment. His planned cosy retirement had become anything but, as Zluth seemed determined to work him to the bone.

And the more unhappy he became, the more Zluth was determined to watch him. He’d shown how far he would go to survive, the cunning old slug, and Zluth was unwilling to give him the chance to do it again.

“What word, Goszi?” Zluth asked, turning both his eyes toward his partner in crime.

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“The Suggoth have sent a messenger,” the old slug slurgled. “They’re waiting just outside the entrance to the Slimeground.”

“Well, we can’t keep our fellow Krath waiting,” Zluth said. “We should go and meet them immediately.”

“We?”

“Of course, we. Lead the way, Goszi, I’ll be right behind you.”

It was most amusing to see the old Krath turn without a word and head toward the entrance, uncomplaining. He’d known all along that Zluth would demand he come along. It would be interesting to see if he had any… surprises planned along the way.

The two made their way through the Slimeground, and then to the narrow, winding entrance. Compressing themselves down, they slid through the concealed entrance, emerging into the tunnel outside. The two Slee on duty were still there, concealed in the nearby mould and slime, but they were alone.