Intermission 9 Page 21

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“As her apprentice, she taught me many things about our history, and the various traditions and rituals that she was trying to preserve.”

“What kind of rituals?”

“Well, as an oracle, she would do things like try to determine the safest place for us to camp, or where we could find the most food.”

“Of course, her visions were very limited. Otherwise things would be very different for us now, I’m sure.”

“Her primary duty was to name newborn goblins.”

“Aww, cute!”

“When I was still young, goblin families would travel miles just to have their children named. Even some adults would seek Kotaca out, as they hadn’t been named by an oracle when they were born.”

“Did she name you?”

“Yes, she did. And you, too.”

“You were the last goblin she named.”

“She was very old and frail by then. Her visions came much less frequently.”

“You stayed in her tent for over two weeks. I had to feed you and take care of you. It was tradition for the newborn to stay with the oracle until their name was revealed, you see.”

“But her vision did come, and you got your name. Just in time.”

“…Just in time for what?”