“The next chapter begins decades after the Great Goblin Wars had quieted down.  A small, elite goblin troop under the command of Graniticus Steelbiter violated standing orders and entered the forbidden area.  A search party found his mortally wounded lieutenant several weeks later.  He was carrying a damaged Umgubular Slashkilter.  The officer lived only long enough to tell how Commander Steelbiter had heroically saved his life.  Steelbiter halted the doomsday weapon with his dying breath.”⁸

Mr. Swiftshard’s voice had grown heavier and heavier as he continued with the tale.  “In here,” he said, handing Xenophilius a folder, “is a picture of the damaged Slashkilter.  It is on public display in Goblinopolis as a reminder of what the violence of goblin against goblin achieves.  No goblin alive knows how to construct this device, nor how to defeat it.  This one devastated the entire region for many years.  As a result, goblins have been extremely reluctant to explore Scandinavia and the remains of the goblin settlements and encampments that once flourished there.  However,” and here his voice took on a tremulous quality, “recently, a team of brave goblin explorers did just that.

“The U.K. Ministry of Magic sent an expedition of their own to Scandinavia last year.  The Goblin World Council decided that they should send explorers of their own this summer to prevent the wanton pillaging of goblin artifacts.  During this excursion, they found the weapons laboratory in which the Umgubular Slashkilter had been devised.  The lab showed clear signs of recent disturbance.  Only a wizard or a goblin could have found such a well-concealed facility.”  Here Mr. Swiftshard paused, a pained look on his face.

Xenophilius forced himself to ask, “What did they find?”

“Undeniable evidence that another Umgubular Slashkilter had been built — and only recently removed.  The photos are in the folder.”