Ray calls for a scout. A slender-built kobold with brown scales comes forward. "Yes, chief?"
"Go back and inform the rest of the clan to prepare for my arrival."
"Yes, chief." Said the kobold. The slender kobold gets up and heads out to inform the rest of the clan.
Ray transforms back into his kobold form. He walks over to the pile of troglodytes and places his hand on one.
"Hmm. I'll try to mass assimilate these bodies, " Ray said.
Ray chants assimilate. He concentrates on multiple bodies and begins the assimilation. The bodies of the troglodytes begin to turn liquid; they expand to twelve bodies. 10%,..., 30%, ...60%. It's taking longer, but it seems more efficient—90%, 100%. Assimilation completed.
Ray looks up and motions for the kobolds.
"Come gather the remaining bodies, fresh food for my troops. Don't forget the weapons and gear. Leave that one here to rot. Said Ray. Ray points at the body of the dead chief.
Ray points to a red and brown kobold. "You there, come here, help stack bodies in Prime's arms. He can carry more than five. Prime, you ready to go?Said Thorzen.
"Yes, Thorzen." Said Prime. (Telepathy).
"Everyone loaded up?" Asked Ray.
"Yes, chief!" Yelled the kobolds.
"All right, let's head back. If we have to make another trip, we will send more kobolds to gather the rest, " Ray said.
Everyone marched towards the kobolds' base.
They go through the tunnel and shortly after arrival at the kobold base.
As they enter the base, they drop off the bodies of the troglodytes.
"Alright, prep the troglodytes for food." Said Ray.
The brown slender kobolds approach Ray and bow. "I gathered the rest of the kobolds." Said the brown slender kobold.
"Good job! What's your name?" Asked Ray.
"I don't have a name, Chief, " said the brown, slender kobold.
"Why don't you have a name?" Asked Ray.
"Only the strongest gets a name chief. Zog was strong, so he got named." Said the brown slender kobold.
"Who else has a name?" Asked Ray.
"Only Zog and old Chief Lar." Said the brown slender kobold.
"Only two out of thirty+ had a name? That's not good. I'll have to name every one of you. But not now. I'll name you Zek." Said Ray.
Zek looked at Thorzen with wide eyes. "Thank you, Chief Thorzen, " said the brown, slender kobold.
"Yeah, no problem. I'll give names to everyone else at a later time. Zek takes 10 kobolds and gathers the rest of the troglodytes' bodies and weapons. When you get back, we will feast on troglodytes." Said Ray.
All of the kobolds cheer!!
"Ok, get going, Zek." Said Ray.
"Yes, chief. Said Zek.
"Prepare the feast!" Yelled Ray.
"Yes, chief!" Yelled the kobolds.
Ray looks around and heads towards the biggest hut. He arrives at the hut, which must be the old chief's hut. Ray pulls open the door with a flap of cloth and enters the hut.
"Prime comes to the big hut and guards the doorway." Said Ray. (Telepathy).
"Yes, Thorzen." Said Prime. (Telepathy). Prime walks over to the doorway and stands guard.
Ray looks at the inside of the hut. It consists of an old stool, straw bedding, and useless trinkets. Ray analyzes the trinkets. "Garbage! We will be heading back out tomorrow." Said Ray.
"Prime, wake me when Zek gets back." Said Ray, "Yes, Thorzen." Said Prime. (Telepathy).
Ray lies down on the straw bedding. He falls asleep shortly after.
Over an hour passes by. "Thorzen Zek is back. Prime told Ray by telepathy. Ray wakes up. "What, Zek is back?" Asked Ray. "Yes, Thorzen, he is back. Said Prime. (Telepathy). "
"Ok, I'll be out in a minute." Said Ray. "Yes, Thorzen." Said Prime. (Telepathy).
Ray notices his hand is his Changeling's hand.
"I must have reverted when I fell asleep." Said Ray.
Ray rubs his head. "Yep, it's my bald Changeling head." Said Ray. Ray gets up and transforms back into his kobold form.
Ray opens the door flap and sees Prime standing before the doorway.
"Prime, move out of the way, " Ray said. Prime moved to the side.
Zek comes forward. "We have captured five adolescent troglodytes." Said Zek.
"Five adolescent troglodytes? Athena, why weren't they included in the quest?" Asked Ray.
"They are non-combatant." Said Athena.
"Non-combatant?" Asked Ray.
"Yes, underage." Said Athena.
"Oh, I get it." Said Ray.
"Zek, where did you take them?" Asked Ray.
"They are in the hut with the orc, my chief." Said Zek.
"Ok, take me to them." Said Ray.
Zek leads Ray to the hut. Prime follows behind.
They arrive at the hut. Two kobolds are standing guard.
"You two should take a break and go get some food, " Ray said.
They both bow. "Yes, chief." Said the kobolds.
"Prime guard the entrance." Said Ray.
"Yes, Thorzen." Said Prime.
Ray and Zek enter the hut. Thorzen enters and stares down the orc. Zek comes in and stands next to Thorzen. The orc looks at Thorzen and then puts its head down in silence.
Thorzen looks at the five adolescent troglodytes huddled in a corner of the hut. "
You five come forward! Yelled Thorzen. The troglodytes are frightened by Thorzen. The oldest-looking troglodyte hesitates and comes forward.
"Hmm, how's this?" Asked Ray. Ray transforms into a troglodyte.
The older troglodyte steps back with eyes wide open. The other four troglodytes' jaws drop in amazement as they witness the miraculous transformation.
The older troglodyte asks in a shaky voice. "Are you a god?"
"Haha, no, I'm not a god. I'm chief of my clan. I'm a Changeling." Said Ray.
The looks on the faces of the troglodytes are of amazement and confusion.
"Do you not know what a Changeling is?" Ray asked the troglodytes. The older troglodyte shrugged.
"Well, I'm a Changeling, " said Ray. Ray transformed back to his Changeling form, then to kobold, goblin, troglodyte, and purple poison Lizard, and then back to his Changeling form. The eyes of the troglodytes were wide and amazed. The orc watched, and his jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Now you five have a choice, you can join my clan, or we can set you free. If you choose to join my clan, you will be a full-pledged member. You will be taken care of and trained to be productive members of my clan. If you choose to be freed, we will take you away from my village and release you in the wild. You won't be allowed back to the caves or my village. If we see you, you will be seen as enemies. So think about your choices." Said Ray.
Ray stares at the oldest troglodyte, which bows its head and stands silently.
"I'll give you till tomorrow to decide." Said Ray.
The oldest troglodyte lifts its head. "May I speak?"Ray nods his head yes.
"I'm the oldest troglodyte here. You are amazing. We don't want to be freed; we want to join your clan." Said the older troglodyte.
"Haha, very good, but don't misunderstand. As a member of my clan, you will be free." Said Ray. The troglodytes nod their heads.
"Now then, what is your name?" Asked Ray.
"I don't have a name." Said the oldest troglodyte.
Thorzen puts his head in his hands. He wonders what is up with this planet. No one has names, just a select few. "Fine, I'll give you names at a later time, " Ray says.
"Zek! Take these five and feed them. Oh, and don't feed them the main course. Feed them fish." Said Ray.
Zek nods his head. "Yes, chief." Said Zek.
"Follow me, you five, " said Zek. They all exited the hut.
"Prime guard the five troglodytes." Said Ray. (telepathy).
"Yes, Thorzen." Said Prime. Prime followed them.
"Now you, Orc, what's your story?" Asked Ray.
The orc looks at Ray, then puts his head down.
"No matter, you don't need to say anything." Said Ray.
Ray puts his right hand up to analyze.