Within maybe a half hour, the mage I know knew as Jodralk had brought the three of us to the citadel in the heart of Amberhold. It was shaped like an enormous black drum or beehive with towers beside it. I knew that I once saw it as an imposing bastion, a symbol of the Under-Empire's rule over Amberhold. Now, it was the most welcoming place I had ever seen. It was a place of repose, celebration, and sanctuary. It looked beautiful under the golden afternoon sky.

I gasped when we came into the entrance hall. Goblins scurried through the corridors, some dressed in soldier's garb some looking more like merchants or bureaucrats. Chandeliers made of mammoth tusks and iron hung overhead from the ceiling. I saw the skulls of large beasts adorning the walls. I could make out the lanky forms of blue skinned mountain trolls carrying bricks on harnesses strapped to their backs.

And I saw women. Human women. Some were dressed in civilian clothing and talking with one another or a goblin. A few more in revealing outfits followed their green companions around, carrying bundles of scrolls or boxes of gold. They were servants here, maybe even assistants. Some of them said hi to us but they mainly stuck to themselves or their assigned tasks. I didn't hold it against them.

When we reached a large storage area, a goblin behind a desk looked Jodralk and nodded.

"We require three," he told the goblin sitting at the desk. "You will disrobe. Remove everything."

"We obey!" I couldn't get out of my peasant garb quick enough. They were too bland for a wonderful place like this. It felt electrifying being naked in front of goblins for the first time. Rhonda and Mona seemed to share my sentiment, almost ripping their garments off. In place of our regular clothes we given leather bras, long black and red skirts with iron studs bearing the symbol of the Under-Empire on the waistband and open toed sandals with iron studs on the straps. The symbol on the skirts was a bat carved out of jade. I fell in love with the outfit immediately. It spoke to who I was, a newly awakened subject of the Under-Empire, a devoted servant of the goblins that brought so much good to Amberhold.

After we changed, we were brought to the massive doors that led to the citadel's banquet hall. They looked like two brass slabs with intricate carvings on 

"I have business to attend to before the feast," said Joldrack. "You will be assigned your duties in a few minutes. You will do all that is ordered."

"We shall not disappoint you, master." I said. We all bowed to him before heading for the door.

Rhonda, Mona and I went inside to see a large group of human women wearing the same garb as us standing in the center of a cavernous room. Long tables of polished obsidian extended from one end of the room to the other. Wooden chairs with pillows in them were all along both sides of the tables. On the wall facing the the sun was an enormous gong that I imagined would announce the beginning of the festivities. We got in among the other girls and saw that they were all looking at a woman in her thirties wearing a similar outfit but her skirt had gold studs instead of iron. She had her arms akimbo and glared at us. She had a whip that glowed with pink energy. In front of her of them was a goblin dressed in a black robe.

"Your attention, slaves," the goblin said with a cackle. "Your supervisor Natalie shall impart your orders."

"Thank you, master. Right! We the food is still being prepared but we've got a large number of plates, cups and utensils to lay out!" She gestured to five massive bins near her. 

"You may talk amongst yourselves but you will not shirk your duties! We will be celebrating the Under-Lord's birthday alongside our master! You will earn the right to feast alongside them! I expect the very best from you!"

"We obey!"

My companions and I got some plates from the bin closest to us then started laying them down on the enormous table. I didn't notice how well maintained it was until then. I could see myself reflected in it. I doubted it was the product of a human craftsman.

"Do you two come here often?" I asked.

“Oh yes." Rhonda said. "Though not regularly. It’s more like whenever I need that itch scratched or whenever they’ve got a big event going on and they need entertainment. I get told in advance whenever that is though.”

“Some here. I’ve dined with them on such occasions too. I’d never been part of such a large gathering before then. The beds are so cozy, even more when you're sharing it with a goblin!"

They told me of the pleasures they partook in as we prepared for the celebration. I lost track of time but I noticed that the sun had set by the time we were ready. Goblins filed into the hall as I and the other slave girls stood in two lines not far from the door. We smiled and bowed as they came in, with Governor Shaldrack at the head of the group I'd seen him before during two public announcements but I'd never seen Amberhold's administrator up close before. He looked majestic in his black and gold robes.

He stood in front of us all and sniggered.

"Greetings to you all, and good tidings on this, the Under-Lord's birthday!" The crowd, myself included burst into cheers.

"We have been in control of Amerbold for little more than a year now, and already it is firmly a part of his domain! It has grown more prosperous, healthier, and safer under our rule than it could ever be under the administration of the late Lord Dalton's family! It also pleases me to see that already so many human women have overcome their fear of us and come to understand their good fortune of being subjects of the Karagoll Under-Empire! So much so that they wish to serve at the seat of our administration!"

I beamed with joy. I served the goblins. I was among the women he was speaking about, the same with my friends.

"It pleases me that you will be joining in the celebrations tonight! Hail the Under-Empire!"

"Hail the Under-Empire!" I shouted, adding my voice to the chorus. A gong sounded and goblins carrying plates of food started moving towards the tables. The rest of us followed. I licked my lips. This would be the first of two feasts I'd be taking part in tonight.