"They took him as a sacrifice," Ned answered. "He will be offered."
It seemed that Keesha couldn't believe what Ned said. "Since when did Goblins and Butrikis made an offering. No—to whom Malik will be offered?"
"To the one, they obeyed," Ned nodded toward the still beasts.
Steam coming out from the snouts of the butrikis, sharp teeth run their elongated jaws, and yellow scales lit beneath the warming sun.
Intent to kill flashed under the goblin's eye, as if it was flaming red.
"Fucking newt!" Rickart cussed. Better than scared. He seemed to recover instantly after realizing that Malik was still alive. "We can't remain standing here."
"And we can't leave either," Ned said. Cocking his eyebrow to the right of Keesha, a path (where Erin passed) was now blocked by the swamp goblins; eight of them stood holding a wooden club coiled with rusty iron wires.
