Getting to the cave-hole where Jewel lived meant I had to walk toward the cave entrance. Along with hers, Prima's and Vera's old one were also both towards the front of the cave and that made me a little nervous, because Prima had restrictions as to how far towards the entrance of goblin-home I was allowed to move freely to.
I did find Jewel, who was busy slinging a bow and arrow set over her shoulder.
"Going hunting?" I asked.
"Husband. Come talk Jewel about magic stones? Want make new deal?"
"I guess I haven't come to you for any other reason so far either, have I?" I said, feeling kind of ashamed.
"Not let Husband use magic today. Want go, hunt new stones."
I nodded.
"Could… I get permission from you then for Vera to keep an eye on my magic? I want to use the topaz in my cave-hole so I can make it better."
Jewel contemplated it for a moment.
"Only husband cave-hole?"
I nodded.
"Your ruby is still in Lily's room. Berry is watching her now. Vera has a sharp bone, you saw it already yesterday. I'll make sure she has the pointy end of it against my neck when I do anything."
"What husband make better cave-hole?" It was less of an exasperated question, and more one of general curiosity.
"A big bath for cleaning and a stove for making things like fire-meat. After that, I want to make an area meant for having fun giving big seed to goblins. Vera will be helping me with a lot of things. I want to make it inviting for you, Prima, Lily, Berry, Truffle, Ivory, Pear, and maybe Doll to visit and spend time with me. Of course the strong ones too."
"Add good things make Jewel cave-hole?"
"If you see anything you like that you want, I will also make it in here for you."
"Not forget what Husband say give Lily cave-hole?"
"Ah, the wall relief? I'll make sure you get it."
"Tell Vera watch husband magic. Husband smart, keep secret Prima?"
It was my turn to grin at her, since a lazy and greedy goblin could always be trusted to remain true to their nature.
"Deal."
So, waking Vera who was sleeping comfortably holding her bone charm doll, which was covered in drool from being gnawed on, Jewel told her in precise gob-words that she would be the one to watch me in this cave when I used magic while she went out hunting. Vera quickly agreed to take over that temporary responsibility, and then Jewel left, saying she would return later.
I asked Vera after she left if she knew where Jewel went to find her shiny stones, but all she could do was shake her head. Couldn't really blame her, it's not like gemstones grow on trees. Maybe there was a secret location like an abandoned mine or cave elsewhere in the area outside? Incidentally, in all of my renovations to Berry's, Lily's, Jewel's and the Truffle-Ivory connected rooms, I didn't come across anything but dirt and rock. Not metals, coal, limestone… just dirt and rock.
Vera observed what I had carved on the floor and pointed at the area of the cave I was going to begin remodeling.
"Help?"
"I'll handle the reshaping and digging, but I'd like you to make some magic circles for water and heating when I'm done. You can help me then."
Vera nodded enthusiastically.
So, with the topaz stone that still hadn't been confiscated in hand, I began carving out a pit that would become a heated bath. It was a far bigger undertaking than I thought it would be, since I had to compact all the dirt into mostly solid stone. I don't even know how long it took to make, but it looked fabulous when it was done. It was entirely open air and featured two supporting pillars inside the bath itself, more for decoration than actual support.
Vera had made six magic circles meant for generating heat which were connected by a contained power rune on a raised block of stone, so that either she or I could activate it easily whenever we wanted. The pillars had formula carved into them that would osmose the air and generate water to fill the bath.
I had the novel idea to make a wall-mounted washing basin too after that, placed just outside of the bath and attached to the wall between it and where the kitchen would be made. Then I ended up somehow going behind the washing basin, back into the bath and made a separate room with drainage that had a series of formulas that would sprinkle water down onto the ground, because most of these goblins had matted hair and it would be nice to do something about it. So it became a showering room.
I had to take a break after that part. The topaz really pushed me into near mana exhaustion. I also promised to come back and visit Lily and didn't want to end up incapacitated. Vera was overseeing and inspecting the final construction, and that all the magical formulas were in working order. I'm sure she was thinking of things she might add to the project as well, so I let her be and went to see my cute little goblin daughters again.
Back in Lily's room, the two little ones were behaving themselves, still playing with the hanging dirt-ball toy I made which I am now officially dubbing a tether-slap. Lily was sitting up and Berry was sitting on the bed next to her, resting her head against Lily's shoulder. I stooped down to give my little daughters a rub on the head before heading over to Lily.
"They seem to be having fun."
"Strong ones not stop busy. Berry… Lily owe many."
"Then I'll help you pay back whatever you need to." I said with a smile.
"Happy Husband come back cave-hole. When want see Husband, need go Husband cave-hole. Now have strong ones, Husband come Lily cave-hole!"
"Don't feel bad, Jewel said almost the same thing earlier. Truth is, outside of visiting Berry or Truffle because their rooms are closer, I don't really end up leaving my own all that much, yet."
"Husband go Truffle cave-hole?"
"Me? No. I've been making some changes to my own cave-hole. I just made a bathing area with Vera's help. Next is going to be a kitchen where I can make fire meat without needing fire. There are all kinds of delicious ways to make it, and since our daughters seem to enjoy it like we do…"
I held her hand and sat on the bed right next to her so she could lean her head against my shoulder now.
"I'm also going to make a nice area where everyone can come and visit me whenever they want and have a good time. After that, I will make a place for all strong ones to come and play, too. Toys and games like that one to use that will help them grow strong and smart."
"Husband… why do?"
"Would you rather I hate and fight you all every step of the way?"
"Lily not hate what Husband do. Only... not way goblins… do. Not know Husband think."
"Is there only one way to be a goblin?" I asked her, to which she didn't have an answer. Nor did I expect her to give one. I held back on saying that goblins could be as good as humans given time, because it sounded like I'd be speaking down to her from a superior standpoint. Goblins matured quickly and were put to the task of being self-sufficient before human babies could even sit upright and learn to speak.
There were vast differences, but goblins could learn and goblins could do just as well as any human. The best I could figure, it was that there was no one in a situation like this one to help them see their own potential. I still have thoughts of escaping, but I also want to see how this plays out. Can I help make this goblin tribe… civilized enough to be recognized by other races as more than just goblins to be slaughtered?