The dragonchild’s eyes narrowed. “You failed. Without this goblin, Straum would still live, and all of us would have died.” With a flick of a black tongue, she turned back to Jig. “We . . . we don’t know how to live on our own.” Her head lowered, and that elongated, scale-covered face managed to convey a sense of embarrassment. “The others will be scared to go on without Straum.”

Jig’s ears picked up urgent whispers from either side.

“We can use them to help carry our treasure to the surface,” Barius said. “Imagine returning home with a retinue of these creatures as an escort. Instruct them to begin gathering the gold and jewels.”

At the same instant, Riana was saying, “Ask if they’ll come with us. They could protect us.” Jig didn’t think “us” included the humans or the dwarf.

Darnak said nothing. A low groan from Ryslind had sent the dwarf running to his side like a worried mother.

What advice could Jig possibly give the dragonchildren? Don’t let a nervous fire-spider perch in your hair. If you’re going to annoy a wizard, make sure you kill him when you’re finished. Never steal a chef’s spoon. He had nothing to offer Straum’s orphans.

He tilted his head, hoping for divine help, but Shadowstar apparently thought Jig should figure this one out on his own. All he picked up was a faint sense of amusement.

“Go home,” he said. “Go back to your family.”

The creature cocked her head. “But we have no home, not without Straum.”

“Don’t throw this chance away, goblin,” Barius said warningly. He took a step closer, menace plain in his balled fists. He didn’t manage a second step. The dragonchild slipped between Jig and the prince. One hand seized Barius by the shirt and lifted him off the ground before anyone else could move.

Jig grinned. He could get used to this. But it wouldn’t work. Even if he could persuade the dragonchildren to follow him around as guards, like Riana suggested, he didn’t think he could ever learn to tolerate the musty smell of dragon.

“You should leave,” he repeated. “Find another home. There’s a ladder in the clearing at the center of the woods. Another ladder in the throne room above will take you to the upper tunnels. Darnak will give you a map to lead you out of the mountain. You’ll have a whole world to choose from.”

“You’re wanting me to give up my map?” From Darnak’s expression, Jig might as well have asked him to shave his beard. But a glance at Barius, still dangling helplessly, silenced any protests. “Ach. Take it. I can draw it again from memory when we return.”

For a long time, the creature said nothing. Jig began to wonder if he had said the wrong thing. Maybe they wouldn’t want to leave.

“An entire world, you say?”