In the morning, as the creatures of the posse saw about foraging for food, Cheiron advanced with Grundy and Gloha to the main entry of Goblin Mountain.

"Send someone out here!" he called.

"Go soak your tail in sludge, man-rear!" a goblin guard yelled, brandishing his spear.

Gloha flew down to face the guard. "What was that?" she inquired sweetly.

Few things could put a goblin's loud mouth out of gear, but the sudden sight of a beautiful winged gobliness turned out to be one of them. "Get the chief," he muttered to a lesser guard.

Satisfied, Gloha flew back to Cheiron. It was evident that "man-rear" simply did not fit her description.

In due course a fat middle-aged goblin waddled out. "What the dung do you want, crossbreed?"

"I am Cheiron Centaur. Who are you?"

"I am Gouty Goblin, Chief of Goblin Mountain. Now speak your piece, fur-nose."

"You have captives, Gouty?"

"What if I do, Charnel?"

"That's Cheiron, Pouty!" Grundy called.

"What business is this of yours, string-face?" the chief demanded.

"I'm a friend to one of your captives, bulge-foot! And we're here to roast you in spit if you don't give him back."

Evidently deciding that it was a losing game to trade insults with the golem, the chief addressed Cheiron. "Why don't you just state your business, centaur?"

Cheiron was glad to oblige. "You have until noon to release your captives: Che Centaur, Jenny Elf, and Sammy Cat. If you do not, I shall demolish your mountain and destroy your tribe."

"Yeah?" Gouty demanded. "You and who else, hoof-head?"

Cheiron raised his right hand. Immediately several winged monsters showed themselves, eager to get to work. They looked very close, big, and fierce.

"I'll think about it." Gouty turned around and waddled back up the path. It was evident that his swollen legs were not good for walking.

"I don't think you should have given him until noon," Grundy said as Cheiron turned away. "It will just give him more time to work up mischief."

"I want the monsters to be at full strength," Cheiron said. "They flew a long way here, and rested, and now they need to eat plenty. Noon is the earliest we can mount a truly effective attack."

"Oh. That makes sense. But suppose they summon allies?"

"Then we'll do the same," Cheiron said. "I'm hoping that once Gouty thinks about it, he will realize that there is no profit in holding out and will deliver up the captives without a struggle. This is after all our objective."

They waited, gathering their strength. The rocs carried in boulders to drop on the mountain; the griffins sharpened their talons; and the dragons ate prodigiously, their bodies converting the food to internal fuel for their fire, smoke, and steam. They were all hoping that the goblins would try to tough it out.