[Finlay]
The freakshow is just starting as Julian arrives. Doctor Malthusius, a middle-aged man in bright but well-worn clothes, is addressing the crowd while his dwarfish assistant collects the one shilling entry fee.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the marvelous zoocopeia of Doctor Malthusius! You will now see wonders and horrors the like of which few people will ever experience! Grunni, bring out the first subject please."
Grunni, the dwarf assistant, enters the covered wagon and returns leading a large grey dog by a rope. The animal's head is uniquely distorted: it has only a single, central eye. "This hound was discovered in the forests of Hochland," the doctor explains, "be careful not to stare too long into its eye! Those who do so often see horrible visions of their own deaths."
As the show continues, Grunni leads out exhibit after exhibit, each with a colourful and unlikely description from the doctor. Among the oddities on display are a large spider with the head of a sparrow, a cat with blue fur and two tails, a hairy fish in a tank of water, a singing skull, and a tiny elephant the size of a mouse.
Last of all, Grunni leads out the three-legged goblin. "This beast is the pride of my collection," the doctor says, "This goblin served in the horde of Gobaz Backstabba the Vile, the infamous goblin warlord who burned the northern marches of Kislev some years ago. You would imagine that having three legs would cause the creature to trip over its own feet, but in fact it displays remarkably agility."
Suddenly, the goblin bites Grunni's hand, causing him to let go of the rope. At once it is away and running. People in the crowd begin to scream, and the show descends into chaos. Julian rushes after it, but before he can reach the goblin it has squeezed through the rusty bars covering a small hole in the city wall. Julian recognises this as a breathing hole for the town's sewers, designed to prevent the build-up of flamable gasses.
The hole is too small for anyone to pass through it. Even the goblin barely fitted - there are traces of blood on the broken bars where it has injured itself on the way through.
As Julian examines the damaged grating, Doctor Malthusius and Grunni arrive. "Oh no! Surely it hasn't gone into the sewers! How am I to reclaim it now! Ah, wait - sir, am I right in thinking you to be an engineer?" he says to Julian, "your tools and other equipment suggest the idea, and you have the look of a man of machinery - ah! - I mean
dwarf, naturally! The town sewers were built by dwarf engineers - is that not so, Grunni?"
Grunni nods.
"Surely, sir, you would be able to navigate the sewers most easily, and could rapidly reclaim my lost property? Were you to return the goblin to me, safely, I could pay you - ah - 50 crowns, I should think. Please, will you consider this idea?"
"The town would also see this menace dealt with," says a high-pitched, unpleasant voice. A small man in lawclerk's robes and flanked by two militiamen has just arrived on the scene. "Doctor, you were warned to keep your animals under proper control. You can expect charges if any harm results from this escape." He turns to Julian, "Sir, if you intend to enter the sewers to locate the animal you have the blessing of the law to do so. Recover it and the town will reward you well! I would however recommend you not go alone. The town cannot spare militia for this task - but no doubt you have comrades you can call upon to aid you."