I barely slept that night. I couldn’t. My mind wouldn’t let me. Every time I closed my eyes, I was transported back to the gangway in Hafen. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the elf’s soft chanting and the lapping of the water against the bollards of the walkway. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the strange ominous clouds that the elves had summoned. But most of all, every time I closed my eyes I felt a strange fear grip me - a fear and a terror at the words the elf had spoken and my helplessness to do anything but obey.
I feared what would happen were the elves to find us again.
Manquer didn’t sleep either. I know that. She stood at the tiller under the moonlight – her hands constantly fidgeting as she adjusted the rudder this way and that - desperate to harness the wind to take us up the Schwer.
I don’t believe that Mother or Handeln slept that night but they were both set on at least appearing to sleep - so feeling simultaneously bold and nervous, I pulled myself up and lurched along the deck towards Manquer. She said nothing as I approached. In fact, there was not the slightest inclination that she was even aware that I had approached.
“Manquer,” I squeaked – nervous as I always was, whenever I addressed Manquer.
Nothing.
“Manquer,” I repeated, “Can I ask you something?”
Still nothing.
Emboldened by the lack of rebuke, I gulped and asked the question, “Manquer, have you ever seen a goblin summon the light?”
Still, Manquer said nothing – her face still set on the night waters. About to turn away, Manquer spoke suddenly – quietly and slowly. “Summon the light,” she repeated, “what do you mean.”
I paused, unsure of how to describe what I was sure had happened back in the caves. “Like, like in a dark place. If I – if a goblin was in a cave and somehow they made it light up.”
I looked up and saw Manquer’s face twitch – just for a moment, before she answered, “I’ve only known one goblin, who could do that which you speak of.”
I could barely stop myself from gasping, “Who? Who could do that Manquer?”
Saying nothing – Manquer continued to peer out at the darkness until she spoke, “Have you asked your mother about this, child?”
She won’t believe me! I wanted to shout but instead I nodded meekly.
“And what did she say.”
“She said that illumination’s incredibly difficult magic,” I sighed – aware that with this – the conversation was over. As I thought on this, another question popped into my head. “How did you know those orcs?” I asked – curious that a goblin could possibly know orcs.
“Those orcs,” Manquer replied, “I’ve never met those orcs before in my life.”
“But, you spoke to them.”
“Yes.”
“You knew them.”
“No.”
“So, why did you speak to them?”
“I wanted to know if they’d heard anything about us?”
“Why did they tell you?”
“Because I asked,” It was Manquer’s turn to be confused, “What did you expect?”
I paused. I didn’t know what I’d expected to happen. The orcs had seemed so wild, when they approached. “I thought,” I whispered, “I thought they were going to fight us.”
Manquer snorted, “You’ve spent too long talking to that dwarf.”
“Handeln,” I whispered defensively, “Handeln is the only one who will talk to me.”
“You’re talking to me,” Manquer replied – a hint of irritation in her voice.
“Yeah, I suppose so. I’m sorry.” My eyes were fixed on her feet now.
“It’s not a problem,” Manquer said slowly. “I’ll tell you what I know of orcs. I sailed on a ship of orcs for several seasons. They’re excitable; they’re energetic; they have an old culture. You saw the bones coming out of them?”
I nodded.
“Have you ever hurt your arm? Or your foot?”
I nodded.
“It was sore – I expect. And after a while it got better.”
I nodded again.
","author_name":"George Popplewell"}