SunRider

[10] The Toad and the Ferret

—Circa 3,444 E.E. (Economic Era-The 17th Era): Pirate forces led by Malark Oakchest establish a base on the island of Lastiss. The Opal Dominion unites and forms the Black-Dog Navy: a group of rag-tag sailors loyal to justice and peace. The Black-Dog Navy is overwhelmed by the pirate forces and instead of accepting defeat, await for their boats to be boarded. When all the pirates do so, the navy members burn their vessels down, taking all the pirates and themselves into the depths of the waves.—

Finn pushed through a bush that didn't want to let go of his belt. Swearing and yanking himself forward, he stumbled onto a dirt path. He grumbled, pulling a thorn from his bare foot. Goblin—following behind him—seemed to have no trouble with the bush at all. They found themselves on a wide road, the first sign of civilization they'd seen since leaving Nozgull's camp nine days before.

     Although leaf beddings and sore legs were easy topics to complain about, the freedom to go where they pleased kept them in high spirits. Goblin had fed them wild mushroom and leek soups, foraged with skill Finn didn't know his companion had. Finn in turn had entertained them by recounting the story of his travel in the Slaglands. Goblin consistently studied Finn's bracer in curiosity and with silent gestures, speculated on its ability. It took a couple of days for Finn to accustom to Goblin's hand signals, but after learning the meaning to many of the symbols Goblin used, he was soon able to have conversations with very few pauses.

     "You figure we'll run into other people soon?" Finn asked his friend. Goblin shrugged and patted his stomach. Finn huffed and turned away. "I know you're hungry! That's been your only response all day long!"

     Goblin patted his stomach again and pushed forward down the path. Finn shook his head and followed, his own stomach rumbling. As they walked, Goblin made a strange movement which Finn didn't understand. The boy rubbed at his throat and made a pushing motion, as if trying to spit or force something out of his mouth. The actions were so comical, Finn howled with laughter. Goblin stared at him with annoyance.

     "I can't help it!" Finn grinned. "It looked like you were crawling behind a vat-worm with your mouth open!" Goblin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and Finn sighed. "You know, vat-worms poop while they eat. Crawling behind one with your mouth open—that's what you looked like!"

     Having to explain the comparison dulled the joke and Goblin still didn't seem to understand. Finn waved a hand, chuckling to himself. "It's no matter. What in Lenova are you trying to tell me?"

     Goblin made the same gesture again, but also brought his arms out and shook them while closing his eyes. Finn howled with laughter yet again. "That one was even better! It looked like you crawled behind the vat-worm, puckered up, and kissed its rear! The hand thing—that was great! Were you weighing its dung?"

     Goblin punched his shoulder, clearly not as amused as Finn. He made the motion of talking and pointed to a passing bird flying above.

     "Singing? You must be kidding! All that lunacy you did—meant singing? I guess you want to be deaf as well as mute." Goblin wound up to hit Finn again and Finn jumped out of the way, bringing his hands out. "Alright, alright! You honestly want me to sing?"

     Goblin waved an arm as if to indicate there was nothing better to do while they walked.

     "I don't know many songs, only those I heard from elder miners. They always had a happy melody or some sad warble about a beautiful woman. I doubt I could pull that off."

     Goblin indicated he should try anyways. Finn huffed. He'd never sung before—only hummed a few tunes under his breath while in the mines. The idea of singing made him feel stupid. But it was only Goblin, and the boy couldn't even complain. He stared at the wide-spaced swathe of birch trees they were passing to the left. A bug buzzed near his ear and the warm sun shone on his neck. Cool air brought a hop to his step and the idea of freedom was still fresh on his mind. Finn smiled. "There was this weird miner at the outpost. He'd always sing these happy little tunes while he worked and a few of us thought he wasn't right in the head. He was transferred to another outpost, so I don't know what happened to him. I recall one tune he always sang."