The little man’s face split into a grin, and suddenly Erik realized that he was standing with his sword drawn, while his heart was still beating rapidly. He glanced around and saw the others were also holding their weapons ready.
The man called Nakor said, “Had some trouble with some Quegan pirates a few years back. That little blue light didn’t scare them away, so I added those lightning bolts. Impressive, I think,” he added with a self-congratulatory note. “It starts whenever someone gets close enough to see the island on the horizon. But when you kept sailing toward us, I thought I had better come down here and scare you away.” He pointed to the fallen contraption of robe and sticks.
“The Black Sorcerer?” said Robert.
“For the time being,” answered Nakor with a grin. He glanced at the four guards and said, “Tell your men I won’t hurt them.”
Calis turned and, with a wave of his hand, said, “Put your weapons away. He’s an old friend.”
“Where’s Pug?” asked De Loungville.
“Gone,” said Nakor with a shrug. “Left about three years ago. Said he’d be back one of these days.”
“Do you know where he went?” asked Calis. “It’s very important.”
Nakor shrugged. “It’s always important with Pug. That’s why he left, I think. All the troubles down south—”
“You know?” said Calis.
Nakor grinned. “Some. You can tell me the rest. You want something hot to eat?”
Calis motioned yes, and Nakor waved for them to follow. Calis told the two sailors, “Take the boat back to the ship and tell the captain he’s to do as I instructed. And have him send word to the Ranger, as well.” To Erik and the other three guards he said, “Follow along, and don’t be alarmed by anything you see. There are some very odd-looking creatures about, but none will offer you harm.”
The little man named Nakor led Calis and de Loungville up the path. Erik and the others followed behind. They reached the crest of the ridge, but rather than follow the path toward the castle, they paused. Nakor closed his eyes and waved his hand in the air, and the lightning suddenly stopped. He put his hand to his forehead a moment, then said, “Oh, shutting that off gives me a headache.” Then he turned and led them all down another path that led into what appeared to be a small valley overgrown by a thick forest.
Then suddenly the forest vanished, and Erik almost tripped, he was so startled. Instead of thick woodlands, he was now staring at a pasture that stretched away for nearly a mile. In the middle of it sat a large, sprawling estate, a low, white house with a red tile roof, and several outbuildings, all surrounded by a low stone wall.
In distant fields, Erik could make out horses and cattle, and what might be deer or elk. Around the estate, figures moved, but they didn’t appear to be entirely human. But, keeping in mind Calis’s instructions, he decided to trust his leader and follow orders.
They reached the small yard before the main house and Nakor opened the gate in the low stone wall. They entered, and from the door of the house a creature appeared. Erik glanced at Jadow, Jerome, and Biggo, and judging by their expressions, all were as astonished as he.
The creature was tall, man-size, and had blue-tinged skin, large ears, and a bony, heavy forehead. It smiled, revealing an impressive array of teeth; its eyes were black and yellow. Erik wasn’t sure, but the creature resembled every description of a goblin Erik had ever heard.
But it was dressed in the height of court fashion: a tight-fitting blue jacket cut at the waist, over a loose, billowing-sleeved white shirt, tucked into a wide waistband of black silk. Tight grey hose and ankle-high boots finished the ensemble, and the creature looked like nothing so much as one of Prince Nicholas’s court dandies.
“Refreshments are served,” said the creature.
“Gathis,” Calis greeted it.
“Master Calis,” replied Gathis. “It’s so nice to see you again. It has been too long between visits. And Master Robert. Good to see you as well.”
Calis said, “Did Pug leave you in charge, Nakor?”
With a squint-eyed grin, the little man said, “No, Gathis runs everything. I’m still just a guest.”
Calis shook his head. “Guest? For what, twenty years now?”
Nakor shrugged. “Lots of things to discuss. Lots of things to study. Let those fools in Stardock become constipated with their rules and vows of secrecy and orders and the rest of that foolishness.” He made a chopping motion with his hand. “This is where the real learning is taking place.”
Calis said, “No doubt.”
Gathis said, “I’ll see to your guards, sir.”
Calis and Robert went inside, followed by Nakor. The creature turned to Erik and the others and said, “You men follow me.”