Chapter 72

Hackles

Ogo

It was time to sail further in. Goblin ships took damage as we forced our way through. We set anchor where the trail to Hawkin’s cabin began. Ugu, Haf, and Buto joined me at the helm to overlook where our next plan would bear fruit.

“Location is fair,” Haf said.

“We’ll log the trees that run north and use that to build the port,” I said. “We’ll leave the southern trees untouched to buffer the wind.”

“When do we start,” Buto said.

“We’ll start in one week.”

“Ogo,” Ugu said. “You knew the goblins had an empty promise. You knew they couldn’t sell us the quantity that we needed. I question if you knew that would put us at a disadvantage. I’ve got to pay my orcs. How long do you expect us to remain without compensation?”

“We’re receiving our first shipment soon. We’ll be wealthy in no time. Our trade route is bound to be a success.”

“You’re gambling,” Haf said.

“All of you heard what Hawkin said. He’s doubled production for the goblins so far. Even though he couldn’t double it last month, he’s on the right track. As long as he can keep that momentum, we’ll rake in the wealth.”

“If he refuses?” Ugu said. “We’ve wasted time, energy, and resources. I’ll have earned the ire of my crew.”

“I’m not stupid,” I growled. “GloomGlower beckoned us to the middle of his fleet. If our trade with Hawkin goes south, we raid the goblins. We take their hoards and leave them to drown. We return home wealthy.”

My companions regarded each other.

“You’ve thought this through,” Haf said.

I laughed. “I’m not stupid. I have GloomGlower’s trust. He’s basically begging me to rob them if he can’t deliver on his promises.”

The ships we had damaged when pushing through were now brimming with angry goblins. They threw rocks and buckets at us, but their aim was poor.

“That’s one way to sink a goblin ship,” Ugu said. “Anger them and they’ll throw their own bailing buckets overboard. We might not even need to attack. We’ll just ram them until they're angry enough to sink themselves.”

We watched the goblins lose their minds with anger. Captains hollered threats. The sight was entertaining, but I had things on my mind. Establishing our trade route. Acquiring the quantity of beer that we needed. Relying on the word of the monster merchant. Thrush. He was a strange thing. Something I’d never seen before.

“Strategizing?” Haf asked. “You look deep in thought.”

“I was considering the beast, Thrush,” I said.

“Strange, isn’t he?” Buto said.

“He unsettles me.”

“He’s less than half your size.”

“There’s something about him,” I said.

“I feel it too,” Haf said. “Something sinister. It’s like stumbling upon a giant venomous snake. It’s that feeling you get when all your hairs stand on end.”

Not one of us disagreed on that fact. I felt that it was more than that. Thrush was a threat. I could feel it. He looked at me like a giant cat whose eyes gleamed in the shadows while he stalked an oblivious mouse. The feeling was deeply unfamiliar to me.

“We should be wary of him,” I said at last.

“You really think those stories are true?” Ugu said. “He ate twelve goblins in one bite? He tore a hundred of them to pieces in the blink of an eye?”

“How can that be true,” Buto said. “GloomGlower would have destroyed him.”

“It’s confusing,” I said.

“What about the other tales,” Haf said. “That he retrieves sunken ships from the deep?”

“I don’t believe it,” I said. “You know how goblins twist stories. Let’s move on. Gather the best you’ve got. We’ll discuss building the port and assign orcs to their duties.”

It was going to be a long week of planning and preparation. Much of our energy was spent in towing away unwilling goblin ships from where we planned to build. Then we assembled massive drills on shore. That’s when GloomGlower started to raise a fuss, but I commanded the orcs that we ignored him for the time being. On the fifth day, A new obstacle became apparent. I laid out my maps in the deckhouse and studied our trade route.

In came Haf with one of his hunters. A seasoned orc with wrinkles like an elephant.

“Fithk, is it?” I said.

“Yes, sir,” Fithk said.

“I don’t see how I can help you with whatever you need.”

“None of us have been able to figure it out either,” Haf said.

“Well now I’m curious,” I said and pinned down the map with weights to hold my thoughts.

“Sir,” Fithk said. “My company has returned from our hunt empty handed.”

“What do you mean?” I said.

“There are no animals nearby. The trails are months old. There aren’t even birds.”

I regarded Haf to glean whether this was a joke.

“What the hell do you mean?” I said.

“There are no animals to hunt,” Fithk said.

“Impossible,” I said.

“I recruited orcs to scout along the cardinal points. We’ve traveled much further than we normally do on expeditions. Much further, sir.”

I regarded Haf again. By his solemn demeanor, this was no joke.

“Then we fish,” I said.

“We’ll have to sail out to deeper waters,” Haf said. “The goblins disturb the sea.”

“Fine. Buto’s our best fisher. Gather enough orcs and supplies from our other ships. Have him abandon his tasks and go fishing instead.”

“I’d like to be aboard that ship,” Fithk said.

“I don’t care,” I said and waved the orc off. When he left, I addressed the matter with Haf, who slumped down in the chair across from my desk.

“Strange,” Haf said.

“Magic?” I said.

“Could be.”

“What does your gut say?”

“It’s uneasy.”

“I’m not fond of magic,” I said. “I doubt there’s any danger to it. It’s unfortunate that we have to send more orcs out to fish because I need Buto here, but until our hunters return with success, we roll with the blows.”

Haf grunted and nodded perceptibly. There was more on his mind. He was usually quiet but never so contemplative.

“You’re concerned,” I observed.

“A bit. This is new territory. I’ve ever seen land without animals.”

“How do you think a human and a halfling monster have survived where animals don’t?”

“Could be magic like you said.”

“Tell Fithk that he won’t be fishing. Have him escort me on a hunt. I want to see for myself.”

“I will come.”

“Stay here and keep the orcs in line.”

“Very well. I’ll take my leave. I’ll have Fithk wait for you ashore.”

I grunted my acknowledgment.