The Goblin's Gift by Conrad Mason Page A

Pallione’s bonestaff, still standing upright in the damp sand, his fingers brushed the wooden spoon in his pocket. Yes, there it was. Themost powerful wand he’d ever possessed; but what good was it here? It could only be used to control a single mind. Even if it worked on one mermaid, the others would soon put a stop to it.
    He’d been watching out for the merfolk all day, spotting them every now and then, their heads poking up above the water to check that their captives were still in place. As if there was anywhere for them to go. They were well and truly trapped on the island.
    He bent down to pick up the silver fish, keeping his spectacles in place with one hand and trying not to think about the cleaning and gutting that would be involved before they could eat it. He was just turning to go when a voice called out to him.
    â€˜Human.’ It was the mermaid who’d delivered their lunch, bobbing in the waves a few feet out to sea. ‘We bring you food, water. What else do you need?’
    â€˜A boat would be useful, if you’re offering.’
    The mermaid looked puzzled. ‘I don’t understand. You cannot have boat.’
    Hal sighed. From what he’d seen so far, merfolk didn’t have much of a sense of humour. ‘Never mind,’ he said.
    He was turning for a second time when the mermaid spoke again.
    â€˜The men in white have taken the big island.’
    Hal’s heart sank. ‘Do you mean Illon?’
    â€˜Yes. The men in white have many ships and guns. Their king is very cruel. The small, fat man with cold eyes. You know him?’
    Hal nodded. Everyone in Port Fayt had heard of the Duke of Garran. He tried not to think about what might have happened to the islanders.
    â€˜Your fleet has not yet arrived, four-eyed man. But our king will be here soon.’
    Hal was confused for a moment. ‘Do you mean—?’
    â€˜The King of the Merfolk. He is coming with his hosts. Within a day, he will arrive. Let us hope your little grey boy and the angry blue-headed girl bring Pallione quickly.’
    â€˜Don’t worry. Joseph and Tabs will keep her safe.’
    The mermaid threw back her head and howled. Hal guessed it was supposed to be a laugh.
    â€˜Pallione does not need protecting, four-eyed man.’
    She dived back into the waves with a flick of her silver tail, and Hal was left alone on the beach, raindrops drilling into the sand all around him.
    The King of the Merfolk . Hal had read about him at the Azurmouth Academy. Legend said he was older than the tides and had fought off more challengers tohis throne than could be counted. No landlubber had ever seen him and lived to tell the tale. So what would he do to the watchmen and the smugglers if Joseph and Tabitha didn’t return?
    Probably nothing good.
    Hal tugged the wooden spoon out of his pocket. He could still scarcely believe how ordinary it looked, warped and chipped from use before it was enchanted. Before it was turned into a wand capable of controlling any mind in the Ebony Ocean. If the King arrives, maybe it will come in handy after all. The thought made him shiver.
    He thrust the spoon back into his pocket and carried the fish over the beach and the slippery rocks to the green shelter beyond. If only he knew what was happening back in Fayt … Surely Joseph and Tabitha would have spoken to Newt by now? And if they’d spoken to Newt, he’d be on his way to rescue them.
    Wouldn’t he?
    He looked at the fish and wrinkled his nose.
    They’d better come soon, is all.
    Tabitha sat back, licking her lips. She felt a hundred times better with a belly full of pie. She’d never been so hungry in her life.
    At once she thought of Hal, Frank and Paddy, stuckon their little island with no food and no shelter. Outside the pie-shop window it had begun to rain. Whatever they were doing, Tabitha couldn’t imagine they were having much fun.
    She forced the thought from her