The Journey From Oidhche Shamhna

Disclaimer: Not Mine.

The Journey From Oidhche Shamhna

Chapter 8

Goblins and Supplies

They did not find the goblin village until near noon the next day. They smelled the fires at the same time they saw the round earthen enclosure and felt the wards that pushed them back.

"Quick." Salazar waved his arm to the ground and fell to the leaves. "Helga, Rowena, stay low."

They crawled until they reached a small patch of brush before sitting up and looking at one another. Gryffin laid his hand on the hilt of the blade he carried in his belt, and nodding to Salazar, he crouched and skirted around the edge of the brush to take up watch.

Salazar reached inside his robes and untied a secreted pouch. He brought out a handful of what appeared to be small flecks of golden sand and slowly spilled a small portion on the ground, carefully replacing what he did not need back in his pocket. Passing his hand over the flecks, he enlarged the flecks to a suitable pile of gold coinage.

Looking up at Erwin's look of surprise and awe, Salazar grinned. "The second lesson in life. Carry what you need with you so as not to count on others."

Gathering up the coins and thrusting them in his outer pockets, he clasped his hands together, blowing on his thumbs and giving the short hoot of an owl to Gryffin. His signal to keep watch, a signal from childhood that Gryffin well understood from the games played in each Slytherin village.

"Do not leave my side, and do not take food or mead that is offered."

"And do not forget the first two rules of a child." Erwin smirked.

Salazar raised his eyebrow and gave back a grin before turning to the witches. "Gryffin will stay with you. Stay low, and out of sight. It would be unlikely that a goblin would risk leaving the enclosure. You will be safe."

"Hurry," Rowena pleaded. "Just be quick."

"If they have a joint, or some part of an animal, we will have need soon." Helga bit her lip and thought of what else they could use.

"Wands," Rowena added. "I don't think any of us thought to bring a wand."

"Their wands are different here." Salazar looked at Erwin as if daring him to mention the one he held hidden in his sleeve. "They are made for the specific wizard. It is an old craft. They do not share their skills nor do they sell wands to outsiders they do not know."

"Parchments and scrolls." Rowena's eyes lit up. "Perhaps there are parchments for sale with the old charms and spells for the wands."

"This is a goblin village." Salazar looked again at Erwin.

"They may always own the parchment, but Rowena will then always have the knowledge." Erwin grinned. "We will have need of wands to make the Healing Stones, to build the dwellings and to capture food. Without them it will take longer."

"We will try." Salazar jerked his head toward the earthen enclosure and stood to brush the leaves from his cloak.

The two wizards began their walk to the goblin village as the witches peeked from behind the bushes and between the leaves. With a backward flick of his hand, Erwin sent a shower of sand hurling toward the bushes, hitting them full in their faces and making them draw back further inside the hiding place.

"Denying curiosity." He smirked. "Your first lesson on witches."

"Well done." Salazar laughed aloud. "Perhaps we can learn from each other."

"Yes," Erwin grinned. "You and that snake in your pocket."

Gryffin saw Salazar throw his arm around the Erwin's shoulder and heard their laughter as they walked into the enclosure of mounded earth. He smiled, knowing that the trip from here would be a lot easier. Gryffin was worried about the growing tension between the two wizards and was glad to see they were finding a way to join in friendship. He looked back at the two witches sputtering and spitting sand from their mouths and almost laughed aloud, until the vision of a different witch came unbidden to his mind. He quickly turned back and watched the spot where Salazar and Erwin would return.

.

.

Salazar strode in to the village with his head back, looking down his nose at the much shorter Goblins. He quickly assessed the layout of the village. The sound of children's laughter came from his right. Ahead he saw dwellings and short structures that appeared to be nothing more than shelters to protect the mouth of a cave, or an underground storage. He turned left, as if he knew where he was going, nodding at the goblins that hurried to the dirt path to gawk up at him and whisper in one another's pointed ears.

They were coming to the end of the path, passing small shops and cages with livestock, when Erwin's hand reached out and lay on his arm. "An anvil," Erwin said with a nod at a hovel further down the path. "There, I think. I heard a hammer strike against an anvil."

Salazar gave only the hint of a nod and walked purposely toward the squat shelter.

"I have need of one from the skills of Cain." Salazar planted his feet apart and put his hands on his hips. His voice was loud enough to silence the goblins that were following them in hopes of having a story to share at the table that evening.

Erwin fought not to turn his head as he heard the goblins scurry to come closer as they anxiously vied for a better spot, hoping to hear what the wizards said. He watched Salazar from the corner of his eye, as the wizard waited with skilled ease.

A goblin of undeterminable age came out of the hovel, wearing a leather apron that fit him from chin to toe. He narrowed his eyes at the two strangers, then, waving his arm, ordered the other goblins away.

"What do you want, coming in here and shouting out your demands?"

"We have need for blades," Salazar calmly told the goblin, and sneered down at him. "I want someone who can forge the best with none of your trinkets or half-skilled work."

"This is my shop." The goblin raised his arm and pointed to the workshop. "I will not have a stranger questioning my work."

Salazar reached in his pocket and grabbed a handful of gold coin. Looking at the money in the palm of his hand, he again looked to the goblin, tossing the coins lightly. "Perhaps I misjudged this place. I had it on good authority goblins practice the skills of Cain here. I must have been mistaken."

"There is a blacksmith down the path." The goblin spat on the ground, then put his hand to his chin and frowned.

Erwin looked down at his iron blade and back to Salazar, who had thrown back his head in a laugh. Then, with a grand bow and flourish of robes, Salazar caught Erwin's eye and winked.

"My Lord, forgive me for wasting your time. I truly believed this was the correct trading village. I was told that a skilled swordsmith worked here."

"No matter." Erwin puffed up his chest and looked down coldly at the goblin as Salazar had. "We shall advise the others they need not bring the troop for their outfitting here."

"Indeed, my Lord," Salazar said with a smirk as he bowed again. "For blades of inferior iron, made by a mere blacksmith, it is but a wasted trip."

The goblin watched smirking. He knew this old ruse. In but a moment the two would turn to him and beg forgiveness for wasting his time, explaining that they had great need, and would accept the iron blades. He grinned, and thought of a biting comeback and how much more gold the pockets hid as he watched the two walk away. Bringing his fingertips to his mouth, he tapped his lips as he planned already what he could buy. Instead of seeing the wizards turn, he saw his gold walk away.

"Give it a moment," Salazar whispered from the side of his mouth. "Rule number one."

They walked toward the mounded entrance of earth, taking long strides and looking straight ahead. Erwin had never been in a goblin village, and fought the urge to stoop and look into the dwellings or to watch the games the children played. He had seen no woman and was about to mention this to Salazar when they heard a calling from behind them.

"Sirs, perhaps I was hasty."

"Ah, we do not wish to stretch the limits of your talent." Salazar did not turn or slow, but only waved a hand as if to brush off a fly.

"This village has not only the skills of Cain, but his very descendent, Ragnuk the First."

Salazar stopped and quickly turned with a smile that would yet melt the heart of many a maiden. "Ah, so we may now talk of not only the work you will do, but the reason you lie to strangers who come to you for debts."

"Sir?" The goblin took a step back, looking around as the path began to quickly clear of the remaining goblins.

Salazar reached around his neck and unfastened the leather thong that held his mother's gold coin and tossed it at the goblin's feet. "Complete the work started long ago between two races that for their reasons went separate ways."

Salazar sat down on the dirt path, tugging on Erwin's cloak, indicating that he should do the same. He then crossed his legs and rested his hands on his ankles as the goblin snatched up the coin and, bowing, ran off.

"Should I ask?" Erwin looked blankly at Salazar.

"Legilimency, and childhood stories." Salazar glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were as alone as they could be. He recited a soft incantation, wrapping a silencing spell around them.

"The goblins had a clan, the Cain, which was known for their forging skills. It was always said that the coin my mother wore, and gave to me, had been struck by them." Salazar looked around once more. "When he heard the name Cain, he flinched. A simple spell of Legilimency and I knew he was lying."

"What is he completing?" Erwin looked to the path that the goblin had disappeared down.

"I have no idea." Salazar fought a laugh. "The goblins always finish what is started. It would be unheard of to leave a task half done. I took a chance that he would assume he owed me something. It makes business dealings easier with them if they believe they have forgotten an inherited debt."

"I don't believe this." Erwin glanced over his own shoulder now.

"Do you want to know something?"

"Another lesson?"

"No." Salazar ginned, feeling his lip twitch. "If we get out of this one alive we'd better never come back."

"Thanks, I think I just figured that one out by myself." Erwin looked straight ahead. "The goblins have all fetched their blades."

"It is a game they play, a game of intimidation." He watched Erwin from the corner of his eye. "We place our order, and then you and Gryffin come back tomorrow to collect what we pay for."

"Without you."

"If I return they will wonder as to how many of us there are. This way they will think there is more."

"And if they decide to use their blades you will not be here."

"Another reason." Salazar felt his lip twitch again and fought to keep it still.

"He comes." Erwin watched the goblin approach him holding something shiny in his hand.

Salazar stood slowly, leaning over Erwin to caution him not to dust off his cloak. The goblins would take offence of the strangers' attempts to rid themselves of the soil of their homes.

The goblin held out a small golden locket, with intricate etching and a fine filigree edge.

"It will do, if this is all you are capable of. I do hope your swordsman works with better skill. You will remember the gold was mine and the workmanship owed." Salazar dropped the locket in his pocket then tuned to Erwin. "Five swords as samples?"

"An extra one of Lord Godric's choosing as well." Erwin shrugged as if bored.

"Yes, Sir Godric." Salazar raised an eyebrow and fought a smile as he turned back to the goblin. "We have need for something quite special - a gift, if you will. He will approve of it tomorrow. Have it ready."

Salazar again reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a small black cloth bag. Handing it to the goblin, he leaned down close to his face. "This contains the finest steel, enough for a dozen blades. If you try to replace it with anything of inferior quality, your village will trade no more."

"I understand completely." The goblin opened the bag and peered inside, a small smile replacing the harsh line of his mouth. "This has come far, I see. I have not worked with steel this pure in many years."

"You are aware of the war that is raging in this land. You are aware that whereas you can hide your skills, your very appearance will prohibit your safety." Salazar talked with complete honesty. "In the future we may have need for one another. Do a good job on what I ask, and in the future your people may be protected."

"Who would offer the goblins protection?" he sneered and spat on the ground.

"A clan that used to call your clan friends a millennium ago."

"You are from Slytherin of the old, the Slytherin before Iberia." The goblin bowed to Salazar and gave a sly grin.

"Remember my words as you work on the blades," Salazar said. "Now, we have reason to visit your market."

"It is in the back, by the outer mound." The Goblin looked again into the bag. "I will get busy on this. Feel free to visit and spend your gold."

Salazar bargained for a joint of meat, cheese and a flagon of mead. Erwin found a length of fabric, a small container for carrying water and leather for shoes. He smelled the herbs and found them fresh and sharp. Selecting those valued for defense against morning sickness, he looked to Salazar.

Salazar nodded his consent, put down enough gold to cover the purchases, and kept walking from stall to stall. "I agree with Rowena. We need wands if we are to make a difference."

"We can get by without them for a while." Erwin looked at a stall full of foul-smelling potions and turned away in disgust.

"Remember that in battle." Salazar looked at him harshly. "You saw Godric. You saw how it would be blade against blade when they number in the hundreds."

"I need to go," Erwin said. "We have been away long enough."

Salazar took up the items they had purchased and followed Erwin to the main path they had come in from, where the younger wizard waited impatiently. "You must hide your emotions. You wear them too much on your sleeve."

"I have had enough of you," Erwin hissed, looking around to make sure there were no ears to hear. "I don't need for you to tell me how things are."

"My clan has split, Gryffin's is no more." Salazar leaned forward to him angrily. "Helga's people will disband and live among the people of men. Only you and Rowena have chosen this life."

Erwin felt cold climb up his back at Salazar's knowledge of what he himself had thought.

"Choices easily taken may be easily changed. I trust you not, Erwin." Salazar turned and left with his robes billowing out behind him and Erwin following.

That night they did not roast the meat for fear the smell and fire would alert the goblins to their encampment and risk them finding the ruse. Salazar had cut the cheese and passed it around with the jug of mead. Each took a swallow in turn, and then passed the jug on. They did not give thanks that evening, did not close their eyes to the sky and ask that sins be wiped away, and did not ask for the next day to be kind.

They fell asleep each having gained knowledge that the new world would not hold them tight nor protect them as they slept. Erwin lay under his cloak watching where Rowena lay, seeing the rise and fall of her chest, and wondering what else he could have done to save her from the beast that was her husband.

The morning found them impatient and on edge with one another. Even Helga cut the remaining cheese quickly, and tossed it at them with a caution to eat quickly, and to expect no more. Rowena twice questioned as to the time they were to return to the enclosure and turned from Erwin in anger.

"It is time," Gryffin finally said, seeing the shadows had grown long. "We need to hurry away from here. This place does not feel as it should. The very air seems to eat at us and make us cross."

Salazar again reached into his pocket and laid golden flecks on the ground. He again enlarged the flecks and handed half to each. "Bargain to half of what they ask, and then when they agree pay, add half of that amount unsaid."

"I will try the market again today. Yesterday there were many empty stalls." Erwin looked to where Rowena sat wringing her hands together in worry. "Remember your first lesson on witches. She will try to follow if you are not careful."

"She knows better."

"And I know my witch better than you," Erwin said, smirking.

He and Erwin entered the enclosure, turned to the left and walked to the forge that Erwin had visited the day before. As they approached, the goblin came out of the shop with a jug and several mugs, which he placed on the ground, bidding Erwin and Gryffin to join him for a drink.

"I have little time for drink. I have come to inspect the workmanship and to set a price." Erwin removed a small hand of gold coinage from his pocket and asked the goblin for the special gift they had requested only the day before. Gryffin looked at him, raising his eyebrow in question, and only got Erwin's grin in return.

The goblin hurried away, leaving Erwin and Gryffin standing in the road watching as heads peeked out of doorways and goblins suddenly found a need to cross the way to other shops.

"Did our crafty Slytherin happen to mention that you are now Lord Godric?" Erwin felt his lip twitch.

"A demotion, I see." Gryffin tried not to grin. "Last time he tried a ruse to gain the favour of a non-magical serving wench I was the King's son."

"The non-magical King?" Erwin fought the smile that was pulling at his lip.

"Yes, it would have worked better if I knew my father's name and language."

Erwin had to cough into his hand as he looked to Gryffin in desperation, unable to stop the image and control his laughter.

The goblin came towards them with something lying across both arms, and wrapped in a piece of fine linen. He indicated that they should sit, as they had the day before, and waited until all were comfortable before presenting Gryffin with the package. The Goblins on the road gathered closer, no longer trying to hide the curiosity that hung about, heavy as a summer's rain.

Gryffin laid back the linen and saw a sword like none other he had ever seen. It was gleaming, as if made of gold, but the heft was that of the finest wootz steel from lands so far away that he had never dreamed to hold a sword such as this in his hands.

Gryffin lifted it in reverently, and let it rest, balanced perfectly against his palm. The sword did not tip, nor shift when held. The guard fit at the top of his hand, and the grip of the hilt fit his hand as if the gods had smiled at its forging. The hilt and pommel so finely were engraved and inlaid with jewels that Gryffin was afraid to take it fully in his hand.

He stood and placed the sword in his hand, admiring the length of the forte and the foible. The strength of the blade was obvious and the perfectly crafted fuller captured the sun's rays and threw them back to the sky. Gryffin looked at the goblin and bowed, having no words of thanks or appreciation that would fit the occasion.

"It is charmed." The goblin looked around and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. "This charm will defeat the Tyrfing sword and allow the strength of souls in."

"Souls?" Gryffin looked at the sword lovingly, not wanting to leave it in this place. He looked to Erwin, concerned about possible dark magic and what the others would think. His mind shifted to Petur, and how he must have seen the blow that struck him down. Petur's own sword did not have enough heat in the forge, or enough length of the blade to have protected him.

"The souls that are trapped..."

"No, Lord Godric," the goblin said with a bow. "The sword only allows that essence they are willing to give to your quest. Only those that align to you and your cause will give their essence. The sword is dark if there is darkness your heart, and will turn the darkness light if that is your true desire."

Gryffin thought of the hat that sat upon his head, which had trapped the spirit of his clan, and smiled at Erwin, who now nodded his approval. "Bring the other swords, the five samples we have ordered, and give me your price for the five. This one will be bargained for between just us two."

"One more little charm it carries." The goblin's sly grin came again. "It takes the strength of those it slays. Not the soul, but their very strength and turns it to the way you need."

Gryffin looked at the blade and back at Erwin. Without waiting for his approval, Gryffin nodded and accepted the charmed sword. As the goblin ran off, Erwin stood.

"It grows late. I shall see what the market holds today, and then we must hurry back. We should not leave the others so long alone."

"Your witch is safe. Salazar will watch her well."

"Bargain for your sword quickly, Lord Godric. I do not feel good about the day."

Erwin walked the stalls and found a few treats he would take back with him. The potion stand he seen yesterday had been replaced with a vendor in drinks and dried herbs for soaking in hot water. He smelled the mixtures and found one that reminded him of the teas he and his mother had shared. Then moving down to a different stall. he found great piles of fabric of bright colours and smooth finishes. He ran his hand over the shimmering materials, amazed at the feeling of glass they had, and marvelled at the way they caught the light. He took a fold of different colours for each witch and two folds of black to replace their soon-to-be tattered cloaks.

He walked on and found parchment of the type that Rowena had described to him. The language was wrong, ancient and unknown by him. He picked up a scroll and saw only a dozen runes he knew. Deciding to purchase them anyway, he put more gold in the outstretched hand.

The last row of stalls was set against the earthen enclosure, in full shadow and dark. The Goblins tending the wares were old and wheezed as they spoke. Erwin puzzled that he had not seen this path yesterday when he and Salazar had walked the length of the row of stalls. He was uncomfortable as he walked forward but continued on, unable to turn back.

The first stall held strange healing stones, and cloudy potions that looked old and not to be trusted. The next, and the one after, sold only goblin clothes, all used and dusty as if cast off to be resold to the poor. Erwin was about to turn when a stack of boxes caught his eye. They were made of black wood, sturdy and gleaming in the near dark.

Erwin ran his hand over the wood, never having seen such blackness in grain. The lid held tight, with no lock visible.

"Ebony."

Erwin looked down and found the source of the information to be a goblin leaning on a cane and looking up to him with a smirk and a head tilted to the side in amusement.

"Is it the box or the contents that you sell?"

"I do not know the contents." The Goblin laid his head to the side and grinned at Erwin. "You buy what you see, and take what you get."

Erwin thought the wood alone worth the price. He knew how to cut off slivers of wood so fine that a hair would be thicker. He would cover a table for Rowena using the white of the oak and the black of this wood called Ebony. He would create a piece of furniture found only in fine homes and she would be proud and serve tea to her friends.

He pulled himself from his daydream to nod at the goblin. Rowena would not have tea, nor would there be friends to invite to her home. He would make sure that she at least had this grand table, a table she could fill with children and forget all that she had lost. Paying the goblin, he took his prize, and shrinking his purchases down, he put them in his pocket and went to find Gryffin.

Gryffin met him on the path between the stalls and the entrance. He carried the swords, not wanting to shrink them for fear of the stress it would put upon the precious metal. Gryffin grinned when the other wizard came into sight. He was proud of the purchase and the special sword he could now claim as his own. Together they returned up the path to rejoin with the others.