Page 12 of A World Enough

“Nothing a big, strong wolf like you can’t handle,” Camber said.

Now Brogan wouldn’t be able to complain about the walk, for her ego would be bruised. Brogan could smell the salt in the air and feel a pleasant breeze from being nearer the coastline. Hopefully when they got on board a boat, the temperature would be more manageable.

“Can I ask you something?” Brogan said.

“Depends what it is. I won’t tell you anything about the portal guardians. I don’t trust you enough.”

“No, nothing like that. When we met, we couldn’t understand each other, but you kept telling me to talk more, and eventually it was like you knew my language.”

“Oh, that. It’s a translator, a tiny little chip injected into the ear. If you are met with a new language, it just needs to hear a certain number of words before it can work properly.”

“Whoa. We use phones…um, communicators to do that, and not as well as that. Do most people have them?”

“Uh-huh.” Camber nodded. “There’s so many different worlds and so many languages, trade would grind to a halt if we didn’t understand each other.”

“So it’s not just rich people who have them?” Brogan asked.

“No. Like on this planet, the Abnobians run this planet like many more, and the people around us are dirt poor, but they are all injected with the chip by their second birthday. That way they can understand their overlords, and others who work for them.”

“You need to tell me about these Abnobians,” Brogan said.

The docks were in front of them. Small boats moved gently in the water, while traders walked around, selling everything from food to good luck charms.

“Not here. There are eyes and ears everywhere.” Camber nodded towards the guards with guns, patrolling up and down the dock front.

Brogan noticed something besides the guards. At the far end of the dock was a large ship. On board she could see local guards, but on the dock, in front of the ship, she saw a different kind of being altogether.

They had ridges on their heads and around their eyes, and a pale grey leathery skin, but otherwise appeared humanoid.

Camber must have seen her staring because she elbowed her in the ribs. “If you do nothing else, never stare, never make eye contact with one of those people.”

“Why? Who are they?”

“Later. Now say nothing,” Camber whispered.

They walked down to the water’s edge, and Camber approached a boatman. “I’m looking for passage.”

The elderly boatman had his shawl around his shoulders. He appeared weather-beaten, like he had spent most of his life on the water.

He looked them both up and down. “Where to?”

“South of the Temple waters.”

“Those waters are heavily watched,” he said.

Camber brought out a handful of coins. “I can pay extra. We are meeting my family’s caravan near the south sands.”

He stood up and took the coins. “Get on, then.”

Chapter Four

“I’m sorry about this one,” Margot said. “Jhosa’s harmless.”

Jhosa put Morrigan down only when the portal guardian’s token was given to Margot.

Of course Morrigan could have snapped her fingers and been out of his firm hold, but that wouldn’t have gained trust.

“I don’t know what it is. I always seem unpopular with people’s husbands and wives,” Morrigan joked.