[Lalwendë]

Tarn had been sitting idly on the deck of the Corsair ship when Nilak came towards him in a rush. His news had been interesting, and the plan was well thought out. Tarn didn’t have any questions to ask, and found himself easily agreeing to the man’s scheme. He had gained a sense of respect for Nilak since the episode in the caves; the man had shown courage and had proved to be a trustworthy ally. He was quite content to go along with Nilak’s idea, and standing up, whistled for Thynne, who had been watching the sailors scaling the rigging.

*

As they drew nigh to the Elven ship, Tarn could see that some of the loading had already begun. Men were bringing supplies across the water in small boats, but were clearly struggling; it appeared that Igal had failed to employ enough men to get the job done quickly. Nilak said what Tarn was thinking, that this would make their mission easier.

Pulling a woollen scarf and a hood from the inside pocket of his overcoat, Tarn covered up his head and the lower part of his face; this would help shield his identity, something which Tarn suspected might be necessary. He could do little to hide his coat, which was distinctive in an area where most wore furs, but he stooped a little to make himself a bit more unobtrusive. Large crates were sitting on the shoreline, unattended, and Tarn loaded an empty boat with the cases until it was full, when Nilak pushed the craft out into the water.

The ship was close to shore and they soon reached it. Nilak went up the ladder first, and as nobody challenged him, he motioned to Tarn and Thynne, who passed up the crates before scaling the ladder themselves. At one end of the ship, there was a large crowd gathered, what appeared to be the whole crew, along with many Lossoth faces. Tarn’s deep eyes squinted as he tried to make out who was there. It appeared to be a Lossoth woman who was in some kind of trouble, and he burned with curiosity to know what she had done, but had to turn away in case he was noticed.

Those onboard were too interested in the trial to notice the newcomers, but a stocky, beetle-browed man soon saw them and hastily came across the deck towards them.
“Igal,” said Tarn. “I see you have found yourself a deal here with the elves? Profitable no doubt?”

The man stood with his arms folded, a sour expression on his face. “And why would you want to know? Think someone’s outdoing you here do you? A shipwrecker and a profiteer?” His voice raised slightly and Tarn and Nilak moved to stand on either side of him, menacingly.

“And what might you be then, Igal?” hissed Tarn. “Goods sold at no doubt high prices, and I see your pitiful wages have failed to find you enough men for the job.”

“What about it? I know you two won’t be here for the wages. Come to steal my labourers, have you?”

“Lower myself to that?” spat Tarn, his face full of derision. Turning aside with a sneer, he took a handful of the corn in one of the sacks which had been opened, and examined it, sniffing the grains carefully as they ran through his long fingers. It had a tainted smell and he knew that Igal would have mixed bad, cheap corn with the good quality produce which the elves were paying a premium for. Igal blanched. He knew that Tarn would have no hesitation in revealing his secret, and then he would be ruined. He readied himself for what the men were going to ask of him.

Tarn was too proud to offer his labour to any of the Lossoth, especially not to Igal, who was an unscrupulous trader, but full of pride that he was held in high regard by the community as a merchant. Tarn hated the man for his false pride, not recognising the same quality in himself. His sense of self-importance was at the centre of his being. The difficult youth he had endured drove him to prove that he was better than everyone else, more powerful, wealthier, stronger; it also drove him to assume that he was all of these things, even when he was not. But he had at least managed to scare Igal.

When Nilak told the man that they wanted the job of attending to the goods in the warehouse and bringing them onboard, his relief was visible. Igal did not seek to question the men, in fact he had as yet not been able to secure anyone willing to do the job and had been worried that he would have to do it himself. His manner changed and he expressed thanks to the men. Nilak nodded to Tarn, and the deal was sealed. They knew that Igal would not say any more of the matter, he had considered himself to have got off lightly.

Thynne was positioned behind the large crowd, hidden by the mast and rigging from the eyes of the elves; he was watching the trial. Driven by their curiosity, Nilak and Tarn sauntered across, where they both listened to the proceedings with interest, thinking how much Marreth would welcome this information.