comrade, man?” said a voice Jon-Tom had hoped never to
hear again. He turned to his right.
“Corroboc.”
The parrot executed a half bow. ‘ ‘It be right good of you
to remember me name. That singing magic you worked on
me ship, that be my fault for not guessing you had more
than entertainment for old Corroboc in mind. But I’m not
the one to dwell on old regrets. No, not I, even though me
worthless crew chose a new captain and set me adrift
barely within flying range o’ the mainland.
“There I found your strange boat and picked up your
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trail. I knew o’ your aims and thought somehow to follow
until 1 found a way o’ repayin’ you all for your kindnesses
to me. In the forest I saw two of you leave from the rest.”
He nodded toward Jalwar.
“When I saw the respect with which he were treatin’ me
old friend Folly, I thought to meself, now here be one after
me own heart. So I settled down for a chat, and after an
exchange of pleasantries me and the good ferret here, we
came to an understandin’, har.”
“That bird will cut out our hearts and dance on them,”
Roseroar whispered to Jon-Tom. “We might as well rush
them now.”
“Steady on, you oversized bit o’ fluff,” Mudge warned
her. “All the cards ‘aven’t been dealt yet, wot?”
“Whisper all you want,” snapped Jalwar. “It will avail
you naught.”
Corroboc pulled a short, thin sword from the flying
scabbard slung at his waist. Holes in the blade made it
light and strong. He caressed the flat side of the blade
lovingly.
“Many days have I had to anticipate the pleasures of our