weighed the parcel carelessly in his hand for a moment, then nodded and slipped
the entire thing into his tunic, secretly enjoying the look of dismay that
crossed the youth’s face as Mikali realized the fine handkerchief would not be
returned.
Though I took my post on the wharf near midday, it was after dark before the
fleet had anchored and the first of the Beysib ventured ashore. It was so dark,
I did not even see the small boat being lowered over the side of one of the
ships. Not until they lit torches and began pulling for the wharf was I aware of
their intent to make contact before first light,’ Hakiem began.
Indeed, on that night Hakiem had nearly dozed off before he realized a boat was
finally on its way from the fleet. Even a storyteller’s curiosity had its
limits.
‘It was a sight to frighten children with; that torchlit craft creeping towards
our town like some great spider from a nightmare, stalking its prey across an
ink-black mirror. Though I was hailed as brave, it embarrasses me not to admit
that I watched from the shadows. The wise know that darkness can shield the weak
as easily as it harries the strong.’
There were nods of acknowledgement throughout the crowd. This was Sanctuary, and
every listener, regardless of social status, had sought refuge in the shadows
more than once as the occasion arose, and did it more often than he would care
to admit.
‘Still, once they were ashore, I could see they were men not greatly different
from us, so I stepped forth from my place of concealment and went to meet them.’