No, Nissa said. They are barely armed. We will not kill them now. Let us see what they know.
But they are goblins, Sorin said.
Anowon nodded enthusiastically.
What is this all about? Nissa wondered. Why are they so keen to enslave the goblins? She stood from behind the rock and walked forward. If you want to find your way to Akoum then stay your sword for the time being, she said. Kor are some of the best guides.
The goblins did not sense Nissa until she was directly behind them, at which point they hissed and turned toward her. They struggled to yank out their small stone swords. One goblin ended up holding his dull blade and threatening her with the sword s wooden handle.
All the swords handles were wood. With a word from Nissa the wood in the handles shot out roots and grew solidly into the sand.
The kor continued to chant ignorant of the events around her. The goblins stood blinking, unsure of themselves in the firelight.
Sorin came out from behind the rock, his sword in his hand. Anowon stood.
They should travel with us, Anowon said.
Sorin turned to the vampire, then back to Nissa.
What is that kor babbling? Sorin said.
It is not kor, Anowon said. But it is a language.
I can tell that. What language?
Anowon shook his head.
Sorin leaned forward to listen, cocking his ear to the chant. Before long a look of recognition spread across his face. Nissa squinted in the dim light. No sooner had she seen the look on his face than it was gone. Sorin stood up straight.
This kor interests me, he pronounced. She and her entourage will come with me.
You recognized the language, Nissa said.
Yes I did.
Nissa waited. But it was Anowon who spoke first. Well? he said.
As a matter of fact, Sorin said, It is ancient Eldrazi the animal speaks.
Nissa felt herself blinking. She could not figure out what was stranger: that the kor was speaking ancient Eldrazi, or that Sorin recognized it as such.
How could you know? Anowon said, awed. It has not been spoken in more than a thousand years.
Sorin sniffed and turned. What does it have in its hand? Sorin said, pointing to the kor.
Nissa looked. It was a rock as big as the kor s fist but longer. The creature passed it from one hand to the other as she chanted.
The goblins glanced at each other.
A crystal, Anowon said.
Sorin leaned forward for a closer look. She will be able to help us. Yes.
Nissa turned. Why?
Sorin shrugged.
Who is this kor? Nissa asked.
The kor stopped chanting suddenly, as if she had heard. She slowly turned. Her corneas were red. Nissa couldn t be sure if it was the fire s reflection.
The kor began chanting again.
Take the goblins, Anowon said.
Why do you want the goblins so very much? Nissa said.
Are you jealous?
Nissa opened her mouth to reply, but Anowon stopped her words with a held up hand.
They listened to the kor chant.
Now it is the old vampire tongue, Anowon said.
Or I am a fool.
Sorin leaned closer. How can you tell? he asked.
The words are so muddled.
You know the ancient language of vampires, too? asked Nissa.
Sorin smiled. A person like me picks up many languages in his travels, he said.
It was Anowon s turn to smile knowingly. I am sure, he said. This language is one of those that is not spoken anymore, but lives only in books and is known only for the purposes of translation. A dead language.
What is she saying? Nissa asked.
Anowon listened to the chanting. She s simply repeating The gift is in the loam I believe.
The gift is in the loam? Nissa said. What could it mean?
We should leave this creature, Anowon said.
And take the goblins, Nissa said. I think you ve already said that.