"Who are you?" The goblin screamed. The sound flattened him. "Why are you calling me?" He pressed his body into her shoulder. Her shouting pushed the sounds of from her own mind into his own. He heard the wind calling, the patter of rain on the rooftops dibble dibble dop dibble dop, the sound of her confusion. She, too, was seeking something. Seeking an understanding of the world he inhabited as an animal. The world of earth, water, fire, and air. This much he understood.
Deep in his mind, consciousness stirred. I will help you find the knowledge you seek, if you will help me to be free.
He gulped. They could not help each other if she did not know he existed. He had to make himself known to her. Quivering with fear, he edged his little body out from under her collar. He crawled slowly down the length of her arm, past the elbow, down the forearm, bracing himself at every moment for the scream and shake that would fling him against the wall of the boat with bone-crushing force. Please, please don't hurt me. Please.
At her cuff he stopped. He swallowed hard, then reached down with one tiny, delicate foot to touch the skin of her wrist.
Hello.
Deep in his mind, consciousness stirred. I will help you find the knowledge you seek, if you will help me to be free.
He gulped. They could not help each other if she did not know he existed. He had to make himself known to her. Quivering with fear, he edged his little body out from under her collar. He crawled slowly down the length of her arm, past the elbow, down the forearm, bracing himself at every moment for the scream and shake that would fling him against the wall of the boat with bone-crushing force. Please, please don't hurt me. Please.
At her cuff he stopped. He swallowed hard, then reached down with one tiny, delicate foot to touch the skin of her wrist.
Hello.