Read On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness for Free Online

pants pulled up to a shocking height. The buckles of their belts sat just a little below their chins. The fashionable women wore frilly dresses with patterns that depicted the noses of various animals; their black shoes were pointy and oversized, as if their toes were as long as feet themselves, which made the women lurch forward when they walked. To Janner, it was like watching circus clowns (which he’d only read about) desperately trying not to be funny. Most of them wore white gloves, so when a handyball player scored a goal the sound of their applause was more like thopping than clapping, and they’d say things like “Good show!” or “Ho-lo, mommy-crack-a-whip!” or “Boozie!” or “Indibnibly fine shot!”
    The long-haired folk from Dugtown weren’t so odd in their dress, but their manner was shocking. Men and women alike were loud and their laughter sounded more like howling. Janner could tell that certain words they used were unacceptable to the Torrboro folk standing nearby, but the Dugtowners were oblivious. They growled and guzzled and made such a jolly racket that it was hard not to like them in spite of themselves.
    Each stranger in Glipwood that day was a reminder to Janner that he had never,
never
left the town. They lit up his imagination and filled him with an ache to see the world. But then he would hear Leeli giggle or Tink burp and remember again that for now he would have to watch after his sister and brother in this dreadfully quiet little town—quiet, that is, except on the day the sea dragons came. He resolved to enjoy himself and pushed all unpleasant thoughts out of his mind.
    Suddenly a commotion across the field interrupted Janner’s thoughts—and the handyball game. Onlookers near the opposite goal had turned around, trying to make room for something or someone. Excited whispers circulated through the multitude, but Janner couldn’t make out what anyone was saying. Voices rose up from the crowd, and even the players, sweating and covered with grass stains and dirt (though their feet were quite clean), stopped and focused on the fuss.
    Janner and Tink stood up to try and see what was the matter, but there was nothing to see but agitated spectators shuffling out of the way while someone pushed in from behind them. The Fang sentries growled and hissed their irritation at the disturbance. They were charged with keeping the people under control, and something unusual was happening. As much as they hated the Skreeans, they weren’t interested in doing any extra work on a hot day like this one.
    Then the rumor finally reached Janner’s ears. A portly woman to his far right gasped and said breathlessly to her portly husband that Armulyn the Bard had come unannounced and had been asked to sing by the honorable Mayor Blaggus of Glipwood. 2
    Tink and Janner looked at one another in disbelief. Armulyn the Bard was there, in Glipwood? Could it be that the very man who claimed to have visited the Shining Isle of Anniera, 3 the same Armulyn who wandered the captive lands and sang of the legends of Aerwiar, 4 of great deeds and great loves, was even now in Glipwood in his regal garb upon his majestic horse?
    All thoughts of the handyball game vanished. The players were greatly relieved about this fact and stood up, moaning and stretching. Two burly men rolled an empty wagon to the center of the playing field. Mayor Blaggus mounted the makeshift platform with a grunt and it creaked beneath his weight (he had eaten a few too many sugarbutter pastries in his day). He wore dark leggings and a bright red shirt. A gaudy yellow feather sprouted out of his hat, and he curled his moustache self-importantly. Blaggus held his hands out to silence the audience, then he turned to address the Fangs.
    â€œWith our all-wise and stunningly handsome and powerful and swift soldiers’ permission,” he said, bowing deeply so that his belly touched his knees,