The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,73

stay in London.”

“Says who?” Grignak challenged.

Ben was prepared for Grignak's constant back-lashing, having read that street goblins had a penchant for it.

“Say the laws of the Unseen Kingdoms, including Prith, your home country. You even signed such an agreement when you entered London, I believe.”

Grignak had no immediate response to that. Instead, he threw his ice-cream in the bin, the little spoon missing and falling onto the floor.

“Couldn't stay in London,” Grignak muttered. “Weren't safe no more.”

“Why not?”

“Work became dangerous; too much risk for Grignak.”

Ben struggled to recall what Grignak did for work. It was all in the file, but he must have read that part a little too quickly.

“If you were in danger, you should have contacted your Institute liaison officer,” Ben said.

“Him?” Grignak said, spitting on the floor. “I did. He's useless. Didn't believe a word I said. Called me a liar.”

“Why don't you try me?” Ben suggested. “I promise to listen to you fairly.”

“Bit late for that now, innit?” Grignak said. “I've broken the law.”

“Not necessarily,” Ben said. “If you can provide us with evidence of another crime, we may be able to waive yours.” Ben had no idea if this was true, and wished he had paid closer attention to the laws when studying Diplomacy. But the offer seemed to do the trick. Grignak became thoughtful.

“I got nowhere to go if I went home,” Grignak said.

“Your brother,” Ben said immediately, remembering Grignak's file again. “He would be happy to take you in.”

“Hmm,” Grignak said.

He was definitely thinking about it. Ben maintained a casual air, but inside he was praying the goblin took the bait. He didn't have many more cards to play.

“What if I refuse your offer?” Grignak asked. “What if I choose to remain here?”

“Then you will be arrested by the Institute,” Ben said, his calm momentarily giving way to frustration. “Either way, you will be returning to the Unseen Kingdoms, peacefully or otherwise.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ben knew he had made a terrible mistake. Never threaten a street goblin during negotiations except when all else has failed.

Grignak gave Ben a cruel smile, more reminiscent of a goblin than a human. “You think you can take me in by yourself? ’Cause I don't see any real Institute members around – know what I mean?”

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves,” Ben said, desperately trying to backtrack.

Too late. Grignak spat at his feet, then turned, and bolted.

Ben cursed. He threw his ice-cream in the bin and gave chase.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! Ben cursed himself repeatedly as he ran. One wrong move in the negotiations and he had blown it, all because he had become impatient. How was that going to affect his Diplomacy score? No time to worry about that now; he had to catch that goblin before things got any worse.

Grignak was quick, but his legs were small, and Ben was able to slowly reel him in. The path wound through the centre of the park towards a cluster of trees, just big enough to constitute a small wood. If the goblin made it in there, Ben was in trouble. Street goblins, despite their name, were just as at home in the woods and could climb trees like monkeys. Straining his legs and lungs, Ben accelerated, until he was right on Grignak's heels. He took a running leap and tackled Grignak at the waist. They both hit the ground hard, rolling several times before coming to a painful halt on the tarmac.

Grignak's arms snaked out and tried to encircle Ben's neck. Grignak was strong for his size, but Ben was almost a head taller and, though the boy kicked and bucked, Ben slowly pinned him down.

“Stop moving!” Ben ordered. Grignak spat at him in response.

Ben reached into his pocket in search of a spell.

In that instance, Grignak's appearance suddenly melted. His form blurred and rippled; the clothes became tight as muscles formed, his skin turned green, and his face transformed into a teeth-gnashing, angry goblin. With a snarl, Grignak threw Ben and sent him sailing into the air. Ben managed to land smoothly and got quickly to his feet.

“That feels better!” Grignak said, in a typically nasal goblin-like voice. He stood, arms and legs apart, looking a completely different proposition from the scrawny boy Ben had tracked down. Ben eyed the goblin warily, but before he could decide what to do, the goblin turned and fled again, heading into the woods.

Ben was about to give chase when the sound of a cough and