Chapter 7/10
Loch & Ness

The sea serpent rose from the water and Eric breathed a sigh of relief. "Old Judge Loch,
what are you doing here?"

The serpent came out of the water and Sarah realized that it wasn't a serpent at all.
It was two goblins. The lead one appeared to be quite old. He carried a staff that looked like
a sea monster's head. His helmet and the armor on his back had been what had been what had
created the look of the serpent's humps. That and the armor the second goblin was wearing. The
second goblin carried what looked like a cannon ball.

Eric smiled and said, "Sarah, this is Judge Loch and his usher, Ness." He then leaned to
her ear and whispered, "Loch is known for his wisdom and judgment. Most of the legends about
him are pointless, but most goblin stories are."

"Is this the same Sarah that..." Lock started, but never finished. Sarah couldn't tell
if he had forgotten what he was going to say or if he just figured everyone knew what he was
talking about.

Eric just nodded, then questioned the old goblin. "Loch, why were you in the moat?"

"Two fishes were having a dispute about a rock."

"Did you solve the dispute?" Sarah asked.

"I told them that I'd get back to them on it," Lock stated with pride in his decision.

Ness added, "He did, I was there."

"Loch," Eric said, "We have to get into the castle. Are the guards on duty right now?"

"No, I believe they are all out waiting for you at the front gate. They're going to be
waiting for a long time, I reckon," he replied, "Well, I have to be off. Come Ness, we have
traveling to do. Good to meet you, Sarah."

The two goblins walked away. When they were out of reaching distance, Eric let out a
laugh that he had been holding in.