Chapter IX: Taking The Trolls For A Stroll
troll, Wonder 0 Comments »
The troll den was not a place a human would want to be in, much less live and stay in. It was dirty and it stank to high heavens. It was a small clearing where the trolls used to discuss their issues and to carry out meetings in the night. In daytime, they would retreat to their caves to sleep and rest. Tonight, the head troll Inoyue, together with several troll leaders, were gathered together for an important meeting. All of them sat on dead logs, arranged in a circle, in the middle was a large cooking pot where they were cooking their entails for tonight and awaiting the arrival of their guests.
2 men and a woman walked in, led by the young troll that freed Stone and Ragen last time, who appeared only too eager and happy that Stone had acquired news of the 2 men. He never could have guessed that the 2 men the bear spoke of was right in front of him.
"Arh!" The 3 of you must be Mister Bear's friends. Inoyue said as he saw Ragen, Stone and Shaiya walking into the clearing. He stood up and walked towards them.
"I am Stone, this is Ragen and Shaiya."
"The young troll says you have news of the 2 men?" Inoyue mused.
Stone nodded. The pungent smell from the trolls now creeping into his nostrils, causing his insides to turn and churn.
"Master Bear told me that the 2 men now lies in Wonder. They are within the guards guarding the walls of Wonder."
"The bear also told me, that the 2 men had stolen something very important from him. The Bear wants you to launch an attack on Wonder and retrieve the stolen treasure that belonged to him. He'll give you 10,000 gold, weapons and food if you can take the city, kill the guards and retrieve what he had lost."
"What!? But that would be everything we have now!" Shaiya whispered.
"Trust me!!" Stone said.
Shaiya nodded in reluctance.
"As a token of our friendship, trust and sincerity, I'll offer you 1,000 gold first. The rest of it will belong to you after the city is taken."
The head troll, at the sound of the word 'gold', his eyes shimmered and his heart wavered, he now seems tempted to take up the offer.
"The Bear also added that you all should go back to your original homes with your gold and food after the city is taken. The Bear will manage the city himself."
'Hmm... Your offer is tempting. But first, allow me to discuss this with my companions." Inoyue said and turned back to face his friends.
After some time, Inoyue said: "The trolls have decided, that we would go to war! All 1,000 of us. We agree to your terms. But, you must understand that going to war will strain our existing resources. We demand more food for the attack."
Stone thought for a while.
"Very well, you will take the bodies of the guards that you slay with you. They will serve as your food for a long while." Stone replied, glad that they are soon coming to terms with the trolls.
Once again, Inoyue turned back and discussed it with his leaders. They seemed keen, constantly nodding in agreement with the head troll. Finally, Inoyue said:
"Your offer is very much what we wanted. We will attack Wonder tomorrow night."
"That is perfect, my men will be following closely behind." Stone said.
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They were now in a small house. Ragen was sitted in a corner, carefully carving the edges of his dagger with a carving stone; letting out periodic 'clink' sounds and sparks. Stone stood at the entrance to the house, observing the broken Lightbringer Sword with great intent, trying to get answers to the many questions that now flooded his mind; trying to figure out the cruel and tormentuous path that the sword has taken in order to reach his very hands. Shaiya was perched on a small platform, sitted crossed-legged with eyes closed as if in some form of meditation; ocassionally opening her eyes as she observed the two men.
All three could not sleep.
Nervousness and fear gripped their hearts like a death claw.
It was Ragen who first broke the stale air of silence.
"Do you really think we can win this war?"
Stone's gaze remained fixed on the Lightbringer and said:
"Yes... we can. Have faith, Ragen"
"But all we have are 200 men and a bunch of trolls whom we cannot trust. The enemy is 5,000 strong, we're greatly outnumbered."
"Do you really trust these foul, wretched creatures, Stone?"
"We can... and we will win" Stone replied.
"It's our only chance..."
"No!!! Captain Dremor, he has 800 men and are moving away from us as we speak. I'll ride out in the first sliver of light. And hope, that they have not gone too far. Surely, he'll return to help the priestess when she is in trouble!"
"I hope you're right, Ragen" Stone sighed.
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Sunlight. Slivers of dawn pierced through the fluffy clouds like needles. Ragen was already gone. Now that the trolls were their allies, there was no fear of him being captured by enemies. Ragen proceeded on foot, carrying with him only some water, his daggers and the Soulburn sword which he found within the trolls' ill-gained spoils back in the cave. The Soulburn sword has a long history. It belonged to a legendary swordsman back in the Ragen's hometown of Draga. Ill fate has caused him to ditch his Soulburn sword in order to obtain the LightBringer.
The sword was extremely light, but its blade sharp and well-toned.
Ragen ran as fast as he could and was out of Langthorne forest in no time.
Fresh air once more. Ragen thought to himself.
In front of him stood the city gates of Wonder, now occupied by Diantre's lackeys. Steam and hot air spewed from the river beds as the weapon-making furnaces worked and burned. Fire scoured from below like small volcano eruptions. Ragen looked in disbelievement as the whole city was totally disfigured. It was no longer the Wonder that he used to visit nor was it the Wonder that he remembered it for. Wasting no time, Ragen looked around for clues as to which route Captain Dremor and his men could have gone en route to Pattavium.
Ragen looked around with great intent. He discovered hoof marks; along with wheel marks on the ground. The mark cut deep into the ground, it was probably a jailcart and the cart must be carrying a heavy prisoner. Trolls, Ragen thought to himself.
Ragen lied down and put his ears close to the ground and listened for hoof sounds.
They were muffled, the vibrations were small, they were probably half a days run away from me, Ragen deduced.
"There are other sounds." Ragen thought to himself.
The Dark knights! They are being chased. I'd better hurry.
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"Die you wretched being!" Dremor exclaimed as he delivered his spear into his enemy.
"That is the last one sir." A horseman reported.
"How many casualties do we have?"
"50, sir."
"Very well, leave the dead, collect the enemies' bodies and burn them. We need to travel to Pattavium fast. May their lives not be sacrificed in vain."
"This place is not safe as it used to be anymore." Dremor said.
The men mounted their steeds and treaded at an even faster pace, afraid that there will be more enemies.
They've fastened their pace; their enemies have been vanquished. Ragen thought as he saw thick black smoke rising up in curls from the burnt bodies.
"I'm not far from them." Ragen said to himself.
"Move, move, we need to hurry." Dremor gave orders.
"Halt!!" Dremor shouted as he saw the ground moving in front of him. There was something underground, tunneling their way through leaving behind small dirtpiles on both sides of the trails as they move forth.
"Swords!" Dremor shouted as he organized his men in a single line.
The earth suddenly stopped moving.
"Arghh!!!" One by one, the horsemen fell as creatures emerged from underground and attacked them. Cries of anguish and dismay fell onto silent ears across the vast plains.
"Dark Lurkers!! Damn!!" These creatures are small yet deadly, they have strong front claws which enable them to tread underground. They are amazingly fast and their motions difficult to predict.
"Hold your line!! Do not panic!! Listen, observe your enemy and predict their movement." Dremor shouted.
"There you are!!" Dremor exclaimed as he thrust his spear into the ground, killing one of the dark lurkers.
There were about 50 of them but they were very difficult to kill because of their movement. More fell as they panicked and were unable to pick up the enemies' movement in the ground.
"This is not good." Dremor thought to himself.
"Retreat, retreat!! Turn back" Dremor shouted.
Just then, 2 lurkers emerged from the ground and pounced onto Dremor, pinning him onto the ground.
"Captain!!"
"Damn you!" Dremor plucked out his dagger and put one of the lurkers to eternal sleep. The other however, was already swinging its claw towards Dremor's neck.
"Eat this!!"
With deadly accuracy, 2 flying daggers cut through the air connecting with the lurker's eyes. The impact was so great that the daggers penetrated its skull, coming out from the back of its head.
"Everybody, get down your horses, squat down and do not make any movement, be as still as you can!!" Ragen shouted.
The fallen horseman lay motionless, keeping as still as possible and not making any noise for fear of another attack by the lurkers. He was a stoic big man; he wore a bronze helm bearing the symbol of the Elienor Clan. He donned an adamantium plate with huge shoulder plates that would be too heavy for any other man to wear and a pair of battle-hardened grieves.
"You must be Captain Dremor." Ragen asked as he knelt down beside the man he just saved.
Dremor nodded.
"Lurkers have but one weakness. They have no ears and their eyes are blind to everything beside them. Their feelers detect vibrations given off when you and your men move." Ragen said.
"Prepare your archers, release 2 of your horses and let them run free, we will kill these foul creatures with one fell swoop."
Knowing that the lurkers are deaf, Dremor gave the orders to release the horses and prepared his archers; his charismatic voice resonated through the dangerous air.
2 horses were freed, the archers were ready, arrow on string, waiting for the wave of the hand to fire. In an instance, the lurkers sprang to life, pouncing onto the fleeing horses and sinking their teeth viciously into the horses.
"Fire!!" Dremor shouted.
A volley of arrows pierced through the sky. None of the lurkers survived.
Dremor heaved a sigh of relief.
"I'm afraid tthere's no time to waste Captain. It's nightfall already, we must make haste to Wonder." Ragen said.
2 men and a woman walked in, led by the young troll that freed Stone and Ragen last time, who appeared only too eager and happy that Stone had acquired news of the 2 men. He never could have guessed that the 2 men the bear spoke of was right in front of him.
"Arh!" The 3 of you must be Mister Bear's friends. Inoyue said as he saw Ragen, Stone and Shaiya walking into the clearing. He stood up and walked towards them.
"I am Stone, this is Ragen and Shaiya."
"The young troll says you have news of the 2 men?" Inoyue mused.
Stone nodded. The pungent smell from the trolls now creeping into his nostrils, causing his insides to turn and churn.
"Master Bear told me that the 2 men now lies in Wonder. They are within the guards guarding the walls of Wonder."
"The bear also told me, that the 2 men had stolen something very important from him. The Bear wants you to launch an attack on Wonder and retrieve the stolen treasure that belonged to him. He'll give you 10,000 gold, weapons and food if you can take the city, kill the guards and retrieve what he had lost."
"What!? But that would be everything we have now!" Shaiya whispered.
"Trust me!!" Stone said.
Shaiya nodded in reluctance.
"As a token of our friendship, trust and sincerity, I'll offer you 1,000 gold first. The rest of it will belong to you after the city is taken."
The head troll, at the sound of the word 'gold', his eyes shimmered and his heart wavered, he now seems tempted to take up the offer.
"The Bear also added that you all should go back to your original homes with your gold and food after the city is taken. The Bear will manage the city himself."
'Hmm... Your offer is tempting. But first, allow me to discuss this with my companions." Inoyue said and turned back to face his friends.
After some time, Inoyue said: "The trolls have decided, that we would go to war! All 1,000 of us. We agree to your terms. But, you must understand that going to war will strain our existing resources. We demand more food for the attack."
Stone thought for a while.
"Very well, you will take the bodies of the guards that you slay with you. They will serve as your food for a long while." Stone replied, glad that they are soon coming to terms with the trolls.
Once again, Inoyue turned back and discussed it with his leaders. They seemed keen, constantly nodding in agreement with the head troll. Finally, Inoyue said:
"Your offer is very much what we wanted. We will attack Wonder tomorrow night."
"That is perfect, my men will be following closely behind." Stone said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They were now in a small house. Ragen was sitted in a corner, carefully carving the edges of his dagger with a carving stone; letting out periodic 'clink' sounds and sparks. Stone stood at the entrance to the house, observing the broken Lightbringer Sword with great intent, trying to get answers to the many questions that now flooded his mind; trying to figure out the cruel and tormentuous path that the sword has taken in order to reach his very hands. Shaiya was perched on a small platform, sitted crossed-legged with eyes closed as if in some form of meditation; ocassionally opening her eyes as she observed the two men.
All three could not sleep.
Nervousness and fear gripped their hearts like a death claw.
It was Ragen who first broke the stale air of silence.
"Do you really think we can win this war?"
Stone's gaze remained fixed on the Lightbringer and said:
"Yes... we can. Have faith, Ragen"
"But all we have are 200 men and a bunch of trolls whom we cannot trust. The enemy is 5,000 strong, we're greatly outnumbered."
"Do you really trust these foul, wretched creatures, Stone?"
"We can... and we will win" Stone replied.
"It's our only chance..."
"No!!! Captain Dremor, he has 800 men and are moving away from us as we speak. I'll ride out in the first sliver of light. And hope, that they have not gone too far. Surely, he'll return to help the priestess when she is in trouble!"
"I hope you're right, Ragen" Stone sighed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunlight. Slivers of dawn pierced through the fluffy clouds like needles. Ragen was already gone. Now that the trolls were their allies, there was no fear of him being captured by enemies. Ragen proceeded on foot, carrying with him only some water, his daggers and the Soulburn sword which he found within the trolls' ill-gained spoils back in the cave. The Soulburn sword has a long history. It belonged to a legendary swordsman back in the Ragen's hometown of Draga. Ill fate has caused him to ditch his Soulburn sword in order to obtain the LightBringer.
The sword was extremely light, but its blade sharp and well-toned.
Ragen ran as fast as he could and was out of Langthorne forest in no time.
Fresh air once more. Ragen thought to himself.
In front of him stood the city gates of Wonder, now occupied by Diantre's lackeys. Steam and hot air spewed from the river beds as the weapon-making furnaces worked and burned. Fire scoured from below like small volcano eruptions. Ragen looked in disbelievement as the whole city was totally disfigured. It was no longer the Wonder that he used to visit nor was it the Wonder that he remembered it for. Wasting no time, Ragen looked around for clues as to which route Captain Dremor and his men could have gone en route to Pattavium.
Ragen looked around with great intent. He discovered hoof marks; along with wheel marks on the ground. The mark cut deep into the ground, it was probably a jailcart and the cart must be carrying a heavy prisoner. Trolls, Ragen thought to himself.
Ragen lied down and put his ears close to the ground and listened for hoof sounds.
They were muffled, the vibrations were small, they were probably half a days run away from me, Ragen deduced.
"There are other sounds." Ragen thought to himself.
The Dark knights! They are being chased. I'd better hurry.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Die you wretched being!" Dremor exclaimed as he delivered his spear into his enemy.
"That is the last one sir." A horseman reported.
"How many casualties do we have?"
"50, sir."
"Very well, leave the dead, collect the enemies' bodies and burn them. We need to travel to Pattavium fast. May their lives not be sacrificed in vain."
"This place is not safe as it used to be anymore." Dremor said.
The men mounted their steeds and treaded at an even faster pace, afraid that there will be more enemies.
They've fastened their pace; their enemies have been vanquished. Ragen thought as he saw thick black smoke rising up in curls from the burnt bodies.
"I'm not far from them." Ragen said to himself.
"Move, move, we need to hurry." Dremor gave orders.
"Halt!!" Dremor shouted as he saw the ground moving in front of him. There was something underground, tunneling their way through leaving behind small dirtpiles on both sides of the trails as they move forth.
"Swords!" Dremor shouted as he organized his men in a single line.
The earth suddenly stopped moving.
"Arghh!!!" One by one, the horsemen fell as creatures emerged from underground and attacked them. Cries of anguish and dismay fell onto silent ears across the vast plains.
"Dark Lurkers!! Damn!!" These creatures are small yet deadly, they have strong front claws which enable them to tread underground. They are amazingly fast and their motions difficult to predict.
"Hold your line!! Do not panic!! Listen, observe your enemy and predict their movement." Dremor shouted.
"There you are!!" Dremor exclaimed as he thrust his spear into the ground, killing one of the dark lurkers.
There were about 50 of them but they were very difficult to kill because of their movement. More fell as they panicked and were unable to pick up the enemies' movement in the ground.
"This is not good." Dremor thought to himself.
"Retreat, retreat!! Turn back" Dremor shouted.
Just then, 2 lurkers emerged from the ground and pounced onto Dremor, pinning him onto the ground.
"Captain!!"
"Damn you!" Dremor plucked out his dagger and put one of the lurkers to eternal sleep. The other however, was already swinging its claw towards Dremor's neck.
"Eat this!!"
With deadly accuracy, 2 flying daggers cut through the air connecting with the lurker's eyes. The impact was so great that the daggers penetrated its skull, coming out from the back of its head.
"Everybody, get down your horses, squat down and do not make any movement, be as still as you can!!" Ragen shouted.
The fallen horseman lay motionless, keeping as still as possible and not making any noise for fear of another attack by the lurkers. He was a stoic big man; he wore a bronze helm bearing the symbol of the Elienor Clan. He donned an adamantium plate with huge shoulder plates that would be too heavy for any other man to wear and a pair of battle-hardened grieves.
"You must be Captain Dremor." Ragen asked as he knelt down beside the man he just saved.
Dremor nodded.
"Lurkers have but one weakness. They have no ears and their eyes are blind to everything beside them. Their feelers detect vibrations given off when you and your men move." Ragen said.
"Prepare your archers, release 2 of your horses and let them run free, we will kill these foul creatures with one fell swoop."
Knowing that the lurkers are deaf, Dremor gave the orders to release the horses and prepared his archers; his charismatic voice resonated through the dangerous air.
2 horses were freed, the archers were ready, arrow on string, waiting for the wave of the hand to fire. In an instance, the lurkers sprang to life, pouncing onto the fleeing horses and sinking their teeth viciously into the horses.
"Fire!!" Dremor shouted.
A volley of arrows pierced through the sky. None of the lurkers survived.
Dremor heaved a sigh of relief.
"I'm afraid tthere's no time to waste Captain. It's nightfall already, we must make haste to Wonder." Ragen said.
