The largest of the three trolls speaks. “Hold naves! Go back the way you entered here. This is our forest, and you are not welcome to travel its length.”
Dian replaces her sword in the scabbard and holds out her hands…palms up. “We come in peace and only wish to pass through your wood. Ours is a worthy quest and must not be delayed.” She leans into Amari. “How come you did not sense these scalawags?”
“Not sure? I can sense those who may lurk in the shadows who look to kill. For some reason, these three, threatening as they are, do not mean to harm us.”
Truk moves in front of the others and faces the creatures.
The trolls take a step back and raise their lances higher toward Truk. “Dwarf, you travel with humans?”
“Yes dung of the wood. Move aside or you will be meat for my blade.”
Instead of giving way, the troll’s jab spears back and forth in defense. It is plain they are not backing down.
Thus begins the staring contest. Neither dwarf nor troll moving aside. Eyes locked on each other.
Natsha taps Amari on the shoulder. “What is that about?”
The Maiden’s memory has seen this standoff before. The dwarfs and trolls who followed her banner ages ago held an uneasy peace. If not for the evil ones as their common enemy, they would be fighting each other. “Dwarfs and Trolls are mortal enemies. Even though spawned from the same ancestors they are always on an uneven ground with each other.”
Amari’s eyes catch sight of the arm guard on the smallest troll when he moves his hand to a better hold. Stitched across its length is a faded sword and crossed daggers. She smiles and stands beside Truk. “My brother, would you run through one who fought at your side?”
Truk lowers his sword a fraction and looks at the creatures more closely. He can see the eyes of the troll through the helmet slit. It has been ages, but not too many trolls have one green and one blue eye. He points his blade at who must be their leader. “Ving, would you run me through with that toothpick? Did you forget the numerous times I saved your life, or does your small brain not go that far back in time?”
One of the other trolls lowers his spear and removes his helmet. He looks at the beautiful women with the long white hair. He can see even dressed in the battle armor of a warrior; her gaze is sweet and serene. He glances at the others and back to her.
Amari’s eyes crinkle with delight. “Weet—is that really you?”
He nods and goes immediately to his knees with head bowed laying the spear before her on the ground.
The smallest of the three sheds his helmet too, drops his spear, and runs up to Amari wrapping his arms around her legs. She falls to her knees, gathering the little imp in her arms and squeezing him tight. “Tolli—I have missed you as well.”
It takes several seconds before he releases his hold and caresses her face. His mouth moves, but nothing comes forth.
A frown crosses Amari’s face.
Tolli opens the faded collar of his tunic to reveal a long ago badly healed scar on his throat.
Ving comes to stand beside his friend. “It is a gift from our last battle with the Druids. The one who stilled Tolli’s voice no longer walks this earth as he has died by my hand.”
Weet gets to his feet and joins his friends. “Maiden, we thought you dead. Carried off by the Druid’s minions and sacrificed to their evil gods.”
“Long story my friends. I can recount once we are free of…” she never finished.
Weet turns and hurls his spear into the brush. A deer jumps high of the weeds and falls dead, the spear penetrating its heart by the amount of blood spewing to the ground.
Amari looks to the troll with questioning eyes.
He holds his finger to his lips. He gestures for them to follow. Leading Amari and the others to the center of the bunched trees, he steps between them.
Gareth sees the troll called Tolli coming behind him. He was watching their rear for any observers. He motions for Gareth to follow Weet. One by one, they step into the protection of the closely packed tree trunks. There set against one tree are wood slats in regular intervals forming a ladder into the greenery above. Weet is already climbing with Ving. Amari goes next, and the others follow. Tolli is the last to climb. Before mounting the ladder of sorts, he puts a blind of living branches in front of the entrance.
It is a long and dangerous climb straight up the side of the tree trunk. Holl-tu looks down and can only see leafy branches. They are completely hidden from below.
Above them is a wooden barrier with a small opening. Only after passing through, did he realize it was a floor of a compact room built where all the trees join just below the great crowns.
Once inside Weet closes the trapdoor. He speaks to all gathered. “We are safe here. This is where we live.”
Amari sees a short table with three childlike chairs off to one side of the miniature room. Dozens of shelves cover one wall; loaded with crockery, books and several piles of dried herbs and flowers. The only light filters through a small window on one wall. It is covered with some thin membrane which distorts the light. Piles of soiled clothes litter the floor. The table has dirty earthen dishes and tumblers of some dark liquid.
“You blokes need a housekeeper.” Dian says while wiping dust from a chair back.
Natsha attempts to stand and her head brushes the ceiling. “You do know these woods are thought to be the lair of the very Druids you fought long ago.”
“Yes we are aware.” Returns Ving as he dusts off the chairs with a rag pulled from his back pocket. He offers seats to Amari and Dian. He continues. “Can ye not think of a better place to hide? Their fire spells do not go any deeper than the outer fringes of this forest. The Druids know we are here somewhere, but have not found us yet. They think us as nuisance and do not put much effort is an all-out hunt for our hiding place.
The deer I just slew below is one of their spies. The beast can understand our speech. It will tell its master what was said. It is certain the beast talker is somewhere about. We are well hidden here. Even their spy ravens cannot penetrate these tree crowns or this abode. When we are out below hunting for food, we stay well hidden in the tall grasses and brush.”
“Why hide here at all?” Holl-tu asks. “One would think there are other places to live than in a den of vipers.”
Weet takes Amari’s hand again. He does not want to let go; afraid she will disappear as a dream. He says, “outside of this wood, we are hunted for being non-human. After the evil of the land hunted and slew all the Ords that were our battle-mates, the soldiers set their swords upon my kind.
Many have left the land of Aventine and reside on the other side of the mountains. We brothers were driven into these enchanted Fire Woods. Since the soldiers dared not enter…we stayed. If it were possible, we would venture over the mountains and rejoin our kin and friends.”
Mimna face shows a marked sadness. “I had many friends among the trolls as well as the Ords. They were committed to Amari and her quest. Many told me that they had already made peace with their gods, as they knew death was their destiny to come. Knowing death was at hand, made them fight all the harder. Many were not afraid of dying, so they raced into battle. It scared those evil ones who thought to face them.”
Weet goes to Amari, takes her hand and places it on his forehead as a sign of respect. “Maiden, what brings ye to this dangerous place? Surely, you could have traveled around the Fire Woods.”
“We are traveling to Archkeep by the quickest path.” She taps the saber at her side and gestures to the others. “We carry the Kcaj Pentadiene and seek to learn more of its powers. Furthermore, the most expedient path as it may is through this cursed. Can you tell us how much further to the end of this forest?”
“I remember the powerful blade you carried in battle, but of this Kcaj, I know not. As for the length of the journey, until this wood is at your heels will take several hours before you encounter the flames from above again. Once you leave these woods, the path
is through valleys and small hills. We do not know of this Archkeep, but there is a large town a half-day’s march from the forest edge.”
Gareth taps on the back of the troll, Weet. “Have you observed any Druids in your travels through this forest?”
“Yes, mighty warrior; many times. They have large standing stones for a place of worship and ritual not far from here. Sometimes we can hear the screams of those sacrificed. We are only three against many dark ones, so we put a cloth in our ears and pray for the end of those victims to be quick; except it never is.”
Weet brushes back a tear traveling down his cheek. “Once we heard what only could be the cries of another troll. You ask why we stay? We not only hide within the enemy camp, it is also to exact revenge.
Over the years, we have killed many Druids or their minions who venture in these woods alone. That does not happen anymore. They have become wary and only move about in groups of three or more. Except one warlock—it is the one, who commands the beasts. His animal spies would warn them of our approach, so we stay hidden when he is about.
“Weet, we can use you and your brothers…come with us.”
“No Maiden, we are too long in the tooth. Our strength is not what it was. We three would slow your quest and may be more of a danger. No, we stay here to the end of days.”
Amari understands and nods her head. “Ours was a great battles those decades ago. Many of your kin fought side by side with us. We never fulfilled our quest then as treachery and evil won. Now my warriors and I have begun a new quest. With the powers of the enchanted and powerful Kcaj Sabers, we will rid this land of evil once, and for all.”
“Maiden,” says Ving. We near defeated the Blood Druids decades ago, but evil always seem to spring from the darkness. You may be fighting an endless battle.”
“True my friend, but if not us, then who? It is our destiny to bring the light of truth and freedom over this land. Evil may come back after we are gone, but others will rise up in our stead to carry the battle onward.”
“Rest now,” says Ving. “We only have fruits and berries taken from the forest. Those we will share with you and yours.”
The trolls go about gathering the trash and clothes thrown about. It is plain to see they do not have many guests. Tolli brings an assortment of vine fruits, nuts and berries. Urns of spring water are set before the warriors. They all eat and drink in silence.
The sun is setting, and a chill fills the air. Amari using one of her spells to gathers heat about all those within the cramped room. The warmth lulls everyone to sleep. True to form—only Gareth remains awake and on guard.
At the third hour of the night, screams fill the forest and rouse the warriors and trolls to fully awake with swords drawn.
Gareth looks to the trolls. “Druids are sacrificing?”
“Yes! It has been many moons since the last one. They only pray to their gods with sacrifices for some big event.”
Amari motions for Truk to open the trapdoor. “I must see what they are doing.”
“No Maiden, it is too dangerous! There will be many Druids, and their slaves the Shadow Clan.”
“Ah, but they do not know we are here in the forest as well. I mean to observe from a distance. It bodes well to know the strength and temper of our enemies does it not?”
Ving only nods his head. “We must be silent as the mice that run the forest. Those evil ones can sense us if we are too close.”
“Not to worry my friend and warrior. I have several spells that will mask us for a time; even from their magic.”
One by one, they climb down from the treehouse of the trolls.
Ving leads them to the location of the standing stones. They travel as silently as they can, nary stepping on a twig or disturbing a blade of grass. Ahead light from many torches light an open glade. Spread out in a line, they creep to the edge of the clearing and remain concealed in the tall grasses. Amari has already wrapped herself and the others in a protective spell that mimics the trees about them. If any Druids have the ability to reach out with their minds, they will only sense the empty forest around them. Amari is also counting on the fact the Druids are not expecting anything from within their domain.
“Amari,” Mimna says. “Katana is on fire!”
The Maiden looks to the sword at her side. Just below the hilt and the upper part of the blade not covered by the scabbard, a red glow can be seen.
“Katana is warning me Druids are close at hand.”
Raising up to eye level, the scene before them is not for the faint heart. Two bodies lie upon a stone alter with their throats cut. Standing over them is a hooded Druid with a bloody knife. It is plain to see, those poor souls are peasants captured from some nearby farm and brought here.
Amari lowers her head and whispers to the others. “We are too late—the captives are dead.”
Dian takes a quick glance from her vantage point. Gathered about is another dozen or more of those evil wizards. A handful of the Shadow Clan, are pacing back and forth like animals as they snarl at each other.
More screams of terror cause all the warriors to raise their heads above the grass to look. Carried over the shoulders of Shadow Clan minions are two more humans…a kicking woman and a very frightened girl-child.
Gareth rises higher than the rest and places hand upon his sword. His anger of what is about to happen is almost too much to contain. Natsha grabs his arm and pulls him back into concealment. “Gareth, it will do us no good to be seen!”
“But sister, they mean to sacrifice a woman and child. I cannot sit here and let that happen. I count thirteen of those dark souls. I see another half of their dirty slaves. We are seven and three. What good is having these enchanted weapons if not to help the weak?”
Amari slides over to Gareth and Natsha. “Friends, I agree with Gareth. We are not going to leave them to be murdered. We must have a plan other than rushing in their camp with swords swinging.”
She motions for the others to come close. “Warriors ready your crossbows and swords. Fan out and encircle this clearing. First, Gareth, Natsha and Holl-tu take down the Shadow Clan with your bows when I signal with a single yellow spark sent into the air. Decide first your targets before leaving so no clan minion has two arrows entering his body, thus leaving one to escape or charge.
Truk, Dian, Mimna and I will battle the Druids. Natsha, when you have dispatched your targets defend the woman and child. Your flaming balls fired in the midst of the Druids will make our task the easier. Ving, you and your brothers need not join this battle.”
“The three trolls look at each other. They nod in silent agreement. Ving speaks for his brothers. “Since we are already here—might as well lend our spears.”
They all place hands on each other’s shoulder in a warrior’s touch of luck.
Natsha looks at her prospective targets. “I will shoot the two holding the captives and rush to the women’s side.”
Gareth and the wizard divide the rest of the Shadow Clan—each taking three.
Quietly they spread out in both directions in a circle around the camp.
Amari watches her warriors circle the clearing. The Druids are in some trance as they weave back and forth. The dead bodies have been removed from the altar stone and thrown on the ground. The clan is waiting for their masters to give the command to bring the new sacrifices to the stone. All those gathered within the clearing have their backs to the woods. Not one has set eyes on a watch.
Seeing this opening, Natsha moves from the safety of the trees toward the two minions holding the woman and child. She wants to be close as possible so not to miss the backs of the slaves with her bolts or injure the captives.
Amari looks to the trolls, but they are gone. Out in the clearing the subtle movement of brown and greens is crawling toward the enemy. She smiles. “I should have expected her old friends will make the best of the situation to even the ground because of their size. Her heart aches at the memory of Fin. Trolls are a little bigger than an
elf, but no less deadly in their tactics.
Raising her arm, a single yellow spark leaves her fingertips and enters the top of the glade.
Before the signal has even reached its arc, two short metal arms protrude from the backs of the two clan holding the captives. They drop silently to the ground under the weight of the woman and child on their shoulders.
Natsha rushes to the captives, gathers the little girl in her arms and grabs the arm of the woman leading them back into the woods. She pushes them behind a tree. A sound from behind her causes her to turn and fire an arrow without looking. A Shadow Clan seeing her run off with the sacrifices chases after her. His reward is a quivering bolt between menacing eyes. He still rushes headlong at Natsha. Dropping her bow, she brings the Fire Sword from its resting place and swings upward, cleaving the attacking slave from crotch to neck.
She faces the clearing just in time to see the other Shadow Clan slaves drop from the flight of arrows sent by Gareth and Holl-tu. On the other side of the clearing, she can see Amari, Dian and Mimna rushing the Druids, who have ceased their chants and have drawn swords.
Just then three well-places spears strike one of the Druids pinning him to the ground.
Knowing the captives are safe for the moment, Natsha runs toward the Druids that have their collective attention on her companions. She calls upon Pyrestorm, as balls of flames, one after another strike the backs of the Druids.
Several are consumed in fires. The rest turn to run, but Amari and her sisters are already upon them. Katana is bright blue as Druid after Druid falls under her sword and the blades of Dian and Mimna.
In less time it takes for a leaf to fall from the top of the tallest tree to the ground, the battle is over. All the warriors gather in the middle of the clearing. Two Druids still alive are silenced as Gareth walks among the bodies which litter this place of sacrifice.
Natsha goes back and brings the shaking woman who is clutching the girl-child. They both kneel before the warriors. Dian takes their hands and lifts them to their feet.
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