Book 3: Chapter 82
Tiffany
Through the other side of the portal, I saw… He was Massive. Not a part on him was flabby… and the cloth over his waist was clearly an old sail from a boat. The club he brandished was a whole tree, though it was worn smooth, with no bark. He’d used that Tarteron oak tree until it became a club, rather than fashioning it into one. His tusks were grown out, unlike in the mortal world where they file them JUST short enough to be hidden by their lips, like normal fangs.
Behind him was a mighty bridge, covered in polished silver vines, and little silver fleeced sheep who ate them. They were little cotton balls compared to his stature. I dare say they were no bigger than his toenail. I wondered where that bridge went… what afterlife did he guard?
The wide cobblestone road started out about as wide as a one way street, but got wider, to about a 8 lane street, with a smooth stone bridge that went up into clouds. I couldn’t see anything beyond that up there, but the carvings on the bridge, and how smooth and perfectly placed everything was told me that he was likely the first guard of many…
I believe goblins, elves, and trolls are made by Beauty…. I watched him pick up a boulder like a rock, and toss it across the horizon.
“KAHH!” screamed some kind of bird.
“Stupid firebirds.” He complained…. The only reason why he didn’t do it to me was because I think I was downwind, being behind him….
…. The firebird exploded in a boom of flame and feathers.
Fuck that guy is Big. He stomped slowly with his flock of sheep, but if I tried fighting something like That, I’d be killed. Those who are the first of their kind are stronger, most times by double, than their counterparts.
/Then why not use our brain?/ asked Theo. /I KNOW we’ll be faster, but that won’t mean much if one hit will smash us to bits./
I may be 90ft long including the tail but I’m only about 10 or 12 feet around. He could probably grab me and tie me in a knot… So fighting him is OUT.
But am I *really* going to try to reason with a troll on their territory?
/Well….Nobody said that he was a mindless beast or anything. Trolls are also simple… but not dumb./ I thought that to Theo, who nodded.
/SEE! You know I’m Right!/ She beamed. /Plus I know the goddess will like that you got these peacefully./
/Theo do you remember Low Goblin?/ I asked.
/I’m *rusty* but yeah. It’s basically goblin, but with shorter, more guttural words./ she said as I let her take over.
“Father of Trolls!” Said Theo.
He turned his massive head.
“Creature of night you trespass.” He growled His yellow eyes were filled with rage and hatred…. “Go back to Hell.” He spat.
“Wait sir!” Yelled Theo…
“I do not tolerate Hell nor Haven’s creatures. This is the Lord and Lady of Beasts and Beauty’s domain.”
He was in the process of picking up a rock, before Theo stopped him by diving close.
“WAIT! I am not a demon. I am a witch.” She said flapping out of reach of a clawed hand!
“What is a witch doing in serpent’s flesh?” he said with narrowed eyes.
“Magic, specifically a Trial for the Lords of Judgment, Death, and Justice. I am Tiffany a Dark Witch. I know by now you’ve heard of their mother’s sorrow… I am tasked with aiding her grandson, Lord Kaizen.”
“Then you have my ear…. For now. I am Grihk, son of Typhen, Father of Trolls and Goblins.” He grunted. “My Lord wished my people born strong and fierce… Yet *I* am the one who is free.” He said proudly.
“I am the Wife of Zayde Yoltier, grandson of the Witch King.” She said it this time without messing it up… “My husband bound your father, but his life is his own. He may come and go as he pleases, and we do not limit him nor his mate.”
“I have not spoken with them in a long time… .not since I died.” He said looking down. “But it is good to know he has kind lords.”
“They are healthy and still birth litters.” Said Theo with a small smile, though I don’t think he can tell.
“And *why* does Gulteer send his children to the foot of NurVanity?” He demanded, still not fully convinced.
“I am here on behalf of the Princes of Hell. They only wish a few vines for their mother’s sake.” Theo landed and bowed her head. That is universal submission. “The leaves and fruit can be burned as a rare offering… I don’t even know if it will work, but the Moon Goddess is my master’s mate. Anything for her. Break me if you wish, I cannot stop you.”
He stood there a long time…
“Shoo little ones.” He made his sheep stop crowding his feet so he could sit, and as soon as he did, they acted like they wanted pets. They put their little hooves on him, some climbing up his crossed legs like a steep hill.
“You have my word that I am here only for the vines. I do not mind working or trading for them. I know I cannot take them.”
He chuckled.
“Vines are scarce unless you cultivate them.” He said picking his sheep up one by one, and petting them. He looked off into the field of vines…. Hectares of them, while on Urth you’d be lucky to find a dead, tarnished leaf.
“Then is there something I can trade?” I asked.
“Hmm…Do you mind doing me a favor instead?” He asked seriously.
“Aye.” Said Theo.
“A shame what he did….I may look this way because of Lady Beauty’s anger… but I would take that deal with the Moon Goddess a million times… Because of Lady Lulliba… I got the *closest* thing to a mate you can get …. I’ll help. It’s the right thing to do so long as you’re not trying to enter the gates. He said with a nod. “It won’t be *free* though.”
“What did you have in mind?” Theo asked.
“I figure we can scratch both our backs.” He said with a nod, putting down a sheep to pick up another. “I wanted to go to the bazar, my wife’s selling the fleece. But, I cannot leave my flock and escort her home with the Rogues around.” He said scratching his chin. “You mind watching them a few days?”
OK if the Rogues are giving Someone Like Him Trouble This is Going To Be A TRIAL…
/Awe shit, can’t we just fight him?/ Complained Theo. /Babysitting priceless sheep is going to be annoying as fu-/
“I can.” I said …. In Very poor goblin, shifting, and he did as well. He became a 10 foot tall blue man, and went into his cave under the bridge
“You must swear that you will not go on the bridge.” He warned. “I’ll tell you now so you don’t get curious. If you touch that stone, you’ll summon the Sphinx, Gryphon, and skull-head hounds.”
I gave Theo back the reigns… it would be kind of suspicious if all of a sudden, I went from fluid troll to REALY BAD goblin… And I thought my elvish was bad… Unholy Cow.
“You have my word. I have no intention of going to an afterlife I don’t belong.” Said Theo firmly.
“I know you won’t. I’ll be back in 2 days. I don’t want any to be harmed or missing. There’s 50.”
I nodded, taking over.
“Inside my home, I live shifted for Jix’s sake, so you Should be able to reach everything little one. They feed themselves, but if they go too close to the house, there’s a rake. I burn it in that firepit over there.” He pointed. “They understand speech, but they behave like cats, so don’t expect them to listen. They go to bed at sundown, IN the cave. DON’T let them out of your sight. Rogue beasts who are rejected but not collected by Death wonder around as vagabonds.”
One of the sheep bit me.
“OW!”
“Oh, and Dolly bites. She won’t if you call her A Bad Girl!” He yelled with a smile, and she ran away. “Come now, let’s get you out the wind, and into some garments.”
“Thank you.” I said with a bow.
“I bet you’re wondering why I’m pleasant, not some dumb monster.” He said with a raised brow.
“Is it because they only changed your face, not your mind?” I asked.
“You know I was more beautiful than Sagrinal.” He said with a smirk. “If you don’t believe me, please by all means ask him.”
“I believe you.” I smiled. “But…. I also understand. Zayde is my mate… we earned that favor…. And I cannot imagine a day without him as my partner.”
“It’s the same with Jix….. I cannot tolerate the scent of any other female. She is the love of my life…and afterlife. You know I died first?” He said as I followed him to his ‘cave’ home. “The Church beheaded me and gutted her right after… But oddly enough I’m kind of grateful.”
“Really?” Asked Theo.
“Well, I’m making the beat of being dead with my bonded.” He chuckled. “I see our children walk to the gates, and chat with them from time to time, and the money’s good too. Evenings are peaceful and Mostly quiet.”
He said that part like he was hiding something, but I let it slide.
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