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Troll Brook Chapter 4, Chronicle I By William Black After leaving his beloved Catherine, the Druid knight headed for Morion’s realm, but his heart and soul were with his Lady, as he knew they always would be. He was being quite honest when he told her that his questing days were over; therefore, his only concern was to fulfil his pledge and make his way back to the woman he loved. However, Fate had more in store for him, though he was not willing to meet it without a fight. His journey would take the good part of two weeks. He felt it best not to travel through the mountains; not until he was sure his muscles were well healed and in good condition. The fight with the dark otherworldly creature had taken its toll on his body, and though he appeared young looks were deceiving. The Dark One’s poison was also continuing to feed its way through his soul. The knight headed south keeping close to the mountain range. On the other side of this he knew Morion’s Castle rested on a fertile plain. He also realised with a sudden shudder that his course would take him through the forest known by the locals as "the Dark Woods". He could of course skirt around the forest, but this would take more time, and Catherine was increasingly on his mind and heart. He had given her up once because of a misspoken pledge, he did not want to repeat the same mistake again. The day grew long and his mount seemed tired. Will urged his steed off the main path to a little wooded area where he had heard water babbling over rocks. The creek was a refreshing sight. It appeared out of the mountain side, flowed down a gentle slope for about twenty yards, then disappeared into a small opening in the earth. "Come Willow, drink and eat to your heart’s content. We will rest here for tonight," he said running his hand through the horse’s soft mane. The horse readily complied, munching eagerly at the tender grass growing by the brook. Will gathered up some dry wood for a fire and set it in place. He then brought out some of the delicacies Catherine provided him with. There was travel bread, cheese, dried fruits and vegetables. And of course elderberry wine in a beautiful wine flask. His beloved Lady tended to over do it sometimes on the provisions. He set them down where he intended to dine. As he stood back up, he thought of the scene around him. The day, though ending, was warm and the air was filled with the scent of life itself. The brook sang gaily to him and he understood every note. Even the insects and birds spoke to his heart. "Yes, Father," he said looking up to the sky, "You have made all things very well." After looking about at the beauty surrounding him, he fetched his sword (for a knight was never without his weapons close by), and sat down with his back against a fir. He gave thanks, crossed himself, and started to eat. As he did so he sensed more than actually heard the unmistakable sound of whispers. For a moment he stopped chewing, let his mind clear, and reached out with his thoughts. It was as if he could send tendrils of his soul out to seek things hidden to the normal five senses. And indeed he found what he sought. Four creatures were lurking just beyond the little wood; watching and waiting. The Druid knight chuckled to himself. Trolls. "Willow, we might have company tonight after all." The knight smiled again and continued his meal. As night fell, Will got out his bedroll and set it down on a soft patch of grass near the stream. He wondered to himself if it was sacrilegious to use his surcoat waded up for a pillow. It was the same mental argument he always had with himself, but it never stopped him from using it to rest his head on. He put his white robe on for added protection against the night’s chill. Though he hadn’t heard the whispers for some time, he could still sense the Trolls lurking out in the dark. Just for the sake of it, William threw another log on the fire. Might as will provide them with a bit of light for their attack. He was enjoying the thought of it. He made himself comfortable, pulled up his blanket, and feigned sleep, and for a Druid this was not much of a task, since deep meditations were much like sleep. He thought of his life as both a Druid and now as Christian. How could he make anyone understand that there was no incongruity in this. Catherine understood and so did another, but most thought it impossible to maintain your practices in one realm while accepting another. Some thought him in league with the Devil, others that he was a devil, still others called him a heretic. But a few knew the truth and some of these were even his friends. However, loneliness weighed heavily on him. The loneliness of standing alone; of knowing things that could not be shared with others. Yes, he was a paradox. Casting the grey thoughts aside, he tried to make himself more comfortable. Then the attack came. Screams and shouts from throats over abused by too much drink shattered the calm of the night. The trolls were on top of Will before he had time to react, or so the trolls thought. The knight gained his feet with cat like swiftness. His attackers were startled. William’s sword whistled through the air, parrying the strikes of the trolls’ battle axes and clubs. One troll heaved his club at the knight’s legs hoping to bring him down. William leaped up towards the troll, doing a neat flip over the ugly creature’s head. "Not bad for an old man." William thought wryly. He would have to remember to tell Catherine that his true age did not matter, for she often kidded him about it. Coming down behind the troll, William slapped the brute on the rear with the flat edge of his sword. The troll let out a painful scream. Now two of the other trolls leaped into action. Their battle axes smashing down on the Druid knight’s sword. For a moment Will was afraid his grip was giving way, but he grabbed the hilt of the sword with both hands and brought it round in a tight arc. His blade made clean slice across the two trolls mid-section. They fell to the ground writhing in pain. One of their number attack Will from behind, but the knight heard the sound of the air as it was pushed aside by a heavy club aimed at his head. William ducked just in time. He rolled forward towards the other remaining troll, gained his feet and whipped around to the troll’s flank. William brought his sword up across the astonished troll’s throat. "HOLD!" The Druid knight shouted. "Make one move toward me and this, your leader, will be without his head!" The two trolls on the ground just moaned. But the third creature moved menacingly towards the Druid and his captive. "Come on, I would just love to hand you this trophy," the knight indicated the frighten troll’s head, "for trophies you have come for have you not?" "For the love of the First Troll, don’t come closer." Will’s captive pleaded with the remaining attacker, his voice shaking in terror. The other troll stopped. "Please, let the Master go." "Master is it?" William had noticed the insignia of a wizard on the old troll’s coat, but thought it stolen like most of the things trolls possess. "Well, well. Looks like I myself gained a prise tonight, now doesn’t it." "Please let me go. No more trouble will be given you. Just don’t harm us further." The old troll was near in tears. The wounded creatures continued their pitiful moaning. "If I let you go give me your word there will be no more trouble out of you!" "My word as the Master Wizard is given." The old wizard signalled to the other troll standing in front of him. "I too give my word. Both to you and my Master." "So be it then." William released the old fellow with a shove. Then he went over to his saddle bags and removed a leather bag containing his medical potions and tools. "Let me treat those two, then I will send you on your way." Will went straight to work. First he cleaned the wounds. "Do you have anything I can use as bandages?" He asked the old wizard. The wizard in turn said to his companion, "Toleth, get this knight what he requires." Toleth ran a short distance into the darkness from which they had originally emerged. Apparently they had some supplies stored there. While the troll was off on his errand, the Druid knight sutured up the gapping wounds in the two trolls. Who for their part continued to blather and moan. "Would you both just shut up already! You’ll live, but NOT if you don’t stop moaning!!!" Toleth returned with an old shirt. "Will this help?" He looked legitimately concerned for his fallen partners. "Yes, this will do nicely." William ripped the shirt into thin strips of cloth. Then he poured an antiseptic healing lotion on the strips and bound them around the two whimpering trolls. "This lotion will also reduce the pain. And here," the Druid knight removed a small bottle of pills with a cloth stopper from his medicine bag and handed it to the old wizard, "give them one of these as needed for the pain. Keep them from doing any heavy lifting for the next couple of days." William was enjoying himself immensely. "Within a week their flesh will be well knit together. Within a month you’ll hardly be able to tell they were in a battle." "Yea, some battle," Toleth said with hot sarcasm. "Who are you anyway. I have seen no other fight as you do." "Toleth is right. You do fight differently. You fight as if you are in a dance. There is joy in your movements, though I saw the pain in your eyes as you struck down my companions." The wizard looked at his injured friends, then back to the knight. "I too ask, who are you?" Toleth walked over to where William had pretended to sleep. He picked up the surcoat and let it unravel. The Cross of Saint John and the Oak Tree were revealed in the waning light of the fire. "YOU! You’re the one they call "the Druid knight!" Toleth, the blood draining from his face, turned to his leader, "Master, we must leave. Now!" "Are you the Druid knight?" The wizard asked in a low worried whisper. "My name is William. What others believe of me is not my concern. I am dedicated to that which I love and serve. And I serve all who honour my beloved Earth and her Maker. I am also in the service of Lady Morion of the Realm of the Dark Crystal." "Then you are in grave danger, my Lord." The old wizard warned with a bow. "My name is Canth-dar. I have been a wizard most of my adult life. I am not much of a magician, but I am quite the seer. And I have foreseen horrible trouble for one known as the Druid knight. Many seek your death. Not all appear as enemies. Beware!" "No offence Canth-dar, but with many words you said nothing. I know many seek my life. You can’t go around questing and trying to right wrongs without making enemies. Nor can you fight against the Great Enemy of the Earth without making enemies of his minions. Yes, I do have those who want to do me harm." William looked with compassion on the old wizard, for the troll really did want to warn him. The troll was showing a rare trait in his race, concern. "Master, please. Let’s leave this place. Now!" Toleth was truly scared. He fidgetted and peered out into the darkness as if watching for the imminent arrival of the Grim Reaper himself. "Toleth. Just wait!" The wizard turned to William. "You are right, my abilities are not what they once were. But let me draw something for you." With this Canth-dar stooped down to the ground, and by the fire, he wrote in the dirt a strange figure. It was a rune. "Do you recognise this?" The Druid knight knelt down to look at the rune, "Yes. It is the rune signifying Loki, the god of destruction. But it can have other meanings as well." "Not in your case, Oh knight" Canth-dar looked into the Druid’s eyes. You have poison within you. I can feel its strength working its way through your soul. It calls to you. And so does Loki. Beware! Be alert." With that final warning, the two uninjured trolls helped their wounded colleagues up and back into the darkness. "Please beware, Oh most noble knight. Death is coming and it seeks you." For a moment William just stood there looking out into the night, then he went back to his bedroll and snuggled down deep inside. Willow gave a gentle neigh, and the brook sang to him a gentle lullaby, but the warning echoed in the Druid’s head, until sleep finally overtook him. William Black © Continues... Chronicle I, Main page |