The Horns of Kern
*
Earlier that morning at Bertha’s house a pounding on the door and screams from other trolls woke Gertrude and the others up. Gertrude awoke with a start and opened the door with his sword at the ready. He found one of his friends, Tabor, standing in front of him. “What is wrong, my friend?”
“Gertrude, it is you! The king’s guards are looking for you and the royal family, and they are searching every hovel. They are burning everything in their wake. Hurry, you must leave now!” Tabor took off at a run.
Gertrude turned to find the others throwing off their blankets and coming to the door. “No, we can not leave by the door. We must leave by the tunnel system. Trust me! Bertha, do you have your husband’s sword handy?”
“Why, yes, of course.” She went over to a small panel hidden in the wall and pushed it open to reveal a large sword. She brought it out and handed it to Octavius.
Gertrude urged them down the ladder. He watched as they all hurried back into the tunnel. He followed, bringing the heavy trap door down over the opening. It was none too soon as he heard voices close by.
One by one, they entered the tunnel system once more. This time Bertha had brought a lantern which cast more light in the gloom of the tunnel. They walked quickly and soon found themselves at the junction that they had missed the previous night. They took off in that direction not really knowing where it would lead. The dampness and the cold of the tunnels once again made itself known to the weary escapees. Gertrude was in the lead since he knew the tunnel system better than the others. King Octavius followed close behind, and then came Bertha with the lantern, then the other two ladies.
“Gertrude, could we please stop for a moment so that I may catch my breath and rest my achy body?” Bertha implored.
“Of course, we are relatively safe for the time being. They will not expect us to be using the tunnel system.”
“How much further do you think we have to go before we can emerge from the tunnel system?” Octavius looked rather apprehensive.
“I really cannot say.” Gertrude put a finger to his lips. Voices could be heard. He had Bertha extinguish the lantern’s light. In the darkness, a faint glow appeared down the tunnel and then it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“We will turn where they turned and follow them. Bertha, please relight the lantern. We must not tarry any longer.” Gertrude led the way once again and they found the connecting tunnel where the light had disappeared. Gertrude noticed that the tunnel seemed to be on an incline as if it were leading them upward. After walking for some time, Gertrude stopped. “Octavius, do you feel fresh air upon your face?”
Octavius stood motionless for a brief moment. “I believe you are correct, Gertrude. I also hear voices, but what they are saying is not discernable.”
Gertrude listened for the voices. “Yes, I hear the voices also. Let’s continue.”
It wasn’t long before they saw daylight up ahead. They proceeded cautiously to the opening and listened. There was not a sound to be heard. They slowly edged out into the open air. Numerous footprints dotted the snow... footprints of trolls. Gertrude gazed around. They had indeed traveled upward and were up on the cliffs overlooking the castle.
Bertha started crying when she saw the village ablaze. The soldiers had been very thorough. There was not one structure that was not torched. “Oh, Gertrude, what are we going to do?” She lamented through her tears.
“We must find the rest of our fellow villagers, for there is strength in numbers. Our first priority is to find shelter, and our next is to find food.” Gertrude turned and followed the footprints to the summit of the steep mount above the cliffs. An amazing sight came to his eyes and the eyes of the others. There below them was a large old building made from huge logs. It was well hidden by the surrounding hills and the pine forest. The whole structure was encircled by a palisade of rock and wood.
“This is extraordinary!” Gertrude exclaimed.
Bertha looked at the others incredulously. “Gertrude, do you not know where you are?” Bertha sensed his lack of knowledge. “Do you not remember your mother telling you the story of the Secret Valley. Look at what you see in front of us. Does it not bring the story to be more than a story?”
The Grand Frog Troll looked down upon the structure and the amazing landscape. His face showed a hint of recognition as his eyes landed upon a cascade across the bowl-shaped valley. “Yes I do remember the story, and it is peculiar how similar this spot is.”
“It is not similar, Gertrude, it is the Secret Valley. I am sure that when we get down there we shall find all that we need.” Bertha smiled through tear-filled eyes. “If you will recollect in the story, this structure was built by our ancestors as a safe haven. They then prayed to Kern to keep it hidden from those that seek to do us harm. I am sure this is it.”
“Well, we will not find out what this structure is until we go down and investigate.” Octavius looked at Emmaline and Norman. “We are all tired from the day’s arduous events and a chance to get warm and rest would be most welcomed.”
The small group headed down into the valley on a trail that led them underneath groves of stately pine. The walk down was less difficult and everyone’s spirits seemed to be buoyed by the anticipation of food and rest. They had been walking for about an hour when the canopy of pine boughs opened up to reveal the massive structure.
Emmaline let out an audible gasp at the size of the building looming in front of them.” I believe that this is as large as the castle of Glennmorley. It is mammoth!” The others just nodded in agreement for they were all equally shocked by its size. They walked around an outcropping of rocks to find a doorway set in a framework of carved stone. There, above the door, was an inscription.
Gertrude looked at the lettering. “It must be written in ‘Old Troll’. Can you read it, Bertha?” Gertrude looked back over his shoulder at her.
“Yes…I can read it…It says: ‘Welcome all who are in need of protection and a safe haven. Those with only good in their heart shall be allowed to enter.’ Gertrude, this is the Hidden Valley.” Bertha was awed by the whole happening.
“I believe you are right, for I remember my mother telling me about the magic doorway and that it is protected by all the past believers in Kern.” Gertrude walked up to the door and turned the handle. The door opened with ease as if it were used all of the time. Gertrude passed through the door, followed by the others.
Octavius closed the doorway behind them and marveled at the building before him. “This structure is beyond comprehension! I have never seen anything like it.” Octavius looked up at the wooden fortress. The walls were intricately carved with figures and animals. A large door stood in the very center of the structure, carved with figures of trolls showing feats of valor.
Once again the doors opened with ease and their senses were overwhelmed by a feeling of well-being. Gertrude closed the doors behind them. “I smell food cooking. This way…” He led the group towards an area in back of the room they had entered. A table laden with hot foods was set for them. Some other trolls that Gertrude and Bertha recognized as being from Awll were already feasting on the banquet before them.
Two old trolls entered the room carrying more food. They walked over to the table and sat down with the others. One of the trolls motioned to them. “Please come and join us and tell us about your troubles.” Gertrude, Octavius, Bertha, Emmaline and Norman walked over to the table and sat down.
Gertrude looked at the elderly male troll. He looked older than any troll he had ever met. He had more wrinkles upon his face than a puddle of water disturbed by a pebble falling into it. The lady troll was similar in her facial features yet her eyes radiated with a warmth that made him feel as if he had known her for all of his life. ‘Odd’, Gertrude thought. “I am a guest in your house…”
“Oh no; this is not our house; this is our Master’s house. We just do his bidding. I am Amor and this is my husband, Laude. Our Master opens his door to all good peop
le who need refuge from their enemies.”
“What do you call this place, Amor?” Bertha did not hesitate to pick up a chicken leg and take a bite.
Amor smiled and turned to her husband. “We call it ‘home’… there is no other name for it. It is a place in your heart that you, alone, can feel. It is a place of love, honor and respect.” All heads turned as more weary trolls entered the room.
“Welcome, welcome, please come and join us for a meal.” Laude walked over to the group and guided them over to the table. “Please, please sit down and rest and forget your troubles for a moment.” Just as Laude was about to sit down again, four more trolls appeared in the doorway. Gertrude pushed himself away from the table and walked up to the first. With tears in his eyes, he hugged his mother.
“Thank goodness we found you! We must hurry to help Twiggs! We found out that Lord Mellem and Lemerich are one and the same. Mellem had Smirch killed and now they are going to kill Twiggs and his family.” Winifred started to cry.
“We will try to save him and his family.” Gertrude’s somber look changed to a smile when he saw Toddy. He looked at her and uttered three soundless words that only Toddy’s heart heard. Next to her was their other neighbor, Sarah, and her son, Hiram.
“Come and sit down before the food becomes cold.” Laud ushered the four to the table. “Please help yourselves to the food, good people.”
Winifred sat down on the other side of the table across from Gertrude and next to Amor. “You both are so kind to give us food. Thank you so much.”
Gertrude looked at Laude. “Please forgive me for being so forward. My Mother just informed me that some friends of ours are in imminent danger and we must try and help them. They will be killed if we do nothing.”
Laud turned his head towards Amor. “My dear is it possible to have one of our couriers sent to intercept these dastardly naves to aid these poor people?”
Amor smiled. “I will see to it at once.” Amor excused herself and walked through the nearest door. Almost in a blink of an eye she reappeared with a smile on her face. “Our Master knows of the problem and tells me that the young troll Twiggs and his family will be protected from any harm.”
A questioning look came over Octavius’ face. “My good man; how did you know of Twiggs and his Family? I do not recall anyone mentioning his name here at the table.”
“Our master has many eyes and many ears in all of the kingdoms.” Laud smiled.
Emmaline nudged her husband. “Octavius; I do not believe this is the proper time to question our most gracious hosts about how they know of Twiggs plight.
Octavius blushed. “Please forgive me for being so rude.”
Gertrude interrupted. “Mother, how did you escape from the castle?” Gertrude picked up a large wedge of berry pie and put it on his plate.
“You might say we were literally thrown out with the garbage. During the ruckus in the ballroom, I grabbed Toddy and we hid under the platform. We remained there for a few hours and then made our way by some sleeping guards and down to the kitchen, where we were hidden by Harriet. She then devised the plan to get us out of the castle by having us go out in the garbage bins. It worked. Then we had a run-in with Riley, the pretender. He was waiting for us at our hovel. He tried to take us prisoner but he had an unfortunate accident. I only hope Kern can forgive me for what I did. We then found our way to the tunnels. We happened to see a light ahead of us and followed it.”
Amor smiled and looked at King Octavius. “And what brings the king of Glennmorley and his family here?”
Octavius almost choked on a piece of mutton. “My good woman, how do you know who I am?”
You are wearing the royal crest of your kingdom and I have never seen two peasant ladies dressed in gowns like the ones your wife and daughter are wearing.” Amor smiled and chuckled. Octavius blushed which gave everyone a good belly laugh.
Soon there were more weary trolls arriving and each, in turn, was welcomed inside. To the amazement of all, there seemed to be plenty of seats available and more than enough food. In a little while the great room was filled with the displaced residents of Awll. Each had stories of how they had woodland creatures beckoning them to follow, or they heard a voice in their heads telling them where to go. No matter...they had arrived safely.
Laude stood up after a while and addressed the crowd. “There are plenty of rooms for you to rest in down the far hall and the one over on this side.” Laude pointed with his hand. “I am sure you will find whatever you might need. If by chance something has been overlooked, please ask my lovely wife, Amor, or me and we will gladly help you. Thank you.”
Gertrude then stood up. “I would like to thank our most wonderful hosts for their generosity and their most gracious hospitality. Please join me in a toast.” Gertrude and the rest of the gathering raised their glasses in the air. “May we praise Kern for sending us here to the open arms of these generous folks. May Kern bless them and always keep their hearts near his.” Gertrude turned to their hosts. “To your health and happiness…” There was a brief pause and then everyone stood up and applauded. Gertrude remained standing and waited ‘til everyone was sitting once again. “We have lost our beloved village, however, we have not lost the will to defend the land that it sat upon. We must raise an army and rid our good land of the evil that seeks to destroy it. I need four volunteers to go to the other kingdoms to ask them for their help.”
All of the trolls stood, even the women. A cheer broke out and they started singing the ‘Troll Honor Song’. After three verses, they cheered. Slowly the cheering subsided and four trolls approached. It was Aaron of the Alders and his sons Zak, Moah, and Waxon. The oldest troll spoke for them. “Gertrude, my sons and I would like to volunteer to go for aid. We have three horses that we managed to save and one of us can go on foot.” Gertrude looked at the sons. He knew them well for he had grown up with them. They were stubborn trolls. They got it from their Father’s side of the family.
“Thank you. I accept your offer. When you reach your destinations, see if there is a leader among the human village that is well-respected and ask for their aid as well. Tell them that I have sent you. My father brought honor to our name. We need the armies by sunrise, the day after tomorrow. Tell them to wait behind the hills that surround Glennmorley. We will signal them with the Horns of Kern to come to the summits before battle.”
The four turned and left quickly. They had forgotten to ask for swords and shields before they left. As they walked through the door, they found swords and shields waiting for them. They were off to their destinations.
Gertrude smiled broadly. “We have many preparations ahead of us tomorrow. Let us help our guests clean up the banquet and then retire to our rooms.”
“There is no need for you to help.” Laude smiled kindly. “Our staff will have it cleaned in no time at all. Please, you need your rest. The royal family needs theirs, too.”
Gertrude looked at all of the dirty dishes and the food that had to be put away. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, then followed the crowds of trolls through the hallways, looking to find a room. He felt down at his waist. Where was his sword? Gertrude walked back to the huge room to find it empty except for one table with two chairs. ‘I must have drunk that wine too quick.’ He spotted his sword leaning against the table. Retrieving it, he walked back down the hallway.
Octavius met him in the hall. “Gertrude, do things seem a little strange around here, or am I imagining things?”
“What do you mean, Octavius?” Gertrude looked at him questioningly.
“Go into your room and see for yourself.” Gertrude opened the door to his room to reveal a bed similar to his own at home and there was a fresh change of clothing and some winter wear hanging from a peg on the wall. “I do not see anything strange. Why?”
Octavius shook his head and knocked on the door opposite his. He opened it after he heard Emmaline give the ‘all clear’. “Gertrude, look in here and
tell me what you see.” Gertrude walked into the room to find a large bed with a mattress stuffed with down. There was a set of clothing for Octavius to change into along with some winter wear. Emmaline walked into the room with her gown in one arm and she was wearing a dress similar to the ones she wore at home and it was in her favorite color. He looked at Octavius and shrugged his shoulders. “I cannot explain it, other than we have a host that seems to know our every need.”
“I think this will be one of those stories that I will be telling my grandchildren.” Octavius smiled and bid Gertrude a good eve.
Gertrude walked into his room and was about to close the door when Toddy walked through the door. “I hope you don’t mind. I need to talk to you. Please close the door so no one can listen if they pass by.” Gertrude closed the door, and turned around to find Toddy crying. “What is wrong? Did I do something to offend you?”
“No, you did nothing wrong…I’m just worried about what might happen the day after tomorrow. If something happens to you, I don’t know what I will do. “Gertrude walked over to her and put his arms around her and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Toddy looked up at him and smiled. “Thank you, Gertrude. I feel better now.” She walked over to the door and opened it, turned and blew him a kiss. Gertrude smiled, got ready for bed and turned down the lamp, falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.