Glancing up from his bedroll, Master Hymal turned sleepy eyes upon the scene unfolding at the edge of the knoll. Troll emerging, new guy screaming, more shouts for them to flee, fireball exploding, and two Springers racing for their lives. The troll moved up onto the knoll and made its way toward the camp.
“Do you have to do this every time?” Hymal asked.
Taking off the troll head, Charka gave him a grin. “No, but why waste the opportunity?”
Lying back down, the apothecary pulled his blanket up over his head. From beneath came, “It’s gotten so a man can’t even get a good night’s sleep anymore.”
Charka knew Hymal was only grousing because he was tired. Most times when they enacted the troll attack on a Springer, he would play along. Sometimes he would even be one of the bloody victims. But the night before he had been up late due to a prior commitment and thus hadn’t felt inclined to participate.
Seward got to his feet and looked toward where Jaikus and Reneeke had disappeared. “Think we should go get them?”
“Probably.” Removing the entire mocked-up troll body, none of which was in fact constructed from what had once been an actual troll, Charka nodded. “You get cleaned up and I’ll go find them.”
“Just be quiet while you go about it!” Hymal exclaimed.
Two figures huddled behind a stump at the edge of a bog. Looking back toward where their comrades must assuredly have fallen to the trolls, Jaikus turned to Reneeke. “Should we return to see if anyone survived?”
“I…I don’t know.”
It was quiet. Light from the camp’s fire could be seen through the trees and indistinct silhouettes would at times move about.
“We could try to make it back to Reakla,” Reneeke suggested.
Jaikus didn’t like the prospect of returning without having completed the mission. How were they supposed to get into the Guild now after having not only failed to see Hymal safely to their destination and back again, but losing the rest of their party to a troll attack?
Movement in the trees near the knoll brought all thoughts back to their present situation. They each had their hands on their swords, though flight was on their minds more than fighting.
“Come on back, lads,” Charka shouted into the Swamp. “It was all just a bit of fun.”
Jaikus wasn’t laughing. Soiling oneself in a moment of terror wasn’t something he enjoyed.
Reneeke chuckled. When Jaikus flashed him a look he knew meant his friend was mad, Reneeke slapped him on the back. “Aw, come on Jaik. It wasn’t that bad. Kind of funny now that the moment is behind us.”
“It wasn’t funny.”
Making sniffing noises, Reneeke said, “I can tell.” Then he chuckled again as he slapped Jaikus’ back once more. “Over here!” he hollered to their Troupe leader. Coming around the stump, Reneeke waved.
Charka gave them a grin. “All in good fun, lads,” he said. “No hard feelings?”
Reneeke shook his head. “Naw.” Jaikus glared.
“It wasn’t just to make sport of you two, though there was an element of fun to it. This was also to see what sort of men you two were and how you would react.”
“And?” Jaikus asked.
“You two didn’t flee until after we shouted for you to. Which tells us that not only would you have remained to fight, but that you are not so prideful as to ignore directions given by those with more experience.” He placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “You two are all right.”
“Thank you,” said Reneeke.
On their return to the camp, Jaikus got over his annoyance at the trick they played on him. And once he cleaned himself, felt better about it.
The next morning, the Troupe seemed much more relaxed and amicable toward the pair of newcomers. Perhaps the events of the night before had been sort of an initiation, a way for them to be drawn into the camaraderie of the others. Even Seward’s attitude had softened somewhat.
“Here,” he said as they sat around the fire eating their breakfast. He handed a rag and a small vial of polish to Jaikus. “Now, you won’t have to share with your friend.”
“I appreciate this.”
Seward shrugged.
Before they got underway, Charka inspected their blades and found them to be much improved. There were still a few patches of rust adhering to each, but by and large the greatest concentration had been dealt with. “You should be able to get the rest when we make camp tonight.”
Hymal took the lead from this point with Charka walking beside him. The rest of the marching order remained the same as the day before.
As the day wore on, the Swamp deepened, growing ever more wild. Solid ground was also becoming harder to come by as bogs and waterways took over. Hymal seemed to know where he was going, and their path somehow remained upon what little dry ground there was. At times, they navigated through bogs from which bubbles would emerge, gases coming from unknown depths.
At one point, Reneeke lost his footing and slipped a foot into the murky waters. Immediately, the muck began to roil with small creatures not more than a finger in length. Seward grabbed Reneeke by the collar and yanked him back, dragging his foot from the muck. “Keep to high ground,” he warned.
Pulling his knife, he used the tip to pry the jaws of one little creature from where it had its teeth embedded in the heel of Reneeke’s boot. “They can strip the flesh from a man in a matter of minutes.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Reneeke assured him.
Jaikus came to his friend and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah.” He stared at the surface of the bog which had quieted down now that his foot was no longer mired in its muck.
“Let’s get going, lads,” Charka hollered from where he stood with Hymal and Lady Kate.
During the noon break, Charka showed Jaikus and Reneeke the proper way in which to hold their swords. He also instructed them in the rudimentary methods of hack, slash, parry, and thrust. The sword arms of both lads were leaden by the time they resumed their progress.
Later that afternoon, Jaikus commented to Lady Kate, “Charka is certainly being nice in giving us pointers with the blade.”
Turning an amused look his way, she said, “Nice has nothing to do with it. You and your friend are our greatest liabilities at present. Showing you the proper use of your swords helps to reduce that liability should swordplay be required. He’s doing it, because that is what a good leader does.”
“Is that why you are part of his Troupe?” Reneeke asked who couldn’t help but overhear the conversation.
“In part. He and I go way back. When I first embarked upon the Arcane Path, he had just entered the Guild and we both signed on with Hulga and his Stickers. A band of raiders had attacked the small town of Rock Point and taken off with five young girls. The town’s elders contracted with Hulga to retrieve the captives and slaughter the raiders.”
“Did you find them?” Reneeke asked.
“Hulga tracked them down in four days. Not one raider lived to see the fifth.”
“And the girls?”
“One was dead, the other four were the worse for wear but we were able to return them to their families. After Hulga let go those recruited for that specific venture, Charka and I signed on together again with Ye’s band. It wasn’t intentional. They needed a spell caster and another sword, and we just happened to be the ones selected. It was during that trip a friendship developed between us. Then when Charka decided to form his own Troupe, he asked me to come along and I agreed.”
“What about Seward? Was he with you from the beginning?”
She shook her head. “No, he didn’t join until a year later.”
“I’m going to have my own party one day,” Jaikus boasted.
Giving him a smile, she said, “I’m sure you will.”
Then he slapped Reneeke on the back. “And Rene here is going to be part of it, won’t you?”
Nodding, Reneeke replied, “Yeah, sure.”
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Twice more were rest breaks called before arriving at that night’s campsite. Each break entailed more drills.
Charka was a hard taskmaster who demanded perfection with every movement of the sword. If they didn’t halt their blade at the right angle, or they didn’t thrust far enough, he made sure they knew about it. Even when the campsite was reached, he had them practice their drills rather than set up camp.
Reneeke’s form was steadily improving. Jaikus looked like he was fighting it all the way. Never quite stopping at the right angle, or would have his feet set too far apart to suit Charka, he was the focal point of the leader’s tirade more often than not.
“You should be able to halt your sword at the right position by now!” he shouted when Jaikus’ blade came to a stop a few degrees off center. Grabbing him by the wrist, he repositioned his hand. “Keep it in line with your elbow and the blade. Think of the area from your shoulder to the tip of your blade as one.”
“I’m trying!” Jaikus retorted.
“A dead man tries, an Adventurer does. Or don’t you want to be an Adventurer? What if your buddy’s life depended on you being able to take out your opponent and come to his aid? Is he going to want you to try and help him? Or would he want you to help him?”
Assuming a determined look, Jaikus once again went through the motions, intent on getting it right. When his sword finally reached the ending position, he maintained the position as he flicked his eyes toward Charka.
“Hmmmm, better. But your wrist is still slightly twisted. A well placed blow against your sword could snap the bone. Another score of sets before you eat.”
Arm already protesting with pain, Jaikus replied, “You got it,” then returned his sword to the primary position and began again.
During watch that night, Jaikus was again paired with Seward. This time, he kept more alert, not only watching the Swamp, but also his fellow comrades. He didn’t want a repeat of the night before.
The hours of his watch passed slowly. Seward kept near the fire, satisfied to allow Jaikus to do the brunt of the work. Which if truth be known, suited Jaikus just fine. The man wasn’t all that friendly, and even though Seward had thawed a bit after the previous night’s escapade, his company continued to be a bit unsettling.
When it came time to wake Reneeke and Charka for their turn, he woke his friend then climbed into his bedroll and quickly fell asleep.
Before leaving the campsite on their third day of travel, Charka explained to Jaikus and Reneeke that they would be entering troll territory. “Keep on your guard and speak only when necessary. It is unusual for us to encounter one of the beasts, but it does happen. If we should, stay together and do exactly what we tell you.”
Two heads bobbed understanding.
With that, Charka signaled for Hymal to take the lead.
Dry land continued to grow less and less abundant as the day progressed. Wherever they were going must be in the middle of some great mire, or so Jaikus thought. Walking along strips of land threading between bogs on one side and stagnant pools of water on the other, he worked diligently to keep his feet from finding their way into the water and muck.
He couldn’t understand how Hymal knew the way. Had Jaikus needed to return to Reakla on his own, he seriously doubted his ability to accomplish such a feat. He had no clue as to where they were, or even the way back.
During their few rest breaks, he tried to discover the method by which Hymal guided them. But with Charka still drilling them, and at times sparring with them, he was never able to figure it out.
Noon came and went with no troll sightings. At one point, they came to a long, narrow strip of dry land upon which a post had been set within the ground adorned with skins and human skulls.
“Troll totem,” Charka stated. He brought the Troupe to a halt. “This wasn’t here the last time.”
“A clan has claimed this area?” Seward asked.
Charka nodded. “That, or one that’s gone rogue.”
“A rogue, troll?” Reneeke asked.
“A rogue troll is one whose clan no longer accepts it and must fend for itself.”
“They’re usually pretty mean,” Seward stated. “More likely to attack than one claimed by a clan.”
The Swamp was quiet but for the normal sounds of birds and the odd gas bubble bursting after escaping the clutches of the muck and mire. Jaikus and Reneeke scanned the surrounding area for sign of the totem’s owner.
“It may be off hunting,” Charka said. “Let’s get moving and pass through its territory before we are discovered.” Turning his attention upon his two newest members, he added, “Keep quiet and eyes open.”
Charka walked side by side with Hymal as they passed the totem and continued down the strip of land. Reneeke slowed slightly when passing the totem. Inspecting the skins, he realized that they were definitely human, probably from the same donors as the skulls. The sight gave him the shivers.
“Hurry up,” Seward urged from his position at the rear.
Reneeke quickened his pace once more and caught up with Jaikus. “Scary,” he whispered to his friend.
“You’re telling me,” Jaikus replied.
They had just reached the end of the widened area of land, and were about to continue along a narrow strip when the beast was spotted off to their right. Moving in the same direction as they, it traversed a similar strip of land on the far side of a stagnant pool of water. Charka brought them to a halt. Using hand gestures, he signaled for everyone to remain still and quiet.
Jaikus watched the beast lumber along, his hand rested upon the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at any sign the creature took notice of their presence. Part of him wished to face the creature toe to toe, while another hoped it would keep right on going. The former wish was granted when the troll, for whatever reason, happened to glance their way.
It came to an abrupt stop and stared, almost as if it couldn’t believe what it saw. Then it roared. Lurching into the water, it raced across to the meal waiting on the other side.
To Jaikus and Reneeke, Charka said, “You two watch the mules. Seward, Kate, let’s do this.” Drawing his sword, he moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Seward while Kate took position behind them. “Wait until he’s closer.”
Kate nodded.
Roaring, the troll reached the end of the water and raced onto their strip of dry land.
“Now!”
Three bolts of red fire shot forth from Lady Kate’s hand to strike the creature dead center on the chest.
Howling with rage and pain, the bolts knocked it back a step before the creature recovered and charged. It’s long, muscular arms struck out toward Seward only to have the man’s shield knock them to the side. Again it howled as Charka and Seward’s swords cut deeply into its side. Then it was slammed with another round of red fire from Lady Kate.
Eager to join the fray, Jaikus said to Reneeke, “We should help.”
“They told us to watch the mules.”
Suddenly, a green, web-like substance bound the troll’s legs together and it fell face forward onto the ground. Immediately, Seward and Charka moved forward with swords raised to impale the creature.
But it wasn’t out of the fight yet. Before the blades could fall, the claws of one hand shot forward and raked Seward’s calf, shredding his pants and the flesh beneath. Crying out from the pain the blow delivered, his strike fell off-center and sliced the creature through the shoulder.
Charka’s blade, however, struck true. Using both hands, he impaled the creature through the spinal cord and chest cavity. Leaving the sword within the creature, he backed away.
“It doesn’t look as if they need our help, Jaik,” Reneeke commented as the creature lay on the ground, twitching.
“No, lads, they don’t,” Hymal affirmed. “Charka, Seward, and Lady Kate have been doing this for some time.”
When it appeared the fight had gone out of the troll, Charka pulled his sword free and quickly stepped back. As soon
as he was several feet away, Lady Kate spoke three words that made Jaikus’ skin crawl.
Whoosh!
The troll went up in flames. From feet to head, fire consumed the body.
“You got to burn ‘em, lads,” Hymal stated. “If you don’t, they’ll regenerate and become mobile once more in a day or two.”
As Lady Kate saw to the immolation of the beast, Charka helped Seward over to where their Springers watched the mules. Going to the packs one of the mules carried, he pulled out a small flask and had Seward drink from it.
“Healing potion?” Jaikus asked.
Charka nodded. “Always have half a dozen of them, just in case.”
Intrigued, the two lads moved so they could observe how the healing potion worked its magic on Seward’s wound. This was the first time either of them had ever seen a healing potion at work. First, the bleeding stopped. Then, the wound began to close. In less than a minute, pink skin grew to cover the damaged area.
“Does it hurt?” Reneeke questioned Seward when it looked as if the healing potion had run its course.
He shook his head. “Not anymore. Just a tingling sensation akin to how it feels after your foot falls asleep and starts waking up again.”
“Good work,” Hymal praised as he came up to Charka.
The Troupe leader shrugged, “It’s what you’re paying us for.”
“True. Still, good work.”
Seward tested his newly healed leg and found it sound with only a minor twinge in the freshly grown skin. It would take some time before it grew as flexible as the rest of his skin.
Reneeke walked to where Lady Kate’s spell was reducing the troll to ashes. “I don’t suppose you could teach me that?”
She shook her head and grinned. “I’m afraid not. This particular spell took me the better part of a year to learn. And that was after already spending two years apprenticed to another, three years honing my abilities, and lots of healing scrolls.”
“Healing scrolls?”
“You don’t think learning the Arcane Arts is easy do you? Far easier is it to wield a blade than the forces of the universe.”
“I’m sure it’s not, Lady, uh, er, Kate. But what about these healing scrolls. Where does one acquire them?”
“There are two places in Reakla that specialize in scrolls for Adventurers. One of course is located within the Guild grounds. Not every Guild member has access to it I’m afraid. The other is Travel Scrolls operated by a Scriber named Olaf. His scrolls tend to be less expensive but quite common. The best ones can be had only in the Guild.”
“Does he sell the healing scrolls?”
She nodded. “Rather inexpensive too, only two golds each for the lesser ones. He sells two kinds. One is for minor wounds similar to what Seward received during the troll attack. The other can heal much more extensive damage and costs five golds each. It won’t bring you back from the dead, but will take care of just about everything else. If you plan on adventuring, and don’t intend on hiring a cleric to travel with you, then you will need to have a supply of either the healing scrolls or healing potions. Since you two are new, I would advise having a lot of them.”
Ceasing her spell, she used a stick from off the ground to poke amidst the ashes for any part of the troll she may have missed. Coming across a small piece, she used a lesser fire spell and took care of it. “I think that will do.”
“How much can be left before a troll is able to come back?”
“Surprisingly little. I knew this one magic user during my apprentice years who claimed to have cut a finger off of a troll just to see if the finger would regenerate back into the troll.”
“And did it?”
“According to him it did.”
“Man. They are some tough beasts.”
“That they are,” Charka commented from over his shoulder.
Lady Kate and Reneeke glanced toward him.
“Is it finished?” their Troupe leader asked.
She nodded. “Nothing but ashes.”
“Then let’s get going. It may not have been alone.”
“But, I thought you said it was a rogue?”
Charka turned an unamused grin to his Springer. “Son, never believe yourself to be safe in the Swamp. Always assume that where there is one troll, there is another. Only Mossbacks are completely solitary. Now, let’s get going.”
Mossbacks? What were Mossbacks? Deciding there remained much to the Swamp of which he was ignorant, Reneeke left the questions unspoken and rejoined Jaikus.
Jaikus greeted his friend with a wide grin. “Hymal said that the Troupe gets a bonus for every attack thwarted.”
“That’s nice,” Reneeke replied.
“That’s nice? Don’t you know what this means? Our share will be bigger!”
“If you say so.”
Jaikus rolled his eyes as Charka took the lead with Hymal right behind pointing the way. Now that a troll had been encountered, it was no longer prudent to have the apothecary lead.
As they left the scene of battle, Jaikus scanned the Swamp for signs of other creatures that might be nice enough to allow their bonus to be raised by attacking. Perhaps next time, it could be two trolls instead of one. Calculating the figures, he hoped for three.
Chapter 5