“I wouldn’t do that,” Brynn said. “That’s…”
“Murder? We’ve practically killed him already and he’s going to die—he has to or the Wildings will continue to suffer. It’s honestly more merciful now,” I said, feeling a twinge of guilt. I still wasn’t used to actually taking lives, even if they were just Syms, and I didn’t know if I’d ever be. But I’d passed the milestone where I was struggling with my decisions. That had ended when I found out we were locked in Abarria.
“I guess you’re right?—”
“I’m right,” I told her.
“Then, my sword will be quickest and least painful,” she said, bringing her blade up. She brought it down, tip first, plunging it right into his heart. The forest troll lurched once, and then shuddered out his last breath. Brynn withdrew her blade from his chest and wiped it against the side of the tree. “That takes care of it.”
I glanced over at the others, who silently nodded toward the troll. It hadn’t been his fault he’d been born—or rather, created—to be an enemy of the Wildings, but that’s what had happened,and sadly, he paid for his natural inclination to hunt and kill them.
“What now? Do the Wildings want proof?” Reggie asked.
“I’m not sure, but let’s go through his nest and see if there’s anything there we can use.” I walked over to the massive tangle of branches and straw. I had no clue where he’d picked up the straw, but probably in some field near here.
Using my dagger, I cautiously began to pry apart some of the branches. I didn’t want to be taken by surprise by any parasites the troll might have, and there might be brambles with thorns in the tangle, as well. Then, I saw the white of bones.
“Um, it looks like he had dinner,” I said.
Thornhold came over and began helping, as did Brynn, while Reggie and Ray kept an eye out. We managed to pull the nest apart and, other than too many bones to be comfortable around, we found some scattered gold and silver pieces, some ripped up leather armor, and a gorgeous katana-like sword. It felt comfortable in my hand. Almost immediately, I felt a soft breeze waft over me and the sword seemed to nestle into my hand.
“You guys mind if I keep this?” I asked. “I need something beyond my dagger.”
“No problem. How about this?” Reggie held up a wand. “It’s an ice wand.”
“Why don’t you keep it, since you’re the mage?” Brynn glanced at the rest of us. “That okay with everybody?”
We all agreed.
“Well, it looks like he took out a fighter and a mage,” Thornhold said. “But what about all of these other bones? They don’t look human?—”
“They belong to my people,” a voice said from behind a bush. Sen-ti popped out. “The forest troll ate at least five of our people and killed three others. Forest trolls have a taste for our kind. Thank you for freeing us from the danger.” His words felt stiltedbut there was no doubt by his tone that he was grateful. “One of his victims was my nest-mate.”
“Nest-mate? Your wife?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, she who was birthed with me. My twinling.”
“Your sister? I’m so sorry,” I said, my heart going out to the little creature.
“She is with the forest’s soul, now. But we miss her laughter.” He walked over to the troll’s body. “We might live on the other side, but we have to come to the forest to gather food. There will be other trolls, but for now, we are safe.”
“Is there anything we can do to help you further?” I asked.
He shook his head. “We will dismantle the nest. But we would like to offer you a night’s rest, and a meal before you head out.”
We followed him back to the oak, into the portal, and back to the city of the Wildings. There, the Elders thanked us, offering us each an acorn.
“It’s not much, but one day, you’ll find a use for it,” Sen-ti said. “Meanwhile, eat and rest. You will be safe here.”
We spread out our bedrolls, then sat with the Wildings—who approached shyly, offering us cakes and roasted vegetables and fruits—eating quietly, surrounded by a peace that I had seldom ever experienced. The next day would see us on the road again, but for the moment, we had time to breathe.
CHAPTER 27: WAYPOINTS AHOY
The next morning,we took to the road again after wishing the Wildings well.
“We appreciate your help,” Sen-ti said as he walked us to the portal. “We’ll spread the word among the other Wilding groups, should you come across them in the future.”
After bidding him farewell, we headed forward on the trail through the forest. The key was weighing heavily around my neck. It wasn’t any One Ring, by any means, but it carried its own form of oppression, especially since I still couldn’t get it off. There was a part of me that harbored a secret hope that the key itself would get tired and just fall off by itself, but so far, that hope seemed dim.
