The Rogue God Series: The Mad Goddess

By Gregory C. Langtry

The Mad Goddess is on the verge of being released by a secret group of Cerridwen worshipers. They have helped a swordmaiden to escape the elves who is the key to releasing the Mad Goddess. James and Harry are determined to stop the swordmaiden as they learn she has been deceived and she is in reality releasing a monster that would destroy all around them.
The Orcs are on the move and are becoming a threat that the Elves and Dwarfs must defeat while the troll invasion continues to threaten all. Great battles are fought and sacrifices made so the two Outlanders James and Harry can reach the shrine to prevent the Mad Goddess from being released.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gregory C. Langtry
• Release date: May 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311367006

Gregory C. Langtry

I was born and educated in Sydney, Australia where I obtained tertiary qualifications in Metallurgy and Production Engineering and by day I work as a Quality and Technical Manager. In Australia the climate is very agreeable which has allowed me to surf, fish, bush-walk and enjoy an outdoor life in my spare time. My other love is reading. I enjoy history and political intrigues and researching why historical events eventuate. To develop a better insight as to what really caused the events to occur by reading in between the lines of history.I have traveled extensively for both business and pleasure. I enjoy meeting people from different cultures and leaning how they view and navigated their way through life. This has allowed me to witness the best and worst in people.On one overseas trip when I was returning home. I was reading a novel which I was not particularly enjoying and what made matter worse the entertainment system in the plane was broken. I was so annoyed by the book and the long flight I decided I could write something better. From that day I stopped reading and began writing using my interests and background to generate stories based on people I have met and putting their characteristics into fictional characters.I have found that getting books published is difficult for new authors. So I have been writing and waiting for the e-book market to grow and have now begun to release my novels.I want to write for different genres’- fantasy, science fiction and historical based thrillers.

Book preview

THE ROGUE GOD SERIES

BOOK 2: THE MAD GODDESS

GREGORY C. LANGTRY

Copyright © 2014 Gregory C. Langtry

Smashwords Edition

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Books Written by Gregory C Langtry

The Rogue God Series

Book One: The Coming Darkness

Book Two: The Mad Goddess

Book Three: The Empire is in Peril (soon to be released)

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

Chapter 1 Escape

Chapter 2 Bologna

Chapter 3 Reunion

Chapter 4 Disaster

Chapter 5 Departure

Chapter 6 Shaman

Chapter 7 The Great Forest

Chapter 8 The Chase

Chapter 9 Invisible Death

Chapter 10 The Hidden Valley

Chapter 11 Battle

Chapter 12 Revenge and Retribution

Chapter 13 The Tables Turn

Chapter 14 City of the Three Stars

Chapter 15 The Hunt

Chapter 16 Hard Choices

Chapter 17 Rebirth

PROLOGUE

In Book 1: The Coming Darkness the Celtic Goddess Cerridwen the Keeper of the Tomb that Swallows has unleashed her plans to escape her captivity. To ensure her plans will succeed she resorts to the darkest of powers to look into the future. She is astonished to learn that a Coven of Wicca Witches and two outlanders would foil her escape.

The goddess decided she had no alternative she had to change the future or be destroyed by the other Celtic Gods. In her desperation to save herself she ordered her son Afagddu to murder the witches with two escaping the assassination. This begins a chain of events that Cerridwen could not foresee that threatens all the people in the land.

At the same time a dark elf that has dedicated his life to removing the Celtic Gods from the land accidently opens the doorway to another world and allows two outlanders to enter. These two modern-day men, Harry and James enter a medieval land where they discover vast riches and have dreams of great wealth only to discover that the land is on the verge of a great upheaval. While exploring the land they help the survivors of an orc ambush, as a consequence they become cut-off from their home world.

Harry and James realise to survive they have to befriend the Dwarf King and help the dwarfs devise a plan to save themselves from an impending invasion from the Orcish hordes. They all too quickly discover that the key to their survival and the dwarfs is to form an alliance with an estranged Elf Kingdom, that for centuries has cut themselves off from the rest of the land.

To establish the alliance the outlanders embark on a dangerous journey. They travel through wilder lands where they capture a goblin who they believe knows the orc and goblin’s invasion plans. This capture instigates a troll invasion of the Elf Kingdom as the trolls must free the goblin before he can talk. During the turmoil that follows Harry and James become separated from the dwarfs and find themselves running for their lives trying to stay alive when all around them are dying.

Chapter 1

Escape

James was riding north through the forest away from Woodhaven determined to distance himself from the troll invasion, while Harry followed twenty yards behind. After they had travelled several miles they found the scent of smoke still hung heavily in the air constantly reminding them that danger was all too near. Harry became uneasy he had the oddest feeling. He thought it might have been something he had eaten until he remembered he hadn’t eaten for many hours so he kicked his pony to draw closer to James. After a few minutes the gap closed. ‘Can you feel it? I don’t know what it is, it’s something in the air it’s cold and feels strangely heavy.’

James returned a tired glance. ‘The ridges are closing in so it’s probably just the humidity’.

Harry scoffed at the lame comment and replied with a sharp whisper. ‘No it’s something else! Something, I don’t know. Can’t you feel it?’

James was too tired to care and impatiently groaned. ‘As long as it’s not a troll, I don’t really care.’

Fifty yards latter, the forest become more difficult to ride through after another fifty it was impossible and forced them to dismount and lead their ponies and horses on foot. After another half mile of slogging it through the heavy vegetation James changed direction and headed for the low ridge hoping it would prove easier on the other side.

As James cleared the ridge he smiled with relief after he saw the trees were considerably thinner. They remount their ponies and rode down the slope until they reached the bottom of the small valley where they discovered a large pool. James gestured towards the water and walked his pony over only to discover the pool was fed by a spring with the overflow creating a small stream that ran off towards the northwest. Harry collected the canteens and water skins then squatted on the edge to fill them while James kept watch. After a few minutes Harry noticed the forest seemed uncomfortably quiet while James was becoming alarmed. He glanced around and failed to see the slightest hint of danger or signs of recent travellers. James eventually noticed the lack of smoke from Woodhaven. It hadn’t reached this side of the ridge, prompting him to think the area might be isolated and relatively safe. Just as he was beginning to relax and thought he was only jumping at shadows, a large bush moved on the far side of the pool, as though something big had brushed it from behind. James moaned to himself then he whispered to Harry. ‘Get your bow. We’ve got company.’ Without a further word Harry casually moved back to his pony and pulled out his bow while James drew his sword. Once he saw Harry was ready he slowly walked around the pool until he reached the bush all the time thinking about his last encounter with a troll.

James neared the bush and could feel his perspiration trickling down his face in contrast to the cool air. He was scared and he knew it. Nothing, he thought then he stared back at the forest, only to see more trees. He searched the ground for tracks and discovered something that took his breath away. Tracks, large tracks! Bloody hell, he silently cursed. He returned his gaze to the forest only to see the impassive trees ignoring his stare. Annoyed by the turn of events he carefully backed away then jogged back to Harry.

Harry readied his bow and swung it in a slow arc across the tree line until James arrived breathing heavily.

‘Trolls?’ asked Harry clearly dreading the answer.

James cursed ‘Pig!’ He put both his hands together to show the size of the impression in the dirt.

‘Pigs don’t grow that big,’ laughed Harry with a very sceptical tone but was more relieved to hear it wasn’t a troll.

‘Well you go and take a damn look!’ complained James as he dreaded the thought of adding another danger to their rapidly growing list.

Harry jogged around the pool while James finished filling the canteens when Harry returned he cursed. ‘Damn, that pig must be as big as an ox!’

James replied, ‘trolls are bad enough. I just don’t want to be tangling with giant pigs just at the moment!’

Once the last of the canteens and water skins were filled the outlanders mounted their ponies with Harry quietly whispering, ‘you know that cold heavy feeling that was in the air. I was just about to say I felt it again when you saw the bush move. After that it went.’

James gave Harry a questioning glance not sure what Harry was trying to imply. ‘Let me know if you feel it again!’

The outlanders continued along the stream for the next few hours at a steady pace as the trees were thinning out which made the riding easier. The afternoon was rapidly fading so James decided to look for a protected campsite, as being attacked in the middle of the night by a giant pig was a frightening thought.

Harry abruptly pulled up his pony. ‘You smell it? Smoke!’

James sniffed the air ‘I hope there elves.’ The outlanders continued along the stream until they saw a wooden cottage with smoke coming from the chimney. The outlanders slowed their ponies and cautiously watched and stopped before the door still unsure on what to do next. James thought it was best to sit and wait for whoever was inside to make the first move as he didn’t want to accidently provoke a fight. After a few minutes he thought he caught a glimpse of someone near the window and sighed when it didn’t resemble a troll then pondered do trolls live in cabins?

Harry ran out of patients and gestured to James. ‘Hello! Is anybody home? We come in peace.’ Nothing happened, though James thought he caught another glimpse of movement near the window. After a few more minutes the door opened then a tall slender elf woman with golden hair and eyes like emeralds walked out onto the veranda and glared defiantly at the two strangers. In her youthful hands she held a long bladed knife to show them she was prepared to defend herself but all James could think about was her beauty. He was simply drowning in it. Never before had he seen such a beautiful creature and felt like she had paralysed him simply by her presence.

Harry replied with one of his typical smiles. ‘Oh mighty warrior of the elf forest please have mercy on two hapless travellers?’ The unexpected words broke James’s trance and caused him to laugh, which increased the size of Harry’s grin.

The elf maiden didn’t appreciate his mirth and was less than pleased. ‘Be wary humans! My skill with this knife is great!’

Harry put up his hands and with all the charm he possessed replied, ‘I surrender! Oh beautiful warrior maiden of the forest. To have such a beautiful captor would make all my dreams come true.’

James saw her blush and called out as he could see Harry was going too far. ‘Enough of the jokes. We are friends that have escaped the troll attack at Woodhaven and are journeying to Yellow Rock. We wish to share your cottage for the night if that is agreeable. If not we will leave in search of a safe campsite as there is danger afoot and I speak not of trolls.’

She watched them closely and tried to decide what she should do then said. ‘We have no food only shelter.’

James replied, ‘we have plenty, so you will not go hungry this night.’ She gave them a cautious smile then invited them in.

‘I’m Wenna and this is my sister Teleri’ said the elf. Harry made the introductions.

Teleri continued, ‘I am surprised that Harry isn’t called silver tongue am I as beautiful as my sister?’

James cut in with a low voice. ‘I’ll unload the horses, while you get your foot out of your mouth,’ and cleared out in a hurry.

When James returned he found Harry in a corner trying to defend himself from a vicious verbal attack from the two young elves. James loudly dropped the food on the table and called out over the voices. ‘Ladies if you are finished chastising my friend would it please you to allow him to prepare a meal as his penance.’ Reluctantly the two elves let Harry out of the corner as hunger clearly overcame their mock anger.

‘Next time I open my big mouth, kick me will you’ Harry whispered to James, which made him smile while struggling to hold back his laughter. James went outside again and led the ponies and horses into the corral that was attached to the side of the cottage and found a small shed with oats and hay to feed the animals. The elves continued to give Harry a hard time so James decided to make a sweep of the area to be sure there were no trolls or any other unpleasant surprises nearby. When he looked in James found Harry working away with the two elves chastising him at every opportunity. ‘Going to have a look around,’ said James.

Harry turned and asked, ‘want to take me.’

‘Get back to work silver tongue of the forest,’ commanded Wenna. She had lost all fear of them and was clearly enjoying the moment.

James with his bow in hand left the cottage and chuckled as he retraced the trail they had been on for five hundred yards before circling around in an arc until he reached the stream then he returned to the cottage. He arrived just after dark and found the cottage uncomfortably easily as he could hear the elves from a considerable distance. Once he reached the door he knocked before he entered and immediately saw Harry’s relieved face from the table with the two elves sitting opposite him.

‘Should still be warm’ said Harry.

James replied with a smile, ‘we need to be a lot quieter. I could hear you from a long way off.’ The elves returned his smile and nodded.

‘He has been repaid in full,’ laughed Wenna.

Harry changed the subject and asked, ‘any signs?’

James replied, ‘no trolls, but that pig has been following our trail.’

Teleri’s eyes widened with excitement, ‘if I can borrow your bow we can have pork tomorrow.’

‘Not this one Teleri from the size of the tracks it’s as big as an ox.’

She looked at him as if they were still joking then James continued, ‘do pigs normally grow this big around here?’ Wenna and Teleri appeared shocked when they realised they weren’t playing around.

‘The biggest stand no higher than the table,’ said Wenna.

James continued, ‘is it possible that this pig could have lived here without anyone knowing?’

Teleri laughed. ‘Impossible! The first time a track that size was found hundreds of elves would have come to hunt it down to claim the trophy. No, this creature is new to our land.’

Harry mumbled, ‘so are trolls.’

Harry’s comment prompted Wenna to ask the question she was dying to ask, though she was terrified of hearing the answer. ‘Will you tell of Woodhaven?’

James saw the concern on the elf’s faces and related the story of the troll’s attack and the escape.

‘Our brother was at the ford and our father led the defenders at Woodhaven. We could not bring ourselves to ask earlier for we feared the news,’ pleaded Wenna.

Harry replied, ‘only one escaped the ford his name was Garron.’

The two elves instantly hugged each other with tears running down their faces, ‘our brother lives.’

‘Then so does your father! They should both be in Yellow Stone by now’ said James. ‘Are you sure?’ demanded Teleri.

James smiled, ‘they’re safe and probably worried about you two. So why are you here sitting in the middle of nowhere?’

The two elves fell silent for a moment then slowly Wenna answered, ‘when we heard of the trolls we refused to leave our father. We would prefer to die with him than live alone as we feared the loss of our brother.’

‘When the trolls began surrounding Woodhaven, father forced us to leave so we decided to come here and go back when the fighting had finished,’ said Teleri.

Harry replied, ‘your love for your father is commendable.’ Both the elves looked down with a guilty expression on their faces, which prompted Harry and James to wonder what was wrong.

‘It is written that if we are not of age and are maiden’s that have lost their parents and don’t have a brother of age we are made wards of the King. He has the right to arrange our marriage, whether we want that husband or not. The richer the maiden the more likely the King will be lobbied to arrange a marriage. Many of which have unhappy endings’ said Teleri.

‘Unwanted wives often disappear! It is rumoured they are sold as slaves to the Etruscans,’ Wenna bitterly complained.

James and Harry were shocked. Teleri surprised by their reaction continued, ‘our father is wealthy so our future would be bleak,’ then she realised that this may not have been the wisest thing to say in front of strangers.

James understood her thoughts and replied, ‘Harry and I are also rich and have problems with wealth. Surely the two of you must have many suitors. I have never in my life seen beauty the equal of yours.’ Harry also agreed and was glad Gilda wasn’t there to witness the conversation. The two elf maidens saw their sincerity and deeply blushed never before receiving such a compliment.

Teleri replied, ‘there are many fairer than us. Most only see our father’s wealth.’

James found it hard to believe and shook his head in disbelief.

‘You two are the first humans I have ever met. Are they all as charming as you?’ asked Wenna.

James smiled back, ‘you should know we are not just humans. We are also outlanders.’ Teleri gasped. ‘Really?’

Harry continued, ‘yes it’s true.’

Wenna replied, ‘I sensed something different about you. We have been told humans are cruel but I sense a gentleness that is rarely seen in males among our people.’ James and Harry simply smiled, as both were lost for words.

‘In the morning we leave for Yellow Stone. Will you travel with us?’ asked James. The elves agreed, as travelling alone in a forest in such dangerous times was best to be avoided.

Harry and James retired early and slept on straw pallets that were against the wall as Wenna had agreed to take the first watch. During the early hours of the morning James felt himself being shaken and sat up with a start, ‘What? What’s happening?’

Teleri had her hair upbraided, hanging loose over her shoulders then whispered in the moon lit room. ‘Something is moving outside.’

James thought for a moment while gaining his senses. ‘Wake the others!’ Damn she’s a good-looking elf.

He moved to the window and looked through the gap in the shutter only to see the dim shapes of trees or other vegetation then a dark shadow moved. But what it was was impossible to tell as its dark shape melted into the night. Harry moved next to him and noticed he was concentrating on something. ‘See anything?’

‘Teleri’s right! There is something is out there,’ replied James.

‘Do you feel it? The air it’s getting heavy as though it’s pressing down on me?’ complained Teleri.

‘I feel it too,’ whispered Wenna.

Harry only slightly felt it then whispered to his friend, ‘pig!’

‘How could a pig change the air’ scoffed James then he heard a thud behind him.

He glanced back and gasped when he saw the two elves on the floor both, semiconscious, with Harry stammering ‘What’s happening?’

‘Damned if I know! You keep watching while I’ll see what I can do,’ said James. Wenna looked around not recognizing anything or even realised James was picking her up and placing her on a sleeping pallet then James did the same for Teleri. The elves eyes were constantly rolling around as though they were delirious. James had no idea why the elves were behaving like this he could see them breathing then felt their pulse that was slow but steady while their faces seemed cold and clammy. Wenna began making incoherent noises while Teleri fell silent and passed out then her pulse slowed to an alarming level.

‘I think there’re dying! I don’t know what to do,’ called James.

Harry cursed, ‘I bet that damn pig has something to do with it! I feel like pork chops, hungry!’ James knew it didn’t make sense but many things in this land that were real defied logic, he couldn’t see anything else he could do so he followed Harry out the door. The outlanders stood on the veranda waiting for a target then after a few minutes they had one, a large black boar casually walked out of the trees and flared its huge tusks at them. The boar stopped in the centre of the small clearing with the moonlight illuminating its enormous stature. Alarmed by what they were seeing Harry and James fitted arrows, which prompted the pig to call out. ‘You are outlanders, are you not?’

Harry fumbled with his arrow and took a backward step, after the initial shock of hearing the pig talk while James cursed at being surprised. This prompted Harry to call out angrily. ‘Have you struck down those two elves?’

‘I care little for mortals!’

After hearing the callous reply James fired an arrow that struck the ground in front of the boar. The boar never moved and continued to show its contempt for the two humans and bellowed, ‘answer me mortal. NOW!’

James replied with a contemptuous voice. ‘Go to hell! Not until you release your hold on the two elves!’

After a long pause while each measured their opponents worth the air pressure changed with the boar appearing to be under strain. ‘My closeness to mortals causes them to collapse. I can only hold back my power for a short time so answer me quickly.’

Harry replied, ‘we have been called outlanders’.

The boar already knew they were as their faces would be lying in the dirt by now. ‘How did you open the door to this world?’

James yelled back, ‘we found the door open. How it opened I have no idea. We simply came through to explore this land. Now we have been swept away by a chain of events which are beyond our control.’

‘The door?’ demanded the boar as it took a closer step.

James yelled, ‘that’s our secret’ then readied to be attacked.

The boar flashed its tusks once more then declared with dreadful certainty. ‘We will meet again outlanders,’ then turned into a million light particles that vanished from sight.

‘Disappearing talking pigs what’s next?’ complained Harry.

James walked into the clearing to retrieve his arrow then looked around to be sure that their visitor had truly gone, whispered ‘check the horses.’ He went inside to find Wenna sitting up looking very groggy while Teleri lay still on the straw pallet. James rushed over to her finally calling out loudly. ‘Harry! Get in here quick!’ Harry came charging in almost knocking the door off its hinges then he gasped when he saw Teleri looking like a corpse. He rushed over to help. James had already started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation then Harry joined in with heart compression.

‘What are you doing?’ demanded Wenna still too weak to stop them!

‘Saving her life,’ yelled Harry. After a few minutes James and Harry swapped shortly after she began to revive.

When they finished Wenna pushed her way past the outlanders and grabbed her sister, ‘Teleri, Teleri speak to me,’ pleaded Wenna.

After several minutes Teleri whispered with a very fragile voice, ‘my chest hurts. What happened?’ Wenna said nothing only giving the two outlanders a threatening glare.

James replied ‘the two of you and the horses’ included Harry. ‘Passed out! Would you believe we had a large black boar the size of an ox asking questions? I really mean talking to us. He said when mortals are close to him they faint. When we came back Wenna had come too but you were slipping away. Harry and I revived you.’

‘You expect me to believe a boar can talk? Do you take me for a fool? So why were you not like us?’ demanded Wenna still badly shaken from her ordeal while also having serious doubts about the two outlanders.

James and Harry glanced at each other. ‘I don’t know’ replied James.

‘Maybe because we are outlanders’ suggested Harry.

The two elves didn’t know what to believe and, a boar that talked was just too hard to believe. James squatted down next to them. ‘When you are both fit for travel Harry and I will escort you back to your father and brother before anything else happens. If you don’t trust us we’ll leave two horses.’ The elves slightly nodded. ‘Come on Harry let’s check the horses,’ the two outlanders walked out of the cottage and left the elves behind.

‘At least they’re on their feet, though they still look unsteady.’ They offered the animals water but they refused to drink.

As the first hint of light entered the sky prompted Harry to say, ‘we need to get out of here!’

‘I know. Let them rest till midday’ said James. Harry wanted to leave though he could see that only two of the animals were fit for travel, while the elves definitely needed more time.

Harry was hungry so he prepared a meal with some assistance from James. He clearly had other things on his mind while the two elves were huddled together in the corner frightened, not knowing if they should trust the two humans. Harry brought over two plates of salted beef with damper, saying nothing they only looked at him with continuing distrust in their eyes.

Finally Wenna spoke ‘only gods can breathe life back into the dying.’

Harry laughed, ‘we aren’t gods! We are just two guys from another world. Now eat and regain your strength before that boar decides to come back.’

James was hiding his smile and whispered to Harry as he sat at the table, ‘if we were gods I think we would have wished up a company of marines by now.’

Harry quietly laughed, ‘don’t forget about some pizzas and a slab of beer wouldn’t hurt either.’

By midday the elves appeared much stronger, while the horses had recovered enough for them to ride at an easy pace. After they saddled the horses and ponies they headed west and crossed the stream then proceeded through the trees with Wenna taking the lead as she said she knew a path that lead them to Yellow Stone.

By mid-afternoon they reached an abandoned farm that gave the appearance it had been abandoned only a few hours earlier so they continued along the trail that rapidly changed into a wider dirt road. Wenna called back ‘we should see Yellow Stone once we clear the next rise.’ As they approached the final crest ten armed elves came out of the trees and blocked their way.

The elves glared at James and Harry with dark expressions then one stepped forward and demanded, ‘what are these humans doing here with you?’

Wenna knew the elf, ‘Conewalch you know me. James and Harry found us in the forest and are escorting two elf maidens to re-join our father and brother. Would you prevent two maidens from being reunited with their father?’

Conewalch hesitated and eyed the other elves with a few shaking their heads then he stepped back grumbling, ‘let them pass!’

Once they were out of ear-shot James rode up next to Wenna allowing her to whisper, ‘uniting daughters that are not of age with their father is a sacred law in this land. Not even the King could prevent it,’ with a broad smile of satisfaction appearing on her face.

In was only a short ride into Yellowstone, which allowed James to see the small huddles of elves scattered around the town and after seeing their eyes it was obvious they were terrified and, had no idea what they should be doing. On the other side of the square they saw an elf on a black stallion dressed in bright silver armour with gold inlays. Wenna noticed James staring then whispered. ‘That’s Lord White Star. We should avoid him. He’s reputed for hating humans!’

Yellowstone was a small town with two story stone houses set around a large cobble stone square. In the middle stood an enormous golden boulder that was five yards high giving the town its name. Standing on the far side of the square was Garron talking to a group of elves so they turned the horses in his direction. When they came close Wenna called out loudly. ‘Are you not going to welcome your sisters’? Garron spun around with his jaw dropping from surprise then he ran forward and pulled his sister off her horse giving her a huge hug and kiss. After he released her he did the same to Teleri only to hear her groan as her ribs were still sore.

Garron released her and turned to Harry. ‘I hope you’re not planning on doing that to me,’ as he slid off his pony followed by James.

Garron excitedly shook their hands and gestured for them to follow him into a building not far from the town square where they found Aedan, Garron’s father. He was overjoyed at the safe return of his daughters and had wine served as well as steaming hot stew that the outlanders eyed greedily. Wenna told her story while James and Harry were content on eating until they spoke of the boar and its effects on them and the horses.

Aedan considered the story for a few minutes then surmised. ‘That must have been Twrc Trywth he is a servant of the gods and a danger to mortals. The laws of the gods do not govern him. He is free of their restraints so he can do their dirty work. You were lucky to survive. I thank you for saving my daughters and my son,’ then he gave Teleri another gentle hug making her flinch again, from her tender ribs.

‘Have you seen any trolls?’ asked James.

‘Their absence has been a blessing,’ replied Aedan.

James cursed while Harry leaned back in his chair stunned by his reply.

James handed Harry the binoculars, he snatched them out of his hand and bolted upstairs in a reckless manner. Aedan and Garron were completely taken back by their reaction and climbed out of their chairs with concern.

James ordered. ‘Garron gather all your people as fast as you can. We’re leaving!’ Aedan was about to ask when James cut him off. ‘Teleri and Wenna get some help and start packing supplies and tie them to the horses!’ He paused for a brief moment before he turned to Aedan ‘is that Elf Lord in charge?’ Aedan nodded.

‘Do you have any lookout or scouts?’ demanded James.

‘We have no scouts only a few lookouts a mile down the road’ replied Aedan with some concern at the question.

‘Damn! I half expected that the trolls would have overrun the town by now. The fact that they haven’t and considering the amount of time they have had, I suspect there’re surrounding this place. You have no defences in place and maybe two to three hundred warriors. Damn they’ll be looking at massacring the lot of you,’ whispered James.

Aedan whispered, ‘Lord White Star has ordered we stay and fight.’

James slammed his hand on the table and cursed ‘your Lord is a fool!’

Harry came storming noisily down stairs. ‘Trolls! Everywhere! There’s over a hundred just sitting there, waiting east on the road. I saw them south in the trees and the road west of the town is cut. Maybe fifty from what I could see. North and Northwest look clear but not for long. We’ll soon be trapped’ said Harry and clearly indicated he wanted to leave.

Thump, thump, thump was heard on the front door prompting Aedan to whisper. ‘Too early for Garron could be trouble!’

‘Lord White Star commands the humans are to be brought to him!’

‘Get your people out! There is a farm north of town and leave our ponies inside the cottage’ whispered James.

‘We’re coming’ called Harry ‘We want no trouble.’ They placed their bows and quivers on the table then walked to the door. Once outside they found ten elves pointing swords and spears at them.

Harry slowly raised his hands followed by James. ‘We’re friends.’

A rather belligerent elf spat on the ground in front of him. ‘I say who is my friend and it’s not a human.’

Elf hands quickly removed their swords and hunting knives then they were roughly led to Lord White Star being pushed and jostled the entire way until they confronted the Elf Lord. He looked down at the two humans from his black stallion, which was constantly sniffing in their direction. ‘Humans aren’t much better than trolls! Why are you here?’

James wanted to show the Elf lord he wasn’t being intimidated replied defiantly. ‘We were travelling with King Thurban of the Dwarfs and were separated from him by the trolls. By the way did you know the trolls are surrounding the town and only north and northwest remain clear?’

‘My lookouts have reported naught of this’ scoffed the Lord loudly.

‘Your lookouts are dead and so will be anyone that remains in this town,’ yelled Harry with a very loud voice.

A large numbers of elves had gathered around once they heard that the humans were to be brought before their lord and started whispering to each other after they heard Harry’s words with fear written in their eyes. ‘You there, ride down the road and seek our lookout,’ commanded the Elf Lord then he looked down at the outlanders and announced with an air of satisfaction, ‘I will hang you if you’re wrong!’

James glanced at Harry, he muttered, ‘that rider will never get back alive!’

The elf galloped down the road with all eyes watching his progress then he reared his horse, turned and started back, as several trolls charged out of the trees to attack him. At first the elf skilfully rode around two trolls until a slightly larger troll swung its heavy wooden club hitting the horse on the head instantly killing the poor animal. The horse crashed to the ground with the elf landed hard and had the wind knocked out of him. He staggered to his feet only to be set upon by four trolls. The trolls hoisted him up high in the air so that the elves in the town could see what was about to happen. A loud soul-shattering scream followed that continued for a painfully long time, as they tore his arms and legs off his body. The trolls held up each of the body parts for the elves to see while another troll held up the elf’s torso. To everyone’s horror, they could still see the head moving, which caused many of the elves to turn away with a few vomiting, sickened by the gruesome sight.

James called out to the Elf Lord. ‘You can’t win this fight! Save your warriors until you have enough to defeat those monsters.’ The Elf Lord was about to say they would stay and fight, until he looked down upon his warriors that were so shaken by the spectacle they were paralysed with fear and incapable of battle, only longing for escape. Already several were edging back with terror written all over their faces. After he saw their reaction James called out again. ‘Go by the northwest! It’s still clear!’

Lord White Star saw his elves completely demoralized by the troll’s display then reluctantly ordered, ‘Retreat! Meet at Oakwood, to Oakwood!’

As the last of the Elf Lord’s words faded elves began running everywhere with the ones that held Harry and James panicking like the rest and ran to the northern side of the square. The elf that held their weapons followed the other elves so James ran after him and grabbed him by his shoulder and spun him around. ‘Our weapons!’ yelled James. The elf broke free and tried to run away, until Harry hit him with a classic rugby tackle flattening the elf with their weapons spilling out onto the cobble stones. ‘First you want to hang us now they want to steal our weapons,’ yelled James and kicked the fleeing elf in the arse. Most of the elves had already left the square fleeing towards the northwest. Just as James sheathed his sword he heard a horse pull up next to them and saw the Elf Lord staring down at him.

‘Let not my eyes set sight on either of you again,’ threatened the Elf Lord with anger clearly written all over his face. He spurred his horse and galloped off.

Harry jumped at the elf and tried to pull him off his horse but was too slow and missed then called out after him. ‘Thank you for your hospitality. Have a nice day!’

James laughed. ‘Come on we can thump the bastard latter.’

‘Sooner would be better! Just remember I get the first thump,’ demanded Harry.

James glanced back and saw the trolls coming down the road in force. ‘Come on Harry those troll are a little too close for comfort!’ So they ran and ran hard until they were out of sight of the town and nearing the farm. All the time losing sight of the other elves that had been disappearing into the trees. All too quickly they found they had the road to themselves and were quietly relieved when they reached the edge of the farm.

‘Looks quiet enough’ whispered Harry.

‘I just hope those ponies are inside the cottage’ whispered James.

James moved cautiously out of the trees towards the farmhouse then he looked in through the door and cursed. ‘Damn!’ He came out and found Harry taking a compass bearing, ‘We’re walking?’

‘Northwest is that way’ pointed Harry while James mumbled several unpleasant things about elves. The two outlanders jogged to the edge of the trees when an elf came out and waved at them. It was Garron. ‘Did you think we had forgotten about you? Come! The ponies are over there. My father and sisters have gone ahead and will meet us at a hunting lodge some hours northwest from here.’

They mounted their ponies with considerable relief then followed Garron through the forest. Several times the heavy foliage forced them to dismount until they came to a stream. Garron wanted to hide their trail and led them through the water to make it more difficult for the trolls to follow and refused to leave the stream until they reached a stony bank that would hide their trail.

As the sun fell below the trees the two moons rose and gave little light, as the forest seemed to absorb the moonlight and force James to listen to Garron’s horse rather than following by sight. After two hours of hard riding they arrived at a sturdy stone lodge with a thatched roof and found Wenna waiting at the open door. ‘Come in. Supper will soon be ready.’

Harry rubbed his stomach ‘I’m starving.’

James laughed, ‘what else is new?’

When the outlanders walked in they found four elves at the table busy eating then Harry recognized one that had manhandled him earlier and gave him a very dark glare then one of the elves muttered to the others with disgust. ‘Humans!’

Harry turned and was just about to throttle the elf when James grabbed his arm just in time, ‘later!’

Wenna saw the exchange and was disgusted by the display and clearly showed her contempt for the elf’s bad manners and ignored him,’ then over compensated by smiling at Harry to try and make him feel more welcome. She gave them plates of stew with slightly stale bread and, watched them move to the back of the room where they both sat on the floor leaning against the wall from where they could watch the elves at the table.

In the early hours of the morning James felt himself being shaken then he heard Harry say ‘What’s happening.’

‘Trolls! We have heard their calls,’ whispered Garron.

James asked ‘How far?’

‘Half mile! Maybe less.’

Fortunately the fire had burnt out with only ash remaining. ‘Good no-smoke.’ They started packing when Aedan came in. ‘Those other elves have gone and taken the horses and the food.’

Garron complained, ‘I knew they weren’t to be trusted.’

Wenna cut in, ‘I hid two food bags next to me. So we won’t go hungry for a while.’

Aedan smiled and proclaimed proudly, ‘I sometimes believe my daughters are the wisest in our family.’ Garron laughed, ‘you didn’t say that when we arrived at Yellowstone and discovered they weren’t there.’

Aedan showed his embarrassment then cleared his throat to change the subject. ‘We should leave’ then opened the door, with the six quietly slipping out. Garron led them around the back of the hut and headed north to avoid crossing over the other elf’s path hoping that if the trolls found the hut they would follow the horses and not them.

After they walked for three hours through ruff unforgiving country had taken its toll on Teleri, she collapsed. She had not fully recovered from her previous ordeal though she refused to admit it. James and Harry were also glad of the break as both felt tired from their previous days. Harry dosed off while James constantly fought to stay awake. Garron eventually came over and squatted next to James as he leaned against a large rock that they were using to conceal themselves. Garron nudged James and handed him