29 Tales of Trolls

Vixen really did try to find water. It should not have been so hard, as this had once been a city, surely there should be remnants of however its inhabitants had gotten water into its territory. However, she could not seem to find it.

And then, when she saw the flitting movement out of the corner of her eye, she pushed it aside as she went to investigate.

She could almost hear Tira lecturing her on safety and how following unknown shadows without alerting anyone was not a good idea. But she went anyway. She wanted to prove that she was no longer a kid to them anyway, and what better way than finding information on her own.

So she followed as quietly as she could that shape she had seen. She barely paused before entering the nearly collapsed building. She refused to turn away just because the place looked like it could just collapse at any time.

When she saw a flickering light, she moved closer in order to take a look. Vixen had no idea what she was expecting when she peered around the corner to look into the lighted room.

There were five kids, wearing nothing but rags, sitting in the middle of the room. They were all being extremely quiet and seemed to jump whenever there was a noise.

Vixen was not quite sure what to do. So, she moved slightly closer, keeping to the shadows, so she could hear what they were saying.

The oldest of the kids, he seemed to be about twelve though his growth was stunted from malnourishment, was desperately trying to tell his fellow children that he would definitely find them food tomorrow.

The younger of the two girls started sniffling, making a boy about her age to comfort her. The last boy, who seemed be almost as old as the older boy, suddenly stood up. He had a smile on his face and he spoke in a surprisingly calm voice, "Hey now, when did crying ever help anything? Though we may not have anything to eat for tonight, I can fill your minds with a tale that may bring some joy."

The other girl clapped her hands together, "Aye Jem. Tell us a tale to drive the hunger away. take our mind off of it."

The older boy looked relieved and gave Jem a look of gratitude as he went and sat up.

Jem seemed to pause as if thinking of what tale to tell, "Have I told you of the Lady Mem?"

"I don't think so," It was the younger boy who answered.

And so, as the other kids gave him their undivided attention, Jem began to speak:

"There were once two children, not much older than the twins here, who had been abandoned as per usual by their mother when something dangerous happened.

This danger was a troll, seven feet tall, with razor sharp claws and teeth that were so sharp they could bite a man's head clean off without any struggle.

The children of course knew that they did not stand a chance but as all Nix'Rylians they were dead set on making it out alive.

Of course, one of them could have sacrificed the other but these children had a bond, not unlike our own, that prevented them from even considering such a horrid thing. Instead they held each other's hand and bolted as fast as their legs could carry them.

Having only short legs though, of course they could not get far. Soon, the troll had slammed one of them with one of his great big claws, ripping into his side and back and sending him sprawling.

His sibling instead of running and saving her life, tried to help her brother up though she knew with a sinking heart that they would both die here.

And die they would have if not for the Lady Mem. Now Mem has a great fondness for children, and it is without question that if she were to ever give birth than her child would never be abandoned but given such care that all would envy that lucky soul.

So, when Mem saw the troll getting ready to deal his final blow, she rushed in shrieking in such a way that the troll had no choice but to notice her and with a great flaming sword she laid into it. And the troll was vanquished and no longer could rise."

At that moment Vixen stumbled, slipped and fell straight into the line of sight of the kids. And the youngest one stood up, clapped her hands excitedly, and exclaimed, "It's the Lady Mem!"