Chapter 209: Down the Local

Chapter 209: Down the Local

If you intend to go to Dargot, said Keezy, you will not be there to meet with Raviva.

Raviva had gone off to gather the other trolls and we were supposed to meet them outside of Fengarad. The trolls had an extensive network of caves and tunnels so it wouldnt be hard for them to get there without running into any trouble, although since they were giant rock creatures, it would probably be more trouble for whoever they ran into. Assuming they didnt know the trolls weakness.

What will he do when we dont turn up?

Keezy shrugged; in his female form he made it look quite good. Probably wait until he gets bored. A day or two at best.

That should be long enough for us to find our friends and get back. I had no real idea how easy it would be to find Claire, assuming she really was in Dargot, but at least with a dragon our travelling time would be quick. It was definitely the only way to fly. Literally.

Nyx sat down opposite me and started licking his hands and using them to wash his snout. It was a good thing Flossie wasnt looking this way.

What happened to you down there? I asked him. I thought you wanted to be an adventurer. First sign of trouble and you vanish. I might have sounded like I was disappointed in him, but to be honest he did the right thing.

No, I was with the dragon. He woke up and wandered off so I thought it best to follow him. You were sleeping so soundly, I didnt want to disturb you. When I realised what he was doing, I felt a bit ill and had to sit down for a minute. The smell was so terrible it made my eyes sting.

I had the uncomfortable feeling hed been watching me while I slept.

He bent down and examined Jenny who was still under me. I think shes having trouble breathing.

Shell be fine, I said.

Even if we were together, said Jenny through tight breaths, Im still going to kill you.

Despite her threats and her general poor attitude, she was still the same girl I fell for. She felt the same, she smelled the same. It was hard not to ignore her temporary dislike for everything about me and give her a kiss. It had been a while since Id seen her and my natural inclination was to throw my arms around her, not slam her on the ground and jump on her. Well, not like this. But I wasnt going to do anything to her without her consent, not even a peck on the lips. It wouldnt be right. Especially since shed probably use the opportunity to rip my tongue out with her teeth.

Where were you headed with your army? I asked her. You were going to meet up with forces sent from Dargot, werent you?

Jenny didnt say anything.

Perhaps I should torture it out of you.

I wont talk.

Really? Even if I do this? I stuck my finger in the back of her knee and pressed. For some reason that was an extremely sensitive spot for her.

What are you uh stop uh, uh, uh.

It wasnt sexual, it was just a thing she had that made her wig out. And it was fun. Not for her obviously, but I was having a good time. Until I saw how Nyx and Keezy were looking at me. Okay, so there are different kinds of abuse, but no good kind. I stopped and acted like I hadnt done anything wrong, quickly changing the subject.

What about you? I said to Keezy. You spent a lot of time in Dargot. Do you know a back way in?

When I first met Keezy, it was in a Dargot cell. He and his fellow trolls had been caught masquerading as soldiers in the Dargot army. I may have been partly responsible for their capture.

I can get you inside the city walls, but the Administrator is going to have his men on high alert.

Gullen Santan, Administrator in charge of Road Maintenance and Planning, was not a man I particularly wanted to see. He always seemed to have jobs lined up for me, none of which had a pension plan.

After much complaining, moaning and general dissatisfaction that made me want to turn myself in for a quiet cell and a quick execution, we proceeded with troll up front to tank any damage, ball of light stuck to the top of his head. Flossie second where she could do least harm. Jenny next where I could keep an eye on her, and then me. If we were attacked from behind, I was screwed again but at least I was perfectly positioned to lead the retreat.

We must keep quiet here, whispered Keezy after hours of trudging. We will soon be under the barracks. If they hear us, they may investigate.

I closed in on Jenny so I was right behind her, my breath on her neck. I could sense her tensing up, probably because as far as she was concerned, I was just some creepy guy who thought he had the right to treat her like a possession. Normally, when a girl gives off that vibe, I give the whole thing a wide berth. But then normally the girls wrong.

Jenny kept her word and didnt make any noise or call out for help. We kept moving until the walls disappeared on either side and opened up into a chamber. Keezy reached up and dug through the mud roof until an opening appeared. He climbed up effortlessly and then helped the rest of us struggle out.

It was night time. We were in a back alley somewhere in Dargot. There were people talking nearby and the sounds of horses and wagons rattling past. Life was carrying on.

Now where? said Keezy. Hed taken the shape of a nondescript man in his thirties.

I turned to Jenny. Anything?

She shook her head, her focus more on the transformation shed just witnessed.

I looked around. There. I pointed at a tavern with a sign hanging from it. The Pickled Gherkin. It was where wed spent a lot of time on our last trip here and it could be just the place to jog a few memories for Jenny. Plus, we could get a drink and packet of complimentary dry roasted. It would be nice to be around people who gave you nuts rather than took them away.

As we scurried across the street, I reached out my hand and Jenny instinctively put hers in it. When she realised what shed done, she tried to pull free but I wasnt about to let her go. No take backs.

There were quite a few people about but it was dark enough that no one paid us any attention. Hard to believe this had been the site of a minor massacre, if you can call any massacre minor (probably not without offending someone).

We all piled into the tavern, a rosy glow from the fire making the miserable men hunched over their drinks look like an old painting.

Grab a table, Ill get em in. I shoved Jenny towards Keezy. And Flossie, no autographs. Last time shed been quite the hit with the locals. I didnt need her causing a commotion.

I made my way to the bar. I didnt have any money but then I was owed by these people and it was time to collect. We were in a city of thousands looking for some lost souls. They were here somewhere but I needed help finding them. Who better than the locals?

What can I get you? said the barman.

Hello, Enwye. I took off my hat.

His mouth dropped openand it only took a bunch of men being stoned to death for someone to actually remember me. Its the little things that stick in your mind, I guess.

He quickly looked around like there might be someone watching. Little Chicken, he called out. Lock the door.

A boy came rushing out from the back, saw me, did a double take, then ran to the door.

You shouldnt have come here, said Enwye. These are troubled times.

Thats okay, I said. Troubled times is my middle name. Its double barrelled. Im here to call in a favour.

We owe you much, he said nervously. If we can help you, we will.

It was nice of him to offer but I didnt need help from men expert at wasting their lives down the pub, they werent much use to me, or anyone. What I needed was someone who knew how to get shit done.

Thanks, but its not you I wanted to tap up. Can you take me to see Mama Ivy?