The Troll's Trove Ch. 13-14

Chapter 13 - Elva's Choice

Trygg jerked awake. His last snore still echoed in the cavities of his head. Beside him Elva nuzzled down in her pillows. She smiled at some gentle dream. A sleepy warm glow suffused him.

What did I ever do to deserve you?

Slow heartbeats thrummed in his chest. His eyes started to drift closed.

Nothing-Nothing at all. I didn't do anything. You, but you chose me anyway. The thought lingered in his sleep-fogged mind.

Elva had chosen him.

Elva chose me.

Ada hadn't chosen Eluf. Was he going to let Magnar force her?

The lazy sludge of sleep that clogged the arteries of his mind evaporated. No!

Without waking his lovely wife Trygg slipped from their bed. Silver star-glow lit his path from the royal bedchamber and he eased the door closed behind him.

No longer restrained Trygg bounded across his study. He threw open the portal. A guard leaning heavily against the door nearly fell across the threshold.

"Jorn!" Trygg exclaimed in a loud whisper. "Need Arild. Now." He shut the door.

Trygg paced to the march of time. He came to an abrupt stop when the little man came in. The hair normally bridging the man's bald crown was a lanky mess. Sleep dust rimmed his eyes.

"Arild, what do you know of Ragnar's Horn?"

"Well-I-Sire?" Arild sputtered. He looked down and started. He re-buttoned his jacket.

"Well, Sire," he said more carefully, "the Horn of Ragnar is said to have been hewn from the head of a mountain troll by King Ragnar, first King of Whitewall. Legend says—"

"I know what legend says, Arild. Everyone knows that. That's why it's legend. Why does Magnar want it? And don't tell me it's because it will magically summon an army, as legend says. Magnar is too practical to believe that." Trygg began pacing again.

Arild opened his mouth. A heart-beat later he closed it and he scratched his balding pate. Trygg stopped his pacing in front of Arild. He towered over the little man.

"Have someone search the library. Someone you trust, although, I have a feeling that what we are looking for is ash. So you go to Endris. Ask to see their records. Copy anything, anything at all, that they have on the horn. If you don't find anything, go to Hoyst.

"But first," Trygg continued as the little man turned to go, "I need the heralds to proclaim a grand quest. A hunt for the horn."

Chapter 14 - Hothr's Blighted Morn

A

shiver wracked Ada's svelte frame. Her fingers felt as though Elva's sewing needles were jabbing into them. Even in the sheltered entry of Osin's Outfitters trading shop the wind's icy teeth gnawed her ears.

Ada hugged herself tightly stepped out of her shelter for a moment and looked to the sky. Grey predawn turned green over the distant Malvinas Mountains.

Another huddled form braved the morning chill. A ghiest-like cloud of ice-flakes whirled in his wake as he strode briskly towards her. Misty breath shrouded his face.

The fur-bundled man stopped just beyond the porch upon which she huddled. "Chill morning."

Ada's stiff cheeks resisted all expression. She clutched her cloak tighter. The stranger looked up at the sign.

"You know when he'll open? Osin said my order'd be done."

"No," she said. A little puff of mist blossomed before her frost-pinched lips. Frozen moisture sparked in the morning light.

"Great. I hope it's soon." He towards the heights beyond the palace. He crossed his arms and stamped his feet.

He's cold? Dressed like that? She eyed his coat. She hadn't wanted to bring her furs. Too fine, too obvious.

The man eyed her. "Uh, you need a jacket?"

"N—n—n—no thanks. I'm okay." Her teeth chattered. Hothr's frozen fangs bit her nose.

He held her gaze for a second longer and smiled weakly. He seemed to burrow deeper into his coat.

"Suit yourself. Let me know if you change your mind." He looked away. Ada did as well.

Whitewall began to wake. A door slammed somewhere in the distance. The irregular knock of wood being split cracked the air. Wood-smoke burned Ada's nostrils until an icy surge of wind swept it away.

The newcomer stomped his feet. "I'm Leif," he said. He nodded towards her meager shelter. "You mind?" She shook her head. He stepped into the narrow entry beside her. His presence brought little warmth but at least his broad shoulders blocked the chill wind. This close his musk smelled of old leather and fur. It was not unpleasant.

Leif nodded towards her. "Who might you be?"

Ada raised her eyes from the toe she was drilling into the snow. Her gaze became ensnared by his hazel orbs. They were practically green in the early morning light. He had a strong chin and shaggy brown hair peeked out from under his hat. It was just half a shade darker than her Brother's.

Oh. She ducked her head. "A—a—a—ada. I'm, Ada. Just, Ada."

"Well, hello, Ada, just, Ada." He grinned a little at her expense. "What brings a pretty girl like you out on this Hothr's blighted morn?"

The slight surge of heat Leif's words elicited was not enough to thaw Ada's stiff cheeks.

"Supplies."

He grunted. "I rather gathered that. What for? Where's your man goin'? Why'd he send you out in this chill?"

"I'm going to Endris. On my own. What are you here for?"

"On your own?"

"On my own."

"No escort?"

"No-Wait. What?"

"Pretty girl—" Leif fingered her cloak. "—wealthy, proper talk. You ought to have an escort."

"Why? You going to rob me?"

"No. Just sayin'."

"Where are you going? You have an escort?"

"No escort. Don't need one." He looked away north. "Nothing to rob."

"Up there? You're going up there?" She nodded her head towards the Wytewall Mountains. "What of the storm? There's a lot of snow up there."

"Yeah."

Ada raised an eyebrow. Leif huffed. A frosty plum drifted away over his head.

"I've got some stuff up there. Storm drove me down. I want to get it before real winter sets in."

"Like what stuff?"

"Pelts. Traps. My livelihood." He paused. "Stuff like that."

"Oh."

A dull clack of a bolt being drawn aside sounded from beyond the door. They both shifted towards the door in anticipation. Heat wafted across Ada's face when it opened. She ducked under the proprietor's arm as he forced it against the snow.

"Wel-welcome. A little eager, aren't you?"

Ada winced. She smiled sheepishly although her cheeks remained so cold her freckles might have bleached.

"Hi," she said. "Sorry." She rubbed her tingling fingers vigorously. "I was cold."

The big slightly rotund man snorted. "'Tis 'kay. Anything I can be helpin' you with young miss?"

"Gloves, hat, pack, clothes, food and cooking stuff."

"Cookin' stuff?"

"You know ..." she shrugged. She stepped aside as Leif shoved his way into the shop.

"How about my gear, Osin?" Leif said.

"You just give the young miss a moment. You'll get it soon enough." To Ada, he said, "How big is your man, miss? How far is his trek? How many days? It makes a difference with the pack. And the food."

"I don't have a man," she said. "It's for me. Why can't it be for me?" She scowled at Leif.

Lief threw his hands up. He backed a hasty step away. "Hey, didn't say it—" There was a pause. He continued quietly, "—this time."

Osin crossed his heavy arms. "Can't do it. Won't sell. Not just the cold but bandits, wolves, Raum and such."

"I need to get to Endris. It's urgent"

"Nothin' so urgent as your life, missy."

"This is."

Leif groaned. "Osin, get on with it. Sell the lady her stuff."

"Thank you," Ada said. She shot Leif a stiff smile. She turned her gaze on Osin and crossed her arms.

Osin's face twisted with displeasure. "You're on her side?"

"No. I want my stuff." Leif rolled his eyes. "Clearly I'm not going to get it until she's gone!"

Osin's chest heaved. He gathered his breath.

"Look," Leif said forestalling Osin's words, "It's been a long time. A really long time since Raum was last seen. I've been to Gejsern. I saw no Raum there. So I doubt he's going to be traipsing the road to Endris."

Dim memory flickered. Raum. Gejsern. Grandfather's horn had been stolen by Raum. Ada shook her head. It was nothing.

"Raum's not dead I tell you," Osin said. "He's slaughtered a thousand men. He's that one that killed our good King's Grandsire."

"And that was the last time he was seen," Leif said.

"Oh, is that so." Osin paused. "There was that caravan last year and—"

"That wasn't Raum," Leif said, "not nearly big enough. Sir Brand out of Endris and his squire, I think, got it. Small one but I hear tell that it still took five lances."

"Well that whole party near the old crossroads disappeared three winters back."

"There was a blizzard. They likely froze to death."

"Well, what about—"

"This is pointless." Leif threw his hands up. "Raum may be alive. He may not. He hunts where he wills, when he wills and he's not the only one. We get it. The roads are dangerous. What do I need to do to get my gear today, man?"

Osin scowled and the two locked stares. Osin dropped his gaze first. He shook his head.

"Impatient children," he said under his breath. He pushed his way behind the counter and lifted over a big pack. Not only did the pack bulge at the seams but there were snowshoes, a climbing pick and rope tied to it. Leif made a show of inspecting the gear, testing its weight and shifting a few things about before he grunted his approval.

He pulled out his deflated purse and counted out a meager handful of coins into Osin's waiting palm. He hesitated more and more with each coin he dropped in Osin's hand. The store-keeper twitched his fingers for more.

Leif heaved a heavy sigh. He deflated nearly as much as his empty purse as he handed over his last coin. Osin eagerly pocketed it all.

Leif grabbed his pack and slightly staggering under the load hauled it out the door.

Ada's gaze trailed in his wake. "Bye?"

"Bye." Leif gave her a half-hearted wave and slung his pack upon his shoulder. The door shut.

Osin cleared his throat. "Now lassie, I'm not selling. Not with wolves and trolls and gods know what else is out there. Not if it's just you. Not with you talkin' 'bout Gejsern. It wouldn't be right."

"Now look here Osin, I don't care what you think." Trygg's purse made a solid thump as Ada plunked it down on the counter. "If I can't get what I need here, I'll find someone who's a little hungrier. It's a big town. I'm sure there's someone that'll sell. I need a pack, cloak, hat, gloves, food and cooking stuff!"