Chapter 6: Troll

After 6 days of walking, Voyd said that we’d be entering troll territory early tomorrow. We set up camp and spent the next morning on the lookout for trolls. The grass here was greener and all of the trees had leaves on them. There were more animals around as well. 

We eventually heard a loud roar in the distance, “What was that?” I said. “I’m not sure. But judging by how loud it was, likely either a troll or a dragon.” Voyd replied. “Well let’s go check it out.” I said. “If it’s a dragon we’re dead.” Ro said. “We’ll be fine.” I replied. “Yay! Fight time!” Killer screamed.

We began walking, as we got closer we could feel the ground shake with every step it took and we could see the trees above the tree line swaying as it moved. “A dragon surely would’ve taken flight by now, it must be a troll.” Voyd said. 

We got into viewing distance and saw a giant with the face and antlers of deer but with razor sharp teeth protruding from the side of its mouth like a crocodile. It walked on its hind legs but used its knuckle to support him and he walked like a gorilla. It also appeared to have claws nearly half a foot long and its antlers were sharp and jagged. I guess this world’s version of trolls are different from the fantasy novels back on Earth. I wonder if the dragons here will be different too?

That’s besides the point, this thing is way too large for me to fight it alone. Unless I’m able to aim a shot right on his brain, I’m worried my bullets might feel like throwing rocks at an elephant. “Do you think you’d be able to keep this thing still for me Killer?” I asked. “Me hope so!” He yelled. I forgot this idiot doesn’t have an inside voice. The monster heard it and turned towards us. 

As it approached us, Voyd readied her staff and let out a gust of wind strong enough to push it back off its knuckles and onto its hind legs, the trees around it bended significantly and some even started to crack. After the spell was done the monster tried to regain its balance. As it was doing so, Ro aimed her bow and took a shot towards its face then she used wind magic to redirect the arrow right into its eye. The troll let out a huge roar and used one of its hands to cover the eye while the other hand thrashed around violently and randomly, tearing through the trees nearby.  Without hesitation, Killer sprinted towards it while staying on the side of its bad eye and he smacked the monster on its shin with his flail. 

The troll roared again and dropped to one knee. It was still, this is my chance to put a bullet in its brain. I took aim while the monster placed its hands on the ground about to push himself up. I fired, and hit it right in the head. The bullet pierced all the way through and the monster collapsed causing the forest to shake. 

“Master you kill it!” Killer yelled. “Yeah yeah, I know. But next time could you not scream while we’re trying to be sneaky.” I told him. “I sorry master.” He replied. “That’s alright just go skin it now so we can get out of here.” I said. Killer ran over to the beast and started skinning it. 

“While he’s doing that, the rest of us should look for a campsite.” I said. We split up, and planned to meet back with Killer by the troll in about 20 minutes. When I got back I saw Killer and Voyd sitting by the skinned troll. He was telling her war stories that sounded wayyy too violent for a kid. “Ro’s not back yet?” I said. Voyd shook her head no. “Well, did you find a good spot for us?” I asked. “I found a house.” She replied. “A house?” I said. She shook her head yes. “For real? Alright then!” We waited for Ro to return then followed Voyd to the spot.

We came across a thick brush. “It’s right through here.” Voyd said. She cleared some branches out of the way and we followed her into the brush. As we got closer, we saw the house. It’s a small cabin that’s left completely intact. There’s some wear and tear as well as plant overgrowth on the outside but it’s a complete shelter. We approached it slowly and quietly. “Hold up, Let me go in first. Just in case.” I said.

I opened the door and aimed my weapon right towards the corner of the room where I saw something moving. It was dark inside and I couldn’t make out what it was at first. When my eyes adjusted, I saw an old elf lady sitting in a rocking chair slowly swaying back and forth. “Geoffrey! That you?” She yelled. “Oh, sorry to bother you. We were just passing by and-” She cut me off before I could finish speaking. “Oh never mind. I thought you were my son.” She said. “Um well, who’s your son? Do you wants us to go look for him?” I replied. “Huh? What was that?” The old woman said. “I said, do you want us to look for him for you?” I told her. “My ears must be getting old. Y’all can take whatever you want, all I ask is you put me out of my misery please.” She said. “No no no, we’re not bandits. We help people.” I said. “Really? So my ears aren’t that old then.” She replied. “Yeah, if you want we can out and find your son for you.” I told her. “Don’t bother, he’s probably dead.” Said the old woman. “Oh, well, I’m sorry to hear that.” I replied. 

“Without him I won’t be able to survive out here. So my offer still stands. I want you to take my life, and anything you can find here that’s useful to you will be yours.” The old woman told us. “Sounds like a good deal.” Ro said. “Hold on, we don’t have to do that.” I said. “What’re you talking about? You gonna take care of me ‘til I die?” Said the old woman. “Uhhh… fuck no, but there’s a settlement south of here. It’ll take us a few days but we can keep you safe on the way there.” I told her. “Really?” She replied. “Umm, can I talk to you outside for a sec.” Ro told me. 

We stepped outside and then she said, “I don’t think you should try and help her.” I was baffled, “Why not?” I asked. “Look at her, she’s useless. She’ll do nothing to help the nomads if we take her back.” Ro said. “Yeah she basically told us that. What’s your point?” I replied. “Did you see anyone traveling with us that was even close to her age?” She said. “Umm… no.” I said. “Exactly. Once someone is too old or too sick to contribute, we put them down. If you bring her back to my family they’ll just kill her. We might as well just do it now so she doesn’t slow us down on the way back.” 

I thought about what she said for a moment, and she’s probably right. But is that the right thing to do? What would the goddess want? I don’t think she’d want me to leave anyone behind. Even if my decision to help ends up being meaningless, by choosing to help there’s at least a small chance I can change this person’s life. The old me would’ve listened to Ro but I have to change or else I’ll never get a decent reincarnation.

I told Ro what I thought and even though she was reluctant, we went back inside and told the old lady we would be heading out tomorrow morning. We set up our sleeping bags, filled our water skins up at a river nearby, and started cooking dinner on the fireplace inside. We talked to the old lady and heard her life story. 

“I was very young when the Amin Empire was attacked. My husband and I owned a farm near a small village far to the west. When we heard news of what happened to the capital, we fled north. My husband was a dwarf, we had hoped to cross the mountains and shelter in one of their underground cities. But we were turned away at the border.  I’ve lived here ever since.” 

“How long ago was that?” I asked. “Oh about 300, maybe 400 years ago. I haven’t been keeping track.” She said. “Wait a second, how old are you?” I asked Voyd. “I’m 11.” She said. “What? How?” I said. “That’s not how elf ages work sonny. We age normally up until we’re 25 then our aging slows down.” Said the old woman. “Damn it!” I yelled. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Ro said. “Woah, I didn’t say that because I’m a creep or anything. I’m just mad because the pedophiles stopped reading.” I said. “What!?” Ro yelled. “Nevermind, let’s change the subject.” I said. “How many people you kill!?” Killer screamed at the old lady. “Killer, chill out.” I turned to the old woman and asked, “Our friend here is only a half elf, will she age the same way?” 

“Yes, half elves also age at the same rate of elves when bred with any other race. My sons were able to support me until now but my husband’s been gone a long time. Back in my day, relationships between elves and other races were rare due to the aging difference.” She said. “I see, what else can you tell us about life back then?” I asked.

“The Amin Empire used to be a wonderful place for all races of the world. I don’t know what would drive someone to destroy such a beautiful place.” The old lady told us. “Do you have any ideas?” I asked her. “I do remember that Lord Amin VII was hated by a lot of people. I wasn’t really into politics so I have no idea why. But I do know that the Emperor had no power, it was merely a formal title.” She said. “And you’re sure the Amin Empire was attacked first?” I said. “That’s what I heard.” She told us. 

She didn’t have much more information to give. We finished cooking, and ate by the fire while we listened to her tell stories of life on the farm. Then we all went to bed for the first time without a lookout in days.