Zaiyoz

Chapter 6

I could make out the gigantic trees. Their branches and leaves swayed to the blowing wind. I could hear some distant voices but here was quiet except for the slowing down of the horse’s hooves on the ground. I quickly got up and tried to be real soundless when I jumped off the moving vehicle.

“Where are you going, kid?” asked the old man in his sixties, stopping the animal as he turned to look at me. He had long white beard but his hair was black.

“I… uh… Thanks for letting me take a hitch,” I replied without answering his question.

He laughed softly. “There’s nothing for free nowadays, kid. You must pay me for riding this cart! After all, it’s not everyday I have a passenger.”

“Oh… uh… okay.” I felt my pant pockets and tossed him a small piece of ruby.

He easily caught it with one hand even though it was dark. But I could tell he wasn’t a magician. And yet, he was quick for a normal person.

It was moonless and there were no lights around. But with my training, I could still “see” in the dark. Maybe he also had such training since he traveled with his yields. This was how I concluded.

“Why are you getting off here anyway?” he asked curiously. “This part of the empire is dangerous.

“But… you were slowing down. I thought something’s up,” I answered honestly.

“Right. It’s because I might wake up some trolls if we go fast,” he informed me.

“What?” I looked around us. All I could see aside from the trees were huge boulders. But then not long after that, the earth shook.

“Danger,” Azajji whispered again, in the midst of the earthquake.

The horse bolted and the old man was forced to hold on to the reins tight.

“Kid, come and ride on fast!” he shouted.

There was a loud growl and I could see the giant boulders move. “Ho s**t!” These were rock trolls and I was sure as my soul was ripped off my body that I wouldn’t be able to live if they’d crush my body like an insect!

I ran after the rushing cart pulled by the frightened animal. Some corns were thrown over to the ground as the cart traversed the uneven ground and the horse was not slowing down at all.

I saw the three trolls straightening up to their full height of maybe fifteen feet or so. Each covered our left, right and rear. They were extremely gigantic and it was the first time I saw something so huge like that and moving to boot! It made me feel like an unimportant creature. I did hear rock trolls were territorial. I just hoped we’d be able to get out of its territory in time and we’d be safe. But I wondered how vast their territory was when they alone were gigantic. I really had no idea!

“Why did you have to go through this way?” I shouted at the old man as I was still running after the cart. It was some six meters or so away from me.

“Ah, mortals! Why did you have to disturb our peaceful sleep?” growled the one to our left. Its voice was cold and echoed in the nearby mountains.

“This is the only shortcut to my daughter’s home. Her family is starving, so I can’t take the long way, can I?” the old man replied to my question. “They’re not supposed to wake up! I’ve been through this way twice already and hadn’t disturbed them. But I don’t know what happened now.”

Well, maybe I am truly an unfortunate being, I thought. The two times he had gone through this way, I was not with the old man. Makes sense. But then I didn’t want to die. At least not yet. I still had to take my own penitence for killing my own sister, right? And perhaps this was the beginning. I shouldn’t complain!

I tried to reach out for the cart as the rock trolls slowly made their giant steps. The one to the right tried to catch me with its immense hand but I was able to duck and roll. I got up fast and ran after the cart again. I hoped that the horse was running in the right direction!

“Ah, you’re faster than other mortals, eh?” said the rock troll to the right.

The other two snorted and took another few steps, shaking the earth. The cart almost careened but I was able to pull it back in place and tried to go on board it. The old man slid from his seat but was able to right himself and didn’t let go of the leash attached to the frightened horse.

“I think he’s the most interesting one so far, Adhi,” the troll to the left stated.

They all chortled, making my skin grow goosebumps. Even though their voices may be low for them, they echoed in the mountains. I could hear the distant flapping of birds’ wings, escaping the area. Some wolves howled and other beasts growled in response to their voices. The earth smelled more, well, earthy as the wind carried their scent.

“Can the horse go any faster?” I shouted at the old man.

With just a few steps, I knew that the rock trolls would get us easily. But it seemed that they were playing us. They let us go farther for now.

“I think their territory ends to the next mountain.”

My jaw hung open. “What?” I was horrified to know that. It meant miles and miles away. I guess, if I wasn’t mistaken, it could be journeyed for at least two or three days!

“Don’t worry, they’re not going to get to us once we’re in the forest!” he said.

“I don’t think it’s assuring me, old man,” I told him sincerely. My eyes were still at the giants that took their steps one at a time. Lazy time, I guess. The smile on their ugly faces was definitely mocking.

“I want to eat this special mortal,” said the one at the rear.

The other two brothers laughed at that.

“He must be tasty, Adhi!” said the one to the left. It appeared that he was the youngest of the three.

“Ah, how long was it since our last meal of a mortal?” asked the one to the right.

“Must be a hundred years already, Adhi,” said the one at the rear. So, he was the middle brother of the three.

What the heck? I thought. That must mean they ate a wizard like me! I wondered why that wizard was eaten when he had magic. Was he like me and didn’t use magic against these trolls?

“Why do you eat mortals?” I shouted at the trolls.

“And the special mortal asks.” The middle brother sniggered, which was copied by the other two.

“Why wouldn’t we?” said the youngest. “It helps us sleep undisturbed for many years.”

My brows furrowed and I felt myself bounce as the cart hit a rock. “So… you… uh… share the special mortal?” I queried.

“Why are you asking them?” the old man butted in.

“I just want to know,” I replied with a gesture of my hand. But I immediately held on to the cart to not be thrown out of it.

We were already approaching the forest. Maybe half a kilometer away now. My heart was racing so fast that I could hear it beating loudly in my ears and my blood circulated so quickly in my system.

“Brothers share. That’s how it goes for us, special mortal,” the oldest answered, smirking.

“Ah, let’s get them already, Adhi!” suggested the youngest, stomping his foot like in a tantrum, shaking the ground in the process. Then he kicked some trees, sending them our way. The cart was hit in the side, pushing us down the slope.

The old man and I screamed while the cart descended fast and the horse rolled down, separated from the vehicle. It was neighing and stopped as the youngest picked up the horse and ate it. I could hear the loud munching of its sharp rock teeth, breaking the horse’s bones and chewing it wholly.

I winced at that sound, seeing the dripping of the blood from the troll’s mouth.

“How is it?” asked the middle brother.

“Not as delicious as a special mortal,” answered the youngest after swallowing his food.

I grimaced at that while the cart halted when it hit the bottom most part of the slope. I quickly jumped off the cart and helped the old man, holding his strong hand.

“Come on! Let’s get through the forest!” I urged him quickly.

“Run, mortals, run!” the oldest mocked us.

“We’ll catch you in no time,” added the second brother.

They all laughed together, making my heart thunder inside my rib cage. I was forced to halt when the old man tripped. I had to help him get up.

I couldn’t help but be more afraid than ever, when the oldest bent to pick us up.