Mallara and Burn: On the Road by Frank Tuttle Read Free Book Online Page B

What now?
    Mallara bit her lip and studied the
apparently sleeping Troll. It weighs more than ten dray horses, she
thought. I could conjure my double and she could stand on my
shoulders and we might -- might -- touch the blunt top of the
Troll's furry head. And if the two of me held hands and stretched,
we might just reach all the way around the Troll's waist.
    The Troll's fur was long and straight and
black. Only the hands and the face were bare of fur; there,
instead, was leathery, wrinkled skin of a reddish-brown hue. The
eyes were closed beneath long, black lashes.
    Wolf's ears and tiger's claws and feet with
hooks for toes.
    We fought two wars with these creatures,
mused Mallara. That we survived at all is phenomenal. That we won
is simply miraculous.
    With an audible snap, the Troll's eyes
opened, yellow and slitted and narrowing as they sought out
Mallara's gaze.
    "Greetings, Wise One," said the Troll, in a
voice like grumbling thunder."Greetings, and peace."
    The Troll spread its arms level with its
waist. Mallara looked for extended claws, saw none, and took a deep
breath.
    "I bid you welcome," she said."Welcome, and
peace."
    The Troll chuckled with a noise like rocks
breaking."And who is this who floats unseen at your side?"
    Mallara blanched. Burn's blurred form
swelled.
    "I hight Burn," said Burn."Burn, of the
shimmering folk. May I present to you Mallara of Sovern, Sorceress
to the Crown, Bearer of the Staff and Wielder of the Word?"
    The Troll smiled, revealing wet white canines
as long as Mallara's hands.
    Mallara dipped her head and staff in a formal
bow.
    "Then we are met," said the Troll."Met, and
at peace."
    Thus far, thought Mallara."Yes," she
said.
    The Troll took a half-step forward, bringing
it barely out of the shadow of the Square clock-tower. Yellow eyes
glowed below black fur, more alive in the shadows than in the
light.
    "The day has come, Mallara of Sovern," said
the Troll."An Asking was made. A Vow was spoken."
    "An Asking was made," echoed Burn."A Vow was
spoken."
    "Now is the day to set deeds to words," said
the Troll."Are you come to fulfill the Vow, Mallara of Sovern?"
    Mallara's mouth went dry.
    "I ask," said the Troll."Speak."
    Mallara licked her lips."I came to set things
right," she said."I'll do whatever is required."
    The Troll smiled. Mallara willed away a
shiver."Courage," said the Troll."Bravery. Honesty. We admire these
things, Staff-bearer."
    "So do we," said Burn, darting up close to
the Troll's wide muzzle."We also admire words, well-spoken and
plain. For the sake of ceremony, could we perhaps hear a brief
re-telling of the asking and the vow?"
    The Troll halted in mid-step."A
re-telling?"
    "A brief one," said Burn, before Mallara
could interrupt."Just the high points, if you please."
    The Troll chuckled."This one jests."
    Mallara shook her head."The shimmering folk
hold humor in high regard," she said."Pray take no offense."
    "I shall not," said the Troll."But again I
ask you, Mallara Staff-bearer -- are you come to fulfill the
vow?"
    In that instant, Tillith fell utterly silent.
No horses neighed, no shouts arose, no doors slammed. Mallara felt
as if the land itself was holding its breath in anticipation of her
next few words.
    Her staff whispered. It has asked twice, the
staff said. It will only ask once more.
    The Troll's eyes narrowed further, and tiny
hints of bone-white claw began to show at finger-tips.
    The Troll word for enemy, Mallara recalled,
translated roughly as "oath-breaker."
    "Yes," said Mallara, her voice surprising her
with its calm."I am come to fulfill the vow."
    "Mistress!" hissed Burn."Stall. Delay. Wait
for the Book--"
    "Hush, Burn," said Mallara. She soothed her
staff with a caress and wiped sweat from her brow."A vow is a vow.
You know that."
    The Troll smiled again. Mallara wondered if
it could hear her heart racing."Take my hand, Mallara of Sovern,"
said the Troll. It took a step and towered over Mallara."Take my
hand and let us make good the bargain