Chapter 126: The Troll’s Toll
Balthazar turned slowly, his eyestalks gazing up at the towering figure standing above him. Large and as ugly as the smell coming off of it, the troll stood nearly as tall as two men, its rough green skin looking like moss-covered rock with ancient boils scattered all around it. The creature leaned down, an old club resting over one shoulder, the fur loincloth it wore over the other gently flapping in the wind.
The troll squinted its beady black eyes at the crab, before drawing a toothy smile, revealing dirty jagged teeth.
“´Ello.”
The merchant gulped.
“Balthazar, stay very still,” whispered Rye, from several paces behind.
“Why? You think its vision is based on movement?” muttered the crab sarcastically.
“No, but I don’t want to accidentally hit you with an arrow,” the archer said, as Balthazar heard the quiet sound of a bowstring being pulled.
“Pass?” said the troll.
“Wait, Rye!” said the crab. “I think it’s trying to communicate.”