Welcome to Trollmarket
Trollmarket was less of a market and more of a town. A entire town of Trolls beneath Jim's very feet. Jim was taken back as Blinky led the group. Tobes was once again back on Arrrgh's shaggy shoulders; she seemed to keep him there to insure he was calm. Jim looked about the settlement; spying all sorts of trolls and shops. He saw cauldrons bubbling and trolls calling out across the streets. He walked past one toad-like troll squatting on the floor; slicing the head of a type of catfish. He looked up at Jim offering a piece. Jim politely declined, he suddenly didn't feel too hungry.
All manner of trolls were present; some tall, thin creatures like trees, while others barely made it up to Jim's knees. Some were covered completely in fur, others scales and others slime. Jim stared up at the six-headed troll-like effigy that seemed to be carved on various stores. Blinky noticed Jim's staring, as he walked beside Jim.
"That is the patron God of Trolls: Ymir," Blinky said, his tone quite in reverence. "It is believed that from his toes is where Trollkind first spawned from."
Jim nodded and bowed his head respectfully towards the effigy, it seemed only polite after all. The trolls seemed uncaring towards the sight of two human children walking about Trollmarket. But Jim had to wonder if that was due to the glares of Arrrgh, who seemed to dwarf many of the trolls within Trollmarket.
"Nothing like the rambunctious of Trollmarket to heighten the sense, ey Master Jim?" Blinky said, grinning at Jim. "You must feel honored, no human has ever step within Arcadia's Trollmarket."
"You mean there's more than one?" Jim asked, amazed at this entire situation he'd stumbled into.
"Master Jim, there is an entire network of underground Troll Settlements underneath the crust of the Earth. The oldest began during the neolithic period." Blinky said proudly.
Jim suddenly looked down to noticed the diminutive looking creature. It barely came up to his ankle, and looked like the cross of some form of moth and spider. It's head was smooth and pearl-like with bright, sweet eyes. It gibbered sweetly towards Jim, it's eyes wide and innocent.
"Oh hey there little buddy," Jim cooed, leaning down on his knees to get a closer. "I'm sorry but I haven't got any tre-"
The thing's mouth suddenly opened revealing a row of razor sharp canines. It revved like a drill and flew at Jim's mouth. Blinky suddenly smacked the thing with a nearby piece of refuse before yelling obscenities towards the thing as it flew away chortling.
"What was that?" Jim said, perturbed by his encounter.
"Tooth-fairies, annoying little scum, always trying to take teeth that doesn't belong to them," Blinky complained. "Only slightly better than snobbers, we keep the fairies around to manage the teeth of those trolls who simply can't look after their own."
"Wow, can they take a look at my teeth?" Tobes asked from on top of Arrrgh's shoulders. To punctuate his point, Tobes pulled his lips back, showing off the his own teeth. Arrrgh giggled slightly and copied the gesture.
"I would recommend against, Master Tobes," Blinky responded, shaking his head in amusement at the sight. "They tear out and eat the unwanted teeth. Though they'll try and snatch away wanted teeth if they think they can get away with it."
"Yeah no changed my mind." Tobes replied, a very unnerved expression across his face.
Blinky chuckled at that too.
Jim suddenly became aware of a large crowd of trolls that had began following the four. It seemed Arrrgh's glares had only mitigated the curious trolls. Jim turned to see a various eyes of various colours staring at him.
"Why these little 'uns here in Trollmarket?" Asked one troll, which had an assortment of feathers sprouting from it's back. "And why does that one," it pointed at Jim. "Have the amulet?"
"Trollhunter." Arrrgh stated. "Chosen by amulet."
That provoked a series of expressions from the assembled trolls; some ranged from bemusement while others seemed terrified. Jim wondered why. Perhaps they didn't believe he could hold up to their standards? Seems understandable after all he was the second human trollhunter.
"No such thing as a human trollhunter." The bird-troll said.
"But what about Ragnar? Did he help you in the war against-" Jim's questioning was promptly stopped by one of Blinky's limbs clasping itself around his mouth. Blinky laughed nervously as the assorted troll crowd glared at Jim. Before Jim could raise any complaints about misinformation a very large troll pushed his way through the crowd.
The troll was a musclebound thing; it's skin a pale grey and it's eyes had yellow sclera and black irises. It's was bald but did have a coarse beard. Two mandible poke out the corner of its mouth and small quills erupted from it's shoulders. It glared about the crowd and many turned away from his gaze.
"Draal." Jim heard one of the trolls mutter to himself.
"What is this nonsense!?" Draal bellowed, in what Jim assumed to be a British accent.
"He's British?" Tobes muttered in confusion echoing Jim's thoughts.
"Welsh." Arrrgh corrected.
"Draal, my boy!" Blinky cried out nervously, "Goodness me, you've arrived in Trollmarket so soon."
"News of my father's death traveled fast, and as a dutiful son it is my duty to pay the utmost respects to his sacrifice," Draal said, eyes narrowing at Blinky. "And the honour his legacy as the trollhunter."
"Well I'm sorry to tell you but that spot's taken," Tobes said.
Draal snorted in anger and turn his gaze upon Tobes, who was still sat upon Arrrgh's back. Draal sneered at Arrrgh who met his gaze calmly. It was Draal who looked away first. Draal turned his gaze back onto Jim who found himself unsettled Draal's attitude. He looked at Jim like he'd taken something from him. Though given his father's position as former trollhunter, Jim probably had.
"My father did not suffer to be burned by daylight to let a human claim his position!" Thundered Draal, as he loomed in over Jim. Jim, in comparison, barely came up to his chest in comparison. "I am his son and his Heir."
"Not how amulet works." Said Arrrgh firmly.
"Who asked you, has-been?" Replied Draal. "Go polish that skull-boulder of yours, this is none of your business!"
"Hey!" Yelled Jim, not wanting to let Draal bully the troll who saved his life. "Leave her alone! You've got a bone to pick with me not her!"
"I prefer to break them." Draal sneered. "Then pick my teeth with them - humans especially."
Arrrgh snorted in anger and bared her fangs at Draal. "Not. Funny."
"Right! What's with all this!?" An aged voice cried out. "It better not be Gulwag and Ghark fighting again!"
Again the crowd parted for another troll. However this one was aged and weather beaten. It was incredibly hairy; with many horns upon it's crown and hooves like that of a goat. In fact in reminded Jim of an incredibly elderly satyr. In it's hand it clutched a staff which an assortment of trinkets hung from.
"Nothing to worry about Master Vendal," cried Blinky.
"Master Vendal?" Jim said in confusion.
"Master Vendal is the seer of Trollmarket," Blinky mumbled quietly to Jim. "It is his task to deal with envoys of the other settlements. His is the highest authority to be found within Trollmarket."
"There is something to worry about!" Bellowed Draal, in anger ignoring Blinky and Jim's interaction. "These two fools believe to have found themselves a human trollhunter! For all we know this could be the work of some foul black magic!"
Vendal looked between the two parties before turning his gaze onto Jim, scrutinizing him. He contemplated for a few moments, moving his jaw casually as he thought before looking at Jim.
"Can you prove you are the trollhunter?" Vendal said.
Draal looked mortified that Vendal had even considered such a prospect but a snort of derision from Arrrgh silenced him.
"Yeah, yeah," Jim said hurriedly. "For the Might-"
"Glory, Master Jim!"
"Thanks Blinky. For the Glory of Merlin. Daylight is Mine to Command!"
With that a crash akin to thunder happened and Jim was once again clad in the draconic Armour of Daylight. Vendal looked him up and down, before walking around Jim inspecting him and muttering words Jim couldn't understand under his breath. Draal, meanwhile, simply glowered at Jim in barely restrained anger, casting a cautious glance at Arrrgh who still seemed angry from his previous threat.
"I sense no foul play here Draal," Vendal clarified towards an astonished Draal. "The amulet has indeed chosen a new champion. The boy is now the trollhunter, may Ymir have mercy upon our souls."
With that said Vendal waved the crowd of trolls away, many had shocked and worried expressions upon their faces. Didn't exactly fill Jim with the most confidence. Draal roared in anger before simply turning to leave, pushing many trolls out of his way. Jim had a feeling he'd be seeing him again. Oh yay! He thought.
"Yay?" Tobes said in confusion at that proclamation. Once again echoing Jim's thoughts. "What's with all the sullen faces? Shouldn't they be happy they've got their new trollhunter?
Blinky looked nervously as Vendal gave the group a perturbed look. "You have told them our history yet have you?"
"Well… We didn't really get chance." Blinky chuckled nervously.
"Why?"
"Bular attac-"
"One of the Gunkin is here in Arcadia!"
Jim had enough, if he was going to be the trollhunter, he at least needed some information. Ragnar, Gumm-Gumms, Bular. Not of it made sense. Where did he fall under all of this? And why were the trolls so worried?
"Okay, okay!" Jim said, gaining the attention of the two trolls. "The trollhunter wouldn't mind how much he falls under all of this? And why everyone is so worried about the fact I'm the trollhunter?"
Blinky, Vendal and Arrrgh all traded looks of worry and bitterness. Finally with a sigh Vendal began to walk towards what looked like a large arena. Vendal turned back glancing at the group before raising one furry eyebrow. Quickly realising that he wanted them to follow him, the group set of in pursuit of the old seer. Into the old Arena.
Bular stared on at the half finished Killaheed Bridge and grinned as he felt it thrum with his father's unholy might. The Bridge was a foul and ancient thing - the last remnant of Gunmar's former clan. It was an altar to his father's might and would be the key to allowing him to return from his banishment. Bular stared at the savage effigy of his father; six-limbed and stuffing humans into his maw. And felt a longing to reunite with him again, one that had plague him for so long.
Beside Nomura grinned, once again clad in her true form. He grinned back down at her, after all he had so much to celebrate. Not only had he found the amulet but it was in the possession of a human boy. Easy taking and a snack after he broke the boy. Bular was going to enjoy that.
"As you can see, Lord Bular, I have almost got the Bridge complete," hissed Nomura, proud of her achievement. "I sent Otto to retrieve that missing piece in San Francisco, and the snobbers will retrieve the pieces present in Arcadia."
"You have well Nomura and my father will know of this," Bular said, results deserved rewards after all. "I will retrieve the amulet and tear from the boy: dead or alive."
"Bular what madness have you insured?" Yelled a new voice, a deeply educated British one.
Bular turned with a sneer upon his face at the form of Walter Strickler. Or he was known to his kin: Stricklander. Bular despised Strickler and the feeling was mutual. Strickler wanted to keep to the pragmatism of the shadows, while Bular longed for the daylight of slaughter. A clash of personalities was inevitable.
"What madness do you refer?" Sneered Bular.
"Your attack on the boy, alerting the whole of Trollmarket to your presence," Strickler angrily replied. "As well as Arrrgh in particular. Or have you simply forgotten about her history with your family?"
"I am not one of your brats to be lectured!" Bular bellowed, trapping Strickler in a death grip. Nomura grinned harder at the sight of that. "I am Bular, Devourer of Fools! And I will not be second guessed by some skin-changing scum. The boy will die; messy and by my own hands."
"And draw the attentions of all of Trollmarket and the human security forces upon us?" Rasped Strickler, a smug smile across his face. Bular dropped him in annoyance, as he was telling the truth. As he loathed to admit it, cunning was needed not strength. Not yet at least.
"And how would you suggest we go about this?" Questioned Bular in annoyance.
"With tact. We simply need to bide our time, continue building the Bridge and simply ignore the boy until we finally need the amulet. If we go on the offensive; we invite retaliation and prying eyes." Strickler explained, in a haughty tone.
"I will consider your advice Stricklander," Bular said, leaning down so that him and Strickler were face-to-face. "But understand this. If I do get the opportunity to kill the boy; I will and with relish."
Flicker of concern came across Strickler's face. All the confirmation Bular needed, he waved a great arm dismissing the Changelings from his sight. And turned back to the Bridge, feeling once again at home.
Jim looked about the titanic arena in amazement, the wall were etched in troll wearing the Armour of Daylight. Those must've been some form of troll painting in remembrance of former trollhunters. Jim turned to see a group of trolls working on what he assumed to be Kanjigar's painting. He looked noble and strong, Jim found himself wondering if he could keep with such heroes.
"What is this place?" Tobes asked in confusion, he disembarked from Arrrgh's back and was now next to Jim. "Some sort of arena?"
"Half-right Master Tobes," Blinky said. "This is the Hero's Forge. It is both a shrine of remembrance and a place of combat. Here you can see the history of the Trollhunters."
Jim and Tobes did a turn of the massive arena looking over at all the decorations and the atmosphere. The place felt ancient and had air of destiny and adventure. Jim felt a thrum come from the amulet and it echoed in his bones. Somehow he felt like he belonged her among all of this. Despite not even being the same species.
"Here, young Trollhunter, is where we'll mold you into a true trollhunter," Vendal said, pushing past the amazed teens. "Here is where we'll see your mettle. Let's hope we don't break it."
"Wait, wait, wait," Jim said, shaking his hands. "I thought I was going to get some answers first."
"Yeah like what's a Gumm-Gumm?" Tobes said, looking at Jim.
"The Gumm-Gumms are a cult that have made a religion out of the practice of eating humans," Blinky explained.
"Not that scary a name given the whole eat human thing," Tobes replied with a nervous grin. Arrrgh returned the grin calming Tobes.
Vendal simply sneered. "Imagine what they would think of 'Tobes'."
"Yes well," coughed Blinky. "Gumm-Gumm is actually Trollish for 'Eaters of the Meat'."
"Ah that's terrifying." Responded Tobes with a worried look on his face.
"Indeed, Master Jim you mentioned that you wanted to understand more of your goal," Blinky said with a very large grin on his face. "Well then, it's time for a history lesson!"
Hello again! So a bit of a shorter chapter this time around, just a bit of insight into Trollmarket as well as the raising of a few questions. Also Bular is indeed not as prejudiced towards the Changelings as he is in the show; mainly because he believes in a more 'might makes right' mentality so as long as they're not weak (at least in his eyes) he's fine.
Also changed the meaning of Gumm-Gumm, and of course well be getting a Blink History Lesson! Anyhow don't forget to review and have a good one!
