Chapter Four
Sapphire ran over to the small port in the door to the ramp and pulled herself up to see out. "Tecna, there are at least two trolls outside. Both have those iron-clad clubs and are carrying rocks."
"We'd better go, then," was the answer. "Powering up the atmosphere drive. Strap in, we're leaving in fifteen seconds."
Sapphire went to her own seat and buckled the belt. She had to tighten it extra tight for her slight frame.
The engine whine grew in volume as the ship was struck by clubs and rocks. "Don't worry, they can't hurt the ship with just those. Takeoff in five, four, three, two..."
The entire ship tilted to the port side as something very heavy landed on it, the sound almost deafening the occupants. The suspension system on the landing struts almost bottomed out. An alarm sounded.
"Whatever is on top is too heavy for us to take off against. I'm going to have to shut down," said the fairy, working the controls at a fever pitch. She turned off the alarm.
"Can we fight them off?" asked Sapphire, watching the console as indicator lights turned red.
"This is a scout ship, built for stealth. We have a fair amount of armor, but no mounted weapons," she answered.
"So we can't leave, but at the same time they can't get in," said Sapphire, undoing her seat belt.
"That's about the size of it," confirmed Tecna. "I would hazard a guess they will hold us until the person or persons in charge arrive."
"Then we shouldn't be here when they do," said the troll-girl.
The sudden sound of bending metal was loud in their ears, and both girls went over to the hatch to see what was going on.
One of the trolls had jammed a club against the hatch, and was using it as a lever. He was pushing against the iron-shod weapon, which held and was actually bending the hatch outward.
As they watched, enough of the hatch was pulled away for him to get a grip, and he proceeded to pull. The metal bent even more. The second troll added his strength. They would be inside within a couple of minutes.
"I've got a portal spell," said Sapphire, holding up her spell bead bracelet.
"Good. Let's change into survival gear, and get out while we can," answered Tecna.
They quickly changed into the one-piece jumpsuits, which automatically adjusted itself to its wearer's size.
Sapphire put her spell bead bracelet on the outside, and filled a pocket with extras.
Tecna showed her a hidden compartment under the lower bunk where they put their laptops. They'd be as safe as they could be.
Going back out, one of the trolls reached through the hole toward Tecna. He managed to grab her arm, but she sent out an electrical shock and with a shout of surprise and anger he let go.
"Couldn't you have done that to the hull?" asked Sapphire.
Tecna shook her head. "It would have fried the electronic systems."
Sapphire retrieved her skoot from the stowage room, and they retreated to the control cabin. They took a quick look in the direction of the hatch, and saw it had nearly been torn off the hinges. One of the trolls was trying to struggle in and getting in the way of the other, who was still bending the hatch away.
She plucked a bead and held it up. It flashed blue in her fingers.
"We need to leave here right away, take us to the light of day!"
She threw the bead down in front of herself where it exploded and formed a circular portal. They ran through quickly, and as soon as they were on the other side it collapsed and vanished.
Fairy and troll breathed hard for a second.
"Where are we?" Tecna asked, looking around. They were no longer in the valley with the ship. They were surrounded by trees and bushes, with thick grass beneath their feet.
"Safe, I hope," answered Sapphire. "I sent us as far as I could make the portal go."
The fairy pulled out her cell phone. "Still no service, though."
"How long before someone comes looking for us?" asked the troll.
"Two days," was the answer.
"What about food? I forgot to ask," said Sapphire.
"The pouch on your right hip has compressed rations for a week," Tecna said, "I'm going to take a look around and get us oriented."
"I'll wait here, then," smiled Sapphire.
"Tecna Magic Winx!" cried the fairy, and transformed.
Sapphire looked on with delight. "That is still one of the coolest things I've ever seen."
Tecna took off, coming to a hover at treetop height. She looked around carefully, but saw nobody. Then she flew higher.
On the ground, Sapphire was listening carefully, to see if she could hear the sound of the other trolls tearing up the ship, but did not.
After a few minutes, Tecna landed and returned to human form.
"I've spotted the ship that way," she pointed, "And we know the valley where the trolls are is past it. Since we're out of touch with Alfea, I think we should investigate and see who is behind this."
"I'm up for it," nodded Sapphire.
Tecna looked at her friend. "I'm sorry about this. If I had had any idea, I wouldn't have taken you into danger."
Sapphire looked back at Tecna and smiled. "Hey, my friends and I once tackled a volcano and won. I think I can handle it."
The fairy blinked. "Yes... I can imagine so. You'll have to tell me that story sometime. Let's go."
"I think I'll leave my skoot here," said Sapphire, pushing it under some bushes. Then she joined her friend.
They gave the small valley where the scout ship sat a wide berth and headed for where the trolls were massing.
At the ship, the two trolls finally managed to get inside, but were disappointed to find it empty. Going back out, one of them suddenly sniffed.
"Smell strange troll out here now," he said to his companion.
The other breathed in. "Yes. And fairy. That way." He pointed, and they went after the two girls.
wc/bffl wc/bffl wc/bffl
Tecna and Sapphire clambered over the top of the ridge that surrounded the chain of valleys where the Hunter Trolls were massing, having to be careful because some of the red and gray rocks were sharp. They made their way to a shelf about halfway down, not far above the trees.
"The breeze is blowing this way, so it's not likely they'll scent us," said Tecna, "But we're not going to take any chances. As soon as whoever reveals themselves we're leaving."
They studied the trolls as they went about their business, but saw no sign of anyone else. It was about noon, and there was meat cooking on the family fires. The smell was wonderful. Tecna spotted a troll woman using a large pot to make stew. Pulling out a meal pack each, they joined in.
Afterward they returned to observation.
"Notice the ones with the vests keep going into that one cave," said Tecna, pointing. "They don't go into any of the others."
"Yeah, I saw two or three do that, but wasn't sure if it meant anything," was the answer.
"I counted at least ten," said the fairy, "So I think it does."
"Let's keep an eye out, then," agreed Sapphire.
They watched, and sure enough more of the leather-clad trolls went inside then came back out. Some headed back toward the valley where the exercises were being conducted, others escorting newly-arrived trolls that way.
Just then a large group of trolls came back out of the cave in a hurry, glancing back in as they did. Someone important was leaving the cave.
"I think we're about to find out who's behind this, Tec," said Sapphire. There was no reply. "Tecna?" She looked over to find the fairy had slumped to the ground, unconscious.
She gasped as she realized a hunter troll was standing over her friend, and another was looking at her, club raised.