Greetings kind readers. Another chapter has arrived. Your thoughts are much appreciated. I'm very much enjoying writing this story – I hope you forgive me if I wax poetic. Limiting my chapters to shorter bites is interesting, but it does involve quicker updates. I hope you enjoy the latest piece.

Chapter 10

Welcome to the Jungle

"Y'know, I did not think going to the Amazon would require a checkup." Toby winced, adjusting his sweater. "Am I gonna get malaria?"

"Considering you'll only be there for a little while, it's unlikely. That being said, Aaarrrgghh, I want you to make sure no spiders or other creatures get near them. There are a lot of unique species in the Amazon, and a few of them are poisonous." Barbara spoke firmly but kindly, and Aaarrrgghh nodded eagerly. "What's the changeling compound like, Walter?"

Strickler had forgone his suit, opting for his changeling garb. His wings were gone, leaving his cloak in place. The only odd item out was a satchel and belt on his torso. "I was only there a few times. It's fairly large, and surrounds the basilisk pen. At one point four dozen changelings lived there, though not all had familiars. Those who did could retrieve the venom, and those that didn't were usually their descendants and would be raised up to be Gunmar's spies in this world."

"Wait, troll babies? Like legit babies? So changelings can have real kids?" Toby asked.

"It was the only way to grow our numbers before we acquired the Fetch. Getting familiars into the Darklands was the most complicated part to be honest. Gunmar seeded this world generously."

The faint clang of Blinky hitting something on the gyre made Toby pause. "Is something wrong Blink?"

"No, just making certain this joint is secure. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" Blinky seemed to approve of whatever he'd been testing and climbed back down. Aaarrrgghh sensed the nervous energy pouring off his friend – this might not be so easy. Strickler had tried to contact the compound and received no word. It was, of course, possible it had been abandoned. All the better for them. Barbara stood near the gyre uneasily, arms folded across her chest.

She and Claire had returned the prior morning looking refreshed. Claire had a dozen new videos of Enqrique and no fewer than six pounds of chorizo given to her by her tearful father, and Barbara had returned with a tiny metal box containing the smallest teeth Aaarrrgghh could imagine, save for a gnome's. "Plan?" he asked, hoping to alleviate her worry.

Strickler tucked his arms behind his back. "Upon our arrival we find the compound and Nomura and I will examine it, find out the situation. We may need Claire or Toby to shut off any external lights." The purple troll had been so quiet Aaarrrgghh had forgotten her. He'd heard from Blinky she was already collecting herbs on the down low, and he wondered if she knew of specific items only in the rainforest. She seemed barely interested, only half listening as she perched atop some rocks. "We move in and find a method of disabling the defensive lights over the basilisk pen. After that one of our number will utilize these…things." He opened a small satchel at his hip and turned over a pair of large, reflective sunglasses that looked like they were made of mirror pieces.

Toby watched him. "Looks kind of like something Kanye West would wear."

Jim and Claire – on the other side of the gyre, talking quietly – both laughed, but Aaarrrgghh didn't know what a Konyaywest was. Strickler slid the glasses carefully into his pack. "It will permit the viewer to look at the basilisks without being turned to stone. I made it based on the equipment they used to get venom when I last was there. I don't care to assume any of the equipment is still around." Strickler turned to Nomura. "If we can get the lights off one of us should go for the basilisk. We've handled them before."

"Agreed. What if there are changelings in the compound though? Do we fight them?" Nomura looked at her blades, turning them over.

Jim helped Claire over the gyre track as they returned to the group. "Only as a last resort. Gunmar's gone, and they may have had no part in the Janus Order's plans." He stopped in front of his mother. "We'll be back by the morning."

"Just be careful. Are you sure you don't want James along? Or I could go, just in case someone gets injured."

Strickler drew close to her, expression gentle. "Barbara, James has volunteered to watch New Trollmarket in the Trollhunter's absence. Merlin is here as well. I don't trust either of them to make decisions as sensibly as you." She raised one eyebrow.

"Flattery will only get you so far Walter." But she sighed and kissed him on the cheek. "Good luck. Call me if anything happens, all right?" She turned her attention to the kids. "No heroics, any of you. Stay safe." She hugged Jim first, then Toby and Claire. "Listen to Walter and Nomura."

"No worries Dr. L." Toby clambered into the gyre. "All aboard the Barf Master." Aaarrrgghh followed him, Blinky coming after, and Jim helped Claire up. Aaarrrgghh was bemused by this, for both of them could easily climb into it. But then, Claire never seemed to mind when Jim did such things. It must have to do with "couple" habits.

Strickler and Nomura were last. It was cramped but all of them managed to fit, Nomura climbing onto Aaarrrgghh's shoulders with a grim expression. "Of course trolls can invent a device to travel across the planet in tunnels and neglect safety belts."

Barbara stood back and waved. The gyre hummed and then roared as energy filled it, and they were off in a rush of light.

The rainforest at night was alive with sounds over their heads. Claire looked up, stunned by the darkness. The canopy was dense and green and every breath was heavy with heat and wetness. The beam of Toby's flashlight was the only way they could see, though the trolls naturally had better night vision. "I bet this place is beautiful during the day."

Something screeched in the distance and Toby jumped, flashlight beam sputtering. "Okay, so, I will not be able to see poisonous spiders, jaguars, or any other creatures that might land from above. And that bothers me." He steadied his hands and Aaarrrgghh put his arm up over Toby and Claire as if to block descending creatures. "Thanks Wingman. Spiders…urgh."

"The animals will run. They don't get along well with trolls." Jim's pupils were wide, nearly swallowing the blue. Claire realized he could see just as well as if it were daytime. "Careful, roots over here." He guided the pair around them, Aaarrrgghh following like an umbrella. Branches overhead creaked – Nomura traveled above the ground with her spry legs. "How far is the compound?"

"Less than a mile Young Atlas. It will be quite visible if the lights are still operating." Silence reigned in the group for a long while, chittering animals and rustling leaves the only sounds in the dark. Claire once caught sight of a big cat – a jaguar? – that hissed at them. Its eyes reflected the flashlight beam with a green sheen, oily and angry. Jim snarled back and it fled, silent as cloth.

Aaarrrgghh stopped only once, sniffing. "Smell changelings. But…something else too." He snuffled against the ground. "Trolls, maybe? Live everywhere, but fresh. Been through here recently." Blinky knelt to examine the ground.

"If it's your nose Aaarrrgghh, I trust it. Perhaps they were foraging? Certainly the trolls of Ojos del Salado can't be the only ones in South America." He frowned. "We should be wary. We can't be certain any we meet here will be peaceful. Relations between trolls have been uneasy since Gunmar's destruction."

Nomura laughed. "Nature abhors a vacuum. When a power falls, others strive to rise."

There was nothing to say to this, and Claire privately thought Nomura right. Usurna could not be the only troll that had sympathized with Gunmar's cause. Blinky gave the changeling a sad look, but they continued on through the dark.

Claire squinted after a few more minutes. "Does anyone else see a light?" It was hard to tell through the trunks and drooping plant life, but star bright glints shone and grew brighter as they approached. Toby pushed between the brush and whistled.

It looked like a military compound that had been repurposed and subsequently abandoned. Made of black brick three times as tall as Aaarrrgghh, the building's roof was covered in spotlights that shone blazing beams in every direction. There were no windows, no openings for light. "Think they've got poison darts or anything?" Toby asked finally. "I guess they could snipe us from above."

"They wouldn't have guns. Against other trolls, these lights would be more than sufficient." Strickler scanned the roofs. "We can't be certain about the Creeper's Sun poison. It's a possibility."

Toby squared his shoulders. "Well, it's a moot point. We'll have to get rid of some of those lights so you guys can get inside." He trotted forward, skirting the lights and examining the roof. "Something moved," he hissed.

A spotlight blazed on, beam intense and white over Toby. He shielded his eyes and backed away, squinting. "Someone's up there! They can move the lights! Get back guys!" In answer the spotlight swung up and the others scattered, ducking back. Claire instinctively grabbed Jim and pushed him against the shadowy side of a trunk, glaring around the wood at the compound. Toby made it back to them and Aaarrrgghh hauled him behind the trees as well, the beam shining painfully as it swept the perimeter. "Well, this just got more complicated."

"They might think we're attacking them. I want to give them a chance to talk." Claire felt Jim shift. "Uh, Claire?" She realized she'd pinned him to the trunk with her own body and stepped back, face flushing.

"Sorry. Do you think they'll listen?" Claire's heart pounded in her palms, gripping the wooden staff. "Boy I miss my shadow staff. We'd be in and out, quick as you please."

Jim leaned out enough to yell. "We're not here to hurt you! We want to talk! If there are changelings in there, please stop shining those lights!"

In response the beam swung around and he barely got behind the trunk in time, ear steaming. "Ow!" He held the spot and Nomura showed her teeth, green eyes flaming.

"I think they've shown their colors. Tubby, you and I will distract them. We need to get the girl onto the roof so she can break some of the lights. If we can get inside, it'll be easier to get to the den."

In response Strickler cast aside his cloak and bony wings erupted from his back. "I can air drop Ms. Nuñez. Keep them distracted!" Before anyone could protest Claire grabbed Strickler's hand and he scooped her up, taking to the air. After a moment she saw Toby run out into the lights, hollering and waving his arms. His hammer drew their eye, she realized, a brilliant orange light. She would be able to knock out several spotlights without being noticed. Nomura was a violet blur that she could barely make out, the light rushing after and trying to shine the beam on her. Strickler dove toward the building and Claire saw the full expanse from above.

It was massive, a huge square with light shining down outside it. Within the buildings the area was open, full of low brush and trees that were far smaller than the rainforest around them. It was as big as a football field, and it was so bright it hurt to look at it. She could see massive bulbs within the ferns, larger than herself curled in a ball. The inner part was four feet lower the surrounding earth, obviously to keep the basilisks from crawling out. Strickler gritted his teeth. "Be careful. Knock over as many lights as you can. We'll deal with the inner lights once we have a foothold."

Claire nodded and he swept over the roof, three feet above it, before he released his hold on her. She landed and rolled with the impact, jarring one knee. She groaned and stood up, and finally got to see the light setup. They reminded her of stage lights, massive and hot, buzzing with the electricity running them. The ones being moved were yards away and she couldn't make out the figures doing it. Instead she turned from them and pushed at the nearest set of lights. They were heavy but her weight was enough to tilt them, and with a yell she pushed one set down, onto the roof, and the glass shattered as it hit the stone. One flickered, the smell of smoke in the air, and Claire used her staff to hit it and put it out. One dark blot existed in the ring of light, and Claire moved to the next one, Strickler flying in tight circles above her, ready to dip under the beams.

She managed to knock over three of the lights before the sound of claws on the stone made her turn. It was a changeling all right – lean and smaller than a regular troll, it was a female, indigo blue with filthy dark hair. She snarled and swiped with her claws, Claire swing her staff to knock her back. To her surprise the figure fell easily, scrambling away with pure loathing in her eyes.

"Fall back! Get inside and lock the doors!" Claire paused – that wasn't the sound of an adult troll's voice. It was higher, angry like a child. The changeling fled from her, and Claire was stunned to see colorful flashes of creatures following. They ducked down into an opening in the roof and slammed it shut after them.

"Claire, are you okay?" Jim had climbed the wall in the gap and took her shoulders. "What is it? They stopped all of a sudden." Claire turned to him and was relieved to see the others clambering up the side. Aaarrrgghh managed to push Blinky and Toby up to the roof and Nomura clawed her way up, Strickler landing cautiously. Jim and Nomura hauled Aaarrrgghh up the side with some difficulty and Toby was busily smashing the nearest lights with his hammer.

"Jim, I saw one of them. She was…young. She sounded like a kid." Claire gestured toward the great expanse of plants and trees. "The lights in there are huge. Maybe there are controls in the building?"

Strickler's face became pained and Jim slowly turned to him. "When you said changeling descendants…you really meant it. There are kids here?"

"It looks that way. But I can't think of any reason why young ones would be manning defenses. The adults always did it…but if there are no adults, if they left this place, why wouldn't the children have gone too?"

Jim approached the door the changelings had used to flee. "Maybe they didn't get the chance." His voice was low and Claire put a hand on his shoulder as he knelt by the trapdoor. "It's locked but I think we can pry it open. We need to get basilisk venom, and…I want to know if there are a bunch of changeling kids stranded here."

Aaarrrgghh helped him pull the door open and the lock made a terrible sound as it was pulled apart. Blinky used the flashlight to shine a weak light into the opening. "Children hiding in the compound…dear heavens, I hope we didn't frighten them too badly."

"Don't let your guard down. If they've been struggling for their lives, they're ready to fight to the death. They may have Creeper's Sun on them too." Nomura dropped down the hole first. "If they've been fed the same code we fed you, Little Gynt, they are dangerous."

Blinky bristled, following her down. "They may be children! They are afraid! We must try to help them!"

Claire and Jim exchanged a look. Then they followed the two down, and the others descended as well.

Jim knew the direction the changelings had gone by the sounds. They'd landed in a room full of crates, and the building was built like a picture frame, more or less tunnels with rooms in a sequence. The distant noises of claws and stone on the floor were easy to make out. He took off as soon as he landed, heart pounding.

What had happened here? The building was completely dark and still save for his friends, but the smells of clothing and, once or twice, rotten food, sent his stomach into knots. There was no motion, and the air had the cloying thickness that a battlefield knew too well. It was fear, anticipation, and breath being held.

Nomura kept up with him, eyes scanning the rooms as they sprinted. Every so often a door was closed and Jim hurled Eclipse into them before crashing through, breaking an opening for the others. In the dark of that windowless, stone place he heard voices. "Run! They're coming!" The unmistakable cries of children cemented his dread.

"We're not going to hurt you! We want to talk!" he called. Nomura made a sound of frustration and moved faster, sprinting past him into the next rooms. "Nomura, don't scare them!"

Screams reached him and Jim was so distracted he nearly face planted into the wall; he had reached a corner. Nomura bounded to the other door and the noise in the sealed room was nearly too much. Children yelling, Toby crying out when he ran into a wall, and Aaarrrgghh crashing into the doorframe when it was too small to allow him without contorting. "Tobes, use your flashlight!" Jim bellowed.

After a scramble he obeyed, and for the first time he got a good look at who they'd been pursuing. A dark blue changeling was in front of the others, teeth bared, about as tall as his chest. Behind her were two boys, both shorter and bright red, clinging to each other. And at least half a dozen changelings the size of NotEnrique in varying shades of green and yellow. A pink changeling girl shivered beside them, and held a very tiny blanket.

The silence was broken only by the blue girl's panting. "Get away. I'll kill you, hear me! I'll kill you pureblood!" Jim said nothing, merely crouched and made himself small, sitting crosslegged on the floor. She lowered to all fours, ready to strike. She couldn't hurt him if she tried.

"By Deya," Blinky murmured, "they're all children." He held back and Jim was grateful. This situation needed to be dissolved as quietly as possible to prevent anyone from getting hurt. Or traumatized.

"It's okay. I get it, you're scared." Jim took in the wide, glazed eyes and swallowed. "Are there any adult changelings here?"

"No. You purebloods made sure of that!" The girl gestured for the smaller ones to get back. "But I'll kill you just the same! I will!"

Nomura made a sharp, short sound in her throat, rather like a dog barking. Jim had never heard her make that sound but the changelings instantly pricked their ears, staring at her. One of the little ones put their fingers in their mouth, confused. Jim let them consider for a moment before continuing, in a gentle voice, "My name is Jim Lake. I'm the Trollhunter. We came here to get some basilisk venom for a formula. Our friends-" he gestured to Nomura and Strickler, "-knew about this place and we came to see if we could get some. We didn't know if anyone would be here. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

The blue changeling spat on the ground but the smaller ones lifted their heads slightly. They were much thinner than NotEnrique, and their shoulder blades cast sharp shadows against the wall. Jim turned his head, not moving his body. "Tobes, got any troll food?"

"Uh, some salty niblets." Toby, eternally prepared. He shuffled forward and handed him a plastic bag with the snacks inside.

"Thanks." Jim took a small piece out and set the bag on the ground, shifting back from it. "It's okay." He chewed the piece, hoping to encourage them. "You're running out of supplies, aren't you?"

One of the smallest ones crept out, even when the blue one tried to grab it. It's body was a soft mint green and the fur on its back and head white. It never looked away from Jim, reaching out with a short arm and snatching the bag. When he didn't move it took a piece and tried it, eyes never blinking. It swallowed and then backed away, dragging the bag with it. The other toddlers fell to it, snapping and snorting as they consumed the nuggets. Jim smiled as the brave one crept toward him again, sniffing. "Sorry bud, I don't have any more."

"Vali, get back here! Vali!" The blue changeling looked frantic, uncertain. Vali ignored her and climbed boldly into Jim's lap and put its hands on his face, brow furrowed. It was a boy changeling he realized, bulkier in the torso than the females. He let it paw at him, hoping the children would calm down.

Vali seemed to find him acceptable, for the little creature suddenly climbed onto his shoulder and hung there like a monkey, burying its face in his hair, making a contented little noise. Jim blinked hard, eyes too warm for comfort. "It's okay. I promise we won't hurt you." He stood up very slowly, patting the creature between the shoulders, noting that the only changeling that hadn't reacted positively was the blue one, still crouched with trembling, tense limbs. Claire came forward now, and Toby.

"What happened here?" Strickler had not moved from the door but the sight of another changeling made the children whisper. "Have you been attacked recently?"

The pink girl had short black hair and yellow eyes, looking at each of them nervously. "After the death of Gunmar, the Janus Order sent no more information. There was no support, no supplies. They'd always sent shipments so we could remain in the compound, guard the supply of basilisk venom and Creeper's Sun. Our elders had to go out, try to find out the situation, try to get more food before the stores ran out. They couldn't eat human food when the familiars were rescued, so it's just rotting now." She licked her lips. "The purebloods of the forest killed them. Only a few made it back. We've done everything we could to keep the lights up because they're always close, waiting. We thought you were with them."

Blinky sighed thickly. "With the end of Gunmar, there was no more fear of retaliation from the Janus Order. But to massacre any changeling they found…! No wonder you tried to attack us. But you're children! Why are they still attacking?"

"Finish the job I guess. They killed our parents, now they want to wipe us out completely." The blue changeling had finally straightened, shoulders hunched and wary. "They avoided us when the Janus Order supported the compound but when the parents turned off the lights long enough to go out, they were destroyed. There were only a couple left to watch us, and they died trying to get venom to make more Creeper's Sun. They thought we might stand a chance of getting out if we could defend ourselves." She bounced the little bundle and continued, "We can't make Creeper's Sun. We don't know the formula. Once the lights go out, we're dead. They'll eat us."

Jim handed Vali to Claire, who stroked the little thing's back and whispered to it comfortingly. "You've been alone for how long?"

"Two months." The blue changeling crossed her arms, staring at Nomura and Strickler. "We didn't think anyone would come looking."

Nomura turned to Jim. "If what they say is true, there are going to be trolls attacking when they see the gap in the lights. We need to get the basilisk venom and deal with them." She tilted her chin down to meet the gaze of the younger changeling. "How do we turn off the interior lights?"

"The adults knew the code for the system. None of us know it, and they're on generators that will last for years. Industrial grade diamond bulbs – they're not breaking, even for a bullet." Strickler cursed and Aaarrrgghh frowned at him for it.

"We need the venom. And we need to get the kids out of here." Jim moved toward Blinky. "You and Aaarrrgghh need to get these kids to the gyre. Take them to New Trollmarket and then come back. We'll get the venom somehow and meet you there, hopefully before any local trolls get curious. I get the feeling that they won't want a peaceful resolution, even if we are Trollhunters. If they're attacking kids, they're out to wipe this place off the map."

Blinky nodded, chewing his lip. "Master Jim, if we are unable to turn off the lights within the basilisk den, this has become more complicated. I daren't risk Claire or Tobias in there."

Jim paused, realizing that they were the only two that could possibly get inside the lights. He recoiled from the thought of either of them facing a horde of basilisks alone. "You're right, there's no way they're going in there. I think…I think we should just get these kids out of here and regroup back at New Trollmarket. Figure out a new plan."

Claire crossed her arms, supporting Vali with her elbow. "We can't let this chance slip by. If trolls really attack this place, we may lose our chance to get the venom. I'll go in with the glasses and get one of the snakes. Then Blinky and Aaarrrgghh come back with the gyre after getting the kids to safety and we get the heck out of here."

"Uh…no. No way are you going in there alone." Jim saw her eyes narrow dangerously and felt his hackles rise in response. "Claire, it's too dangerous. We'll figure something else out. Let's evacuate the changelings and see if we can come back later."

The changelings muttered to each other, shrinking back. Nomura made that barking noise again. "Come with us. Not all purebloods want to kill changelings. New Trollmarket is small, and it's imperfect, but it's a lot safer than where you are now." She beckoned to them and several followed instantly, like some sort of pack following an alpha. One of the boys took Vali from Claire, who was still glowering. Some of the others lingered, and Jim realized they were looking at him doubtfully.

"Please, follow Nomura and Blinky. They'll make sure you're safe. Aaarrrgghh will go with you too, and Toby. Claire, Strickler, and I will bring up the rear. You're going to be all right." The blue changeling girl's eyes were cold, almost malevolent, but an intense fear softened them. At last she took a few slow steps toward Nomura.

"Jim, I don't know about this. Maybe we should try to get the venom while we're here." Toby offered a smile to the little changelings and they watched him curiously. One clambered up his side and poked a tiny finger in his pocket, drawing out a Nougat Nummy. "If this place gets destroyed, they could be gone for good. Heck, who's to say the trolls won't freaking obliterate them? They seem to hate anything Janus Order related…"

"We'll figure something out. I'm not letting you or Claire put yourselves in that much danger. Come on, we need to hurry. We won't know the area as well as any attackers." Jim turned to Claire. "Let's go-"

She was gone. He turned in a circle. "Claire? Claire!?"

Blinky took a deep breath. "Strickler, please tell me you still have the glasses." Strickler checked the small pack slung over his shoulder and slowly shook his head. Jim's heart plummeted.

"Claire!"

Jim was going to be really, really upset with her after this.

Claire had, in her brief aerial view, spotted two entrances to the central den. The question was whether or not she could get to one and get within the light before anyone could stop her. Jim was fast, and he'd certainly notice she was gone. Nomura had spotted her, she knew, the green eyes tracking her as she slipped the glasses out of a distracted Strickler's pack. But the woman had said nothing, only smirked slightly.

Metal on stone reached her ears and she muttered profanities that would make her mother exclaim. Only a room or two separated her from the first door, if she was any judge. "Claire! No!"

"You're not the boss of me Jim Lake Jr!" It sounded stupid but it made him hesitate for a fraction of a second. "We need that venom!"

"We'll find another source! Merlin's defenses will work for now! You're worth more than some super charged defense!" Dang it, why'd he have to be so fast!? She thought she saw a hairline crack of light in the next room where the outline of a door rested, and Claire's mind whirled. She needed to distract him for a second, just long enough to get into the light –

Inspiration. She stopped and spun, bringing her staff up. Jim – who had been a breath behind her – caught the end of it before it could hit him between the legs. Even in the dark she saw his shocked expression. "Claire!"

She cheered internally. His reflexes were good, she'd been banking on it. She hadn't wanted to hit him; she took the moment to take his face in her free hand and planted a fierce kiss on his mouth, rendering him speechless. He released the staff, stunned, and Claire used the moment to swipe her staff to the side and knock one leg out from under him. If she'd noticed one thing about trolls it was that their density made it vital for them to keep their feet if they wanted to maintain their speed and strength. He stumbled, and it was just enough.

Claire pelted for the door as he righted himself and hurled it open, leaping out into the bright light and slamming the glasses on her face. "Sorry querido!"

"Claire." His voice hitched with fear. She hesitated and looked back at him, unable to follow into the beam. His eyes were wide, scared. "Don't."

Her heart wrenched but she steeled herself. "Fortune favors the bold. Love you. I'll be back before you know it." Then she was off into the brush, creeping under the massive leaves, ears straining for the sound of snakes.

End of Chapter 10

Author's note – I am diverging into speculation here a bit in featuring children, as troll reproduction is something we know little about. Since there are male and female trolls and the males do generally have some kind of "gronk nuks" it seems logical that at least some species could sexually reproduce. Added to the fact that trolls acknowledge they have parents and siblings (and while kissing is foreign to some, they may have some other affectionate sign as we've observed females being interested in the Krubera males) I would suppose that Gunmar's birth from the corrupted Heartstone was a unique occurrence, not the norm. May violate canon if the creators ever elaborate, but given the info we have, troll children do appear viable, particularly considering the Janus Order would likely want to grow their numbers of agents in the world.

Preview of Chapter 11

Blinky threw two more pieces of dwarkstone and barely dodged a blow to the head by one of the blinded trolls. Nomura turned her attention to Sulo, ducking his wide swings with difficulty. She was spry but the trees were thick, and Sulo would not go down with a few shallow slices. Her blades were choked by the thick vines, absorbing damage as she hacked at him, leaving his body unharmed.

Something heavy and smelling of black earth struck her from behind and the breath was lost from her lungs. Nomura gasped, chest rattling, but turned and cut into the other troll, digging one blade in hard enough to give herself leverage to kick Sulo. Her leg glanced off his massive arm and he grabbed it, hauling her upside down and cracked her like a whip against the nearest tree. Her swords fell free and Nomura felt two ribs snap. The world was nearly black, everything a fuzzy, horrible mass.

I didn't get the herbs yet.

She tried to swing herself up but couldn't, broken bones digging into her side. She coughed – blood came out.

I was really hoping to see a ballet once more before I died.