Tension was a thick perfume in the air. Both of them would have been a complete fool to utterly trust one another in this present scenario, the general knew. At the same time his guide, this six-eyed Daylight Troll, was either incredibly neieve or giving a shocking display of said trust. Not only had he turned his back on what all others would call a very dangerous enemy, aside from that initial glance back to see if the general was going to follow he hadn't turned again. He didn't need to worry about the larger Troll following behind at this point; as they moved through the woodlands that flanked the city his large fists and heavy steps made enough noise to verify that. But there wasn't so much space between them that if the general decided to attack he couldn't take a single large step and the other would be within his reach. And between them there was little doubt as to whom would win. His guide was by far smaller than the general, and showed no muscle or even combat training. He was unarmed and unarmored. It would be both quick and easy.
Yet he walked without looking back. Was he fearless or foolish?
The general almost laughed to himself. Who was being brave or foolish, the other or himself? After all he was willingly being led into enemy territory, right into their camp, where his demise was all too likely.
Neither spoke for much of their travel until finally, in the seemingly middle of nowhere, the six-eyed one stopped and finally turned back to the general.
"I don't want to surprise you, so I'm letting you know what my plan is. Just ahead one of my allies should be on watch. I'm going to ask him to get the Trollhunter and bring her to us. That way both our camp will be safe, and I hope you'll fell safer as well. She'll decide what might happen afterwards." The general only rumbled in agreement with a nod. It was a good plan, and gave insight to just how smart this Troll - perhaps only a few years, likely not even a decade, from himself in age - actually was. Though he let himself fall back a bit, thinking it might be best if his guide was the first Troll seen.
After another few yards, his guide stopped and looked around.
"Should be somewhere around here..." He paused for thought, then suddenly looked up. "I know you're up there somewhere, Kanjigar - Where are you?" There was a rustling noise in the trees, then a Troll dropped down to the ground. The general was a little surprised, honestly: What was a Troll warrior doing in a tree?
"I somehow doubt you actually saw me," was the grinning greeting. But the smile faded fast when his eyes found the general, and he quickly had sword in hand. "Behind you - a Gumm-Gumm!" He took a step, but the other moved quickly between them, all four hands up to stop the advance.
"No, wait!" The look on the sentinel's face almost made the general laugh out loud.
"What - ?!"
"Remember what I asked you before?" The six-eyed Troll was speaking quickly, trying to get the story out before the other took matters into his own hands. "You asked if I'd seen something. Well, he's what I saw. He needs to talk to the Trollhunter."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down!" The warrior Troll put a hand on the other's shoulder. "Start over. Yes, I remember what you asked. Are you telling me that you believe he is much less a Gumm-Gumm than the rest?" This new Troll looked the general over. "I think I recognize him; a general?" Thinking it couldn't hurt, the general nodded in answer.
"Exactly!" His guide looked the general's way, expression bright with something the Gumm-Gumm couldn't put a name to, but found oddly comforting nonetheless. And infectious, as he suddenly wanted to grin back but didn't, so it couldn't be mistaken as a threat. "And he's said he wants to reveal a plan that Gunmar himself will be executing not two nights from now, directly against the Trollhunter. He's defected!"
"Alright, I believe you!" the sentinel finally said, chuckling. "Or at least, I'm willing to trust you, my friend, and your judgement, and the hope that you might be right. But - " Here he looked at the general, expression severe. " - I'm warning you, Gumm-Gumm, if I come back and anything has happened to my friend, Gunmar will be the least of your worries." The general just nodded his understanding; he'd expected some such kind of threat. With the affirmation the sentinel turned and moved off into the forest, soon vanishing from sight.
The six-eyed Troll turned to the general and sat down on an upraised tree root.
"This may take a bit of time - I don't know exactly where the Trollhunter is or what she may otherwise be occupied with. Best make yourself comfortable." With a small rumble the general settled himself on the forest floor. The tension, which had alleviated a bit when his guide had met his ally, came back in the form of an uncomfortable silence. It seemed the smaller Troll wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say, and the general had never been much of a talker. Even nocturnal insects and birds were silent, likely hiding from the presence of an alpha predator.
How much time exactly passed the general couldn't guess when they heard the sound of approach, neither stealthy or merely two individuals. The general got to his feet, as did the six-eyed one though he seemed more concerned as he looked at the larger Troll.
"I'm certain there will be no conflict." For a moment the general was baffled by the statement. Then he realized the other might be concerned that he would think the multiple incoming Daylight Trolls indicated some kind of trick.
"Not afraid," the general replied, body posture calm. "Expected."
"Well," came Deya's voice as she came into view, accompanied by not only the sentinel but also three other fully armed warriors, one female and two male, and of course clad in the full armor of the Trollhunter, Daylight on her back, "I admit I expected more concern." She glanced at the sentinel. "So you weren't exaggerating on any point." The sentinel - what had his guide called him? Kan-something? - inclined his head in a respectful manner, then Deya l looked back at the general. "You had something to say to me?"
"He - " the six-eyed Troll began, but Deya stopped him with an upraised hand.
"I want to hear it from him." Her eyes never once left the general, though he noticed one hand cane up to rub a thumb over the Amulet of Merlin over her heart. "By all rights, general, I should be highly suspicious of you. So convince me why I should think otherwise." The general shifted slightly, training and instinct telling him to attack but his own will arguing otherwise.
"Planned attack night after next," he said, painfully aware that he couldn't speak everything he wanted to easily and his words might be again the difference between life and death. "Gunmar and Bular lead. Kill Deya. Crush Deya's hope." At the last phrase, Deya stiffened.
"'Deya's hope?'" she echoed. The general nodded and lifted a hand, tracing an image in the air: a short, straight, horizontal line, then an upwards oval, then another short, straight, horizontal line.
"Deya's hope." Deya's back stiffened as he made the motion, her arm coming down to rest at her side and her eyes widening slightly. The others present seemed as shocked, by their expressions.
"How could Gunmar - ?" Deya quickly shook her surprise and looked hard at the general. "You've convinced me. Let's go talk."
ooooooooooo
The general looked around the cavern he sat in, rather taken aback at how things had developed. After Deya had agreed to talk elsewhere, there had been a small debate about how to exactly proceed doing that. One of Deya's companions had insisted that the only safe way for a Gumm-Gumm general to even enter their camp was in chains. But the six-eyed Troll had spoken up at once, pointing out that given how the general moved to shackle him in any manner would only be to cruelly hobble him and serve no purpose. Though the general himself had remained silent, to himself he added that he thought any such chains they had brought with them were unlikely to restrain him in the first place. Finally Deya had put an end to the budding argument, telling the sentinel - Kan-jee-gar, caught the name that time! - to maintain his post and for each of the three warriors to flank the general, one male to either side and the female, whom by appearances was both fast and lithe and would be quick to get to him in case of trouble, behind. Deya herself would lead them back, but warned that one false move by the general and his life would end. As for his guide, the smaller Troll had without being asked or told otherwise also took up a place at the front, but a step behind Deya; of them all, he was the closest to the general. A... show of... trust?
They had traveled in this way through the woods, Deya taking many turns and at one point it began to dawn on the general that she was likely trying to confuse him so if he was being underhanded he wouldn't be as able to find his way back as easily. Given what the general knew already, however, it was a bit moot. He guessed that it had been about an hour before they began to enter into new territory, a place where large rocks and boulders began appearing among the trees. Gravel crunched underfoot, likely a useful cue warning of approach to unseen guards. The foliage thickened, so that Deya had to carefully push it aside so that they could pass. Then between close-set boulders - the general had to turn sideways, though he'd expected this thanks to Bular's intense instruction previous - and then they'd stepped out into the Daylight encampment.
It hadn't taken long for the group to be noticed and a cry to be raised, but Deya had silenced it all with a loud call back, naming him a prisoner of war to be questioned by her at once. Thus they were able to move through the camp without interference, though there were a few curious looks and more than a few hostile ones. The general didn't let himself notice them, however, looking around and mentally comparing Bular's diagram with the actual camp. There was the bridge, there where his warriors were to enter from, and that gap between the stones the entry for a wave of goblins. Whomever the spy was, his information was incredibly accurate.
From there they entered a large cave that he reasoned sheltered Deya's warriors from the sunlight. Though he had been glad to be even somewhat underground he couldn't help but mentally brace for what was to come. He knew what happened to 'prisoners of war's in a Gumm-Gumm camp; it involved mistreatment, pain, blood, and screaming, whether or not any questions were actually answered.
But Deya had simply just led the way into a side chamber, large enough for the general to move about comfortably but offering some privacy for the interrogation. She'd taken a seat on a large rock, gestured for the general to make himself comfortable. Then, with only one of the guards and his blue-green guide on hand, Deya simply asked him questions, wanting him to explain everything he could about the impending attack and how Gunmar found out about the bridge, which she named Killahead. Not once was he threatened or a hand laid on him as he went over the entire thing in detail, ironically just as Bular himself had done. He even drew a diagram when requested to, and though his artistic skills weren't quite up to par with some it was enough to get the information across.
Now it was all over. When she'd been satisfied Deya thanked him for willingly coming to her with this information - thanked him! - and assured him on her honor that he wouldn't be harmed in any way while in their custody, and once she'd had a moment to think over what he'd told her she'd decide whether he'd be free to go, or whether she might need more from him after. She'd also said in a stern tone, looking both at her guard and the six-eyed Troll, that any such mistreatment was to be reported to her immediately. He was put in the custody of his guide - his surprise over the treatment making him miss the name - and dismissed. The smaller Troll had led him away and to where they were now, a ledge larger enough for them both and perhaps one or two more that rose up around five feet or so. It was out of the way, and that was just fine with the general.
"Are you alright?" the blue-green Troll asked. Not sure how to answer, the general just nodded.
"Watching. Very different."
"Different?" The smaller Troll looked out across the cavern, watching the Daylight Trolls moving about on this task or another, having a meal in the company of friends, or simply conversing. "Oh! You mean it's different here than in Gunmar's camp?" A nod and a rumble was the answer. "Well, that's good to hear!"
"Ah, there you are!" came a familiar voice, and the sentinel - Kan-jee-gar - joined them, climbing with ease up to sit beside the six-eyed Troll and uncaring it seemed of the general's presence or the fact that almost all others in the camp were pointedly ignoring them.
"I thought you wouldn't be off watch for a while yet."
"Deya sent a replacement and told me to find you and the general. Something about me being one of the few Trolls she could trust to not let past aggressions get the better of him, and that you'd trust too." He settled back, getting comfortable by leaning on one hand. "So... What happened?" The six-eyed Troll sighed.
"Gunmar somehow had a spy on us. He knows about Killahead Bridge, though whether he knows it's operational or not the general couldn't say for sure. But he did tell Deya about their attack, how many and from what directions."
"A spy," was the dismal echo. "Any idea who?"
"No. The general never met him, or had even heard of a spy until Bular said it."
"Goblin," the general put in, "changeling, traitor. Any."
"That's the trouble with spies, I suppose." Kan-jee-gar sighed, then brightened. "Has Deya said what she's planning to do?"
"Not yet, though she's sent out runners into the tunnels to the other camps, calling them here." For a short time they were silent, then the sentinel brightened and clapped the blue-green on the shoulder.
"Well, I'm sure she'll tell us when she's ready. In the meantime, how about some food? You can get us some." The scholar gave his friend a searching, knowing look.
"Didn't you eat before you went on watch shift?"
"Oh, I'll just be keeping the two of you company! I'm sure you haven't eaten yet - you were off again almost the moment we were back! - and after the interrogation and the trip here I'll bet the general is hungry too." Much to the general's surprise, the blue-green Troll laughed.
"Alright, my friend! No need to persuade further! I'll return shortly." This last to the general, then he hopped up and headed across the cavern to a fire over which was a large pot, one of many such fires. A Daylight Troll was stirring it, and after some conversation a large bowl and two smaller bowls were given over. He came back, the smaller held in his upper hands and the larger held in both lower hands. The bowls were passed up to Kan-jee-gar so the blue-green scholar could get back onto the ledge, then the larger was offered to the general.
"I would imagine it's nothing like what you're used to," the six-eyed Troll said at the general's hesitation, "but I promise it's actually quite good." Somewhat hesitantly he accepted it, though he was a bit baffled by it and the thing sticking out of it which the warrior was using to scoop up the food and put it into his mouth. Hesitantly the general gave it a sniff. Definitely not human, though that was a given. He watched as his - guards? - ate for a bit, then the six-eyed one seemed to realize he wasn't joining in. "Is everything alright?" Abruptly the other laughed, nudging his companion.
"For being as smart as you are, sometimes you're a bit dense! What good would that spoon do him? It would barely be a nibble!" The scholar looked sheepishly at the general.
"My apologies. I suppose a wasn't thinking clearly."
"Try this." The warrior put the rim of the bowl to his own mouth and poured some in. The general blinked, then followed suit. What he tasted - ! By and large human had been the bulk of his diet for decades. He found them decent, but after this time a bit single-flavor and if he couldn't eat them freshly killed it was a little less pleasant. There were flavors in this bowl that he simply didn't have words for! It was hot, steaming hot, and though he had no idea what the bits in it were it was the best thing he'd ever had. He downed half the bowl in his next gulp before lowering it and giving his opinion when his mouth wasn't full.
"Good!" Both the warrior and the scholar looked at each other in surprise, then laughed, and though he didn't laugh along, the general smiled.
The scholar returned the bowls when they were done, and the warrior and scholar chatted back and forth. They made comments to the general to try and include him, though as he knew little about the topics they discussed he mostly just listened. A sense of tiredness beganto steal over him, making him at first worried that there had been some sort of potion in the meal to knock him out. But he'd seen both his guards and several others receive food from the same pot and nothing was happening with them. And a few had eaten more than he had!
No, this was no treachery. His stomach was full, the cavern was warm from the fires, and he was consumed by a sense he had no word for but found enjoyable. Careful not to knock either of the smaller Trolls off the ledge, the general laid down on the ledge, his legs curling towards his torso and his arms folding to pillow his head.
Safe, that's was it. Here, in the camp of the enemy, he realized he didn't have to rest with an eye open for someone approaching to try and kill him to impress Bular or Gunmar. He didn't have to rely on brute strength and intimidation to hold his place and his life. For the first time in his memory he could simply exist, and, secure in the knowledge that neither the blue-green Troll or Kan-jee-gar would harm him nor let him be harmed, he quickly and quietly fell into the deepest, most peaceful sleep he'd ever had.
((Had to, because Sleeping Aaarrrggghh! is adorable!))