CHAPTER 2

SLAYING THE TROLL

Riding his white horse along the dirt road leading to the village, Mark pondered his journey. This was the third village he had visited since dealing with those pesky bandits. He hoped this one would finally offer him some work. As he continued, he noticed a middle-aged woman sobbing uncontrollably while an older man tried to comfort her.

"Are you alright, miss?" Mark inquired.

The woman remained silent, her tears flowing, but the old man spoke up. "It's the troll! That cursed troll killed her husband and son."

Mark dismounted and approached them. "Sounds like a job for a swordsman like me," he remarked. "Tell me more about this troll."

"Maria's husband and son were merchants," the old man explained. "Their travels were usually safe with hired mercenaries to fend off bandits. But this time, a troll blocked their return path. Vasil, Maria's husband, refused to pay the toll the troll demanded. The beast slaughtered everyone except for one mercenary who fled here, gravely injured. He shared the news before passing away last night."

"I can take care of that troll," Mark declared. "But I'm not doing it for free. I want sixty gold coins."

The old man seemed ready to object, but the grieving woman spoke up before he could. "Deal. I'll pay whatever you ask, as long as you bring me justice!"

"Excellent," Mark nodded. "But first, I'll need directions to find this beast."

The old man then guided Mark on where to go to confront the troll. Mark rode his white horse, following the old man's directions. He traveled along a dirt road flanked by woods on either side until he reached a wooden bridge spanning a small river. On the other side stood a monstrous troll, green-skinned with long ears and protruding teeth, wielding a massive wooden club.

"Stop!" the troll bellowed. "Pay the toll to cross the bridge."

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Mark dismounted. "Not happening." He dashed across the bridge, narrowly avoiding the troll's swinging club. He knew one hit from that club would send him flying. Slashing at the troll's feet with his sword, he watched as black blood gushed forth. Enraged, the troll screamed and pounded the ground, causing it to tremble.

The troll swung his wooden club at Mark, but Mark dodged it with nimble movements. Driving his sword deep into the troll's thigh, black blood gushed forth, and the troll howled in agony and rage. Mark swiftly withdrew his sword and leaped back, narrowly avoiding the troll's incoming fist.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Mark acknowledged that battling the troll was far more challenging than dealing with petty bandits. Yet, his muscle memory hinted at past encounters with trolls. Without dwelling further, Mark surged forward. Evading the troll's club, he darted between its legs, emerging on the other side. Before the troll could react, Mark slashed and hacked at its thighs, sending green chunks of flesh flying through the air.

The troll spun around, wildly pounding his club on the ground, causing the earth to tremble. Mark, breathless, narrowly dodged the frenzied strikes. He delivered another blow to the troll's feet, causing the massive creature to kneel. Using his club to steady himself, the troll was vulnerable, and Mark seized the opportunity.

With a swift slash, Mark carved into the troll's chest, sending green flesh and black blood flying. The troll screamed in agony. Sensing its weakness, Mark drove his sword into its lungs, and the beast collapsed, the ground quaking beneath it as a pool of black blood formed. The stench of death filled the air.

Exhaling deeply, Mark knew he had finally defeated the beast. It had been his toughest battle yet, but he emerged victorious. He stepped toward the lifeless troll and used his sword to sever its head, proof that he had indeed slain the beast. He then made his way to his white horse, mounted it, and galloped back to the village.

He found Maria in the same spot where he had left her earlier. Though her tears had stopped, sadness lingered on her face as she found solace among the old man and some other villagers. Mark approached them confidently. "I've slain the beast," he announced, tossing the troll's head to the ground. Maria and the others gasped in shock. "Now, about my payment," Mark stated firmly.

"I promised you sixty golden coins," Maria replied. "I've had to sell nearly everything, but here they are." With that, she tossed him a pouch of coins, which Mark caught with ease. "Thank you," she added, her voice trembling. "You've brought justice for my husband and son. It eases my grief to know that the creature responsible for their deaths now lies dead."

Mark made his way to the nearby inn, using his payment to purchase wine and chicken. He relished the savory taste of the chicken and the rich flavor of the local wine. After an hour of indulging in the feast, he climbed the stairs to his rented room. Tonight, he would sleep in a proper bed. However, come tomorrow, he would hit the road again. Such was the life of a wanderer, always on the move.