They continued toward the Misty Lake for several more days without incident. The trail leading to the lake was noticeably less traveled, and had become overgrown in many areas. Finally, Dar informed them that they would reach the shore the following day, though none of them were really all that excited by the news. They set up camp in a well sheltered grove of trees and settled in, planning on an early start in the morning.
Snowfeather disappeared into the darkness to scout the area and hunt for his dinner but soon returned, his feathers fluffed in excitement. “Damion, there is a large colony of trolls less than a mile from here! They have a lair in a large cave in that distant rock formation that is well hidden. I chased a large rat into the cavern opening and discovered them by accident! There are nearly a hundred of them!”
Damion shrugged. “It’s doubtful they'll discover we are here. Just calm yourself, and I will warn the others to be on guard. There's really no reason to get so upset about it.”
“That’s not it!” The huge owl chattered in annoyance. “I decided to get a better look, and I saw the troll chieftain seated atop a throne of skulls.” He began to hop up and down with excitement. “It has the sword!”
“What sword?”
Snowfeather squawked loudly in exasperation. “The Dragon Sword, you blockhead! The troll chieftain has the Dragon Sword!”
Damion sat up and stared at the huge owl in disbelief. “Are you sure it’s the Dragon Sword?” He asked aloud in surprise.
The ghostly white bird fluffed its feathers indignantly. “Of course, I am! I know what I saw! The sword the troll chieftain carries at his side matches the descriptions of the Dragon Sword! I am sure it's the real thing!”
Damion turned to Sly. “You’re never going to believe this!”
The little man gave him a questioning look.
“Snowfeather says he has discovered a colony of trolls less than a mile from here. It seems that the chieftain of the clan carries a sword that fits the description of the Dragon Sword!”
“You’ve found the Dragon Sword?” Dar exclaimed in excitement.
“Are you sure it’s the sword?” Sly asked skeptically.
Damion nodded. “Snowfeather swears that it fits every description. I’m pretty sure that he knows what he’s talking about.”
“If it really is the Dragon Sword, then we have to figure out a way to get our hands on it.” Sly told him in a serious tone.
“But how?” Dar asked anxiously. “Trolls are very nasty customers, especially when it comes to defending their lairs, and an entire colony of trolls is a disaster waiting to happen! It’s no wonder nobody travels through here anymore!”
“How would these trolls have come to possess this fabled sword?” Garth asked. “How did they acquire such a powerful artifact?”
“The dwarf who created the sword made a deal with a troll who was supposed to kill the sorcerer, and return the sword to its creator.” Damion explained. “Instead, the troll killed the sorcerer, then took the sword and disappeared with it somewhere near the Misty Lake.”
“How did you learn of this?”
Damion shrugged. “The old dwarf who made the sword told me.”
“He’s still alive?” Garth blurted in surprise.
Damion nodded sadly. “But he was completely mad. I think the loss of his creation drove him insane.”
Garth snorted. “My grandfather was the one who expelled him from our caverns for using magic in his work. He would tell me stories of the Mad Dwarf. He was insane long before he forged the Dragon Sword.”
“Is there any chance of taking the sword from the trolls by force?” Sly asked.
Dar shook his head. “We wouldn't stand a chance against an entire colony of trolls. We need to try to sneak into their camp and steal it out from under their noses.”
They all stared at the childlike sprite, who shook his head. “There’s no way I can sneak into a troll's lair. I'm good, but not that good.”
Damion sighed in resignation. “I guess there's no other choice. I'll have to go and retrieve it alone.”
“You can't go alone!” Kariah cried in dismay. “You won't stand a chance!” She latched herself firmly to his arm and refused to let go.
Sly nodded his agreement. “You can't handle this alone. We'll find some other way to get the sword.”
But his mind was already set. “I’ll be fine. Besides, you said it yourself, we need that sword, if only to keep it out of Kaviel's hands. He mustn't be allowed to find it, or the whole world will be his to conquer.”
“Please, don't do this!” Kariah pleaded tearfully. “You’re going to get yourself killed!”
Damion calmly looked into her large brown eyes. “Haven’t you learned by now that a few trolls cannot stop me? I will go get the sword, and be back before you even know I am gone.”
“What do you want us to do?” Sly asked, his expression still one of disapproval.
“Start breaking camp, and be ready to move when I return.” Damion replied gravely. “We may have to leave in a hurry, and I would rather not have to take the time to pack. I have a feeling the trolls will not be happy when they discover that the sword is missing.” He turned and softly kissed Kariah on her forehead, then gently slipped from her grip.
“What exactly are you planning?” Dar inquired. “What should we expect?”
Damion grinned mischievously, and then shrugged. “I’m not sure. I think I'll just play it by ear.” He shifted into the form of a panther, then slipped silently into night.
“I hate it when he does that.” Sly grumbled sourly, rising to his feet to break camp.