Humans and in some cases, even shifters stay away from that wild territory. The older residents of Rivenna told stories. Apparently, the cave’s filled with dangerous magic and deadly creatures who detest all shifter breeds. I don’t know how much of it’s truth, but it can’t be that bad if Jorgen’s sending us down here. My knowledge about crystals is somewhat limited. I know the basics, but it’s one of those fields that never really interested me.
I use Lenin’s Pixie dust to create a fire torch, then light it. The others have already disappeared inside; some shifters have better vision than others. I’m Wyvern and even Jared didn’t know the full extent of my abilities.
I try to remember what else Jared said about Shadow Cave; he’d personally never gone there.
I leave the tunnel behind me and enter the cave. Thousands of tiny crystals are shining all around me. Most of them are useless to me. Humans and shifters can use them for decoration, I suppose. I need to locate the crystals filled with magic. I know these particular crystals can only be found in places inaccessible to most shifters.
I decide to change paths and start climbing the opposite direction. My instinct tells me nothing useful will be anywhere near the beaten path. I climb carefully, trying not to dislodge bigger rocks or bruise my hands on the sharp edges. I pick a few crystals along the way, but they all look the same to me.
The heat’s almost unbearable. Sweat surges down my face and I wonder if there’s any way out of here other than through the tunnel created by Jorgen. A moment later, I spot someone or something down from where I’m standing. My eyesight must be misleading me because I see a tiny human with an even smaller shovel. He seems to be resting by one of the rocks. I start sliding down, wondering if this is one of Jorgen’s traps. Now I remember talking to Jared about trolls. He mentioned they dwell in dark caves. Apparently, there are thousands of them around the Decaying Mountains.
“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I can ask you something,” I say, slowly approaching him. Trolls are short, chubby with chunky noses and long hairy ears. This one’s dressed in a navy outfit that looks like some sort of uniform.
The troll turns around abruptly and nearly drops his shovel, backing away from me.
“Who are you? And what are you doing in here? Humans and shifters have no access to our territory,” he says, and starts waving his shovel right in front of me. I put my fire torch by a rock, and scratch my head, trying to think of what to say. Trolls tend to stay away from humans and shifters. They live in the darkness most of their lives and they’re very protective of their secrets. I really need to be careful of what I say next. This task isn’t as easy as it seems. Getting my hands on those crystals will require a lot of haggling and time I don’t have.
“I mean you no harm. My name is Astri and I’m a Wyvern creature, searching for protective crystals. I saw you from the rocks and instantly knew you could help me,” I say, giving him my friendliest smile. The troll scratches his head, staring at me with wariness in his eyes.
“This is trolls’ territory, and the crystals are mine. You shouldn’t be here. I must go before the others …
“No, hold on. I have gold and magic. I’m sure we can make a deal. Please take me to your boss,” I plead, knowing this isn’t the best way to get my hands on the crystals, but it’s too late to come up with anything else. Trolls are well known for being greedy and they enjoy making deals.
The troll in front of me is thinking hard about my proposition. He keeps poking his long, dirty nails into his temple, while looking lost in thought.
“Gold is good. My friends like gold and there isn’t much gold around here. Follow me, shifter, and I’ll see what we can do for you,” he finally says, smiling widely and revealing long, sharp teeth.
I know this is all the money I have on me, but I can’t let Sebastian win again.
This could be a trap or worse, but running around the cave and searching for something I know nothing about doesn’t sound good either. We shake hands and his eyes gleam with green flecks. I straighten my back with a sense of foreboding, following him deeper into the unknown, aware I might never make it back to Rivenna alive.
Chapter 13
The deal
The troll’s eager to lead the way and I know I have to be vigilant about my surroundings. Other contestants entered the tunnel first, but the cave stretches all the way into the mountains; they could’ve gone anywhere. I have a feeling the crystals are blocking some of my abilities. I do feel an unfamiliar, low buzz of energy in the back of my skull. The troll sings a song in a language I don’t recognise, as he walks in front of me.
I struggle to move through the narrow pathways, bending my neck at awkward angles, while trying to avoid sharp rocks protruding from the cave walls and rocky floor. The crystals shimmer in the tar darkness, like diamonds and stars in the sky. My blood pressure’s rising as we move lower and lower into the underground.
Before long, we enter a lengthy tunnel with rusty rail tracks that must have been built by others years ago. The troll points at an old, corroded trolley and says,
“You have to step inside. We’ll ride from here.”
I hesitate, wondering if I should really trust him, but I have no idea how I’m supposed to find those crystals on my own. It looks like I have to trust this little guy, and just follow his lead.
“How will I get back?”
“The same way, come … come, there’s no time to waste.” He rushes me, opening a set of small, metal doors. I exhale and decide to worry about getting back to the castle later. I sit at the bottom of the trolley, while the troll gets inside too and releases some kind of block from the wheels, and we begin riding down.
The tunnel narrows and moments later, we’re showered with water surging down from above. The space opens up and right in front of us there’s a huge drop. The cave must spread over several miles. I feel sick and try to sit back up. The trolley rattles, shakes and drops down unexpectedly, gaining speed. I’ve never been anywhere near the Decaying Mountains, but right now I want to be anywhere other than in this trolley. I close my eyes, trying not to look where we’re going.
“The mages and shifters aren’t welcome here. You have to let me talk for you when we get to the mine, all right?” the troll says, glaring at my scar, narrowing his shimmering, hazel eyes. When the trolley finally slows down, my stomach settles. I don’t know if the other contestants have already figured out trolls have the crystals. For my sake, I hope Sebastian hasn’t had any luck.
“The Duke of Rivenna’s looking to hire an assistant and I’m hoping to acquire the position. He asked for protective crystals and that’s why I’m here,” I explain, but the troll doesn’t seem to be interested in my story. He yawns and glances around, not even pretending to listen to me. I do have a few Rivenna rekish gold coins in my pocket, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be enough to make a deal with the troll’s boss. “How many trolls like you live in the Shadow Cave?”
“There are many of us living here. We all work in the mine and sell crystals to other creatures in the Eastern World,” he explains, then moves a long bar that undoubtedly works as a steering wheel to the trolley. I hold tight when the trolley speeds up, and we quickly approach two splitting tunnels. My stomach rolls again and I keep swallowing, not wanting to throw up on his shoes. I’m positive it won’t win me any points with the trolls.
The troll steers the trolley to the right and now we’re riding through a bright, wide tunnel. There are more fire torches and other trolls walking around with their miniature shovels. All of them are dressed in the same navy uniforms.
“What’s your name?” I finally ask, knowing I need to somehow bond with him. I have a bad feeling about trusting him, but either way it’s too late to back out now.
“My name is Poppius. We have to leave as soon as we get off the trolley. Don’t talk to anyone and don’t tell them you have gold,” he says and I nod in agreement. Other trolls are staring at me, whispering to themselves when I
gladly jump out of the trolley. My legs are shaking and I feel lightheaded. There’s at least hundreds of them around and I see various entrances to other tunnels leading to Hommis knows where. Some of them are covered with a black tar-like substance, filthy from head to toe, looking tired and worn out.
Some greet each other, others are eating food by the rail track and a few more look like they’re just about to start their shift, arriving in trolleys from different directions. I follow Poppius through a long, zigzag of tunnels that keep narrowing until he stops in front of another set of tiny wooden doors this time.
“We go in now,” he announces, leading me upwards through a small staircase. The space is so small, I can barely squeeze through it, wondering where the hell he’s taking me.
I think about Lenin and Jetli for a moment, wondering if they know anything about trolls and their magic.
We both climb the long stairs that seem to stretch for ages. Poppius is struggling up the stairs at this point. He keeps taking long pulls of air, stopping several times. I feel hot, sweat surging down my back and I can barely breathe, but I know if I win, I’ll get the duke’s approval. Eventually we reach a door about his size.
“Let me do all the talking. The general doesn’t like humans or anyone who’s taller than him. Maybe try looking a bit shorter,” he suggests, and I just stare at him as if he’s lost his mind.
“How can I be shorter?” I ask, baffled.
“Try walking on your knees,” he says and then knocks three times. I drag my hand through my hair, and run a palm over my face. I’m here to make some sort of deal with whoever’s behind those doors, so I go in on my knees when the door opens up. I better get a damn crystal after this or I’m having roasted troll for dinner. Maybe two, if this guy’s an arsehole.
“Welcome, welcome into General Zishan’s quarters,” says a voice that belongs to a female troll. Oh...uh, a woman then. She’s slightly shorter than Poppius, with long, black hair, purple, wide eyes, wearing a wooly, blue dress with matching shoes. Some trolls have pimples and warts all over their faces, but I try not to stare too much. I just have to make this deal and be on my way.
“Hi, Eleonora, it’s nice to see you again. I’m here on official business. This shifter wants to purchase protective crystals from the general. The girl has gold coins,” Poppius says, and his eyes move up and down Eleonora’s body. She goes slightly shy, and flutters her long eyelashes. I force myself not to roll my eyes. It looks like those two fancy each other.
Eleonora finally glances at me, losing her smile. She nods and allows us through. The room’s dark, quite wide but with an extremely low ceiling. I have to bend my whole body to crawl after Poppius. There are tables and chairs set in rounds and around twenty trolls are sitting behind them, listening to the lecture of a blond-haired troll. He’s pointing at a map, explaining something to the group in a language I’ve never heard before. They’re dressed in grey uniforms, looking quite immersed in the lecture.
Eleonora takes us to another even smaller room. The ceiling is even lower, and now I’m craving a glass of water—my mouth’s dry and I feel suffocated in here.
An older troll, presumably the general, is sitting at a chunky, wooden desk, staring down at the text of a book. He has a long, silver beard and thick glasses.
“General, this girl is here for you,” Eleonora says, and gives me a disgusted look, suggesting she doesn’t like shifters or maybe she just doesn’t like me, because I arrived here with Poppius. Either way, I have to make the deal and get back to the castle. I shudder thinking about Eleonora’s wild imagination. Gross. No.
The troll lifts his head and looks at me with hint of curiosity. After a minute, Eleonora leaves, and the three of us are finally alone.
“Shifters aren’t allowed here, Poppius. The mine rules are strict and in place for a reason,” the general barks, slamming his small hand onto the table. I flinch, thinking this surely can’t be a good start.
“She followed me all the way here, sir. There was nothing I could’ve done. She wants to take the protective crystals from us. She thinks she’s the original owner,” the troll mumbles and my jaw drops.
Lying little shit.
“No, no, no. This isn’t what happened, Mr. General Zishan. I asked him nicely if he knew how to find the crystals and—”
“Silence, shifter, you are too tall and I did not give you permission to speak,” the older troll shouts, going red. He has an odd, high-pitched voice making him sound extremely feminine.
I wipe the sweat from my face, trying to come up with some kind of reasonable explanation, but nothing comes to my mind. Poppius isn’t looking at me and I just can’t believe he lied straight to my face. Right now, torched troll sounds excellent. Arse.
The general gets off his chair and comes around his desk. Poppius was right, the general must have some kind of short man syndrome. He’s very, very short, probably only reaching up to my knees. He approaches me with a vicious glare, so I bend back, trying to appear shorter. I trusted the first troll who decided to help me, and that was a huge mistake.
“You came to spy on us. All the shifters want is to take our crystals, but that will never happen. We’ve been working hard to become self-sufficient and we don’t want anything from your kind. I punish all spies who show up here by cutting off their limbs.”
I have no idea what to say, but I do have something he wants. There’s no way I’ll let him touch me, but my abilities are limited in here. Shifting in such a small space could only cause more harm than good.
“Listen, General, your troll is lying through his teeth. I have Rivenna’s gold and I just need a few protective crystals. I’m not here to spy or steal anything. It’s a fair offer,” I say, trying to stay reasonable and calm.
The general keeps staring at me and his eyes gleam with fury. He glances at Poppius briefly, then back at me. Trolls aren’t very intelligent creatures, but they are greedy and it makes them dangerous.
“Gold, the shifter’s gold? Let me see it,” the general demands.
“I need to see the protective crystals first,” I tell him, reluctant to actually do anything right now.
He exhales sharply and stretches his hair, thinking hard about my proposition.
“I’m the one who makes the rules here. Humans and mages cannot know about the mine—about us. I have an army, and we aren’t afraid to protect what’s ours. We are brave and armed,” the general shouts, waving his hands in front of my face. “We can kill everyone who’s taller than us!” Short man’s syndrome it is, then…
“I don’t want to cause any trouble. Let’s just make a deal and I’ll leave. Show me the crystals that will protect dragon shifters; the real gems in your collection,” I say, wondering if I’ll have to fight my way out of here.
My voice sounds strange and I feel my throat closing, burning and swelling. I glance down at my hands. My fingers are doubling in size, and then my feet. Panic erupts, seizing the air in my lungs. I have no idea what’s happening to me.
I glance at the general, who suddenly looks very pleased with himself.
“You’re a spy. We’ll cut your legs, hair and tongue. The crystals belong to trolls and no gold can ever buy me. I won’t be tempted by some useless, shiny coins,” the general shouts, then an invisible force lifts me up. My whole body starts to grow, swelling, and I can’t breathe.
I’m being turned upside down, and my stomach churns as I try to grab the chair. Darkness slowly creeps at the edge of my vision. Poppius starts going through my pockets, taking some papers, gold coins and chocolates I keep for Lenin and Jetli from time to time.
“We will cut her legs, hair and tongue. This will be fun, fun, fun,” he sings, giggling to himself.
My head spins and panic’s slowly clouding my thoughts. Trolls have magic too, but their energy is different. Blood rushes to my face and I’m going to drift off soon. These fuckers must want something from me.
“Please let me go. I’m sorry I disrespected you. I
’m a decent dragon shifter,” I say, as nausea rises swiftly, causing my pulse to speed away.
My mother’s necklace somehow wiggles its way out of my top and now hangs over my chest. It’s made from pure gold and it’s in the shape of a dragon representing the Wyvern clan. My mum’s picture is inside. The general’s entire face goes red, and he tells Poppius to bring him one of his sharpest knives.
I can’t think straight. A scream’s building inside me, but I can’t speak now. The pain’s unbearable and I’m going to suffocate if I don’t take a breath within the next several seconds.
“Wyvern, Poppius, she’s the chosen creature!” the general shouts, and moments later I slam back onto the floor, taking long, gasping breathes. I touch my face and my hands. Everything’s in place, but my T-shirt is soaked right through with sweat.
I lie on the ground and wait until the dizziness passes. Two pair of brown eyes are staring down at me. The general leans over and I almost throw up when the smell of skunk wafts over me. Do they not bathe? I nearly dry heave.
The general pulls off my mother’s necklace and brings it closer to the light, examining it. The little Wyvern creature is shining in the dim light of the room.
“No, the necklace belonged to my parents. They’re dead. You can’t take it away from me,” I cry out, struggling to talk, as my throat feels raw and painful. Troll magic is twisted and brutal. I have no doubt the general has ever hesitated to cut limbs of other shifters before me.
“This is very unique and it’s a symbol of power. You want protective crystals, then this is what I want in exchange,” he says, with ruthless determination in his voice. Incredible, nostalgic feelings move over me and I want to cry. I can’t possibly part with this necklace. Maybe to someone else, it has significant value, after all it is gold, but to me, it’s the only picture I have of my mother. I don’t even know when it was taken. I had it on when I woke up in the hospital only remembering bits and pieces from my childhood.