Diana Alderoot and the Gilded Mage by Trista Shaye

Author:Trista Shaye [Shaye, Trista]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-20T22:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

They had returned to Farran’s cottage after lunch for the various teas and dinner. Matilda and Farran spent the entire time together in the kitchen, either baking and making food, or packing for their journey into The Marsh.

Diana, Kendel, and Andante looked at a rough map Matilda had drawn for them of the border and her plan to sneak in at the east side under cover of darkness. This would be the best place for them to try and make it under the defenses of the trolls, as the gnome and troll troops were camped out more in the middle and western sides. The gnomes had attacked on the east before, so it wasn’t entirely defenseless, just less so.

“What do you intend to have us do once we get in?” Kendel asked, enjoying the freedom of his arms being untied and sitting at the actual table.

“I suppose we’ll have to find a troll so we can ask some questions,” Diana mused, turning her head so she could look at the map from a different angle. “What do you suppose this is?” She asked, pointing to a squiggle on one side.

Kendel tilted his head and so did Andante.

“A scribble,” said the moth. “Finding a troll will be quite easy, miss Diana. Keeping it from alerting the entire troll nation of your arrival will be another thing entirely.”

“That’s the trick, indeed.” The mage sighed and slumped down in his seat so his elbows were on the table and his chin resting on his hands. “I can cast some sort of confusion spell, maybe … if I can recall one.”

“I bet Matilda could intimidate them just fine,” Diana assumed, trying to relax in the soft light of the fire.

The day had turned sour again and it was raining outside. Regardless, they would leave that night with or without the rain accompanying them.

“Oh, the trolls aren’t afraid of her.” Andante chirped out a laugh.

“Why not?” Diana asked, disbelieving him.

“Because they’re tough, tougher than her if that were possible,” the giant moth replied. “They’re made of clay and rocks and hardened by the sun. They paint themselves odd colors from the mud they find at the bottom of the marshes that cover their realm – red, yellow, orange, some green.”

“How odd!” Diana exclaimed.

“Indeed.” He bobbed his head. “It’s now used as a scare tactic since they began their back and forth frenzy with the gnomes. Before it was used as simply a way to beautify and create art. Just be aware, not all trolls are brown and normal, some are odd colors and patterns and can appear rather frightening. It’s nothing to be afraid of though, it’s just warpaint.”

“Right.” Kendel gulped as the moth finished his description, looking a bit frightened already.

“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Diana said, more to Kendel then to Andante. “Thank you for the warning.” She would have to remind the mage again not to get freaked out about it once they got there.

“My song will go with you, though I cannot go myself,” Andante said, still feeling badly that he couldn’t help them.

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