Trolled by Bruce Coville

Author:Bruce Coville
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2017-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

Cody’s Life Log

10/25

Someone must have pressed down really hard on the weirdness accelerator for my life, because this evening things moved into high gear.

It started when I got home from doing my jobs at Granny Aino’s apartment. As I walked under the sycamore tree that stands near our building’s front door, I heard a squawk. Looking up, I saw a large black bird perched on the lowest branch. It squawked again, as if calling to me, then turned its head from side to side. I had an eerie feeling it was checking to see if anyone was watching. That feeling was confirmed when it leaned forward and said softly, “You’re Cody, right?”

Too shocked to speak, I just nodded.

“Good. I have a message for you.”

A month ago I would have totally freaked out. But since then I’ve met a brownie, talked to a couple of cats, found out that I’m part huldra, and learned that my dad has a troll working for him.

So I only freaked a little.

“What’s the message?” I asked.

“It’s tied to my leg. Go up to your room and open the window so I can come in. I don’t want to chance being spotted down here.”

When I didn’t move fast enough, the bird made an angry squawk and said, “Mice on a bun, boy, get going before someone hears us!”

I hurried into the building and up to our apartment. Once I was in my room I closed the door.

“Welcome home,” said Angus, who was tidying my desk (even though it was already quite neat).

“Thank you,” I said, heading across the room.

Just then the bird landed on the window ledge. As I grabbed the sill to raise the glass, Angus shrieked, “Moon and stars, Cody, what are you doing? You’re not going to let that thing in, are you?”

“I am not a thing!” said the bird as I raised the window. “I am a raven, and a trained messenger. And fear not, small person. I have no interest in eating you. You would probably be sour and bitter.”

Angus scowled, but I could see he wasn’t sure how to answer. Claiming he would actually be sweet and tasty was obviously not the best response!

“Do you want to come in?” I asked the raven.

“Thank you,” it replied, stepping over the sill. “I couldn’t enter without being invited. I appreciate your asking, since I’ve had a long flight and could use a rest before I have to turn around and go back.”

“Back to where?”

“Finland.”

I stared at the raven. “You flew all the way from Finland? That’s thousands of miles!”

The bird shrugged its ebony wings. “I came via the Enchanted Realm. The Shadow Sea that divides the continents in the Realm is not as wide as the ocean in the human world. And I’m a powerful flier. That’s how I got my name.”

“Which is?”

“Korkea Lentäjä. It means High Flier.”

I tried to repeat the name. The bird laughed when I mangled it and said, “Call me Korkaya. If you don’t mind, I’ll spend the night here, then head for home in the morning.

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