A Long Trail...

[DungeonMaster]

A small man walked out of a patch of forest and towards Troll Bridge. He was intent on finding the Magician Humphrey, and it would be a long walk, but he was up to it. he had no idea where to go or what he would ask Humphrey when he got there, but he had a plan to go to the Good Magician and change his life for the better with the wisdom he recieved.

[Chronica]

At Troll Bridge there was a verbal fight that could be heard if anyone was near the area. Upon seeing the creators of the two loud voices echoing through the trees you see a disgustingly figured troll, and someone in a suit of armor their sword drawn and standing defensively. The voice, the volume intensified by the heavy helmet the knight wore spoke in an aggravated manner, "I do believe you should allow me to pass free of charge you foul smelling beast. I am on official business, I must get to the Good Magician."

The troll laughed in a vile manner, his breath reeked of things the knight didn't even want to think about or envision. When the laughter died out it spoke menacingly, "You shall not cross the bridge, unless you pay the price. The price be but a token, and your sword shall be mine. If you refuse the price again, and you attempt to cross, your life is mine and you shall forfeit it at all cost." His belly rumble laughter exploded again. And the knight grunted in confusion.

"I am on official business for your homeland, I must get to the Magician as swiftly as possible. I even have a letter of demand of my services being requested by the Gorgon. I'd show it to you but I doubt you can read. This is the only place to cross that is on the way to his castle. The only other place is days from here and entirely out of the way. Giving up my sword is out of the question."

The Troll didn't answer this time but sniffed the air, his thoughts obviously distant and the knight huffed again. Finally the Troll's attention returned to the knight he was grinning. "Another one comes and I shall now have a dinner and desert."

[DungeonMaster]

When he saw the two having the argument, he began to sprint. he did not grow tired or winded as he ran, and he ran dead for the two and for the bridge. he slowed and stopped as he drew near the bridge. "I request that you allow me to pass to the other side of this bridge so that i may seek the Good Magician and change my life for the better."

[Chronica]

The troll snorted with laughter... "And what do you have that may purchase your way across my bridge so that I will not eat you?"

"Apparently better manners than you." The knight replied snidely. The knight turned to the new man, "Do you have any idea how to get past this creature?" Then a thought occured to the knight. "If we do a favor for you, something that you are unable to accomplish... might that pass as payment?"

The troll, obviously thinking had steam rolling out it's ears. "I may."

[DungeonMaster]

"I will fetch you any rare delicacy that can be found in the land of Xanth if you let me and my friend cross this bridge. And furthermore, i will return with these dishes once a year to treat you for letting us pass." he offered quickly, the words issuing forth like lightning from his mouth. "What say you, beastly troll?"

[Chronica]

"Human, would be my taste, but a task I will take." The troll grunted. "It seems to me that there are two tasks that I do indeed need. A task for the Knight, may his strength be true, and for you..." The troll turned to the unarmored man, "From you I will take a rare bulb that is guarded by the beast the knight is to slay."

The Knight looked over at the new man, "A beast to slay, that's deffinately in my line of work." Turning back to the troll the knight spoke again, "Tell me where this beast you need slain and then I will be on my way. This fellow here will retreive this rare bulb that you need from it's lair. Just point us in the direction and we will be on our way."

The troll rolled his eyes, "I knew ye'd find a way to keep that sword of yours. Pesky humans. But this 'er human must accept the terms."

The knight tapped his foot impatiantly, "Fine but do be quick about it."

The troll nodded, "The beast be North of here by only an hour at most... Lives near the border to Mundania."

"Accepted." The Knight speaks monotonously.

[DungeonMaster]

"It is a deal, then." The man spoke in a determined voice.

[Chronica]

The Knight turned in the direction of this supposed beast as the troll began to shuffle under his bridge. "Come along then so you can retrieve what he needs. I suppose the Troll will need proof of my slaying this beast as well." The Knight continued to walk mumbling under the helmet words the other man wouldn't be able to decipher.

[DungeonMaster]

There was the sound of quickened footsteps and cracking branchs as he turned to walk away, and the man was farther down the trail than the Knight when he looked up, "I think an introduction would be proper, as we are going to travel together. I am a talented individual, good with rope. I love to climb things, you see, and... I never grow tired. No matter how fast I charge, I will not grow winded or tired. I can only run at a sprint, though, at best, so I am seeking the Good Magician to find a way to use this talent to my advantage so that my quality of life improves. If I can do enough to earn a name for myself n Xanth, I'll be doing well. I have snuck past that troll, before... you know..." He blabbed on at the mouth endlessly, as if he never needed to take a breath, and when the Knight got to where he was, he turned and kept stride with the knight, throwing in the comment, "Oh, and if you ever want me to shut up..." It got annoying quickly.

[Chronica]

"I am Sir Cornelius, Champion of the Third Order. And yes that is quite annoying, I would prefer it if you would stay your tongue until after we slay this beast." Cornelius moved on into the sheltering trees. On second theought he stopped and spoke again, "You'll need to distract the beast while I slay it, then you can grab your bulb and I can get my trophy and be on my way to the Good Magician. Are you up for that plan?"