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Picking up his pace, he strode out from the gaping mouth of the entrance constructed of painted and wood and straight onto the path that had quickly formed over numerous feet and wagons moving between the outpost and the carnival. Among both, the residents of the outposts and creatures of the carnival alike.
The morning mist clung to the ground, swirling around his feet as Raskyuil stalked toward the outpost decisively. He was certain that his presence was noted and that he was seen, and his presence was noted but no cry of alarm went up which satisfied him immensely. All the same, he slowed his pace as he approached the fortified gates and spread his hands peacefully as a guard—a human one, surprisingly enough—inspected him safely from the other side of the barrier. The male’s nose twitched, and he scowled heavily, the spear in his hand rattling slightly with his nerves.
“What business do you have here, troll?” he demanded, his voice cracking slightly in response to his obvious tension.
“Just need to speak with the troll you’ve got tucked in there,” Raskyuil rumbled in reply. The answer was vague, but it was all that was necessary. He was better off trying to simply make himself appear as non-threatening as possible. He wouldn’t get very far if he spooked the damn human.
The male peered at him silently for a long moment, his head cocking as he considered Raskyuil. He suddenly nodded as if coming to a decision and shifted the weight of his spear to his other hand as he stepped closer to the small window in the wooden gate.
“You mean Cathol?”
“Would that be the troll? The male who runs this place?” Raskyuil asked blandly. He had scented no other so there was at least only one troll for him to be directed to, but it didn’t hurt to be extra clear to a nervous human.
The male grimaced and nodded. “That’d be him. He’s the only troll we’ve got. Can’t complain. Shit’s been easier around here since he took over Riverside Outpost.”
“Ah,” Raskyuil murmured. “You’ve been here a long time then?”
The human shrugged. “Longer than most. The whole world is a crapshoot, so I felt no reason to abandon my post here. A few of us stuck around while the others made for the hills, and then the monsters started coming in. It was a dangerous mess before Cathol showed up.” He sighed heavily. “I hope that this isn’t due to another mess.”
Raskyuil shook his head, though it really depended on what one’s definition of “a mess” was. Regardless, it was nothing of any concern to the humans or any other occupants within the outpost. “It is a personal matter.”
“A troll thing?”
The human gave him a sympathetic look, and Raskyuil bit back his laughter, uncertain how much the human would appreciate the fact that his “problem” had to do with a need to plow a pretty little human female. Despite how integrated the village appeared to be between the fae and humans, there was a strange possessiveness that humans seemed to exhibit when someone who was not human tried to lay claim to another human. He refrained from mentioning it because a mess was exactly what he wished to avoid. He simply wanted answers for his condition.
“In a matter of speaking,” he agreed.
The human nodded and stepped back, the heavythunkof wood following as the locks were pulled back and the gate slowly swung open, admitting him. Raskyuil stepped inside, scanning the outpost for any potential threats the moment he entered. At his side the human pointed directly ahead.
“The Overseer’s House is straight down that way, located in the heart of the town just past the tavern and general store. Can’t miss it.” He hesitated for a moment, turning a cautious look toward Raskyuil’s crudely made ax.” Your weapon…”
“Stays with me,” he growled, his eyes narrowing on the human.
To his credit, the male didn’t offer any further argument but briskly nodded his head and waved him in. “Just head straight. And good luck.”
Raskyuil rumbled his thanks, and he stepped away from the guard post, his long, pointed ears twitching at the various sounds already filling the central square. A baker ambled out with a cart, and several small shops that comprised the entirety of the market slowly began to open up with the sound of routine chaos as the outpost slowly came to life. His eyes skimmed over everything curiously, his nostrils flaring as he took in the scent of food that made his stomach clench with the reminder that he hadn’t eaten yet.
Later. He would fill himself with food but only after he got the information that he required from Cathol. A male had priorities, and it seemed sharper and more important than ever away from the dark shroud that seemed to cling to the carnival and obscure everything within it. He would see what the other troll knew and then take his time over the morning meal to dissect that information and consider his options.
Whatever his affliction was, he would begin seeing how to end it before the day was out. One way or another.
ChapterEleven
As directed, the Overseer’s House was not the least bit difficult to find. Although it didn’t particularly stand out from other rough buildings surrounding it, it sat slightly ahead of the others, drawing attention to a larger doorway. A doorway suitable for a troll occupant. It was, therefore, unsurprising when the door swung open at his approach and Raskyuil was met with the baleful glower of the overseer. Although slightly smaller and leaner and possessing a slightly rounded youthfulness to his features that suggested that the male was likely not over a couple centuries old, there was a hardness in Cathol’s gaze that spoke of wariness born of bitter experience.
“What do you want?” the male growled.
“Cathol, overseer of Riverside Outpost, peace and greetings to you, and good health to you and your clan. I’m Raskyuil of…” Raskyuil began, his empty hands spread wide before him as he adopted a formal tone since he was the one intruding upon the other male’s solitude.
An impatient look crossed the troll’s face, half-hidden as it was within the low-lit gloom of the interior, and he waved a hand dismissively. “Whatever you are looking to sell or acquire, I’m not interested. Nor do I care who you are, so you will not be able to capitalize off your name with me. I have no name among my clan to gain you any favors. So if that’s all, leave. I won’t deal with trolls looking to stir up trouble. Now if there is a problem that needs to be dealt with, the guardhouse back down the way you came. Big building standing by itself before you get to the gates. You can’t miss it.”
Giving Raskyuil a final once-over, the overseer grunted dismissively and began to shut the door as Raskyuil glared at him through slitted eyes. His hand came up in one swift movement. It happened without thought, his large hand came against the door, blocking it with a resonantthudthat sent a deep vibration through the wood. He held it there, refusing to yield to the male.
The muscles in his arm flexed, and bit by bit, Raskyuil pressed the door open further despite the opposing resistance on the other side. Cathol’s eyes widened faintly in surprise for a heartbeat before narrowing furiously as he proceeded to block the door from opening any further with the weight of his body leveled against it.
“Release my door and remove yourself at once,” he ordered, displaying his sharp teeth in an obvious threat.
Raskyuil snorted, unimpressed. Why in Aidas pit did everything have to be so difficult? Was no one capable of civil discussion anymore? He spent enough time as Captain of the Guard to understand that one sometimes needed to strike first and ask questions later, but had he not initiated a polite greeting, presenting his open hands bare of any weapons in a sign of peace? And this young troll thought to lord over him and command him?
