Adventurers Wanted 1) Slathbog's Gold by M.L. Forman Page B

punishment.”
    “Punishment?” Alex tried to stand up, but he couldn’t manage it.
    “You left your post and put yourself and the company in danger,” Arconn said, gently pushing him back to the ground. “This is a serious matter, even if all turns out well. Tell us everything—what you thought, what you felt—as you undertook this task.”
    Alex took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. He told them how Shahree’s terrified whinny had called to him, and how he felt that he must follow, even though he knew he shouldn’t leave the camp. He told them that Andy was against him leaving, and how he had gone anyway, following a feeling he couldn’t explain. He told them everything as calmly as he could, and when he finished, the others remained silent for several minutes.
    “It is not yet harmless,” Bregnest finally said, breaking the silence and pointing at the troll with his sword. “Though dawn’s light will finish the job you started.”
    “We should check its pockets before it turns to stone,” Thrang commented. “Might be worth the trouble.”
    “Turns to stone?” Alex questioned.
    “Trolls turn to stone in sunlight,” Thrang answered. “And what’s in its pockets will turn to stone as well.”
    “Check them,” Bregnest said to Thrang. “I’ll be ready if it moves again. Though I doubt it ever will.”
    Thrang cautiously approached the troll and reached up to pat the large pockets. He drew his short sword and cut the bottom out of each pocket, letting the contents fall to the ground. Moving quickly to retrieve everything that fell, he hurried away from the troll once more.
    “Have to wait for daylight to see what there is,” Thrang commented, squinting at the pile of items in his hands.
    “Dawn will be here soon,” replied Arconn. “And punishment should be decided before it arrives.”
    “Very well,” said Bregnest, looking grim. “As punishment for disobeying orders, Alex, you forfeit your extra share of any treasure found with the troll or in its lair. You will still receive an equal share, as agreed upon in the Adventurer’s Bargain, but even though you defeated the troll in single combat, you will not have the honor of dividing this treasure.”
    “All right,” said Alex, relieved. He had worried he’d be sent back to Telous and not allowed to go on. “I know it was wrong to leave the camp,” he added quickly to cover the sound of his relief. “I just felt I had to.”
    “This may seem a small punishment to you,” said Bregnest sternly. “However, it is a dishonor to lose your extra share. You do not know all the ways of adventurers yet, nor do you understand how much value we place on honor.”
    “I may not understand,” Alex answered, standing up, “but I feel that I did what I had to do.”
    “And it has turned out well,” Arconn added.
    “Yes, yes it has,” admitted Bregnest with a slight smile. “So there will be no punishment other than what I have said. After all, few adventurers would take on a three-legged troll alone. You have proven your courage and worth this night, my friend.”
    “Thank you,” said Alex, bowing to Bregnest.
    “Arconn, bring the others here when they have found the horses,” said Bregnest, his eyes turning to the troll once more. “We should search the troll’s cave as a company.”
     
     
     
     
     
     

chapter six
     

The Troll’s Cave
     
     
     
    A lex wiped the troll’s blood off his sword and sheathed it as he waited with Thrang and Bregnest. He felt tired and drained, but proud at having defeated
the troll.
    The eastern sky was growing light when Arconn finally returned to the clearing, followed closely by the rest of the company. It seemed that Arconn had already told Alex’s story to the others, and they arrived, excited to see the frozen troll.
    “Not a bad night’s work,” Skeld commented, looking at the troll and its missing leg. “Don’t see many like this one, do we?”
    “Three legs,” said Tayo as