[Sticks]

Episode I –Sowing the Wind

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.” Hosea 8:7

Ever been in a situation where you have faithfully kept a secret or a confidence for a friend, only for someone else to stumble across it and shout it out to the world? How would you feel if that happened to you?

Suppose the secret was about a child’s true parentage, e.g. they were the child of some unsavoury person or abandoned and rejected by unknown parents but then adopted by a loving couple who believe the child is not ready for the truth. You are in on the secret and agree with the assessment as to the child’s inability to cope with the truth, but then another adult interferes and tells the child the truth in a blunt and unpleasant manner. How would you feel and what could you do?

To those at the Inter Dimensional Entity Control, such a thing has occurred. For a long time they have kept secret the existence of the Mystical Realms from the rest of the world, but now the Troll Clan Chief of the Manjura, a chief ally and personal friend has turned up on the main television news networks, as a prisoner of the Venezuelan government. They have paraded him before the world’s media as proof that the American government has been secretly dealing with aliens from another world. In addition, the Clan Chief of the Manjura is to stand trial, charged with spying for the American government.

However, this may be the least of their problems, for from one of the darkest periods of the Mystical Realms history what was sown back then, is set to become a devastating whirlwind in the present. . .

+ + +

Kathryn Cooper’s Office
Inter Dimensional Entity Control Headquarters
Washington DC
United States of America, Earth

[img=600x400]http://www.solarnavigator.net/geography/geography_images/Washington_DC_Monument_White_House.jpg[/img]

Kathryn Cooper, the Chairman of the executive oversight board of Inter Dimensional Entity Control held on to the television remote control as she and Colonel Samuel Peters stood in shock as they watched what was being shown on the office television set.

Samuel looked at the screen, and there to his horror was a live news report from Caracus in Venezuela and on it was the Clan Troll Chief of the Manjura in chains showing signs of heavy bruising to his face and looking bewildered and confused. The CNN journalist was assuring the viewers that what they were seeing was real and not a hoax and what they were seeing was an intelligent being from another world.

The journalist then went on how this captured alien had confessed under interrogation that he had been spying for the US government and that the Venezuelan Government were going to put him on trial for espionage, and if convicted he faced the death penalty as a foreign spy.

Kathryn flicked the TV to another twenty four hour news channel.

It too was carrying the same news story, with the journalists saying that there was now proof that even if we were alone in this universe, there was intelligent life in another parallel universe and they had been secretly working with the American government and a top secret organisation called Inter Dimensional Entity Control.

Samuel and Kathryn watched the TV screen in horror, “Oh my G_d!” Samuel swore, “This is not good”
“Do they execute criminals in Venezuela?” Kathryn asked as she walked over to the colonel
“Not as far as I know” Samuel answered, “Their constitution banned it in 1863; I can’t believe that that reporter did not know that”
“Probably just assumed that to be the case as usually the penalty for spying in some countries is death” Kathryn replied
“But he’s no spy” Samuel countered
“I know that Samuel” Kathryn answered in an irritated manner,” but even if they don’t have the death penalty” she went on, “I don’t rate his chances, not with Chavez’s record”
“I agree” Samuel told Kathryn “he is still in danger and we need to get him out ASAP”
“I’m open to suggestions” Kathryn said quietly as she stared at the live news feed of the troll in front of the world’s media, “Even if we can get him out Samuel” Kathryn added after a moment, “if you pardon the expression, the genie is out of the bottle and now the world knows about IDW01 and the IDEC”
“Like I said Kathryn” Samuel replied, “This is not good”
“And” Kathryn went on “how did this happen?”
“I have no idea” Samuel whispered as he stared transfixed at the television screen.

+ + +

The ancestral home of the Manjura Troll Clan



(Forty Five years ago)

The Manjura troll Madron eyed his brother Kadrel with feigned disinterest as his elder brother tried on the ceremonial armour that came with his new position of head of the family after the untimely death of their father.

“What are you staring at” Kadrel snapped at Madron with irritation.
“Come on brother” Madron replied with a false tone of hurt, “I only ever saw father in the ceremonial armour and it was never as shiny as yours” he added.
“It’s new” Kadrel sneered, “The finest goblin plate male” he added.

Kadrel thought for a moment then added , “And stop calling me brother” he barked at Madron, “You know how much I hate you using that word”
“But Kadrel” Madron protested, “You know that the blood of both our parents flows in our veins”
“May be so” Kadrel snarled as he menacingly approached Madron, “But you are no brother of mine”
“Is that because mother died the day we were born” Madron snapped back, “You at least had a chance to know her Kadrel. Midah and I never knew our own mother and you blame us?”
“If you had never been born, may be she would still be alive” Kadrel shouted
“Why not blame father” Madron whispered, “It was him who impregnated her with us”

“HOW DARE YOU BISMIRCH HIS NAME” Kadrel screamed and drew his sword and brought it up to strike his brother down.

“STOP” Shouted an elderly troll; it was the deputy clan chief of the Manjura.

Kadrel stopped and turned to look at the troll who had come into the room, as did Madron.

“My apologies Deputy Clan chief” Kadrel replied, “I was driven by this”, Kadrel pointed at Madron, “to strike him down by his slurs on my father”

“He was mine as well” Madron cut in, and then to verbally twist the knife emphasised the word “Brother”

Kadrel hissed

“SILENCE THE BOTH OF YOU” The Deputy Clan chief of the Manjura shouted, “You are both descendents of the great troll Manjura who fought for our first emperor and we should not fight each other, especially today, the day of your father’s funeral pyre”

Kadrel sheaved his sword, “That must wait my liege” he proclaimed, “As the eldest son, I am now head of our family and only I can authorise the disposal of my father’s remains”
“What are you on about” Madron asked with a slight hint of concern, “You would deny our father his rightful place on the pyre?”

“Only for a while Madron” Kadrel sneered, “I find it strange that a healthy troll could suddenly fall sick and die in such a short space of time”
“But these things happen” Madron insisted, “Don’t they Oh Deputy Clan Chief” he pleaded

The Deputy Clan chief sighed, “Yes Madron, it can happen”
“But it is rare” Kadrel insisted, “And as head of the family now, I insist on doing what the humans do and carry out a full autopsy”

Now it was the turn of Madron to be angry, “And you would desecrate our father’s body with a human custom from the realm of mortals?”
“Only to make sure it was not by the claw of another that he died” Kadrel insisted
Madron was seething and asked, “How did you even find out about this human custom”
“From reports of those who patrol the world of the humans” Kadrel replied
“You mean you broke our sacred law, never to interfere in the world of mortals” Madron asked with disgust
“Getting reports on what they do is not interfering” Kadrel countered

“Madron” The deputy clan chief interrupted, “It is his right to do as he wishes as he is the eldest, even if it is unprecedented if I may say so”
“But Deputy Clan Chief” Madron insisted,
“No Madron” the Deputy Clan chief said to him firmly, “Now come on Madron, let your brother continue to prepare, we must relay the news to the others that the funeral rite is delayed”

Madron shook his head and left the room with the elderly Deputy Clan chief of the Manjura. The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura did not spot Madron dropping surreptitiously a small scarf. As they passed through the passage way an elf courtier met them going in the other direction towards the room where Kedrel was changing.

As Madron and the elf’s eyes met, Madron slowly nodded. The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura never saw this nodding of the head, he had other things on his mind, and besides even if he had, it would have meant nothing as the elves had always worked with the trolls, since they provided many useful services to the Manjura Clan, in return for protection from other races, like the drow.

“It would have been a glorious pyre Deputy Clan Chief” Madron protested with an air of disappointment, “Out front on the rock over hang with the waters of the mighty Jura River falling all around”.
“I agree” the Deputy Clan Chief replied, “But it is your brother’s right”
“But what of our traditions” Madron insisted, “The tradition of the trolls is that the body must be consumed by flame before sundown after two days and a moon from the passing of an honoured troll”
“It is a tradition Madron and not a law” The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura replied, “Now we must hurry to the convocation of the Manjura and tell them of Kedrel’s decision”

What the Deputy Clan Chief did not hear was Madron muttering under his breathe.

#

Kedrel looked up from admiring how good he looked in the ceremonial armour as the Clan Chief of the Manjura walked in.

Immediately Kedrel knelt down before him, “Greeting my liege” was all that Kedrel could get out before the Clan Chief of the Manjura attacked him with a large kick.

The armour took the blow, even though it was only ceremonial armour, but even so Kedrel was propelled across the floor. That was hard even for the Clan Chief of the Manjura, as big as he was.

But it couldn’t be – Why would his own clan chief attack him, it was not as if he was going to usurp his position as chief of the Manjura clan

From the floor, Kedrel looked up as the Clan Chief approached him, suddenly the troll clan chief morphed into a copy of Kedrel himself.

There was no question about it, This was a doppelganger assassin, but who had hired it

In vain Kedrel drew his sword and screamed “Assassin”

The doppelganger made no sound, but grabbed the sword, wrenching it out of Kedrel’s grasp and then snapping the blade as if the sword were a mere twig from one of the small trees that grew on the overhang over the waterfall and throwing the pieces of the sword either side of him

Kedrel was in pain from the initial kick of the assassin and it seemed that even with the armour, a few ribs may have been broken, even so he kept yelling for help, but for some reason none was coming.

Kedrel tried to stand up, leaning against the wall, but that gave the assassin the chance to place his claws on his shoulders and his head.

Then it was over

The assassin snapped Kedrel’s neck, killing him instantly.

The assassin let the body fall to the ground and pulled from Kedrel’s body the head of family signet ring. This would be proof to his employer that the job was done.

#

Madron and the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjuira were near the chamber containing the other trolls when Madron felt an amulet he had put on under his tunic suddenly become cold. It was a sign that Kedral was dead and the work of the assassin completed.

“Deputy Clan Chief” Madron spoke up
“What is it Madron?”
“I think I left my funeral scarf in the room where my brother was changing”
The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura looked at Madron and saw that he was not wearing the special scarf as custom dictated.
“Can it wait?” the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura asked, “After all it looks like there will be no lighting of pyres today anyway”
“In which case sir” Madron replied, “I will not be late for a funeral that will not take place if I go back and get it”
“I do not like to keep the others waiting” the deputy insisted
“Then we should make haste” Madron answered back

The deputy clan chief sighed and shook his head. Madron was not like his brother, Kedrel was not that interested in the traditions of the trolls, he had seen some of the reports that came in from the occasional patrols the realm of mortals where the humans lived and had seen how they were shaping up in what the humans called the twentieth century and had wanted to borrow ideas. Madron, on the other had, was deeply committed to the traditions of the trolls and of the Mystical Realms and openly supported the actions taken against those spirits of vice and virtue who wished to meddle in the affairs of humans.

Madron took off back the way they had come, and so the Deputy Clan chief thought for a moment and then hurried after Madron.

As they ran through the passage way, the Deputy tried to keep up, but like the Clan Chief of the Manjura, he was old and not in the first flush of youth as Madron was.

Madron was therefore quite fast and The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura only caught up as they were entering the room where they had just left Kedrel.

But something was wrong, there were two Kedrels and one was dead on the floor, his neck snapped.

“ASSASSIN” Madron screamed, and from nowhere produced a small blade and sunk it into the other Kedrel, who looked surprised at being stabbed by his younger brother.

“What are you doing?” The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura yelled.

As the second Kedrel sank to his knees with the knife in his back, the deputy clan chief finally saw what was happening, as the second Kedrel morphed into a despicable doppelganger assassin.

“That was for you brother” Madron sneered at the now dead shape shifter.

He squatted down and pulled the blade from the creature.

“That is some knife” The deputy clan chief remarked, “I mean to pierce the hide of a doppelganger so quickly like that”

“It was a present from my father” Madron quickly replied and then ran over to the dead body of his brother and wailed.

The Deputy Clan Chief, then realised the gravity of what had happened and yelled for the guards.

Madron suddenly stood up, and with terror on his face, screamed “Midah”. “Midah” he repeated, “We need to check up on Midah, he may be the next target”

The Deputy Clan chief, still in state of shock at what he had just witnessed replied, “You’re right, we must check up on your other brother in the sanatorium”

Madron pushed past him, yelling about the assassin at the top of his voice with the Deputy still trying to keep up.

Finally after five minutes they came across troll sentries.
“Why did you desert your posts” The deputy clan chief of the Manjura yelled, “Kedrel has been assassinated by a doppelganger”
The two troll sentries looked confused, “But you told us to guard the chamber where the others were meeting” one replied
“You said that with a palace on the top of a waterfall, the rest of the palace was secure”

“That was not me” The deputy clan chief snapped back, “That was the assassin”

“Is he still loose” the first troll sentry then asked.
“No, young Madron managed to jump it and avenge his brother on the assassin”
“But what of those who hired it to kill such an insignificant troll” asked the second troll sentry.

Madron seemed to over hear and ran back to confront the troll sentry, “Kedrel was my brother and you call him insignificant?” he said with an uncharacteristic air of menace.

“My apologies master Madron” the troll sentry apologised, “I spoke badly, I just meant”
“I don’t care what you meant” Madron interrupted and then turned to the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura, “I want this Troll sentry dismissed and executed”

“Madron I know you have lost your brother and your father” the deputy clan chief responded, “But you can not order the removal of a sentry, let alone his execution”

For a moment it seemed to the deputy clan chief that Madron was going to go for his extra ordinary blade, but then he repeated the name of his other brother and headed to the sanatorium.
“Watch your mouth sentry” The deputy clan chief said to the sentry as Madron head off, “I know what you meant, but you were tactless”, and then he went off to follow Madron.

The deputy clan chief at last reached the sanatorium and entered in fearing another death, but this time he just saw the two brothers embracing, as brothers should, while Midah was weeping terribly as Madron tried to comfort him. Even for twin trolls, Madron and Midah were close. It was a shame about Midah, but when he had been born after Madron, the umbilical chord and almost strangled him, meaning he was not as fast a developer as his brother. It had also led to the untimely death of their mother.

To add to the tragedy there had been no healing potion available that day, as the last dose had been used by Kedrel after he had cut himself after playing with his father’s sword. If there had been then their mother could have been saved and Midah healed.

Madron looked up at the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura, “I am now the eldest, and I say we must put Kedrel on the same pyre as my father before suns down, especially as Kedrel was our father’s favourite”

“As you wish” The Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura replied, “As the surviving eldest that is your right” and then the deputy clan chief withdrew to make the arrangements as he left the two twins alone in their sorrow.

+ + +

A Troll homestead in Manjura territory

It was two hours after suns down before Madron finally arrived at his family homestead. Without Kedrel and his father it seemed empty. Madron had no intention of staying here. The central city on the plains was where the action was, where the true power was. He even preferred it to Karam Tag Chou, the home of the Troll emperor. An emperor he privately thought little of.

Madron found his own assigned roundhouse and went inside. Just then he heard a heard a sound. Someone had got inside while he had been at the Manjura ancestral home.

He took out his blade and went to the room where he had heard the sound, his bedroom.

As he entered he saw a shadowy figure sitting on his mattress.

Madron took a flint and lit a torch and looked at the figure in his bedroom as the light flickered and filled the room.

It was a female troll, as with the custom of the trolls, stripped to the waist and displaying her bare breasts so male trolls could see if they would be equipped for nurturing youngling trolls.

“Geerol” Madron spoke up
“Yes my lord” the female troll replied and she got up and approached Madron, as she did, she pulled down and off her skirt so she was completely naked. “Did I please you my lord?”

Madron slowly nodded. “The poison you supplied to me worked like a charm. Father never knew what hit him”
“And the assassin?” Geerol asked
“Ruthlessly efficient and it was timely, Kedrel wanted to investigate our father’s passing. It was a shame to dispatch him with this poisoned drow blade you gave me” Madron replied brandishing it. Then he walked up to her and gently placed the point of the blade between her two naked breasts and twirled the knife as he gazed at the female troll’s upper torso. “One thrust now Geerol” he intoned with menace, “And there will be no witnesses to what I have done” today
“If that is what you want my lord, then let it be so” Geerol said nervously, “But what of your unborn youngling”

Madrol looked confused for a moment, “You’re with youngling?”

Geerol nodded
“Is it mine?”
“Please my lord” Geerol pleaded, “I have never lain with anyone but you my lord, but I understand if you wish me dead so I can not be made to talk, then so be it, my love. So before you dispatch me and your youngling within, I beg this one request, of you, that you make our deaths quick my lord and my love”
Geerol closed her eyes and willed for the troll she loved, that she had allowed to impregnate her, to thrust the blade into her. It would be a delight to die at his hand, she so loved him. Maybe her love was hesitating, so she decided she would walk into the blade and give hers and her younglings life for the troll she loved.

Suddenly Madrol took his blade away and sheaved it, and then he hugged Geerol and then gave her a passionate kiss and caressed her lower abdomen.
“I am the head of my family now” he told Geerol, “Now we can openly be together”
“But I am not Manjura” Geerol replied, “I am of the Ghetto Clan and we are almost no more because of our shame”
“I do not care, I love you and my youngling growing in you” Madron replied. Then he drew back from her for a moment.

Pulled off his tunic

And then told her, “Put on my Tunic, as head of our family I choose you to be my troll bride”

Geerol took the tunic and slipped it on, and it felt good. “I thank you my husband; however I fear your clan chief might over rule our marriage here tonight. He has sworn that unlike the other clans, no clan’s troll of his will sully themselves with female trolls from our clan”
“That will not be a problem if I become clan chief” Madron replied with an evil grin
“And I can help you if you wish”
“Oh yes My dearest wife, oh yes” Madron replied, “But first we must bide out time to make sure nobody is suspicious”

Geerol thought for a moment, and pulled off the tunic and folded it up and placed it on a chair. She held out her hand to Madron.

Madron removed his own kilt and followed his wife as they got into the bed.

As they lay there in each other’s arms Geerol whispered the Madron, “Until you can replace the Clan Chief of the Manjjura we must be careful, I must, if anyone asks just be a captured concubine”
“I know” Madron growled, “I can not wait for that day when I can show you off as my wife and mother of my youngling”
“And I would gladly show my unclothed body to your friends and enemies my lord”
“No Geerol. When I ascend to be Clan leader, like royalty you and our youngling will be covered to the eyes of others”
“As you wish my lord, my body and life are yours to do as you wish. I hope to give you many younglings”
Then they kissed and then slept in each other’s arms.

Karam Tag Chou
The Citadel of the Troll Emperor



(Forty four years ago)

The baggage train of the Manjura clan finally arrived at the gates of Karam Tag Chou. Madron jumped down from his cart near the back and made his way to the front of the baggage train.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura started to get out of his cart at the front, when he caught his foot on a loose rope and started to fall.

Quickly, Madron rushed to his aid and caught him. “We can not let my liege fall so close to the emperor’s gates” Madron told his clan leader.
“Thank you Madron of the house of Kah” The Clan leader said as he extricated his foot, “You have proved your self time and time again loyal to me, even amidst your family’s tragic loss”
“Nothing is too good for you my liege” Madron replied as he stepped back while the attendants arrived to check their leader over.

“I think” Madron said out loud, “We need to find out who put our leader in peril here with their incompetence”
“There is no need” The Clan Chief of the Manjura countered, “I was just incautious getting down. Really Madron, you must not see conspiracies where there are none”
“As you wish my Liege”

The Manjura guards then knocked on the gates, and they swung open. Madron returned to his cart and the wagon train entered the citadel.

“Is this your first time at Karam Tag Chou” A voice from behind asked Madron. Madron turned around, it was Doroco, one of the other Manjura trolls and also another visitor to the Manjura library where Madron had taken to studying law.
Madron nodded.
“How is Geerol and Brameana your lovely daughter?”
“What do you know of them?” Madron growled
“Only that they are very precious to you” Doroco answered back, “and” he added, “You keep them secret for she is not Manjura and your firstborn is not a son”

“That matters not to me” Madron whispered as the cart went through the gateway into the citadel.
“But it would to him” Doroco replied pointing at their clan leader.
“Unless he was replaced” Madron said quietly, “along with that useless deputy of his”
“You aspire to clan leader Madron”
“Not so loud you fool” Madron responded
“Do not worry, Madron, I too am not happy with his leadership and you would be a worthy successor”
“With you as deputy?” Madron asked
“Or Troll at Arms” Doroco replied.

The Manjura clan trolls were assigned to a billet and spent the rest of the day unpacking. Today was for arrivals, tomorrow they would be paying respect to the emperor, assuming he was still alive, for he was now dying. According to one report, they did not believe he would last a moons cycle.

The plan was to wait for one moon cycle while the clans gathered so they could discuss the rule of the Mystical Realms, resolving inter clan disputes, either by dialogue or at worst combat trials between clan champions. Madron was thankful he was not a champion. He was only along because he was head of his family now and also he was considered one of the learned trolls due to his time studying in the library at the Manjura ancestral home on the great falls of the Jura River.

If the emperor died, they would get to elect which clan leader would become the new Emperor of the Trolls. If however the emperor recovered from his illness, which all considered unlikely, then they would depart joyful that their beloved emperor had been spared

It was just gone suns down when Madron watched as the Rachtal clan arrived. Madron instinctively felt for his sword, but then remembered, the carrying of swords was not permitted except by those who ran the citadel on behalf of the emperor. That honour was not for the Manjura clan, it was the province of the Delethon. Madron would have to temper his desire for defeating another clan.

Madron waited for the gates to close after the last Rachtal cart had entered and then slipped away to the billet of the Delethon clan.

As he approached he was challenged by the Delethon guards. “I wish to speak with your deputy clan leader” Madron asked
“Why would he want to speak to you?” one of the guards sneered.
“I have a proposal that might be of mutual benefit to both our clans” Madron replied
“Then why not send someone more senior from the Manjura and why not our clan leader” the guard asked
“And you wish to explain to the deputy why the ill fortune befell your clan when it could have been avoided?”

The guards glowered at him and then looked at each other. “I will escort you” said one of the guards and so Madron went in with him to see the Deputy Clan chief of the Delethon.

The deputy clan chief looked up as Madron entered the room. “Leave us” the deputy clan leader instructed the guard.
The guard nodded and left the room.

“I got your dispatch Madron” the Delethon deputy said in a matter of fact voice.
“And so you have made the arrangements?” Madron asked
“Yes” the Delethon Deputy replied, “And your end of the bargin”
“If I am leader of our clan, we will oppose the granting of the upkeep of Karam Tag Chou to the Najav and press for it to remain with the Delethon”
“I am surprised you did not want this honour for your own clan” The Deputy queried.
“I prefer the central city, where the councils and the courts are to both our out of the way ancestral home and this place. With all due respect, this is in the middle of nowhere”
“That is just how I like it” The deputy replied, “And I have one other request”
“And what is that?” Madron asked with suspicion
“I also want to replace my clan leader”
“We could amend the plan to, as they say in the realm of mortals say kill two birds with one stone”

The two trolls grinned and laughed.

“Would you also like to be emperor?” Madron asked
“And give up all that power that goes with up keeping the citadel”
“I have one role I would like to see for our clan” Madron said with a grin.
“What would that be?” the deputy asked.
“So many other races have been venturing to the realm of mortals. It would be nice if we controlled the means to travel to that realm”
“So you could raise taxes on them and their use?” The deputy enquired
“Among other things” Madron replied
“So what have you got for me?” The deputy then asked.

Madron took from his waist a small bag and placed it on the table. “One copy of our clan chief’s signet ring”
The deputy picked it up, “You take a very big risk giving me this. How do you know that I will not turn you in for treason?”
“Because I have in my possession at my billet a letter with your seal telling me to bring it”
“I never sent you such a letter” the deputy replied with sudden horror
“You forget” Madron went on, “If I can forge one signet ring, I can forge another”

The deputy clan chief then grinned and laughed, “I knew you were troll I could do business with” then he leaned over, “You could of course defect t the Delethon and then you and your mistress and child could come into the open”
“And give up all that power?” Madron grinned back

#

The Clan Chief of the Manjura was just about to go into the refectory for breakfast before they paid respects to the dying emperor when a squad of armed Delethon trolls intercepted him.
“What is the meaning of this” The clan chief of the Manjura asked them
“You are to come with us” said the chief guard as part of the squad, “you are under arrest”
“What?” The clan chief responded in disbelief
“You are hereby charged with the murder of the Clan Chief of the Delethon” the guard responded.
“On what evidence” the troll clan chief replied.

“It’s over my liege” the voice of Madron came from behind him, “I begged you to hand in your short sword but you refused”
“What are you talking about Madron” The clan chief asked, “I did no such thing” he protested.
“I saw him with his sword as well” the voice of another Manjura troll came from behind. It was Dorocco, “He said he wanted to sort out the Delethon head”

“Those two are lying, I was with my deputy last night before I turned in” insisted the Clan Chief, “He can vouch for me. There is no way could I leave without waking him. Just go back to our billet and ask him”

“We can not do that” the guard replied
“Why not?” The clan chief shouted then he turned to Madron and Dorocco, “Stop lying and tell the truth”

“We can not ask your deputy” The guard responded, “Because he died in his bed during the night, probably because he was old and the journey here was too much for him”

The clan chief of the Manjura shook his head in bewildered disbelief, “But he was as strong as I, even if he was full of years”

“Anyway it matters not” the head guard said as he ordered his men to take the clan Chief by force. As the clan chief was troll-handled along the court yard, the guard told him that not only was his short sword found by the body of the Clan chief of the Delethon, but his signet ring was found by the body as well.

Another Manjura troll came up, it was the Troll at Arms for the clan chief, “What do we do now, we have no weapons to rescue our leader”
“Why would you want to?” Dorocco asked him, “Our clan chief is a murderer. He not only defied the law of Karam Tag Chou and brought in a sword, but he risked another troll clan war with the Delethon by killing their leader”
“Why would he do such a thing?” the Troll at Arms asked.
“I have no idea” Dorocco replied, “We have no other option but to denounce him”
“As it seems our clan chief has done such a thing at this sacred place” Madron cut in, “I feel that we have no option but to support the Delethon clan in their wish to keep the honour of the upkeep of the citadel”

“But we are leaderless” The Troll at Arms protested, “I found the deputy stone cold dead this morning when I tried to rouse him. I called for an elven healer but he was too long dead”
“Then we must pick a new leader” Doroco suggested, “and swiftly” he added.

Dorocco and Madron then both looked at the Troll at Arms. The Troll at Arms thought he knew what they were thinking and shook his head. “I will serve who ever is our clan leader” he told them, “But I still feel we should support our clan chief”
“How Troll at Arms” Madron asked him, “They have overwhelming evidence of his treachery and we are but one small clan among others who would kill us all like they did the Ghetto, to see that the defilement of the royal citadel is expunged”

As the morning wore on, the Troll chamberlain reported that the emperor had improved overnight and that he could wait to receive visitors after the matter of the Clan Chief of the Manjura was settled.

Dorroco and Madron spent the morning speaking to other sceptical Manjura trolls, assuring them that their clan chief had let them down and betrayed their trust. They also pointed out how they could be endangered if they intervened by the other troll clans.

That afternoon the Clan Chief of the Manjura stood trial, with both Dorocco and Madron testifying against him. They had told their fellow Manjura trolls that this was the only way to save their lives and protect the ancestral lands. The Clan chief protested his innocence, but his sword and his signet ring had been found by the slain Clan Chief of the Delethon.

That afternoon he was beheaded and his body given to the wild animals as befitting all traitors

In the early evening light, a joint Delethon and Manjura funeral was held for the Clan Chief of the Delethon and the Deputy Clan Chief of the Manjura, who were declared to be honoured dead.

As Madron and Dorocco had shown themselves to be honourable trolls by testifying against their former clan chief, they were given the honour of lighting the funeral Pyre for their deputy clan chief.

The Deputy Clan Chief of the Delethon lit the pyre for his clan chief.

The clan chief of the other clans looked on. The emperor, even though he had recovered somewhat, was judged by the elven physicians not to be up to attending, so he was represented by the Troll Chamberlain.

As the flames licked the bodies, Madron quietly asked Dorocco, “No body suspected a thing about how our beloved deputy died, so how did you do it”
“I know how you feel about interfering in the affairs of mortals” Dorocco whispered, “But I was able to obtain a poison from the humans, one that the guards here would not know of”
“Which one?” Madron asked
“Cyanide” Dorocco replied.

#

After the funeral, in the Manjura billet, a number of the family heads met together including Madron and the Troll at Arms, but not Dorocco. Madron then asked if Dorocco could attend for they had to decide from amongst themselves the new clan chief and deputy and as Dorocco like him had testified against a clan chief that had disgraced them, he should be in the meeting..

There were a couple who objected, Dorocco was a fine troll warrior, but he was not technically the head of his family. His family head had been struck down by a disease and he had come only so that family had representation. Madron was insistent, for all intents and purposes, Dorocco was an acting head of family so should be included. After much debate, Dorocco was invited to attend, but if it came to a vote, he could not.

After Dorocco was admitted to the Manjura convocation, several trolls suggested different names, Madron was not one of them.

Then Dorocco was allowed to speak. He then went on how the Manjura clan could be seen in disgrace and their lands ceased. The only way this could be prevented was if the clan elected Madron as clan chief, after all, was he not the one who had exposed and testified against the shameful clan chief that had defied the rules of the sacred citadel and murdered a clan leader?

There was a cold uncomfortable silence in the room, until the Troll at Arms spoke up, to confirm that he had heard some mutterings from other Trolls at Arms in the other clams that such an action should be contemplated. Maybe if they elected Madron as Clan chief of the Manjura that might appease them. Fighting one troll clan was one thing, but several? Did they want to go the way of the Ghetto?

One by one, the trolls reluctantly agreed, to appoint Madron as the new Clan chief of the Manjura.

Madron was no longer to be known by his name. That name was to be discarded as is troll custom as he was now The Clan chief of the Manjura.

The new Clan Chief smiled to himself and was asked to pick his deputy and Troll at Arms. To everyone’s surprise, given how the pair had got on, he did not pick Dorocco as his deputy. Instead that honour went to the Troll at Arms. Dorocco was to become the new Troll at Arms. A post he was most happy with.

Next morning as the new Clan chief met with his new Troll at Arms, his friend asked him why he had not picked him to be his deputy, not that he minded, in fact this was the position he coveted.
“It’s simple” the new clan chief explained, “I too have had intelligence reports from the world of mortals and they have a very apt saying”
“Which is my liege?” The new Troll at Arms asked
“Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer” he replied, then he sighed, “Geerol will be thrilled that we can be openly together”

To his surprise his new Troll at Arms shook his head, “No my liege, I fear not”
“Why?” the new Clan chief of the Manjura asked angrily, “Am I not now the head of the clan?”
“Maybe my liege, but they only elected you out of expediency, take that away and they could question your leadership at another time” the new Troll at Arms explained
“What has this to do with my er concubine and daughter” the new clan chief demanded to know
“My liege, a great number of the families on whom you need support agreed with our former clan chief’s policy of excluding relationships with any from the Ghetto clan”
“Then what do you expect me to do?” the New Clan chief of the Manjura asked.

“I have more of that poison” his new Troll at Arms suggested.
“NO!” the new clan chief exploded
“We can not allow sentiment to cloud your judgement my liege, you know what the Ghetto clan did to be hunted down by virtually every other clan”
“But the troll chamberlain?” The new clan chief asked pointedly
“Only escapes because of imperial prerogative, and besides he renounced his clan ties when he was appointed like all troll chamberlains do” explained his new Troll at Arms.
“But other clans” The new clan chief protested
“Maybe they have absorbed the Ghetto females, but our clan is more puritanical, you can not change that overnight my liege”

The Clan Chief of the Manjura gave his Troll at Arms a cold hard stare
“I will not have Geerol and Brameana my daughter killed. It will be enough if they are exiled to one of the far islands”
“Is that wise?” the troll at Arms asked, “I could make it” he began saying
“EXILE” the new clan chief insisted, “I do not want them harmed”

“I can arrange that too” The Troll at Arms said in a low voice to show he was backing down, “But I think that by allowing them to live that could be inexpedient”

The Clan chief glowered and growled

Suddenly they were interrupted by the new Clan chief of the Delethon, formally the deputy. “Congratulations on your promotions” he said to the two Manjura trolls
“And congratulation on yours” The Clan Chief of the Manjura reciprocated.

“I am surprised” the Delethon clan chief then began, “You did not try to be emperor, I mean it was strange how he recovered so”
“Magel Weed” The Clan Chief of the Manjura replied, “It grows in our ancestral lands”
“That was meant to be secret” the Troll at Arms cut in, forgetting for a moment who they were now.
The Clan Chief smiled, “Well now I am clan chief I believe I can change that stupid rule of my predecessor and share it with the rest of the Mystical Realms, and help atone for my predecessor’s crimes.”
“Tell me more” the Delethon Clan chief replied, now intrigued.
“It is well known for its healing properties” The Clan Chief of the Manjura went on, “But my predecessor thought that by keeping it secret it would give us a tactical advantage in battle”
“I see” the Delethon clan chief replied, “It enables the wounded to return to battle faster”
“Exactly” answered the Manjura clan chief, “I passed on a smuggled plant to the elven healer, from what is reported he does not seem to have used much of it”
“I dare say when they learn to cultivate it they will make it more potent” The Delethon clan chief replied but then rephrased his earlier question, “I wondered why you did this for the emperor, a troll like you and the Troll at Arms here could have gone for the top job”

“Well it is as I said yesterday” The Manjura clan chief replied, “I prefer the central city in the desert to this out of the way place, and if I do a favour like this for the emperor, he will owe me a life debt”

“You would have made a great Delethon” the Delethon clan chief mused.
“I prefer my own clan, besides we can still be allies”
“I agree” the Delethon clan chief conceded, “What are your plans now, return to the Ancestral lands?”
“No” the Manjura Clan Chief replied bluntly, “I will be sending the deputy there to keep him out of my way, as I hear they are searching for a clan to help bring law and order to the Central City and the rest of the Mystical Realms and as we discussed someone to police the orbs that are used to cross to the realm of mortals”
“I understand you need to reside in the central City for that” Replied the Delethon troll “Good luck with that” he added and then left.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura waited a bit before turning to his Troll at Arms, “Watch him” he warned, “just because we are allies, that does not mean we should trust them”
“Yes my liege”
“I do have plans to deal with the emperor at the right time should I need to”
“I hoped you did” the Troll at Arms sighed, “He has become week and made us irrelevant, he concedes too much to the orcs”
“I will be asking you to do questionable things Troll at Arms”
“I am ready my liege”
“One thing I need to make clear Troll at Arms”
“Yes My Liege”
“EXILE” The clan chief growled, “I may have to give them up for political expediency but they must never be harmed”
“Yes my liege”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms


(Thirty four years ago)

The Clan Chief of the Manjura made his way back through the streets with his bodyguard trolls.

All of the fairer races gave him a wide berth, of all the troll clan chiefs he was considered the worse for his shear brutality in the punishments metered out should a miscreant be found guilty, which was just about always, even on the most flimsiest of evidence. His snatch squads of Manjura trolls were not to be messed around with. Some even said he had instituted a really tough training programme for Manjura trolls.

The only races that stood up to this clan chief of the Manjura were in the main the griffin judges and the other troll clans that kept him in check and the troll emperor, who after an unexpected lease of life these last ten years was now on his deathbed at the citadel. The only others who persisted to be an annoyance to him were the Leprechauns who had managed to establish a treaty with one of the power blocks in the realm of Mortals known as Ireland when he was still Madron, and some of the Major Spirits who still would visit the Realm of the Mortals.

The orcs could have presented possible challenges, were it not for the fact they regularly fought amongst themselves and were disorganised.

However it was not all bad, as his trolls had successfully crushed the rising of a sect claiming their leader, the Magnus Timor would rise and take revenge on both the Mystical Realms and the Realm of Mortals. However, that was only one bright spot as when he could, he would rule with oppression.

His demeanour was always sullen. As he went through his duties, some detected a bitterness in his life, as if he had had to sacrifice something dear to him, but it was never said what it was. Nobody ever talked about such things as love, for he would say how much a worthless and destructive concept it was with bitterness in his voice.

Today The Clan Chief of the Manjura had a reason to get home, for his consort, given as a gift by the Clan Chief of the Delethon was due to give birth to his first child. It seemed odd however that after her pregnancy was announced that he did not choose to marry her, which was custom, if not law or tradition. Nobody dared bring it up, not least the consort.

Even though a happy event was in the offing, his mood was black. Fort hat day he had had been given a dark curse come prophecy from a dryad, a tree spirit before he had her executed by chopping down her tree. (It was after all spoiling his view of the central square)

It seemed an odd prophecy. It was that the spirit offspring of two major spirits would gain a soul like the humans who formed their world, and while both this spirit’s parents breathed, this child of the spirits would bring about the end of all hope of his dynasty ruling the Mystical Realms after him, and would result in sending the two worlds on their separate ways, whatever that meant.

The Clan Chief of the Manjuira finally reached his quarters, and was met by his Troll at Arms, back from the annual visit to the Manjura palace in their ancestral lands..

“How is our deputy” The Clan Chief of the Manjura said icily, (They had long ceased to be true friends many years back but still conspired together out of necessity)
“Same as ever, running a half empty fort at the top of the mighty falls on the River Jura”

The Clan Chief of the Manjura grunted, it had been a shrewd masterstroke to make his deputy responsible for the upkeep of the Manjura ancestral homelands and palace. It was a job the deputy liked and it kept him away from the Central City and out of the way so he would not challenge him. Sometimes, as he had once observed to the Troll at Arms, assassination was not required and it was one less body to bury.

“I hear you had problems with a dryad” The Troll at Arms replied cordially.
“Nothing I can not handle Troll at Arms”
“And how are you handling it” The Troll at Arms pressed

The Clan Chief of the Manjura stared at him, “I will make a law that says if two major spirits have a child, then it will be put to death , unless one of the parents volunteers to die in it’s place”
“Suppose” The Troll at Arms asked, “One of the parents was dead anyway before you could put either a parent or child to death?”
The Clan Chief grunted, “I suppose we would allow the remaining parent and child to live, since they would no longer be in fulfilment of the dryad’s prophecy, but enough of this, I have more important matters than the rantings of a dryad” The clan chief went on, then he added “Is our plan underway?”

“As we speak my liege”
“Good” grunted the clan chief, “I have a consort to see if she will give me a son”
“And if it’s a daughter?” The Troll at Arms asked
“Then I suppose to keep you happy, according to tradition both die at suns down or suns up depending on when the daughter is born”
“That is our way” The Troll at Arms affirmed
“I find some of these traditions tiresome” complained the clan chief, “I still think of them” he sighed
“My Liege we have been through this before many times, they were an inexpedience and besides how were we to know one of the main enemies of the trolls were on that island”
“Well I hope it was swift Troll at Arms. But enough of this pointless remembrance of the past let us see what this consort produces for me”

As the Clan Chief of the Manjura waited outside the infirmary glowering at his Troll at Arms, they heard the screams of the consort as she laboured to give birth to a baby troll.

Finally a baby’s cry could be faintly heard, and then a female troll, the midwife came out of the infirmary. Like all single status female trolls, she was topless.
“I have good news for all” She said quietly and nervously.
“A son?” The Clan Chief asked
“Yes my liege” the midwife replied, “And she has named him Padow” she added bracing herself for a swift beating should this naming be presumptuous”

The Clan Chief just beamed and gave an uncharacteristic shout of joy.

Then the midwife, tried her luck, “Sire as your consort has given you a son”

Suddenly the Clan Chief of the Manjura became deadly serious as he could spot a question a days journey off, “No I will not marry her” he growled, then he said in a mocking tone, “I look too good in my tunic on ceremonial occasions to give it away. The emperor of the trolls is dying and it would not be seemly to appear there stripped to the waist as those other clan leaders who took wives have to do.”

“I am so sorry my liege” the frightened midwife apologised.
“Go attend to my liege’s consort and son, wench” The Troll at Arms ordered her, “And think yourself lucky that he does not execute you on the spot for such insolence”

The troll midwife hurriedly returned to the infirmary.

“That was harsh” The Clan Chief then said to the Troll at Arms
“I only learn from the master my liege”
“No matter” The Clan Chief of the Manjura replied, “As soon as the emperor is dead we will act. As for my son, Padow is more a Delethon name, if we succeed I will give him a better name, more fitting of a son of mine””

#

It was the middle of the third day after the birth of his son, when the Clan Chief of the Manjura finally heard word that the emperor was dead and that they were called to attend the funeral rites at Karam Tag Chou.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura then sent word to the Clan Chief of the Delethon, and reminding him of certain items in his possession, persuaded him that the body of the emperor should be bought down to just outside the central city, where he could go to the pyre, witnessed by the other races, to affirm that it was the trolls who were in charge.

The gathering of who would succeed would of course therefore be at the central city.

It was a further four days for the funeral precession to arrive.

Then the Clan Chief of the Manjura struck

Whilst the troll leaders and armies attended the funeral pyre, Manjura trolls in disguise carried out a series of raids on the tents of the dependents and took the younglings of the clan chiefs except those of the Najav, (At least two younglings from each clan chief, the eldest and the second eldest youngling) Even the new youngling of the Clan Chief of the Manjura was taken, along with his consort

That night the severed heads of the second eldest younglings were delivered to each clan chief. They were told if they caused any issue, their eldest would likewise be returned. The eldest younglings would be kept safe only if they did as they were told and support the Clan Chief of the Najav for Emperor.

By morning the Najav were besieged, as they furiously denied all knowledge of this atrocity

Then just as the other troll clans were due to fight, the Clan chief of the Manjura revealed his master plan and produced the bodies of two Najav trolls of a low ranking along with the bodies of three orcs. He also brought with him the unharmed eldest younglings. According to him, the two Najav trolls acting without Najav authority hatched a plot with the orcs to carry out this evil plot. It was regrettable that the Clan Chief of the Manjura’s forces could not save the second eldest younglings, but as soon as they had the right information, they had acted swiftly and brutally to rescue the surviving younglings.

The Clan Chief of the Najav had no option but to denounce the two junior trolls and recommend the clan Chief of the Manjura for emperor. The grateful clan chiefs agreed. Had it not been for this atrocity, the Najav would most likely have been due to be emperor by custom of cyclical succession.

The Clan Chief of the Manjura soaked in the plaudits and praise, but then stunned the convocation by turning down the job of emperor.

“I am a humble troll, and if you wish me to lead you I accept the honour, but emperor? That is an old and anachronistic institution. Better to let the home of the emperors be kept, for ceremonial purposes by the Delethon. As for me I much prefer it here, serving our citizens, administering law and order, now I have the contract to do so.

“But you must have some kind of title to show you have such a high position” The Clan Chief of the Yataxal queried”

The Clan Chief looked at his Yataxal counterpart and smiled, “Well as I prefer the Central City here in the middle of the low planes, how about the title, The Lord Low Troll.

The troll clan chiefs consulted one another, and then the Clan Chief of the Najav was the first to agree, quickly followed by the others.

Almost in unison they all shouted, “Hail to the Lord Low Troll” and then raised their tankards to toast their new leader, even if he did not wear the name of emperor or dwell in the ancient citadel of Karam Tag Chou

The Lord Low Troll beamed as he held his tankard.
The Troll at Arms picked up his tankard, and just before taking a draught, quietly spoke to the new Lord Low Troll, “Does this mean I get to be the new Clan Chief of the Manjura?”
“I’ll think about it” The Lord Low Troll replied
“I had an idea on what you can rename your son” the Troll at Arms added.
“And what would that be?” Asked the Lord Low Troll
“How about, the Prince Low Troll?” The Troll at Arms suggested and then drank heartily of the ale.

Suddenly The Troll at arms could not breathe; he clutched at his throat and sank to his knees.

There was consternation, but no other troll succumbed to “poisoned ale”
“I am afraid his weak heart must have given out with the excitement of his leader being elected to govern the trolls” the Lord Low Troll explained with a sad voice.

It is not known if the other troll clans chiefs believed him. The Yataxal and the Delethon affirmed that this was just a simple case of an untimely, but natural death, as the Troll at Arm’s condition was known unto them by their spies. The other clans kept their council.

As the Lord Low troll watched while they took away the body of the Troll at Arms, he whispered, “That was for Geerol and Brameana. I like the idea of Prince Low Troll, but you were never going to be Clan Chief of the Manjura. That job is still mine”

+ + +

Central City
The Mystical Realms


The start of the Mystical Realms Civil War
About two and a half years before the present Clan Chief of the Manjura is paraded on Television

The body guards outside had been slain by the drow fireball spell and now there was nothing to stop the hoard of orcs rushing in to the Lord Low Troll’s personal bed chamber.

“Kill Him!” yelled the orcs.
The imposing figure in the chamber stared at them as he froze in abject terror and tried to flee, but there was no where to run. For some reason he was babbling even more incoherently than they expected.

The orcs had expected more of a fight from someone said to be the cruellest tyrant in the Mystical Realms. The only other person who may come close in terms of cruelty was their leader the Arch Orc himself.

Now the Arch Orc’s advisor had managed to organise the orcs, and had got magic support from the drow to counter the protections of the elves. There were even rumours that some Troll clans were ready to join the orcs to defeat the tyrant, and the clans that loyally supported him.

Within minutes the orcs had jumped on this hapless figure in the chamber. He begged for mercy and cried like a youngling, but they ignored his pleas. He seemed so unlike the ruthless tyrant who had ruled the Mystical Realms for so long. But if orcs had a mind to think on such things, they would conclude that probably like all bullies in the end are spineless cowards. As they held the troll down a large orc came up with a large axe.

Then it was done, the head of the troll was cut from the body in one stroke. Now it could be stuck on a pike and paraded.

Oh how they lamented that his son, the Prince Low Troll was not there so they could kill him as well, but it was reported that he was on Earth, seeking those spirits who might be interfering in the affairs of humans when the orcs struck. They had heard that a dying troll had managed to warn him, and so the Prince Low Troll was obviously cowering just like his cowardly father in the realm of Mortals. No matter, he was effectively gone, and no longer a threat.

The Mystical Realms would belong to the orcs and their desire to rid their world of the weaker fairer races would begin.

+ + +

A tavern at Faldon Harbour
The Mystical Realms


(The present day)

The male drow, a kind of dark elf, furtively approached the middle aged cloaked figure sitting in the corner of the tavern. From what he had heard, this shadowy figure had been staying in this port town for about a quarter of a moons cycle. The drow eyed the stranger suspiciously, the figure looked like they were about the size of a troll, but trolls seldom ventured this close to the great sea. They usually were found in the mountains and along great rivers.

The figure looked up at the drow

“It is done” the Drow opened with
The hooded figure looked down at their drink, “He is humiliated then?” the figure asked in a strange gruff voice. The drow could not be sure, but this stranger sounded either like they were female trying to sound like a male or that something was wrong with their voice. No matter, this was who he came to do business with.
“Yes” The drow responded, “along with the humans he allied himself to”
“Excellent!” the hooded figure exclaimed with a whisper.
“Your army will soon be here” The drow continued, “and when they arrive, will they”
The figure motioned quickly to get him to still his tongue. “You do not know who may be listening”, the figure angrily whispered”

The drow looked around. He saw nobody who might be spying on them, but that was no guarantee that somebody was not.
“Tell me have you come to tell me that you got hold of the items I asked for from the Realm of Mortals” the stranger enquired
“Not yet. I am sorry but they are taking a bit longer” the drow apologised, “If I go too fast my superiors will suspect me”

To the drow, it looked like the stranger shrugged their large shoulders, “Oh well” the figure whispered, “I have waited this long, what are a few more days? It will allow me to attend to the other things I need to do first.”

“This venture you wish to do” The drow asked, “I understand you will be dealing with this troll’s human friends, is that really wise? You should not underestimate them. Trolls are one thing, but…”

Again the figure motioned for the drow to guard his tongue
“My apologies” the drow whispered.

Just then a Halfling came up to the drow and asked him if he would also be renting a room at the taven. The drow shook his head and pressed two gold coins into the halfling’s hand so he would leave them in peace.

“When we are in a place with less itching ears” the figure intoned, “I shall brief you further on how I plan to deal with the humans using the items you are getting for me and how I will be avenged and reclaim what is rightfully mine”

To be continued