Armed with the only clue we could find, the four of us set out to see if the troll cave held any further information as to the whereabouts of Jupiter.We had just barely cleared the gate of Trinsic,when Spethas , a young squire from the Knights, intercepted us. His horse was well lathered. He had rode hard to find us He yelled out to us, and we stopped. "Lady Oni, I have a summons from the High Paladin."He had just barely caught enough breath to give me the greeting. He rode forward and handed me the note. "Just what i need ," I thought to myself. "A summons."I unrolled the parchment and began to read it. It was short and to the point. "The undead are marshalling to the north: scouts and warriors are needed."I read the report out loud. "Great" replied Hans. "Just what we needed to have happen. "We are already busy enough searching for Jupiter," rumbled Eritan.I knew what had to be done. Eritan and Jackson must be sent to the north to help with the undead. "Hans, you and I will go on to the troll cave and take the young squire with us. Jackson and Eritan, you must go and help with the undead."We split up, and the two rode north out of Trinsic toward Britain. The three of us continued on to the troll caverns. At least today the weather was cooperating. It was a good day to take a ride through the woods and to the waterfalls where the trolls resided. We forded the river just up from the falls and entered the caverns.The aroma from the cave was not pleasant. Trolls are no very good housekeepers. As we journeyed deeper into the cave, pieces off broken armor and weapons were strewn about and crude writings were on the wall. "Probably a good thing we can't read trollish," Hans said jovially.We all laughed. We saw a few large rats in the long hall that was to bring us to the main cavern. "Careful now. We are entering the domain of the Lord of the Trolls. Let me do all the talking," I cautioned.Spethas tightened his grip on the big axe he was wielding and adjusted his helm. Hans took a deep breath and equipped his spear. We rode into the cavern. "We seek an audience with the Lord of the Trolls," I called out.My words echoed in the chamber and then silence. Silence for several moments. I was about to call out again when a very large dark troll seemed to walk out of the wall in front of us. There was several smaller trolls flanking on both sides of him. He glared down at us "Who dares to enter the realm of the Lord of the Trolls and demand an audience?" "We seek the wisdom of the Great Lord of the Trolls," I stated flatteringly. "Har! Har! Har! Har!" You have done wisely to come to seek my counsel."My ploy of flattery had worked for the moment. Perhaps we would be able to ask of Jupiter and be allowed to leave. I let out a sigh of relief, slowly and lightly. It was short- lived "I will answer thee one question if you can best me and my minions."It was either run or fight now. "A moment please," I implored. "DECIDE NOW, HUMAN!"I gave him our answer. The magic energy crackled out of my hands as I yelled out, "TO BATTLE, KNIGHTS!" The bolt struck the great troll and those around him as Hans and Spethas charged forward into the troll horde. After a great struggle, the great troll and his minions were defeated. Spethas delivered the telling blow to the troll lord. I Yield," the troll cried out. "Ask your one question and get out, or I shall destroy you."Already more and more trolls were coming out of the rocks. Quickly I composed my thoughts and asked my one question. "The wizard named Jupiter came to you and asked you a question. What was it?" "How to stop time. Now leave!" "Thank you, Great One. We quickly rode out of the great cavern not wanting to presume on the troll's good graces. The fresh air and sunlight felt good as we emerged from the caverns. "To stop time?" questioned Hans. "That makes no sense." "Has anything Ol' Jupe done ever made sense?" I asked.We all laughed. Ah! The memories came flooding in. More than once I had heard the Grey Wizard call his efforts, "A fool's errand." "Master Hans, Lady Oni, I thought the Lord of the Trolls was only legend from ancient times, or so my mentor, Friar Jocham has told me," Spethas interjected. "That's it, Spethas," I said. "That's what," the young squire retorted with a bewildered look on his face. "Jupiter would be seeking knowledge from of old, hence the seeking of the wisdom from the Lord of the Trolls. Indeed as you have been taught, he is ancient but not a legend as you have seen first hand," I replied. "Aye, Lady Oni, that must be the reason the ol" Jupe came here. "Only thing is, the Lord of the Trolls would not know how to stop time," contributed Hans. "Right," I exclaimed. "More research is needed." "Moonglow, Lyceaeum, " Hans and I spoke the words at the same time. "We ride for Moonglow, poste-haste ...
