Read Online Nemesis and the Troll King by Ashley Du Toit - Free Book Online

some of the pranks he and his subjects had pulled scrolled across his mind, before saying, “Then it must be the Nuffins. They are the only beings who cause more chaos than trolls.”
    â€œVery clever, Yarg! It is indeed the Nuffins who have stolen our river.”
    â€œBut why?” asked Yarg. “This is not like their usual mischievous pranks. This is causing real harm.”
    â€œThey came here wanting to make their home with us—apparently they caused a lot of trouble at the Immortal Markets and were forced to leave.” Breathing deeply she continued. “Well, my Manukies aren’t comfortable with others, so I politely refused. Instead of respecting that, the Nuffins just decided to force us to do what they wanted.”
    â€œAh …” mused Yarg as he turned and looked at the scene behind him. “What did Nemesis say to this?”
    â€œWhy do you think you are here?” Bemoomba asked in reply, amusement in her voice.
    Rolling his eyes at that response, Yarg looked around him. More lushness had seeped from the land even as they had been speaking.
    â€œHave you tried asking them to leave?”
    â€œOf course. They refuse to go.”
    â€œI’ll go talk to them and hear for myself what they have to say.”
    â€œYou do that,” said Bemoomba. “My Manukies will lead you.”
    In signal that the audience had come to an end, she closed her eyes and began to lower her branches.
    The Manukies moved to the northern edge of the clearing and gestured to Yarg to come with them. His little guide reached for his hand again and tugged at him until he began to move. Yarg turned to make sure that Folgoo was following. After a few minutes traversing the verdant path that cut a swathe through the surrounding swampland, the Manukies stopped and Yarg’s little furball companion let go of his hand. As one, the Manukies turned and started back along the path in the direction of the clearing.
    Yarg and Folgoo stood side by side, watching them go. With a single glance at each other, they turned to head down the path leading to the river that sustained the Manukie’s magical way of life.
    The river was startling. The grass along the banks was vibrantly green. The crystal blue water gurgled as it gushed past, and the bottom of the river bed sparkled as if covered by millions of diamonds glittering in the sun’s light. Yarg was standing entranced, staring in awe at the river’s beauty, when a movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention.
    â€œDid you see something?” he was whispering to Folgoo when he was suddenly knocked from behind. His knee collapsing, he landed heavily on the ground, the impact forcing him to grunt. Folgoo turned towards the sound, and was surprised to find Yarg groaning on the floor.
    â€œWhat happened? Why are you lying down?” he asked in bewilderment.
    â€œWell I’m not down here taking a nap, you know,” said Yarg, glaring at Folgoo. “Something knocked me off my feet.”
    Folgoo started forward to help him up, then he came crashing down beside Yarg.
    Yarg burst out laughing.
    â€œTime for a little snooze?” the troll mocked in return.
    â€œVery funny,” sneered Folgoo, and looked down to see his legs tied together with flaxen leaves. He began to untie them. “I didn’t even feel them tying my legs. Sneaky little misfits, aren’t they?”
    Still laughing, Yarg stood up. “Nuffins!” he commanded in a deep voice.
    No one answered. Nothing moved.
    Yarg was just about to try again when an idea occurred to him. “They must be too afraid to speak to us, Folgoo.” he said, his voice urging Folgoo to play along with him.
    They heard a stifled giggle nearby, and Folgoo was just about to reply that Nuffins weren’t generally afraid of trolls and centaurs, when he caught the look that Yarg was throwing his way. Understanding dawned.
    â€œOh, yes,” he