Hunk and Thud (2 page)

Because Big Rock was so much bigger and more powerful than Jack, it was a wonder that Jack didn't end up injured; but Jack knew that he was perfectly safe from harm as Big Rock was always gentle when practising. Really, it was just a matter of Big Rock practising the moves and getting them right.

If I could will myself to turn into Thud, it would be better for Big Rock's practice, thought Jack. Because Jack, this small, thin boy, was actually a half-troll, and he could turn into a huge Wrestling Troll called Thud, a Wrestling Troll just as powerful as Big Rock. Possibly even more powerful.

But turning into Thud was something that Jack hadn't yet learnt how to control. He often wondered if he would ever learn to control it. The only person he'd met who seemed to know anything about half-trolls had been Princess Ava of the country of Weevil, who wrestled in secret as the Masked Avenger. But even Princess Ava didn't seem to know how Jack could control turning into a Troll.

Maybe I'll never find out, thought Jack. It had happened only three times before. Maybe it wouldn't ever happen again.

The truth was, it didn't really matter. Right now, he was happy just being Jack, and practising with Big Rock, and knowing that later they would be sitting down to a great meal along with Milo and Robin.

All in all, this was the happiest time of Jack's life.

As Milo rode on Robin's back through the green and beautiful valley, he was also feeling incredibly happy. For the first time in ages they had money and could afford to buy stuff, and get things mended properly, instead of making do. And he was surrounded by his best friends, Big Rock, Jack and Robin. Life didn't get any better than this! Suddenly, filled with joy, he burst into song:

‘Do you have to?' complained Robin.

‘I'm feeling happy!' said Milo. ‘Life is great! Life feels wonderful!'

‘Hmm,' said Robin doubtfully. ‘That sort of feeling always worries me.'

‘Why?' asked Milo. ‘It's called “being happy”!'

‘It usually means that something bad is about to happen to spoil it,' Robin replied.

Milo chuckled. ‘Come on, Robin,' he said. ‘Here we are, travelling through open countryside, through a lovely valley with beautiful trees and wonderful large rocks on either side, with not a cloud in the sky. What can possibly go wrong?'

Robin stopped.

‘How about goblins?' he asked nervously.

Milo looked, and saw that a gang of goblins had come out from behind the trees and large rocks and had spread out across the track, barring their way.

‘Not all goblins are dangerous,' said Milo, but even he knew he was putting on a brave front to convince himself. Goblins had a bad reputation. Yes, there were
some
good goblins – he'd met them and enjoyed their company at wrestling events. But the line of goblins in front of them did not look like good goblins. In fact, they looked very menacing.

‘Maybe we ought to turn around and go back,' Milo whispered.

‘I thought of it,' whispered back Robin, ‘but then discounted the idea.'

‘Why?' asked Milo.

‘Look behind us,' muttered Robin.

Milo turned and looked back, and saw there were more goblins behind them, cutting off their way of escape.

‘I think the phrase is: we're trapped,' murmured Robin.

‘Leave it to me,' said Milo. ‘I'll talk us out of it.'

As the goblins gathered closer to them, Milo gave them a broad smile. ‘Hello!' he said. ‘Good to see fellow travellers! We'll be able to have a great party together when the others get here.'

‘What others?' asked one of the goblins suspiciously.

‘I'm at the head of a wagon train,' said Milo. ‘There are about a hundred others following behind. They'll be here in a minute.'

The goblins looked at one another warily. Then the leader jerked his thumb at the goblin next to him.

‘Climb up that rock and take a look,' he said. ‘See if you can see anyone else coming.'

With great agility, the goblin sprang up a tall rock face, scampering up to the top. Milo remembered seeing troupes of Gymnast Goblins performing at events, doing almost impossible things, such as running up a sheer wall like spiders, just as this goblin had done.

The goblin peered into the distance, and then shouted down to his gang: ‘No sign of anyone. He's on his own.'

The leader of the goblins smiled an evil smile as the goblin slid back down the high rock face and rejoined them.

‘Just as I thought,' he said. ‘So, how do you fancy working in a mine?'

Milo shook his head.

‘No thanks,' he said. ‘I've already got a job.'

The goblin gave a shrug.

‘Actually, it wasn't a request,' he said. Turning to the other goblins, he commanded: ‘Grab him and bring him along!'

As the goblins moved in, Milo said to Robin: ‘Okay, Robin! Time to get out of here!'

As Milo clung on tight to his mane, Robin swung sharply round and ran at the nearest goblins, aiming to knock them down and make a break for it. Unfortunately, one of the goblins swung a fist at Robin as he neared, and punched the old horse high on the head.

Robin staggered, then stumbled, and fell, dazed. He was dimly aware of the crowd of goblins closing in, and Milo fighting back, his arms swinging, and then there was another punch to the old horse's head, and everything went black.

Jack sat on the steps of the caravan. He was worried. Milo and Robin still weren't back. He turned to Big Rock, who was now doing a series of push-ups.

‘Milo and Robin are taking longer than I thought,' said Jack, worried. ‘I hope nothing's happened to them.'

Big Rock jumped to his feet, making the ground shake as he did so, and walked over to join Jack.

‘I bet Milo talking to blacksmith,' said Big Rock. ‘Milo like to talk.'

‘Yes, you could be right,' said Jack.

Suddenly they heard the sound of shouting and the thud of fast-approaching galloping hooves.

‘They back,' said Big Rock.

But as they looked towards the sound, they saw that there was just Robin, and coming at a speed that Jack had never seen the old horse gallop before.

‘Help!' called Robin.

Jack and Big Rock got to their feet and hurried towards the old horse, who pulled to a halt and stood huffing and blowing and trying to get his breath back. Jack noticed Robin had a nasty bruise on his forehead.

‘What's wrong?' Jack asked. ‘Where's Milo?'

‘Goblins!' wheezed Robin. ‘A gang of them! They grabbed Milo. I tried to stop them, but I got hit on the head. When I came to, they were gone.'

Big Rock looked at the old horse, shocked.

‘Hit horse!' Big Rock growled. ‘Bad, bad goblins! Where it happen?'

‘If you give me a minute to get my breath back,' panted the horse, ‘I'll show you.'

With that, Robin sank down to the ground, exhausted.

It took half an hour of Robin panting and wheezing and drinking water, before he was ready to move.

‘Right,' he said. ‘Get on my back, Jack.'

‘Are you sure you're all right to carry me?' asked Jack, concerned.

‘Of course,' said Robin. ‘I'm fully recovered now. Let's go!'

Jack climbed on Robin's back, and they set off at something that was not quite a gallop, but faster than a trot. Big Rock ran alongside, a determined look on his face. A look at the grim expression on Big Rock's face, and Jack knew that when they caught up with the goblins who'd snatched Milo, those goblins were going to be in serious trouble from the huge troll.

It took another half-hour for them to reach the scene of the ambush, and what had happened was quite clear: there were signs of a scuffle, along with hoofprints from Robin, and the marks of lots of pointed-toe boots in the ground.

‘Goblin boots,' said Jack, pointing at them. He frowned, and asked: ‘But why would they take Milo?'

‘They said something about him working in a mine,' said Robin.

‘Slave,' nodded Big Rock. ‘They say goblins use slaves to dig gold.'

‘Well we're not going to let Milo be used as a slave,' said Jack firmly. He pointed at the tracks. ‘If we follow these, they should lead us to where they've taken him.'

‘We'd better be careful,' warned Robin. ‘Some of the goblins might still be around, waiting to grab more slaves.'

‘If they are, they suffer,' growled Big Rock vengefully. ‘Milo our friend!'

‘There were lots of them,' added Robin. ‘They might be too many for us.'

Big Rock shook his head.

‘Not too many for me,' he said firmly.

With that, he set off, his eyes fixed on the tracks on the ground. Jack climbed on board Robin's back, and they set off after their friend.

They travelled for about an hour, following the tracks the whole time. Luckily they didn't come across any goblins on their journey. Finally, in the distance, they saw what looked to be mine works: a group of huts, and a large wheel. As they got nearer they saw that they were right; large holes had been dug into the rock faces and went down deep underground. Big Rock looked as if he was going to keep walking, straight into the mine, but Jack stopped him.

‘We have to be careful, Big Rock,' he said. ‘If, as Robin said, we're up against lots of goblins, we need to check things out. Like how many of them there are, and what they've done with Milo.'

Big Rock hesitated, then nodded.

‘Good thinking,' he said.

Jack pointed to a large group of rocks.

‘There,' he said. ‘We can hide there without being seen and work out a plan.'

The three climbed up and found a hollow in the large area of rocks where they were able to hide. They lay down and peered at the mine workings.

The number of goblins gathered at the mine head was huge – there looked to be at least forty of them. Some were standing by the cave openings, some were standing guard by the huts.

‘Any sign of Milo?' asked Jack.

‘No,' said Big Rock. ‘Only goblins.'

The sound of wheels approaching caught their attention, and they turned to see a purple carriage come into view, pulled by a pair of yellow horses. On the seat driving them was an orc. Jack was so shocked that he almost let out a shout, but stopped himself just in time.

‘I recognise that coach!' he whispered urgently to Robin and Big Rock. ‘It's Lord Veto's!'

‘Are you sure?' asked Robin, puzzled.

‘I worked for Lord Veto all my life. That's his coach, all right! He used to make me clean it and polish it! And that orc who's driving it, that's Warg, Lord Veto's top orc!'

‘But what's Lord Veto doing here, so far away from his own place?' asked Robin, still bewildered.

‘Maybe he looking for more goblin gymnasts for his sports show,' suggested Big Rock. ‘Goblins good gymnasts.'