A colonnade ran in a circle around the pond, the white marble columns supporting a narrow roof that curved into a complete ring. Her companions swam out of the pond as well, Vanessa staying by Tess until they were out of the water. There was no magical drying this time. Newel and Doren sent water flying as they shook their furry haunches.
“Welcome to Titan Valley,” Warren said. The pond was located on a flat-topped knoll, affording them a view of the moderately hilly countryside.
“Have any of you been here before?” Knox asked.
They looked at one another.
“I don’t think so,” Tanu said.
“We’re supposed to find a giant,” Kendra said.
From off to one side, somebody cleared his throat, and a huge head poked up over the edge of the hilltop. “Don’t mean to startle you,” the giant said. “I wanted to give you a moment to get your bearings.”
The giant was a husky man with a bulbous nose. He could almost have been human, except for the massive scale of his size. Kendra felt sure he was bigger than Thronis.
“Hello!” Warren hailed him, waving a hand. “Are you here to bring us to the Giant Queen?”
“I’m Rustafet,” the giant said. “Assistant to her majesty’s majordomo.”
“I’m Kendra, and these are my companions.”
“Welcome to Titan Valley,” Rustafet said. He turned around to show that he was wearing a three-story wicker house on his back like a backpack. “If you step inside, I will transport you to Terastios.”
“Thank you,” Kendra said.
He squatted and maneuvered to bring the base of the house level with the hilltop. Warren opened the door, and the others filed past him. The wicker home had basic wicker furnishings affixed to the ground and walls. Wicker stairs led to the upper levels.
“Latch the door,” Rustafet said. “You probably want to sit down until you’re used to the motion. Some passengers have told me it is like being on a rough sea.”
Kendra found a sofa, and Tess sat beside her. Knox went to a window. Warren latched the door and sat near Vanessa and Tanu. Newel and Doren raced each other up the stairs, each elbowing to be first.
“We’re all set!” Kendra called.
“Hold on,” Rustafet said, standing upright and causing the whole house to lurch. Kendra gripped the arm of the sofa to keep from falling off, and Knox clutched the windowsill. In a few steps the giant reached the bottom of the hill, and the jostling of the house smoothed out to a gentle sway.
“I can’t believe we’re riding in a giant’s backpack,” Knox called from the window.
“It’s a portable domicile,” Rustafet corrected. “Sorry if it was a rocky start—that hill was kind of steep. Should be smoother from now on. Won’t take very long. Sit back and enjoy the ride!”
The alley trolls conducted Seth through the dim common room to a recessed door blocked by a barrel. One troll moved the barrel aside while the other stepped forward and used a crooked key to open the door. Seth glanced behind at Hermo, who followed at a distance, holding his empty bowl. Seth pointed at the door, and Hermo took a couple of paces back, shaking his head.
The trolls ushered Seth into a short hall with several doors, lit by a few drippy candles. The fuzzy, striped wallpaper made the walls seem gift wrapped, and dusty paintings of distinguished trolls hung in gaudy frames. The alley trolls escorted Seth to the last door on the left. It opened into a musty broom closet. One troll went to the back of the closet, flipped a hidden switch, then slid the rear wall of the closet aside.
Seth and the trolls stepped into a windowless sitting room illuminated only by the flames within the wide fireplace. A stocky troll relaxed in a leather armchair, long feet propped on an ottoman. Short upturned horns protruded from his face and head, and smaller ones thorned the backs of his hands. He had three bony chins, side by side, and heavy-lidded eyes that regarded Seth indifferently.
“Dante?” Seth asked.
“Why bring a hermit troll?” the seated troll asked, his voice almost a croak.
Seth thought about the question. “He’s funny.”
“Unwittingly, perhaps,” the troll replied. “Is he not a liability?”
“He’s the only troll I know.”
“And you wanted access here?”
“Sure.”
The seated troll glanced at his henchmen. “Leave us. I’ll signal when you’re needed.”
The trolls bowed and exited the room.
“Are you the head alley troll?” Seth asked.
The seated troll gave a snort. “I am Dante, but I am no alley troll. Do you really know so little of our kind?”
“I’m Seth. I’ve heard of trolls. I don’t recall meeting any before the hermit troll.”
“You are bold to intrude here unprepared,” Dante said. “And foolish. I am a briar troll.”
“I need some information,” Seth said.
At this Dante gave a chuckle. “Just information? Is intelligence a casual matter?” He held up a hand, displaying a dark ring, set with a black jewel. “Do you know this ring?”
“It looks valuable,” Seth said.
“Indeed,” Dante said. “But the material worth pales compared to the symbolic importance. Do you know who owned this ring before me?”
“No.”
“This is the signature ring of Ulrik the Intolerable.”
“Okay.”
“What does my possession of this ring tell you?”
“It’s yours now?”
“What else?” the troll asked, his expression inscrutable.
“You’re a collector? Black is your color? You killed Ulrik?”
Dante averted his gaze and shook his head sadly. “Ulrik died long ago. He entrusted this ring to me, and it means I know the location of his treasure hoard.”
“Did his treasure make you rich?” Seth asked.
“Not exactly,” Dante said. “No need. It is more valuable to me where it lies. Ulrik was cunning and wealthy, a troll of great renown. Because I alone know
