Song of the Vikings - Draal x OC

17. The Shattered King

Getting used to their new leg was easier than Kit thought.

It had been a few days since the battle against Angor Rot's golems - Jim had filled them in on everything that had happened in their absence - and everything had started to fall back into place.

Draal had kept his promise, helping Kit maneuver around the Forge. The two sparred, weaving around the arena.

Back hitting the stone ground below them, Kit let out a groan. Draal chuckled, offering his hand and pulling them back to their feet.

"Don't laugh at me," Kit complained, pushing the troll slightly. A small smile crossed their face, mischief dancing in their eyes.

Draal smirked. Before Kit could get another word in, the troll crouched low and sprung forward, tackling them into a roll. He pinned them to the ground, the smug look still painting his face as Kit flushed under him.

"I'll do as I please, Littlefoot," he growled softly, leaning down towards their heated face.

Kit froze for a moment. The words set in, a small laugh echoing from them. "The Land Before Time? Really?"

"I think it suits you," Draal shot back, still smiling.

Rolling their eyes, Kit smiled up at him. "As much as I enjoy this, we do have to meet up with Jim and the others."

Draal huffed and rose to his feet, pulling Kit along with him. The sudden movement caused them to lose their footing, wobbling backwards before a large arm wrapped around their waist.

Kit stared up at Draal, hands pressed against his chest. They gave him a sheepish smile.

Draal laughed, his head thrown back slightly. Kit couldn't stop staring at him. Slipping out of his hold with a smile, Kit raced down the bridge.

"Last one to the gyre is a boulder brain!" they called over their shoulder, turning the corner.

Draal smirked, taking off after them.

----------

"So, if the Wumpas don't let outsides into their camp, how do we get the stone?" Jim questioned, climbing into the gyre.

"Don't worry, Master Jim, I already have a plan! It's rudimentary," Blinky replied, pressing various dials and switches. "If the Quagawumps are hostile to outsides, we'll need an insider! One of you is going to pretend to be the human reincarnation of the Shattered King! It's genius!"

"That's insane," Kit declared, plopping into the seat next to Jim. "You're insane."

Blinky turned, pointing at Toby. "You, Tobias, bear a most striking resemblance to their dead king."

"Me?" Toby sputtered.

"Yes. The Quagawumps are short and stout in stature. It'll be the role of a lifetime!" Blinky continued, the gyre shooting off down the tunnel at warp speed. "Mostly because if they see past our little charade, the time of our lives will end."

Kit sighed, leaning back. "Fantabulous."

The gyre came to a sudden stop, Toby yelping.

"Well, we better get a move on," Blinky declared, stepping off the gyre.

Any form of natural light was seemingly nonexistent in the undergrowth as the group trudged onward. The eerie darkness was accompanied by the squawking of birds from the trees above, the only sense of solace coming from the dimly glowing crystals that dotted the path.

"This place is creepy. Where are we?" Claire asked. She peered around, one arm firmly wrapped around Jim's.

"A place renowned for its vast swamps, theme parks, and retirement communities," Blinky exclaimed. "Florida!"