Barbara the Belonging

Family Matters

Everything was blurry and muffled as he was carried around.

His sight kept fading in and out, seeing visions of stone monsters, hearing bits of his mother's cries that were incomprehensible for him to piece together, as his mind wasn't entirely conscious enough to even think.

"What's going on? Where... are we?" Jim mumbled with the little breath he had.

"Just hold on, Jim. You're somewhere safe." Barbara softly spoke.

"We need Vendel! Where's Vendel?"

That is when the others come running towards her and see the armored woman carrying her son.

"Oh, no." Crystal stopped in her tracts upon seeing the injured boy.

"Great Gronka Morka, what happened?" Blinky questions with concern.

"Angor attacked. He hurt Strickler, and went for me... then... Jim, he... please, we need to take him to Vendel!" She desperately spoke.

Then they turn to see other trolls complaining about the green changeling as he weakly gets out of the car.

"The changeling!"

"Let's crush him!"

Two of them spoke and one large troll was about to grab Strickler, but he quickly dodged their hands.

"Barbara... help!" He called out and ran from the trolls who wanted him dead, until Barbara stood in front of him.

"Everyone, stop! You can't hurt him... yet."

"What?"

"What are you talking about?"

The trolls gasp and question with frustration.

"Look. I know this sounds... questionable. But we sorta.... Made a deal."

She winced when the crowd booed and complained about her response.

"Lady Barbara. What are you talking about?" Blinky questions with Crystal giving her and Strickler an unhappy expression.

"I can explain about it later, but we need to get Jim some medical attention, fast!"

"What is going on here?" Vendel asks as he walks into the scene.

"Please, you have to help me. Angor attacked us and-"

Without any other explanation, the elderly troll was quick to respond.

"Very well. Bring them both to the examination dwell."

Barbara picks up her son and carries him while following the old troll, with Strickler being escorted by Aarrrghh and the others following behind.

"You are going to be okay, Jim." Blinky calmly reassured the boy as he walked beside the woman.

"Mr. Galadrigal?" Jim mumbled and saw a strange creature with six eyes, then he closed his eyes and went limp, finally passing out.

"I was able to close the gate before Angor Rot got in." Lucas spoke to Barbara and stored the Horngazel into his vest pocket.

"Vendel's going to be able to fix this. Right?" Crystal questions.

"Only the Fates can tell now. Jim's only hope is that his injuries aren't fatal. But this kind of wound isn't normal for humans, as I can only assume that Angor's blade must have been enchanted by some sort of spell that causes severe damage. If Vendel can, maybe, just maybe, he'll be strong enough to survive once the spell can be removed." Blinky replied.