Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia

25: A night to remember

"Human in Trollmarket?"

"What's going on?"

"Fleshbags."

"They don't trust him."

"They don't belong here."

Barbara looked around at all the trolls as her vision started to blur. "Where are we?" She asked as Jim helped her through the crowd of trolls.

"Just hold on, mom," he said. "You're somewhere safe."

"It's hard to breathe."

"We need Vendel! Where's Vendel?"

Claire, Blinky, and Aaarrrgghh ran over to them. "Great Gronka Morka," Blinky said. "What happened?"

"Angor attacked Strickler," Jim told them. "The binding spell!"

Strickler got out of the car and all the trolls looked at him.

"The changeling!"

"Let's crush him!"

"No!" Vendel said, stepping forward. "Not unless you want to kill his mother too. Quickly! Bring them both to the examination dwell."

Aaarrrgghh grabbed Strickler and Blinky picked up Barbara. "You're going to be okay, Barbara," he said as he brought her through Trollmarket.

"Mr. Blinky?" She asked before passing out.

"Quickly," Vendel said. "This way."

"I closed the gate before Angor got in," Toby said, handing Claire the Horngazel.

"Vendel's going to fix this," Claire said, putting it in her purse. "Right, Blinky?"

"Only the fates can tell now," Blinky said. "Barbara's only hope is to break the spell that entwines her fate with Strickler's. If Vendel can, maybe, just maybe, she'll be strong enough to survive on her own."

"Bring the changeling," Vendel said. "I must treat him as well."

He took Barbara from Blinky and brought them both into a room.

***

Jim paced around the outside of the room, while Toby, Claire, Blinky, and Aaarrrgghh sat down. Jim paced and paced around until Vendel walked over to them with Strickler next to him with a sling around his arm. "Vendel," Jim said. "How's my mom?"

"She's resting for now," Vendel said. "But we must move her to the Heartstone."

"Blinky says that we need to break the binding spell."

"I agree with his assessment. She cannot properly heal while still bound to the changeling. Unfortunately, this is GumGum magic, and thus, I don't know the proper incantation."

"No, but he does!" Jim pointed to Strickler.

"Are you waiting for an invitation," Toby asked. "Or do I have to beat it out of you?"

"I don't have it with me," Strickler said. "It's in the Book of Ga-huel. In my office."

"We have to get it," Jim aid.

"We'll have to be careful," Toby said. "That crazy psychopath will be there."

"I forgot about Angor Rot!" Jim said.

"No, Coach Lawrence! It's the Spring Fling Dance and he's gonna be roaming the halls."

"The Spring Fling. It's tonight. I forgot!"

"Your mom's life is more important than a stupid dance," Claire told him.

"I know, but I was looking forward to our stupid dance."