The Hunter's Queen

Chapter XIV

~Human~

Maya waited for Jim's return as she practiced her new water magic. She closed her eyes and ice began to form on her hand.

"Trollhunter! Trollhunter!" Draal was heard from afar as Maya lost concentration and soon Jim appeared behind her.

"An intruder!" Draal exclaimed as they ran to the location they were the intruder was at.

"Hey, stop! Let him go! I'm the Trollhunter! Let me deal with him! Let him go!" Jim exclaimed to the troll as Maya created a trident from thin air, soon Draal and Aaarrrggghhh stood behind her. The troll reluctantly released the man and he fell to the ground.

"Oh. Thank you, Jim." A voice said from inside as Maya pointed her trident to him.

"How did you get past Trollmarket's barrier and how do you know my name?" Jim asked pointing his sword to the man.

"Master Jim, it's me, Blinky." The man claimed as Jim held his sword closer to his neck. 

"No. He lies." Aaarrrggghhh spoke from behind.

"Strike the fleshbag down. He's seen too much." Draal exclaimed as Maya nodded.

"I can prove it. Your mother is Barbara Lake. Your best friend is Tobias Domzalski. Your girlfriend is Maya, also known as Nerou. Your father disappeared when you were 5." The man said as Maya felt shock at his abundant knowledge of Jim.

"The changeling spy has studied you." Draal exclaimed to them.

"And we just replaced the ignition on your Vespa last week." The man continued trying to prove that he is Blinky.

"Did Strickler put you up to this? He sent you to spy on us, didn't he?" Maya asked as she walked behind Jim.

"How did you get in here? I won't ask again." Jim exclaimed, the man moved Jim's blade away.

"I do not appreciate your tone of voice, Master Jim. Is this the way you address an errant stranger in need?" The man asked angrily, Jim looked at Maya and she looked back at the man.

"I expect more from you."

"Blinky?" Jim said walking around him.

"You look terrible." Maya said as Jim agreed with her.

"Squishy." Aaarrrggghhh said with a giggle.

"What sorcery is at work here?" Draal asked Blinky as Maya observed him.

"Haven't the foggiest. But there is one troll in Trollmarket who will know." Blinky commented with a hint of hopefulness in his voice.

They headed to Heart stone where Vendel had been in.

"I am at a complete and utter loss." Vendel spoke unknowing his symptoms.

"If only I knew what hit you, then maybe I could revert it back." Maya spoke softly as she began spacing out thinking deep.

Maya snapped back in when Jim was telling them about the Triumbric Stones.

"--So we can destroy Gunmar and save Claire's brother." Jim said as Maya walked next to them.

"Vendel mad?"Aaarrrggghhh asked as Blinky backed up and Maya stood next to Jim.

"Mad would be a significant improvement! The Trollhunter is to protect Trollmarket, not risk his life from fairy tales." Vendel shouted as Jim smiled and pulled out the birthstone, Maya pulled out the loss stone.

Vendel made a face of shock and interest as he inspected them.

"Oh, my.... Gunmar's birthstone and his loss stone. The legends are true." He commented shock but with a hint excitement.