Levishia: The Prophesied Quest [Completed]

Chapter 13: The Belladonna

LEVISHIA QUINTESSENCE

"We mean no harm," I lowered my sword and put it back into my sheath, a sign of peace. The troll squinted its green orbs on me and pierced me with its eyes full of doubt.

"Is killing two of my golems not included in your 'harm'?" He retorted. 

I opened my mouth but no words came out, I was rendered speechless. My years of studying diplomatic talk were put to waste when I was speechless in front of a merchant troll.

Those two must be the ones Zoren eliminated. I was about to defend him and say that the golems were misunderstood as threats when we were interrupted by the ground's quake. As if something heavy fell on the ground, similar to the noise earlier.

I looked over and saw the rock golem, lying lifelessly on the cold floor of the cave, and my two comrades breathing heavily beside its head holding their mighty swords.

"Make that three," was the troll's sarcastic remark.

I gazed back at him and gave him an uneasy smile. "We really misunderstood the golems and saw them as threats. We can't help it, Sir. They look too intimidating."

I zipped my mouth shut when I noticed his bottom lip started quivering. His eyes gleaming with unshed tears and filled with despair looked at me.

"Those three were worth at least two bars of gold!" He cried.

And here I thought he genuinely cared about those poor golems. He was only worried about the bars of gold wasted because of the death of the three rock golems, or the waste of the steel armors.

"We can give you ten bars of gold," I offered. We actually brought a few of Giraen's riches just to get a better deal for this belladonna.

"Really?"

He blew from his nose to a tissue given by his comrade and sniffed once more before looking up at me with hopeful eyes. I was charmed instantly before I mentally slapped myself. Remember, these are trolls! They're cunning!

I smiled, peeking out my dimples. Two can play this game.

"Yes, darling. I just need a teeny tiny bit thing I want," I cooed and acted femininely, using my assets to my advantage.

The male troll's jaw fell at my action and widened his eyes. "You're very pretty..." He mumbled, dazed.

I crouched in front of him and smiled once again, wider than earlier. "There's this very beautiful plant that I've been yearning for so long, can you give it to me?"

"Anything..."

Chuckling to myself, I leaned into him and whispered in his ear, "I want the belladonna."

I saw him furiously blinking his eyes until a mischievous grin crept into his lips, making my heart beat faster. Is it not working?

"I'm a troll, beautiful. You're just a mere human," he giggled and stepped backward, clutching his bag.

I silently stood back up, my smile now gone and replaced by my nonchalant expression. I knew it. I momentarily got him but he seemed to have picked up the pace and gathered himself together.

His fellow trolls walked near him as they formed a little circle, making sure to keep a distance from me. I sighed and felt two pairs of footsteps behind me.

"You're good. You tricked a troll," Ard commented.

"Let's hope they accept our deal."

They seemed to be in a heated argument because everyone was hitting the back of the troll I talked to's head. Maybe he was against them. They were talking in hushed voices though some would still raise their voices, but I still can't understand a word.

After a few moments, they silenced and just looked at each other. And then they simultaneously nodded and broke apart. Amused, a subtle smile made its way to my lips.

What a bond.

A different troll walked up to me. She was younger than the first one and had on an innocent smile—but with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"Hi, pretty girl. We want twenty bars of gold." She held up three cute fingers and then pointed to Ard behind me, "And also a night with him."

My eyes widened and tried my best to stifle a laugh. I pouted my lips to hide a smile and cleared my throat. "Twenty bars, sure. But a night with him..."

I took a peek at the flushed Ard behind me before crouching in front of the female troll and leaning into her ears to whisper. A snort couldn't help but escape from my lips. "See, here's the thing. He prefers men..."

I intended to only let her hear it because Ard will be mad at me but with the silence inside the cave and the prominent echoes, it didn't only reach her but also everyone else inside the cave.

The female troll's eyes went wide as she clasped her green hands over her mouth. "He's a manwhore!"

I heard Ard's sharp intake of breath that was followed by rushed footsteps that went out of the cave, Ard had walked out.

Zoren snickered from behind. "Come with me to get the gold bars, Levi."

I followed suit and bit back a smile. Once we got out of the cave, I saw Ard breathing in and out deeply. He must be so angry.

"Ard," I called him but he didn't turn to me, "Sorry, I was panicking and I couldn't think of anything else."

He didn't say anything and so we took that as a sign to leave, we just told him to keep guard in case the trolls escape. Zoren's horse wasn't too far from where our last post was before our horses ran off. I caressed the head of his midnight black steed as I waited for him to get the bars of gold. He only had two so I pulled out the other bars in my bag.

"You should watch your mouth sometimes," he laughed while searching in his satchel.

I smiled. "It really just slipped my mouth. It was effective, though. We'll get the belladonna in exchange for Ard's ego."

He shrugged. "That might've hurt him really bad, you better say your sincerest apologies."

Amused, I tilted my head while looking at him as he casually shrugged and talked to me. As if we were comrades. Has he already forgotten I'm royalty? 

"Look who's so casual," I teased. He instantly tensed and intentionally coughed.

"Sorry, the Levi nickname got me," he shyly scratched the back of his head while avoiding my gaze.

I chuckled at his cuteness before making our way back. Zoren tightly held the three bars of gold in his hands as he walked behind me, keeping a safe distance. Now he feels so stiff. I think I prefer the carefree Zoren.

"The Belladonna first," I held out my hand in front of them while clutching the bars in one hand. 

This deal is dodgy. Our twenty bars are nothing compared to the mine that they were offered. I need to be careful.

The female troll sighed before handing me the enticing plant. The deadly nightshade was a purple bell-shaped flower with glossy black berries and roots that yield atropine, and when ingested, can lead to hallucinations and delirium. I'm not sure why we traveled this far just for this highly toxic plant but if those anonymous traders offered mines then I'm sure these are important.

I gave the bars to the troll and I only saw a glimpse of her victorious smile before turning her back at me. I sighed and hid the belladonna inside my bag. We silently walked out of the cave, but when we were about to touch the vines, I felt tight ropes suddenly clinging to my limbs.

Four ropes were tightly tied around my arms and legs, making me unable to fight back. I looked over at Zoren and Ard and saw that the same was happening to them.

I squinted to the sides and saw pair after pair of gray orbs, holding our ropes.

There were more of those rock golems?! And we didn't even sense it?!

The trolls' devilish giggles echoed inside the cave, making my blood boil even more. 

Those tricky trolls! I should've known, I should've trusted my gut feeling!