Young Writers Society

Chapter two - Journey through troll swamp

Apollo’s perspective

I could not believe my eyes, never in the time since I had been banished had I ever seen a human let alone a female whose beauty was as striking as her own dare to come near, let alone cross trolls swamp. Yet there she was right in front me.

Her lips were full and the colour of a peach, her hair dark blond with a brown to auburm tinge through it. Based on her posture I would of guessed she was 5’5 in height maybe less. I was yet to see her eyes; the colour of a person’s eye can determine their blood origins and based on what I had already observed I was honestly curios

I continued to watch her, staying still so not to create a single noise that might give away my location as I waited hoping for a chance to see her eyes.

Her head turned slightly, I gasped. “It can’t be.” I said to myself louder than intended as the golden sliver in her right eye became much clearer to me. I found myself hyperventilating as the human slowly climbed off her horse and towards me, cr*p I thought, she must have herd me. Hurrying I backed away into the safety of the tree’s and darkness.

Once I was far enough way I was sure she could not hear, I began to go over what I had uncovered. What the golden sliver in her eye meant, not just for me but also for everyone.

Chapter three - Creature of the swamp

Valentina's perspective

The seconds went by slowly faded into hours until dawn was upon me, the perfect time to get moving. It would only take an hour or so to cross the swamp at full speed but that would only attract the troll to my location. Carefully mounting my horse we set off slow as not to disturb the land marks.

As the journey progressed the land became increasingly wet underfoot until we were surrounded by swamp.

It is unclear how one would describe a swamp, from afar it may look like a barren wasteland but from a close distance or in my case standing right in the centre of one, it can be detailed as a humid, dry, smelly and wet part of the land. Although it is not entirely the fault of nature, much of the smell is caused by rotting dwarf and animal carcasses each at a different stage of decomposition.

The track through the swamp was slow and I was beginning to think that the forest I had been sent to did not exist, that was until remnants of fresh vegetation began appearing on the path to my left, I knew I was close now all I needed was a way in and out of the swamp water.

Slowly I came to a stop as the scrub to my side became gradually denser and the swamp faded away. Climbing off my horse I took the reins in one hand and continued on. The swamp was silent for the most part except for the low crunch of vegetation under foot. The wind blew beyond the tree line followed closely by the rustling scrubs and what sounded like the low cuss from the distance. I stopped yet again drawing one of the blades I kept strapped to my side.

I dropped the reins from my hand and stalked the tree line, snapping my fingers twice the horse followed as is searched for and opening or a path of some sort into the ever growing darkness.

Suddenly I chill ran down my spine, I took in a shaky breath, was I scared for what was to come? I wouldn't be scared. Then I felt it the warm breath of a troll on the back of my neck. Steadily I turned around raised my dagger and plunged it into the creatures chest. With a loud venomous howl the troll tossed me aside reviling the row of talons it swung for me. I screamed. Rolling I avoided the large hand however I was not unscathed. I reached for my ribs, the smell of blood filling the air as I continued to dodge the ever quickening attacks. Sliding slightly to my left I was unaware of moss covered tree stump that lay behind me, too late to stop myself my head banged against it.

My vision blurred and I could feel the coldness of blood escaping my body as I lied unable to move. A my eyes shut yet again I saw a figure move quickly beside me.