Free The Goblin's Gift by Conrad Mason Page B

were before anyway.
    Tabitha turned to glare at him as he approached.
    â€˜Where’ve you been? Keep up. We got nothing from the ogres. Going to try some of the prisoners further down.’
    â€˜Right,’ said Joseph, eyeing the troll. ‘Actually, I’m not feeling all that well. I think maybe we should leave now.’
    The troll’s brow wrinkled. Tabitha scowled.
    â€˜We can’t go. We need to find out where that mermaid is, remember ? So the merfolk will fight on our side. And so they’ll let Hal and the Bootle twins go. That ring any bells?’
    â€˜Yes, but, I mean, I’m sure we’ll find her anyway.’
    He felt sweat prickle on his brow. He had always been a terrible liar.
    Tabitha narrowed her eyes.
    â€˜What’s going on?’
    â€˜What? Nothing! I, er …’ He turned to the troll. ‘Would you, um, give us a minute?’
    The troll raised an eyebrow, then turned on his heel with a swish of petticoats and strode away to break up a fight between a pair of goblin prisoners.
    â€˜What in Thalin’s name—?’ began Tabitha, but shestopped as Joseph opened his pocket. Slik winked at her from inside. ‘This snotbag? Are you joking? He’s got to be the least—’
    â€˜He knows,’ said Joseph. ‘I thought … Well, it’s a lead, isn’t it?’
    Tabitha looked for a moment as if she was about to hit him. Then finally her expression softened into an almost-smile.
    â€˜All right, it’s a lead. Not bad. For a tavern boy.’
    Joseph grinned. ‘Thanks. And thanks for keeping that troll busy.’
    Slik sniggered and made smooching noises from his pocket. Joseph covered him up, his cheeks burning.
    â€˜Let’s get out of here,’ said Tabitha quickly. She turned and called to the troll. ‘That’s enough for one day. We’ll come back later.’
    The jailer cracked the goblins’ heads together and let them sink to the floor. ‘Good,’ he said. ‘Time for some more tea.’
    He led them back through the barred door, locking it behind them. Together they wound their way through the wooden corridors of the Brig, until at last they reached the living room. The cake still sat on the table, untouched except for the two slices the troll had eaten earlier.
    â€˜We’ll be off now,’ said Tabitha stiffly.
    â€˜Thanks for all your help,’ said Joseph. ‘Enjoy your cake.’
    There was a sudden squirming in his pocket, and he instantly regretted saying that. Slik struggled upright and popped his head above the edge of the pocket, tiny nose quivering as he sniffed. Joseph moved his hand to conceal the fairy.
    â€˜I will enjoy it,’ said the troll. ‘It is good cake.’
    The earthy-sweet smell of it was wafting into their nostrils now. Slik leaned past Joseph’s hand and Joseph tried to push him back down into his pocket.
    â€˜Seed cake,’ the troll carried on. ‘Very good. Lots of honey in it.’
    â€˜Go on,’ said Tabitha, her eyes shining with hunger. Not helpful, Tabs .
    â€˜Butter too. Eggs. Seeds. And, most important … lots and lots of sugar.’
    Slik wriggled free and darted for the cake.
    The troll was lightning quick. His cudgel was out in a trice and slamming down towards the fairy. The first blow struck the table, making it shudder. The second smashed the mug, scattering bits of broken pottery and splattering cold tea everywhere. Slik was on top of the cake now, and the troll raised his cudgel a third time.
    â€˜No, wait,’ called Joseph. ‘Not the—’
    The cudgel whistled down, and the thud of its impact was muffled by sponge. The cake exploded, golden crumbs flying in every direction.
    â€˜GAAAAAAAGH!’ yelled the troll, as if it was his own heart he’d just beaten to a pulp. Slik was airborne, licking his lips, his tiny arms wrapped around a large chunk of cake.
    The