Free Bang Goes a Troll by David Sinden, Matthew Morgan, Guy Macdonald, Jonny Duddle

forward. He was smiling. “Friend,” he said, holding out his bony hand.
    Ulf shook it. Gumball’s hand felt cold and frail. “Thank you for helping us get here,” Ulf said to him.
    Tiana glowed furiously. “But he stole it from you, Ulf!”
    â€œWe don’t need it anymore,” Ulf told her. “Come on, it’s time to save Dr. Fielding and Orson.”
    He stepped past the pedal-carts to the wooden door, then looked over his shoulder. “Gumball, are you coming too?”
    The little goblin was polishing the silver compass. “No. I keep watch,” he muttered, stepping into the shadows.
    â€œOh, sure he will,” Tiana said, flying to Ulf’s shoulder. “He’ll be off as soon as we’re inside. He only came for your compass.”
    The goblin’s white eyes were blinking in the shadows. Ulf smiled, then he pushed the big wooden door open and stepped inside. He found himself in a stone corridor. Ulf glanced down a line of flaming torches lighting the walls. He could hear a voice coming from beyond a stone archway at the end of the corridor: “AND THIS IS WHAT YOU’LL BE HUNTING!”
    It was the voice of Baron Marackai. . . .

Chapter 15
    U LF CREPT ALONG THE FLAME-LIT CORRIDOR PAST doors marked TROPHY-PROCESSING ROOM, BAIT ROOM, and ARMORY. He stopped at the stone archway, hidden in the shadows. Tiana flew beside him and hovered above three levers sticking out from the wall.
    They peered into what looked like dungeons. Standing less than ten yards away, with his back to them, was Baron Marackai. The Baron was dressed in a fur coat and serpent-skin boots. With him were five humans in camouflage clothing.
    â€œHunters,” Ulf whispered.

    They were facing a row of cages. Inside each cage a big green troll was snorting and grunting.
    â€œAs you can see,” Baron Marackai said, “we have gathered only the finest specimens. Each of them is young and unblemished. Their heads will look splendid displayed on the walls of your homes.”
    Baron Marackai led the hunters along the row of cages.
    â€œVen can ve kill zem?” a man with a red face asked.
    â€œNot long now, Herr Pinkel. In just a few moments, I shall release these beasts into our magnificent hunting range where you can pursue them with weapons of your choice.”
    â€œWe no be in danger?” a man with a ponytail asked.
    â€œOf course not, Señor Pedroso. I can assure you that these beasts do not stand a chance. Everything has been carefully designed to the hunter’s advantage.”

    At that moment, Ulf heard a clattering sound from back down the corridor; a pedal-cart was pulling up in the tunnel.
    â€œQuick, Ulf, hide,” Tiana whispered.
    Ulf crawled quietly into the dungeons and hid behind a large wooden crate. It smelt of meat.
    Tiana perched on his shoulder. They peered around the side of the crate as the Baron’s men entered through the archway.
    The Baron turned to the men. “About time, too,” he said. “Are the machines ready?”
    â€œAll oiled and greased, sir,” Blud replied.
    â€œMarvelous!”
    The Baron faced the hunters. He smiled. “Tonight marks our opening night, so I have prepared a special treat for you, a bonus prize for one lucky shooter.”
    The Baron strode along the cages. At the end of the row was a cage draped in camouflage netting.He pulled the netting aside. “Imagine that big head on your wall!”
    The hunters gasped.
    â€œA giant!” a big man in sunglasses said.
    â€œNot just any giant, Mr. Biggles,” the Baron replied. “This is the RSPCB’s giant!”
    Inside the cage, Ulf saw Orson lying on the floor unconscious.
    Bone stepped across with a bucket of water and threw it over the giant.
    Orson’s eyes opened and he slowly sat up. “What’s going on?” he groaned.
    â€œWelcome to Loadem Lodge,” the Baron said through the bars.
    Orson