Free Nemesis and the Troll King by Ashley Du Toit Page A

“Can you do your fast-travel to someplace you’ve never been?” he continued.
    â€œAs long as I know the general direction from a place I have been,” Folgoo replied.
    â€œCan you fast-travel with so many of us?” Yarg continued.
    â€œYes, but they must all hold on.”
    Yarg organised the Nuffins so that they were all lined up holding hands. “If you don’t want to get lost, then don’t let go,” Yarg told them, glaring at each of the Nuffins in turn to be sure that they understood.
    Yarg moved to stand beside Folgoo and reached to place one hand upon the centaur’s back, the other holding tightly to the first small Nuffin in the line.
    â€œWhat am I going to do with them?” he wondered aloud as they started to move within the silver wave.

6
    The Immortal Markets
    T hey stood just outside a large clearing in the woods. Yarg gained his bearings, then looked down to check on the Nuffins. They were sprawled at his feet in a curvy line, still holding hands. Rolling his eyes at Folgoo, Yarg bent to help them up.
    Recovering quickly, the Nuffins began to talk excitedly amongst themselves. Folgoo watched them with a gleam in his eyes, then said to Yarg, “I still don’t know what you’re going to do with them.”
    Yarg helped the last Nuffin up and replied, “I don’t know either, but my first priority has to be saving Kaylin. I need to collect the tokens, starting with The Sand of Memory. Then I can think about finding the Nuffins a home. Who knows, something might come up while we’re searching if we’re lucky.”
    Folgoo pointed towards the clearing and said, “This clearing marks the boundary of the Immortal Markets.”
    Gurt glared when he heard that. “We can’t go in there. We’ve stayed there before. Them markety people don’t like us. They made us leave,” he muttered.
    â€œIt wouldn’t be for long,” cajoled Yarg. “Just long enough for me to find the tokens I need.”
    The Nuffins drooped their shoulders.
    â€œAnd a home for you,” he added as enticement.
    The little creatures showed some signs of interest, although Yarg could see that even the mention of a home had not entirely removed their anxiety. Folgoo stepped forward. Yarg turned to the Nuffins and reminded them of the need to behave themselves.
    â€œStay together,” he warned.
    The clearing in front of them consisted of smooth green grass and a few tall shrubs. As they stepped into it, Yarg felt the pull of an ancient magical spell. It shimmered in the air, stirring up a warning to any who would cause mischief.
    â€œThat magic marks the boundary between the realms. I’ve heard that Nemesis wove the spell himself,” whispered Folgoo as he looked around him.
    In the centre of the clearing, side by side about a metre apart, were two massive, muscular men. They stood stiffly, silently, their bulging arms clasped behind their backs, the sun’s soft glare glinting on the golden armlets high on their biceps.
    â€œThey are werewolves, they served the old ones,” Folgoo whispered in awe to Yarg.
    â€œWho are the old ones?” Yarg asked.
    â€œThe dragons,” Folgoo explained. “A long time ago, the werewolves were their handservants. But things changed when Thorne died and Nemesis took over—I don’t know the specifics, something about the Book of Dragons being lost. Now Nemesis has given the werewolves the task of guarding the Immortal Markets from those who might come with evil intent.”
    â€œBut where are the Immortal Markets? The werewolves are just standing there in the middle of nothing.” Yarg said, with more than a hint of confusion.
    â€œThe entrance and the markets themselves are under the spell you felt as we crossed the boundary into this realm. They remain invisible until you pass through the magic portal that the werewolves guard,” Folgoo