Hunk and Thud

by Jim Eldridge

  Contents

  Title Page

  Ambush!

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Hunk

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Copyright

  AMBUSH!

  CHAPTER 1

  The harsh lights shone down on the wrestling ring, picking out the three huge muscular figures pacing around inside the ropes, each watching the other two warily.

  The event had been billed as the Battle of the Giants. It had begun with nine wrestlers, all massive and powerful, with three in the ring at a time for each bout. Now the winners of the three earlier bouts were building up to the finale of the Battle: Genno the Giant, who really was a giant, towering head and shoulders over his two opponents; Billy Bigfoot, a yeti, covered in thick fur from the top of his head to his feet; and Big Rock, the Wrestling Troll.

  The crowd was roaring encouragement, chanting and singing their names, while some waved home-made signs and pictures of their favourites.

  ‘Genno! Genno!’ came the chant from one section of the crowd, while another group chorused: ‘Billy Bigfoot is the best! Billy Bigfoot is the best!’

  The only two yelling out in support of the Wrestling Troll, Big Rock, were his young manager, Milo, and his thin little assistant trainer, Jack.

  ‘Come on, Big Rock!’ yelled Jack. ‘You can do it!’

  Big Rock was definitely the outsider in this contest. Genno and Billy Bigfoot were big stars on the wrestling circuit. Big Rock was becoming more famous, but he was still not as well known to this crowd as either of the other two. Milo’s decision to put Big Rock into this contest had been part of a plan to spread his name and reputation, to build him up into a Championship contender.

  Plus, there was the money to consider. This Battle of the Giants was a ‘winner takes all’ contest: the winner took the whole prize money, a leather bag filled with gold coins. Money had been scarce for some time for Milo and Jack and Big Rock. A win here would mean a change of fortunes for them, as well as giving a huge boost to Big Rock’s wrestling career.

  ‘Genno! Genno!’ The yells from the giant’s supporters grew louder and louder, and as they did, so did the shouts from those backing the yeti: ‘Billy Bigfoot! Billy Bigfoot!’

  Still, all three wrestlers stayed near the ropes, eyeing each other up. It was Big Rock who made the first move, jumping into the centre of the ring and turning to face Genno, and then Billy Bigfoot.

  ‘He’s taking a chance,’ whispered Milo nervously. ‘If they both rush him, he’ll be squashed!’

  ‘I think that’s his plan,’ whispered back Jack.

  Milo shook his head.

  ‘You call that a plan?’ he demanded. ‘Being squashed by those two?’

  ‘Wait and see,’ said Jack, his eyes fixed on the ring. He was sure that Big Rock was going to try a strategy that he and the Wrestling Troll had worked out during one of their practice sessions. The problem was, they’d never tried it for real. Certainly not against powerful opponents like Genno and Billy Bigfoot.

  Big Rock stood in the centre of the ring, waiting. And then he turned towards Genno and blew a loud raspberry at the giant.

  Immediately, Genno’s supporters erupted into angry shouts at seeing their hero insulted this way. Genno, certainly, was upset by it: he scowled, his huge face creasing and looking like an angry squashed doughnut.

  Big Rock then turned towards Billy Bigfoot, and this time he made a fart noise.

  The yeti’s fans yelled out loud at this, and it was possible that Billy Bigfoot might also have been scowling, if anyone could see his face beneath his fur. All that could be seen of his expression were two large green eyes – and they certainly looked angry right now.

  There came a growl from Billy Bigfoot, and he leapt forward towards Big Rock, his long arms outstretched and his huge paws closing in on the troll. At the same time, Genno jumped up into the air and aimed himself in an arc towards Big Rock, his massive feet heading at speed for the troll’s head.

  For a second it looked as if it was all over for the troll: he was going to get crunched by the yeti, smashed by the feet of the giant and sandwiched between them.

  Instead, Big Rock suddenly did a roll to one side and then bounced back to his feet with surprising agility for someone so big.

  In the centre of the ring, Genno and Billy Bigfoot met at a crunching speed, colliding with the force of their two separate attacks. The leather-hard soles of Genno’s feet hit Billy Bigfoot in the chest, while Billy Bigfoot’s head smacked hard into the giant’s stomach.

  The two huge figures collapsed in the centre of the ring, tangled up in each other’s arms and legs, momentarily stunned by the impact of their collision. Both were lying on their backs, semi-conscious, with their shoulders touching the canvas.

  Immediately, Big Rock leapt on top of both of them, his weight holding both wrestlers down in their dazed state as the referee began to count:

  ‘One. Two …’

  Too late, Genno and Billy Bigfoot realised that they were about to be counted out on a pinfall, and they both struggled to lift one arm each into the air; but they were so tangled up and the weight of each wrestler so heavy that, along with the weight of Big Rock holding them both down, neither could force an arm up and a shoulder off the canvas.

  ‘Three!’ shouted the referee.

  Big Rock scrambled off the two wrestlers, and the referee grabbed one of the troll’s hands and raised his arm into the air.

  ‘I declare the winner of this Battle of the Giants to be … Big Rock!’

  The crowd went wild. There was some booing and angry shouting from some of Genno’s and Billy Bigfoot’s supporters, but gradually a new chant could be heard, building up, getting louder and louder as the crowd expressed their appreciation for a great victory: ‘Big Rock! Big Rock! Big Rock! Big Rock!’

  Milo and Jack turned and grinned at each other.

  ‘What did I tell you?’ beamed Milo. ‘I knew he’d win!’

  CHAPTER 2

  That evening, Milo, Jack and Big Rock sat on the grass and looked at the shiny coins poking out from the open leather bag. Even Robin, the old horse, had stopped grazing and joined them in looking at the cash.

  ‘Money!’ sighed Milo happily. He jerked his thumb towards their caravan, which was resting lopsidedly on three wheels, with a large boulder under the axle where the fourth wheel should have been. The fourth wheel was leaning against the body of the caravan. ‘We can get a new axle pin for the broken wheel.’

  Jack looked in awe at the money in the leather bag. He’d never seen so much before.

  ‘With that, we can get anything we want,’ he said. ‘We can buy Big Rock a new costume.’

  ‘I like my old costume,’ said Big Rock.

  ‘Yes, but it’s got a lot of holes in it,’ said Jack. ‘You’re poking through bits of it.’

  ‘Sew patches on,’ said Big Rock.

  ‘It’s already got lots of patches on,’ Jack pointed out. ‘In fact, there are more patches on it than there is original costume.’

  ‘Every patch a memory of good wrestling,’ retorted Big Rock.

  ‘Okay, we’ll get some more cloth and sew more patches on,’ said Jack resignedly.

  ‘Good,’ said Big Rock.

  ‘A bale of hay,’ sighed Robin happily. ‘Not that I’m no
t happy with what Jack cooks for us, or grass, but sometimes the best thing a horse can have is a beautiful bale of sweet hay.’

  ‘And you shall have it,’ said Milo. ‘But first, we need to get the caravan fixed. I hear there’s a blacksmith in a town about five miles away, so, first thing tomorrow, me and Robin will go there for a new axle pin.’

  Next morning, Milo set off riding Robin the horse, heading for the town and the blacksmith. Once the pair had gone, Big Rock and Jack set about training. First they did the warm-up session, with stretches and press-ups and cartwheels to prevent any muscle strain.

  Then they ran through Big Rock’s favourite holds: the Half Nelson Driver, where Big Rock flipped his opponent upside down and dropped, driving his opponent’s head down onto the mat; the Cobra Clutch Bulldog, which also meant getting hold of his opponent, spinning them upside down, and driving their face into the ground; and the Brainbuster. The Brainbuster had a few additional elements, like Big Rock putting his opponent in a headlock, but in fact all the moves were very, very similar with the same ending: the opponent ended up going head first into the ground.

  They also tried other throws and holds, like the Mountain Bomb, in which Big Rock flipped the opponent back-first down onto the mat, before pinning them down for a fall; and the Half Nelson Legsweep, which was all about Big Rock catching his opponent off-balance and sweeping one leg away from under him, so they’d fall to the ground.

  Because Big Rock was so much bigger and more powerful than Jack, it was a wonder that Jack didn’t end up injured; but Jack knew that he was perfectly safe from harm as Big Rock was always gentle when practising. Really, it was just a matter of Big Rock practising the moves and getting them right.

  If I could will myself to turn into Thud, it would be better for Big Rock’s practice, thought Jack. Because Jack, this small, thin boy, was actually a half-troll, and he could turn into a huge Wrestling Troll called Thud, a Wrestling Troll just as powerful as Big Rock. Possibly even more powerful.

  But turning into Thud was something that Jack hadn’t yet learnt how to control. He often wondered if he would ever learn to control it. The only person he’d met who seemed to know anything about half-trolls had been Princess Ava of the country of Weevil, who wrestled in secret as the Masked Avenger. But even Princess Ava didn’t seem to know how Jack could control turning into a Troll.

  Maybe I’ll never find out, thought Jack. It had happened only three times before. Maybe it wouldn’t ever happen again.

  The truth was, it didn’t really matter. Right now, he was happy just being Jack, and practising with Big Rock, and knowing that later they would be sitting down to a great meal along with Milo and Robin.

  All in all, this was the happiest time of Jack’s life.

  CHAPTER 3

  As Milo rode on Robin’s back through the green and beautiful valley, he was also feeling incredibly happy. For the first time in ages they had money and could afford to buy stuff, and get things mended properly, instead of making do. And he was surrounded by his best friends, Big Rock, Jack and Robin. Life didn’t get any better than this! Suddenly, filled with joy, he burst into song:

  Wrestling trolls

  Tum-di-dum!

  Wrestling trolls

  Tum-di-dum!

  ‘Do you have to?’ complained Robin.

  ‘I’m feeling happy!’ said Milo. ‘Life is great! Life feels wonderful!’

  ‘Hmm,’ said Robin doubtfully. ‘That sort of feeling always worries me.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Milo. ‘It’s called “being happy”!’

  ‘It usually means that something bad is about to happen to spoil it,’ Robin replied.

  Milo chuckled. ‘Come on, Robin,’ he said. ‘Here we are, travelling through open countryside, through a lovely valley with beautiful trees and wonderful large rocks on either side, with not a cloud in the sky. What can possibly go wrong?’

  Robin stopped.

  ‘How about goblins?’ he asked nervously.

  Milo looked, and saw that a gang of goblins had come out from behind the trees and large rocks and had spread out across the track, barring their way.

  ‘Not all goblins are dangerous,’ said Milo, but even he knew he was putting on a brave front to convince himself. Goblins had a bad reputation. Yes, there were some good goblins – he’d met them and enjoyed their company at wrestling events. But the line of goblins in front of them did not look like good goblins. In fact, they looked very menacing.

  ‘Maybe we ought to turn around and go back,’ Milo whispered.

  ‘I thought of it,’ whispered back Robin, ‘but then discounted the idea.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Milo.

  ‘Look behind us,’ muttered Robin.

  Milo turned and looked back, and saw there were more goblins behind them, cutting off their way of escape.

  ‘I think the phrase is: we’re trapped,’ murmured Robin.

  ‘Leave it to me,’ said Milo. ‘I’ll talk us out of it.’

  As the goblins gathered closer to them, Milo gave them a broad smile. ‘Hello!’ he said. ‘Good to see fellow travellers! We’ll be able to have a great party together when the others get here.’

  ‘What others?’ asked one of the goblins suspiciously.

  ‘I’m at the head of a wagon train,’ said Milo. ‘There are about a hundred others following behind. They’ll be here in a minute.’

  The goblins looked at one another warily. Then the leader jerked his thumb at the goblin next to him.

  ‘Climb up that rock and take a look,’ he said. ‘See if you can see anyone else coming.’

  With great agility, the goblin sprang up a tall rock face, scampering up to the top. Milo remembered seeing troupes of Gymnast Goblins performing at events, doing almost impossible things, such as running up a sheer wall like spiders, just as this goblin had done.

  The goblin peered into the distance, and then shouted down to his gang: ‘No sign of anyone. He’s on his own.’

  The leader of the goblins smiled an evil smile as the goblin slid back down the high rock face and rejoined them.

  ‘Just as I thought,’ he said. ‘So, how do you fancy working in a mine?’

  Milo shook his head.

  ‘No thanks,’ he said. ‘I’ve already got a job.’

  The goblin gave a shrug.

  ‘Actually, it wasn’t a request,’ he said. Turning to the other goblins, he commanded: ‘Grab him and bring him along!’

  As the goblins moved in, Milo said to Robin: ‘Okay, Robin! Time to get out of here!’

  As Milo clung on tight to his mane, Robin swung sharply round and ran at the nearest goblins, aiming to knock them down and make a break for it. Unfortunately, one of the goblins swung a fist at Robin as he neared, and punched the old horse high on the head.

  Robin staggered, then stumbled, and fell, dazed. He was dimly aware of the crowd of goblins closing in, and Milo fighting back, his arms swinging, and then there was another punch to the old horse’s head, and everything went black.

  CHAPTER 4

  Jack sat on the steps of the caravan. He was worried. Milo and Robin still weren’t back. He turned to Big Rock, who was now doing a series of push-ups.

  ‘Milo and Robin are taking longer than I thought,’ said Jack, worried. ‘I hope nothing’s happened to them.’

  Big Rock jumped to his feet, making the ground shake as he did so, and walked over to join Jack.

  ‘I bet Milo talking to blacksmith,’ said Big Rock. ‘Milo like to talk.’

  ‘Yes, you could be right,’ said Jack.

  Suddenly they heard the sound of shouting and the thud of fast-approaching galloping hooves.

  ‘They back,’ said Big Rock.

  But as they looked towards the sound, they saw that there was just Robin, and coming at a speed that Jack had never seen the old horse gallop before.

  ‘Help!’ called Robin.

  Jack and Big Rock got to their feet and hurried towards the old horse, who pulled to a halt
and stood huffing and blowing and trying to get his breath back. Jack noticed Robin had a nasty bruise on his forehead.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Jack asked. ‘Where’s Milo?’

  ‘Goblins!’ wheezed Robin. ‘A gang of them! They grabbed Milo. I tried to stop them, but I got hit on the head. When I came to, they were gone.’

  Big Rock looked at the old horse, shocked.

  ‘Hit horse!’ Big Rock growled. ‘Bad, bad goblins! Where it happen?’

  ‘If you give me a minute to get my breath back,’ panted the horse, ‘I’ll show you.’

  With that, Robin sank down to the ground, exhausted.

  It took half an hour of Robin panting and wheezing and drinking water, before he was ready to move.

  ‘Right,’ he said. ‘Get on my back, Jack.’

  ‘Are you sure you’re all right to carry me?’ asked Jack, concerned.

  ‘Of course,’ said Robin. ‘I’m fully recovered now. Let’s go!’

  Jack climbed on Robin’s back, and they set off at something that was not quite a gallop, but faster than a trot. Big Rock ran alongside, a determined look on his face. A look at the grim expression on Big Rock’s face, and Jack knew that when they caught up with the goblins who’d snatched Milo, those goblins were going to be in serious trouble from the huge troll.

  It took another half-hour for them to reach the scene of the ambush, and what had happened was quite clear: there were signs of a scuffle, along with hoofprints from Robin, and the marks of lots of pointed-toe boots in the ground.

  ‘Goblin boots,’ said Jack, pointing at them. He frowned, and asked: ‘But why would they take Milo?’

  ‘They said something about him working in a mine,’ said Robin.

  ‘Slave,’ nodded Big Rock. ‘They say goblins use slaves to dig gold.’

  ‘Well we’re not going to let Milo be used as a slave,’ said Jack firmly. He pointed at the tracks. ‘If we follow these, they should lead us to where they’ve taken him.’

  ‘We’d better be careful,’ warned Robin. ‘Some of the goblins might still be around, waiting to grab more slaves.’