by Jim Eldridge
‘Lots of places to hide,’ commented Jack.
They walked on for another half an hour, all the time keeping their eyes and ears strained for any sign of Hard Harry’s gang, or his hide-out. Suddenly, Big Rock stopped.
‘Hear something,’ he grunted.
They looked around.
‘I can’t see anyone,’ said Meenu.
‘Trolls have got very good hearing,’ said Milo. ‘If Big Rock says he hears something, he does.’
‘What sort of thing?’ asked the Masked Avenger.
‘Feet,’ said Big Rock. ‘And click.’
‘The kind of click that a crossbow makes when it’s being cocked ready for firing?’ asked Jack.
‘Yes,’ nodded Big Rock. ‘How you know?’
‘Because a man has just come out from behind that tree with one,’ said Jack. ‘And he’s pointing it at us.’
As they looked, more men appeared. Some of them were armed with crossbows, some with spears.
Big Rock let out an angry growl.
‘Careful, Big Rock,’ warned Milo. ‘Starting a fight now won’t save Robin.’
The leader of the gang of armed men moved nearer to them, the crossbow in his hands aimed straight at them. He had a big bushy black beard.
‘You’re trespassing!’ he said.
‘We’ve come to see Hard Harry,’ said Milo.
The bearded man frowned.
‘Why?’ he demanded.
‘We’re old friends of his,’ said Milo. ‘Old wrestling friends.’
The bearded man stood there, studying them for a while, then he went to join a bald man and they talked briefly in whispers. The bearded man turned back to glare at Milo.
‘I recognise him as Big Rock, the Wrestling Troll,’ said the bearded man, pointing at Big Rock. ‘And she’s the Masked Avenger. Who are the rest of you?’
‘I’m Milo, the manager of Waldo’s Wrestling Trolls,’ said Milo. He pointed at Jack and Meenu. ‘That’s Jack, our assistant trainer. And over there is Meenu, the Masked Avenger’s costume maker and dresser.’
‘And you’re here to see Hard Harry?’ queried the bearded man, frowning.
‘That’s what I said,’ replied Milo. ‘Is that a problem?’
‘It may be for you,’ said the bearded man. ‘No one ever comes to Badlands Valley looking for Hard Harry, and lives to talk about it.’
CHAPTER 4
Milo wasn’t fazed.
‘How about we go and talk to Hard Harry and see what he says?’ he replied.
The bearded man and the bald man exchanged doubtful looks, then the bearded man shrugged.
‘Might as well,’ he grunted. ‘You’re all gonna die anyway.’
He led the way along the valley track. Jack and the others followed him, with the rest of Hard Harry’s armed men bringing up the rear.
‘I wonder if Blaze has found Robin yet,’ Jack muttered to Milo.
‘If so, why hasn’t he reappeared?’ whispered back Milo.
The valley came to an end as the rocky sides petered out, and they saw that a camp was spread out before them. No, not just a camp; it looked like a small town. It was certainly bigger than the village. There were hundreds of tents and wooden shacks sprawled around.
‘There’s no sign of any horses,’ whispered Meenu.
‘Yes there is,’ said Jack. He stopped and pointed, and they saw that just outside the camp was a corral, an area surrounded by a high wooden fence. Inside the corral were lots of horses of all different sizes and colours.
‘Let’s hope Robin’s among them,’ murmured Milo.
‘Get moving!’ snapped the bearded man. And he jabbed Milo in the back with the point of his crossbow bolt.
The captives moved on into the camp.
‘Well, well, well!’ a voice boomed out. ‘What have we here?’
They turned to see a very large man limping towards them. His left leg was crooked.
‘Trespassers, boss!’ said the bearded man. ‘They say you know them.’
‘I certainly do!’ grinned Hard Harry. ‘Milo and that big stupid lump of granite – Big Rock.’
‘Hello, Harry,’ said Milo. ‘Long time no see. How are you? How’s the leg?’
Hard Harry scowled.
‘I’m glad you haven’t forgotten that,’ he snarled. ‘Neither have I.’ He frowned, puzzled. ‘What are you doing here in my valley?’
‘We were in the village for a wrestling tournament,’ said Milo. ‘The Great Bun Wrestle Smackdown. Big Rock and the Masked Avenger were on the bill.’ He gestured towards the Avenger in her red wrestling outfit with a long red cloak and a full-face red mask, which could only be taken off by an opponent if she was beaten in the ring – and so far she was undefeated. ‘This is the Masked Avenger.’
‘Yes, I’ve heard of her,’ said Harry. He turned to the Masked Avenger. ‘I hear you’re good.’
‘I am,’ she replied proudly. ‘I’m unbeaten.’
Hard Harry smiled.
‘Well, maybe that’s about to change,’ he smirked. ‘I’ve got a few people in my gang who are pretty good. I reckon they could beat you.’
‘Bring them on!’ challenged the Masked Avenger.
‘Actually, Harry, I’m glad you’re still interested in wrestling, because that’s why we came to see you,’ said Milo. ‘You’ve got a friend of ours. A horse. A talking horse.’
‘It’s theirs!’ exclaimed the bearded man in alarm.
‘Shut up, Percy!’ snarled Hard Harry. He turned to Milo and demanded: ‘Are you accusing me of breaking the law by stealing horses?’
‘Well, I’m sure we can ask our horse that question,’ said Milo. ‘He’ll soon tell us.’
‘I told you it was dangerous, boss, stealing a talking horse!’ said Percy.
‘Shut up!’ shouted Hard Harry angrily. He turned back to Milo, and now he was grim-faced, unsmiling. ‘You’re not getting him back,’ he said. ‘He’s gonna be burger meat.’
At these words, Big Rock let out a growl and advanced towards Hard Harry, who limped back from the troll and pushed his men forwards so they stood between him and Big Rock.
‘Not a good idea, Big Rock,’ said Hard Harry. ‘You’re outnumbered. My people will bring you down before you get to me.’ He looked at Jack and the Masked Avenger. ‘And the same goes for the rest of you.’
‘Of course it does,’ nodded Milo. ‘And we wouldn’t be so stupid as to try anything like that. But I was thinking, you were always a sporting man.’
‘I was,’ retorted Harry. He tapped his thigh. ‘Until your troll broke my leg!’
‘And that’s why we thought we’d give you the chance to get your own back,’ said Milo. ‘Any one of your lot, in a wrestling bout against Big Rock. If your man wins, you keep Robin. If Big Rock wins, we take our horse back.’
Harry regarded Milo and Big Rock thoughtfully. Then he shook his head.
‘No,’ he said. ‘The horse goes for burger meat. But you lot … we’re going to have to keep you quiet.’ He turned to the bearded man. ‘Percy!’
‘Yes, boss?’
‘Kill them.’
CHAPTER 5
‘You can’t kill us!’ protested Milo, shocked.
‘Why not?’ demanded Harry.
‘Because … it wouldn’t be fair!’
Harry sneered.
‘Fair?’ he repeated. ‘I was never fair, Milo, and you know that.’
‘You cheat,’ said Big Rock.
‘I do!’ said Harry. ‘And I’m proud of it! Now, I’m going to check on my burgers. Sorry – horses!’ With that, he laughed and walked off.
Percy and some of the other men levelled their crossbows at the gang.
‘Sorry about this,’ said Percy apologetically. ‘But he is the boss. And orders are orders.’ He turned to the men. ‘Okay, let ’em have it.’
Hard Harry was almost at the corral where the stolen horses were being held when he saw that there was something wrong. Smoke was coming up from so
mewhere inside it, and the horses were jumping around. Suddenly one of the fences collapsed, and the horses were running free.
‘Stop them!’ shouted Harry urgently, and he ran towards the corral as fast as his bad leg would let him.
It was too late. Most of the horses had escaped and were galloping out of the valley, despite the efforts of Harry’s men to stop them.
Harry reached the empty corral and grabbed the man nearest to him.
‘What happened, Bob?’ he demanded.
‘It all happened so quick, boss!’ said the man. ‘This phoenix suddenly flew down and burst into flames and set light to the rope holding part of the fence together. The next second, the fence collapsed and the phoenix suddenly changed into this big horse which galloped out, and all the other horses followed it.’
‘A phoenix?’ raged Harry.
‘I’m sorry, boss,’ said the man. ‘There was nothing we could do!’
‘This is the work of Milo and his gang!’ snarled Harry. Then, with a vengeful smile, he added: ‘But I’ve had my own back! They’re all dead now!’
‘Boss! Boss!’
Harry turned and saw Percy rushing towards him. Percy looked very battered and bruised.
‘They got away, boss!’
‘Yes, I know,’ grunted Harry. ‘I saw! All the horses … gone!’
‘Not the horses. Milo and Big Rock and the others.’
Harry’s mouth dropped open in shock and he stared at Percy.
‘What?’ he said, stunned.
‘We were just about to shoot them when this great big troll appeared. I’ve never seen anything like it! The biggest and strongest troll ever! Before we knew what was happening, he started wading in, punching and throwing us about.’ Percy looked as if he was about to cry. ‘He hurt me.’
‘You idiot! You fool!’ stormed Harry. ‘You let them get away!’
‘It wasn’t our fault!’ defended Percy. ‘It was this giant troll …’
‘Sound the alarm!’ shouted Harry. ‘I want them caught! All of them! I want them back here!’
‘But what about the giant troll?’ asked Percy fearfully.
‘You just catch them,’ snarled Harry, ‘and leave that troll to me!’
CHAPTER 6
The gang headed away from Hard Harry’s camp as quickly as they could.
‘We need to go faster!’ urged Milo. ‘They’ll be coming after us!’
‘But we haven’t got Robin!’ burst out Jack.
‘I’m hoping Blaze will have seen to that,’ said Milo. ‘Remember, Jack, you said maybe we’d create a distraction so that Blaze could get Robin away?’
‘Which Thud did brilliantly!’ Meenu smiled at Jack. ‘The way you threw those men around, as if they were just rag dolls!’
‘Yes, but that was then,’ said the Masked Avenger. ‘Now he’s Jack again and we’re still in danger until we get back to the village.’
From behind a large outcrop of rock they heard the sound of hundreds of horses galloping. They pulled to a halt.
‘They find us!’ said Big Rock.
‘I think we need Thud again!’ said Milo to Jack, hopefully.
Suddenly the horses burst into view – but they were all riderless. A large brown horse, leading the herd, veered towards the gang. There was a flash of light, and the large brown horse vanished and was replaced by Blaze.
‘Wow!’ said the Avenger. ‘That was spectacular!’
‘You saved the horses, Blaze!’ exclaimed Meenu.
‘Where Robin?’ asked Big Rock, worried.
From behind the rocky outcrop came the plodding sound of hooves, and eventually Robin appeared. He stopped and stood there, out of breath, as the others hurried to him.
‘Hurrah!’ cried Jack. ‘You’re safe!’
Meenu and Big Rock rushed to the old horse and hugged him joyously.
‘You are so slow!’ complained Milo. ‘Even when it’s a matter of life and death!’
‘I’m not used to all this fast galloping,’ panted the old horse.
A booming, trumpeting sound echoed along the whole valley.
‘That’s an alarm!’ said Milo. ‘Harry’s sending everyone after us!’
‘Can you see how many of them there are, Blaze?’ asked Jack.
The phoenix flapped his wings and soared into the air. He circled briefly, and then came down to rejoin them.
‘There are hundreds of them,’ the phoenix said. ‘A few are on horseback, most on foot, and they’re all armed. They’re carrying spears and swords and crossbows. It looks like they’re splitting up into different groups, so they can spread out to find us.’
‘I think we ought to split up as well,’ suggested the Masked Avenger. ‘We’re a big group and easily spotted. If we split into twos and threes, we might have a better chance.’
‘I don’t know,’ said Jack doubtfully. ‘I think we’re stronger together. We can back each other up.’
‘We can still back each other up,’ said Milo. ‘So long as we stay near enough that if we run into trouble we can give a shout for help. Then the others can come running.’
‘Yes,’ nodded the Avenger. ‘That’s the answer.’
‘Okay, Jack?’ asked Milo.
‘I suppose so,’ said Jack reluctantly.
‘Right,’ said Milo. ‘Ava, you and Meenu together. Jack and Robin with Blaze. Me and Big Rock. Let’s go!’
The Masked Avenger and Meenu hurried off, making for the rocky wall, keeping to the cover of the rocks and bushes and trees.
‘Milo on back!’ said Big Rock, and he grabbed hold of Milo and hoisted him up onto his shoulders, then ran off as fast as he could with Milo clinging onto the big troll’s neck.
‘Good idea,’ said Blaze. ‘Robin, can you carry Jack?’
Robin stood panting. ‘I’ll do my best,’ he said. ‘But I’m still out of breath after all that galloping.’
‘Okay, I’ll do it,’ said Blaze.
There was a flash, and once more the brown horse stood where Blaze had been.
‘Let’s go!’ said Blaze.
Jack climbed up on the horse, which started to gallop off.
‘Wait for me!’ called Robin.
The brown horse stopped. ‘Sorry,’ said Blaze.
‘Don’t worry, Robin,’ said Jack. ‘We won’t leave you. Not now we’ve got you back.’
Big Rock charged along the road that led out of Badlands Valley, with Milo clinging grimly onto his back as he was shaken about.
‘I think we ought to slow down a bit,’ suggested Milo. ‘We’re right in the open and easily seen. Maybe we should creep along quietly, using bushes and trees as cover.’
‘No,’ said Big Rock. ‘We run. No one catch us.’
‘Er … I think they already have,’ said Milo.
Ahead, a group of armed men had appeared from behind some rocks. The men began to form a line across the road.
‘I think we’re caught, Big Rock,’ said Milo unhappily.
‘No,’ said Big Rock, still running.
The men were now standing in a straight, fixed line and had their spears and swords pointing at the onrushing troll.
‘I think –’ began Milo again.
CRASH!! BASH!!
The big troll busted through the line at speed, sending the men nearest to him tumbling backwards and bowling into the others. Milo turned and looked behind him as Big Rock ran on. Hard Harry’s men were lying in a heap or crawling around as they struggled to get up.
‘Wow!’ said Milo, awed. Then he grinned. ‘Go, Big Rock! Keep running!’
The Masked Avenger and Meenu peered out from the entrance of the shallow cave where they’d taken cover.
‘I heard something,’ said Meenu.
‘I heard it, too,’ nodded the Avenger. ‘It sounded like Milo shouting, “Go, Big Rock! Keep running!”’
‘No, there was something else,’ said Meenu, frowning. ‘A different noise.’
‘What sort of noise?’ asked the Avenger.
‘I don’t know.’ Meenu shrugged. ‘It must have been my imagination. All this business of nearly being killed has made me extra-sensitive.’
‘Yes, it does tend to have that effect,’ smiled the Avenger. ‘Anyway, we’d better get going if we’re to keep up with the others.’
She stepped out of the cave with Meenu close behind her. As they did so they heard a noise above them, and they both looked up …
CHAPTER 7
Blaze, in the shape of the large brown horse, with Jack on his back, ran as fast as he could, but he had to stop now and then to let Robin catch up.
‘Of course, when I was younger I could go a lot faster than this,’ panted the old horse. ‘I was known as Galloping Robin.’
Suddenly, Blaze pulled to an abrupt halt.
‘What’s up?’ asked Jack. ‘Why have you stopped?’
‘I can smell people behind that rock,’ said Blaze.
‘Maybe it’s Milo and Big Rock, or Ava and Meenu,’ said Jack.
Blaze shook his head. ‘No, I know their scent. This smell is different. These are –’
‘Hard Harry’s men,’ said Robin bitterly, as a gang of armed thugs appeared from their hiding place behind the rock. He looked hopefully at Jack. ‘Any chance of you turning into Thud?’ he asked. ‘Because now would be a very good time.’
Jack willed himself to turn into the giant troll again, doing his best to think troll thoughts, hoping he’d get the sensation of the quartz film over his eyes and feel his body shaking as it began to grow and grow … But there was nothing.
‘I’m afraid not,’ he said.
‘Time to dismount, Jack,’ said Blaze.
‘Trust me, I’m not going to turn into Thud and squash you,’ Jack reassured him.
‘I’m not worried about you squashing me,’ said Blaze. ‘But I need to take some action, and I can’t do it with you sitting on me.’
‘Oh!’ said Jack in realisation.
He slipped off the brown horse’s back and he and Robin retreated as Hard Harry’s men advanced towards them.