Page 58 of Monster Mishap

Taking a few steps back, I distance myself from the trull. “Jesus,” I mutter.

“Why were ya runnin’?”

“I was afraid you might be a bad monster. We were chased off a mountain by a cyclops.” Adjusting my pack, I shift from one foot to the other. This monster may be little, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. Maybe I could throw the pack of clothes at it as a distraction and make a run for it.

“Ah, those mindless things are nothing but kittens.” The trull considers me. “Are ya insultin’ me?”

“What?”

“Ya said you thought I might be a bad monster, but now yer out here talkin’ to me. Ya don’t think I could flay your skin from yer bones?” There’s a gleam of malice in his gaze as it flits over my body. “I’ve skinned bigger beasts than ya,folk.”

Note to self: In the land of monsters, it’s not good to be folk.

“Okay, first, I’m not a folk. I’m human and from a different planet. Second, I didn’t mean to cast doubt on your flaying abilities, I only hoped you might see that I look much better unflayed than I do flayed.” I shrug and smile like what he’s saying is no big deal.

Prometheus releases a snore and a little puff of smoke from its nostrils.

The trull startles and takes a step back, bumping into its mini cart. “Are ya mad? What’re ya doin’ with a baby dragon?”

I glance at the little thing and run my hand over the ridges of its blue scales. “Prometheus is harmless. Speaking of, what’s your name?”

A ripple of shock washes over the trull’s face, like he’s never been asked that question before. “Harald.”

“Harald. That’s a great name.”

The trull nods. “I was named after my father.” His gaze shifts back to the dragon sleeping on my shoulder. “Does it speak to ya?”

“Sort of. It mostly just says mama.”

Harald’s eyes widen. “Ya have no idea what yer doin’, do ya?”

“Is it that obvious?” I ask with a breezy laugh. “I’m trying to get to the castle.”

He slices his hand through the air. “Bah, ya don’t want to go there.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“Bunch of ogres thinking they’re better than smaller monsters like me. If ya plan on settling in this realm, think again. The king taxes us when we breathe. Are ya prepared to be taxed to death?”

The king sounds like a real piece of work.

“Do you know where the castle is?”

Harald squints at me. “Ya said yer human but ya ask questions like the folk.”

Is he calling me stupid?

“I have to get to the castle… my mate is there.”

“Ya have a mate at the castle?” Harald throws his head back and laughs, but with his size it sounds more like a squeaky toy.

“Uh, yes?”

“What’s their name then?”

“Orcus,” I say, bristling at the insinuation that I’m lying. “He’s my mate and the crown prince.”

Harald stops laughing. “I heard the big bastard had taken a mate, and the rumors all say she’s half his size.”

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