40 The Red Roof (1/2)
The eastern wall's bell rang loud enough to capture the attention of goblins in the outskirts of town. Goblins in the eastern side of the town fled to the town square seeking shelter from the troll. While they were there, the Chief and retainers immediately left to face the dangerous troll. Some of the goblins seeking refuge followed the Chief to aid him in the battle. Little did they know that their head would be blown to bits with just one swing.
The brothers were waiting outside by the remains of their former home. Their mothers wore long veils to hide their faces. It didn't take lone before some goblins coming from the town square were running towards the western forest. The women hid behind the rubble as the goblins pass by one by one.
”What's going on? Why are you guys running so fast for?” Sun asked out of curiosity.
”Troll attacked wall!” The goblin panted. ”We go warn goblins west town.”
”What!” The brothers cried in unison. Just then, a goblin far away called out Sun's name. It was Flute and her group of followers running from the town. ”We go to barn, women, or you no there.”
”I'm sorry, Flute. Our mothers our with us right now. We thought it would be safer for them if they were away from the troll attack.” Sun lied. He walked her towards the women hiding behind the rubble.
”Is ok. Flute understand. We go to west forest. Safe there.” She ordered her followers to help get them up their feet. They were surprised to see the women stand so quickly. ”Flute, see you walk now. No time to check, we go now. Come Sun, Smoke,”
”Wait, we can't leave.” Smoke said, ”Rock is still somewhere in the town, we have to go find him.”
”We have no time looking Rock. We go now.”
”No Flute, Stick is right,” Sun said. ”We'll go look for him, Stick you stay with our mothers.”
Flute grabbed Sun by the arm and pulled him closer to her. ”Why you do this. Troll coming and killing goblins. You no afraid of troll?” Her voice sounded frustrated but with a hint of concern for the brothers' safety. ”Rock dies or not die from troll, but you live if avoid troll.”
”I know its safer for us to go, but Rock is our brother, my brother. And I'm not leaving him behind.” Sun pushed Flute's hand off him. ”Come on Smoke, let's go.”
”Wait, take Stick too. You need all help you got.”
”What? No Stick will go with you to, um. Help with taking care of them. Right Stick?”
”Yeah!” Stick nodded.
Flute looked at the brothers back and forth until finally settling on Sun's face. ”Do Sun not trust Flute?” She asked in a sobber tone.
The brothers were caught off guard by the question, but after some hesitation, Sun answered her. ”I trust you, Flute.”
”Well Flute, no trust you. Last time Sun leave almost die from wolf. Sum helped, but he no fight troll before. Go take Stick too.” She walked up to Stick and nudged him to Sun. ”He strong now. He help look for Rock. And please come back safe.”
Sun looked at his mother one last time before leaving. She gestured to him to go and look for his brother. Sun clenched his fist, then turned around and ran towards the town with his brothers close behind him. ”Stick you have any bombs we could use?” He asked while running.
”I got one on me that should be able to make someone blind.”
”Sounds good to me.”
The town square was full of goblins running around in a state of panic. Many of them rushed to the Chief's building, banging on the doors and windows, begging to be let in. The brothers tried to get the crowd's attention, but none of them seem to care about their surroundings. They only have one thought occupying their mind, and that's to get inside under the Chief's protection.
The brothers tried to get the crowd's attention, but they lost their senses and reasoning in their hysteria. Smoke noticed a bell on top of the building. It's most likely an alarm bell to warn the town and the surrounding outskirts of danger. Smoke climbed up the over the goblins to the top of the building. Meanwhile, Sun and Stick confronted the troll in the main pathway.
Once Smoke reached the top, he rushed towards the large iron bell, pushing aside the goblins in his way. He grabbed the rope and pulled it with all his strength, rocking the bell back and forth. The massive bell tolled in the dark, catching the attention of the goblins down below and outside the town. The crowd fell silent as they look up to Smoke, waiting for him to speak.