Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - Chapter 14 - Trolling for Grandpa

Summary

KendraとSethは、Fablehavenの森の奥で祖母の助けを借りて祖父Stanを探す冒険に出る。祖母は呪いで鶏に変えられた過去があり、蘇った今もその影響を感じている。彼らは祖父を見つけるために、強欲で危険なクリフトロールのNeroと取引をする。KendraとSethはNeroの挑戦に立ち向かい、祖母の驚異的なマッサージ技術を駆使してNeroを説得し、情報を得ることに成功する。Neroの助けで、祖父が忘れられた礼拝堂の地下に囚われていることが判明する。

Takeaways

• 🌙 スクリプトは、主人公が魔法の呪いにかかってニワトリに変身した祖母と森を探索する物語です。
• 👵 祖母はニワトリに戻った理由を話しており、自分の過ちも認めています。
• 🔮 祖母は呪いが解かれた後、自分の状況を理解し、主人公たちに情報を伝えています。
• 🚶‍♂️ 主人公たちは森を探索し、いくつかの危険を避けながら目的地に向かっています。
• 🌉 彼らは古い橋を発見し、そこから谷間に降りていく必要があります。
• 🌹 谷間には幻覚を引き起こす危険な蓮の花が生えていますが、祖母はその危険性を知っています。
• 🧗‍♂️ セスは谷間の壁に沿って設置された木材の階段を登ることに挑戦し、成功します。
• 🐉 彼らはトロールのネロと出会い、彼と取引を交渉します。
• 💆‍♀️ 祖母はマッサージのスキルを提案し、ネロに90分のマッサージを提供することで情報を得る取引に同意します。
• 🏛️ ネロから得た情報によると、主人公たちのおじいちゃんは忘れられた教会の地下室に鎖で繋がれていると報告されます。

Q & A

なぜおばあさんはニワトリになっていたのですか？

プライドが災いして不注意になり、危険にさらされたためです。

おばあさんはどのようにして元に戻ったのですか？

孫たちがミュリエルに頼んで呪いを解いてもらったためです。

ネロはどのような生き物ですか？

ネロはトロールで、爬虫類のような特徴を持ち、鋭い歯を持つ生き物です。

ネロとの取引でおばあさんは何を提供しましたか？

90分間のマッサージを提供しました。

ネロが求めた初めの要求は何でしたか？

6つの金庫、12の銀の袋、3つの未研磨の宝石の樽、そしてオパールのバケツでした。

セスはなぜ木の幹を登ることにしたのですか？

ネロと話すために、困難な挑戦を受け入れたからです。

危険な花についておばあさんは何を説明しましたか？

それらの花は中毒性があり、香りをかぐと幻覚に引き込まれる危険があると説明しました。

セスが木の幹を登るときにどのような困難がありましたか？

高い場所に到達すると揺れが激しくなり、バランスを保つのが難しくなりました。

ネロはなぜおばあさんのマッサージに興味を持ったのですか？

ネロはマッサージを受けたことがなく、その体験に興味を持ったからです。

ネロが提供した情報は何でしたか？

スタンが忘れられた礼拝堂の地下に鎖で繋がれているという情報でした。

Outlines

00:00

🌟 祖母の意識の目覚め

祖母が魔法の呪いによってニワトリに変えられたことについて話します。彼女は夢のような意識の状態にありましたが、子供たちが窓から生き物を入れたショックで正気を取り戻しました。彼女がメッセージを伝えるのは非常に難しかったです。家族が森を探索する中、祖母は再び人間の形に戻ったことに驚きます。

05:02

🏞️ 危険な下り坂

家族は急な崖を降り、下の小川に到達します。途中、祖母は危険な花の存在について警告し、慎重に進むように促します。彼らはついに谷底に到達し、次の目的地へ進みます。

10:03

🪜 セスの冒険

セスは一連の丸太を登り始め、高所での挑戦を引き受けます。途中でバランスを失い、トロールのネロによって救出されます。ネロはセスを助けた後、家族と交渉を開始します。

15:04

💆‍♀️ 交渉の技

祖母はネロに対して、宝物の代わりにマッサージの提供を提案します。ネロは最初は懐疑的でしたが、祖母の技術の一部を試した後、交渉に応じます。最終的に、90分のマッサージと引き換えに情報を得ることに合意します。

20:05

💪 ネロのマッサージ

祖母と子供たちはネロにマッサージを行い、彼は非常に満足します。ネロはマッサージの効果に感銘を受け、約束した情報を提供します。

25:06

🏚️ 忘れられた礼拝堂

ネロはスタンが忘れられた礼拝堂の地下に拘束されていることを明かします。スタンは生きており、ナヤードのレナと一緒にいるとのことです。交渉は成功し、ネロは休息を取るために去ります。

Keywords

💡トワイライト意識 (Twilight Consciousness)

トワイライト意識とは、人が完全に目覚めているわけでもなく、完全に眠っているわけでもない状態を指します。この状態は、グランマが呪文の影響でニワトリになった後に経験したもので、物語の重要なテーマとなっています。この状態では、人間としての理性的な思考ができず、周囲の状況を理解するのが難しくなります。

💡変身 (Transformation)

変身は、この物語の中心的なテーマの一つであり、グランマが呪文によってニワトリに変身したことを指します。変身は、キャラクターが自分自身や他人を新しい視点から見る機会を提供し、物語全体を通して成長と変化の象徴となっています。

💡ミューリエル (Muriel)

ミューリエルは、グランマを元に戻すために重要な役割を果たすキャラクターです。彼女の助けを借りて、グランマはニワトリから人間に戻ることができました。ミューリエルは魔法の力を持つ存在であり、彼女の知識と能力が物語の進行に大きな影響を与えます。

💡崖のトロール (Cliff Troll)

崖のトロールは、物語の中で重要な役割を果たすクリーチャーです。彼らは貪欲で交渉に長けており、交渉術や貪欲さが物語の進行に影響を与えます。特に、グランマと孫たちが情報を得るためにトロールと交渉する場面が描かれています。

💡貪欲 (Avarice)

貪欲は、トロールの性格を象徴する重要なキーワードです。トロールは宝物を貯め込むことに執着し、その貪欲さが交渉の際の弱点となります。このテーマは、物語の中で繰り返し取り上げられ、キャラクターたちがトロールと対峙する際の鍵となります。

💡ロータスの花 (Lotus Blossoms)

ロータスの花は、物語の中で危険な存在として描かれています。この花の香りや味は非常に魅力的で、一度口にすると中毒になり、幻覚を見てしまうことが示されています。これにより、キャラクターたちは慎重に行動しなければならない状況に置かれます。

💡変身呪文 (Transformation Spell)

変身呪文は、グランマがニワトリに変身する原因となった魔法です。この呪文は、キャラクターたちが直面する困難の出発点であり、物語全体にわたる重要な要素となっています。呪文の効果とその解除方法が物語の展開に大きく影響します。

💡クライミング (Climbing)

クライミングは、物語の中でキャラクターたちが困難な状況を克服するために必要なスキルとして描かれています。特に、セスが崖のトロールに会うために丸太を登る場面が印象的で、勇気と決意の象徴として描かれています。

💡交渉 (Bargaining)

交渉は、グランマがトロールと情報を得るために行った重要な活動です。トロールの貪欲さを利用して有利な条件を引き出すために、グランマは知恵と技術を駆使します。この場面は、キャラクターの知性と戦略的思考を示すものです。

💡マッサージ (Massage)

マッサージは、グランマがトロールとの交渉において提供したサービスです。この行為は、単なるリラクゼーションを超えて、トロールに新しい経験を提供し、最終的に情報を得るための交換手段として使用されました。このエピソードは、創意工夫と交渉力の重要性を強調しています。

Highlights

Grandma's experience of consciousness as a chicken and the struggle to communicate.

The journey to seek help from a cliff troll named Nero.

Grandma's transformation back to human form and the challenges faced.

The importance of clever bargaining with cliff trolls, who are cunning and ruthless.

The perilous climb down the ravine and the encounter with lotus blossoms.

The negotiation with Nero, where Grandma offers a massage in exchange for information.

Seth's brave attempt to climb the logs to meet Nero.

Nero's rescue of Seth when he falls from the logs.

The detailed process of the massage given to Nero as part of the bargain.

Nero's transformation from a cunning troll to a satisfied and relaxed client after the massage.

The revelation of Stan's location in the Forgotten Chapel's basement.

The presence of Lena and the mention of Muriel in the vicinity of Stan.

The conclusion of the arrangement with Nero and the departure from the ledge.

The strategic use of a massage as a form of currency in a high-stakes negotiation.

The portrayal of the cliff troll's avarice and the exploitation of this weakness for negotiation.

The description of the cliff troll's physical appearance and characteristics.

Transcripts

chapter 14.

trolling for Grandpa

have you ever heard people conversing

while you're falling asleep grandma said

the words reach you from a distance and

you can barely Glimpse the meaning

that happened to me on a motel once when

we were on a trip Kendra said Mom and

Dad were talking I fell asleep and their

conversation turned into a dream

then to some degree you can grasp my

State of Mind as a chicken you say it is

June my last clear memories were from

February when the spell was enacted for

the first couple of days I remain fairly

alert over time I lapsed into a Twilight

Consciousness incapable of rational

thought unable to interpret my

surroundings as a human would weird Seth

said I recognized you kids when you

arrived but it was through a clouded

lens my mind did not reawaken until you

let those creatures in through the

window the shock jolted me out of my

stupor it was a struggle to cling to my

elevated Consciousness I cannot describe

the concentration it required to write

that message to you my mind wanted to

slip away to relax I wanted to eat the

delicious kernels not arrange them into

bizarre patterns they traveled along the

wide dirt road rather than head back

towards the house they'd continued on

the trail Beyond The Ivy Shack venturing

deeper into the forest the trail had

eventually forked and then intersected

the road they were currently following

the sun blazed overhead the air was

heavy and humid and the forest remained

unnaturally silent all around them

Kendra and Seth had brought a pair of

jeans but it turned out to be from

Grandma's skinnier days and were not

even close to fitting the tennis shoes

belong to Grandpa and were several sizes

too big so Grandma now wore a bathing

suit under her robe and her feet

remained in slippers

grandma raised her hands staring as she

opened and closed them

strange to have proper fingers again she

murmured

how did you become a chicken in the

first place Seth asked

Pride made me careless grandma said a

sobering reminder that none of us are

immune to the dangers here even when we

imagine we have the upper hand let's

save the details for another time

why didn't Grandpa change you back

Kendra asked Grandma's eyebrows shot up

probably because I kept laying eggs for

his breakfast I like to think that if he

had taken me to Muriel in the first

place I could have prevented all this

nonsense from happening but I suppose he

was searching for an alternate cure for

my condition

besides asking Muriel Seth said exactly

then why did he have Muriel cure me

I'm sure he knew your parents would

return soon leaving insufficient time to

discover another remedy

you had no idea Seth would become a

mutant walrus and have been restored by

Muriel Kendra said I missed all that

grandma said as a hen most details

escaped me when I urge you to take me to

Muriel I assumed she still had two knots

remaining only when I looked up and

observed the single knot did I begin to

Fathom the actual predicament by then it

was too late incidentally how did you

end up as a walrus Seth and Kendra

related the particulars about turning

the fairy into an imp and the subsequent

retribution Grandma listened asking a

few clarifying questions

as the path curved around a tall Thicket

a covered bridge came into view up ahead

spanning a ravine the bridge was

composed of dark wood although aged and

weathered it appeared to be reasonably

good repair

our destination drawed senior grandma

said be on the bridge Kendra asked down

in the Ravine grandma stopped studying

the folio drop to either side of the

road I am suspicious of the Stillness in

these Woods a great tension rests upon

Fablehaven today she resumed walking

because of Grandpa Seth asked yes Andrew

noon found amnity with the fairies but I

worry there may be something more I am

anxious to speak with Nero will he help

us Kendra asked he would rather harm us

trolls can be violent and unpredictable

I would not solicit information from him

if our situation were less dire what's

the plan Seth asked our only chance is

clever bargaining Cliff trolls are

cunning and ruthless but their avarice

can be a weakness

avarice Seth asked greed Cliff trolls

are miserly creatures treasure hoarders

cutting negotiators they relish the

thrill of besting an opponent whatever

agreement we reach Nero will have to

feel like the Undisputed Victor I only

hope we can determine something he

values that we are willing to part with

what if we can't Kendra said we must if

we fail to reach an arrangement Nero

will not let us leave unscathed

they arrived at the bank of the Ravine

Kendra placed a hand against the bridge

leaned forward and looked down

it was surprisingly deep tenacious

vegetation clung to the Steep walls a

narrow stream trickled along the bottom

how do we get down there

carefully grandma said taking a seat at

the edge of the precipice rolling over

onto her stomach she started backing

down the slope feet first looking

ridiculous in her robe and slippers the

incline was not completely vertical but

most of the Descent was quite steep

if we fall we'll tumble all the way to

the bottom Kendra observed a sensible

reason not to fall Grandma agreed moving

carefully downward come along it looks

worse than it is just find solid hand

holds and take it one step at a time

Seth followed grandma and then Kendra

started down desperately hugging the

side of the Ravine taking tentative

steps hunting blindly for the next place

to rest her foot but grandma was right

once she got going The Climb was less

difficult than it appeared there were

many handholds including scrawny bushes

with well-anchored stems after

proceeding gingerly At first she grew in

confidence and increased the speed of

her descent when Kendra reached the

bottom Seth was squatted near a cluster

of blossoms at the edge of the stream

Grandma Sorensen stood nearby

took you long enough Seth said I was

being careful I've never seen somebody

move an inch per hour before

no time for bickering grandma said

Kendra did just fine Seth we need to

hurry along

I like to smell these flowers as Seth

said come away from those Grandma

insisted why they smell great take a

whiff

those flowers are perilous and we're in

a hurry Grandma waved for him to follow

and started walking picking her way

carefully along the rocky floor of the

ravine

why are they dangerous Seth asked

catching up with her those are

particular class of Lotus blossoms the

smell is intoxicating The Taste Divine a

tiny nibble of a single petal carries

you away to a lethargic trance populated

by Vivid hallucinations

like drugs

more addictive than most drugs sampling

a Lotus Blossom awakens a craving that

will never be silenced many have wasted

their lives pursuing and consuming the

Petals of those bewitching flowers

I wasn't going to eat one

no sit and smell them for a few minutes

and you'll end up with a petal in your

mouth before you know what you're doing

they proceeded in silence for a few

hundred yards the walls of the Ravine

grew more sheer and Rocky as they

progressed they noticed a few other

clusters of Lotus blossoms where's Nero

Kendra asked Grandma scan the wall of

the Ravine not much farther he lives up

on a Ledge we have to climb up to him

Stan said that Nero lowered a rural

bladder what's that Seth asked pointing

up ahead

I'm not sure Grandma said a good

distance down the Ravine about 20

upright logs of increasing height LED

from the edge of the stream to the wall

of the Ravine the highest log granted

access to a rocky ledge

it might be our destination this is not

what Stan described

they arrived at the logs the lowest was

three feet tall the next was six feet

and each subsequent log still roughly

three feet taller than the previous one

until the tallest Rose about 60 feet

high the logs are arranged about three

feet apart in a staggered row none of

the logs had any limbs short or tall

they were of all similar circumference

about 18 inches and they were all cut

flat across the top

placing a hand beside her mouth grandma

called up the ledge Nero we would like

to meet you

not a good day a voice answered deep and

silky try me next week

they could not see the speaker we must

meet today or never Grandma insisted who

has such an urgent need the resonant

voice inquired Ruth Sorensen and her

grandchildren

Ruth Sorensen what is your request

we need to find Stan

the caretaker yes I could discern his

location

Ascend the stairs and we will discuss

terms

grandma looked around you don't mean

these logs she called I most assuredly

do

Stan said you had a ladder that was

before I set up these logs no small

undertaking

climbing them looks precarious

call it a filter Nero said a means to

ensure that those who seek my services

are in earnest

so we must climb the logs for the

privilege of speaking with you how about

we talk down here

unacceptable

your stairs are equally unacceptable

grandma said firmly if your need is dire

you will scale them observed the troll

what have you done with the latter I

still have it

may we please climb it instead I am not

dressed for an obstacle course we'll

make it worth your while

how about to compromise one of you

climbed the logs then I will lower the

ladder for the other two

final offer concede or go acquire your

information elsewhere

I'll do it Seth said Grandma looked at

him if anyone is climbing those logs it

will be me I'm taller and better able to

reach from log to log I have smaller

feet so the logs will feel bigger I'll

keep my balance easier

sorry Seth this is something I must do

Seth dashed over to the first log

scrambled onto it without much trouble

and taking a jump as if you were playing

LeapFrog ended up seated atop the second

log Grandma hurried over to the second

log you'll get down from there Seth

shakily got to his feet leaning forward

he placed his hands on the third log

from his position on the second log the

top of the third came almost to the

middle of his chest another leap frog

jump and he sat Atop The nine foot log I

can do this he said

it won't be so easy as you get higher

Grandma warned you come down here and

let me do it no way I already have one

dead grandma

Kendra watched silently

from his seated position Seth shifted to

his knees and Rose unsteadily to his

feet he leapt to the next log now well

out of Grandma's reach Kendra was

quietly glad Seth was climbing the logs

she could not picture grandma doing it

successfully especially dressed in a

bathrobe and slippers at the very least

think of the terrible places she could

get splinters and Kendra could very well

Envision Grandma Sorensen crumpled in a

lifeless Heat at the base of a log

Seth Andrew Sorensen you mind your

grandmother I want you to come down from

there stop distracting me he said it may

seem like fun on these Lora logs but

when you get higher I climb high stuff

all the time Seth insisted my friends

and I climb up the bars under the

bleachers at the high school if we fell

there we could die too he rose to his

feet he seemed to be getting better at

it Seth landed on the next log

straddling it for a moment before

getting into his knees be careful

grandma said don't think about the

height I know you're trying to help Seth

said but please stop talking

Grandma came and stood by Kendra can he

do this she whispered he has a good

chance he's really Brave and pretty

athletic the height might not get to him

I would freak out

Kendra wanted to look away she did not

want to see him fall but she could not

take her eyes away from her brother as

he leaped frogs from log to log higher

and higher as he jumped to the 13th

almost 40 feet high now he leaned

precariously to one side chills raced

through Kendra as if she were the one

losing her balance Seth gripped with his

legs and leaned the other way regaining

his equilibrium Kendra could breathe

again

14 15 16. Kendra glanced at Grandma he

was going to make it 17. he got to his

feet wobbling a bit hands out to either

side these tall ones shake a little he

called down Seth LeapFrog to the next

log and landed awkwardly teetering too

far to one side for a moment he hovered

on the brink of regaining his balance

every muscle and Kendra's body clenched

in horror arms pinwheeling Seth fell

Kendra shrieked she could not look away

something flashed from the ledge a

slender black chain with a metal weight

at the end the chain coiled around one

of Seth's legs instead of falling to the

ground he swung into the cliff colliding

roughly with the stone wall

for the first time Kendra had a view of

Nero built like a man the troll had

reptilian features a few bright yellow

markings decorated his glossy black body

he held in a webbed hand the chain from

which Seth dangled muscles bunching

powerfully Nero hauled Seth up to the

ledge they passed out of sight and then

a rope ladder unfurled from the ledge

unwinding all the way to the base of the

cliff are you okay Kendra yelled up at

Seth I'm fine he answered just had the

wind knocked out of me

Grandma started up the ladder Kendra

followed forcing herself to focus on

grabbing that next run denying the

impulse to look down at length she

reached the ledge she moved to the rear

of the ledge standing beside the low

mouth of a dark cave from which wafted a

cool draft

Nero looked even more intimidating up

close tiny Sleek scales covered his

sinuous body though he was not much

taller than Grandma the thickness of his

brawny physique made him seem massive he

had a snout rather than a nose and

bulging eyes that never blinked Aurora's

sharp spines ran from the center of his

forehead to the small of his back

thank you for rescuing Seth grandma said

I told myself if the boy makes it past

15 logs I will assist him if he falls

I admit that I am curious to hear what

you would exchanged to learn the

location of your husband his voice was

Suave and Rich

tell us what you have in mind grandma

said

a long gray tongue popped out of his

mouth licking his right eye you would

have me speak first so be it I do not

ask much an insignificant trifle for the

proprietus of this illustrious Preserve

six coffers of gold 12 punches of silver

three casks of uncut gems and a bucket

of opals

Kendra looked at Grandma could she

possibly own that much treasure a

reasonable sum grandma said

unfortunately we have brought no such

riches with us

I can wait while you retrieve the

payment if you leave the girl as

collateral

regrettably we lack the time to shuttle

treasure to you unless you would reveal

Stan's location before receiving

compensation

Nero licked his left eye and grinned a

hideous sight that displayed double rows

of needle teeth it must be paid in full

before fulfilling your request

Grandma folded her arms I take it you

already possess great caches of treasure

it surprises me that such a meager

Financial offerings I could Supply would

entice you to trade

go on he said you're offering us a

service perhaps we should repay you with

a service as well

Nero nodded thoughtfully

possible the boy has some Spirit

indenture him to me for 50 years

Seth looked desperately at Grandma

Grandma frowned I hope to leave the

possibility of future business open

therefore I do not wish to leave you

feeling slighted the boy has Spirit but

little ability you would assume the

burden of training him as a servant and

find yourself yoked to his incompetence

you would add more value to his life

through education than he would to yours

through service

your candor is appreciated Nero said

although you have much to learn about

bargaining I begin to wonder whether you

have anything of value to offer if not

our discussion will not end well

you speak of value grandma said I ask

what value is treasure to a wealthy

troll the more riches he possesses the

less each new acquisition improves his

total worth a bar of gold means much

more to a popper than to a King I also

question what value a frail human

servant would have to the master

infinitely more wise and capable

consider the situation we want you to

render a service of value to us

something we cannot do for ourselves you

should expect no less

I agree take care your words are

spreading a net at your feet a lethal

Edge was creeping into his voice

true unless I am trained to deliver a

service of extraordinary value have you

ever received a massage

are you serious the idea has always

struck me as ridiculous

the idea seems absurd to all the

uninitiated beware of rash judgments we

all pursue wealth and those who gather

the most can afford certain Comforts

unavailable to the masses foremost among

these luxuries is the Indescribable

release of the relaxation of a massage

at the hands of one skilled in the art

and you claim to be skilled in this

so-called art

trained by a true Master my ability is

so great as to be nearly Beyond purchase

the only person in the world who has

received a full massage at my hands is

the caretaker himself and this is

because I am his woman I could give you

a full massage needing and soothing

every muscle in your body The Experience

could redefine your understanding of

pleasure

Nero shook his head it will take more

than floored words and grandiose

promises to persuade me

consider my offer in perspective grandma

said people pay exorbitant sums for an

expert massage you will receive yours at

no cost merely in exchange for a service

how long would it take you to ascertain

Stan's location

a few moments a massage will take me 30

grueling minutes and you'll be

experiencing something new a delight you

have never encountered in all your long

years

a similar opportunity may never arise

again

Nero licked an eye

granted I have never received a massage

I could name many things I have never

done mainly because I have no interest

in doing them

I have sampled human food and found it

to wanting I am not convinced that I

will find a massage as satisfying as you

describe

Grandma studied him three minutes I will

give you a sample for three minutes it

will afford you only a narrow glimpse of

the Unspeakable Bliss that awaits but

should place you in a position to make a

more educated decision

very well I see no harm in a

demonstration

give me your hand my hand I will massage

a single hand you have to use your

imagination to Envision how this would

feel across your entire body

he held out a hand Grandma Sorensen took

it and began working his palm with her

thumbs at first he tried to keep a

straight face but his mouth Began to

Twitch his eyes began to roll

how was that grandma asked too deep his

meager lips quivered

just right he purred Grandma continued

expertly rubbing his palm in the back of

his hand he started licking his eyes

compulsively she finished with his

fingers the demonstration is concluded

she announced

30 minutes of that you say across my

whole body

the children will assist me grandma said

we will trade service for a service

but I could exchange my service for

something more enduring for Treasure a

single massage is too fleeting the law

of diminishing returns applies to

massages as does most things the first

is the best and all you really need

besides you can always exchange your

services for Treasure this may be your

only chance to receive an expert massage

he held out his other hand

one more example to help me decide no

more samples

you offer just one massage what if you

stay as my personal masseuse for 12

years

Grandma grew Stern I am not petitioning

you to look at the stone of yours

multiple times for multiple purposes I'm

requesting a single piece of information

a service for a service that is my offer

lopsided in your favor the massage takes

30 minutes versus mere moments for you

to peer into your stone

but you need the information Nero

reminded her I do not need a massage

satisfying needs is the burden of the

poor the wealthy and the powerful can

indulge their wants and whims if you

pass on this opportunity you will always

wonder what you missed

don't do it Grandma Kendra said just

give him the treasure

Nero held up a finger this proposition

is unorthodox and against my better

judgment but the idea of a massage

intrigues me and I am rarely intrigued

however 30 minutes is too short say two

hours

60 Minutes grandma said flatly 90 Nero

countered Grandma rung her hands she

folded and unfolded her arms she rubbed

her brow

90 minutes is too long Kendra said

you've never given Grandpa a massage

longer than an hour

hold your tongue child Grandma snapped

90 or No Deal Nero said

grandma sighed in resignation

all right 90 minutes

very well I accept but if I do not

approve of the entire massage the deal

is off Grandma shook her head no caveats

a single 90 minute massage in exchange

for the location of Stan Sorensen you

will treasure the memory until the end

of your days

Nero eyed Kendra and Seth before fixing

grandma with a shrewd gaze

agreed how do we proceed

the best table grandma could find was a

fairly narrow Stone shelf near the mouth

of the cave Nero stretched out on the

shelf and Grandma showed Kendra and Seth

how to massage his legs and feet she

demonstrated how and where to use their

Knuckles and the heels of their hands

he's very strong she said grinding her

Knuckles against the bottom of his foot

lean into it as much as you want she sat

down his leg and Stood Beside his head

the children have their instructions

Nero the 19 minutes starts now

Kendra hesitantly laid her hands on the

trolls bulging calf although they were

not wet the scales felt slimy she had

held a snake before and the texture of

Nero's scaly skin was quite similar

with Nero lying prone Grandma went to

work on the back of his neck in the

shoulders she employed a variety of

techniques probing with her thumbs

rubbing with her Palms pressing with her

fists digging with her elbows she ended

up kneeling on the small of his back

careful to avoid the spikes along his

spine squeezing and kneading and

applying pressure in diverse ways Nero

was obviously an ecstasy he purred and

moaned in decent satisfaction a constant

stream of drowsy compliments flowed from

his lips he languidly encouraged them to

rub harder and deeper

Kendra grew weary and Grandma

periodically demonstrated other

techniques for her and Seth to employ

Kendra despised working on Nero's feet

the most from the roughness of his

cracked heels to the smooth Paths of his

calluses to the lumpy bunions on his

toes but she tried her best to follow

Grandma's tireless example besides

assisting with his legs and feet Grandma

labored from his head neck shoulders

back arms hands chest and abdomen when

they finally finished Nero sat up with a

euphoric smile all the cunning had

vanished from his bulbous eyes he looked

ready for the most satisfying nap of his

life

closer to 100 minutes Grandma said but I

wanted to do it right

thank you he said giddly I never

imagined something like that he got to

his feet leaning against the wall of the

cliff to steady himself

you have amply earned your reward

I have never felt anyone so full of

Knott's intention grandma said I feel

loose now he said swinging his arms

I will be right back with the

information you seek Nero ducked into

the cave

I wanted to see his magic Stone Seth

mumbled

wait patiently Grandma chided wiping

perspiration from her brow you must be

exhausted Kendra said I am not in very

good condition Grandma admitted that

took a lot out of me she lowered her

voice but it sure beats barrels of

treasure that we don't have

Seth wandered over to the brink of the

ledge and stared down into the Ravine

Grandma took a seat on the Shelf where

they had administered the massage and

Kendra waited beside her before long

Nero emerged he still looked affable and

relaxed though not quite as loopy as

before

Stan is chained to the basement of the

Forgotten Chapel

Grandma's jaw tightened you're sure

it was a little tricky finding him and

sneaking a good look considering who

else is confined there but yes I am

certain

he's well he's alive

Lena was with him

the nayad sure I saw her too

was Muriel in the vicinity

Muriel why would she

oh that's what that was Ruth the

agreement was for a single piece of

information but no I did not catch sight

of her I believe this concludes our

Arrangement he gestured towards the

ladder if you'll excuse me I need to lie

down