when your mother arrives at your castle

It was a few days later. You had returned to your tower. you had packed some books on medicine and herbs along with some of your favourite stories. You had changed from your makeshift poncho and wore a nice pink dress. You had packed useful stuff and the shadow dragon would be here to carry your stuff and you to the troll village to become their healer. Zuljah was with you and there was one last thing to do to complete the deal they had made to that allowed you to escape Zuljah’s belly.

Your body had recovered from your ordeal and your hair had started to grow back but was still very short. This is what you were counting on, your mother hated women with short hair and was meant to visit and check on her and Ahoshta any moment now. Just then You heard a horse neigh and looked out the window to see your mother arrive.

“Quick, in the wardrobe.” you instructed Zuljah. Zuljah turned to shadow and seemingly melted into the dark of the wardrobe. There was a pause as you waited on your bed listening to the footsteps of your mother ascending the stairs.

Your mother started talking before she even entered the room “Nora honey, Where is Ahoshta?” She asked from the stairwell.

“Dead, mother, he was eaten by a Dark Troll on the way here.” You saw no reason not to tell the truth.

“Don’t bee silly deer” your mother replied in a patronising tone. “You know Dark Trolls aren’t real.” She continued as she stepped through the door. She was dressed in fancy clothes, lots of jewellery including the queen’s tiara on her head. “Now what…” She spotted your short hair. “What have you done to your hair!?” She shrieked and rushed over.

“It was melted in the stomach acid of a Dark Troll but then she spit me up instead of digesting me.” You told the truth again.

“Uuhg” Your mother sighed “Again with the Dark Troll’s, are you stupid girl, THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS…” and she was cut off as Zuljah’s mouth engulfed her head. She was swallowed whole.

You rushed up to the troll’s belly and could feel your mother squirming inside. You shouted at the belly. “What’s that mummy I can’t hear you as you appear to be inside the belly of a DARK TROLL!!!” You look up to Zuljah and said “Please, when you, err, you know, let her out the back, can you do it on the road and leave the jewellery in it so people will find it and know what happened to her. Then Freddy can rule the people.”

“Ok, I will dump her on the road, serves her right.” Zuljah agreed.

Just then there was a terrifying whinny, a mighty roar then a loud belch.

“That will be our ride.” You stated.