,,TROLL ,,FELL

           ,,KA!R9E ,,LANGRI%

    ,PUBLI%$ 0,H>P],COLL9S ,PUBLI%]S
               ,NEW ,YORK
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  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4


      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
    ,K>5 ,H>A1 ,BE? ,GOODMAN1 ,LAURA
 ,FRASCA1 ,J5NY ,LUKE & ,RUSSELL ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;II & #A-AAF

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJG
                                     ;II


              ,? BOOK IS =
               MY "M & "F

        ,AM;G ! _M P ,I H 6?ANK3
   ,ALAN ,/OYEL & ,CRIT*ELL ,BRITT51
   = PATI5TLY & K9DLY ANSW]+ DOZ5S (
           "QS AB WAT]MILLS2
   ,SUSAN ,PRICE1 =! TAIL-WA7+ TROLL2
  ,LYNDSAY ,/R+FELL[1 = LETT+ ME TALK
        TROLLS ON 9NUM]A# WALKS2
   ,LIZ ,KESSL] ( ,CORN]/"OS1 = W>M?1
      5?USIASM1 SPOT-ON CRITICISM1
                & FR%IP2
          ,CA!R9E ,CL>KE1 AG5T
             EXTRAORD9AIRE2
    ,ZO@E ,CL>KE1 ,ROB9 ,/AMM1 & ALL
            AT ,H>P],COLL9S2
      & ,DAVE1 ,ALICE1 & ,ISOBEL--
            F/ & BE/ ( R1D]S



             ,,TROLL ,,FELL           #A

               ,*APT] #A
        ,! ,-+ ,( ,UNCLE ,BALDUR

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FUN]AL PYRE1 WAT*+ ! SP>KS :IRL UP L
MILLIONS ( %9+ _SS /R1K+ AWAY 96! D>K4
  ,DIZZILY HE FOLL[$ _! B"R C>E]1 UN-
WILL+ 6L[] 8 EYES4 ,! FIRE GOB#D "EY?+ L
A />V+ MON/]1 CRACKL+ & CRUN*+ ON B"O-
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( P9EWOOD4
  ,! H1T /RUCK 8 FACE & SCOR*$ 8 CLO!S4
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..,2H ME--J 2H .ME6 ?"\ ,PE]4 ,HE TURN$
SL[LY1 /I6LY1 WANT+ 6SEE 8 "F'S ?91
TANN$ FACE C>V$ ) DEEP L9ES ( LAU<T] &
LIFE4 ,! BLACK W9D CUT TE>S F 8       #B
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96! SEA4
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FAMILY ,PE] _H LEFT4 ,FRS & NEI<BORS
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& TURN$ UP _! COLL>S AG/ ! PI]C+ W9D4
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2G9N+ ! L;G J\RNEY 6! L& (! D1D4 ,PE]
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,ULF'S SON80
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( ,TROLLSVIK4 ,-E ON60 ,HE *ALL5G$ !
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2F ,I TWI/ 8 >M (F60
  8,:Y--0 ,BR& ! %IPBUILD] /EPP$ =W>D
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4BELIEF4 ,BR& SPR1D 8 >MS HELP.SLY4 8,?
--T IS 6SAY1 ,PE]1 YR "F DID TELL ME
ONCE--0
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L1K80
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8,"S C>P5T]60
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"F L T6 ,Y WANT 6"K :AT HE CD D8 .,T'S
:AT HE CD D6 .,T'S :AT HE MADE6 ,SEE60
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FRONT ( ,UNCLE ,BALDUR1 B>R+ 8 WAY4
  8,Y WON'T DRAG ! BOY AWAY F 8 "F'S FU-
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=C+ 8 F+]S OP54 ,HE WR5*$ ! R+ (F & TRI$
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  8,9GRID10 ,PE] SD 9 DESP],N1 8H[ C T
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"F80
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HAV5'T40
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8,WE ONLY WANT ! BE/ = Y10 %E PL1D$4 8,&
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EYES ON A SU45 GLIMPSE ( 8 "F1 TURN+ OV]
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8,Y'VE GOT 6MAKE ! BE/ (! WOOD Y'RE GIV-
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%OOK4
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KI4 ,"! 7 TWO %RIEKS1 "O F ,PE] &! O!R F
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FLANK1 :IMP]+4
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CLE TURN$ ON HM4
  8,IF HE "E *ASES MY *ICK5S AG1 ,I .W10
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A RELUCTANT ,LOKI AL;G 0A /R+ >.D 8
NECK4
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SNE]+4 8,X'S A L;G WAY4 ,?9K HE'LL MAKE
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  ,8 VOICE DI$ "U ,UNCLE ,BALDUR'S UN-
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AT A MO;T'S NOTICE6 ,& ,BR&'S D[N AT !
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SAY :5 HE HE>S1 ,I DON'T D>E 6?9K6 ,-E
BACK SOON1 ,PE]1 & SEE U60
  8,I W IF ,I C10 HE PROMIS$ GLUM-   #AE
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DUR HAUL$ HMF UP4 ,HE TOOK A NEW PIECE (
TW9E F 8 POCKET & TI$ "O 5D >.D ! RAIL (
! C>T4 ,!N HE TI$ ! O!R 5D1 9 A BUSI;S-
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SAW 8 EYE B"R5 AT ! SU7ES;N ( SUPP]4
,GUDRUN SAW X1 TOO4 ,%E FET*$ !M BO? A
JUG ( ALE &A B[L ( GR\TE1 W>M B>LEY POR-
RIDGE1 S]V$ Z ,EIRIK LIK$ X )A BIG LUMP
( BUTT]4
  8,N[1 ,EIRIK1 TELL ,RALF :AT Y ?9K ( ?
MAD IDEA10 %E DEM&$1 TWI/+ H] H&S 9 H]
APRON :ILE ,EIRIK C>E;LLY /IRR$ 9    #CA
! BUTT]4 8,GO+ (F ON A ,VIK+ %IP8 ,IMAG-
9E6 ,Y M/ =BID X4 ,HE'LL LI/5 6Y40
  ,B ,EIRIK'S EYES LIT UP4 8,AHA1 IF ON-
LY ,I 7 A "Y FELL[ AG6 ,A BR&-NEW %IP T
RIDES L A SWAN4 ,L A DRAGON6 .,L;G .,S]-
P5T1 !Y'RE CALL+ H]8 ,OH1 6FOLL[ !
:ALES' ROAD1 SEEK+ ADV5TURE60 ,HE TA/$ 8
GR\TE & 8 EYE FELL ON ,HILDE4 8,8,!
:ALES' ROAD0'2 D'Y\ "K :AT T M1NS1 MY
GIRL80
  8,YES1 ,GR&"F10 SD ,HILDE K9DLY4 8,X'S
! SEA40
  ,EIRIK 0 (F4 ,L1N+ BACK 9 8 *AIR1 HE
BROKE 96A *ANT F "S L;G SAGA HE 0 MAK+
AB ,H>ALD ! ,S1F>]1 WAV+ 8 SPOON 6! B1T4
,GUDRUN ROLL$ H] EYES CROSSLY1 B ,HILDE
CLAPP$ S(TLY 9 "T 6! RHY?M4 ,RALF TIPTO$
OV] 6! TW9S1 LL ,SIGURD & ,SIGRID4 ,HE
SAT D[N 2T !M1 AN >M R.D EA*1 & :ISP]$4
,SU45LY !Y CAME JUMP+ \ ( B$4
  8,PA'S GO+ 6BE A ,VIK+60 !Y %RIEK$4
  8,HE'S GO+ 6BR+ U PRES5TS60
  8,AN AMB] NECKLACE60
  8,A R1L DA7]60
  ,GUDRUN :IRL$ R.D1 H] EYES FLA%-   #CB
+4 8,RALF60 %E CRI$4 8,/OP BRIB+ ^? *N60
  ,EIRIK'S POEM R1*$ XS CLIMAX1 ALL D1D
H]OES & BURN+ %IPS4 ,HE SAT BACK HAPPI-
LY4 ,RALF *E]$4 ,GUDRUN GL>$ AT HM4
  8,OH1 T'S A .F9E WAY 65D UP1 ISN'T X1
FLOAT+ FACED[N 9 ! WAT]8 ,& V LIKELY1
TOO4 ,& :O D Y ?9K IS GO+ 6LOOK AF ! F>M
:ILE Y'RE AWAY80
  8,GUDRUN10 ,RALF >GU$4 8,X'S ONLY =!
SUMM]4 ,J A FEW WEEKS4 ,I'VE S[N ! :1T &
! OATS ALR1 & ,I'LL 2 BACK 2F Y "K ,I'VE
G"O40
  8,& :AT AB ! %EEP80 DEM&$ ,GUDRUN4
8,"SBODY'S /1L+ !M2 ?REE LAMBS G"O ALR4
,X'S ! TROLLS1 OR ELSE ^? ,GRIMSSON
BRO!RS D[N AT ! MILL4 ,& T'S ANO!R ?+4
,I C'T S5D \R CORN 6! MILL ANY L;G]1 X
-ES BACK %ORT--& DIRTY4 ,HILDE & ,I D
ALL ! GR9D+4 .,I DON'T H "T 6RUN ! F>M60
  ,UP ON ! RO( ! TROLL REMEMB]$ ! FLAVOR
( ROA/ LAMB4 ,X LICK$ XS LIPS )A ?9
BLACK T;GUE4
  8,SP1K+ (! MILL]S10 ,RALF 2GAN1 OBVI-
\SLY HOP+ 6*ANGE ! SUBJECT1 8DID ,I TELL
Y8 ,I MET ,BALDUR ,GRIMSSON TN Z     #CC
,I CAME HOME60
  8,WAS "! ANY TR\#80 ASK$ ,GUDRUN QKLY4
   8,NO1 NO10 ,RALF SOO!D H]4 8,! MAN'S
A FOOL4 ,HE SAT 9 8 C>T 9 ! P\R+ RA91
%\T+ AT ME60
  8,MAY HE CAT* 8 D1?60 SNI6$ ,GUDRUN4
  8,:Y DID HE %\T AT Y1 ,PA80 ASK$ ,SI-
GRID1 WIDE-EY$4
  8,2C HE DOESN'T L ME60 ,RALF GR9N$4
  8,:Y N80
  8,X'S ALL 2C ( ,PA'S GOLD5 CUP10 SD
,HILDE WISELY4 8,ISN'T X80
  8,T'S "R1 ,HILDE4 ,HE'D LOVE 6GET 8
H&S ON T10 SD ,RALF ) RELI%4 8,MY TROLL
TR1SURE1 MY LUCKY CUP60
  8.,UNLUCKY CUP1 M L10 SNI6$ ,GUDRUN4
,B ,SIGURD & ,SIGRID JUMP$ UP & D[N1
BE7+1 8,TELL U ! /ORY AG1 ,PA60
  8,ALL "R60 2GAN ,RALF1 SCOOP+ ! TW9S
UP ON 6HIS KNEES4 8,X 0 A WILD NI<T J L
?1 MAYBE T5 YE>S AGO4 ,L TN1 ,I 0 RID+
HOME F ! M>KET AT ,HAMM]HAV54 ,I 0 HALF-
WAY OV] ,TROLL ,FELL1 TIR$ & WET & WE>Y1
:5 ,I SAW A B"R LI<T GL[+ F ! TOP (!
CRAG & HE>D SNAT*ES ( MUSIC GU/+     #CD
ON ! W9D40
  8,CURIOS;Y KILL$ ! CAT10 ,GUDRUN MUT-
T]$4
  8,I TURN$ ! PONY (F ! ROAD & KICK$ HM
96A TROT UP ! HILLSIDE4 ,I 0 9 "O ( \R
[N FIELDS1 ! HI< "O CALL$ ! ,/"OM1D[4
,AT ! TOP (! SLOPE ,I CD H>DLY 2LIEVE MY
EYES4 ,! :OLE ROCKY SUMMIT (! HILL _H
BE5 LIFT$ UP1 L A GRT /"O LID6 ,X 0 RE/+
ON F\R /\T R$ PILL>S4 ,! SPACE "UN1? 0
%9+ ) GOLD5 LI<T1 & "! 7 SCORES1 MAYBE
HUNDR$S1 ( TROLLS1 ALL %APES & SIZES1
SKIPP+ & DANC+1 &! NOISE !Y 7 MAK+6--
L\D] ?AN A %EEP FAIR1 :AT ) BL1T+ & BAA-
+1 MEW+ & CAT]WAUL+1 HORNS WAIL+1 DRUMS
P.D+1 & SQU1K+ ( "O-/R+ FI4LES60
  8,H[ .CD !Y LIFT ! :OLE TOP ( ,TROLL
,FELL1 ,PA80 ASK$ ,SIGURD4
  8,Z EASILY Z Y TAKE (F ! TOP ( YR
EGG10 JOK$ ,RALF4 ,HE SOB]$4 8,:O "KS
:AT P[]S !Y H1 MY SON8 ,I ONLY TELL Y
:AT ,I SAW1 SAW ) MY [N EYES4 ,!Y 7 F1/+
9 ! GRT SPACE "U ! HILL3 ALL SORTS (
FOOD SPR1D \ ON GOLD & SILV] DI%ES1 & LL
TROLL S]V+M5 JUMP+ AB 2T ! D.ERS1    #CE
BALANC+ GRT LOAD$ TRAYS & N"E SPILL+ A
DROP1 CL"E Z JU7L]S6 ,X MADE ME LAU< \
L\D6
  8,B ! PONY %I$4 ,I'D BE5 S BUSY />+1
,I _HN'T NOTIC$ ? TROLL GIRL CREEP+ UP
ON ME TILL %E POPP$ UP "R 0! PONY'S %\L-
D]4 ,%E HELD \ A B1UTI;L GOLD5 CUP FILL$
6! BRIM ) "S?+ /1M+ HOT--SPIC$ ALE ,I
?"\1 & ,I TOOK X F H] GRATE;LLY1 COLD &
WET Z ,I WAS60
  8,MAD;S60 MUTT]$ ,GUDRUN4
  ,RALF LOOK$ AT ! *N4 8,J 2F ,I GULP$ X
D[N10 HE SD SL[LY1 8,I NOTIC$ ! LOOK ON
H] FACE4 ,"! 0 A GL1M 9 H] SLANT+ EYES1
A WICK$ SP>KLE6 ,& H] E>S1 H] .HAIRY1
.PO9T$ E>S--TWIT*$ =W>D4 ,I SAW %E 0
..UP 6NO .GD60
  8,G ON60 SD ! *N BR1?.SLY4
  ,RALF L1N$ =W>D4 8,S1 ,I LIFT$ ! CUP1
PRET5D+ 6SIP4 ,!N ,I J]K$ ! :OLE DR9K \
OV] MY %\LD]4 ,X SPLA%$ \ SMOK+1 "S ONTO
! GR.D & "S ONTO ! PONY'S TAIL1 ": X S+$
(F HALF 8 HAIR6 ,"!'S AN AW;L YELL F !
TROLL GIRL1 &! NEXT ?+ ! PONY & ,I >E (F
D[N ! HILL1 GALLOP+ = \R LIVES4      #CF
,I'VE / GOT ! GOLD5 CUP 9 "O H&--& HALF
! TROLLS ( ,TROLL ,FELL >E TE>+ AF U60
  ,SOOT %[]$ 96! FIRE4 ,ALF1 ! OLD %EEP-
DOG1 PRICK$ 8 E>S UNEASILY4 ,UP ON ! RO(
! TROLL LAY FLAT1 ) "O L>GE E> UNFURL$
OV] ! SMOKE HOLE4 ,XS TAIL LA%$ AB L A
CAT'S1 & X 0 GR[L+4 ,B N"O (! HUMANS NO-
TIC$4 ,!Y 7 TOO WRAPP$ UP 9 ! /ORY4
,RALF WIP$ 8 FACE1 8 H& TREMBL+ ) REMEM-
B]$ EXCITE;T1 & LAU<$4
  8,I DIDN'T D>E G HOME10 HE 3T9U$4 8,!
TROLLS WD H TORN YR "M & ,HILDE 6PIEC-
ES60
  8,:AT AB U80 %\T$ ,SIGRID4
  8,Y W]5'T BORN1 BRATS10 SD ,HILDE *E]-
;LLY4 8,G ON1 ,PA60
  8,I _H "O *.E10 SD ,RALF4 8,AT ! TALL
/"O CALL$ ! ,F+]1 ,I TURN$ (F ! ROAD ON
6! BIG PL[$ FIELD ABV ! MILL4 ,! PONY CD
G QK] OV] ! S(T GR.D1 Y SEE1 B ! TROLLS
F.D X H1VY GO+ ACR ! FURR[S1 & ,I GUESS
! CLAY CLO7$ _! FEET4 ,I GOT 6! MILL/R1M
AH1D ( !M1 JUMP$ (F1 & DRA7$ ! PONY "? !
WAT]4 ,"! 0 NO BRIDGE !N4 ,I 0 SAFE6 ,!
TROLLS CDN'T FOLL[ ME OV] !          #CG
BROOK40
  8,W]E !Y ANGRY80 ASK$ ,SIGURD1 %IV]+4
  8,SPITT+ L CATS & HISS+ L KETTLES60 SD
,RALF4 8,!Y ?REW /"OS & CLODS AT ME1 B X
0 NE>LY "DBR1K & (F !Y SCUTTL$ UP !
HILLSIDE4 ,! PONY & ,I 7 SP5T4 ,I /A7]$
OV] 6! MILL & BANG$ ON ! DOOR4 ,!Y 7 ALL
ASLEEP 9SIDE1 & Z ,I BANG$ AG & WAIT$1
,I HE>D--NO1 ,I .FELT1 "? ! SOLES ( MY
FEET1 A SORT ( F>-(F GRAT+ %U4] Z ! TOP
( ,TROLL ,FELL SANK 96XS PLACE AG40
  ,HE /OPP$ ?"\;LLY4
  8,& !N80 PROMPT$ ,HILDE4
  8,! OLD MILL]1 ,GRIM1 ?REW ! DOOR OP5
SWE>+4 ,:AT 0 ,I DO+ "! S E>LY1 & S ON--
& !N HE SAW ! GOLD5 CUP4 ,8 EYES NE>LY
CAME \ ON /ALKS4 ,A M9UTE LAT] HE CDN'T
D 5 = ME4 ,HE KICK$ 8 SONS \ ( B$1 MADE
ROOM = ME 0! FIRE1 S5T 8 WIFE RUNN+ =
ALE & BR1D1 & X 0 ,8,TOA/ YR FEET1
,RALF1 & TELL U :AT HAPP5$60'0
  8,& Y DID60 SD ,GUDRUN GRIMLY4
  8,YES10 SI<$ ,RALF1 8( C\RSE ,I DID4
,I TOLD !M "EY?+40 ,HE TURN$ 6,HILDE4
8,FET* D[N ! CUP1 ,HILDE4 ,LET'S     #CH
LOOK AT X AG40
  ,UP ON ! RO( ! TROLL GOT V EXCIT$4 ,X
SKIRMI%$ R.D & R.D ! SMOKE HOLE1 L A DOG
TRY+ 6SEE D[N A BURR[4 ,X DUG XS NAILS
DEEP 96! SODS & L1N$ OV] DANG]\SLY1 TRY+
6GET AN UPSIDE-D[N GLIMPSE (! GOLD5 GOB-
LET1 : ,HILDE LIFT$ F ! %ELF & C>RI$ OV]
6H] "F4
  8,LOVELY60 ,RALF :ISP]$1 TILT+ X4 ,!
B[L 0 WIDE4 ,TWO H&LES L S]P5TS LOOP$ F
! RIM 6! FOOT4 ,! GOLD %"O S RI*LY 9 !
FIRELI<T1 X LOOK$ Z IF X CD MELT OV] 8
F+]S L BUTT]4 ,RALF /ROK$ X G5TLY1 B
,GUDRUN TI<T5$ H] LIPS & LOOK$ AWAY4
  8,:Y DON'T WE "E USE X80 ASK$ ,SIGRID
ADMIR+LY4
  8,USE T80 CRI$ ,GUDRUN 9 HORROR4
8,N"E6 ,X'S R1L BAD LUCK1 Y M>K MY ^WS4
,_M A "T ,I'VE ASK$ YR "F 6TAKE X BACK
UP ! HILL & L1VE X4 ,B HE'S TOO /U2ORN40
  8,X'S S PRETTY10 SD ,SIGRID4 ,%E
/RET*$ \ 6T\* X1 B ,GUDRUN SMACK$ H] H&
AWAY4
  8,GUDRUN60 ,RALF GRUM#D4 8,ALW WORRY+6
,:O'D 2LIEVE MY /ORY )\T ? CUP8      #CI
,MY PRIZE1 WON FAIR & SQU>E6 ,BAD LUCK
GOES 6P ) BAD HE>TS4 ,WE H NO?+ 6FE>40
  8,DID ! OLD MILL] L X80 ASK$ ,SIGURD4
  8,OH YES10 SD ,RALF S]I\SLY4 8,8,TROLL
TR1SURE60' SD OLD ,GRIM4 ,8,WE CD D )A
BIT ( T1 CDN'T WE1 BOYS80' ,I 2GAN 6FEEL
UNCOM=TA#4 ,AF ALL1 NOBODY KNEW ": ,I
WAS4 ,I GOT UP 6G--& "! 7 ! TWO BOYS 9
FRONT ( ME1 BLOCK+ ! DOOR1 & OLD ,GRIM
2H ME1 PICK+ UP A LOG F ! WOODPILE60
  ,HILDE :I/L$4
  8,"! ,I WAS10 SD ,RALF1 8& "! 0 ,GRIM
& 8 BOYS1 BIG LADS EV5 !N6 ,I D 2LIEVE
"! WD H BE5 MURD] D"O--IF X _HN'T BE5 =
,BJORN & ,>N@E ,EGILSSON1 :O CAME 6!
DOOR AT T MO;T ) "S B>LEY 6GR9D4 ,YES1
,I MI<T H BE5 KNOCK$ ON ! H1D = T CUP40
  8,& T'S :Y ! MILL]S HATE U80 ASK$
,HILDE4 ,2G9N+ 6FEEL SLEEPY1 %E /RET*$ &
YAWN$1 GLAD T H] P>5TS 7 NO L;G] QU>REL-
+4 8,2C Y'VE GOT ! CUP & !Y HAV5'T80
  8,"!'S M 6X ?AN T10 SD ,GUDRUN4 8,OLD
,GRIM 0 CRAZY 6H T CUP1 OR "S?+ J L X4
,HE CAME R.D PE/]+ YR "F 6%[ HM ! EXACT
SPOT ON ! FELL ": HE SAW ALL ?4      #DJ
,WANT$ 6DIG 8 WAY 96! HILL40
  8,OLD FOOL60 ,RALF GR[L$4 8,DIG 8 WAY
96A NE/ ( TROLLS80
  8,WE SD NO1 & WI%$ HM GD RI4.E10 SD
,GUDRUN4 8,B NEXT "D HE 0 BACK4 ,WANT$
6BUY ! ,/"OM1D[ F YR "F & DIG X UP60
  8,I TURN$ HM D[N FLAT10 SD ,RALF4
8,8,IF "!'S ANY TR1SURE UP "!10' ,I TOLD
HM1 ,8X 2L;GS 6! TROLLS & !Y'LL 2 GU>D+
X4 ,I WON'T SELL60'0
  8,N[ T 0 S5SE60 SD ,GUDRUN4 8,B :AT
HAPP5$8 ,NEXT "D1 OLD ,GRIM'S TELL+ "EY-
"O :O'LL LI/5 T ,RALF'S *1T$ HM--TAK5 !
M"OY & KEPT ! L&60
  8,A DIRTY LIE60 SD ,RALF1 R$D5+4
  8,B OLD ,GRIM'S D1D N[1 ISN'T HE80
ASK$ ,HILDE4
  8,OH YES10 SD ,RALF1 8HE DI$ LA/ W9T]4
,B Y "K :Y1 DON'T Y8 ,HE HUNG AB ON T
HILL 9 ALL W1!RS1 SE>*+ =! WAY IN1 & HE
GOT CAU<T 9 A SN[/ORM4 ,8 TWO SONS W5T
SE>*+ = HM40
  8,I'VE HE>D !Y F.D HM LY+ "U ! CRAG1
CLAW+ AT ! ROCKS10 A4$ ,GUDRUN4 8,WEEP+
T HE'D F.D ! GATE & CD HE> ! GATE-   #DA
KEEP] LAU<+ AT HM F 9SIDE ! HILL6 ,!Y
C>RI$ HM BACK 6! MILL1 B HE 0 TOO F>
G"O4 ,!Y BLAME YR "F = 8 D1?1 ( C\RSE40
  8,T'S N FAIR60 SD ,HILDE4
  8,X'S N FAIR10 SD ,GUDRUN1 8B X'S !
WAY ?+S >E4 ,: MAKES X MAD;S = YR "F 6BE
?9K+ ( TAK+ (F ON A FOOL-H>DY VOYAGE &
L1V+ ME 6COPE ) X ALL40
  ,HILDE GROAN$ 9W>DLY4 ,N[ ! QU>REL WD
2G9 ALL OV] AG6
  8,RALF10 ,GUDRUN BE7$4 8,Y "K ^! TRIPS
>E A GAM#4 ,T5 6"O Y'LL MAKE NO PR(IT60
  ,RALF SCRAT*$ 8 H1D UNCOM=TABLY4 8,X'S
N J = PR(IT10 HE TRI$ 6EXPLA94 8,I WANT
--,I WANT "S ADV5TURE1 ,GUDRUN4 ,ALL MY
LIFE ,I'VE LIV$ "H1 9 ? LL VALLEY4 ,I
WANT0--HE TOOK A DEEP BR1?--8NEW SKIES1
NEW S1S1 NEW PLACES60 ,HE LOOK$ AT H]
PL1D+LY4 8,C'T Y SEE80
  8,ALL ,I C SEE10 ,GUDRUN FLA%$1 8,IS T
Y'RE ?R[+ GD M"OY AF BAD1 =! SAKE (A
SELFI% PL1SURE TRIP60
  ,RALF W5T SC>LET4 8,IF ! M"OY WORRIES
Y1 SELL ?60 HE RO>$1 SEIZ+ ! GOLD5 CUP &
BR&I%+ X AT H]4 8,X'S GOLD1 X W      #DB
FET* A F9E PRICE1 & ,I "K Y'VE ALW HAT$
X6 ,"!'S SECUR;Y = Y6 ,B ,I'M SAIL+ ON T
L;G%IP60
  8,Y'LL DR[N60 SO2$ ,GUDRUN4 8,& ALL !
"T ,I'M WAIT+ & WAIT+ = Y1 Y'LL 2 RID+
OV] ,HEL'S BRIDGE )! RE/ (! D1D60
  ,"! 0 AN AW;L SIL;E4 ,! LL "OS />$ )
BIG1 SOLEMN EYES4 ,HILDE BIT H] LIP4
,EIRIK C\<$ N]V\SLY & TOOK A CAUTI\S
SPOON;L ( 8 COOL+ GR\TE4 ,RALF PUT ! CUP
QUIETLY D[N & TOOK ,GUDRUN 0! %\LD]S4
,HE GAVE H] A LL %AKE & SD G5TLY1 8,Y'RE
A WOND];L WOMAN1 ,GUDRUN4 ,I M>RI$ A GR&
WOMAN1 SURE 5\<4 ,B ,I'VE GOT 6TAKE ?
*.E ( GO+ A-,VIK+60
  ,A GU/ ( W9D BU6ET$ ! H\SE4 ,DRAU<TS
CREPT & MOAN$ "? CRACKS & CRANNIES4
,GUDRUN DREW A DEEP1 %AKY BR1?4
  8,:5 D Y G80 %E ASK$ UN/1DILY4 ,RALF
LOOK$ D[N AT ! FLOOR4
  8,TM MORN+10 HE ADMITT$ 9 A L[ VOICE4
8,I'M SORRY1 ,GUDRUN4 ,! %IP SAILS TM40
  8.,TM80 ,GUDRUN'S LIPS :IT5$4 ,%E
TURN$ H] FACE AG/ ,RALF'S %\LD] & %U4]$4
8,RALF1 ,RALF60 %E MURMUR$4 8,X'S    #DC
NO W1!R = SAILORS60
  8,? W 2 ! LA/ (! SPR+ GALES10 ,RALF
3SOL$ H]4
  ,UP ON ! RO( ! TROLL LO/ 9T]E/ 9 !
3V]S,N4 ,X SAT RID+ ! RIDGE1 WAV+ XS >MS
9 ! W9D1 & CALL+ L\DLY1 8,HOOOO6 ,HUTU-
TUTUTU60
  8,H[ ! W9D %RIEKS60 SD ,GUDRUN1 & %E
TOOK ! POK] & /IRR$ UP ! FIRE4 ,A /R1M (
SP>KS %OT UP "? ! SMOKE HOLE4 ,! />TL$
TROLL ?REW XF 96A BACKW>D SOM]SAULT &
ROLL$ D[N (F ! RO(1 L&+ ON XS FEET 9 !
MU4Y Y>D4 ,X PR[L$ 9QUISITIVELY >.D !
BUILD+S1 L1V+ ODD LL EI<T-TO$ FOOTPR9TS
9 ! MUD4 ,! F>MH\SE DOOR _H A HORSE%OE
NAIL$ OV] X4 ,! TROLL TUTT$ & MUTT]$1 &
MADE A DET\R >.D X4 ,!N X W5T ON1 PRY+
96E CORN] (! F>MY>D1 L1V+ SME>S ( BAD
LUCK1 L SNAIL TRACKS1 ON "EY?+ X T\*$4





                                     #DD
























               ,*APT] #C             #DE
             ,TALK+ 6! ,NIS

  ..,"! C'T 2 ANO!R ,UNCLE .,BALDUR6 ,AF
! F/ /UNN$ MO;T1 ,PE] 2GAN 6LAU<1 TI<T1
HI3UP+ LAU<T] T HURT 8 *E/4 ,UNA# 6/OP1
HE B5T OV] ! RAIL (! C>T1 GASP+ 9 AGONY4
  ,UNCLE ,GRIM & ,UNCLE ,BALDUR 7 ID5TI-
CAL TW9S4
  ,SIDE 0SIDE !Y /RUTT$ UP 6! C>T4 ,HE
LOOK$ WILDLY F "O 6! O!R4 ,SAME B>REL
*E/S & MUSCUL>1 KNOTT$ >MS1 SAME ?ICK
NECKS1 SAME M1N LL EYES PE]+ F MASSES (
BLACK TANGL$ BE>D & HAIR4 ,"O ( !M 0 /
WRAPP$ UP 9 A WET CLOAK1 H["E1 :ILE !
O!R SEEM$ 6H BE5 EAT+ SUPP]1 = HE 0
HOLD+ A KNIFE )A PIECE ( M1T SKEW]$ 6!
PO9T4
  8,%UT UP10 SD ? "O 6,PE]4 8,& GET
D[N40 ,ONLY ! VOICE 0 DI6]5T--DEEP &
R\<4
  8,N[ LET ME GUESS60 SD ,PE] ) MAD
RECK.S;S4 8,:O C Y BE8 ,OOOH--TRICKY "O6
,B WAIT1 ,I'VE GOT X6 ,Y'RE MY UNCLE
,GRIM6 ,YES8 ,Y .>E ALIKE1 >5'T Y6 ,L
P1S 9 A POD4 ,D Y "E GET MU4L$ UP8   #DF
,I'M YR--0
  8,GET D[N10 GR[L$ ,UNCLE ,GRIM1 9 EX-
ACTLY ! SAME WAY Z 2F4
  8--NEPHEW1 ,PE]60 ,PE] F9I%$ IMPUD5T-
LY4 ,HE HELD UP 8 WRI/1 / FIRMLY TE!R$
6! SIDE (! C>T1 & WA7L$ 8 F+]S4
  ,UNCLE ,GRIM SNAPP$ ! TW9E )A 3TEMPTU-
\S J]K4 ,!N HE FR[N$1 LIFT$ 8 KNIFE1 &
SQU9T$ AT ! PO9T4 ,HE SUCK$ ! PIECE (
M1T (F1 LICK$ ! BLADE1 & SLIC$ "? ! /R+
HOLD+ ,LOKI4 ,HE />$ H>D AT ,PE]4
  8.,N[ GET D[N10 HE ORD]$1 "? 8 FOOD4
,HE TURN$ 6HIS BRO!R Z ,PE] JUMP$ /I6LY
D[N4 8,HE'S N M*1 IS HE80
  8,B HE'LL D10 GRUNT$ ,UNCLE ,BALDUR4
8,HE C />T N[4 ,"H1 Y60 ,HE ?RU/ ! LAN-
T]N AT ,PE]4 8,TAKE ?6 ,PUT ! OX5 9 !
/ALLS4 ,PUT ! H5S 9 ! B>N4 ,FE$ !M4
,MOVE60 ,HE ?REW AN >M OV] 8 BRO!R'S
%\LD]S1 & Z ! TWO ( !M SL\*$ AWAY T[>D !
MILL1 ,PE] HE>D ,BALDUR SAY+1 8,:AT'S 9
! POT8 ,/EW8 ,I'LL H "S ( T60
  ,! DOOR %UT4 ,PE] /OOD 9 ! MUD1 ! RA9
DRUMM+ ON 8 H1D1 ! LANT]N %AK+ 9 8 H&4
,ALL DESIRE 6LAU< LEFT HM4 ,LOKI     #DG
PICK$ HMF UP \ (! PU4LE & %OOK HMF WE>I-
LY4 ,HE :9$4 ,PE] DREW A DEEP BR1?4
8,ALL "R1 ,LOKI4 ,LET'S GET ON ) X1
BOY60
  ,/RU7L+ )! WET H>;S1 HE UNHIT*$ ! OX5
& L$ !M 96_! /ALLS4 ,HE TRI$ 6RUB !M DRY
) WISPS ( /RAW4 ,HE UNLOAD$ ! H5S & SET
!M LOOSE ON ! B>N FLOOR1 ": AN >ROGANT
BLACK COCK]EL &A C\PLE ( SCRAWNY FEMALES
CAME /RUTT+ 69SPECT !M4 ,HE F.D "S CORN
& SCATT]$ X4 ,0N[ ! /I6;S _H WORN (F1 B
HE 0 DAMP1 COLD1 & EXHAU/$4 ,! H5S F.D
PLACES 6ROO/1 CLUCK+ SUSPICI\SLY4 ,LOKI
CURL$ UP 9 ! /RAW & FELL FA/ ASLEEP4
,PE] DECID$ 6L1VE HM "!4 ,HE _HN'T =GOT-
T5 :AT ,UNCLE ,BALDUR _H SD AB 8 DOG
EAT+ ,LOKI1 & HE C]TA9LY _H HE>D A BIG
DOG B>K+ 9SIDE ! MILL4 ,HE TOOK UP !
LANT]N & SET (F ACR ! Y>D1 PICK+ 8 WAY
"? ! MUD4 ,! /ORM 0 PASS+1 & TATT]S (
CL\D BLEW WILDLY OV]H1D4 ,X _H /OPP$
RA9+4
  ,! MILL LOOK$ BLACK & =BI4+4 ,N A
GLIMM] ( LI<T ESCAP$ F ! TI<TLY CLOS$
%UTT]S4 ,PE] HOP$ HE _HN'T BE5       #DH
LOCK$ \4 ,8 /OMA* GR[L$4 ,"! 0 /EW IN-
SIDE1 WAIT+ = HM6 ,B HE /OPP$ AT ! DOOR1
AFRAID 6G IN4 ,DID !Y EXPECT HM 6KNOCK8
,VOICES MUM#D 9SIDE4 ,7 !Y TALK+ AB HM8
  ,HE PUT 8 H1D 6! DOOR & LI/5$4
  8,N WOR? M*60 ,BALDUR 0 SAY+4
  ,"! 0 A SORT ( ?UMP & CL9K4 8,C.T X
ANYWAY10 SD ,GRIM'S DEEP VOICE1 & ,PE]
R1LIZ$ T ,UNCLE ,BALDUR _H ?R[N A BAG (
M"OY D[N4 ,NEXT CAME A MU6L$1 RHY?MICAL
*ANT+4 ,8 UNCLES 7 C.T+ ! M"OY TGR4 ,!Y
KEPT /OPP+ & CURS+ & GETT+ X WR;G4
  8,?IRTY1 ?IRTY-"O10 ,BALDUR F9I%$ AT
LA/4 8,LOCK X UP60 ,8 VOICE GREW FA9T] Z
HE MOV$ F>!R F ! DOOR4 8,WE DON'T WANT !
BOY GETT+ 8 H&S ON X40
  ,PE] CL5*$ 8 FI/S4 8,T'S MY M"OY1 Y
?IEVES60 HE :ISP]$ FURI\SLY4 ,A LID
CR1K$ OP5 & CRA%$ %UT4 ,!Y _H HI45 8
M"OY 9 "S *E/1 & IF HE WALK$ 9 N[1 HE
MI<T SEE ": X WAS4
  8,AB ! LAD10 CAME ,BALDUR'S VOICE4
,PE] /OPP$4 ,HE GLU$ 8 E> 6! WET WOOD4
,UN=TUNATELY ,BALDUR SEEM$ 6BE WALK+ AB1
= HE CD HE> FEET CLUMP+ 6& FRO1 &!   #DI
^WS CAME 9 SNAT*ES4
  8--"T 6TAKE HM 6! ,GA6]80 ,PE] HE>D1 &
"S?+ L1 8--NO PO9T 9 TAK+ HM TOO SOON40
  ..,! ,GA6]8 ,HE SD T 2F1 UP ON !
.HILL1 ?"\ ,PE] ) AN UNEASY %IV]4 ..,:AT
DOES X .M1N8 ,HE /RA9$ 8 E>S AG4 ,RUM#1
:I/LE1 RUM#1 W5T ! TWO VOICES4 ,HE ?"\
HE HE>D "S?+ AB 8TROLLS10 FOLL[$ Q CLE>-
LY BY 8,PL5TY ( "T 2F ! W$D+40 ,A SU3ES-
.N ( ?UDS S.D$ L BO? ( 8 UNCLES TAK+ _!
BOOTS (F & KICK+ !M ACR ! ROOM4 ,F9,Y HE
HE>D "O ( !M1 ,GRIM X M/ BE1 SAY L\DLY1
8,AT L1/ WE'LL GET "S "W \ ( HM F/40
  ,T SEEM$ 63CLUDE ! 4CUS.N4 ,PE]
/RAI<T5$ UP & SCRAT*$ 8 H1D4 ,A *ILLY
W9D BLEW >.D 8 E>S &A FRE% RA9 %[] RAT-
TL$ \ (! SKY4 ,9SIDE ! MILL "O (! BRO!RS
0 SAY+1 8,HASN'T T PESKY LAD F9I%$
.YET80 ,HA/ILY ,PE] KNOCK$ & LIFT$ !
LAT*4
  ,)A BLOODCURDL+ BELL[1 ! MO/ ENORM\S
DOG ,PE] _H "E SE5 LAUN*$ XF F XS PLACE
0! FIRESIDE DIRECTLY AT 8 ?ROAT4 ,HUGE
R[S ( YELL[1 DRIPP+ TEE? 7 CLOS+ 9 8
FACE :5 ,UNCLE ,GRIM PUT \ A CASU-   #EJ
AL >M & YANK$ ! MON/] BACKW>D (F XS
FEET1 RO>+1 8,D[N1 ,GR5DEL60
  ,! HUGE DOG CR+$4 8,-E 9 & %UT !
DOOR10 ,GRIM GR[L$ R\<LY 6,PE]4 8,DON'T
/& "! L A FOOL4 ,LET HM SMELL Y4 ,!N
HE'LL "K Y40
  ,N]V\SLY ,PE] HELD \ 8 H&1 EXPECT+ !
ANIMAL 6TAKE X (F AT ! WRI/4 ,GR5DEL
/OOD TALL] ?AN A WOLF4 ,8 COAT 0 BR9DL$1
BR[N & BLACK1 &A ?ICK RUFF ( CO>SE FUR
GREW OV] 8 %\LD]S & D[N 8 SP9E4 ,HACKLES
UP1 HE L[]$ 8 MASSIVE H1D & SMELL$
,PE]'S H& Z IF X 7 G>BAGE1 RUMBL+ 4TRU/-
;LLY4 ,UNCLE ,GRIM GAVE ,GR5DEL AN A6EC-
;NATE SLAP & RU2$ HM R.D ! JAWS4 8,:O'S
A GD DO7IE8 ,:O'S A GD BOY1 !N80 HE
COO$4 ,PE] WIP$ A SLO2]Y H& ON 8 TR\S]S4
,HE ?"\ T ,GR5DEL LOOK$ A R1L KILL]--J !
SORT ( DOG ! ,GRIMSSON BRO!RS .WD H4
  8,? DOG'S A KILL]10 BOA/$ ,UNCLE
,GRIM1 Z IF HE CD R1D ,PE]'S M9D4 8,BE/
DOG 9 ! VALLEY4 ,W9S E FI<T4 ,N A SCRAT*
ON HM4 ,T'S :AT ,I CALL A PROP] DOG60
  ..,?ANK GD;S ,I DIDN'T BR+ ,LOKI .IN6
,PE] %U4]$4 ,UNCLE ,GRIM FUSS$ OV]   #EA
,GR5DEL1 TU7+ 8 E>S & CALL+ HM A GD FEL-
L[4 ,GRATE;L 6BE IGNOR$1 ,PE] LOOK$ >.D
AT 8 NEW HOME4
  ,A SULL5 FIRE SMOLD]$ 9 ! MI4LE (!
ROOM4 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR SAT 2S X ON A /OOL1
GUZZL+ /EW F A B[L 9 8 LAP & TOA/+ 8 B>E
FEET4 ,8 WET SOCKS /1M$ ON ! BLACK HE>?-
/"OS4 ,HE TWI4L$ 8 VA/1 HAIRY TOES OV] !
EMB]S4 ,8 L;G1 CURV$ TOENAILS LOOK$ L
DIRTY CLAWS4
  ,! N>R[1 SMOKE-/A9$ ROOM 0 A JUM# (
RICKETY FURNITURE1 B9S1 B>RELS1 & OLD
TOOLS4 ,A TA#1 CRUMBL+ ) WOOD WORM1 L1N$
AG/ ! WALL ON TOTT]+ LEGS4 ,TWO BUNK B$S
TRAIL$ TANGLES ( UNTIDY BLANKETS ONTO !
FLOOR4
  ,AT ! F> 5D (! ROOM A %ORT LA4] L$ UP
6A K9D ( L(T )A RAIS$ PLAT=M =! MILL-
/"OS4 ,?\< X 0 V D>K UP "!1 ,PE] CD MAKE
\ V>I\S LOOM+ %APES ( MILL MA*9]Y3 HOI/S
& HOPP]S1 *A9S & HOOKS4 ,A HUGE PAIR (
IRON SCALES HUNG F ! RO(4 ,SWAGS ( ROPE
LOOP$ F B1M 6B1M4
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR BEL*$ L\DLY & PUT 8 DI%
ON ! FLOOR = ,GR5DEL4 ,SU45LY !      #EB
ROOM SPUN >.D ,PE]4 ,SICK & DIZZY1 HE
PUT 8 H& AG/ ! WALL = SUPPORT & SNAT*$ X
QKLY AWAY1 8 PALM COV]$ 9 GRAY DU/ &
/ICKY BLACK COBWEBS4 ,COBWEBS CLUNG "EY-
": 6! WALLS1 LOAD$ ) OLD FL\R4 ,"UFOOT1
! DIRT FLOOR FELT SP;GY & DAMP F A ?ICK
DEPOSIT ( ANCI5T BRAN4 ,A SWEETI% SMELL
( ROTT5 GRA9 & MOLDY FL\R BL5D$ )! /9K (
,UNCLE ,BALDUR'S *EESY SOCKS4 ,"! 0 AL A
L+]+ ODOR ( /EW4
  ,PE] SWALL[$ QU1SILY4 ,HE SD FA9TLY1
8,I DID :AT Y SD1 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR4 ,I F$
! ANIMALS & PUT !M AWAY4 ,IS "!--IS "!
ANY /EW80
  8,OV] "!10 8 UNCLE GRUNT$1 J]K+ 8 H1D
T[>D A BLACK IRON POT SITT+ 9 ! EMB]S4
,PE] TOOK A LOOK4 ,X 0 NE>LY EMPTY4
  8,B X'S ALL G"O10 HE SD 9 4MAY4
  8.,ALL .G"O80 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR'S FACE
BLACK5$4 8.,ALL .G"O8 ,? BOY'S BE5
SPOIL$1 ,GRIM4 ,I C SEE T4 ,! BOY'S BE5
SPOIL$60
  8,"!'S PL5TY "!10 GR[L$ ,GRIM4 8,WIPE
\ ! POT ) BR1D & 2 ?ANK;L4 ,WA/E N1 WANT
N40                                  #EC
  ,SIL5TLY ,PE] KNELT D[N4 ,HE F.D A DRY
HEEL ( BR1D & SCRAP$ X >.D 9SIDE ! POT4
,"! 0 NO M1T LEFT1 B>ELY A SPOON;L (
GRAVY &A FEW FRAG;TS ( ONION1 B ! W>M
IRON POT 0 -=T+ 6HOLD1 & HE *EW$ ! BR1D
HUNGRILY1 SAV+ A CRU/ = ,LOKI4 ,:5 HE _H
F9I%$1 HE LOOK$ UP & F.D ,UNCLE ,BALDUR
/>+ AT HM BROOD+LY4 ,8 UNCLE'S D>K LL
EYES GLITT]$ M1NLY1 & HE BURI$ 8 ?ICK
F+]S 9 8 BE>D & SCRAT*$1 RASP+ SL[LY UP
& D[N4
  ,PE] />$ BACK W>ILY4 ,8 UNCLE 3VULS$4
,HE D\#D UP1 *OK+1 & SLAPP$ 8 KNEES VIO-
L5TLY4 ,HE J]K$ 6& FRO1 SNORT+ = BR1?4
8,HA1 HA1 HA60 HE GASP$4 ,8 FACE TURN$
PURPLE4 8,HEE1 HEE6 ,OH1 DE>4 ,OH1 DE>
ME60 ,HE PO9T$ AT ,PE]4 8,LOOK AT HM1
,GRIM6 ,LOOK AT HM6 ,"S MI<T CALL HM A
BAD B>GA91 B 6ME--6ME1 HE'S WOR? 8 WEI<T
9 GOLD60
  ,! TWO BRO!RS H[L$ ) LAU<T]4 8,T'S
FUNNY60 ,GRIM RO>$1 PUN*+ 8 BRO!R'S %\L-
D]4 8,WOR? 8 WEI<T IN--OH1 V GD60
  ,PE] LOOK$ AT !M4 ,:AT"E ! JOKE WAS1 X
0 CLE>LY N A NICE "O4 ,B :AT 0 !     #ED
GD ( PROTE/+8 ,X WD ONLY MAKE !M LAU<
L\D]4 ,HE GAVE A DELIB]ATE YAWN4 8,I'M
TIR$1 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR4 ,": D ,I SLEEP80
  8,EH80 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR TURN$ 6HM1 TE>S
( LAU<T] GLI/5+ ON 8 HAIRY FACE4 ,HE
WIP$ !M AWAY & SNORT$4 8,! PIPSQU1K'S
.TIR$1 ,GRIM4 ,HE WANTS 6.SLEEP4 ,": %
WE PUT HM80
  8,ON ! FLOOR )! DOG80 ,PE] SU7E/$ S>-
CA/IC,Y4 ,! TWO WIDE BUNKS 2L;G$ 6HIS
UNCLES1 S HE FULLY EXPECT$ 6BE TOLD "S?+
(! K9D4 ,B ,UNCLE ,GRIM LUMB]$ 6HIS
FEET4
  8,"U ! MILL/"OS10 HE GRUNT$4 ,HE
TRAMP$ D[N ! ROOM T[>D ! L(T LA4]1 B
9/1D ( CLIMB+ X1 HE BURR[$ 96A CORN]1
KICK$ ASIDE A C\PLE ( DU/Y BASKETS &A
BROK5 CRATE1 & REV1L$ A SMALL WOOD5 DOOR
NO M ?AN ?REE FEET HI<4 ,PE] FOLL[$ HM
W>ILY4 ,UNCLE ,GRIM OP5$ ! LL DOOR4 ,X 0
N A CUPBO>D4 ,2H X 0 BLACK;S1 A /R;G
DAMP SMELL1 &A S.D ( TRICKL+ WAT]4
  ,2F HE CD PROTE/1 ,UNCLE ,GRIM GRA2$
,PE] 0! >M1 =C$ HM 6HIS KNEES1 & %OV$ HM
"? 96! D>K SPACE 2Y4 ,PE] PIT*$ =-   #EE
W>D ON 6HIS FACE4 ,)A FLUMP1 A PILE (
MOLDY SACKS L&$ ON 8 LEGS4 8,Y C SLEEP
ON ^?60 8 UNCLE %\T$4 ,PE] J]K$ & KICK$
6FREE 8 LEGS4 ,HE /OPP$ BR1?+4 ,8 ?ROAT
CLOS$ UP4 ,HE SCRAM#D 6HIS FEET & HIT 8
H1D A /UNN+ BL[4 ,/>S SPANGL$ ! D>K;S4
,HE FELT ABV HM MADLY4 ,8 H&S FUM#D AL;G
A HUGE R.D$ B1M ( WOOD & F.D ! COLD
BLUNT TEE? ( AN ENORM\S COG:EEL4 ,HE
TURN$ 9 DESP],N4 ,A ?9 L9E ( LI<T 9DI-
CAT$ ! CLOS$ DOOR4 ,8 *E/ H1V$4 ,AIR
GU%$ 96HIS LUNGS4
  8.,UNCLE .,BALDUR60 ,PE] SCR1M$4 ,HE
?REW HMF AT ! DOOR1 HAMM]+ ON X4 8,LET
ME .\6 ,LET ME .\60
  ,HE P.D$ ! DOOR1 %RIEK+1 &! ROTT5 CAT*
GAVE WAY4 ,! DOOR SWUNG WIDE1 A MAGICAL
GLIMPSE ( FIRELI<T & SAFETY4 ,SO2+ 9 RE-
LIEF1 ,PE] CRAWL$ \ & L1P$ 6HIS FEET4
,UNCLE ,BALDUR ADV.ED ^U HM4
  8,NO60 ,PE] CRI$4 ,HE DUCK$ "U ,UNCLE
,BALDUR'S >M & BACK$ UP ! ROOM1 %AK+4
8,UNCLE ,BALDUR1 NO1 DON'T MAKE ME SLEEP
9 "!4 ,PL1SE6 ,I'LL SLEEP 9 ! B>N )
,LOKI1 ,I'D R1 RE,Y60                #EF
  8,Y'LL SLEEP ": ,I TELL Y 6SLEEP60
,UNCLE ,BALDUR R1*$ \ = HM4
  8,I'LL %\T & YELL ALL NI<T60 ,PE] GL>$
AT HM WILDLY4 8,Y WON'T SLEEP A W9K60
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR /OPP$4 ,HE FR[N$ AT
,PE]4 8,:AT'S WR;G ) Y80 HE SNE]$4 8,B$-
D+ D[N NE> ALL T F9E MA*9]Y--,I'D H LOV$
X :5 ,I 0 A LAD60
  8,ON NICE S(T SACKS60 ,GRIM (F]$4
  8,X'S TOO SMALL--,I C'T BR1!4 ,CRAMP$
--D>K60 PANT$ ,PE]1 %AMEFAC$1 8 HE>T /
P.D+4
  ,8 UNCLES />$ AT HM1 _! M\?S SLACK 9
4BELIEF4 ,SL[LY ,BALDUR 2GAN 6GR94
8,CRAMP$6 ,D>K60 HE MIMICK$4 ,8 GR9 DE-
VELOP$ 96A *UCKLE4 8,D'Y\ HE> T1 ,GRIM8
,HE'S AFRAID (! D>K6 ,! BOY'S ..AFRAID (
! .D>K60
  ,=! SECOND "T T NI<T1 ! TWO BRO!RS
RO>$ ) LAU<T]1 :ILE ,PE] GL[]$ AT !
FLOOR4 ,!Y P.D$ "O ANO!R ON ! BACK1 !Y
C\<$ & *OK$ & /A7]$ AB4 ,AT LA/ ,UNCLE
,BALDUR RECOV]$4 ,! OLD1 BAD-TEMP]$ SC[L
SETTL$ BACK ON 8 FACE4
  8,S G & SLEEP 9 ! B>N60 HE SN>L$   #EG
AT ,PE]1 :O NO4$ SPEE*.SLY1 8 *EEKS
FLAM+4
  8,X'S LATE1 Y "K60 YAWN$ ,GRIM4
  8,B$"T10 NO4$ 8 BRO!R4 ,!Y SAT D[N
H1VILY ON _! BUNKS1 WRE/L$ )! BLANKETS1
WRAPP$ !MVS UP1 & TURN$ OV]4
  ,PE] TIPTO$ PA/4 ,ON 8 WAY 6! DOOR HE
_H 6/EP OV] ,GR5DEL1 :O OP5$ "O GL9T+ R$
EYE & WR9KL$ 8 LIPS 9 A SIL5T SN>L4 ,QK-
LY & QUIETLY ,PE] GOT "? ! DOOR & CROSS$
! Y>D4
  ,! B>N 0 D>K1 B X FELT HI< & SWEET &
AIRY4 ,PE] PULL$ CRACKL+ /RAW UP OV] 8
KNEES & WOKE ,LOKI1 :O GOB#D ! CRU/ ,PE]
_H SAV$ = HM4
  8,"!'S NO M10 SD ,PE]4 ,HE PU%$ ASIDE
,LOKI'S HOPE;L NOSE & LAY D[N1 EXHAU/$4
  ,X 0 N -PLETELY D>K 9 ! B>N4 ,\TSIDE1
! SKY _H CLE>$ &! MOON _H RIS54 ,A FEW
B"R /RIPES ( MOONLI<T LAY ACR ! FLOOR &
WOOD5 /ALLS4 ,PE] LAY ON 8 BACK1 TOO
TIR$ 6SLEEP1 8 M9D "W+ RE/.SLY4
  ..,"!'S "S?+ FUNNY GO+ ON4
  ..,:AT DOES ,UNCLE ,BALDUR WANT ME .=8
  ,HE TOSS$ & TURN$1 PULL+ M /RAW    #EH
OV] HM4 ,GRADU,Y HE FELL 96UNEASY DR1MS4
,2S HM ,LOKI SLEPT1 :IMP]+ & TWIT*+4
  ,A /RANGE S.D CREPT 96,PE]'S SLEEP4
,HE DR1M$ (A HO>SE LL VOICE1 PANT+ &
MUTT]+ 6XF1 8,UP WE G4 ,"H WE >E60 ,"! 0
A SCRA2L+ L RATS 9 ! RAFT]S1 &A SMELL (
PORRIDGE4 ,PE] ROLL$ OV]4
  8,UP WE G10 MUTT]$ ! HO>SE LL VOICE
AG1 & !N M L\DLY1 8,MOVE OV]1 Y GRT FAT
H54 ,BUDGE1 ,I SAY60 ,? 0 FOLL[$ 0A
SQUAWK4 ,"O (! H5S FELL (F ! RAFT] &
M9C$ 9DIGNANTLY AWAY 6F9D ANO!R P]*4
,PE] SCREW$ UP 8 EYES & TRI$ 6FOCUS4 ,HE
CD SEE NO?+ B BLACK %APES & %AD[S4
  8,AAAH60 ,A L;G SI< F OV]H1D SET 8
HAIR ON 5D4 ,! SMELL ( PORRIDGE 0 Q
/R;G4 ,"! CAME A S.D ( LAPP+ OR SLURP+4
,? W5T ON =A FEW M9UTES4 ,PE] LI/5$1
FASC9AT$4
  8,NO BUTT]60 ! LL VOICE SD 4CONT5T$LY4
8,NO BUTT] 9 ME GR\TE60 ,X MUM#D 6XF 9
4APPO9T;T4 8,! *1PSKATES1 ! SK9FL9TS1 !
H>D-HE>T$ MIS]S6 ,B WAIT6 ,MAYBE ! BUT-
T]'S AT ! BOTTOM4 ,LET'S F9D \40 ,!
SLURP+ 2GAN AG4 ,NEXT CAME A SUCK+   #EI
S.D1 Z IF ! P]SON--OR :AT"E X WAS--_H
SCRAP$ ! B[L ) XS F+]S & 0 LICK+ !M (F4
,"! 0 A SIL;E4
  8,NO BUTT]10 SULK$ ! VOICE 9 DEEP DIS-
PL1SURE4 ,A WOOD5 B[L DROPP$ \ (! RAFT]S
/RAI<T ONTO ,PE]'S H1D4
  8,[60 SD ,PE]4
  ,"! 0 A GASP &A SCU6LE4 ,! NEXT "T !
VOICE SPOKE X 0 F A CORN] ON ! O!R SIDE
(! B>N4
  8,:O'S "!80 X QUAV]$4
  8,I'M ,PE] ,ULFSSON10 SD ,PE]4 8,:O >E
Y80
  8,NOBODY10 SD ! VOICE QKLY4 8,NOBODY
AT ALL40
  ,LOKI _H WOK5 UP :5 ! B[L FELL1 B ,PE]
/ROK$ HM G5TLY 6REASSURE HM4 ,HE DIDN'T
WANT ANY B>K+4
  8,I ?9K Y'RE A ,NIS10 HE SD 6! VOICE4
,A ,NIS 0 A SORT ( H\SE _S4 ,PE] _H HE>D
AB !M B N"E EXPECT$ 6MEET "O4 8,>E Y A
,NIS80 HE P]SI/$4
  ,"! 0 A BIT (A SIL;E4 8,:AT IF ,I AM80
! VOICE ASK$ HU6ILY4
  ,PE] WANT$ 6BE FRS ) ."S"O 9 ?     #FJ
PLACE1 & N[ HE ?"\ HE KNEW A WAY4
8,DIDN'T !Y GIVE Y ANY BUTT]80 HE ASK$
SYMPA!TIC,Y4
  ,? SET ! CR1TURE (F4 8,PLA9 GR\TE10 X
EXCLAIM$ BITT]LY4 8,N>Y A BIT ( BUTT] =
POOR ,NI?+1 B PLA9 B>LEY PORRIDGE6 ,ME T
DOES HALF ! "W >.D "H1 ME T SWEEPS &
DU/S & CL1NS1 ME T POLI%ES AWAY COB-
WEBS60 ,REMEMB]+ ! DU/ & DIRT HE _H SE5
E>LI]1 ,PE] D\BT$ T X DID ANY ( ^! ?+S
WELL1 B HE DID N SAY S4 ,PROBABLY ! ,NIS
WD "W BETT] IF X 0 F$ WELL4
  8,& !Y HAS M.TA9S ( BUTT]10 ! ,NIS W5T
ON1 "W+ XF UP1 8IN ! DAIRY4 ,9 A WOOD5
B>REL10 X A4$ D>KLY1 86KEEP (F CATS &
MICE &! LIKES ( ME4 ,PLA9 GR\TE !Y GIVES
ME1 9 A B[L 0! FIRE1 & ,I SEES X & ,I
FET*ES X AWAY1 & ,I TA/ES X--& NO BUT-
T]40
  8,I "K H[ Y FEEL10 SD ,PE]4 8,!Y
DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY /EW1 EI40
  ,! IDEA T "SBODY ELSE MI<T 2 H>D D"O
0SEEM$ 6TAKE ! ,NIS 0SURPRISE4 ,PE] / CD
N SEE X1 B HE HE>D X JUMP+ LI<TLY CLOS]
AM;G ! RAFT]S4 8,CLOSE YR EYES &     #FA
HOLD \ YR H&10 X *ANT$ 9 XS SCRAT*Y LL
VOICE4 ,PE] DID S4 ,"S?+ W>M & SMOO? 0
SLIPP$ 96HIS PALM4
  8,H AN EGG10 SD ! VOICE )A SQU1K (
LAU<T]4 ,PE] CLOS$ 8 F+]S OV] ! EGG4 ,HE
DID N RE,Y WANT 6EAT X RAW & SAW NO WAY
( COOK+ X4 ,HE DECID$ 6GIVE X 6,LOKI = 8
BR1KFA/4 ,HE ?ANK$ ! ,NIS4 ,X SKIPP$ AB
ABV4
  8,NO BUTT]40 ,X 0 / BROOD+ OV] XS
WR;GS4 8,I HAS A C\S91 ,PE] ,ULFSSON--,I
HAS LOTS ( C\S9S--B ,I HAS A C\S9 OV] 9
,JUTL& :O WRUNG ! NECKSES (! V BE/ B1/S
9 ! /A# 2C !Y =GOT 8 BUTT]4 ,I CD D T40
  ,PE] ?"\ ! ,NIS 0 PROBABLY BOA/+1 B TO
PL1SE X1 HE BE7$ X N TO4 8,AF ALL1 X'S N
! .ANIMALS' FAULT10 HE PO9T$ \4 8,X'S !
,GRIMSSONS'40
  8,CD Y GET ME BUTT]80
  8,I %DN'T ?9K S10 SD ,PE] GLOOMILY4
8,IF !Y CAU<T ME /1L+ BUTT]1 ,I %D ?9K
!Y'D HALF KILL ME4 ,I DON'T ?9K ,I'M GO+
6GET M* 6EAT "H EI4 ,I'M SORRY10 HE A4$4
  8,HMM60 SD ! ,NIS4 ,& X SPOKE NO M T
NI<T4 ,9 ! MORN+ :5 ,PE] WOKE UP1    #FB
HE WOND]$ IF X _H BE5 A DR1M4
  ,!N HE LOOK$ AT ! /RAW 2S HM4 ,LOKI
LOOK$ EAG]LY Z WELL1 8 BR[N E>S PRICK$4
,HE KNEW :AT AN EGG WAS4 ,PE] BROKE X =
HM & HE LAPP$ X UP NOISILY4 8,Y S.D L !
,NIS10 SD ,PE]1 /RET*+ /IFF >MS & BRU%+
PIECES ( HAY (F 8 CLO!S4 ,! OX5 MOV$
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V E>LY MORN+ & "! 0 NO SIGN ( 8 UNCLES4
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  8,LET'S G & EXPLORE1 ,LOKI60 HE SD 6!
DOG4 8,-E ON60 ,HE PU%$ OP5 ! B>N DOOR1
& ,LOKI B.D$ *E];LLY \4









               ,*APT] #D             #FC
             ,MEET+ ,HILDE

  ,AL? ! SKY 0 FRE% & CLE>1 ! Y>D / LAY
9 *ILLY %AD[4 ,PE] SPLA%$ "? ! PU4LES1
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  ,HE />$ UP ! N>R[ *ANNEL (! MILL RACE
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  ,X 0 A GLOOMY PLACE1 EV5 ON ? SUNNY
MORN+4 ,TWI/$ WILL[S FR[N$ 96! WAT]1 Z
IF !Y 7 /UDY+ _! [N REFLEC;NS & 4LIK$
:AT !Y SAW4 ,PAT*ES ( GRE5 SLIME ROTAT$
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6MOVE EXCEPT AT ! V $GE (! WEIR1 ": X
DEVELOP$ GLASSY /R1KS & FURR[S & TUM#D
SMOO?LY OV] 96! F];T 2L4 ,PE] SNI6$4 ,"!
0 A DAMP1 COLD REEK AB ! PLACE4
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0 BLOCK$ 0A N>R[1 DEEP-CUT *ANNEL1 F$ BY
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WAT] SPRAY$ 9 A GLITT]+ >C OV] A SILL
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?REW A L1F ONTO ! SURFACE (! POND &
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  ,HE TURN$ BACK4 ,LOKI _H RUN (F1 NOS+
96! RE$S ) 8 TAIL HI<4 ,HE DA%$ BACK &
JUMP$ AT ,PE] ) MU4Y PAWS4
  8,GET D[N60 ,PE] PU%$ HM (F4 8,PHEW6
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( GRASS1 & ,LOKI TRI$ 6HELP 0LAVI%LY
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  ,A GIRL ( AB 8 [N AGE 0 RID+ X1 B"RLY
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  8,HELLO60 %E CALL$4 8,:O >E Y80
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  8,MY "N'S ,PE] ,ULFSSON10 HE       #FF
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  8.,ULF'S SON80 SD ! GIRL4 8,N[ WAIT1
,I "K "EY"O1 DON'T TELL ME4 ,I'LL GET X4
,YES6 ,"! 0 AN ,ULF :O 0 OLD ,GRIM'S
/EPSON4 ,IS T HM80
  ,PE] NO4$4 8,B HE DI$ LA/ WEEK10 HE
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  8,OH1 ,I'M SORRY6 ,I'M S SORRY1 ,PE]4
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  8,I'VE -E 6LIVE ) MY UNCLES10 ,PE]
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  8,T'S T]RI# = Y60 ! GIRL CRI$4
8,:OOPS60 ,%E CLAPP$ A H& OV] H] M\?1 B
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  8,NO1 N M*10 SD ,PE] CAUTI\SLY4
8,:AT'S YR "N80
  8,HILDE1 ,RALF'S DAU<T]4 ,WELCOME 6!
VALLEY60 SD ,HILDE )A FL\RI%4 8,-E &
VISIT U IF Y L4 ,\RS IS ! HI<E/ F>M 9 !
VALLEY1 WE [N MO/ (! NOR? SIDE ( ,TROLL
,FELL4 ,Y WON'T MEET MY "F1 ,RALF1 ?\<1
2C HE W5T AWAY ? MORN+4 ,MY "M'S RE,Y
UPSET4 ,HE'S G"O (F 6,HAMM]HAV5 6JO9 "S
WRET*$ NEW L;G%IP !Y'VE BE5 BUILD+1 &
HE'S GO+ 6BE AWAY ALL SUMM]4         #FG
,:AT'S ! MATT]80
  8,NO?+60 ,PE] GR[L$4 8,X'S ! %IP MY "F
HELP$ 6BUILD1 T'S ALL60
  8,OH60 ,HILDE W5T R$4 ,%E SD AWKW>DLY1
8,!N Y & ,I "\ 6BE FRS4 ,PA SAYS ! %IP
IS WOND];L--HE'S S PR\D 6BE SAIL+ ON H]4
,HEY60 ,%E PO9T$ AT ,LOKI4 8,LOOK AT YR
DOG60
  ,!Y BO? LAU<$ 9 RELIEF4 ,LOKI &! PONY
_H /RET*$ \ _! NECKS Z F> Z !Y CD & 7
SNI6+ EA* O!R1 NOSE 6NOSE4 ,! PONY
SNORT$ L\DLY & ,LOKI NE>LY FELL OV]
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  8,DON'T LET HM G NE> T MILLPOND10
,HILDE W>N$4
  8,:Y N8 ,HE C SWIM40
  8,I "K1 B ,GRANNY ,GRE5-TEE? LIVES 9
"!4 ,T'S :Y "! >5'T ANY DUCKS OR MOOR-
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SAY40
  8,RE,Y80 ASK$ ,PE] )A %IV]4 ,HE TURN$
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REFLEC;NS4 ,X 0 EASY 62LIEVE T ,HILDE CD
2 "R4
  8,:AT'S %E L80 HE 9QUIR$4          #FH
  8,%E HAS GRE5 TEE?1 ( C\RSE10 SD ,HIL-
DE4 8,PO9T$4 ,"S P SAY %E HAS WE2$ FEET4
,GRE5 WE$Y HAIR4 ,I DON'T "K1 ,I'VE N"E
SE5 H]1 B A MAN 9 ! VILLAGE MET AN ENOR-
M\S EEL "O NI<T1 SLID+ AL;G 9 ! GRASS--&
T 0 H] TOO60
  8,H[ DID HE "K80 ASK$ ,PE] R1SONABLY4
  8,HE J DID6 ,& T'S N ALL10 SD ,HILDE
D>KLY4 8,"! >E ALL SORTS ( SPOOKY /ORIES
AB ? MILL4 ,I DON'T 5VY Y1 LIV+ "H4 ,/1
Y PROBABLY WON'T H V M* 6D40
  8,:Y N80
  8,WELL1 = "O ?+ ,I'M AFRAID YR UNCLES
>E S UNPOPUL> T A LOT ( U W5T BACK 6H&
GR9D+ AT HOME40 ,%E PULL$ A FACE4 8,"M
MAKES ME D X4 ,I HATE X4 ,Y SEE1 !
,GRIMSSONS >E LAZY4 ,!Y ?9K !Y'RE .S IM-
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MILL ONLY RUNS ONCE 9 A :ILE4 ,!Y'RE ALW
*1T+ P & N GIV+ FAIR M1SURE4 ,\R FL\R
US$ 6-E BACK FULL ( *AFF & DIRT1 : !Y
PUT 9 ON PURPOSE4 ,WE EV5 F.D A D1D M\SE
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  8,:Y WD !Y D T80 ASK$ ,PE] 9 IRRITAT$
4BELIEF4 ,HE 2GAN 6?9K HE DIDN'T L   #FI
? GIRL4 ,CDN'T %E SAY ANY?+ GD AB !
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  8,WE H A FEUD ) !M10 SD ,HILDE *E];L-
LY4 8,!Y CLAIM !Y [N "O ( \R FIELDS4 ,!Y
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SUPPOSE T M1NS WE H A FEUD ) Y1 TOO1 IF
Y'RE FAMILY40
  8,A FEUD60 ,PE] EXCLAIM$1 IGNOR+ ! LA/
BIT4 8,& YR "F'S CALL$ ,RALF80
  8,RALF ,EIRIKSSON40
  8,I SAW HM LA/ NI<T6 ,DIDN'T HE -E OV]
,TROLL ,FELL 9 ALL T RA98 ,S .T'S :Y MY
UNCLE 0 YELL+4 ,I ?"\ ,I'D SE5 YR PONY
2F60
  8,Y 7 "!8 ,PA N"E SD4 ,:AT HAPP5$ EX-
ACTLY80
  8,X 0 S D>K & WET1 HE PROBABLY DIDN'T
SEE ME10 ,PE] TOLD H]4 8,I 0 GETT+ SOAK$
9 ! BOTTOM (! C>T4 ,HE CAME UP 2H U ": !
ROAD IS N>R[4 ,I DON'T "K :O MY UNCLE
?"\ 0 -+1 B Z SOON Z HE HE>D YR "F'S
VOICE1 HE W5T CRAZY4 ,HE /OOD UP & 2GAN
%RIEK+ & YELL+--0
  8,YELL+ :AT80
  8,HE CALL$ HM A CRAWL+ WORM10 SD   #GJ
,PE]4 8,&A ?IEF40
  8.,DID .HE60 ,HILDE FLA%$4 ,%E CL5*$
H] KNUCKLES ON ! RE9S & PREP>$ 6RIDE ON4
  8,HEY1 Y ASK$60 SD ,PE]4 8,X'S N MY
FAULT4 ,& IF Y HATE !M S M*1 :Y >E Y "H
? MORN+80
  ,HILDE GAVE A SCORN;L LAU<4 8,I'M N -+
6YR PRECI\S MILL6 ,I'M RID+ PA/1 ON MY
WAY D[N 6! VILLAGE40 ,%E PATT$ H] BAS-
KET4 8,I'M GO+ 6SEE ,BJORN ! FI%]MAN1 &
TRADE "S *EESE & BUTT]4 ,"M WANTS FI% &
MY GR&"F ,EIRIK FANCIES A ROA/ CRAB = 8
TEA40
  ,*EESE6 ,BUTT]6 ,ROA/$ CRABS6 ,PE]
SWALL[$4 ,HE SU45LY R1LIZ$ H[ T]RIBLY
HUNGRY HE FELT4 ,8 D[NCA/ LOOK M/ H T\*$
,HILDE1 = %E SD 9 A M FRLY WAY1 8,WELL1
,I HOPE Y'LL L LIV+ "H4 ,YR UNCLES W
GIVE Y AN EASY "T AT F/1 WON'T !Y8 ,I
"K6 ,I C BR+ \R CORN 6Y N[1 9/1D ( 6YR
UNCLES4 ,IF Y DON'T TELL !M :O X'S F1
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A JOKE60
  8,I DON'T RE,Y ?9K ,I CD10 2GAN ,PE]
/I6LY1 FEEL+ SURE T H] JOKES CD      #GA
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  8,OH1 =GET X60 SD ,HILDE IMPATI5TLY4
8,( C\RSE ,I DIDN'T M1N X40 ,%E GAVE HM
A LOOK1 PLA9LY WOND]+ H[ ANY"O CD 2 S
BOR+ & S]I\S1 & ,PE] FLU%$4 ,HILDE WAV$4
8,I'LL 2 SEE+ Y60 %E CRI$4
  ,%E RODE ACR ! WOOD5 BRIDGE & ON D[N !
HILL4 ,PE] BLEW \ 8 *EEKS4
  8,:O C>ES :AT .%E ?9KS80 HE MUTT]$4
8,EH1 ,LOKI80
  ,DESPOND5TLY HE CALL$ ,LOKI 6HEEL &
TRAIL$ BACK 96! Y>D4 ,! MILL DOOR 0 OP51
& HE SAW "O ( 8 UNCLES /&+ DI%EVEL$ 9 !
MORN+ SUN%9E1 SCRAT*+ "U 8 >MS & />+
D>KLY AF ,HILDE'S BACK Z H] PONY PICK$
XS N1T-FOOT$ WAY D[N ! ROAD 6! VILLAGE4
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  8,W]E Y TALK+ 6T LASS80 HE DEM&$4
  8,YES1 ,UNCLE ,GRIM10 SD ,PE] MEEKLY4
  ,HE RCVD A SLAP T MADE 8 H1D R+ & 8
EYES WAT]4 8,T'S = *ATT]+ & WA/+ "T10
GR[L$ 8 UNCLE4 8,YR "T IS MY "T N[1 SEE8
,& "T IS M"OY4 ,:AT DID %E SAY80
  8,IF Y DON'T WANT ME 6TALK 6H]1 :Y D Y
WANT 6"K80 ASK$ ,PE] ANGRILY1 RU2+   #GB
8 E>4
  ,UNCLE ,GRIM LIFT$ 8 H& AG4
  8,OH1 WELL1 LET ME SEE40 ,PE] PRET5D$
6?9K4 8,%E ASK$ ME :O ,I WAS4 ,I TOLD H]
MY "N4 ,!N %E TOLD ME H] "N IS ,HILDE1 &
%E WELCOM$ ME 6! VALLEY1 : %E SEEMS 6?9K
%E [NS4 ,ISN'T ? 9T]E/+80
  ,UNCLE ,GRIM DIDN'T SEEM 6NOTICE S>-
CASM4 8,:AT ELSE80 HE ASK$4
  ,PE] WASN'T GO+ 6REP1T :AT ,HILDE _H
SD AB ! MILL4 ,HE RACK$ 8 BRA9S = "S?+
ELSE4 8,OH1 YES60 HE REMEMB]$4 8,%E SD
H] "F W5T AWAY ? MORN+4 ,HE'S GO+ (F
A-,VIK+ =! SUMM]1 ON ! NEW L;G%IP40
  ,UNCLE ,GRIM'S BLACK BE>D SPLIT OP5 9
A V NA/Y SMILE1 %[+ ALL 8 BR[N-&-YELL[
TEE?4
  8,WELL1 WELL1 WELL6 ,IS HE 9DE$80 HE
RUM#D4 ,HE B5T L[ & PUT 8 FACE CLOSE TO
,PE]'S4 ,9 A HOT GU/ ( BAD BR1? HE :IS-
P]$1 8,D Y "K1 SONNY1 Y MAY 2 SURPRIS+LY
USE;L80 ,/RAI<T5+1 HE BELL[$1 8,BALDUR8
,GUESS :AT8 ,\R LL NEVVIE HAS "S 9T]E/+
NEWS6 ,RALF ,EIRIKSSON HAS G"O A-,VIK+4
,L1V+ 8 FAMILY .ALL .AL"O40 ,HE      #GC
CLAPP$ ,PE] H>D ON ! BACK & S5T HM /A7]-
+4 8,-E 9SIDE1 MY BOY1 & H "S BR1KFA/60
  ,)A S9K+ HE>T ,PE] R1LIZ$ T HE _H SD !
WR;G ?+4 ,HE FOLL[$ 8 UNCLE 96! MILL1 N
NOTIC+ ,LOKI TROTT+ AL;G 2H HM4 ,X 0 S
D>K 9SIDE AF ! MORN+ SUN%9E T HE FAIL$
6SEE ,GR5DEL LY+ /RET*$ \ 0! FIRE4 ,B
,GR5DEL SAW ,LOKI4 ,HE SURG$ 6HIS FEET L
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BRI/L+4
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TAIL WA7+ SL[] & SL[] Z HE LO/ 3FID;E4
,GR5DEL CREPT =W>D1 ?RO2+ ) CRUELTY1 8
EYES RIVET$ ON ! 9TRUD]1 L;G TRAILS (
SALIVA DROOL+ F 8 JAWS4
  8,GR5DEL6 ,BAD DOG6 ,D[N60 CRI$ ,PE]4
  8,HE'LL N LI/5 6.Y10 SD ,UNCLE ,BALDUR
SCORN;LLY F 8 S1T AT ! TA#4 ,LOKI'S TAIL
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  8,PL1SE--QKLY60 BE7$ ,PE]1 TRY+ 6BUN-
DLE ,LOKI BACKW>D \ (! DOOR4 8,TELL HM
,LOKI'S A FR4 ,PL1SE6 ,C'T WE 9TRODUCE
!M1 OR "S?+80
  ,9 NO HURRY1 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR F9-    #GD
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,! HUGE DOG FLICK$ A GL.E AT 8 MA/] &
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  8,GET D[N1 SIR60 SCR1M$ ,UNCLE ,BAL-
DUR1 SLAPP+ 8 H& ON ! TA#4 ,SL[LY ,GR5-
DEL SAT4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D1 SPATT]+ ,PE] )
FRO? & SALIVA1 & AT LA/ L[]$ HMF 6!
FLOOR1 / GL>+ AT ,LOKI ) UN=GIV+ M5ACE4
  ,PE] OP5$ ! DOOR1 & ,LOKI VANI%$ 96!
Y>D4
  8,-E "H1 LA4IE10 SD ,UNCLE ,BALDUR TO
,PE]1 CUTT+ HMF "S M *EESE4 ,HE GULP$ 8
ALE1 SPILL+ X D[N 8 FRONT4 ,PE] APPROA*$
RELUCTANTLY1 TILL HE 0 /&+ 2T 8 UNCLE'S
\T/RET*$ LEGS4 ,CRUMBS ( BR1D & *EESE
SPECKL$ 8 UNCLE'S BE>D4 ,8 /A9$ %IRT
GAP$ OP5 AT ! ?ROAT1 EXPOS+ ANO!R TANGLE
( BLACK HAIR4 ,A FLEA JUMP$ \4 ,UNCLE
,BALDUR P9*$ X 2T TWO ?ICK F+]S4 ,:5 X
POPP$1 HE WIP$ 8 F+]S ON 8 %IRT & R1*$ =
M BR1D4
  8,SEE "H10 HE SD 6,PE]1 NO4+ AT ,GR5-
DEL4 8,T DOG ONLY OBEYS ME & ,GRIM4 ,"R8
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  8,KILL$ HALF A DOZ510 AGRE$        #GE
,GRIM 9 A SORT ( PR\D GR[L4
  8,S IF Y WANT 6KEEP .YR DOG 9 "O
PIECE1 Y WAT* YR /EP & />T MAK+ YRF V1 V
USE;L40 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR />$ ,PE] /RAI<T 9
! EYE4 8,O!RWISE WE MI<T ORGANIZE A LL
DOGFI<T4 ,"U/&80
  ,PE] "U/OOD4 ,HE -PRESS$ 8 LIPS & NOD-
D$1 Z SLI<TLY Z HE D>$4
  8,"R60 ,BALDUR BROKE W9D NOISILY & BE-
GAN 6PICK 8 TEE? )A DIRTY F+]NAIL4 8,N[
:AT'S ALL ? AB ,RALF ,EIRIKSSON80 HE
ASK$1 EXPLOR+ A BACK MOL>4
  8,I DON'T "K10 SD ,PE] SULL5LY4 8,NO60
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6HIS DAU<T] ,HILDE & %E SAYS HE'S WALK$
6,HAMM]HAV5 ? MORN+4 ,HE'S GO+ A-,VIK+ =
! SUMM]4 ,T'S ALL ,I "K1 ,I DIDN'T ASK
ANYMORE4 ,I DIDN'T "K Y'D 2 9T]E/$10 HE
A4$ FEEBLY1 HAT+ HMF = CRAWL+4
  ,8 UNCLES W9K$ AT EA* O!R4 ,UNCLE
,BALDUR REMOV$ ! F+] F 8 M\? & RU2$ 8
H&S TGR1 *UCKL+ GLEE;LLY4 ,HE KICK$ ,PE]
ON ! ANKLE4
  8,": DID ! GIRL G80
  8,D[N 6! VILLAGE4 ,%E 0 GO+ 6BUY   #GF
FI%40
  8,I WANT 6SEE H] ON ! WAY BACK10 SD
,UNCLE ,BALDUR4 ,HE JA2$ ,PE] 9 ! *E/4
8,Y LOOK \ = H]1 & MAKE SURE Y BR+ H] TO
ME4 ,"R80
  ,HE TURN$ 6! TA#1 N WAIT+ = ,PE] 6RE-
PLY1 & TOSS$ HM A /ALE 5D ( BR1D4 8,EAT
T & GET ON )! *ORES10 HE SD ABRUPTLY4
8,GRIM'LL %[ Y :AT 6D4 ,& REMEMB]--FET*
ME T GIRL60














               ,*APT] #E             #GG
            ,TR\# AT ! ,MILL

  ,HILDE'S %OES SANK 96! WET S&1 & %E
RU2$ H] >MS1 WILL+ ! SUN 6CLIMB HI<]4 ,X
0 *ILLY "H4 ,! %AD[ ( ,TROLL ,FELL L1N$
OV] ! B1* & \ ACR ! WAT]4 ,! PEB#S GLIS-
T5$ F LA/ NI<T'S RA9 & F ! RETR1T+ TIDE4
,COLD GRAY WAVES SPLA%$ ON ! %ORE4
  8,HALF A DOZ5 H]R+ &A C\PLE ( CRABS8
,D"O60 AGRE$ ,BJORN *E];LLY4 ,HE %\T$ TO
8 BRO!R1 :O SAT 9 ! BOAT SORT+ ! CAT*4
8,F9D U A C\PLE ( GD BIG CRABS1 ,>N@E60
,HE TURN$ BACK 6,HILDE4 8,ANY NEWS80
  8,I %D SAY S60 SD ,HILDE GLOOMILY4
8,MY "F'S L1V+--GO+ (F =! :OLE SUMM] ON
A L;G%IP !Y'VE BUILT AT ,HAMM]HAV540
  ,BJORN :I/L$4 8,HEY1 ,>N@E10 HE YELL$4
8,-E & LI/5 6?60
  ,>N@E CLAMB]$ \ (! BOAT )A LIVE CRAB 9
EA* H&1 & ,HILDE 4COV]$ T EXPLA9+ X ALL
6TWO 9T]E/$ "Y M5 *E]$ H] UP--ESPECI,Y
:5 ,>N@E FIX$ 8 DR1MY BLUE EYES ON H]
FACE4
  8,LUCKY ,RALF10 HE EXCLAIM$4 8,I WI%
,I'D HE>D AB X4 ,:AT'S ! %IP L80     #GH
  8,LOVELY10 ,HILDE ASSUR$ HM4 8,%E'S
GOT A DRAGON H1D1 ALL C>V$ & PA9T$40
  8,YES10 ,BJORN LAU<$1 8B H[ L;G IS %E8
,H[ _M O>S80
  ,HILDE DIDN'T "K4 8,ASK ! BOY AT !
MILL10 %E SU7E/$ WASPI%LY4 8,HE "\ 6"K--
8 "F BUILT H]40
  8,:AT BOY80
  8,! MILL]S' NEPHEW4 ,I J MET HM ?
MORN+4 ,!Y'VE TAK5 HM 9 2C 8 "F DI$40
  ,BJORN'S EYEBR[S ROSE4 8,! MILL]S H
TAK5 9 AN ORPHAN8 ,:AT'S HE L80
  8,HE'S ALL "R10 SD ,HILDE )\T M* 5?U-
SIASM4 8,HE SEEMS A BIT N]V\S40
  8,I'D 2 N]V\S 9 8 %OES10 SD ,BJORN
D>KLY4 ,HE ELB[$ 8 BRO!R 9 ! RIBS4
8,>N@E6 ,DR1M]6 ,H& OV] ^? CRABS60
  ,) H] BASKET FULL ( H]R+ &! TWO LIVE
CRABS WRAPP$ FIRMLY 9 A CLO?1 ,HILDE
RODE :I/L+ BACK UP ! /EEP PA? \ (! VIL-
LAGE4 ,! _W B"R5$ Z ! SUN NUDG$ UP OV] !
$GE (! M.TA94 ,%E ?"\ AB ,PA4 ,:AT A
LOVELY MORN+ 6G 6SEA6 ,H[ PR\D & HAPPY
HE M/ FEEL6
  ,H] HI< _SS LA/$ UNTIL %E CAME 9   #GI
SI<T (! MILL1 CR\*+ 4M,Y "U ! TREES4
,EV5 ! SPR+ SUN%9E CD N GILD XS BATT]$
TIMB]S & SLIMY BLACK ?AT*4 ,! BROOK RU%$
AWAY F X1 TUMBL+ OV] XF 9 A :ITE CASCADE
Z X TRI$ 6ESCAPE4 ,NOBODY HAPPY _H "E
LIV$ "!4
  ,HILDE GA!R$ UP H] RE9S 9 CASE ! MILL-
]S' HUGE DOG RAN \ 6F"R5 ! PONY4 ,%E
FELT SORRY =! BOY1 ,PE]1 B %E DIDN'T
WANT 6/OP4 ,%E TROTT$ =W>D1 HOP+ 6GET
QKLY PA/4 ,Z %E R1*$ ! BRIDGE1 ,PE] DA%$
\ (! MILL Y>D1 WAV+4 ,%E DREW RE94
  ,HE RAN UP1 LOOK+ PALE & MIS]A#4 8,I'M
SORRY1 ,HILDE4 ,MY UNCLES WANT 6TALK 6Y4
,W Y -E80
  ,HILDE TURN$ ! PONY 96! Y>D4 ,BO? !
,GRIMSSON BRO!RS 7 "!1 L\NG+ ON ! DOOR-
/EP4 ,!Y L[]$ _! H1DS ?R1T5+LY--L A C\-
PLE ( PRIZE BULLS1 ,HILDE ?"\4 ,PE]
LURK$ GUILTILY 6"O SIDE1 D>T+ ANXI\S
GL.ES AT 8 UNCLES4
  8,:AT D'Y\ WANT80 ,HILDE DEM&$4
  8,A LL .BIRD TOLD U10 ,BALDUR SNE]$ 9
8 HI< VOICE1 8T ,DA4Y'S G"O AWAY4 ,! GRT
,RALF ,EIRIKSSON1 :O ?9KS HE'S S     #HJ
IMPORTANT4 ,IS T "R8 ,EH80
  8,ONLY =! SUMM]10 SD ,HILDE ICILY4
8,HE'LL 2 BACK 2F W9T] )A BUN* ( 8 ,VIK+
FRS1 S DON'T GIVE ME ANY TR\#1 ,BALDUR
,GRIMSSON40
  8,VIK+S60 SD ,BALDUR4 ,HE SPAT LAVI%-
LY4 8,I DON'T GIVE .T = ,VIK+S4 ,& GO+
6SEA IS A RISKY BUSI;S4 ,"!'S /ORMS &
ROCKS & LEE %ORES40
  ,GRIM NO4$ 9 AGREE;T4 8,& SEA S]P5TS10
HE GRUNT$4
  ,HILDE SNORT$ RUDELY4
  8,WAIT & SEE10 W5T ON ,BALDUR1 SC[L+
AT 8 TW9 BRO!R4 8,HE WON'T ."E 2 -+ HOME
AG60
  8,HE'S Z GD Z D1D60 SD ,GRIM4 ,TGR !Y
FLUNG _! H1DS BACK & %OOK ) =C$ LAU<T]4
  8,IS T ALL Y WANT 6SAY80 SNAPP$ ,HIL-
DE4 ,! BRO!RS /OPP$ LAU<+4
  8,Y C>RY A MESSAGE = ME1 GIRL10 SN>L$
,BALDUR4 8,TELL YR ."M--& YR .GR&"F--0
HE EMPHASIZ$ ! ^WS )A /AB ( 8 ?ICK =EF+]
8--6KEEP (F T L& ON ,TROLL ,FELL T 2L;GS
6.U4 ,KEEP "R (F X1 YES8 ,UN.S Y WANT A
LOT ( TR\#40                         #HA
  8,DEEP TR\#10 E*O$ ,GRIM4
  8,B Y CD BUY X10 ,BALDUR SU7E/$ CUNN+-
LY4 8,WE MI<T 3SID] SELL+ X 6Y--AT !
PRICE (A C]TA9 GOLD5 CUP60
  ,HILDE W5T :ITE4 8,Y HAV5'T A %AD[ (A
CLAIM 6T L&60 %E EXPLOD$4 8,H[ D>E Y
?R1T5 U80
  ,BALDUR CAME UP CLOSE & GRA2$ ! PONY
0! BRIDLE4 8,ASK YR "M : %E'D PREF]10 HE
:ISP]$4 ,SPIT SPRAY$ F 8 M\?1 & ,HILDE
L1N$ AWAY4 8,T GOLD5 CUP1 OR A QUIET
LIFE8 ,! L& IS \RS4 ,Y'LL LE>N 6RESPECT
T6 ,^? %EEP Y H UP "! H BE5 EAT+ AT \R
EXP5SE6 ,T MAKES !M \R %EEP6 ,Y & YR
FAMILY KEEP \ (! ,/"OM1D[40
  ,HE J]K$ H>D ON ! BRIDLE & /EPP$ BACK1
& Z ! PONY FLUNG UP XS H1D 9 F"R1 HE
:I/L$ L\DLY4 ,)A BLOODCURDL+ B>K ,GR5DEL
CAME HURTL+ \ (! MILL4 8,SEE 'EM (F1
LAD60 %\T$ ,GRIM4
  ,HILDE GRA2$ ! MANE4 ,! PONY :IRL$ \ (
! Y>D & BOLT$ OV] ! BRIDGE & UP ! HILL4
,%E 0 FALL+6 ,DESP]ATELY HANG+ ON 6H]
B\NC+ BASKET1 %E HAUL$ WILDLY ON ! RE9S4
,! T]RIFI$ PONY D.ED 6A SNORT+       #HB
HALT1 & %E SLI!R$ (F SIDEWAYS4 ,H] LEGS
WOB#D4 ,%E PATT$ ! %U4]+ PONY4 8,X'S ALL
"R6 ,DON'T 2 SILLY60 %E SOO!D4 8,! DOG'S
N AF Y N[60
  ,! PONY ROLL$ A WILD EYE & KICK$4 ,A
LL BR[N DOG BUR/ \ (! BU%ES4 ,HILDE %OOK
BACK H] HAIR & /OOD UP /RAI<T4 8,HELLO60
%E *ALL5G$4 ,"! 7 W9C+ & CRACKL+ S.DS Z
"S"O TACKL$ ! /EEP & BRAMBLY %ORTCUT UP
! SIDE (! HILL4 ,PE]'S PALE & DIRTY FACE
2CAME VISI# Z HE "P$ "S BRAN*ES4 8,>E Y
ALL "R80 HE PU6$4
  8,YES6 ,NO ?ANKS 6Y10 ,HILDE SNAPP$4
,%E GL>$ AT HM4 8,WAS X Y1 0ANY *.E1 :O
TOLD ^?--^? .OAFS--T MY "F HAS G"O
AWAY80
  8,YES1 X WAS10 ,PE] ADMITT$4 8,I
DIDN'T M1N 6D ANY H>M4 ,I DIDN'T "K X 0
IMPORTANT4 ,I'M SORRY1 ,HILDE40
  8,OH1 DON'T WORRY10 SD ,HILDE1 SU45LY
RECOV]+ H] TEMP]4 8,/OP APOLOGIZ+4 ,Y
HAV5'T D"O ANY?+4 ,!Y'D H HE>D SOON 5\<4
,"EYBODY "KS "EY?+ 9 A LL PLACE L ?40
,%E *ECK$ H] BASKET4 ,A SP9Y CLAW CAME
POK+ \4 8,I'VE / GOT ,GR&PA'S        #HC
CRABS1 ?ANK GD;S4 ,DID Y .HE> :AT ^? AW-
;L M5 SD 6ME80 ,%E LOOK$ UP4 8,:Y >E Y
HID+ 9 ! BU%ES1 ,PE]8 ,>E Y SC>$ (!
MILL]S8 ,OR >E Y SC>$ ( ME80
  ,PE] FLU%$4 ,HE DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,HILDE
GAVE HM A %>P LOOK4 8,WELL10 %E SD1
8,"M'S GO+ 6BE HORRIFI$ :5 %E HE>S AB ?4
,I EXPECT "! W 2 TR\#4 ,I'M SORRY1 ,PE]1
B ,I ABSOLUTELY DETE/ YR UNCLES60
  8,S D ,I60 ,PE] BLURT$ SAVAGELY4 8,I
DON'T "K :Y !Y WANT ME4 ,!Y'VE /OL5 ALL
MY "F'S M"OY1 & "!'S "S /RANGE PLAN GO+
ON T ,I DON'T "U/&4 ,"S?+ AB TROLLS1 &A
W$D+6 ,& !Y'VE ?R1T5$ 6SET _! DOG ON
,LOKI IF ,I DON'T D "EY?+ !Y SAY4 ,HE'LL
2 KILL$60
  8,T'S T]RI#60 CRI$ ,HILDE4 ,%E SNAPP$
H] F+]S AT ,LOKI1 :O RAN UP & SNI6$ H]
H&4 ,%E /ROK$ HM4 ,LOKI IMMLY COLLAPS$
ONTO 8 BACK 6LET H] RUB 8 TUMMY4 ,HE LAY
) 8 PAWS FOLD$ UP "U 8 *91 BACK LEGS \T-
/RET*$1 EYES %UT 9 BLISS4 ,HILDE TICKL$
8 *E/4
  8,TROLLS1 &A W$D+80 %E REP1T$1 FR[N+4
8,I C'T IMAG9E4 ,( C\RSE1 OLD        #HD
,GRIM1 _! "F1 0 ALW POK+ AB ! ,/"OM1D[
LOOK+ =! TROLLS' TR1SURE40
  8.,WAS HE8 ,:Y80
  8,HMM4 ,X'S A L;G /ORY4 ,H Y GOT "T8
,& ANYWAY1 ^: SIDE >E Y ON80
  8,I WANT 6BE ON YR SIDE10 SD ,PE]1
TR\#D4 8,B !Y'RE MY UNCLES & ,I'VE GOT
6LIVE ) !M4 ,I'VE GOT NO": ELSE 6G40
  8..,BALDUR & ,GRIM6 ,! T]RI# .TW9S60
SANG ,HILDE *EEKILY4 8,I ?9K !Y %D 2
CALL$ ,BRI/LE & ,GRI/LE1 MYF40
  ,PE] GAVE A SNORT ( LAU<T]4 8,!Y H A
PIG CALL$ ,BRI/LES6 ,A BO>1 9 FACT4 ,&
N[ ,I ?9K AB X1 X DOES LOOK J L !M--COV-
]$ 9 BLACK HAIR40
  8,FAT10 A4$ ,HILDE4
  8,YES1 & GRE$Y & BAD TEMP]$6 ,I _H TO
FE$ X ? MORN+ & X KNOCK$ ! BUCKET \ ( MY
H& & TROD ON MY FOOT40
  8,D YR UNCLES EAT \ ( BUCKETS80 GI7L$
,HILDE4
  8,!Y "\ TO60 SD ,PE]1 GR9N+4 ,HE FELT
M* BETT]4 ,X SEEM$ A L;G "T S9CE HE _H
JOK$ )A FR4
  8,!Y'RE EXACTLY ALIKE1 >5'T !Y8    #HE
,C Y TELL !M A"P80
  8,N UNTIL !Y TALK10 SD ,PE]4 ,HE ?"\ =
A MO;T4 8,& EV5 ?\< 8 VOICE IS FUNNY1
,BALDUR TALKS M4 ,GRIM H>DLY SAYS ANY?+4
,IF "O ( !M'S RANT+ & RAV+ AT ME1 X'LL 2
,BALDUR60
  ,HILDE PATT$ ! GR.D 2S H]4 8,SIT D[N &
,I'LL TELL Y AB ! TROLLS4 ,X'S A GD /ORY
& X'S TRUE4 ,Y SEE1 _M YE>S AGO MY "F 0
RID+ OV] ,TROLL ,FELL LATE "O NI<T1 :5
HE /UM#D ON A TROLL BANQUET4 ,!Y _H !
TOP (! HILL LIFT$ UP ON R$ PILL>S4 '''0
,%E TOLD ,PE] :AT _H HAPP5$1 & H[ ,RALF
_H RAC$ 6! MILL = %ELT] & OLD ,GRIM _H
SE5 ! GOLD5 GO#T4
  8,"M SWE>S X'S UNLUCKY10 %E W5T ON1 8&
X C]TA9LY 0 = ,GRIM4 ,HE SP5T ! RE/ ( 8
"DS W&]+ >.D ,TROLL ,FELL1 LOOK+ =! GATE
96! HILL40
  8,:AT GATE8 ,I ?"\ Y SD ! :OLE PLACE 0
UP ON PILL>S80
  8,I ?9K !Y ONLY D T = SPECIAL O3A.NS4
,B "! M/ .2 A GATEWAY 96! HILL4 ,WE H
TROLLS ! WAY O!R P H RATS & MICE1 &
!Y'RE ALL GETT+ \ "S":4 ,& :]"E X    #HF
IS1 ,GRIM SEEMS 6H F.D X1 ONLY X 0 W9T]1
& HE COLLAPS$ UP "! & DI$ LAT]40
  8,S MY UNCLES PROBABLY "K ": X IS10 SD
,PE] ?"\;LLY4
  8,YES1 B :AT GD IS T8 ,! TROLLS >5'T
GO+ 6-E \ & J GIVE !M PRES5TS10 SD ,HIL-
DE4 ,%E 0 / SCRAT*+ ,LOKI'S TUMMY4 8,GD-
;S1 ,LOKI1 H[ M* M ( ? D Y WANT80
  8,OH1 HE'LL G ON ="E10 SD ,PE]1 LAU<+4
  8,WELL10 SD ,HILDE S]I\SLY1 8,I HOPE
YR UNCLES HAV5'T BE5 MAK+ FRS )! TROLLS4
,T CD 2 A R1L PRO#M = ALL ( U4 ,Y KEEP
AN EYE ON !M1 ,PE]60
  8,I'LL TRY10 HE PROMIS$4 ,B A 4TANT
BELL[ CAME FLOAT+ UP F ! MILL1 & HE W5T
R PALE & JUMP$ UP4 8,I'D BETT] G40
  8,YES1 Y'D BETT]10 SD ,HILDE1 SORRY =
HM4 8,:AT A %AME4 ,WAT* \ = YRF1 ,PE]4
,WE .>E FRS N[1 >5'T WE80 ,%E /OOD UP &
(F]$ H] H&1 : ,PE] TOOK %YLY4 8,SEE Y
SOON60 %E CALL$1 JUMP+ ON ! PONY & URG+
X 96A BRISK TROT UP ! HILL4
  ,PE] RAC$ T[>D ! MILL1 ,LOKI B.D+
AH1D4 ,HE R1*$ ! Y>D 6F9D 8 UNCLES TALK+
6A C>T]1 A SURLY-LOOK+ MAN :O _H J   #HG
UNLOAD$ "S SACKS ( B>LEY = GR9D+4 ,! TWO
BRO!RS /OOD L1N+ TGR ) _! >MS ACR EA*
O!R'S %\LD]S1 & Z ,PE] >RIV$1 PANT+1 !Y
BO? TWI/$ _! H1DS 6LOOK AT HM1 GROTESQUE
Z A TWO-H1D$ GIANT F A /ORY4 .,! .T]RI#
.TW9S6 ,PE] GR9N$4 ,! MILL 0 UGLY 5 =A
GIANT'S /R;GHOLD1 & ,GR5DEL MADE AN EX-
CELL5T MON/]4 ,! HUGE DOG LAY 9 A PAT* (
SUN%9E 0! MILL DOOR1 GNAW+ A L>GE B"O4
,HE RAIS$ 8 H1D & SN>L$ AT ,LOKI1 :O
POTT]$ PA/ & COCK$ A LEG ON ! CORN] (!
B>N4
  8,GR9D X SMALL10 %\T$ ! C>T] OV] !
NOISE (! :EELS Z HE DROVE 8 C>T \ 96!
LANE4 8,WE WANT F9E M1L4 ,I'LL COLLECT
TM40 ,S--! MILL DID "S"TS H CU/OM]S6
  8,Y'RE A LUCKY BOY10 CROAK$ ,UNCLE
,BALDUR1 TURN+ 6,PE]1 :O EY$ HM SUSPI-
CI\SLY4 8,Y'RE GO+ 6LE>N "S?+ MO/ SNIV-
EL+ LL ORPHAN BOYS WD GIVE _! EYETEE? =4
,:AT D'Y\ SAY 6T80 ,PE] />$ AT 8 FEET
/U2ORNLY4
  8,Y'RE GO+ 6LE>N AB ! MILL1 BOY10 W5T
ON ,UNCLE ,BALDUR4 8,GRIM'S A F>M]1 B ME
--.,I'M ! MILL]40 ,HE RAPP$ 8 *E/    #HH
PR\DLY4 8,I HOPE Y'RE ?ANK;L40
  8,?ANK;L60 ,"S?+ FLAM$ UP 9 ,PE]'S
*E/4 8,?ANK;L60 ,HE DREW A QUIV]+ BR1?4
8,Y /OLE MY "F'S M"OY1 Y TR1T ME L A
SLAVE1 Y C'T EV5 REMEMB] MY ."N6 ,:AT H
,I GOT 6BE ?ANK;L =8 ,& Y DON'T [N T
GIRL'S FIELDS4 ,Y J WANT 6/1L !M1 TOO1
N[ H] "F'S AWAY60
  ,BALDUR RAIS$ "O CASUAL FI/ ! SIZE (A
HAM & CL\T$ ,PE]4 ,PE] F.D HMF SITT+ ON
! GR.D1 CLUT*+ 8 R++ H1D4 ,8 FLAME ( IN-
DEP5D;E %RIVEL$ 6A BLACK TWI/ & W5T \4
  ,)A SCU6LE ( LI<T FEET1 ,LOKI /R1K$
ACR ! Y>D1 TEE? B>$1 AIM+ = ,UNCLE ,BAL-
DUR'S LEG4 ,GR5DEL ROSE SIL5TLY F !
DOOR/EP & HURL$ HMF AT ,LOKI4
  8,LOKI60 ,PE] SCR1M$4 ,LOKI GL.ED
BACK1 SAW ,GR5DEL \ (! CORN] ( 8 EYE1 &
VE]$1 AWAY 9 A CL\D ( DU/4 ,PE] GOT UP
%AKILY4 ,GR5DEL DROPP$ 8 HACKLES & SL\*$
BACK 6HIS B"O4
  8,-E 9SIDE10 SD4 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR Z IF
NO?+ _H HAPP5$4 8,I'LL %[ Y :AT 6D4 ,Y
PAY ATT5;N 6ME1 2C Y'LL 2 DO+ A LOT (
?40                                  #HI
  8,Y'RE N GO+ 6TAKE ME 6! ,GA6]1 !N80
SD ,PE] )\T ?9K+4
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR SWUNG >.D1 FA/ = S* A
BIG MAN4 8,:AT80 HE SD 9 A M5AC+ :ISP]4
  ,PE] BACK$ AWAY4 ,HE ?"\ FA/4 8,"S?+
,UNCLE ,GRIM TOLD ME10 HE 9V5T$ QKLY4
8,HE SD1 UM1 IF ,I WASN'T A GD BOY & "W$
H>D1 Y'D GIVE ME 6! ,GA6]40 ,& -E 6?9K (
X1 X S.D$ EXACTLY ! SORT ( ?+ ,UNCLE
,GRIM .WD SAY4
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR CLE>LY 2LIEV$ X4 ,HE
MUTT]$ "S?+ "U 8 BR1? AB ,GRIM 2+ A *AT-
T]+ FOOL & !N GRA2$ ,PE]1 DRA7$ HM (F 8
FEET1 & PU%$ 8 ?ICK BE>D$ LIPS UP TO
,PE]'S E>4
  8,! ,GA6]10 HE :ISP]$1 8IS ! ,K+ (
,TROLL ,FELL1 SEE8 ,& HE LIVES UP "! "U
! CRAGS1 N F> AWAY4 ,& NAU<TY LL BOYS1
:Y1 HE LIKES 6TE> !M 9 PIECES6 ,S WAT*
YR /EP1 LA4IE40
  ,PE] RU2$ SLIME F 8 E>1 WOND]+ IF ? 0
TRUE4 ,B HE _H NO "T 6?9K AB X4 ,UNCLE
,BALDUR L$ HM 9 & CLIMB$ ! CR1K+ LA4] 6!
L(T ": ! MILL/"OS W]E4 ,PE] FOLL[$1
OV]HUNG 0HIS UNCLE'S BULKY BOTTOM1   #IJ
& F.D HMF /&+ ON A D>K1 DU/Y PLAT=M1
BADLY LIT 0"O DRAFTY LL L\V]$ W9D[ HI< 9
! APEX (! RO(4 ,"R 9 FRONT ( HM 9 ! MID-
DLE (! FLOOR SAT ! TWO MILL/"OS1 "O ABV
! O!R1 C>T:EEL-SIZ$ SLABS ( GRIT/"O
RIMM$ ) IRON4
  8,P[]60 ,BALDUR :EEZ$1 SLAPP+ ! UPP]
MILL/"O4 8,SEE H[ H1VY T IS8 ,B F9ELY
BAL.ED4 ,:AT DRIVES X8 ,WAT] P[]4 ,AH1 B
:O 3TROLS ! WAT]8 ,ME1 ! MILL]6
  8,! /R1M .OBEYS ME1 BOY4 ,I 3TROL X )
MY SLUICE GATES4 ,& :5 ,I LET X FL[1 X
HAS NO *OICE B 6TURN MY WAT]:EEL & DRIVE
MY MILL/"OS4
  8,X ALL -ES D[N 6P[]4 ,! P[] (! WAT]1
! P[] (! /"OS1 ALL H>;S$ 0MY MA*9]Y4
  8,& X MAKES ME ! MO/ P[];L MAN 9 !
VALLEY4 ,)\T ?1 2LIEVE X OR N1 ,I'D 2 J
ANO!R F>M]1 L ! RE/ ( !M4 ,L ,GRIM40 ,HE
%OOK 8 H1D Z ?\< ? 7 9DE$ H>D 62LIEVE1 &
GAVE ! MILL/"O ANO!R A6EC;NATE PAT4
  8,N[ !N60 HE W5T ON1 /RAI<T5+ UP4
8,SEE T80 ,PE] LOOK$ UP1 BANG+ 8 H1D ON
! CORN] (A BIG WOOD5 BOX ) SLOP+ SIDES T
HUNG F ! RAFT]S1 SUSP5D$ OV] !       #IA
MILL/"OS ON F\R ?ICK ROPES4 8,! HOPP]10
8 UNCLE GRUNT$4 8,Y FILL X ) B>LEY1 :
RUNS \ "? ? HOLE 9 ! BOTTOM1 SEE--&
TRICKLES AL;G ? LL TRAY WE CALL ! %OE4
,T %AKES X D[N "? .? HOLE 9 ! UPP] MILL-
/"O4 ,: IS CALL$ ! RUNN]/"O4 ,2C X'S !
"O T TURNS4 ,"U/&80
  ,6HIS [N SURPRISE1 ,PE] DID4 ,HOP+ TO
PL1SE 8 UNCLE1 HE TRI$ 6%[ AN 9T]E/ 9
SPITE ( 8 EMPTY /OMA*1 A*+ H1D1 & WO2LY
LEGS4 8,DOES "EY"O BR+ _! CORN "H80 HE
ASK$4 ,P]H ,HILDE _H BE5 EXA7]AT+4
,PROBABLY ! MILL 0 DO+ Q WELL AF ALL4
  ,B ,UNCLE ,BALDUR'S BLACK EYEBR[S DREW
TGR 9 A SC[L4 8,!Y SOON W10 HE GR[L$1
8N[ T BLACKGU>D ,RALF ,EIRIKSSON HAS
G"O4 ,SPR1D+ TALES AB MY FL\R ''' TELL+
"EY"O ,I PUT *ALK 9 X--OR DIRT '''0 ,HE
%OOK 8 FI/4 8,I'LL MAKE ? ! BE/ MILL 9 !
VALLEY4 ,I'LL PUT 9 ANO!R :EEL--ANO!R
PAIR ( /"OS6 ,!Y'LL -E 6ME F MILES AWAY6
,B F/--0 ,HE /OPP$1 Z IF HE _H BE5 GO+
6SAY "S?+ HE DIDN'T WANT ,PE] 6HE>4 8,B
F/10 HE SD 9 A DI6]5T T"O ( VOICE1 8GET
T HOPP] FILL$1 BOY1 ,I HAV5'T GOT    #IB
ALL NI<T60
  ,6LIFT ! SACK HI< 5 6P\R ! B>LEY 96!
HOPP] 0 Q 2Y ,PE]4 ,)A BAD-TEMP]$ GRUNT1
,UNCLE ,BALDUR DID X4 ,8 MUSCLES BUN*$ Z
HE HEFT$ ! SACK 9 8 ?ICK >MS & LET !
GLOSSY GRA9 P\R EF=T.SLY 96! HOPP]4 ,!N
HE TOOK ,PE] \TSIDE 6OP5 ! SLUICE & />T
! :EEL4
  ,X 0 GETT+ LATE4 ,! SUN _H SET1 & X 0
COLD 0! /R1M4 ,PE] LOOK$ ANXI\SLY AB =
,LOKI Z HE FOLL[$ 8 UNCLE UP 6! MILLDAM4
,! WAT] LOOK$ M S9I/] ?AN "E Z EV5+
FELL4 ,A LL BREEZE %IV]$ ! SURFACE &!
TREES SI<$ SADLY4 ,7 ,HILDE'S SC>Y /O-
RIES TRUE8 ,HE HOP$ ) ALL 8 HE>T T ,LOKI
KEPT AWAY F ? D>K WAT]4
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR DIDN'T SEEM BO!R$4 ,HE
TRAMP$ R\<LY UP ! PA? 6! SLUICE & %[$
,PE] A WOOD5 H&LE1 : "W$ ! SLUICE GATE4
,HE /OOD ON A N>R[ PLANK BRIDGE & SIMPLY
TU7$ ! GATE UP4 ,X SLID UP & D[N 2T
GROOVES 9 TWO BIG TIMB] PO/S4 ,HE BANG$
"S W$GES 9 6KEEP X /UCK 9 PLACE4 ,A VIG-
OR\S RU% ( WAT] BOIL$ F ! BOTTOM (!
SLUICE1 FILL+ ! AIR ) ?"U1 &! GRT    #IC
BLACK WAT]:EEL /IRR$ 96LIFE6 ,PE] />$ 9
FASC9,N Z ! GIANT PA4LES 5D.SLY DESC5D$
6/RIKE ! WAT]4
  8,X .IS P[];L60 HE :ISP]$4
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR BR"\ HM %>PLY BACK TO
LIFE )A CLIP R.D 8 E>4 8,Y'LL D T JOB
NEXT "T10 HE SD4 8,& DON'T HANG AB "H AF
D>K1 OR ,GRANNY ,GRE5-TEE? W GET Y40
  .,OH1 .HE .C>ES6 ,PE] ?"\ S>CA/IC,Y4
8,:O .IS ,GRANNY ,GRE5-TEE?80 HE 9QUIR$
AL\D1 RU2+ 8 E>4
  8,%E LIVES AT ! BOTTOM (! POND10 SD
,UNCLE ,BALDUR GRIMLY1 8: IS :Y "!'S NO
FI% WOR? CAT*+4 ,%E LIKES 6-E UP AT
NI<T1 ! OLD 2SOM4 ,S LOOK \60
  ,PE] LOOK$ OV] 8 %\LD] Z !Y WALK$ BACK
6! MILL4 ,X 0 N[ ALM Q D>K4 ,B :AT 0 T
PAT* ( WE$S FLOAT+ 9 ! %AD[ (! TREES8
,CD X 2 ! SPR1D+ HAIR ( ,GRANNY ,GRE5-
TEE?1 RIS+ F H] SLIMY B$8 ,HE HE>D A
QUIET SPLA%--WAS T A FI%8 ,HE HURRI$ AF
8 UNCLE4 ,! NI<T BREEZE :ISP]$ 9 ! BU%ES
--ONLY ! BREEZE--B :5 HE HE>D RU/L+ /EPS
& PANT+ BR1?1 HE PANICK$4 ,GRANNY ,GRE5-
TEE? 0 AF HM6 ,OR :O KNEW :AT ELSE   #ID
LURK$ AB ? AW;L PLACE8 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR'S
GRT /RIDES C>RI$ HM ON AH1D4 ,PE] RU%$
AF HM4 ,"S?+ CRA%$ "? A NE>BY BRAM# BU%
& L1P$ ONTO ! PA?4 ,PE]'S HE>T NE>LY
/OPP$3 !N HE SAW X 0 ,LOKI4
  8,LOKI60 HE GASP$ 9 RELIEF4 8,Y CRAZY
DOG60 ,RELIEV$ 6H F.D HM1 ,LOKI GAVE 8
COAT A GD H>D %AKE1 & LA%$ 8 TAIL4 ,PE]
HU7$ HM4 8,-E ON10 HE SD1 & !Y RAN 96!
Y>D TGR4
  ,UNCLE ,BALDUR _H ALR G"O 96! H\SE &
FET*$ HMF A LI<T SNACK ( BR1D & SAUSAGE4
8,PUT T DOG AWAY10 HE -M&$4 8,!N Y C G &
D ! *ORES4 ,SWEEP ! /ALLS4 ,FE$ ! PIGS4
,G & SEE ,GRIM1 HE'LL TELL Y :AT 6D40
  8,UNCLE ,BALDUR10 ,PE] FALT]$4 8,I'M
AW;LLY HUNGRY40
  8,& N A M\?;L W Y GET TILL YR "W IS
D"O10 SD ,UNCLE ,BALDUR /]NLY4 8,WE H NO
USE = GRE$ & LAZI;S "H40 ,& S SAY+1 HE
TOOK A HUGE BITE F ! *UNK ( BR1D HE 0
HOLD+ & /U6$ ! SAUSAGE 9 AF X :OLE4


               ,*APT] #F             #IE
        ,TALES ,( ,! ,DOVREFELL

  ,A MILE OR S F>!R UP ! VALLEY1 ,HILDE
0 EAT+ SUPP] ) H] FAMILY4 ,! SAVORY
SMELL ( ROA/+ CRABS FILL$ ! W>M ROOM4
,"? M\?;LS1 %E TOLD H] FAMILY ALL AB !
"D'S ADV5TURES4 ,EIRIK & ,GUDRUN LI/5$1
FR[N+1 :ILE ,SIGRID & ,SIGURD PLAY$ ON !
FLOOR )! KITT5S4
  ,GUDRUN %OOK H] H1D4 8,YR "F N"E %D H
LEFT60 %E EXCLAIM$4 8,I'VE SD 6HM A ?\S&
"TS1 WE'D H TR\# ) ^? ,GRIMSSON BOYS1 B
W HE LI/58 ,HE'S TOO EASYGO+1 T'S 8 TR\-
#40
  8,WELL10 SD ,HILDE1 R1*+ = M BR1D4 8,Y
CD GIVE !M ! GOLD5 CUP1 ,I SUPPOSE40 ,%E
COCK$ AN EYEBR[ AT H] "M1 GR9N+ FA9TLY4
  8,OV] MY D1D BODY60 SD ,GUDRUN PROMPT-
LY4 8,I'VE N"E WANT$ ! ?+1 B X'S YR "F'S
PRIDE & JOY4 ,!Y C'T H X40
  8,I ?"\ Y'D SAY T4 ,I'D BETT] RIDE UP
6! ,/"OM1D[ N[ & AG1 DON'T Y ?9K8 ,6KEEP
AN EYE ON ! %EEP UP "!80
  8,OH1 NO Y WON'T60 SNAPP$ ,GUDRUN4 8,&
RISK RUNN+ 96^? TWO & _! SAVAGE      #IF
DOG8 ,:AT CD Y D1 ANYH[80
  8,OH1 WELL60 SD ,HILDE4 8,I DON'T M1N
TRY 6FI<T ) !M OR ANY?+1 B AT L1/ ,I WD
"K IF ANY ( \R ANIMALS G MISS+4 ,2SS1 MY
NEW FR ,PE] SAYS HE ?9KS "S?+ ODD IS GO+
ON 2T ! ,GRIMSSONS &! TROLLS4 ,HE'S HE>D
!M TALK+--0
  8,I FEEL RE,Y SORRY = T BOY10 9T]RUPT$
,GUDRUN4 8,EIRIK1 -E & EAT2 YR CRABS >E
R1DY60
  ,EIRIK SAT D[N HAPPILY1 RU2+ 8 H&S &
SNI6+ ! SC5T$ /1M RIS+ F 8 DI%4 8,AH1
Y'RE A GD GIRL1 ,HILDE1 Y PICK$ A F9E
BIG CRAB = YR OLD GR&"F40
  8,DON'T .Y ?9K ,I "\ 6G UP ON ,TROLL
,FELL1 ,GR&PA80 P]SI/$ ,HILDE4 ,%E ?REW
\ H] *E/ & TOSS$ BACK H] HAIR1 R FANCY+
H]F Z ! FAMILY'S GALLANT GU>DIAN1 BRAVE-
LY PATROLL+ ! HILLS4 8,S IF ,BALDUR
,GRIMSSON /1LS \R %EEP WE C AT L1/ COM-
PLA980
  8,WELL10 2GAN ,EIRIK1 "W+ AT A M1TY
CLAW )! PO9T ( 8 KNIFE4
  8,HILDE10 SD ,GUDRUN FIRMLY4 8,I -M&
Y1 Z YR "M1 6D NO S* ?+4 ,I'D 2      #IG
WORRI$ /IFF6 ,X C ALL 2 SAFELY LEFT TO
,RALF :5 HE -ES HOME4 ,J /AY AWAY F !
MILL .&! TROLLS & TRY 6KEEP \ ( TR\#60
  8,OH1 ALL "R10 ,HILDE GRUM#D4 8,J L1D
A DULL1 BOR+1 ORD9>Y LIFE4 ,YES1 ,I "K6
,Y'RE "R4 ,B "!'D 2 NO H]OES OR /ORIES
OR SAGAS IF "EY"O ACT$ T WAY6 ,I D WI%
"S?+ EXCIT+ CD HAPP5 6ME60
  8,WELL1 ! EXCIT+ ?+ T C HAPP5 6Y "R
N[10 SD ,GUDRUN1 WIP+ ! B[LS CL1N )A
PIECE ( /ALE BR1D1 8IS T Y C G & MILK !
C[1 : Y "\ 6H D"O ALR40
  ,HILDE GOT UP SL[LY & W5T 6D Z %E 0
TOLD4 ,%E FELT FLAT & GRUMPY1 Z IF NO?+
WD G "R4 ,B ONCE \TSIDE %E FELT BETT]4
,X 0 A P]FECT SPR+ EV5+4 ,AL? ! SUN _H
SET1 ! WIDE WE/]N SKY / REFLECT$ LI<T4
,HILDE LOV$ LIV+ S HI< UP ! VALLEY4 ,X 0
V QUIET1 EXCEPT = F>-(F %EEP BL1T+1 &!
NE>BY MUN*+ S.DS (! C[ &! PONY TE>+ UP
GRASS4 ,HILDE CLIMB$ ! /EEP PA/URE T[>D
!M1 C>RY+ H] BUCKET & /OOL1 H] %OES
SOAK+ UP DEW4 ,) SURPRISE %E SU45LY HE>D
A NEW S.D1 ! UNMISTAKA# HI<-PIT*$ RATTLE
( MILK SQUIRT+ 96A METAL PAN1 AC-    #IH
-PANI$ 0A WEIRD GRUFF HUMM+ L A V L>GE
BEE4 ,GOOSE BUMPS ROSE ON H] SK94 ,%E
BROKE 96A RUN & SAW A SMALL HAIRY TROLL
SQUATT+ 2S ,BONNY ! C[1 MILK+ H] 96A
COPP] PAIL4
  8,CLE> (F60 %\T$ ,HILDE1 SW++ H] BUCK-
ET4 ,! C[ TOSS$ H] H1D UP & :EEL$ AWAY1
:ILE ! TROLL SNAT*$ UP XS PAIL & SCAMP]$
(F UP ! HILLSIDE1 ": ,HILDE SOON LO/
SI<T ( X 9 ! TWILI<T4 ,%E /OOD PANT+1
H&S ON HIPS4 8,! *EEK ( X6 ,HEY1 ,BON-
NY10 %E SD 6! C[1 8DON'T Y "K BETT] ?AN
6LET TROLLS -E /1L+ YR MILK80
  ,! C[ SNORT$ Z ?\< %E DIDN'T C>E4
,HILDE _H 6SOO! & /ROKE H] 2F %E WD /&
/4 ,B ! TROLL _H MILK$ H] NE>LY DRY1 &
,HILDE W5T BACK 6! H\SE ) NO M ?AN A
CUP;L AT ! BOTTOM ( H] PAIL4 ,Z %E CAME
6! DOOR1 H] "M CALL$ \1 8,BR+ ! BROOM 9
) Y1 ,HILDE40
  8,:AT BROOM80 ,HILDE ASK$4
  8,ISN'T X "!80 ,GUDRUN CAME \4 8,B
,I'M SURE ,I LEFT X "R 0! DOOR10 %E SD1
ANNOY$4 8,I C'T LAY MY H&S ON ANY?+ '''4
,IS T ALL ! MILK80 ,%E 0 EV5 M PUT   #II
\ :5 %E HE>D ,HILDE'S TALE4
  8,!Y PROBABLY /OLE ! BROOM1 TOO10 SD
,HILDE4 8,Y SEE1 ,"M8 ,X'S N S EASY TO
KEEP \ ( TR\#40
  8,! LL V>M9TS60 SD ,EIRIK1 PE]+ 96!
MILK BUCKET4 8,WORSE ?AN RATS & MICE4
,!Y WDN'T 2 S BOLD IF MY SON 0 "H3 NO1
!Y WDN'T -E RO2+ U !N60
  8,!Y'RE 2COM+ A P]FECT PLAGUE10 ,GUD-
RUN WORRI$4
  8,I'M J A USE.S OLD MAN10 SD ,EIRIK
GLOOMILY4 8,:5 ,I 0 A "Y FELL[1 ,I CD H
?R[N ANY"O :O S M* Z /EPP$ ON MY %AD[
CL1N OV] ! B>N6 ,NO PACK ( TROLLS WD H
BO!R$ ME !N4 ,N[ ,I'M OLD & NO USE 6ANY-
"O40
  8,OH1 ,"F-IN-LAW60 ,GUDRUN SCOLD$ HM
A6EC;NATELY4 8,DON'T TALK L T4 ,WE NE$ Y
V M* 9DE$1 =--= WISDOM & ADVICE40
  8,ADVICE6 ,WOM5 N"E LI/5 6ADVICE10
SC(F$ ,EIRIK1 B HE LOOK$ PL1S$4
  8,& WE NE$ ,GRANDAD = TELL+ /ORIES60
PIP$ UP ,SIGRID F ! FLOOR4 ,EIRIK R1*$
D[N 2S 8 *AIR & TU7$ H] PLAIT ) 8 GN>L$
OLD H&4 8,& Y WANT "O N[1 D Y1      #AJJ
MISSY8 ,:AT IS X 6BE AB80
  8,TROLLS60 SD ,SIGRID4
  8,N[1 LET ME ?9K10 ,EIRIK 2GAN4 8,LET
ME SEE4 ,( C\RSE1 "!'S PL5TY ( /ORIES AB
TROLLS >.D "H4 ,WE LIVE ON ! V DOOR/EP (
,TROLL ,FELL1 DON'T WE8 ,B "H'S A /ORY F
ANO!R PLACE1 F> 6! NOR?1 ! WILD M.TA9S (
! ,DOVREFELL1 ": "! >E EV5 M TROLLS ?AN
WE H "H1 YES1 ALL K9DS ( TROLLS1 & "S (
!M GIANTS1 0:AT ,I'VE HE>D60
  .,DON'T .F"R5 .!M6 ,GUDRUN M\!D4 ,EIR-
IK W9K$ REASSUR+LY4
  8,GIANTS60 ,SIGURD & ,SIGRID PRESS$
!MVS CLOSE 6,EIRIK'S KNEES4
  8,OH1 YES10 ,EIRIK NO4$ WISELY4 8,\R
TROLLS >.D "H SEEM LL ?+S1 DON'T !Y1 B
!Y D -E ALL SIZES1 &! "O 9 ? /ORY 0 A
GIANTESS1 A LL BIT TALL] ?AN A MAN6 ,%E
M/ H BE5 PRETTY1 ,I D>ESAY--0
  8,A PRETTY TROLL60 9T]RUPT$ ,SIGRID1
LAU<+4
  8,YES1 %E _H L;G YELL[ HAIR &A NICE
L;G TAIL T %E WA7$ :5 %E 0 HAPPY4 ,& %E
GOT M>RI$ 6A "Y F>M]1 & WA7$ H] TAIL AT
! W$D+40                            #AJA
  ,GUDRUN & ,HILDE 7 BO? LAU<+ N[4
  8,N[ ,I DON'T SAY ? /ORY IS TRUE60 SD
,EIRIK )A TW9KLE 9 8 EYE4 8,B ! FRS &
NEI<BORS ( ? "Y F>M] ?"\ HE 0 \ ( 8 M9D
6G M>RY+ A TROLL4 ,!Y 7 4GU/$4 ,!Y WDN'T
TALK 6HIS BRIDE1 OR VISIT H]1 EV5 ?\< %E
KEPT ! H\SE Z CL1N Z A NEW P94 ,%E SAT
"! ALL "D 0H]F & GOT V L"OLY40
  8,POOR TROLL60 SD ,SIGRID4
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 SD ,SIGURD4 8,I ?9K
HE 0 /UPID 6M>RY A TROLL40
  8,SEE :AT HAPP5$10 SD ,EIRIK SOLEMNLY4
8,? W5T ON =A :ILE1 & "O "D H] OLD "F
CAME 6PAY H] A VISIT4 ,HE 0 A GRIM OLD
TROLL F "UN1? ! ,DOVREFELL1 BI7] ?AN %E
WAS1 & :5 HE F.D 8 DAU<T] SITT+ CRY+1 HE
SD1 ,8.,:AT'S .ALL .?80'0 ,EIRIK DEEP5$
8 VOICE 6A GR[L4 8,8,IS X YR HUSB&8 ,IF
HE ISN'T K9D 6Y1 ,I'LL TE> (F 8 >MS &
LEGS60'
  8,8,OH NO10' SD ! TROLL BRIDE1 ,8X
ISN'T MY HUSB&1 X'S ! NEI<BORS4 ,!Y
WON'T H ANY?+ 6D ) ME1 & ,I'M SO-O-O
L"OLY60' & %E 2GAN 6CRY AG4
  8,8,-E AL;G ) ME10' SD H] "F1     #AJB
ROLL+ UP 8 SLEEVES & DRA7+ H] \ (! H\SE
) HM4 ,8,WE'RE GO+ 6H A LL BALL GAME4 ,W
Y ?R[1 OR % ,I80'
  8,8,OH1 NO1 ,"F10' SD ! TROLL BRIDE1
:O KNEW EXACTLY :AT HE M1NT 6D4 ,8,Y
?R[1 & ,I'LL CAT*40'
  8,S ! GRIM OLD TROLL W5T /AMP+ >.D !
VILLAGE1 *AS+ ! P \ ( _! H\SES1 & :5 HE
GOT HOLD ( !M HE ?REW !M "R OV] ! ,HALL
RO(1 & 8 DAU<T] CAU<T !M ON ! O!R SIDE1
& /OOD !M C>E;LLY BACK ON _! FEET & DU/$
!M D[N4
  8,:5 "EY"O 9 ! VILLAGE _H BE5 ?R[N OV]
! RO(1 ! OLD TROLL CAME >.D ! ,HALL1 J A
LL \ ( BR1?1 & HE LOOK$ AT ! T]RIFI$
CR[D1 & HE SD1 ,8,N[ Y'D BETT] />T 2+ V
V NICE 6MY DAU<T]4 ,2C IF N10' & HE
GL>$1 ,8IF N--:Y1 ,I'LL -E BACK = ANO!R
BALL GAME--ONLY1 ? "T1 MY DAU<T] W ?R[1
& .,I W CAT*60'0
  ,GUDRUN & ,HILDE *UCKL$4 ,SIGRID LOOK$
PUZZL$4 8,I DON'T "U/&10 %E 2GAN4
  8,WELL1 D Y ?9K ! OLD TROLL WD RE,Y H
CAU<T !M80 ,HILDE ASK$ H]4
  8,OH60 ,SIGRED'S FACE CLE>$4      #AJC
8,HE WD H LET !M FALL60
  8,OR EAT5 !M UP10 SD ,SIGURD ) RELI%4
  8,T'S "R60 ,EIRIK NO4$4 8,WELL1 AF T1
Y'D N"E 2LIEVE H[ POLITE ! NEI<BORS 7 6!
TROLL BRIDE4 ,!Y CALL$ >.D 6SEE H] E "D
& GAVE H] FL[]S & CAKES & BASKETS ( E7S4
,%E 0 Z HAPPY Z ! "D 0 L;G1 & WA7$ H]
TAIL M]RILY '''4 ,& T'S A /ORY F !
,DOVREFELL40 ,HE SMIL$ & /OPP$4
  8,B$"T10 SD ,GUDRUN 6! TW9S4
  8,I'M PR\D ( Y1 ,GR&"F10 SD ,HILDE1
HU7+ HM4 8,Y'RE A POET .&A /ORYTELL]60
  8,DE> ME10 SD ,GUDRUN1 %AK+ H] H1D4
8,TROLLS & ,GRIMSSONS1 ALL 9 "O "D6
,:AT"E >E WE -+ TO8 ,HILDE1 Y'D BETT]
MAKE SURE & MILK ,BONNY E>LI] F N[ ON1
2F ! TROLLS GET AT H]4 ,! *N W H 6DR9K
WAT] TN40
  ..,I WOND] ": ,PA IS .N[1 ?"\ ,HILDE1
Z ! WORRIES (! "D RETURN$ 6H]4 ..,I HOPE
WE'LL MANAGE )\T HM4 ,B AT L1/ HE'S
ALIVE--N L ,PE] ,ULFSSON'S "F4 ,POOR
LAD6 ,HE M/ HATE LIV+ AT ! MILL4 ,& ,I
WOND] :AT HE'S DO+ .N[8
                                    #AJD
  ,PE] 0 0HMF1 EAT+ 8 FRUGAL SUPP]4 ,8
UNCLES _H GIV5 HM AN ONION1 A SMALL
PIECE ( MOLDY *EESE1 "S R /ALE BR1D1 &!
5D (A RANCID SAUSAGE & !N G"O (F "S":1
L1V+ HM AL"O 6M9D ! MILL4 ,AL"O EXCEPT =
,LOKI1 2C !Y _H TAK5 ,GR5DEL ) !M4 ,PE]
0 HAPPY AB T6 ,! LL DOG LAY SPRAWL$ \ 0!
FIRE1 8 EYES BLISS;LLY %UT4 ,PE] SAT ON
A /OOL NEXT 6HM4
  ,! MILL 0 NOISILY ALIVE2 X 0 GR9D+
BUSILY4 ,"EY?+ VIBRAT$4 ,OLD DU/ TRICKL$
& COBWEBS %OOK ON ! WALLS4 ,UP 9 ! L(T1
F9ELY GR.D M1L 0 SN[+ F ! RIM (! MILL-
/"OS & PIL+ UP ON ! WOOD5 PLAT=M4 ,PE]'S
JOB 0 6CLIMB UP F "T 6"T & SWEEP X 9TO
SACKS4 ,HE DID N L X3 ! D>K %AD[S1 ": Y
CD BR1K YR ANKLE ON BITS ( BROK5 MA*9]Y1
WORM-EAT5 COG:EELS ) HALF ! TEE? MISS+1
A WORN OLD MILL/"O PROPP$ AG/ ! WALL4 ,&
! NOISES 7 S SPOOKY3 ! RHY?MIC ?UMP+ (!
WAT]:EEL L A D>K HE>T B1T+1 ! CR1K+ MA-
*9]Y1 ! CLATT] (! %OE T %OOK D[N ! GRA91
&! SIBILANT MUTT] (! ROTAT+ MILL/"O4
  ,PE] NIB#D 8 SAUSAGE EXP]I;T,Y &
DECID$ 6GIVE X 6,LOKI4 ,HE LOOK$    #AJE
AB4 ,HE 0 / HUNGRY1 B HE CD SEE NO?+
ELSE 6EAT4 ,! TA# 0 CLUTT]$ ) DIRTY DI%-
ES1 R9DS1 & CRU/S1 : HE 0 DET]M9$ N TO
T\*4 ,"! 0 A B[L ( COLD GR\TE T 8 UNCLE
_H PUT ON ! FLOOR 0! FIRE1 B X DID N
LOOK V APPETIZ+4
  8,I SUPPOSE T'S =! ,NIS ANYWAY10 ?"\
,PE]4 8,EV5 ,GR5DEL SEEMS 6H LEFT X
AL"O4 ,?\< HE'S PROBABLY /U6$ FULL1 !
GRE$Y BRUTE60
  ,T EV5+ ,GRIM1 :O DID MO/ (! COOK+1 _H
FRI$ "S ?ICK RA%]S ( BACON1 : ! TWO
BRO!RS GOB#D GRE$ILY1 WIP+ UP ! GR1SE F
! PAN ) BIG *UNKS ( NEW BR1D4 ,GR5DEL1
DROOL+ 0,GRIM'S KNEE1 0 REW>D$ ) S"EAL
CRISP PIECES1 :ILE ,PE] WAT*$ HUNGRILY F
8 COLD CORN]4 ,HE _H PLUCK$ UP 8 C\RAGE4
  8,UNCLE ,GRIM8 ,CD ,I H "S BACON80
  8,BACON IS BAD = BOYS10 REPLI$ ,UNCLE
,GRIM UNBL9K+LY4
  8,KEEPS 'EM AWAKE AT NI<TS10 AGRE$
,UNCLE ,BALDUR1 LICK+ 8 GLI/5+ F+]S )A
FAT R$ T;GUE4
  8,GIVES 'EM BAD DR1MS10 SD ,GRIM4
  8,BAD BLOOD60 SD ,BALDUR4         #AJF
  8,BACON IS TOO RI* = BOYS10 !Y *ANT$
TGR4
  ,S ,PE] GOT N"O1 ?\< 8 M\? WAT]$ AT !
SMELL1 :ILE ,GR5DEL LICK$ 8 MESSY *OPS
AF ! LA/ BR[N RA%]4 8.,GD OLD ,GR5DEL10
COO$ ,UNCLE ,GRIM1 RU2+ 8 E>S4 8,FAI?;L
FELL[6 ,GD DOG40 ,GR5DEL'S H1VY JAWS "P$
9 A GR9 & HE SEEM$ 6LOOK SIDEWAYS AT
,PE] Z IF 6SAY1 ..,Y SEE8 ,I AM ! FAVOR-
ITE ."H4
  ,PE] GOT UP RE/.SLY & PR[L$ >.D !
ROOM4 ,8 UNCLES _HN'T SD H[ LATE !Y'D
BE4 ,HE SUSPECT$ !Y _H G"O \ DR9K+1 ?\<
HE DIDN'T "K ":4 ,X 0 A GD "T 6TRY & F9D
": !Y _H HI45 8 "F'S M"OY4
  ,"! 7 S"EAL WOOD5 B9S BUILT ON EI SIDE
(! LA4] 6! L(T4 ,PE] TRI$ ! LIDS1 COCK+
AN ANXI\S E> = 8 UNCLES' RETURN4 ,MO/ (!
B9S 7 EMPTY EXCEPT =A FEW DU/Y GRA9S AT
! BOTTOM4 ,"O HELD A TANGLE ( OLD L1!R
H>;S4 ,& "O WD N OP54 ,! LID 0 SECURELY
FA/5$ )A L>GE PADLOCK4
  8,? M/ 2 X60 MUTT]$ ,PE]4 ,HE RATTL$
AT ! LID USE.SLY4 ,OV] 0! FIRE1 ,LOKI
HALF-LIFT$ 8 H1D4 8,I'M SURE X'S    #AJG
"H1 ,LOKI10 ,PE] TOLD HM4 ,B T DID N
HELP V M*4
  ,X 0 "T 6G UP 6! GR9D+ L(T & SWEEP !
FL\R 96SACKS4 ,RELUCTANTLY HE CLIMB$ !
RICKETY LA4]1 WI%+ HE CD /AY 0! FIRE )
,LOKI4 ,SURE 5\<1 A S(T PILE ( M1LY FL\R
LAY 9 A R+ >.D ! MILL/"OS4 ,PE] TOOK A
SMALL WOOD5 %OVEL & SCRAP$ X 96! SACK4
,HE /OOD ON TIPTOE & PEEP$ 96! HOPP]1 :
0 GETT+ L[4 ,UNCLE ,BALDUR _H LEFT "S
HALF-FULL SACKS ( B>LEY1 : HE CD J LIFT4
,HE REFILL$ ! HOPP]1 TAK+ C>E N 6T\* !
REVOLV+ RUNN]/"O4 ,PL1S$ ) HMF1 HE 0 AB
6CLIMB BACK D[N :5 A TREM5D\S -MO;N
BROKE \ F 2L1 A VOLLEY ( HY/]ICAL B>KS F
,LOKI6
  ,PE] /OPP$1 AL>M$4 ,X CDN'T 2 8 UNCLES
-+ BACK4 ,LOKI 0 TOO S5SI# 6B>K AT !M4
,X MI<T 2 ?IEVES4 ,X MI<T 2 "S P]FECTLY
9NOC5T VISITOR 6! MILL4 ,B X 0 V LATE1 Q
D>K \TSIDE4 ,HE LOOK$ D[N OV] ! $GE (!
L(T4 ,LOKI _H 8 HACKLES UP1 GR[L+ & WA7+
8 TAIL EXCIT$LY4 ,SU45LY HE JUMP$ &
SNAPP$ AT "S?+ ABV 8 H1D1 !N BACK$ A FEW
/EPS & B>K$ "S M1 LOOK+ UPW>D4      #AJH
,HE 0 WAT*+ "S?+ 9 ! RAFT]S4 ,RELIEV$1
,PE] SLID D[N ! LA4]4
  8,LOKI1 %UT UP60 HE SD /]NLY4 8,X'LL
ONLY 2 A RAT40 ,LOKI IGNOR$ HM & W5T ON
GR[L+4 8,ALL "R10 ,PE] TOLD HM1 8,I'LL H
YR SPACE 0! FIRE1 !N60 & HE SAT D[N ON !
DIRTY RU% MAT & R1*$ \ 8 H&S 6! W>M?4
,HE YAWN$4 ,HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6/AY AWAKE TILL
8 UNCLES GOT BACK1 B HE SU45LY FELT T]-
RIBLY SLEEPY4 ,8 EYES CLOS$ & 8 H1D NO4$
=W>D1 B ,LOKI B>K$ AG & HE WOKE )A J]K4
8,/OP X1 ,LOKI60 HE MUM#D 9 ANNOY.E4
,LOKI GAVE HM AN APOLOGETIC GL.E1 B 3T9-
U$ 6/& AT ATT5;N1 />+ UPW>D EAG]LY4
  ,PE]'S H1D DROOP$ AG1 B Z 8 EYELIDS
CLOS$ HE HE>D A FAMILI> LL VOICE4 8,SEE
MY LEG80 X GI7L$4 ,"! 0 ANO!R FLURRY (
B>KS F ,LOKI1 :O JUMP$ AB Z IF ON SPR+S4
  ,PE]'S EYES FLEW OP54 ,X 0 H>D 6SEE 0!
LI<T (! DY+ FIRE1 B "S?+ 0 SITT+ ON "O (
! CROSSB1MS4 ,A SP9DLY LL LEG COV]$ 9 A
WORN GRAY /OCK+ DANGL$ F ! B1M & WAV$ AB
TEMPT+LY1 J OV] ,LOKI'S H1D4 8,SEE MY LL
LEG80 T1S$ ! VOICE AG4 ,LOKI EXPLOD$ 9 A
FRU/RAT$ FURY ( L1PS & B>KS4        #AJI
  8,LOKI1 /OP X60 ,PE] GOT UP & GRA2$ 8
PET4 ,HE CLOS$ 8 H& R.D ,LOKI'S MUZZLE
6KEEP 8 M\? %UT4 ,LOKI PAW$ AT HM & :9$
2SEE*+LY4
  8,X'S ONLY ! ,NIS1 SILLY10 SD ,PE]4
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