Cragger crept forward through the thick undergrowth.  Mavelle and McDougal followed close behind.  Heavy vines, bushes loaded with thorns, and moss-covered ground made the going slow.  More than once Mavelle’s feet slipped out from under her and Cragger helped her to her feet.  Their conversation limited to grunts and groans by the effort they put forth.

     Before long, they had a view of Lovena and Sarah’s prison.  Mavelle’s gaze swept over the heavy stone that kept her sisters prisoner.

     “How will we ever get them out of there even when we kill the troll?” 

      “You forget, I’m a dwarf, and we dwarves have a way with stone.”  He pointed to a thicket ahead of them.  “We can take cover there until he appears.”

      Mavelle pushed to her feet and continued.  Once they reached the thicket, they used hand signals to position themselves.  Cragger watched one direction while Mavelle watched the opposite.

      McDougal growled.  The rumble came from deep within his body.  He raised his lips to show his teeth, and stared at a pile of rubble in front of them that began to move.  In an instant Mavelle was helpless in a grip of stone.  The last thing she saw was Cragger’s limp body flying through the air.  The last thing she heard was McDougal’s howl of pain.