1)
“Who DARES to cross my bridge?”
The voice was as thunderous as it was sudden. And came from thin air.
The travelers shrank back, peering in all directions. “A troll! The bridge has a troll!”#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018
2)
“A toll collector! A TROLL toll collector!”
“Just a voice, so far,” said the oldest merchant sourly. “Show yourself!”
Silence fell.
After a long time, the old merchant shrugged and urged his laden mule forward. Onto the bridge.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018
3)
“All right, all right,” came the thunderous voice, and up onto the far end of the bridge hopped the smallest goblin they’d ever seen. Clutching a cone-of-hides megaphone.
The old merchant kept right on.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018
4)
“So,” he said, “I dare. Is there a toll? A curse?”
“Well, not exactly.”
The old merchant sneered. “And how afraid should I be of your ‘not exactly’?”#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018
5)
The bridge opened a monstrous mouth right under the old merchant and his mule, swallowing them both before either had a chance to scream.
The goblin looked down at the bloodily chewing fangs and said, “That would depend on…#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018
6)
…how much you fear sudden death by being eaten. Among we goblins, it’s a matter of one’s philosophical outlook on life. For you humans, I’m not sure.”
The travelers were all too busy frantically turning around and fleeing…#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018
7)
…to furnish coherent and printable replies.
The goblin shrugged and climbed the hill to his flag-mast, to signal the goblin under the bridge the travelers would reach on their return journey.
After all, bridges need to eat.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 16, 2018