Episode 7 - Chapter 69

Raven takes a moment to get the measure of the size of the trolls before he commits the chalk to dungeon wall. The door that he draws is as tall as his tip-toed reach can manage, but he still feels the need to apologise.

“Sorry,” he says to the trolls, “You may have to crouch a bit. Now, everybody hold on to me...” With that, he grasps the door's handle. “Somewhere that needs a bridge,” he says, his tone more than sceptical. He pulls the door open and steps forward, finding himself tottering at the edge of a mountain gorge.

“Careful,” he warns his companions.

The trolls look at the chasm reaching below, then the far side of the gorge, and Raven is sure he hears them sigh.

“Thish,” says Rocknipples, “Ish perfik.” He places his heart gently on the ground, then scoops a mound of earth from the ground and slams it on top.

“Wot are you doin?” Stonedildo demands.

“Makin' a shtart,” comes the reply.

“Well then,” Stonedildo shrugs, standing at the edge. “I've got sum fallin' to do.” He tips forward and drops quickly out of sight.

“Right,” Raven says, turning to Robert, “Time to find your missus.”

“You could always start,” Tom suggests, “By giving her another call.”

Episode 7 - Chapter 68

Raven watches as Robert closes his eyes, concentration sinking deep into his brow. He mutters something to himself under his breath, but Raven can't make out the words.

After a few moments Robert opens his eyes, reaching in to his pocket. “I'm sorry,” he says, holding something in his fist, “That's all I could manage.”

Opening his hand, Raven sees Robert holding two shiny pebbles in his palm.

“Well that's no...” Raven begins to say before Stonedildo interrupts.

“My heart,” the troll exclaims, gently taking one of the pebbles in his out-sized fist. “You did it!”

“But they're so small,” Raven says, “How can that be your heart?”

“Trolls start their bridges early,” Stonedildo tells him, “We started ours when we was barely boulders.”

“Wot now?” Rocknipples asks, taking the other pebble from Robert.

“Now,” Raven replies, once more producing the chalk, “Now we find somewhere that needs a bridge.”

Episode 7 - Chapter 67

“What a motley band of brothers are we,” Raven chuckles to himself. “A tired old bird from the Forest, a lost boy, a spy, a talking cloud and two homesick trolls.”

“You,” he says, suddenly focusing his attention, turning to the sparkling cloud, “You mentioned a more eloquent solution?”

“Indeed,” Tom replies.

“No time for mysteries or riddles,” Raven insists, “Out with it.”

“We believe,” Tom says, “That these trolls' hearts may be near by, were Robert to believe it.”

Raven turns to the trolls. “Could this be true?” he asks.

“We was told they were in the vault,” Stonedildo answers.

“But who tellsh a troll anyfing,” Rocknipples says, “Ash long ash they're obedient.”

“Well then lad,” Raven turns to Robert, “Looks like it's down to you.”

Episode 7 - Chapter 66

“'Ow are ewe gonna do that?” Stonedildo asks Raven.

“Simple,” Raven replies, producing the chalk from his pocket. “I'm going to draw a door into the prince's vault, walk in and take them.”

“There may be a more eloquent solution,” Raven hears the other, new voice say.

“Who said that?” he demands.

“Oh, that's Tom,” Robert tells him, gesturing at the air around him.

“Tom?” Raven asks, “Well where is he?”

“He takes a bit of time to catch up,” Robert replies. “You see that sparkly stuff just there?”

Raven looks closely at the air Robert is pointing at. After a few moments he notices shades of blue and green coming and going in the atmosphere.

“Good grief lad,” he says, “You're friends with a talking gas?”

Episode 7 - Chapter 65

After a few minutes of swaying Raven's compartment returns to normal. He knows they've returned to the dungeon when he hears Stonedildo say to Robert “Pick a cage.”

Grasping the chalk, Raven draws what he hopes is a door on the darkness in front of him and turns the handle to open it.

“No need for that,” he says, stepping out of Rocknipples' chest, “We've got work to do.”

“We have to lock 'im away,” Stonedildo asserts.

“Do you really?” Raven responds, “Wouldn't you rather be starting a new bridge somewhere?”

Both trolls pause for a moment. “'Ow are we gonna do that?” Stonedildo asks.

“Raven,” Robert says urgently, “I really must speak with you about matters at home.”

“All in good time, dear boy,” Raven replies, “First we've got to steal some hearts.”

Episode 7 - Chapter 64

“How do you know my mother's name?” Robert demands once the troll has spoken.

“Tell him a little bird told you,” Raven tells the troll, “And try and wink, if you can.”

Rocknipples relays the information to Robert.

“I think you'd better do as the troll suggests,” Raven hears a new voice speak, “There's more to this picture than meets the eye.”

“You're sure?” Robert asks this new speaker.

“Certain,” it confirms.

“Okay, I'll go with you,” Robert tells the trolls, “But you'll keep your distance. You lead, and you can follow.”

The walls around Raven and the Guide ripple and contract once more as the troll stands up.

“Thish way,” Rocknipples says to Robert, and Raven's compartment begins to sway slightly as the troll shuffles away.

Episode 7 - Chapter 63

“Seize him,” the prince commands.

“Stay away,” Robert says, “Not one of you can touch me.”

“Cum 'ere,” Rocknipples says, “Ahl get you, you little...eeurk!”

The walls around Raven and the Guide ripple and contract, before their world is turned upside down with a loud crash.

“What is wrong with you?” the prince demands, “He's only one man. Grab him, for god's sake.”

“What is wrong?” Raven asks the troll quietly.

“Can't get near 'im,” the troll says in reply to both, “Shomething pushesh us back.”

“Then be polite,” Raven suggests, “Ask him nicely....and tell him it's what his mother, Mary....tell him it's what she would want.”