Would You Care For Something To Eat

"Three large onions, Eddie."1

"We've plenty of onions, Hodge."2

"Eight turnips."3

Edda Belle Bergtagen looked around, trying to remember where the turnips were stored. She had not been working for Mister Moelder very long and she was still learning where everything was in the huge kitchen.4

"The turnip bin is over there near the vegetable-prepping table, Eddie."5

Hodge also worked for Mister Moelder, but he was the steward, the person Mister Moelder depended on to manage his household for him. That is why he was seated at the table with the cookbook and Eddie was doing the legwork of checking for ingredients.6

"I found the bin, but it's empty. How about parsnips or rutabagas? There're a lot of those."7

Hodge made an awful frown at Eddie's suggestion. "Rump steak stew without turnips? Just thinking of it is distasteful." He added turnips to the list of ingredients they needed to purchase.8

"And finally, three pounds of fresh rump steak."9

Eddie walked over to where Hodge was sitting, then with her hands on her hips, she spun around to give Hodge a better view of her ample bottom. "I'd say there's well over three pounds down there." With a soft laugh, she added "And it doesn't get any fresher."10

In other kitchens, a remark like this would obviously be a joke, although it would be considered an inappropriate one in most of them. Here, despite her laughter, Eddie was quite serious. Hodge and Moelder were both trolls who were very fond of human flesh and it was Eddie's job to supply it. The reason she accepted being made into stew with such good humor was that she knew Hodge would regenerate her later. She had been through the whole process twice already and she did not think being eaten over and over again by trolls was really that bad. It certainly was better than if they had only wanted to eat her once.11

"Yes, that'll be more than sufficient." Hodge glanced over his list. "I need to go into town to make some purchases before we start the stew. Would you like to come along, Eddie?"12

"Sure. Since I'm going to be living here, I might as well check the place out."13

Like the rest of house, the garage was underground, carved out of solid rock. Mister Moelder owned several cars, but it was a very large garage, so he let Eddie keep her old Hyundai there too. Hodge picked the car he liked best, a bright red 1950 Nash Rambler convertible, and drove it out of the garage and onto the narrow country road that passed by the house. Eddie looked back but all she could see was the wooded hill they lived under. The garage door, like all entrances to Mister Moelder's house, was only visible when it was needed.14

Eddie had only passed by the town when she had come to answer Mister Moelder's want ad, so this was her first chance to get a good look at Mount Horid. It was nothing like what she had left behind in Lac du Fromage, where all the buildings downtown were boarded up because everyone shopped at the chain stores out by the interstate. It was not like those towns that tried so obviously to be quaint either. There were no hitching posts, ornate streetlamps or brick sidewalks to attract the snobby tourists who came up from Illinois. There was a gift shop with its window full of Wishniks and an art gallery that was offering a special on Rolf Lidberg prints, but mostly there were stores and businesses that filled the everyday needs of the people of Mount Horid.15

"I don't see any other trolls, Hodge. I thought there were supposed to be lots of trolls in Mount Horid."16

"There are more trolls here than most places, Eddie, but the majority of people who live in Mount Horid are human. Besides, we spend much of our time underground."17

"That's right. I thought you turned to stone if you were out in the sun, but you're driving around in broad daylight with the top down."18

Hodge turned into the parking lot of Karnibee's Market. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear about trolls...or about anything else."19

"Yeah, living things don't just suddenly turn to stone."20

"Oh, we can turn to stone. That much is true. But, we only do it when we want to." He pulled into a parking space and stopped the car.21

Eddie got out of the car and headed into the market. "Why would you want to? I can't think of any reason I'd want to turn to stone."22

Hodge grinned at her as they went inside. "You might want to if someone kept asking you silly questions."23

"You could just say you don't want to answer any questions. You don't have to turn to stone just to make 'someone' stop talking."24

Hodge chuckled, "Oh, I think 'someone' would keep talking even if I turned to stone. But if I was stone, I wouldn't be able to hear it."25

Suddenly a small boy shouted, "Mommy! There's a troll! Do you see the troll?"26

Hodge whispered to Eddie, "This really might be a good time to turn to stone."27

The boy's mother told him, "Don't be rude, Honey. The nice troll probably doesn't want to be bothered."28

The troll muttered to Eddie, "Now you know why we stay underground most of the time".29

Despite what his mother had told him, the boy rushed over and stared at Hodge. "Are you really a troll?"30

"Yes, I'm really a troll. And since this is a market, I'm obviously looking for something to eat. So, if you don't want to be my supper, you better stay far away from me."31

The boy just looked at the troll, too frightened to run away when his mother put her arm around him. "Don't worry, Tommy. He's just teasing you. Trolls don't really eat people."32

It was hard not to laugh, but Eddie managed to keep a straight face as she said, "You shouldn't believe everything you hear about trolls."33

"See, Tommy, the nice lady isn't afraid of the troll. Would you like to have your picture taken with him." Looking at Hodge, she asked, "It is alright if I take your picture, isn't it? I'm Margret Hilles and that's my husband Herb and my daughter Jennifer. I should get a picture with them, too."34

Hodge sighed, "Yes, that'll be alright. Eddie, why don't you take the picture for them. That way, we can have everyone in one shot."35

Eddie took a picture of the Hilles family with Hodge. Then one of the troll with just Tommy and Jennifer, then one of him with Margret and Herb, then one of Hodge with each of them separately, then one of Hodge by himself and finally another picture of the whole group. In spite of his grumblings, to Eddie it looked like Hodge was enjoying the picture-taking session as much as anyone.36

"Thank you, both. If you ever get down to Oak Brook, you be sure and stop and see us. Herb works at McDonald's there." The woman laughed, "I mean at the corporate offices, of course, not making hamburgers."37

Eddie waved as the family left the market. "We'll do that. Have a safe trip home."38

When they were gone, Hodge remarked, "I'd say we've done our share of entertaining the tourists for one day. Now we need to get our shopping done. You can pick out some turnips, Eddie, and I'll get the other items."39

While she was looking through the pile of turnips to find the best ones, a clerk came over, stood next to her and asked, "Do you need help finding what you want, Miss?"40

Eddie looked up from the turnips. The clerk appeared to be in his mid-twenties,about the same age as she was, but his trim, athletic body was nothing like hers. She selfconsciously straightened her glasses and answered, "Thank you, but I'm doing fine. I was just getting some turnips."41

"Good. What're you going to make with them?"42

Eddie guessed the clerk was more interested in having an excuse to talk with her that finding out the fate of his turnips. "Rump steak stew."43

"Hmmm, that sound's good. I'll have to try it sometime."44

"Uh, it might sound good, but I don't think you'd like what's in it."45

"I like turnips. I'm sure I'd like whatever else you put in that stew."46

"I got my turnips now. I'd better go." She hoped he would not think she was rude, but she did not want to tell him she was going to be the main ingredient of the stew. It did not bother her anymore when she with the trolls, but she was not comfortable telling anyone else.47

The clerk did not seem offended. He just smiled at her. "I'm just messing with you. You're Moelder's new meat-girl, aren't you?"48

"I suppose you could call me that. How'd you know?"49

"Everyone knowns he was looking for someone to replace Kate. Then I saw you come in with Hodge, so it wasn't hard to figure it out."50

"You don't think I'm weird because...I have that job with Mister Moelder."51

"No, not at all. Karnibee's a troll too, you know, and I work for him."52

"You mean...?"53

"Most trolls would rather buy their meat at the market than bother with it themselves. Karnibee has a special meat counter downstairs where humans aren't allowed...not as customers anyway."54

"I guess I should've known I wasn't the only one."55

"That's enough shop talk, isn't it? Let's get to what's important. I'm Steve. How'd you like to meet me for a few drinks?"56

"I'm Eddie and I'd like that."57

"Tonight, maybe about seven?"58

"Not tonight, I've...got dinner plans."59

"With the turnips, right? How about tomorrow?"60

"Tomorrow'll be great."61

The bar was called The Troll Hole, but the only troll Eddie could see was the plastic one sitting next to the cash register. It was a silly-looking thing with a nose so long it had to tilt its head back so it could pour the beer from its mug into its mouth. The beer was really just colored water. There was a pump hidden in the troll that recirculated the fake beer from its mouth through a pipe in its arm back to the mug, so the pouring could continue without interruption.62

"Do you think that offends them, Steve?"63

"What do you mean, Eddie?"64

"I mean all the pictures and things that make trolls look ridiculous. Like that one by the cash register."65

"Old Bottomless Pete? He's like the place's mascot. And if Seehorn didn't like it, he wouldn't have put it in his bar."66

"You mean a troll owns this bar?"67

"Yeah. That's Seehorn down there." Steve pointed to what appeared to be a burly, bald man at the other end of the bar, chatting with the customers while he served them drinks.68

"He doesn't look like a troll."69

"Trolls look like whatever they want to, Eddie. Most of them look just like humans. At least, they do when they're above ground. It keeps the tourists from annoying them."70

"I guess there's a lot about trolls I don't know."71

"There's a lot about trolls nobody knows. Where do they come from? Why do so many of them live here? I've heard dozens of stories but I'm not sure if any of them are true."72

"How many trolls are there here?"73

"There are about ten I know of myself, but those are just the ones that like to mingle with humans. I've no idea how many more there are, maybe just a few, maybe a hundred or more. What everyone does know is that trolls run this town. Humans are just here to work for them."74

"Then everyone here gets..."75

Steve laughed, "They don't do the special work you and I do, Eddie, just regular jobs. Between Karnibee, Seehorn and a couple others, trolls own just about every business in Mount Horid."76

"What about Hodge and Mister Moelder?"77

"Hodge is Moelder's steward. He's a nobody, barely above us humans. Moelder is something of a mystery. He seems to have a lot of status among the trolls but he doesn't own any businesses, just his house under Spriggan Hill."78

Eddie took a sip of her beer and thought a moment. "The two of us, are we the only ones who...do special work?"79

"We call ourselves esculents, Eddie. Karnibee has six others besides me and I've heard there are one or two more that are kept for household use like you are."80

"Esculent, that sounds impressive. Have you been one very long, Steve?"81

"Just over twenty years."82

"Then you're really quite a bit older than me."83

"I was born before you, but Hodge must've told you being regenerated basically stops us from aging."84

"Yeah, I remember that. How long are you planning to stay with Karnibee?"85

"We can't leave, Eddie. Our souls are gone. If the trolls don't regenerate us when we die, that's the end. We're nothing...done forever."86

"They aren't actually gone, Steve. Just sort of turned off."87

"You mean Hodge didn't take you to Materra?"88

"No, who's Materra?"89

"She's another troll, some kind of mystic. They call her a felkyo. But if she hasn't removed your soul, your mind should merge with the Evermind when you die. Then there's no way you can come back to life."90

"Hodge gives me blue wine. He says it stills the soul. Then white wine to still the will and red to still the body. You mean you don't get wine like that?"91

"No, our souls are gone. So when Karnibee's ready for us, he just ties us up and uses a knife. I understand the blue and red wines, but I don't really see the reason for the white. Why does it matter what happens to your will?"92

"That way, there's no stress when I die. One drink of that, and I don't care what happens to me."93

"It sounds like your trolls really take good care of you."94

"Yes, they're very nice to me."95

"And I'm sure turnips think the farmers take good care of them, too. That's really all we are to the trolls, Eddie, just something to eat, just turnips."96

"Are you saying Hodge and Mister Moelder don't really like me?"97

"They really like to eat you, that's all. Remember, trolls don't have souls; they don't know how anyone else feels. They just act nice to you so you'll stay and they can keep eating you."98

"And you don't have a soul either, Steve, so are you just acting nice to me because you want something?"99

"Of course I am. Did you just figure that out? And you're the same way now."100

"I am not! I still care how other people feel. I didn't notice any change at all when I drank the blue wine. I wouldn't even know it had affected my soul or anything like that if Hodge hadn't told me."101

"That's because you already were trying to block out your soul. People today are pretty good at that, but a little bit from other people's minds still manages to get through. Usually they're not even conscious of it, but it's always there, influencing them, reminding them what's waiting for them when they die."102

"What is waiting for them?"103

"The Evermind. The collective mind of everyone who's ever lived and died. Except those who died without a soul, of course. Once a person has merged with the Evermind, they know exactly how everything they did or didn't do affected everyone else and there's no way to ignore any of it."104

"Is that heaven?"105

"Or hell. They're the same thing. The only difference is the life someone lives before getting there. But you and me, we don't have to worry about that. We never have to be troubled by what someone else feels. We die and the trolls bring us back to life. At least until they get tired of us and want to eat someone new. Then we're just gone."106

"Maybe that's they way it is for you, but I've still got a soul. All I've got to do is stop taking the blue wine and I'll be normal again. Then I can leave like Kate did."107

"Do you really think she left? The trolls probably decided they wanted some different meat for a change, so they just didn't regenerate her and made up the story she left. No one actually saw her leave, you know."108

"Did she say anything about planning to leave while she was still here?"109

"Not that I know of. But she was a very quiet person. You've already said more to me than she did in all the years I've been here."110

"Hodge told me she left to start a family and I'm going to believe him."111

"Believe whatever you want, but when the trolls decide to leave you dead, don't say I didn't warn you."112

Eddie laughed at Steve's remark. "I'm not sure how much I should believe you."113

"You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you how much you should believe me. Before I forget, do you think you could get me some of that white wine you were talking about? We shouldn't have to suffer at the market just because Karnibee won't get it for us."114

"Okay, I'll ask Hodge if I can bring you a bottle."115

"Don't be stupid. The troll isn't going to give you one for someone else's esculents. Just take one."116

"It's in a locked room and Hodge has the key."117

"I'm sure you're clever enough to find a way to get it."118

"I'll see what I can do, Steve."119

Eddie checked herself over in the big mirror in the hallway. She combed her hair back into place, then straightened her glasses. After glancing around to be sure no one else was near, she tilted her hips and shoulders and in her slinkiest voice said, "I'm a meat-girl. I'm tender, plump and delicious. Do I make you hungry?"120

"Yes, I must admit, you do."121

Eddie was startled to see Hodge in the hallway and she hoped he did not notice she was blushing a little. "Uh, I was just getting ready to go out."122

"I assume another rendezvous with your paramour from the market. Is he the one you were practicing your little speech for?"123

"That? No, I was just fooling around. Steve's not even really my boyfriend. We just hang out together."124

"Just be careful, Eddie. I don't know that man very well, but what I do know doesn't make me comfortable around him."125

"I know, he is a little different, but there's nothing serious between us. It's just nice to be with someone who gets eaten like I do. Why is it so easy to say that here and so hard when I'm up there."126

"To say that you like to be with him?"127

"No, to say that I get eaten. I can say it to you. You cut me up, cook me and eat me. It's that easy to talk about it. But around other humans, I call it something dumb like 'my special work', like I'm ashamed of it."128

"Most humans can't overcome their natural aversion to being eaten, even though we try to eliminate all undesirable consequences. Very few can accept it as well as you do, so you hide your acceptance from them so they won't consider you peculiar."129

"So I don't want them to think I'm weird, even though I really am?"130

"You could say it that way. Of course, among trolls, weirdness is considered a virtue."131

"Then I guess I've found the place where I belong." Eddie looked quietly for a moment at the short, weasel-faced troll. "Do you like me, Hodge?"132

"Certainly. You are delicious. In fact, I would say I've never eaten a human that was tastier than you are."133

"No, I don't mean as food. Do you like me as a person?"134

"What? Umm...since we both are employed by Mister Moelder...and I'm in the position of your superior...I don't think a discussion of affection between us is appropriate." Hodge realized he had been fiddling the tuft of his tail, so he swished it out of his hands and behind his back. 135

This made Eddie happy, since by avoiding her question, Hodge had told her what she wanted to know. "No, of course that wouldn't be appropriate. And thank you...for saying I taste so good."136

"Well, I was only telling the truth."137

"Would it be alright with you if I took a bottle of wine. Steve asked me to bring one."138

"A proper gentleman would provide the wine himself instead of asking his lady to bring it, but I suppose that isn't the way it's done anymore. I just got some cranbernet that I think would be very nice."139

"Actually, Steve wanted some of that white cooking wine."140

"That's only to be used in the kitchen. You know what effect it has on people who drink it."141

"Yes, that's why Steve wants it. Karnibee doesn't give his people any, so dying is really unpleasant for them."142

"Mister Karnibee is noted for his frugality. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let you take him a bottle. It'll be coming out of your salary, though."143

"Thank you, Hodge. I know Steve'll appreciate this."144

While Steve was sitting in The Troll Hole, waiting for Eddie, a man sat down on the stool next to him and started to mutter. "What's the use? It's gone. Everything's gone."145

Steve tried to ignore the man, but he continued, "What's your name? Mine's Matt."146

Just as Steve was about to look for a different place to sit, Eddie came in and sat on the other side of him.147

"Hi, Steve. I got what you wanted."148

"A brown paper bag! Wow, I feel like a real wino now, Eddie."149

"I had to put it in something. I didn't want to walk into the bar just carrying a bottle of wine." She handed the bag to Steve.150

Matt whined, "I lost my job, Steve. Then my girlfriend said she didn't want to be around anyone so irresponsible, so she left me. I'm a loser, Steve, a real loser."151

"That's very sad. Why don't you find the door, Matt."152

Eddie shook her head, "Don't be so nasty, Steve. The poor guy's got problems."153

"Then let's do something about them." Steve poured some wine from the bottle Eddie had brought and pushed the glass in front of Matt. "Here, drink this."154

Eddie shouted, "No! That's not for you!" Before she could stop him, Matt had drunk the wine.155

"So, Matt, do you still think you're a loser?"156

"Yes, but now I don't care."157

"See, Eddie, I made him feel better."158

"He doesn't feel better. He doesn't feel at all. This doesn't solve anything and now we'll have to watch that nobody tells him to do something he shouldn't."159

"Why would we do that?"160

"He doesn't have a will, Steve. He'll do whatever anybody tells him to."161

"Good, this is going to be better than I expected." Steve turned on his stool to face Matt. "See that girl sitting at the table over there. Go over to her and tell her you can make her happier than anyone she's ever known."162

"Steve, what do you think you're doing?"163

"Solving his problem, Eddie."164

"My uncle says we can use his cabin on Cranberry Lake for the weekend, Liz."165

"Just the two of us?"166

"Yeah, just the two of us."167

"I don't know, Mike. I'm not sure I'm ready for this."168

"If you don't want to, I understand, but I..." Mike noticed there was a scrawny man standing next to their table. He did not know the man, but he thought he had seen him sitting at the bar when they came in. "What do you want?"169

Matt looked at Liz and said, "I can make you happier than anyone you've ever known."170

Mike shot up and gave the intruder a shove that sent him sprawling on the floor. "Get away from her, you creep!"171

Steve shook his head as he watched Matt take his place on the stool next to him. "You're back already?"172

Without any emotion, Matt replied, "The man told me to go away."173

"Don't listen to anything he tells you, Matt."174

Eddie tugged on Steve's arm. "Maybe it'd be better if you just left him alone."175

"I can't do that, Eddie. When the wine wears off, he'll think he's a bigger loser than ever." Steve leaned over and rested his arm across Matt's shoulders. "You got to go back and do whatever it takes to get that girl, Matt. Don't let anyone stop you."176

"I'll do what you say."177

"No, don't listen to him, Matt. Stay here."178

Matt stood up and started walking back to the table where Liz and Mike were sitting.179

"He isn't listening to you, Eddie. I told him not to let anyone stop him."180

"Then I'll have to do more than talk." 181

Eddie started to get off her stool, but Steve put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back down. "Come on, Eddie. You know you want to see what's going to happen."182

Matt had no will to choose what he wanted to do, so he accepted whatever was suggested to him. However, he could still think as clearly as ever. To get the girl, he had to overcome the man she was with. The man was much stronger than he was, so he needed something to give him an advantage. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. If he held them so they stuck out between his fingers, if he snuck up behind the man and if he attacked him where he was most vulnerable, he might have the advantage he needed.183

For someone so large, Seehorn the bartender was surprisingly agile. As soon as he saw the one man attacking the other, he leapt over the bar like a cat and pinned Matt to the floor, while he roared, "No fighting in the bar!"184

"How'd you like that excitement, Eddie?"185

"What's wrong with you, Steve? One guy was taken away in an ambulance and the other was arrested. Don't you care what happened to them?"186

"No, I don't have a soul. Why should I care? What happens to them doesn't affect me."187

"That's terrible!"188

"No, it's great. We're free to do whatever we want. You're just acting like you care out of habit. Don't worry, that'll fade away soon. Then, you'll be just like me."189

"I'll never be like that. Never."190

"You will be. You keep your soul turned off and you can't stop it."191

Eddie got up and started walking out of the bar. Then she came back and snatched the bag with the white wine in it. "I better take this with me."192

"Hey, I need that, Eddie! You don't know how bad dying without something like that is."193

"Guess what? I just started not to care."194

Eddie was sitting sideways on the bench across from the large mirror in the hallway. She had her feet up on the bench and her head facedown on her knees, so she did not see Hodge as he passed by.195

"I didn't expect you back so soon, Eddie."196

"Things didn't go the way I expected either." Without looking up, she grabbed the bottle that was sitting on the bench by her feet and handed it to Hodge. "Here's your wine back. Most of it, anyway."197

"Did your friend, Steve, change his mind about wanting the wine?"198

"No, but I changed mine about giving it to him."199

Hodge took the bottle from Eddie. "Did he do anything to hurt you, Eddie?"200

"Me, no." Eddie raised her head just enough to glance at Hodge. "Is having a stilled soul any different than not having one at all? Is that going to change me, Hodge?"201

"It's very much the same, except it isn't permanent. The effect of the blue wine only lasts a few days if you don't drink more of it, but there's no way to give someone a soul again once it's actually gone. I think doing it will change you, but it's my belief that everything a person does changes them in some way."202

"Then maybe I should leave. I don't want to become like Steve."203

"I think this conversation would be much easier if you explained what happened to the two of you."204

"Yeah, I suppose it would be. When I got to the bar, Steve was talking to some guy who had some kind of problem with his girlfriend. I think his name was Matt. Steve gave Matt some of the cooking wine I brought him, then he told Matt to go after this other girl who was in the bar. He had drunk the wine, so Matt did whatever Steve told him and he got in a big fight with the girl's boyfriend."205

"I hope the fight wasn't too serious."206

"It was pretty bad. They took the girl's boyfriend to the hospital and the police arrested that Matt guy. But the worst thing is how Steve reacted to the whole thing. He just thought it was funny. He didn't care at all how those people felt."207

"That is an unfortunate incident, but why would you consider leaving because of it?"208

"What Steve told me is he's that way be cause he doesn't have a soul. And he said that's what's going to happen to me too. I can't let that happen, so I've got to stop drinking that wine, but you can't eat me anymore if I don't drink it, so I'll have to leave."209

"Eddie, I'd say Steve is using his soulless condition as an excuse to do whatever he wants. I've been without a soul far longer than he has, but I still believe I've an obligation to avoid doing anything that would harm someone else. Trolls learned long ago we can't enjoy a civilised life, if we aren't responsible for our actions."210

Eddie leaned back and gave Hodge a small smile. "So, are you saying if I stay, I might become like you instead of like Steve?"211

"I don't think resembling me would be much of an incentive for you to stay. I was just making the point people can react differently to the same situation."212

An image of her turning into a troll like Hodge, with her glasses sitting on a long snout, passed through Eddie's mind and made her grin. She wondered if Hodge had guessed what she was thinking, because he grinned back at her.213

"Now, Eddie, I think it's time to stop talking about responsibility and start practicing it. We've caused a great deal of damage and we need to see what we can do to repair it."214

"We aren't responsible for what happened, Hodge. It was Steve's fault."215

"You gave Steve the wine and I allowed you to take it to him. Without the wine, none of this would've happened. We must be responsible for the trouble it caused, since I don't expect Steve will attempt to make amends for what he did."216

"No, I'm sure he won't. So, what do we do?"217

"I suggest we start with a visit to the hospital. It will be easier to remedy that fellow's misfortune than the other one's."218

Mount Horid was a small town, too small to have its own hospital, so Mike had been taken to the one in Brockton. When they arrived there, Hodge introduced Eddie to one of the doctors.219

"This is Doctor Heeley, Eddie. He lives in Mount Horid and we've known each other for years. And this is Edda Belle Bergtagen, who has recently joined our domestic staff."220

The doctor and Eddie nodded to each other. She was glad that Hodge had not been more specific about her duties at Mister Moelder's house.221

Hodge continued, "Do you have a man here who was injured at The Troll Hole tavern last night."222

"Yes, he's a patient of mine, Mike Hastings. It's unusual to see anyone attacked so viciously around here. Most bar fights just result in minor cuts and bruises, at worst some broken bones. Whoever attacked him went straight for his eyes. He's lost sight in both of them."223

"Could you take us to see him, Doctor Heeley."224

"Certainly. Follow me."225

Eddie had expected the doctor to insist on maintaining his patient's privacy, so she was surprised how readily he complied with Hodge's requests. She wondered if Hodge had done something to him or if this was just the result of the influence the trolls had in Mount Horid.226

As they gathered around Mike's bed, the doctor said, "He's rather heavily sedated. We felt the stress of dealing with his blindness would be too much until he's recovered more from his other injuries. Is that going to be a problem, Hodge?"227

"No, that will actually make this easier. Would you remove the bandages from his face."228

"Yes, I'll have them off in a few minutes."229

While the doctor removed the bandages, Eddie whispered to Hodge, "What did you do to him to make him so cooperative?"230

"Nothing, he just knows why we're here." Eddie looked a little confused, so he added, "I'm going to repair the damage we've done. Watch closely. I think you'll find this interesting."231

When the doctor was finished, Hodge climbed up and sat on the bed so he could wrap his tail around Mike's head. Eddie wanted to turn away when she saw how badly the man had been injured, but she forced herself to watch as Hodge had told her. 232

After several minutes, Eddie asked, "Is something going to happen?"233

"Something is happening, Eddie."234

Eddie looked again at the disfigured face. She could not see anything changing, but the injuries did not seem quite as bad as they had been at first. "You're regenerating him like you do me, aren't you, Hodge?"235

"Yes, although this is more difficult. Even with the sedation, his body is resisting my efforts to control it."236

"I thought it would be much faster, like when they morph faces on a computer."237

Hodge shook his head. "Even though I'm controlling it, it's his body that is healing itself. It's doing that much faster than it normally would, but there's a limit how much I can increase its metabolism."238

It seemed like forever to Eddie, but it was only a little over an hour later when Hodge removed his tail from Mike's head. "I'm finished, Doctor Heeley."239

The doctor came over, looked at his patient's face and then felt it. He took a light out his pocket and carefully pulled open the lids on each eye to look inside it. "Amazing! There's no evidence of any trauma. His vision has been completely restored." He put the light back in his pocket as he turned to face the troll. "Thank you, Hodge. I don't suppose you've changed your mind about working at the clinic. That offer is still open if you want it."240

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm very satisfied with my current position."241

"I understand. Can I ask why you took an interest in this patient? Is he somebody you know?"242

"No, but indirectly, Eddie and I are responsible for what happened to him. He'll be very hungry when he wakes up, so see that he has plenty to eat, Doctor Heeley."243

"I'll do that, Hodge. Thank you, again."244

As they were walking out of the hospital, Eddie asked Hodge, "Did you say this was the easy one? Do you think we've any chance of getting the other guy out of jail?"245

"We'll talk to Mister Moelder about that, but that wasn't what I thought would be so difficult. As you know, the white wine doesn't impair the memory. He will remember everything he did, but not understand why. We must help him deal with that."246

Hodge finished explaining the situation to Mister Moelder. "Then I regenerated the man who was attacked. All of his injuries have been healed. Now, we were hoping you would help us with the man who has been arrested."247

The large, bearlike troll was sitting in his oversized Morris chair, with his hands folded in front of him. He considered what his steward had told him, then answered in his deep, ringing voice. "A person in his service was also involved in this incident, so Karnibee will have an interest in seeing it resolved. I will contact him on the matter. Together, I believe we can influence the police to dismiss the charges against the unfortunate man who was given the cooking wine. However, before he is released, he must have a complete explanation of everything that has occurred."248

Hodge replied, "Certainly, sir. I will see that he understands what happened to him."249

Mister Moelder held up one hand to stop Hodge. "It would be better if Eddie explained it to him."250

"I'll do if you want me to, but why do you think it'd be better if I told him?"251

"You are human, as he is. I expect he will be more receptive to what you tell him than to what he heard from a troll. Also, you have drunk the white cooking wine and experienced its effects yourself. Having that in common should allow you to communicate with each other more readily. Of course, Hodge will accompany you to give you assistance if you need it."252

"Thank you, Mister Moelder. I'll feel better if Hodge is with me."253

"Before you go, Eddie, there is a lesson from these events that I want you not to learn."254

"Huh? Did you say to not learn it?"255

"Yes, it was your attempt to help your friend from the market that started all this trouble, so it might teach you to avoid helping others. That is the lesson I want you not to learn."256

Eddie thought about this for a moment. "I think I understand. I shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes."257

"No, you should be very afraid of making mistakes. It can be very difficult, sometimes impossible, to undo the harm a mistake causes. So, be afraid of making mistakes, but do not be afraid to help someone."258

"I'll try my best, Mister Moelder."259

Eddie and Hodge were waiting in the interrogation room at the Mount Horid police station when an officer brought Matt in. When Matt had sat down, the officer said, "I don't understand how someone who's done what you did gets released, but that's the orders I got. These people want to talk to you before we let you go. Don't try anything, because we'll be watching outside."260

When the officer had left the room, Matt said, "He's right, you know. I don't deserve to get out of here. They should lock me up and let me rot."261

Eddie shook her head. "It wasn't your fault. It was the wine you drank."262

"I wasn't that drunk. I knew exactly what I was doing. I would've killed that guy if the bartender hadn't stopped me. And I don't even know why I did it."263

"That wasn't ordinary wine. It was trollish cooking wine. It interferes with a person's will. Anyone who takes it doesn't care about anything, so they'll do whatever they're told to."264

"So it's like a mind-control drug. Why'd you have something like that?"265

"It helps me do my job and I was bringing some to Steve so he could take it. He shouldn't have given it to you. I wouldn't have brought it if I knew he'd do that."266

"What kind of job do you have that you have to take that stuff?"267

"Uh...I'm an esculent. Steve's one, too."268

"I never heard of an esculent? Is that like an escort?"269

"No, nothing like that. It means...that the trolls...uh...eat me."270

Matt stared at Eddie, then at Hodge and then back at Eddie. "I don't blame you for wanting the weird wine if that's what's going to happen to you. So, how long until they eat you?"271

"They have already, several times."272

"Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?"273

"No, you see I don't stay dead. After they've eaten me, Hodge regenerates me. He brings me back to life."274

"You're some kind of prisoner, aren't you? You couldn't have chosen this 'job'."275

"Well, I didn't actually know what it was when I applied for it, but I am doing it by choice now. It really isn't..."276

"Wow! Was I wrong!"277

"What?"278

"I thought I was the biggest loser in the world, but I'm not even close. Even with all the trouble I've had, I'd never consider doing anything that degrading."279

"I wouldn't call it degrading."280

"What else can you call it? You let yourself be butchered like some fat, old pig. No, you're worse that that. Even a pig would have enough sense to run away if it knew what was going to happen to it."281

Hodge spoke up, "I think that'll be enough. We came here to help you, not to be insulted."282

"You know, maybe it's a good thing I lost my job. Now, I don't have any reason to stay here. I'm going to get out of this crazy town and start a normal life somewhere without all you stupid trolls...and your livestock."283

After the officer had taken Matt away, Hodge grinned at Eddie, "Your method was rather unorthodox, but you did make him feel better about himself."284

"Yeah, but it didn't exactly make me feel great."285

"Don't concern yourself too much with what he said. Let's go back to the house and I'll make you a nice supper."286

"Do you have anything special in mind?"287

"I was thinking of barbeque ribs. I found this recipe for a barbeque sauce that I would love to try."288

"Is it the sweet kind or the spicy?"289

"A little spicy, but not so hot that it would hide your flavor."290

Eddie ran her fingers along her ribs and smiled back at Hodge, "Good, I feel like being a little spicy. But from now on if anyone asks what my job is, I'm going to say food service work and leave it at that."291