“Greetings, Maloc. What brings an old moth-eaten traveler like yourself out to the Seven Wood?” asked the troll.
As council leader, Maloc often checked members who lived outside the village.
“I’m out making sure you haven’t fallen into one of your books, you old worm,” he teased his friend.
Wiltergim loved to spend his days with his nose buried in the pages of one of his books. “I’ve finished polishing the cups. Would you care for a spot of tea?” asked the troll.
Having struck gold in his youth. The troll built a small dwelling in the Seven Wood and filled it with books. “Most assuredly, if it’s rosebud tea,” replied Maloc.
“You’re in luck. I’ve gotten a fresh pack from Ursala,” said Wiltergim.
The friends discussed Wiltergim’s latest book and other literary concerns. Wiltergim fumed at the villagers for rejecting a reading room above the tavern.
“The fools don’t understand that reading is travel in the mind. Everyone knows that travel expands one’s worldview,” muttered the troll.
“I have a question that you can help answer. The blacksmith asked if heating pig iron in charcoal could improve it,” said Maloc.
“Let me get Thesador treaties on metalworking,” said the troll. Wiltergim returned holding a large volume and began reading from its pages.
“Heat the metal in a charcoal bed, adding a pinch of saltpeter to drive out the impurities,” the troll said.
“That’s excellent news. I’ll pass the information on to the blacksmith,” remarked Maloc
“It’s time for me to be off. I still need to visit the widow Gothlad and Bill Peters before sundown,” said Maloc.
“Don’t be such a stranger, my friend. If you let me know you’re coming, I’ll bake up some dewberry tarts with tea,” said Wiltergim.
“That’s an invitation I can’t refuse, let’s say the fifth of Po. I’ll bring Honeydew to drink after tea,” said Maloc, who raised his hat and then disappeared into the wood.
Wiltergim felt fortunate living near the Waldvolker. These forest folk cared as much for their friends as they did their beloved forest, Ãlskad.
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