‘They tell children stories about you guys, you know,’ I said. ‘Still?’ he said. I nodded. ‘Stories about clever little billy goats outsmarting big mean trolls until their bigger, stronger brothers come along and put the trolls in their place.’ The gruff grunted. He said, ‘We hear tales of thee, young wizard.’ I blinked. ‘You, uh?’ ‘We too like stories about . . .’ His eyes searched his memory for a moment before he smiled, pleased. The gesture looked pleasantly nonviolent on his face. ‘Underdogs.’ I snorted. ‘Well. I guess this is another one.’
