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followed Ala s taire for her first lesson.
    “Mind you, it takes years to learn to use a staff or any weapon well, so pay attention and learn quick if you don’t want to lose your head.” Alastaire showed her how to hold the staff and how to stand at a defe n sive position. He showed her the basic blocks and pa r ries needed in defense. Then he showed her the o f fensive moves of sweeps and glides. After an hour, Ginger called them to lunch. Missy sat near the wildflowers with Cha r lie. She ate a few small tart be r ries Ginger gathered during her training while Charlie sipped nectar. They rested for a few minutes more b e fore starting on their way. Missy practiced as she walked with Alastaire giving pointers as they went. As the sun started to fade, they found a small clearing surrounded by thickets to rest for the night. Missy and Charlie took the first watch as the squirrels nestled t o gether to sleep.
    “Missy, you don’t have to do this,” Charlie said, his ner v ousness causing his voice to tremble.
    “Yes I do, Charlie. I know what it’s like to be weak, for others to care for you and protect you from harm. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially if I had the power to change it. I have that power now, Charlie, and I won’t be a hindrance to you.” Missy’s eyes burned in resignation.
    “I’ll love you no matter what the outcome, remember that.” Charlie smiled his little insect smile at her and she laughed.
     
    When morning dawned, the group was already up and moving. They plucked berries and ate as they walked. Ginger found grubs for Missy, who initially declined them but was forced to eat a few at Sir Ala s taire’s stern orders.
    “You can’t fight if you’re hungry, girl. Eat up. They’re good for you.”
    She obeyed and swallowed them quickly to avoid tasting them. Small clicking noises emanated from Charlie. Missy threw him an evil look for laughing at her. As noon approached, they came to a stream lined with luscious trees on either side of its banks. However, a troll stood guard on the bridge, his hooded cloak pulled low over his face.
    “I thought this only happened in fair y tales,” Missy said to no one in particular.
    “He looks like a dimwit to me. Find out what he wants, Missy. If we don’t have it, fight him for our pa s sage.”
    Missy stared at the misshapen creature, her jaw slack. “Me?”
    “You’ve been practicing. You need to work on your fighting skills before you get to that devil anyway. We’re lucky. Most trolls are over ten feet tall. This one’s a runt in compar i son. Go on now.” Sir Alastaire nudged her forward.
    Missy pulled out her staff and walked up to the troll. “E x cuse me, Sir. We need to pass please.” Good manners for all occ a sions, her mother used to say.
    The troll eyed her with suspicion. “You need to pay, same as everyone else.” He scratched his armpit and waited.
    “Pay what?” Missy asked.
    “Gold,” the troll said reaching his hand out for payment.
    “I’m sorry, Sir. We don’t have any gold,” Missy fished in her pockets for an y thing valuable but all she came up with was fur. “Perhaps we can pay you double on our way back?”
    “Gold or leave,” the troll said as he watched for the r e sponse, his hand still ou t stretched.
    “I’m sorry, Sir,” Missy said with as much bravado as she could muster, “but we must pass. Step aside or else.” She pulled her staff to the ready and braced herself.
    “Ump,” the troll grumbled as he went to the ce n ter of the rickety old bridge to r e trieve his club. Missy watched him swing as he ambled closer. His massive arms, like clubs themselves, were long and powerful. Missy backed off the bridge until both were on solid ground. They circled, sizing up each other.
    Horrified, Charlie fluttered in a panic around Alastaire’s head squawking. “Stop her! Help her!”
    “Quiet, boy. Let’s see how she does,” Sir Alastaire said.
    Ginger offered Charlie a hand to land