Bang Goes a Troll Read Online Free PDF Page B

as the giant unclipped the cable from the base of the helicopter. A few seconds later the helicopter touched down with a bump. Its engine stopped and Ulf heard the blades slowing.
    â€œStay quiet,” he whispered to Tiana.
    From outside came muffled voices. Dr. Fielding and Orson were talking. The door to the cargo hold slid open and Ulf felt a rush of cold air. He couldhear the wind whistling outside. He hid under an old tarpaulin sheet as Orson reached in to unload the kit. Ulf heard the giant dragging his chainmail vest out of the helicopter.
    â€œCould you pass me my backpack, please?” Dr. Fielding asked. “And I’ll need my caving boots.”
    â€œWhat’s the plan?” Orson asked.
    â€œWe’ll have a look underground, check on the beasts, and see if we can find this goblin.”
    The door to the cargo hold slid shut. Ulf heard Orson and Dr. Fielding getting packed up, then they headed away from the helicopter.
    â€œLet’s go,” he whispered to Tiana. Ulf pushed off the tarpaulin sheet and gently opened the door. He squinted. Outside, a blizzard was blowing. Snowflakes were swirling and everything was bright white. They were on a snowy mountain that was dotted with caves. He saw Dr. Fielding and Orson fifty meters away, heading to a cave with rocks around its entrance that looked like dragons’ teeth.Dr. Fielding was holding her GPS tracker in her hand, and had her backpack over her shoulder.
    â€œReady, Tiana?” Ulf asked.
    Tiana wrapped herself in her red sycamore cloak with just her wings sticking out. “It’s chilly,” she said, flying through the gap in the door. She shivered, dodging the snowflakes.
    As Dr. Fielding and Orson entered the cave, Ulf jumped out of the cargo hold. His bare feet sank into the snow.
    â€œWon’t you be cold?” Tiana asked.
    â€œI’ll be fine,” Ulf said. He was nearing his transformation. His blood was warming up and the hair on his hands and feet was starting to thicken. Tonight the moon would be full and he’d change from boy to wolf.
    He looped the climbing rope over his shoulder, then headed across the snowy mountain toward the cave. He waited at the entrance, peering inside. At the back of the cave, a long dark tunnel slopedgradually downward. He could see Orson and Dr. Fielding heading along it. The giant was stooping, holding his lantern to light the way.
    Ulf crept in, heading after them. “Come on, Tiana,” he whispered. Tiana flew beside him, glowing softly. They could hear the chittering sounds of underground beasts. Tiny eyes on stalks were peering from cracks in the walls.
    â€œFriggs,” Ulf whispered. Froglike beasts were watching them. Ulf trod carefully, feeling damp cold rock under his bare feet. Up ahead, Dr. Fielding and Orson turned a corner, their lamplight slowly fading.
    From the darkness, Ulf heard Dr. Fielding calling, “Gumball, are you here? It’s the RSPCB-B-B.” Her voice echoed underground.
    â€œThe goblin’s probably busy thieving,” Tiana said sharply.
    â€œSsh,” Ulf told her. “If Dr. Fielding finds out we’re here, we’ll be in big trouble.”
    They crept around the corner at the end of thetunnel, but there was no sign of the light from Orson’s lantern. Ulf switched on his headlamp. He saw that the tunnel divided. Two passages led away in different directions.

    â€œWhich way did they go?” Tiana asked.
    Ulf heard a noise from one of the passages. It sounded like footsteps. “Down here, Tiana,” he said, heading deeper into the mountain. The passage twisted and turned. As they crept along it, the sounds grew louder.
    â€œThose aren’t footsteps,” Tiana said.
    Ulf listened. The sound was like daggers stabbing rock. He tiptoed into the darkness and the beam from his headlamp shone down the passage, illuminating a large insectlike beast.
    â€œUh-oh,” Ulf said. Up ahead,