Hunk and Thud Read Online Free PDF

us go.’
    â€˜They don’t let you go,’ groaned the tall man with the long beard miserably. ‘I’ve been here for five years.’
    Five years! thought Jack with horror. Five years trapped in a mine, digging and shovelling. This was worse than being kitchen boy at Veto Castle! We have to get out of here, he thought.

CHAPTER 9
    The break ended, and they began working, switching jobs: taking turns on the pickaxes and the shovelling. As the trucks were pushed out of the mine by other prisoners, also chained, Jack shook his head, curious.
    â€˜I thought we were mining for gold,’ he said. ‘But so far all I’ve seen is rock.’
    â€˜The goblins pick out the gold from the rock in a sorting shed,’ said the man with the long beard, whose name was Tom. ‘They don’t trust us prisoners to touch the actual gold.’
    They worked and worked. Jack wasn’t sure how much time had passed, all he knew was that his body ached and – despite all his attempts to turn into Thud – he stayed as small Jack. It looked as if Robin was right: he was never going to turn into Thud again.
    Jack was just wondering when they’d be given their next break, when Govo, the goblin leader appeared.
    â€˜Stop work!’ he ordered.
    Jack and the others gratefully laid down their tools, but Jack was instantly alert for trouble as Govo pointed to him and Big Rock and snapped: ‘Take those two up to the top!’
    â€˜What’s going on?’ whispered Milo, puzzled.
    â€˜I don’t know,’ said Jack. ‘But it won’t be anything good.’
    A load of goblins held on to Big Rock while others unshackled him, and then re-chained him to Jack. Big Rock let out a growl, and Jack saw that he was about to launch an attack.
    â€˜Easy, Big Rock,’ he said. ‘Let’s see what they want with us first.’
    Jack and Big Rock, chained together, shuffled upwards through the tunnels, with the goblin guards prodding them with clubs. Govo led the way.
    As they stumbled out of the cave, Jack saw where the sun was in the sky and realised that they’d been working all night, and now it was morning. A nasty cackling laugh made him turn, and he saw the figure of Lord Veto standing there, with his orc, Warg, beside him. Warg was also smiling evilly.
    â€˜Here they are, my Lord!’ announced Govo, gesturing at Jack and Big Rock. ‘The other two.’
    â€˜You’ve done well, Govo!’ nodded Veto. ‘No sign of the other troll? The one they call Thud?’
    No, unfortunately, thought Jack bitterly.
    â€˜No, my Lord,’ said Govo. Then he added triumphantly: ‘But we caught their horse!’
    â€˜Take your hands off me!’ raged an angry voice, and Jack and Big Rock saw Robin being dragged towards them by half a dozen goblins.
    Lord Veto laughed even louder than when he’d seen Jack and Big Rock.
    â€˜Excellent!’ he chortled. ‘That’s almost the whole gang of them!’
    Robin resisted, shaking his old head and digging his hooves in, but it was no use – he was dragged right up to where Jack and Big Rock stood, chained and helpless.
    â€˜What do you want done with him, my Lord?’ asked Govo.
    Veto shrugged.
    â€˜He’s no use to me, and he doesn’t look like he’d be much use in the mine. Too old to pull trucks. I suggest you eat him. It looks like there’s some meat on him.’
    â€˜Yes!’ yelled one of the goblins holding Robin. ‘Horsemeat is really tasty!’
    â€˜You can’t eat him!’ shouted Jack, horrified.
    Lord Veto turned and sneered at Jack.
    â€˜You’re in no position to tell anyone what to do, kitchen boy!’ he snarled. He waved his hand towards Robin. ‘In fact, take him and cook him now. I shall join you in a celebratory lunch! It will give me great pleasure to eat one of my enemies!’

    And with that he gave another loud laugh, and