sage was faced with one of the most important decisions he would ever be called upon to make . dear dear barb , i miss you so much . chapter eight third day , morning , home buck came up from the cabin , waked by the engine . `` i 'm a troll , '' whispered the troll in a small , scared voice . even though i was technically cleared , the stink of it followed me . i could have bent down and tongue-kissed her . `` you ca n't say that , '' she finally said after all that fidgeting . 