Tiny stared at Chester with adoration. This baffled Hex because Chester was the most repugnant toad, and his constant nattering drove the sorcerer to distraction.

"Put me down!" Chester squirmed to break free from Hex's grip.

"As you wish." With a mean smirk, Hex dropped Chester. But before the toad hit the ground, Tiny lunged forward and cupped Chester in his massive, grubby hands.

"Nice catch," Prince Sebastian said, chuckling to himself.

The troll grinned at the prince, causing Hex to gag. Lodged between Tiny's crooked teeth were chunks of his last meal. And the smell of rotting garbage was so pungent two large blue bottles buzzed above the troll's head. It was a mystery how the former Chancellor ever met such a revolting beast.

"So, Tiny, how did you and Chester meet?" Terrance asked, clearly thinking the same thoughts as Hex.

Chester perched on the troll's palm; his earlier hysterical outburst forgotten.

"Well, Tiny was about to be thrown into Prince Horace's Maze of Monsters and I saved him."

"Really?" Hex scratched his chin. "And why was this troll in trouble?"

Chester peered up at Tiny and said, "Shall I tell them, or will you?"

Tiny shrugged and huffed a stinky breath. How unlike Chester to ask before telling tales.

"Very well, I'll tell them." Chester made an exaggerated sigh, as if he didn't enjoy being the centre of attention, and began, "Tiny has a taste for Pixie Brew."

"Understandable," Sebastian said, winking at Terrance. The pixies filled their brew with enough magic to make a creature dance with joy and sing like a bird.

"I never did like the stuff. It gives me a terrible headache." Chester shivered at the thought.

"Can you get on with it?" Hex was losing patience with all this small talk.

Chester tutted. "One day Tiny drank so much Pixie Brew, he thought it amusing to dance naked outside of the Castle of Jewels."

"Oh, my goodness! You didn't?" Terrance's eyes grew wide.

Tiny giggled and nodded.

"Unfortunately, Prince Horace was home, and the prince disapproves of troll nudity. "

"I can see why." Hex grimaced.

"The castle guards quickly arrested Tiny, and Horace sentenced him to death."

"That's rather harsh," Prince Sebastian said, his voice full of sympathy for the troll.

"Oh, I don't know about that," Hex said, flicking away one of Tiny's blue bottles.

"So, how did you save him?" Sebastian asked. He seemed engrossed in Chester's story.

"I explained to Prince Horace, a troll is a powerful creature, capable of moving heavy rocks and boulders. Therefore, we should put Tiny to work in the diamond mines?" Chester puffed up his chest.

"How thoughtful of you." Hex scowled at Chester. This toad was more ruthless than himself.

"Obviously, it was never my intention for Tiny to go anywhere other than home. And that is when our friendship began."

Tiny smiled at Chester as though he was a cute puppy, and gently patted the toad.

"When did you let Tiny in on your plan to steal from Prince Horace?" Terrance asked.

"Erm... Not long after that."

"Hmm..." Terrance crossed his arms and tapped his foot.

"I know how it looks, but I did Tiny a huge favour by saving his life. And in return, he did me a huge favour by hiding my wealth. Everyone is a winner."

"Except Prince Horace," Sebastian said.

"I suppose."

Hex remained silent. Secretly, he felt impressed.