Against the Giants

Bleryn gave the Jarl the same, looked down at him for a long moment, and then backed away, taking the hunter with him.

Lhors swallowed and turned away. So easy to kill… He wassuddenly sick of death, the threat of death, and all the horrid forms death could take.

Behind him, Vlandar had let Malowan up and seemed to be trying to say something to the paladin. Malowan ignored him and brushed past Lhors to gaze down at the dead giants and their pets, then bowed his head in prayer. Tears etched paths down the man’s face, and he looked sickened.

How can he be so… so…? Lhors couldn’t think of a wordto describe a man who could forgive even giants. Lhors could not have done the deed himself, and he wasn’t sure he entirely agreed with Vlandar’s order, but hecertainly felt no remorse for the two giants. He backed away and went over to join Vlandar, who looked very unhappy indeed as he gazed after Malowan. As the youth came up to him, Vlandar shook himself and turned to get his people working.

Nemis was checking the contents of the cavern for traps, using a charm of some sort. As he finished each pile or chest, he nodded, and Vlandar put one of them to work, searching.

Khlened found gems in one box and set them aside so he could finish searching to the bottom. Agya brought out two bags of coin and set them with Khlened’s jewels. Vlandar scooped them up and shoved them to the bottom ofhis pack, then went to work on another coffer.

“That one’s safe,” Nemis said, pointing to a round-toppedchest, “but leave the other. It’s a trap and deadly at that.” He got to his feetand went around the curtain where Rowan and Maera had taken Florimund.

The mage was back at once. “Bedchamber there. There’s a spellburied in a trunk in there.”

“I’ll come,” Vlandar said. “Send Rowan back for Mal, willyou?”

“I’m here,” the paladin said as he came over to help out.

Lhors wondered what he would say to Nemis, but the man simply passed the mage, a worried Agya on his heels.

“Khlened,” Vlandar said as he watched the paladin worriedly,“you, Bleryn, and Gerikh stay here to finish up. If you don’t recall if Nemissaid a thing was safe, leave it. Jebis, you and your companions come with us.”

Lhors followed on Vlandar’s heels.

Nemis was already kneeling before a massive trunk, his hands on the lock. With a faint puff of bluish smoke, the lock snapped, and he forced the lid back.

Lhors peered over the mage’s shoulder, but he could see onlyfurs and other clothing. Nemis didn’t seem interested in the contents. The magefiddled with the lid and suddenly a piece of wood slid aside, revealing a hidden cache. The mage chuckled softly and drew out several scroll cases. He shoved two of them back inside at once, then ran his charm over the others. “Check thatone, Vlandar. These are spell scrolls.”

“It’s a map,” Vlandar said as he unfurled the scroll. Lhorshelped him hold it open. “But not much use unless we travel overland to theplace. And it may have no bearing on our journey. Nemis, you read Giantish. Tell me what it says here.”

Nemis gazed at the map for some moments, then licked his lips. “This,” he said, “is Muspelheim, home to the fire giants. You are right.It would be a dreadful journey on foot.”

“Yes,” Vlandar said, “but is it our goal? Can you tell that?”

“There is nothing here to tell me that,” the mage saidtersely, “and if I were you, Vlandar, I would pray to my gods that it isn’t.This is no place for us.”

“How’d y’know that?” Agya asked.

The mage eyed her gravely as he rerolled the map and shoved it into its tube. “Because I have been there.”

Agya’s eyes narrowed. Maybe she suspected the mage would leadthem into a trap.

Vlandar nodded and took the map. “Then if it is ourway, you can guide us.” He turned. “Mal, is there anything else useful here?”

The paladin shook his head, still refusing to speak.

“A moment, Vlandar,” the mage broke in. “I thought our goalwas to be gone from here and report back to your king. Seeking out this dread place would only take us farther from that.”

“Our goal,” the warrior reminded him, “is to find proof ofwhat is going on with the giants and Keoland. We have connected the Steading to the Jarl and dispatched with him, but there is obviously someone yet higher up the chain. I cannot return to my king with mere speculation.”

“You’ll send us all to our deaths.”

“We’ve done well so far, better than any of us could haveexpected on the outset. Either the gods are smiling upon us or we did well in hitting the giants quickly and quietly. I care not which, but I will not give up now.”

“So be it,” the mage said in resignation. “I do not agree,but I swore to follow you, and I am not one for forsaking comrades in their hour of need.”

“Good,” said Vlandar, “then let’s be about it. Lhors, gofetch everyone from the other room.”

By the time the youth was back with Khlened, Bleryn, and Gerikh, Vlandar was talking to Jebis and the hunters. “I am glad we found you.If you’re certain you can find your way to your own lands once you’re outside…?”

Jebis nodded firmly. “Their village is a matter of a few dayseast of here, in the Yeomanry. I’ll go with ’em.”

“We haven’t much to spare,” Vlandar said apologetically, “buthere is a map. Our rangers say there’s a passage beyond this chamber that leadsdown and outside. Once you’re out, you’ll want a place to rest up before you goon.” He squatted down, Jebis with him, and the two went over the map, whichVlandar handed over. “The cave is too small for giants to use, and we left drywood behind.” He held out a cloth bag. “There’s enough stuff here to make a hotsoup for the four of you.”

“Giants took nothing from us but our weapons,” Jebis replied.“I still have my pot and the makings for a couple days’ worth of stew. I guessthe giants figured they’d rather we eat our food than theirs. If you’ve anymessages to pass on…?”

“No,” Vlandar said at once. “If you’re caught again…”

“We understand,” the older hunter said quickly.

Vlandar led the way past the leather drape. Lhors found himself in a small bulge of a cave with chill air flowing over him from a narrow passage to the east.

“That’s our way, then?” the Jebis asked. When Vlandar nodded, he led hisfellow hunters out of sight. Jebis hesitated, then held out a hand, which Vlandar clasped.

“I wish you good luck in your quest, Captain,” he said, “andI hope to hear the end of this story one day.”

“I hope to be able to tell it,” Vlandar said with a faintsmile.

With that, Jebis and his hunters left and were soon out of sight.

Nemis came from a small area up by the passage. “Nothingthere but a box that smells of trouble to me. Except for an iron bar protruding from the wall, I cannot reach it. There is power on it, though.”

“Make light for me,” Malowan said. “I need to see the thingand touch it myself.”

Nemis eyed the paladin sidelong, expecting the man to still be angry with him, Lhors assumed. But Malowan seemed to have dealt with the deaths back there-or at least put his anger and distress aside to do the job athand.

“Is that wise?” Maera asked rather anxiously as the two movedoff. The ranger gripped a spear in one hand and seemed to be holding Florimund to his feet by the other around his waist. The half-elf’s eyes were closed, andhis face was utterly bloodless. “My cousin says-”

“Later, please,” Vlandar said tersely. “We need to get freeof this place before someone finds the Jarl and his lady.”

Maera drew Florimund over to the wall, and Rowan slowly followed. Vlandar and Lhors watched as Nemis made light. Malowan stretched up an arm but apparently fell short also. Nemis then made a sling with his hands for the paladin to step into. Mal was still for some moments, then he nodded and jumped down, beckoning Vlandar over.

The warrior cleared his throat to get everyone’s attentionand led them across the little alcove. “What have you found?” he asked.