“Until I ran out of air or get squashed like a tomato,” commented Tyler drily. “But Ivar’s right. This is a concern that can’t wait. Every day with the trade routes blocked will contribute to the slow death of Maljen. It must not become a problem.”
He knew he was being petty and negative, but as of that moment, Tyler’s level of nervousness was a lot higher than his self-confidence.
“You’re sure about this, sire?” Kobu’s question brought him out of his reverie.
“Of course not, Kobu. I mean how do you deal with a creature bigger than an island. That even deities avoid?”
“I would say carefully and with a wagonful of prudence. But I am still unhappy with the plan.”
“It’s okay, Kobu. Just wait for me here. There are only two of the stones, and I don’t want us to be swimming back if we go together.”
The exile bowed to him.
“My prayers go with you, sire. Don’t die. You are a far better master than that dead idiot I followed back in the lands of Wa. Or even his much wiser father, may his soul be at peace.”
Tyler smiled and then crushed one stone in his hand.
His world turned blue for a few moments. It was as if he was underwater. Abruptly, the vision faded and Tyler found himself standing on another beach, full of rocks and large boulders. He could hear the loud sound of the tumultuous surf as waves smashed against nearby rocks.
Looking around, he could see the telltale energy signs of his wards as they deployed along his flanks.
If this becomes a battle, I rather would have them out here fighting, than just dying in the staff because I failed,” thought the mage.
But nothing happened. Only the sound of the surf continued to disturb their surroundings.
Now what? he thought, followed by a whispered call to Birki.
He felt the being appear at his side.
“What do I do next?” he asked.
“No idea, lad. I don’t recall any attempt similar to what you’re trying to do. Efforts by deities come to mind, but for some reason, the kraken hates them. But it’s a magical creature, try talking to it.”
“How? I don’t even know how to call its attention. Attacking it will, but somehow I don’t believe that’s the right thing to do,” answered Tyler.
“Right. They’re crankier than a dvergar deprived of drink for a year. Worse than a man-wolf with a toothache. Or a dokkalfr in a desert. Or Tyndur in…”
“I get it, Birki. The orneriest beings in Adar. But what do we do now?”
“You could try saying hello.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. You’re the mage, you’ll figure something out,” said Birki nonchalantly.
Tyler took a deep breath, trying to control his irritation. He knew he was expecting too much from Birki who was just learning about his own nature. But the nonchalant tone was so not helping. But having considerable magical abilities and yet not knowing how to use them was worthy of a facepalm, but he resisted making the gesture. Doing so would invariably invite questions about it and eventually his wards imitating him. A long period of annoyance waited for him down that path.
Finally, he projected a scrying wave in the direction of the massive entity, but this time incorporating in the spell the Norse word for hello. Personally, he didn’t expect too much out of it. Abruptly, he saw a small disturbance in the water out in the open sea. A large whirlpool which suddenly moved in their direction. Tyler examined the incoming movement. Strangely, for an oceanic maelstrom, the speed of its eddies was slow and deliberate.
It was an uncanny and unexpected reaction to his release of power. As the phenomenon neared the shore, it steadily became smaller and was finally reduced to an area of bubbling seawater. Tyler stood where was, feet braced against the rocky ground underneath his feet. He could sense the cloud of magical power which accompanied the occurrence. It was immensely powerful to the point of being suffocating, yet the mage couldn’t sense any animosity in it. Instead, a considerable curiosity accompanied the approaching nimbus of power.
The huge mass of bubbles slowly started to disappear, and then a massive head abruptly broke through the surface of the water, followed by its gigantic body. It looked like a human, a colossus of one, yet almost everything about it was dark blue – hair, skin, beard, armor, and the trident it carried. Numerous clumps of seaweed slid off its form, though more clung to the body. The giant towered over his form, and Tyler believed the height was about three hundred feet.
Emerald irises against a light blue backdrop stared at him. Yet the mountain form didn’t move or say anything. It looked as if it was waiting for him to make the first move.
“Hello? Good morning?” said the greatly flustered mage.
It was all he could think of.
Chapter Three
Okeanos
The mountain crouched and stared at him.
“You don’t look like a god,” it spoke after a few seconds, the thunderous voice almost deafening Tyler. It was a cavernous voice, echoed in one’s head, carrying with it the amplified sound of the crashing surf.
“I am not, and could you please keep the volume down? My ears would bleed if we continue talking like this,” replied the mage, his hands covering his ears.
“A mortal then. A strange one. But still a mortal,” answered the towering giant. He slowly shrunk to a shorter size, if being three times the height of the mage could be called small.
“Thank you,” said Tyler with relief when he saw the welcome change.
“Be thankful instead that you intrigued me, mortal. Otherwise, you would have long been dead, squashed like an insect. Though I see you’ve come prepared. Woefully so, but ready. But your courage does you credit. But if you came with a deity or three, we wouldn’t be having this discussion,” replied the entity as a large hand
