Vaughn Heppner - Giants

Another horn blared. The signal came from the standard-bearer, a warrior who wore a two-lion emblem for bravery around his thick neck. Two chariots rattled ahead, runners and dogs racing behind them. They were the scouts. The rest of the chariots rolled at a horse-walking pace.

The rising sun glinted off the charioteers’ proud lance-heads, while from somewhere in the distance an orn screeched. The lake, with the sunlight slanting off it, was beautiful.

Joash was glad to be alive, even if his body ached. Herrek and Gens were in a chariot, having traded places with the lowest-ranked Teman Clan charioteer. Adah rode with Lord Uriah. Only he had to walk, but that was all right. Two big dogs kept him company, and Beker kept talking, trying to pry more of the tale out of him. Joash just shouldered his new spear, stared at the lake, and caught glimpses of jumping trout. He hoped Adah was all right. He also wondered how she’d treat him now that they were back with the others. She hadn’t met his glance this morning, and that troubled him.

“You must have seen more giants,” Beker was saying. “The tracks my father talked about were near the boulders where we found that old sabertooth’s carcass.”

“Huh?” Joash asked.

“I thought that would startle you.”

They moved to the left as dust rose from the chariot ahead of them.

Joash pondered Beker’s revelation as they traveled alongside the lake. The pace was sharp. In the distance dire wolves chased a herd of horses. A small colt struggled to keep up with the herd. The dire wolves closed in.

Joash’s mouth went dry. All the fine feelings of safety he’d been having fled. The wolves reminded him that the steppes were a dangerous place. Tarag, Mimir, and savage sabertooths were nearby, and by what Beker said apparently more giants. The Elonite expedition to Giant Land was anything but safe. Tarag had gone to great lengths to acquire adamant armor and weapons. Surely Tarag had reasons for doing so, and just as surely, he didn’t want anybody else knowing about it. Joash swallowed. They were all in danger.

Joash noticed that they weren’t headed toward the main camp at Hori Cove. He said as much to Beker, and Beker agreed.

Joash looked back and saw Amery. She was the girl who had tended Herrek’s wound. She was Lord Uriah’s runner. Just like him, she’d lost her parents. She was Jeremoth’s daughter. He wondered if she’d kicked Old Three-Paws’s carcass. He would have in her place. Amery had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and small bronze earrings. She was a smart runner and missed little. Joash knew Lord Uriah was fond of her, and he’d listened to Amery say more than once that her great, great, great grandfather would someday find her a prince to marry. He also knew that Amery liked him.

Joash steered himself beside her. “Are we returning to the main camp?”

She shook her head.

“Why not?” asked Joash.

Amery smiled. “I’ll trade you a secret for a secret.”

Joash became thoughtful.

“I’ll tell you where we’re headed, if you tell me who really slew your horses and smashed your chariots.”

Joash eyed her.

“Nothing for nothing,” she said.

He knew Amery could keep a secret, and he knew she eavesdropped a lot on Lord Uriah. She reminded him of a sharp-eared fox. Even her smile had a hint of mischievousness.

“Sorry,” Joash said. He didn’t need her to tell him anymore. They were headed toward the next good beach. That was obvious now that he thought about it. Giant Land’s coast was rocky, with only a few good places to land ships. Maybe because of Tarag, Mimir, and sabertooths Lord Uriah had decided to use another route to the ships. The Patriarch could be sly that way.

Amery grinned. “That you won’t say means sabertooths didn’t kill the horses and smash the chariots. Since more giant tracks have been seen, I bet giants did the destroying.”

Joash gaped at her for only a moment. Then he shrugged.

Amery gave him an impish grin.

Joash scowled and walked faster. She was quick, that Amery. He was troubled, however. Lord Uriah wished to leave Giant Land from a new beach. That he took such a precaution meant that the Patriarch was worried, and that worried Joash. But Lord Uriah should be worried. Tarag, Mimir, and sabertooths were near, and maybe even more giants. What would happen once Tarag learned his sabertooths hadn’t killed them?

Joash wanted to run all the way to the beach. The sooner they left Giant Land, the better.

“Joash!”

The standard-bearer shouted. The thick-necked warrior pointed at Lord Uriah’s chariot. Adah was no longer in it but rode with Herrek and Gens. Joash ran and climbed aboard Lord Uriah’s chariot. It was just the two of them.

Lord Uriah nodded.

Joash gulped and nodded back. Lord Uriah had such wise seeming and cunning eyes. The Patriarch of Elon wore gleaming chainmail and had a long slender sword belted at his side. He drove his chariot-team with skill and ease. His white beard and mustache were well groomed, and sprinkled with rosewater. Still, there was an odor of ale about the chariot. Joash noticed a corked ale-skin hanging from a peg.

“I’ve heard of your deeds,” Lord Uriah said. “You did well in the cave.”

Joash blushed, but a part of him noticed that Lord Uriah’s breath smelled like ale.

“Know, young one, that it pleases me to see you again.”

“Thank you, Lord.”

Lord Uriah drove in silence. “I do what I do in order to make the world a safer place for those whom I care about.”

Joash listened, but was bewildered as to why he was being told this.

“Look at Amery.”

Joash did. She petted one of the dogs as Eber talked to her. Joash knew Eber was crazy about her.

“She is of my blood.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Her father was slain by Old Three-Paws, her mother killed by raiding Shurites. Now I protect her, thus I keep her at my side. Unfortunately there are many like Amery, many of mine who have been hurt, or will be hurt. Yet there are more terrible things out there, Joash, than mere beasts or raiders. There are beings that plan great evil. These beings must be stopped. Otherwise the world will suffer even worse pain. And then, my kin shall know even greater sorrow and suffering. That I would stop, if I can.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Because of that, I sometimes send grooms into frightful danger. Because of that, young men sometimes have to grow up quickly.”

Joash’s chest felt hollow. What was Lord Uriah saying?

“Our world can be a harsh place, Joash. Once, however, it was harsher still. Shining Ones were sent to help humanity. Now we must help ourselves overcome the legacy of that time.”

Lord Uriah uncorked his ale-skin and took a swallow. He offered some to Joash, but he declined.

“You are gifted in ways that you don’t yet understand,” Lord Uriah said. “And you have been severely tested these last few days. I am glad you passed the tests.” Lord Uriah studied him. There seemed to be pain in his eyes. “Because of who I am I make many difficult decisions. Thank you for keeping a little more blood off my hands. I cannot apologize for where you were sent, but I can rejoice in your return.” Lord Uriah put a hand on Joash’s shoulder.

Joash didn’t know what to think. But he dared ask, “Lord, do you think Tarag will try to stop us from leaving Giant Land?”

“Yes. But let us see if we can outfox him at least one more time.”

Afterward, Joash found himself walking again. That had been a strange talk. He wondered where Mimir was, and how quickly the giant and First Born would learn the sabertooths hadn’t slain them. He hoped Tarag wouldn’t learn until he was safely aboard ship.