Mark of the Fool

Chapter 707: Giants' Confrontation

The wind was rising when Alex and Birger materialised before the giants cottage.

And so was the tension.

Waiting in front of the cottage door as high winds buffeted it against the door frame was Bjorgrund, his face slowly washing scarlet, anger turning it as menacing as the demonic image carved in it. His hands were shaking, clenching and unclenching at his sides. Theresa was to his right, her fingers poised above the Twinblade, not yet touching their hilts.

Not for now, at least.

Brutussheathed in bone armourwas growling, three heads held low, a warning rumbling from his chest. He crouched before the huntress and young giant, ready to spring on attackers. Claygon stood with all four arms crossed over his torso, his war-spears hilt was planted in a snowbank.

Freshly fallen snowthickening to icy mistwas swirling through the clearing, layers settling on Birgers drying racks.

Claygon! Alex hissed. Whats happened? You said the chiefs here?

He quickly glanced around.

Where is he?

Theresa nodded ahead. Brutus can smell him, and I hear him coming; hes not alone.

How many are with him?

She frowned, closing her eyes. Tenmaybe twelve.

They must have heard the battle, Birger reasoned. But why are they coming? Why now? The fights over.

I have some ideas, Alexs eyes narrowed. But, honestly? I dont like any of them.

Birger looked at Alex sharply, snarling. You think they sabotaged the ward? His grip tightened on his crutch.

What? Somebody sabotaged the ward? yes it Bjorgrund growled. ...it makes sense, father. Its always this way with them; they dont care about us. He took a step forward. They must have heard the attack from the village, and now that everythings quiet, theyre coming to see what happened. Probably hoping were dead.

We dont know that for sure, at least not yet Alex bit his lip. ...but theres a reason I dont like any of my ideas. Claygon, you might want to go inside.

Butfather the golem protested. If they start a fightI should be herewith youto protect you

Alex shook his head. We dont know if its going to come to blood and blows,, but you look an awful lot like an Irtyshenan golem knight. If they see youespecially with your war-speartheyre going to start swinging before anyone gets a word out. Lets see exactly what they want, first. But, listen to whats happening and be readyjust in case.

...alrightfather Claygons voice dropped to a low snarl. Can Igo insideBirger? Itsnot my home

By all means, the old firbolg said, his eyes not leaving the treeline.

As the golem turned to leave, sounds of movement reached Alex from the forest. Footsteps crunching snow. Twigs snapping. Heavy breaths on the wind.

By the time Claygon had closed the door behind him, firbolg silhouettes were appearing in the distance. Theresa was right; there were twelve armed firbolgs aside from Chief Olaf approachingAlex caught the glint of dagger blades woven through his beard.

The giants carried rough spun bagsweighed down with stones.

Sharp swords.

Massive axes.

But they were movingcasuallyshowing no intent on making war, or trying to sneak onto Birgers lands, nor were they charging with spears high while shouting battle cries and nocking arrows onto bowstrings.

They seemed peaceful, yet moved with caution, watching all directions, seemingly searching for something.

There, chieftain! a firbolg pointed at the cottage.

The giants pace quickened.

Alex gripped the aeld staff tighter.

Theresas fingers twitched. Bjorgrund and Brutus tensed.

Birger drew a deep breath.

Chief Olaf emerged from the trees, entering the clearing, leading his band of giants.

He paused.

Emotions played across the chieftains face: surprise, obvious from the widening of his eyes. Strain. And finally

he exhaled, shoulders slumping.

Is that relief? Alex wondered. Or disappointment.

Without a word, the twelve giants fanned out, silently forming a half-circle around their chief, facing the cottage, staring across the clearing.

Alex watched the newcomers stiff stances, furrowed brows, and unfriendly eyes.

Yet, one held Alexs attention.

A young firbolgrangy, lean, and barely beardedwas standing a little apart from the others. His body looked tense, as though lightning was running through it. Eyebrows were tight, raised toward his hairline. His jaw gaped. He looked bewildered.

His gaze was focused on Bjorgrund and Birger, rarely leaving them.

Seems you didnt expect to find them here, Alex thought, anger sparking in him. You thought theyd be dead now, didnt you? But why? Why were you so sure theyd be dead?

Youre alive, great uncle, Chief Olaf broke the silence. His lips parted in a smile that was more snarl than smile.

Birger returned the expression. We are.

We heard fighting and came to look in on you.

The battles done, and our enemies are dead. But, as you can see, were not.

More silence followed.

The wind whipped, growing stronger. Trunks groaned around them. A creaking tree branch snapped, dropping to the ground with a thump.

It might have been better if youd come earlier, nephew, Birger said, nodding to the field behind his cottage. Theres almost a hundred rune-marked corpses back there. Maybe more. You could have gotten your vengeance; they attacked the village, didnt they? Which meant they owed you a blood debt.

We sure collected, Bjorgrund growled.

The firbolgs turned their eyes to the young giant.

Hands moved toward weapons.

Theresas fingers played along her sword-hilts.

The rangy firbolg, though, never stopped looking at the father and son. Not for a moment. He didnt move, nor did his expression change. He only trembled, ever so slightly.

Thank you for that, great uncle. Chief Olaf blew twin streams of mist from his nose.

How did they get through my ward, I wonder? Birger asked, taking a step forward, much of his weight on his crutch.

Chief Olaf bristled. Whatre you implying?

One of my trees was damaged, Birger said, evenly. Someone put a dagger right through one of the symbols; it cracked the ward enough for the vermin to sneak in. The symbol smelled of our magic.

Now the chief burst into barking laughter. We havent always seen eye to eye, great uncle, but you helped the clan for centuries. Less than I would have liked, but enough that Im willing to overlook certain He glanced at Bjorgrund. problems.

The young giants breath hissed from between his teeth, his face turning redder.

Now you accuse me of treachery? Olaf snarled. You call my honour into question? On account of your old age, I would let this passif you apologisebut dont ever insult me again.

Birgers partly right, Alex spoke up, all eyes turning to him. A giant did sabotage his ward, but hes wrong about which giant did it. He raised his chin toward the nervous, rangy firbolg. Whyd you do it?

The accusation slapped across the giants form like a whip, making him recoil. I-Wha

Dont do that. Alex shook his head. Your dagger stinks of what you did; I could smell Birgers magic on it from a mile away, he lied, putting anger and confidence in his tone.

He glared as the giant flinched, fumbling for his knife. I-wha

I bet if we looked at that knife of yours, thered be sawdust on it from the tree. The ward magics bleeding off of it, dont try to act like Im stupid. I know it was you. What I dont understand is why.

He pushed on, his words punishing the already off-balance giant. The firbolg whimpered like a guilty child chastised by their parents, now, every eye had turned to him.

Erlic? Chief Olaf said. Whats this?

I-I, hes lying! he stammered. I-I was cleaning my knife on aa trunk! A little while ago! Thats all.

Alexs smile was fierce; he knew that when pressed, liars often began panicking, offering up a stream of unnecessary details as they came up with excuses, looking to make a made up story sound solid. More believable.

What that often did though, was reveal certain details the person questioning them hadnt known.

Are you saying it was an accident? Birger snapped. That you nearly had me dead and my son taken because of an accident. No, I dont believe that! Youve had it out for Bjorgrund since he protected me all those years ago!

I-I dont know what youre talking about! the giant shouted, anger entering his voice. And even if I did, so what? Rune-marked have been raiding our village since that boy of yours got marked! How longs it going to be before he joins them? he snapped. Keeping him here only hurts the clan!

Thats enough! Olaf barked, glaring down at Erlic. You said this was an accident? he asked quickly.

I

An accident? the chief demanded.

Y-yes, chief, Erlic stammered.

Deer shit! Bjorgrund shouted. Pure deer shit!

Language, son! Birger snapped.

Muffle that child of yours, great uncle! Olaf pointed at him, then snapped his gaze back to Erlic. Two lashes.

What? I Erlic stammered.

Only two? Bjorgrund cried.

It was an accident, Olaf said. Two lashes is more than enough. Erlic will remember to be more careful in future.

That knife tore through my symbol on purpose, Birger said. And that bastard would have had us butchered

I have spoken, the chief said. Two lashes for an accident. The rune-marked came and tried to kill you, true, but you are alive; these travellers helped you, didnt they? No life was lost, and thats that. You should count yourself lucky that I sent these folk to you. I send you food, I tolerate what your presence brings to the clan. Let it go.

Birger stared daggers at Olaf, his voice as cold as a crypt. Son, will you hunt for us?

Hm? Bjorgrund startled. Father, you wouldnt let me hunt. You said the blood could trigger another rune forming.

Birger shook his head. If fighting those rune-marked didnt send you into a frenzy, then hunting deer wont set you off. Will you hunt for us?

Bjorgrund smiled. Gladly!

Birger nodded, and looked back at Olaf. Im going to relieve you of your burdens, nephew. From this day forward you no longer have to send us food. Well take care of our own needs. I also ban all of you from our land. If I see a single hair of any of you in our boundaries, then so help me, Ill make you regret it. Ill ward the forest to keep you all out. Youll have no need to worry about my son or I anymore! Begone. Get away from here. Now!

What? Olaf snapped. These are our lands! You cant ban me, Im the chief!

This is my land, Ive owned it longer than your father was alive, Birger scowled. Hed be so disappointed in you if he could see you now.

Watch it, old fool! Olaf pointed a finger at his great-uncle.

And dont you ever ask me for a single thing! Birger howled. Not my knowledge, not my aid! Not anything! From this day on, you and I are done!

Arrogant bastard! Olaf shouted. I havent asked you for a single thing in years! You might have served the clan once, but now youre nothing more than a doddering fool who dabbles with our enemies! Fine, have it your way! I will be no kinslayer, and that bloody rune-carved beast has our blood running through him! But if I see him hunting on our land, then Ill see to it that hes chained like the beast he is, and whipped until the forest is red with his blood. And when were done with him, Ill send him mewling back to you!

Try it! Bjorgrund cracked his knuckles. Ive killed rune-marked today, by the dozen! I bet I could break your hands before you could even swing a whip!

Animal! Olaf spat in the snow. Fine, then! Ill leave you to your prison! Erlic! No lashes! Everyone, lets get ourselves gone!

Just one moment, Alexs voice was calm. Theres something you should know before you go.

He drew in a deep breath. I appreciate what you did for us, showing us to Birger and Bjorgrund. Theyre nice people. I like them. But you know who I dont like? You. You and your self-righteous bullshit, Im sick of hearing it! Im sick of bastards like you standing there like you own the world, telling everyone how things should be! Telling everyone their role!

For a moment, it was as though the First Apostle and the giant chieftain had merged, becoming the same person.

I tell you what Im going to do; Im not as nice as Birger, and hes not as good with magic as we are. So, Im going to help him ward his forest. If anyone steps one foot inside the treeline that he, his son or I dont want there, our ward will crank their senses so high, that their own clothes rubbing against their skin will feel like someones scraping their flesh off! The sun will scorch their eyes, and even the slightest whisper will make their eardrums feel like theyre about to burst! And thats how theyll keep feeling, as long as my magic holds. And Ill let you in on a little secret, I have a helluva lot of magic.

He raised his chin.

Thats my promise, and Im declaring it to you today, so if you ever set foot here again, dont say you werent warned. Now, leave! Alexs voice echoed over the trees. Or Im going to make you wish you had something as kind as a whippunishing you!

He raised the aeld staff, its blooms blazed with warning.

His words held power.

They held strength.

And his enemies drew back like scalded dogs.

Alexander Roth had not spoken like the Fool of Uldar, or even the fine student and capable businessman from Generasi.

No.

His words were those of a commandermore like those of a general.

And in the face of that intimidating tone?

His foes turned and fled.