Against the Giants

18

As the party gathered for a brief rest, Nemis went off withRowan to guard his back. He was sure that he could get close enough to cast a spell on the two guards beneath the dais. They were gone no more than a few moments.

“Sleeping like little lambs,” the mage announced with asmile.

“Well done,” Vlandar said. “Take a few moments to rest, thenwe’re off again.”

Maera drew the injured half-elf back into the kitchens with her, talking to him the whole time. She looked tense, Lhors thought. Florimund gave Nemis and Malowan a baffled look but finally shrugged listlessly, as though nothing mattered much. He still seemed unsteady on his feet and winced as the ranger laid a hand on his arm.

“Odd,” Nemis remarked softly to Vlandar after the half-elfwas out of earshot. “When I heal someone no worse hurt than he was, the healingtakes. He was in pain, yes, but mostly cut and bruised-nowhere nearly as bad assome I’ve helped.”

“I agree it seems odd,” Vlandar said. “You didn’t take hismemories away, did you?”

The mage shrugged. “I did what I could to ease his mind, youknow. But whatever aid I’ve offered him since, Maera refuses for him. And hedoes not seem eager for that healing.”

“I’ll tell you that ’e’s fakin,” Agya murmured. She had comesilently up behind them. “Not my business, listenin’ to wizard-talk, but yonFlorimund? I don’t trust ’im so far’s I could spit ’im.”

Malowan came up behind her. He sighed. “Agya, I know, but notall are used to violence. Merely being taken prisoner would be enough to terrify a gentle fellow. But I had to waken him. Maera will not listen to any word against Florimund and besides, I have no proof against him. He is not evil, that I can tell.”

Agya merely cast up her eyes.

“Let us be done with this,” Vlandar urged. “Mal, Florimund isyour watch-and Maera as well.”

The paladin nodded.

“We’re ready to go, then?” Vlandar added. “I know most of usneeded a short rest here, but we have little time to spare. We don’t know whenthe guard change occurs, but we do know what the incoming guards will find-atrail of bodies.”

“I agree,” Malowan said. “And we have yet to find the Jarl’sprivate chambers.”

“Or his treasuries, though I would like it better if we foundanother scroll like the last one you and Agya found.” Vlandar beckoned the restof his company close. “All right, people,” he began, “we’ve crossed much of theRift, but there is still danger. Nemis has neutralized the two guards behind the dais, but there may be others, or servants wandering the halls. None of us know what we will find once we get to the Jarl’s chambers, but we must be utterlyquiet. You four”-he looked at the rescued prisoners-“stay in our midst. We’vegiven you what weapons we can, and if things come to a fight, we’ll welcome yourhelp. But we have a goal that lies beyond this place, and our best way to get there-and to get you free of the Rift-is to use stealth. We are spies, not anarmy.”

“We’re no army, either,” Jebis said quietly. “And we’ll dowhat you ask, so long’s we’ve a chance to escape alive.” He glanced at hiscompanions. Two of the hunters nodded cautiously. The third stared at the dagger he now held, his lips moving soundlessly. He looked a bit touched to Lhors, who couldn’t blame the man.

“Good,” Vlandar said. “Watch our two magic-users”-heindicated Malowan and Nemis-“They are testing our path and our backtrail forenemy, traps, pitfalls and other dangers. If either signs for you to stop or to be still, do so.”

“We shall,” the hunter said. “Not many orders I won’t followto get out of here.”

“Sensible,” Malowan murmured. “Now, if you must speak for anyreason, get my attention or Nemis’ or Vlandar’s and do this”-he held up a hand,first finger extended. “If it is safe to talk, the response is this”-he held upan open hand, all fingers pressed together-“and if not, this”-he drew a slashinghand across his throat.

“Simple enough,” Jebis said. He rapidly ran through all threesigns, tersely naming each.

Vlandar nodded. “Good. Now, you can make out the throne downthere? There are two guards behind it, but Nemis has bespelled them. All the same, be swift and quiet.”

They crossed the great cave and passed the dais without challenge. Vlandar gestured urgently, and they covered the distance eastward quickly, entered a narrowing passage blocked at its inner end with one of the slabs of rock used as doors. Nemis spelled it to one side while Malowan tested the passages beyond for immediate danger. The paladin shook his head, then he and Nemis led the way in, leaving Khlened, Vlandar, and Bleryn to shift the stone back into place.

The chamber beyond was cool but not unbearably so after the drafty great cave. This room might have been a private audience hall for the Jarl’s important guests. Tables and chairs dotted the area, and on one Lhorscould see scrolls. A few weapons hung from the wall. Pelts covered the floor and the icy stone walls. Another passage went north into darkness, and the east end of this long, skinny room was blocked by hides from ceiling to floor.

Vlandar set Maera to watch north and west, Rowan to keep an eye on the east curtains, then let Malowan perform a reveal danger spell on the chamber itself while Nemis did something similar over near the east wall. Everyone else waited close to the doorway they’d just come through until the twomagicians nodded and gestured that the chamber was free of traps.

Vlandar divided the party and set them to various tasks, leaving the rangers where they were and getting Khlened, Bleryn, and Gerikh to search the chamber for anything useful.

Agya and Lhors were left with Florimund.

The thief’s nose wrinkled, and she touched Lhors’ hand. Animal smell. She pointed toward the leather-draped east wall. The youth shrugged, but when Rowan glanced his way, he caught her attention and signed. Rowan nodded, slacked her bowstring long enough to sign, Yes. Beasts in there, then turned back to keep watch.

Lhors glanced at his companions. Agya swallowed hard as she interpreted the rangers sign, then turned as Florimund began to sway, his eyes half closed. Thief and villager caught the half-elf before he could fall over. The pile of ivory tusks he would have landed on would have made a hellish clatter. Lhors and Agya eased the fellow down, exchanging exasperated looks over him. Nemis, who must have been watching the half-elf, padded quickly across the chamber and clamped a hand over Florimund’s mouth as he and hauled the half-elfup and off his feet. Florimund struggled feebly, but Nemis was already at Maera’s side, where he set the fellow down with some remark to the ranger thatLhors couldn’t hear. She scowled at the mage but patted her kinsman’s hand andlet him crouch next to her.

Everyone froze as a deep giant voice asked a question from the next room. A resonant female voice replied, and something that sounded like a large dog whined eagerly. Vlandar gestured for Nemis to join Rowan, then drew the others just into the hallway leading up to the gentry’s quarters. “There isnothing for us in here. There is at least one chamber behind those hides where Rowan keeps watch, and beyond it, two giants and two wolves.”

Jebis made the safe to talk sign, even though Vlandar had been speaking, if very quietly.

Malowan held up a hand for yes and nodded. “Beg pardon, sir,but that voice we just heard? That was their leader, I’m sure of it.”

“I believe you may be right,” Malowan said. “By the location,if nothing else, and I sense power in there. If so, the other may be his lady, and the wolves both pets and guards. Back north is a vast cavern, with many giants. Families, I think. If the Jarl is here, they may be his nobles.”

“It seems likely,” Vlandar said. “We’ve a pocket of silencehere, thanks to Nemis’ spell. I’d like one of his sleep spells to deal withwhat’s in there. I don’t want to start a fight here. Those nobles or whateverthey are would not hear, thanks to Nemis, but others might be drawn from passages or guard points eastward.” Vlandar considered this briefly. He thenwaved to catch Nemis’ eye and broadly pantomimed sleep.

The mage smiled grimly, nodded, and turned away. A few moments later, he turned back to nod once more.

Vlandar led them back into the main room. Nemis, who had beenwalking with Rowan, approached the warrior. The ranger looked very unhappy about something, Lhors thought.

As Rowan marched over to begin speaking in urgent tones with the paladin, Nemis stepped close to Vlandar and said, “Listen, please. We darenot leave the Jarl and his lady alive.”

Vlandar gave him a puzzled look.

“They sleep now. Execute them while they sleep-call itjustice for the deaths they’ve caused. They will feel no pain. Leave those twoalive, and they’ll spill more innocent blood.”

Vlandar nodded sharply. “I agree. Still, to kill anyoneasleep like that…”

“You need have no part,” Nemis urged. “Mal certainly must notbe part of it or even know what we do until it’s done. Rowan will distract himonce we’re in there, but-”

“Too late,” Malowan said. He’d come up unnoticed. Behind him,Rowan cast Nemis a tired glance and shrugged. “Nemis, you cannot do this, notwhile I am here, and I will not leave.”

“I’ll send you to sleep then!” The mage hissed inannoyance.

The paladin shook his head. “No. If we were attacked, youwould need me.” Malowan looked at Vlandar. “Tell me you have not countenancedthis.”

“Not here and now,” Vlandar broke in grimly. “Get inside thatchamber, and we’ll talk.”

Malowan set his jaw, beckoned his ward close, and went.

“Sorry,” Rowan muttered as she passed Nemis. “I did all Icould, but he became suspicious.”

“A plague on the pure-hearted,” Nemis growled and followedher up the two steps and around the leather drape. Vlandar waited until everyone else was out of sight, then gestured for Lhors to go ahead of him.

It was nearly warm inside the Jarl’s private chamber-and thatwas what it must be, Lhors decided. The furnishings were too fine for any but the ruler and his lady. He glanced around. The chamber was large but so cluttered that Lhors wondered if frost giant nobles even knew the concept of cleaning maids.

Vlandar got everyone close together again to get everyone searching the chamber, but Malowan, his face pale and his mouth set, interrupted. “We are blocked from behind by Nemis’ spell of silence, and thereis nothing and no one to the east. I tested. Vlandar, you cannot let him do this.”

“I can,” the warrior replied steadily, “and if it seems thebest course to me, I will. Mal, be sensible. Take Agya and go out of sight. What bloodshed these two have caused-”

“That is between them and the gods,” Malowan said flatly.“They are living beings, and unlikely as it seems to any of us, they may one daybecome good.”

Khlened snorted in disbelief.

Malowan fixed him with a flat look, and the barbarian subsided. “Even if they do not, their fellow mortals are not given the right tojudge. I will not risk the path I have taken for so many years, simply because this mage-”

“This mage, is it?” Nemis said stiffly. “Your Heironeouswon’t take your powers from you because of my choices, my friend, and youand I both know it.”

“I will not let you do this,” Malowan gritted.

“You cannot stop me,” Nemis replied.

“Mal, listen at ’im,” Agya urged in the uncomfortable silencethat followed. “C’mon, you an me, we’ll just go that way, y’won’t see a thing.”

She shrank back as Malowan transferred the glare to her. He must be upset or very angry, Lhors thought. As far as he could tell, the mage didn’t even notice his ward’s reaction, though normally he was careful notto upset her.

“I have not decided yet,” Vlandar began.

Malowan shook his head, silencing the warrior. “Yes, youhave. Don’t think me a fool because of my calling, Vlandar.”

“I don’t-”

“Then don’t pretend you haven’t seen them dead in your mindand felt good because of it!” the paladin snapped.

“I have seen them dead, and I’d be glad for it,” Vlandar saidevenly. “My friend, we’re wasting time we do not have. Search the chamber forthe things you know we need, and I’ll study the problem while you do.”

“Oh?” Malowan swung around to face him. “And what of theirtime?”

“Give it up, Mal,” Vlandar demanded harshly. “Take Agya andgo past that drape to the east. I’ll see to it they don’t suffer.”

“And if I won’t go?”

Vlandar’s jaw clenched. Even Lhors could tell that thewarrior was swiftly becoming angry himself. “You will go, even if I have to getKhlened and Bleryn to drag you. I’d rather not, but Mal, I will if you leave meno other choice. I ask this out of our friendship, but remember that you swore to follow my orders along with everyone else.”

Silence. Lhors noticed the four kitchen prisoners had moved back away from the verbal sparring. He couldn’t blame them. It made himuncomfortable to hear Malowan, Nemis, and Vlandar arguing.

Lhors jumped as someone touched his arm. It was Nemis, who was very red in the face, particularly for one normally so pale.

“What say you, lad?” the mage asked quietly. He used his eyesto gesture behind him at the sleeping giants.

The two had been at table drinking wine. On the far side of the great slab of wood, a massive, silver-haired giantess slept awkwardly in a chair, her face pressed into the table, arms dangling. Lhors could just make out the two wolves sprawled by her feet. Nearer to him, the Jarl lay in a heap on thick fur rugs. The giant was snoring faintly.

“What do you mean?” the youth whispered.

Nemis smiled grimly. “I know these two by repute. They havepersonally killed hundreds of humans and elves. By their orders, many hundreds more have died-just as your family and all those in your village died, or asJebis and the hunters would have.”

Lhors stared at the sleeping giants, vaguely aware of Vlandar and Malowan still arguing behind him.

“Imagine being held in a cage,” the mage whispered, “withgiants all about to tease you that very soon you would be cut into pieces and eaten, or bound alive over a spit….” He hesitated as Lhors cringed awayfrom him, eyes tightly closed and a hand over his mouth.

Do not think about the babes and that soup pot! At the moment, it was all he could see. Then in a flash the image of his father eclipsed everything-his father pinned to the ground, writhing with a spear thesize of a young tree trunk through his gut.

Nemis touched his shoulder and gasped, then laid both hands on the youths face, pulling him around. “I am sorry, lad. I didn’t know, thoughI should have suspected. I did not mean to cause you such pain.”

Lhors nodded, eyes still tightly closed. He couldn’t speak.

Nemis let go of him. “But if these two, the Jarl and hislady, were part of the command that set Nosnra’s giants against your village, ifyou could avenge your father and your village now would you?”

Lhors drew a deep breath and opened his eyes. To his astonishment, the mage held out a long dagger.

“There is no burden on you to do this. Any of the four menheld prisoner in that kitchen yonder might be willing, but they faced only loss of life, however dreadful it might have been. You lost your family, your village, and your father-everything you knew. It is your choice. If you strike,you grant them a cleaner death than your father had. While another may become Jarl here, at least this one will order no more deaths.”

Lhors gazed longingly at the hilt. Father, I swore I would avenge you, and here within my reach…

But he wouldn’t even reach for the blade. “I know you areright, Nemis-about them and all giants. But no, not like this. My father-itcannot change that he is dead, and it would not avenge anything. Not for me.”

Nemis eyed him gravely then shoved the dagger back into its sheath. “As you choose,” was all he said as he turned away.

Lhors drew a deep, shuddering breath, blotted his eyes on his sleeve, and realized Vlandar and Malowan were still arguing fiercely. The whole exchange with Nemis had taken next to no time at all.

Khlened had come up unnoticed. “Done right, boy,” he mutteredand patted the youths shoulder awkwardly. “I’m no headsman either. There’s noglory in butcherin’ a sleepin’ foe.”

Bleryn snorted. “Listen at ’em, arguing whether such killersdeserve to live. Small wonder dwarves don’t go for being paladins. We got moresense’n that. This is execution flat out, not murder. Such brutes don’t deservean honorable death.”

Behind them, Malowan’s voice rose. Nemis swore angrily andbegan muttering a spell. Khlened ran over to help Vlandar wrestle the paladin down. It took Gerikh’s help to get it done, and as Nemis stepped back, thepaladin’s angry, weeping voice was abruptly silenced, though the man clearly wasstill bellowing at Vlandar and the others to let him go.

Vlandar, who had Mal’s feet, leaned away from the man and metBleryn’s eyes. “We can’t hold him long! One of you, get it done and that’s anorder!”

Bleryn nodded and turned away, shielding his blade before beckoning Jebis over. “I was prisoner in the Steading’s smithy, and I owegiants, but no one offered t’ make me into food. So you’ve a right, too.”

Jebis declined, but one of the hunters came to his side with a dagger clenched in his hand.

“We owe ’em,” the man said. He glanced at his dazed companion. “Poor Gorbisthere, he may never be the same. Kill one, dwarf. I’ll see to the other.”

“Good,” the dwarf replied. “Y’know how to give a stag aclean, quick death. Do as much here.”

Nemis came over to stand next to Lhors.

“Stay there, lad,” he said. “Close your eyes if you choose,but help me keep Mal from seeing anything.”

He hadn’t meant to watch, but Lhors found himself unable tolook away. The dwarf’s eyes were locked on the hunter’s. “We’ll kill the wolvesfirst.”

The hunter nodded. “Make it as bloodless as you can. Feller’dfreeze around here in blood-soaked clothes.”

The two dispatched the wolves by bringing a heavy blade down across the neck of each, severing the spine. The hunter then picked up a short spear leaning against the table, brought it over his head in a two-handed grip, and plunged it down through the giantess’ eye. She jerked once, then the breathwent out of her in a faint sigh. 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.

“A transport, much like the Steading chain,” Malowan said.“With a specific goal. We pull down on the bar, and whoever is in this partlyenclosed area will go there-wherever ‘there’ is. We need something I can standon.”

Khlened and Bleryn ran back into the Jarl’s bedchamber, cameout with a sturdy-looking flat chest, and set it against the cavern wall.

“All right,” Vlandar said. “We’ll go half at a time. I wantNemis, Rowan, Bleryn, Khlened, and Gerikh in the first party, weapons drawn. And Nemis, be ready to bespell any guards. The rest of us will be right behind you.”

The mage nodded and climbed onto the trunk while Malowan drew the rest of them back against the curtain into the bedchamber.

The mage reached up to the lever and pulled down smoothly. Lhors blinked in surprise. The mage and the others simply vanished!

And then it was his turn.

Vlandar’s arm was reassuringly solid against his shoulder.The youth gripped his spear.

“Deep breath, my young friend,” the warrior told him. “You’vedone well so far.”

Once everyone was in place, the paladin drew down on the bar. The chamber faded. Icy cold whirled away, and as the ground solidified under their feet, a hellish blast of heat wrapped around them.

Lhors blinked furiously, but for a moment, he could see nothing but blackness. Then, as his vision began to clear, he could make out a steep, black wall blocking their view ahead. To their right and left was nothing but smoke and distant fires.

Nemis was dragging off his cloak and hood as Vlandar came up. “Fire giants,” the mage said unhappily. “I knew it would be fire giants.”