Read Online Against the Giants by Ru Emerson - (ebook by Flandrel, Undead) - Free Book Online Page B

Why?”
    “Just wondered. I’ve heard tales of the northerners.”
    Vlandar smiled. “They can be arrogant and touchy, but they
are excellent fighters.”
    At Vlandar’s gesture, the barbarian strode over to the table
and said, “I am Khlened.” His voice was deep, rough, and carried an accent that
Lhors had never heard. “I’m seeking one named Vlandar. I hear he wants men to
fight giants.”
    Lhors edged over to settle on his bunk as the massive
barbarian sat on the nearby bench. As Vlandar went over their mission, the
newcomer sat and listened quietly, now and again eyeing the youth perched on his
narrow cot.
    “Well, then,” he said after Vlandar had finished. “I’m good
in a fight—good even among my own people.”
    “I don’t doubt that,” Vlandar said mildly, “but we also need
men who can follow orders.”
    Khlened’s eyes narrowed. “You saying I can’t?”
    “No. I’m saying I’ve fought alongside northerners before.
Where we’re going, we’ll have one person in charge, and that will be me. The
strongest and bravest warriors no good to me if he ignores my orders or sets his
own course. We’re a small company. With you, we’ll have eight so far. That means
we all get along. No feuds or wounded feelings, and we share everything.”
    The barbarian huffed and pushed partway to his feet, but then
he hesitated and finally bared his teeth in a wild grin. He dropped back to the
bench, rattling Lhors.
    “All right, Vlandar. There’s sense in that. You have my word.
Who else goes?”
    The warrior turned down fingers as he went. “Myself, a
paladin called Malowan, a young thief who’s his ward, two rangers, a mage named
Nemis, and you.”
    Khlened glanced at Lhors. “That’s seven. What of the lad,
here?”
    Lhors shook his head. His skin felt suddenly cold. “I’m not mean—”
    “The village was his,” Vlandar replied and gazed thoughtfully
at Lhors. “It’s his choice, if he wants to come with us.”
    Lhors’ eyes went wide. “I… but Vlandar, I can’t. I
mean, I’m no fighter!”
    Vlandar held up a hand. “I think you can. Your father began
your training, Lhors. I’ve watched you these past days. You have skills that
would be useful. You know your limits, you can follow orders, and you listen.
We’ll be a small party, and we could use someone who won’t be worn out from
constant travel, someone who can serve as extra eyes and ears and hands.”
    Lhors had never considered this. Since coming to Cryllor, he
had expected to be on his way after requesting the lord’s help. He had never
dreamed of being asked to help against the giants. He had Gran to think of…
but he knew that was a false excuse. As a village wisewoman, she wouldn’t lack
for care.
    He had no family to which he could return. He thought of his
father and remembered the aging soldier impaled upon a giants spear. In his
mind, he saw his father’s life leaking away as the man lay in a pool of his own
blood. That faded but was replaced by the memory of screaming, terrified
children, too young and helpless to defend themselves. Lhors saw again Bregya’s
three year old as the giant took him and…
    Something cold stirred inside Lhors. Again he saw the giants laughing as they
slaughtered women and children and burned his village to the ground. “I’ll go.”
    Even the Fist barbarian looked taken aback at the sudden
change in the youths voice and the stern set of his gaze.
    “Good lad,” replied Vlandar. “I’ll see to it the king’s
steward finds someone to return that horse and have him take word to the old
woman—Gran, was it? We’ll have to fit you up with weapons and armor of some
sort. Your father taught you to use javelins, right?”
    Lhors nodded, afraid to trust his voice. The mention of his
father brought back memories that he could cherish later, but now he needed them
for other reasons. His fear was still there, but it had now been joined by
something else: rage and a sudden