by Bill Albert
Both Gallif and Jakobus drew their weapons and stepped forward.
“Excellent,” the giant smiled and nodded. “Follow me.”
Once inside there was no longer a breeze and the smell of blood wasn’t so strong. The floor slanted upwards slightly, but they were able to proceed as long as they stepped carefully. After ten minutes of climbing the angle increased sharply causing them to move much slower. Jakobus provided a few spikes from his pack to pound into the side of the tunnel to make climbing easier.
The top emptied out into a magnificent ice chamber. At the entrance were two very bright torches giving off a pure white light. Surprised by their power Gallif tried to touch one but pulled her hand away before getting closer than several inches.
“Is it that hot?” Mekon asked.
“No,” she shook her head. “It’s biting cold.”
“It’s magnificent,” Jakobus exclaimed as he examined them for any details.
As he studied, Gallif and Mekon looked at the rest of the chamber. The floor area was large but the reflections on the ice walls made it appear infinite. There were more cold torches located on each of the five walls, but no other exits or entrances. As they walked along the wall they were awestruck by incredibly detailed images that were carved into the ice. The life-like reliefs were of males and females of different races. There was a dwarf carving along one wall and they called Jakobus to try and decipher any dwarven runes or symbols.
“This is religious symbol,” Jakobus said after a few seconds of study. “A member of the House of Patrecks.”
“Patrecks?” Mekon asked. “I’ve never heard of it.”
“Not many have. It was a brotherhood that set up a temple in Primor and they lived quite well. Then one day they all just disappeared. Legend has it they went to the ice fields to find the top of the world.”
“How long ago did that happen?” Gallif asked.
“Six hundred years or so.”
Jakobus suddenly stood up and took a few steps back. “It moved,” he said quickly. “At least, the eyes blinked.”
Mekon and Gallif watched closely and, after several long breaths, the eyes blinked.
“This isn’t an ice carving, is it?” Gallif asked no one in particular.
“No,” Mekon said.
“This is a cavern of ice elementals,” Gallif said as her eyes darted around.
They turned back towards the entrance, but before they could move, ice chips were falling like a waterfall from the roof. The chips hit the ground and piled on top of each other until they formed into four ice elementals. They were human shaped but did not have distinct details of character on them. Their faces were plain and, even though they had the proper places for ears, eyes, a nose and a mouth, they were featureless. Their bodies were solid and sleek and there were no marks or shapes to indicated clothing. They did, however, have weapons. Each had a large ice hammer with a massive head and handle almost as long as Mekon’s sword. It was clear there was no way for them to get to an exit without confronting them.
Jakobus was pulling some of the torches from his belt and was about to light them when Gallif waved him to stop.
“We’ll need those later,” she said without looking back at him. “I’ve got something that will work against them and last,” she said as she pulled the flame sword from its sheath and stepped in front of Mekon and Jakobus.
The elementals each held their ice hammer in their left hand above their heads ready to strike. They paused and looked at them. Gallif allowed herself to hope just for a second that the presence of the flame sword itself would be enough to drive them away, but their next move made it clear that would not be the case. In unison they pulled their right hands back and made a sharp move as if to punch her directly. From where their fists would have been burst a glowing blue bubble of liquid ice. With incredible speed the four bubbles shot directly at Gallif from four different directions. She took a quick step back and the four missiles collided in the space where she had stood. As the bubbles collided there was a thunderous sound like that shattering of glass that echoed through the cavern.
Knowing that the elementals would not make the same mistake twice, the human, the dwarf, and the giant quickly started moving.
Two of the elementals fired the ice bubbles at Gallif as she approached. They were barely a second apart in reaching her and Gallif parried with her sword and punctured them. The bubbles popped instantly and icy droplets the size of marbles scattered across the floor. She barely regained her balance when a third bubble passed by.
She took a sharp swing at the elemental near her and it pulled back to avoid contact. She tried a rebound swing, but it was already bringing the hammer at her and she had to duck to escape a direct blow.
She heard a call from behind her and felt Mekon grab her and quickly pull her back. Where she had been standing, coming from the other three elementals, ice bubbles collided and shattered.
It was pretty obvious to all of them that these elementals were very smart and organized. The elementals had already detected that Gallif and her flame sword were their biggest threat.
Mekon and Jakobus took up positions on each side of her to try and protect her. One of the elementals stepped to the side but as it did Mekon swung his giant sword and cut hard into its side. The blade chopped deep and a portion of the torso was cracked away. It struck back with its hammer at Mekon’s chest. Though the giant was strong and heavy his movements were not fast enough to avoid contact and the hammer head struck him hard. He shuddered from the pain and cold, but quickly regained his stance.
Gallif watched him as he stumbled and saw the tint of blue around the leather armor he wore under his heavy cloak. She caught an approaching bubble from her left side and struck at it. She missed the projectile but was out of the line of fire and it smashed harmlessly against a wall.
Jakobus swung his axe deftly and with several quick chops almost completely severed one of the elemental’s legs.
Gallif avoided another bubble coming over Jakobus’s head and split it before it could hit Mekon in the back. She knew she was the elemental’s main target and understood that Mekon and Jakobus were trying to protect her, but she still felt helpless not being able to fight for herself.
Jakobus made one massive thrust and severed the elemental’s leg. It stumbled and tipped over but stopped itself before it hit the ground. It shifted the ice from the rest of its body to recreate the missing limb, but it was much smaller than before. It was still, however, a threat.
Mekon zigzagged a strike at the elemental closest to him and removed both of its arms. It also shifted the ice but instead of losing much size it created only one arm. It had no hammer to fight with but could still shoot the ice bubbles.
Gallif felt more helpless than before and was desperately looking for some way to fight. She glanced behind them and saw the cold torches mounted on the wall. On impulse she reached out and grabbed one. It was bitter cold, and she felt the skin starting to freeze on her arm, but she threw the torch before it could do any damage. The torch soared through the air and nearly struck one of the undamaged elementals. The elemental reached out and grabbed the torch and threw it back at her. She rolled onto the ice to escape its path.
Mekon moved quickly to hit the partial elemental from its bare side. He drove his huge blade deep into the side of its chest and the elemental shattered into slivers on the floor.
Now that they were evenly matched Gallif was able to take a step forward and join the melee. She quickly approached one of the elementals with the flame sword sailing through the cold. It swung its hammer at her, and the point of her sword pierced the head dead center. For a moment the heat from the sword and the cold from the hammer balanced evenly and they were embedded together. The elemental used its size and strength to try sliding her across the ice. She started to lose ground when Jakobus stepped behind her. His strong hand on her back stopped her slide. The balance was broken and the ice hammer melted away to steam.
In unison the three elementals fired bubbles of ice. Gallif, Mekon, and Jakobus prepared to duck to avoid being hit without realizing that they were not the targets.
Jakobus returned to his opponent and put all his strength into one massive strike into the center of its chest. It split down the middle and Jakobus quickly chopped at one half before it hit the ground and quartered it. The other half started to reform into an elemental not much larger than Jakobus when he struck it again. The elemental adjusted from the strike, but the form was an odd shaped creature with a smaller hammer than before.
Gallif went forward to encounter her opponent and they circled briefly. It reared back to shoot another ice projectile and she was about to step aside when she realized that she was not its target. She followed the bubble and saw it collide with another above the entrance. After the collision a large block of ice dropped to close part of the opening.
Mekon finished his opponent with a splintering jab and the elemental dropped out of combat. He looked at Gallif and she looked at the hole to let him know what was happening. He nodded that he understood and they both caught the collision of two more ice bubbles and knew it would only take one more set to close the gap completely.
Gallif returned to the fight and advanced on her elemental making several jabs at it. The combination of the blade and the heat caused it to retreat and after a few steps its back hit the wall. For a second Gallif thought the advantage was hers, but she quickly realized that was not so.
The chunks and splinters of discarded ice from the elementals started to reform into more of the figures. First one, then another, then there were four, then there were seven and they kept forming. They ranged from human sized to only a few inches tall, but their numbers were escalating rapidly.
Gallif, Jakobus and Mekon quickly moved to a single spot with their backs to each other near the center of the room.
“The gap is closed,” Jakobus said quickly. “We’re sealed in.”
“There’s only one way to get through that,” Gallif said looking over her shoulder at Mekon.
“Are you ready?” he asked quickly.
She nodded and stood straight and tall. She gripped the flame sword with both hands and held it pointed directly above her.
Jakobus slipped the axe through the link on his belt and grabbed the giant’s sword with both hands.
Mekon turned and grabbed Gallif’s body firmly. With one hand on her belt and the other on her backpack he picked her up and reared her back. With a massive throw he vaulted Gallif high up and over the surrounding elementals. Holding herself rigid Gallif flew through the air like a spear with a flaming tip. She arched and was pointed downwards when she struck the center of the ice cover of the gap. It was a perfect throw and the ice wall was completely shattered as she passed through it. She held the shape knowing her life could depend on it and as she lost altitude she gently connected with the downward slope of the tunnel. Once she was safely on the ice she dug her heels in to slow her down while keeping the sword high to prevent it from getting embedded and causing her to flip. She finally came to a stop just as the tunnel leveled out and dizzily looked around.
“Wow,” she said after a breath.
She heard a cry from Jakobus coming down the tunnel towards her and she rolled to one side. He was feet first and came to a stop before he was even with her. Gallif also rose and together they looked up the tunnel for Mekon. As they looked up Mekon came gently sliding down after them. It took both of them to stop him, but he quickly stood with weapon ready.
“I think they’re coming down after us,” Mekon said.
Before anyone could protest Jakobus clapped one of his torches hard against his boot. The torch sprang to life with a great intensity and, in the confined space, they were quickly warmed. He went to the base of the slide tunnel and punched a small hole in the ice floor with his axe. He placed the torch into the hole and stood back proudly.
“Sometimes even the best casting isn’t as powerful as a really good fire,” Jakobus said.
“Well done,” Mekon nodded. “Now,” he looked at Gallif, “I assume you have a party camping somewhere.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “Further along the trench. In the direction you were headed.”
Jakobus was still standing near his fire and looking up the slide wondering if any elemental was going to drop down for a very nasty surprise. Gallif spoke quietly with Mekon.
“There is something I have to tell you,” she whispered. “We are also investigating a possible rebellion against the giants.”
“I see,” Mekon nodded. If he was surprised, he did not show it. “How many in your party know?”
“Only two of us,” she said.
“We will speak in private, soon,” he nodded. “I know I can trust you. I know I am not the first giant you’ve saved.”
***
When they returned to the campsite Kavelle, Brox and his assistant were awake and waiting for them. Kavelle’s frustration and concern at their disappearance was quickly erased when she saw the giant accompanying them. Brox shot Gallif and Jakobus a look of anger for leaving them unguarded but quickly recovered when he realized the giant was watching them. He took a few steps forward and nodded.
“My name is Mekon,” the giant announced. “An agent for the Giant Lords.”
“I am Brox,” the hobgoblin said calmly. “I am the leader of this expedition. This is Latiana, my assistant.”
“Greetings,” Mekon said and nodded to them both. “You are the leader?” he asked suspiciously.
“Yes,” Brox said without missing a beat. “My partner has traveled this route many times and I am here on his behalf.”
“This is Kavelle,” Gallif said before Brox could continue.
Kavelle smiled and the giant gently put a hand on her shoulder.
“Greetings, Kavelle,” Mekon said. “Tell me, are you a believer?”
“Yes, I am,” Kavelle answered with eyes wide in surprise.
“I could tell by the aura around you,” he said. “I am a follower as well. Who is your god?”
“Tebiet,” Kavelle said.
“Ahh,” Mekon nodded. “Appropriate for the chaos that lies ahead. Kienova is my guide.”
Gallif was more than a bit impressed in his disclosure. Kienova was one of the pure gods and her followers were well trained and disciplined in combat and casting. The fact that he was picked by the Giant Lords to investigate a possible rebellion meant they were taking these rumors very seriously. She also suspected there were many things going on that she was unaware of.
“Before I can tell you my mission I need to know yours,” Mekon said as he glanced at Gallif. “Everything.”
Gallif felt her stomach turn as he looked at her. She could tell he knew that she had been withholding something. She hoped that he would understand her reluctance to tell him when he heard the complete story.
“I’ll tell you,” Kavelle said and took a half step forward. As everyone’s attention turned to her she gave Gallif a quick apologetic glance before she spoke.
Kavelle quickly and plainly informed Mekon of her history working for the Giant Lords as a contact in Primor. She told him of how he introduced her to Gallif and the events that had happened at the Bitran estate. She also told him of their intention to investigate what was happening at the oreg fields and the possible effects the spice had on the elves.
With the exception of a sad sigh when she told him of Tome’s death the giant watched and listened quietly until she’d finished. “My word,” Mekon said as he scratched his chin. “The connection with the oreg spices was something we hadn’t heard of,” he said. “It would make some sense as to how a human could connect with the elves.”
“Do you know of Zaslow?” Gallif asked cautiously as she brushed her red hair away from her face.
“Yes,” he said. “We have agents who have heard of connections between him and the aquilus but, so far, there hadn’t been any connections with the stories of rebellion. We
didn’t consider him a threat that needed dealing with right now. Apparently, we were wrong.”
No one spoke for several moments as Mekon’s last words set in. Gallif knew this giant was very unique and would follow him openly. When was the last time anyone had heard a giant admit that they were wrong?
Mekon faced Brox and asked, “You know the path to these fields?”
“Yes, I am the leader and I can get us there in five days,” he said. “If the weather is good,” he added quickly.
“Then we will leave at dawn,” Mekon ordered and found a comfortable place near the fire to sit down. “You and your assistant,” Mekon said as he pointed at Brox and Latiana, “will stand watch until then.” With that he wrapped himself in his heavy cloak and lay down in a snow drift. He had no blankets, but his clothes were thick enough and the fire was warm enough that he would be fine.
Without a word Gallif, Kavelle and Jakobus climbed back into the blankets and covered themselves. Brox and Latiana started walking a parameter fifty feet from the flames.
“I’m sorry,” Kavelle whispered to Gallif as they lay next to each other. “I had to tell him about Bitran. I couldn’t keep anything away from him.”
“I understand,” Gallif said as Kavelle put an arm around her. “This is just to stay warm, right?”
“Of course,” Kavelle said and quickly closed her eyes.
Kavelle was asleep in a few minutes but it took Gallif much longer. She had no problems with Kavelle revealing the events leading up this encounter to Mekon. In some way she felt relieved that Kavelle had said everything she had known. It was the things Kavelle didn’t know that kept her awake.
TWENTY-FIVE:
ARRIVAL
The next morning, they again woke to Jakobus’s prayers and Latiana fed them a healthy, though tasteless, breakfast. At dawn, after Brox checked that their color markers were still attached, they headed north. The sky was dull gray and the northern clouds were heavy and dark. The frozen land they were crossing now had many hills and valleys and movement was slow. Slow enough that Mekon, who had no horse to ride, could keep up with them on foot.
