“Great,” whispered Adam as he peered down the dark opening. Just enough light remained to see the faint reflection of the water far below. “Are we planning to swim out?”
Craigen gave a mysterious smile but didn’t answer. Instead, he nudged the bucket from the well’s rim. The rope paid out, and the bucket landed with a light splash. The giant wrapped a huge fist around the cable and lowered himself into the dark opening.
Adam glanced around to make sure no one saw them, then slid his staff through his belt and followed. Near the bottom of the stone-lined well, he saw the giant reach into a narrow opening. Craigen pulled out a wide board and stretched it to the opposite side of the cistern. He wedged the board into another slot to form a platform, then stood and helped Adam down.
“What now?” whispered Adam. The hollow well created echoes much louder than he expected.
Craigen again signaled for silence and then turned to face the northern wall. The giant pressed several stones in a prearranged sequence. A slight click sounded and a round section of wall retracted. At Craigen’s gentle pressure, the section of wall rolled into a recessed slot, revealing a small tunnel. The giant looked back with a wink, motioning Adam into the opening.
The meager light revealed a stone-lined tunnel supported by timbers at regular intervals. Cold, stale air wafted from the cramped passage. Tall enough for Adam to walk if he ducked his head, the tunnel would force Craigen to crawl on all fours. When the secret door rolled shut behind him, utter darkness filled the passage. Sparks flashed as the giant used flint and steel to light a candle. The tiny flame cast a bright yellow glow over the moist walls.
Craigen passed the candle to Adam and whispered, “It is not long; about 300 paces. The tunnel leads to a trap door in the forest well-covered by bracken. But we must stay quiet. It would not do for the Dark Mage to discover this means of accessing Herrenbourn.”
Adam nodded his understanding. Turning, he held up the candle. The tunnel might be short, but it seemed to go on forever, a yawning throat which looked prepared to swallow him whole. As they moved, Adam heard the drip of water and the occasional clink of a loose stone. The giant’s breath rasped in and out as he crawled through the narrow passage.
Several minutes later, Craigen tugged on Adam’s robe and signaled for him to extinguish the candle. The tunnel plunged into pitch black. But as Adam’s eyes adjusted, he saw a faint glow visible from the ceiling a few yards ahead. They crept forward and into a larger chamber. Though no taller than the tunnel, the room gave Craigen enough space to move to Adam’s side.
In the gloom, shadow cloaked the giant’s features. Craigen placed a finger to his lips as he listened. Adam heard nothing but the nighttime chirp of insects. Craigen waited a few minutes more, then placed his palms against the ceiling and pushed. A soft wedge of light appeared at one end as the trapdoor opened. Adam squinted, letting his eyes adjust after the darkness of the chamber.
Craigen crawled through the trap door and then turned to help Adam out. An area of heavy woods greeted them, the sole light coming from the stars and a waning full moon hanging low in the night sky. At a motion from Craigen, the two scuttled to the deeper shadows beneath a montoria tree and knelt down to decide their next move.
“The gates are perhaps a league south and west of our position,” whispered Craigen, drawing a crude map in the dirt. “At last report, the Dark Mage had camped due west of Herrenbourn, past the forest and at the bottom of the pass leading up into the mountains. If we circle wide around his forces, we might approach unaware.”
Adam placed a hand on the giant’s arm. “Craigen, before we go any further, there’s something I need to tell you.” The giant remained silent, waiting for Adam to continue. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided to fight.”
Craigen gave a soft chuckle, slapping Adam on the back. “Ah, my friend, despair is overrated, is it not?” Then he grew more serious. “I should be the last person to offer such counsel, but I believe you make the right decision.”
Adam ducked his head, shamed by the giant’s words. “I’m not doing anything noble, Craigen. I know I can’t trust the Dark Mage’s word. But he wants me for some reason. And if I’m killed or captured, there’s no reason for him to press the attack. Maybe he’ll go back where he came from.”
“Perhaps, my friend. But I choose to believe in another outcome.”
Adam’s face reflected his confusion.
Craigen chuckled again. “I choose to believe you will succeed.”
Chapter 32, Siege
Aristomus reached the wall just before dusk. The giants stationed there seemed tense but ready as they prepared for another assault. Alecia waited for him.
“Where is Adam?” asked Aristomus.
Concern filled Alecia’s voice. “I hoped he would be with you, father. I have not seen him since we talked earlier today.” She hesitated a moment before coming to a decision. “He acted strange. He said if something happened to him, I should not grieve...” Her eyes widened in sudden revelation. “Oh, father! You do not think...”
Aristomus hugged her. “No, Alecia. I do not believe Adam would hurt himself. I am sure he will be along soon.” But the worried look on the old man’s face belied his soothing words.
Torlaine arrived, interrupting any further conversation. The giants nearby broke into spontaneous applause and the cheers grew as word spread. The giantess waved to her soldiers in appreciation.
“Torlaine, you should not be here,” fretted Aristomus. “You are still too weak.”
“And what would I tell them?” she asked, nodding at the cheering giants. In a louder voice, pitched so her soldiers could hear, she growled, “I will not remain abed while Herrenbourn is under siege.” Leaning closer to the mages, she continued in a softer tone, “It is important I am here for my people. They will see and take heart. Perhaps courage is the best I can offer them.”
Aristomus smiled and bowed his head in acknowledgement. “You are wiser than I, Torlaine. We are fortunate to have such a shrewd leader.”
“Where is Craigen?” asked Alecia. She grew even more anxious. “Adam is missing, and I hoped they might be together.”
“He is not here?” she asked, frowning. She called a giant over and sent him in search of Adam and Craigen. “It is the best I can do for now. The enemy will return soon.”
As though they’d expected her words, the Unsouled rushed from the forest, flooding the clearing. No time remained to dwell on the missing giant and mage. Torlaine ordered fire arrows launched before the creatures had covered half the distance to the gates. The huge piles of Unsouled gathered earlier in the day had been soaked in oil. Once fired, their burning corpses would provide light for the defenders.
The ensuing battle took place in eerie silence. No screams or cries of pain rang out, just the moaning and hissing of the undead, the thwip of arrows loosed and the meaty thunk as each shaft found its target. The creatures replenished their numbers faster than the giants destroyed them. When they reached the gates, those at the front fell to the ground, crushed as the others pushed forward. Wave upon wave forced the mound of crushed bodies higher, allowing those behind to climb ever closer to the defenders. The Dark Mage’s strategy became clear. If the giants couldn’t stop them, the Unsouled would go over the wall rather than through it.
“Pikes!” ordered Torlaine. Giants armed with 10-foot long poles topped with wicked steel heads rushed forward. But they only had room for two giants to squeeze together at the point of attack. While they slowed the creatures’ advance, they couldn’t stop it.
“Make way!” shouted Aristomus, shoving himself between the two giants. The mage extended his staff and sent a searing bolt of lightning into the writhing mass. The explosion sent bodies flying in all directions. Undaunted, the creatures rushed forward again to begin the ramp anew.
A runner raced along the battlement to Torlaine and delivered a hasty message. “You are sure?” At the messenger’s stiff nod, she asked, “How many?”
Her shoulders slumped at the reply.
After a moment’s pause, Torlaine issued instructions and sent the runner back the way she’d come. Turning to the mages, she announced, “The Unsouled mount similar attacks at two other points along the wall. We can delay, but not stop them.”
“Can you hold here?” asked Alecia. “It will not take long before the Unsouled threaten the gates again.”
“We will hold,” promised the giantess. “But return as soon as you can.”
The mages raced away. Moments later, they came to the first section of threatened wall. Already at the top, the Unsouled created a beachhead and more of the creatures poured over the wall every second. Left unchecked their numbers would soon overwhelm the defenders.
Aristomus leaned over the wall and blasted the packed creatures from a distance. The ramp crumbled as the undead went flying. With enemy reinforcements cut off, the giants dispatched those who’d gained the wall.
“Go, father,” shouted Alecia. “I will stop them from trying again.”
Alecia studied the battleground as Aristomus’ footsteps faded. Her strategy decided, she raised her staff and liquid ice poured from the tip. The fluid flowed down the wall’s exterior, leaving behind a thick coating of ice. The mage adjusted her aim outward, covering the ground and the Unsouled still trying to breach the wall. Try as they might, the creatures couldn’t gain purchase on the iced-over landscape.
Nodding her head in satisfaction, Alecia turned to go after her father. She arrived in time to see Aristomus destroy a second cluster of the creatures just before they reached the top.
“Well done, father,” she shouted, smiling. “They will think twice before trying a similar strategy ag...”
A tremendous explosion cut her off. The wall shook as though with palsy, threatening to throw its defenders from their perch. Aristomus wrapped one arm around a support beam and snagged the back of Alecia’s robe before she fell.
“Power preserve us!” he cried. “The gates! It came from the gates!”
The mages rushed back along the battlement to find Herrenbourn’s mighty gates had fallen. Oily black smoke obscured the burning wreckage, but the Unsouled already scrambled over the remains, attacking giants wounded by their fall from the gates.
“Retreat! Fall back to Herrenbourn!” came a frantic shout. Aristomus recognized Torlaine’s outline against the fiery backdrop and rushed over to her.
“What happened?” he asked.
Face awash with blood streaming from a gash on her brow, the giantess cried, “A feint!” She had to shout over the crackling flames and the moans of hundreds of Unsouled. “The Dread arranged the assaults to pull you and Alecia from the gates! Then they attacked with their foul magic!”
Torlaine surveyed the battlefield, eyes frantic. Hundreds of Unsouled scrambled over the wreckage. Wounded soldiers fought valiantly, but uncountable numbers overwhelmed them. “We are cut off!” she cried. “My people are dying!”
“Torlaine!” shouted Alecia, her soot-smudged face grim. “I will give you time! But you must rally your soldiers! Get them off the wall and back to Herrenbourn!”
The giantess still looked shaken, but Alecia’s words penetrated her shock. “Aye! I will do as you say!” Torlaine barked orders to the giants still on the walls.
“What do you intend, Alecia?” Aristomus’ face had turned white with dread.
“Help those below, father! I must slow this assault to give you and the others time!”
Aristomus nodded. Then he turned and headed for the stairs. Lightning crackled as he came to the giants’ defense.
Alecia turned her back on the fear threatening to overwhelm her. She’d never attempted something like this before. But she had no time to hesitate; needed all her concentration and strength. She walked to the edge of the splintered battlement and looked down on the heaps of burning wreckage. The feet of hundreds of Unsouled snuffed out the flames as they climbed over the burning rubble. Power help me!
With her staff raised, Alecia closed her eyes and concentrated. Thunder rumbled as the Power pulsed in her chest. Mist cold enough to freeze and shatter iron coalesced in the air above the broken gates. It collected in a white, amorphous cloud, growing larger and heavier as it drew water vapor from the surrounding air and compressed it into ice.
Sweat dripped from her brow as she strained to hold the cloud together. At last it grew so large she could hold it no longer. Gasping, Alecia dropped her arms, and the cloud fell with them. It hit the Unsouled with a rumbling crash like boulders pouring down the side of a mountain. And then... silence.
A wall of solid ice encased the rubble, the Unsouled, and everything else below. Ten feet thick and at least as high, the ice plugged the hole left by the shattered gates. For the moment at least, the Dark Mage’s forces could not press their advantage.
A wave of exhaustion washed over Alecia and she dropped to her knees. All around, giants leapt from the parapet, landing with a crash to charge the remaining Unsouled. She tried to stand, but didn’t have the strength.
Strong arms scooped her up from the wooden surface. “Come, Alecia,” said Torlaine, her voice rough with gratitude. “I will take you to safety.”
Holding Alecia tight, Torlaine jumped to the ground and ran for Herrenbourn. As they entered the village, she shouted instructions. Archers climbed to the rooftops and warriors formed into battle ranks with stances wide enough to allow room to swing their swords. The soldiers’ somber expressions told Alecia all she needed to know. This would be the giants’ last stand. No retreat remained to them. If overwhelmed, only the children who escaped the day before would remain to continue the giants’ race.
Torlaine helped Alecia to the top of the Hall of Elders. With a final nod of thanks, she trotted off to join her troops, shouting orders and encouragement as she moved.
“Alecia! Thank the Power!” Aristomus leaned down to help her up. “Are you well?”
“Aye, father. I just... need a few moments rest.”
With an arm around her waist, the mage helped Alecia over to the bell tower. “I saw what you did at the gates. Well done, but I fear it will prove little hindrance to the Dread.”
Alecia gave a grateful sigh as she sat with her back to the tower. Her fatigued mind turned back to Adam. “What word, father? Has anyone found Adam?”
“No, Alecia.” Worry etched the old mage’s face. “But wherever he is, whatever he plans, we can only hope it happens soon. Little time remains to us.”
A shouted warning drew their gaze to the street below. Alecia forced herself to stand. The giants had planned ahead, stacking huge piles of wood, soaked with lamp oil, at intervals down the center of the village street. A giant carried a torch from pile to pile, firing the wood to provide sufficient light for the coming battle. But the shout came for another reason. The Unsouled had breached the barricade. Herrenbourn’s last assault had begun.
Chapter 33, Captive
Adam and Craigen crept through the forest with caution. Darkness held, the light cast by the waning moon obstructed by the heavy canopy of trees. Craigen led the way, his giantish eyes better suited to the dark than Adam’s. They both remained on guard, but saw none of the enemy.
“He musters all his forces at Herrenbourn’s gates,” muttered Craigen. “We must hurry. They cannot hold for long.”
Already breathless, Adam had to jog to match the giant’s long strides. “It won’t do me much good,” he panted, “to get there too winded to fight.”
Craigen slowed and bent to pick up Adam. “Then allow me to carry you, my friend,” he said with a grin. “We will make better time this way.”
Adam grumbled, but didn’t refuse. The pair crossed perhaps a league this way before the ground rose. As they got closer to the pass, stealth became more important than speed. Craigen put Adam down and the two continued on, following a narrow animal trail through the thinning trees and scrub.
Adam opened his mouth to speak when the giant froze. With infinite care,
he extended a hand to point out something in the gloom ahead. Adam squinted, but saw nothing but shadows. Then one shadow moved.
The giant bent over, placing his mouth an inch from Adam’s ear. “Dread,” he whispered. “I believe there are two, but it is difficult to tell in the dark.”
Nodding, Adam whispered back, “If I use the Power, the Dark Mage will know I’m here. They’ll be on us in a heartbeat. What do we do?”
Craigen dug into a pouch at his waist and pulled out two nasty-looking daggers. One he handed to Adam. The weapon appeared the size of a short sword in his hands. With a wicked grin, the giant motioned for his companion to follow.
As they drew closer, the shadows resolved into two Dread, their monstrous, black bodies standing at least eight feet tall. Adam had no doubts Craigen could handle one as long as they maintained the element of surprise. He looked down at the long knife, then back at the hulking Dread. Surely he doesn’t expect me to handle the oth...
A tremendous explosion sounded from the east, followed by a bright orange fireball blooming over the trees like a deadly flower. A moment later, the ground shook with the blast. The Dread lifted their claws skyward and gave an undulating wail of celebration.
A growl sounded deep in Craigen’s throat as he sprang at the nearest of the creatures. Whipping one massive arm around the beast’s head, he pulled back, exposing its throat. A deep horizontal slash almost decapitated the Dread. Black blood fountained in a pulsing spray as the monster slumped to the ground. The second Dread already turned to attack, metallic claws clicking as it summoned its power.
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