Guardians of a Giant's Treasure

by M. D. Grimm

  “Fresh troops arrived this morning. I need you to train them.”

  Kodie rubbed his chin. “Great. Fresh blood to cover the snow.”

  Jeth laid a large, rough hand on Kodie’s shoulder and squeezed. “I feel as you do. But in that, we have no control. We can only train them as best we can to survive.”

  Kodie nodded, acutely feeling Jeth’s hand, the strength and warmth of it. It made his groin spark with interest. He was hopeless.

  “I’ll send Kurza, then. She has a good head and her sense of direction is equal to none. In a snow flurry she could find her way home.”

  “I agree. Perfect choice.”

  Kodie met Jeth’s dark eyes for a long moment before turning away and walking out the tent. He stood for a moment, breathing in the painfully cold air, feeling it slice into his lungs. He pulled up the thick collar of his tunic and covered his nose and mouth with it. He suspected it was the precariousness of living that had him continually thinking of his love for Jeth, and imagining what it would be like to have him for a lover. He’d never heard any of Jeth’s former lovers complain, whether they be free men and women or whores. He was envious of them, and hated himself for taking the coward’s way out and never once mentioning his need. But he couldn’t risk their friendship. If Jeth truly saw him as a brother, then their entire relationship could crumble, and he’d be stuck in this wasteland with a broken heart. If he said nothing, then he could hold onto his fantasies, that small speck of hope.

  Kodie shook his head and called himself an idiot. Pushing such thoughts aside, he walked down the short incline in search of the new troops.

  Chapter Two

  Jeth stood outside his tent on the small rise in the freezing wind and snow, his cloak flapping against his legs. He hunched his shoulders and watched the soldiers eat and drink next to fires the winds threatened to douse. Every one of them crouched or sat on blankets soaked by snow and tried to make the best of what they had.

  He loved all of them.

  He never thought he would or could. He had hated every human he came across as a child, save for a handful, and when he entered the army, everyone was a competitor. When he became their general that all changed. Their lives were in his hand and he loved them all.

  One most of all.

  He could always pick Kodie out of a crowd, whether it be fifty or one thousand. His eyes would find him in a split second, never once missing. And there he was, sitting with the soldiers, laughing and drinking.

  Jeth knew the laughter would be forced. He knew Kodie. He knew everything about him, from the scar along his ribs received in training to the way he cried when someone sang tragic love ballads. He was a kind and giving soul with a will of iron. A formidable combination, to Jeth’s mind.

  He could have lost him today. Kodie could have disappeared beneath the ice, never to be seen again. Soldiers had shorter lives than most, but Kodie’s skills made him formidable on the battlefield, and Jeth rarely viscerally feared for his friend’s life. Today he did. As much as the loss of those soldiers cut across his heart, he knew to lose Kodie would be to slice his heart to pieces. He couldn’t lose his friend. Not ever.

  Flames danced over Kodie’s face, highlighting his pale blue eyes, and glimmered against his fair hair and skin. He was more beautiful than handsome. He had an elegant face, his features delicate and in stark contrast to the hard muscle of his body. Jeth gained pleasure by simply looking at Kodie. He also had a strong voice, one meant to be listened to, one meant for commands.

  A stiff wind cut across Jeth’s skin and he barely felt it. He didn’t hate the cold and the snow since one side of his bloodline thrived on snow and the mountain terrain. He was related to the mountain giants, not the ice giants, though both had reputations for vicious cruelty. Jeth always wondered if even half the stories of them were true. He’d never met a giant, not even his own father, and his mother had never spoken much about the encounter that resulted in his conception. Not out of fear so much as sorrow, as if she missed her giant-blooded lover. He knew his father wasn’t full giant, though enough to produce Jeth.

  Thoughts of his mother clenched his heart, and he shook clear of them. He focused on Kodie again and took a deep breath. His love for Kodie was full and complete, and gave him a firm foundation for feeling something for the rest of humanity. Without Kodie, he would be more giant, than human.

  Jeth shook his head and decided to join his soldiers. What a day it had been when he was named general. Jeth and Kodie excelled in their training and were sent to the front lines. Jeth was named commander under General Helivan, a noble and proud man. He didn’t care that Jeth had giant blood in him. All he cared about was stopping the advancing Dathians. The other soldiers eventually warmed up to Jeth after he saved a number of their lives by lifting a boulder and tossing it at the enemy during one of the battles.

  When General Helivan was struck down, no one challenged his naming of Jeth as his successor with his dying breath. And here he was, three years later in these merciless mountains, fighting a losing battle. More just got killed, slaughtered. The only way this would end was if one side utterly obliterated the other, and both sides were too proud and determined to give up. Added to that, Dathia’s king was insane.

  The war was fought on both mountain and sea, and he received regular updates from the sea front by messenger. Jeth made sure to send his own updates, as Master General Cord demanded. He couldn’t see an end in sight as both sides see-sawed between losing and winning. Neither side made or lost significant ground, despite all the years of war.

  If the water passage was lost, then holding the mountain pass would prove fruitless. Jeth didn’t know what to do if that was the case. To stay would be pointless, but to leave would be even more disastrous. Such thoughts kept him awake at night and shrank his appetite. He looked at the soldiers as he approached. Their fight would have been for nothing. Their brothers’ and sisters’ deaths would be for nothing. They couldn’t lose. It wasn’t an option.

  If the fleet could hold steady, then so could he.

  Kodie approached him holding out a tankard of mead. Jeth took it gratefully and gulped it down. He belched as he handed it back, now empty.

  “I miss grass,” Kodie said sadly. “And trees. And the warm sun. I miss warmth.”

  Jeth chuckled. “I do as well. We’ll see and feel such things again.”

  Kodie sighed. “I miss my family.”

  Jeth nodded. Kodie’s family had become his own.

  Kodie glanced at the soldiers. “We have to hold it together.”

  “Aye, and we will. You and I will hold this pass and keep those bastards out.” Jeth slung his arm across Kodie’s shoulders and squeezed gently, aware of his strength. Despite Kodie’s solidness, Jeth knew his friend was still comparatively fragile. It pleased him when Kodie leaned into him and rested his head against Jeth’s arm.

  A small group decided to sing terribly off key, and Jeth winced while Kodie snickered.

  “I’m going to need more mead if I have to listen to that,” Jeth said.

  Kodie laughed outright at his comment. “Damn right.” He took Jeth’s hand and tugged him forward. “Come on.”

  Jeth glanced at their hands and smiled. His own hand engulfed Kodie’s and the urge to protect reared up sharply. He managed to gain control over his emotions by the time they joined the group singing drunkenly, and Kodie pushed another full tankard into his hands. At least the army wasn’t stingy with rations since they knew how important this unit was to Senica’s defense.

  “To our fallen brothers and sisters.” Jeth raised his tankard. The rest did as well, then they all drank deep.

  ***

  Kodie snorted when he woke, eyes gritty and mouth fuzzy. He stretched and realized he wasn’t in his tent...and he wasn’t alone. What? A considerable weight held him down and, upon further inspection, he realized it was the muscle-weighted, hairy arm of Jeth. Jeth, who lay spooned up behind him, snoring loudly. Kodie gulped and thanked th
e gods they were both fully dressed. He vaguely remembered complaining about the cold last night and as he and Jeth were both drunk, when Jeth suggested Kodie sleep in his tent, Kodie didn’t object. Well, he’d certainly had the best night sleep of his life, but he needed to leave. Now. His body was growing a little too awake.

  He gritted his teeth and began working his way out from under Jeth’s arm. It would seem, that even asleep, Jeth had other ideas. He wrapped his arm tightly around Kodie’s waist and pressed into him, burying his face in Kodie’s hair.

  Gods save me.

  Kodie bit down on a groan. He took several deep breaths before tapping Jeth’s hand.

  “Wake up, Jeth. Come on, wake up. Let me go.”

  Jeth snorted and grunted. “Huh? Kodie?”

  “Aye, it’s me. Um, let me go?”

  “Why are you in my bed?”

  Kodie huffed out a nervous laugh. He looked over his shoulder and met Jeth’s blurry black eyes. “You asked me, remember? I complained about the cold again.”

  Jeth’s eyes gradually cleared and a crooked smile touched his mouth. “Right. I hope it worked.”

  “Oh, it did. I was quite warm.” In fact, he still was, which explained why his face was heating. It wasn’t a blush, no way. He turned away and attempted once again to shift out from under Jeth’s arm. Jeth wouldn’t let go. Kodie frowned.

  “I’m serious. Let me go.”

  “I like you where you are.”

  Kodie gulped. “Stop playing around.” He struggled and tugged at Jeth’s arm. To no avail. The man was a mountain onto himself. His struggles also resulted in his ass rubbing against Jeth’s crotch, and he felt the distinct hardness of a man aroused. Kodie’s breath sped up, as did his heartbeat. It was simply the morning erection. That was it. That was all.

  Jeth groaned. “If you keep that up, I’ll never let you go.”

  “Dammit, Jeth! Let me go by the sake of the gods!”

  Jeth simply rolled over Kodie, pinning him down with his weight. Kodie turned his face to the side to draw in breath, and tried to stop his arousal. He failed. His cock thickened and throbbed, painfully encased in his breeches.

  “We don’t have time for this.”

  “No, we don’t,” Jeth said softly. He stroked a hand over Kodie’s hair.

  Kodie’s gut tightened at the loving touch. “What are you doing?”

  “I don’t know.” He continued to stroke Kodie’s hair. “I don’t want you to leave. I like waking up with you in my bed.”

  “Stop.” Kodie fisted his hands in the furs. How had this spun so completely out of control?

  “I don’t want to stop. I don’t think you want me to, either. I know you.” Jeth nuzzled Kodie’s neck, and he was, indeed, aroused, and that was no morning erection. “Let me have you.”

  It felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Kodie jerked his head around until he met Jeth’s eyes. “I am not one of your whores.”

  Jeth’s eyes widened and the shock on his face should have been comical. Did he really think Kodie would be willing to settle for a quick shag in the morning before their duties? Maybe a few more during the night, then be tossed aside? He felt stabbed in the heart and soul. Did Jeth think so little of him?

  Jeth rolled off him, rage covering his expression. “You think I—”

  Kodie surged to his feet and there was no hiding the bulge at his groin, but he turned to Jeth regardless. “It will never happen, Jeth. Not like that. I can’t believe you would think I’d, that we’d...” He shook his head and even as Jeth opened his mouth, Kodie spun around and began to stomp out. Before he left he seared Jeth with a look. “I’m sure one of your whores in camp would be more than happy to satisfy your needs.” Then he was gone.

  ***

  Jeth watched the new recruits on the training field, still fuming from that morning’s events. His heart continued to limp, crippled by Kodie’s words and the venom in his tone. Jeth had a better handle on his emotions because of the army, and his rage rarely controlled him as it once did during his younger years. Despite all that, he felt near the edge, driven their by Kodie’s harsh refusal. It was the first time Jeth decided to risk their friendship to pursue something else, something more, and he was cut down in the most brutal way. How could Kodie ever consider Jeth would see him as nothing more than a whore? Did Kodie not know him at all? Jeth had offered his heart in the only way he knew how, and now it felt trampled.

  Hurt and angry, Jeth avoided Kodie, and he knew his friend did the same. Kodie trained a few raw recruits one-on-one on the other side of the field, completely ignoring Jeth, never once looking his way. Kodie’s focus seemed unaffected by the morning’s unpleasantness, and Jeth resented it.

  “General!”

  Jeth turned as an older soldier, Vinik, hurried toward him.

  “A soldier from the Belshen post just arrived. She reports her squadron is losing ground against the Dathians. She begs for back-up.”

  Jeth bared his teeth. Their northernmost post was stationed near a second potential passage through the range. It was riskier and far more dangerous than the official pass, but it would be a way for the Dathian’s to avoid the full strength of the Senician troops. Kodie had discovered it during their first year stationed there.

  “Let me lead a squadron to assist them.”

  Jeth snapped his head toward Kodie, who had approached silently without him knowing.

  “I know that pass well, and I can use the terrain to drive them back.” Kodie briefly met his eyes. “We don’t have much time to discuss. It’s best if I leave immediately.”

  Jeth clenched his jaw. Was it only about saving their soldiers, or did Kodie want to get as far away from him as possible? Jeth stamped down the surge of protectiveness that nearly choked him. If Kodie wanted to get away from him, then who was Jeth to stop him? He didn’t own Kodie.

  “I agree. Pick your troops and what supplies you’ll need. It is a few days journey in good weather.” Jeth glanced at the sky. “You might not get that.”

  Kodie looked up as well. “We never have that.” Without another word, he left. Jeth stared at his back and prayed to the gods to protect the one he loved the most.

  “Come back to me,” he murmured, only the wind hearing his words.

  Chapter Three

  Kodie slipped on his helmet with the eagle emblem carved into the middle, and gripped the handles of both his sword and axe for a moment. He took a deep breath and patted the neck of his mountain horse, Thunder. He clicked his tongue and Thunder was off, running through the snow as though it was flat grasslands and climbing up rocks and the mountainside as if they were the rolling hills of the valley. Mountain horses may not be the most majestic creatures in the world, and perhaps they had stubby legs and long snouts, but they were a wonderful tool. They were loyal, even-tempered, and loved to climb.

  Kodie lay low over the saddle, balancing his weight with Thunder’s. The only reason some mountain horses fell or broke a leg was because their riders didn’t know how to ride them. It was all about balance and allowing the horse to pick the trail they would take. The horses knew more about their footing than their riders ever would. Kodie gave Thunder full freedom and only nudged now and then with the reins to keep him in the same direction or to keep him from being distracted by a stray bit of grass or an unknown scent.

  The other horses followed their leader loyally. Kodie didn’t look behind since he knew his troops were right there, a small squadron of the hardiest and most skilled.

  The clouds turned gray, the wind howled, and hail pounded down on them, showing no mercy to man and beast alike. Kodie merely gritted his teeth and pressed forward. They couldn’t lose the pass any more than they could afford to lose more soldiers. Kodie didn’t hold much hope that they would save the squadron under attack but at least the Dathians wouldn’t get to celebrate their victory for long.

  Thoughts of Jeth and his tumultuous emotions faded. He shut them off. They were only a distraction and weren�
�t important, at the moment. He steeled himself, blanking everything else from his mind except for the blood and slaughter. It was almost too easy. He’d taken to his training like a fish to water, and it always surprised him how much the life of a soldier seemed to fit him. He loved and missed his family painfully, his brother and sisters, his parents. How he longed to see their faces! He also knew as long as he stayed in the mountains, they were safe. He kept them safe.

  It was Jeth who had needed the army. And it was Kodie who needed Jeth. Now look at them.

  Kodie shook his head and forcefully pushed such thoughts aside again, angry they’d pushed through his focus. He took a deep breath of the frigid air, and the way it cut his throat and lungs, the way it stung his cheeks, alerted him to the dangers of wayward thoughts.

  Gripping the reins, Kodie narrowed his eyes and pushed Thunder to go faster.

  ***

  They only took short breaks as they pushed forward, and the storm finally let up during the last leg of their journey. Their sturdy coats were the only things keeping them dry, the hide coming from mountain horses, and their supply bags were made of the same material. Without such protection they would have been soaked to the bone and dying of hyperthermia.

  When the sounds of battle reached his ears, Kodie held up a closed fist, and the sounds of trudging hooves through snow stopped. Kodie slipped off Thunder and, without looking behind, made a series of hand gestures he knew the soldiers would understand. Then he crept forward, the sounds of steel clashing and dying wails guiding him. He crawled toward a short cliff that overlooked the fighting. Staying hidden, he peeked over the cliff and clenched his jaw at the stark red of blood splattered over the white of snow. The rest of his squadron would be taking similar positions, observing the battle and awaiting his signal.

  So many dead on both sides, the fighting brutal and fast despite the unsure footing every soldier struggled against. He couldn’t determine for sure which side was winning or losing, yet he was proud that his brothers and sisters held the line. The Dathians hadn’t won the pass yet.