by M. D. Grimm
Kodie would take any punishment as long as he could feed his family.
“Kodie.”
They both looked at Kodie’s father. Byrd was a large man with tanned skin and long blond hair styled in braids. He’d given his fair hair and eyes to his sons, while Kodie’s mom gave her darker complexion to his three sisters.
“What is that?” Byrd pointed at the cloak.
Kodie’s mother, Grelda, a tall and thin woman, as sweet as honey, opened it and gasped. “Byrd, look.”
His eyes widened. Then they hardened as they met his son’s gaze. “What did you do? Who did you steal this from?”
Kodie lifted his chin but Jeth could feel his friend tremble where their shoulders touched.
“I went to Simmon the butcher, just like you told me to, and I held out the money I would pay him. I wouldn’t even haggle. He told me he would never sell to giant-lovers. I told him that my family needed the meat. He told me to get away from him before I infected him, too.”
Jeth’s face burned with anger and his knuckles popped as he clenched them into fists. He scanned the crowd and found his mother, Anae, where she stood in the back, holding a towel. She looked at him with such sadness his heart broke.
Why can’t you understand, Mama? He thought. They hate us. We have to survive somehow.
Byrd closed his eyes and lowered his head. Expressions of pain and anger covered every face.
“It was my idea,” Jeth said. He would take the blame since he was the reason this family was in trouble.
“Jeth—”
“Shut up, Kodie,” he snapped. Kodie’s pale blue eyes widened.
Jeth faced down Byrd. “It was my idea. The people in town are ignorant bastards who would allow a good family to starve. We did what we had to do. I’m the cause for your misfortune, but I won’t allow any of you to die because of me.”
“It’s not your fault, Jeth,” Grelda said gently.
“No, it’s mine.”
Anae had tears in her eyes. Jeth shook his head. “It’s not yours, Mama. You do the best you can. You provided and protected me when I was a child and now it’s my turn.”
“You’re still a child,” she whispered, her smile wobbling. One of Kodie’s older sisters slid an arm around her waist.
“Don’t be proud of what you’ve done,” Byrd said into the silence. Jeth glared at him. Byrd never flinched. “You have stolen—”
“They steal from us every day when they don’t provide for their neighbors.” Kodie flung out his arms. “What choice do we have? We have to start fighting back. We can’t always allow them to trample us underfoot. With all the mouths we have to feed....” He gestured to the children. “We can’t afford to be passive. Not anymore.”
Byrd gave him the hard eye while Jeth was proud his friend never backed down. Then Kodie’s father gave a heavy sigh and ran his hand over his short hair.
“Well, we can’t allow this food to go to waste. We will eat well tonight.”
There was some cheering, and Jeth felt his mouth try to pull into a smile. He resisted.
“Kodie,” Byrd said. “I need to speak with you.”
Kodie didn’t look at Jeth as his father grabbed his arm and led him outside. Jeth resisted the urge to go after them, and instead approached his mother while almost everyone else gathered around the meat.
“Hi, Mama.”
Anae had long black hair and dark blue eyes like the ocean. He’d seen the ocean once, when he was very small.
She cupped his cheek and shook her head with a smile. “What will I do with you, Jeth?” Her voice was so soft. He could never remember her scolding him or shouting at him or at anyone. She was taller and thicker than most women, yet she was infinitely gentle and rather timid.
She still towered over him; he sensed that wouldn’t always be the case. He was stronger than her, he knew that. When he hugged her he made sure to hold his strength in check.
He didn’t know his father, and Anae wouldn’t say much about him. All she ever said was their intimacy had been consensual. She would always think fond thoughts of him because he gave her Jeth. Jeth knew he was lucky to have her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t do what you wanted me to, but—”
She put a slender finger to his lips. “None of that. Let’s simply enjoy this banquet, for now.”
He nodded and offered her a small smile. She bent and kissed his cheek.
“Don’t worry about Kodie. His father is worried, not really angry. He’s concerned he can’t provide for his family, and he doesn’t want his son to feel responsible.”
Jeth nodded. Byrd was the head of the family, being the eldest brother. Jeth never thought of what he struggled with every day.
Anae helped with the preparations for supper, and he went outside. There was a small shed for Kodie’s uncle, the blacksmith. He walked over and stripped off his tunic. He needed something to occupy his mind and build up an appetite.
***
Kodie walked outside to tell Jeth supper was ready. As he approached the shed he saw Jeth’s strong back, bare and glistening with sweat. Fine black hair began to grow across his back and chest, and along his arms and legs. He’d tied back his hair in a leather thong, showing off his corded neck.
Kodie wondered if Jeth would be as hairy as full-blooded giants. He admired the way the muscles flexed and bunched as Jeth pounded the hammer. The rhythmic pounding matched the thuds of Kodie’s heart. Shuddering out a breath, Kodie had to take a long moment to compose himself. It was so odd: over the last couple months he’d been developing odd feelings for Jeth. He didn’t understand them. They were uncomfortable and made him feel strange around his best friend. He didn’t like them at all.
The powerful hammering reminded Kodie of Jeth’s strength. He sometimes forgot. Jeth wasn’t dangerous around Kodie or his family. Jeth laughed and teased and tickled the younger children, never once bruising or frightening them. Yet Kodie could never forget the strength and violence inside him.
It was in his blood. His personality.
Kodie shook himself and thought of his father’s words. He’d expected a reprimand and instead his father had spoken seriously about the state of their family, and his father’s debate about whether to move. Kodie was the youngest son and second youngest child, and yet his father thought him mature enough to handle the reality of their situation. Kodie honestly didn’t know if he was.
It scared him to think of moving. To change everything with the chance their situation would be the same—or worse—elsewhere. But they had to take that chance before their family starved.
Heart heavy, Kodie walked toward Jeth and waited for his friend to notice him. After Jeth slid the sword back into the coals, he wiped his brow and glanced over. He grinned.
“There you are. What’d your father have to say?”
Kodie shook his head. Jeth frowned. He pulled out the sword and set it on the anvil. He proceeded to pound it again.
“Bad news?”
“No. Not good news, either. More like... information. Disturbing information.”
“Ah.”
Kodie knew Jeth didn’t understand, and he didn’t feel like explaining.
“Supper’s ready,” Kodie said dully.
“Great. I’m starved.” Jeth stuck the sword in the water and lifted it up as steam rose into the air. He narrowed his eyes and turned it around, looking at both sides.
“Looks good enough.” He set the sword down, put his tools away, and grabbed his tunic. He used it to wipe his face before slipping it back on. He pulled the tie from his hair.
Kodie liked to look at him. Just to look and admire. Why?
Shouts and jeers caught their attention, and they swung around in time to see torches flying through the air. Flames glared in the darkening sky and burned Kodie’s eyes. He never flinched as he watched the burning torches land on his home, setting the thatched roof on fire.
He screamed as he jerked forward, Jeth right beside him.
&n
bsp; The mob of people stood on the dirt lane in front of Kodie’s home, flinging more torches and shouting curses. One by one members of Kodie’s family staggered out the back as the boys raced toward them. Unfortunately, the mob realized this as well and several of the bolder ones ran around the side of the house, ready for a fight.
Kodie met them head on and punched several in the face, never caring whether they be man or woman. At that moment, they were only one thing: the enemy. He shoved several to the ground and never paused in raising his fists and using his body to plow them down. Rage gave him strength, and he had not a shred of fear. They didn’t appear to expect such a fight and their shock gave him an opening. Then his parents, uncle, and brother began to join in on the fight. Kodie kept glancing at his burning home, trying to determine who of his family made it out.
This was their fault. His and Jeth’s. This was retribution for the theft, it had to be. If anyone died the blood would be on his hands. Oh gods.
Jeth streaked around the side of the burning house, and Kodie shoved another man down before following him. What he saw stole his breath. Jeth’s home was on fire as well, and his friend dashed across the lane and dove into the front door without pausing.
Heart torn, Kodie turned back and knew he had to help his own kin. The men of his family fought like beasts while his mother corralled the women and tried to get all the children to safety.
The mob soon scattered, cowards that they were, and all Kodie and his family could do was watch as their home went up in flames. Kodie was too enraged to cry or to mourn. He wanted to cause pain and death. Smoke made his eyes water and choked him. It was a long moment after the mob disbursed he realized Jeth still hadn’t rejoined them. He gave a strangled cry as he ran to Jeth’s home, his body aching, his legs trembling. Jeth’s home still burned as well. Before he dove inside, he noticed a hunched form a small distance away.
Night fell as he staggered over to the form.
“Jeth? Is that you?”
No answer. Anxiety crept into Kodie and smothered his anger. He approached the form and realized it was Jeth, and he was holding something.
Dear gods, no.
Unable to speak, Kodie walked around his friend and by the light of the fire he saw what he feared to see. His stomach roiled and his knees shook so violently, he had to lower himself to the ground. He broke out in a cold sweat.
In Jeth’s arms was Anae. She was untouched by the fire, her eyes wide open and glassy. A long slash across her neck resembled an angry mouth. Blood covered her chest and stained her dress.
Pain laced through Kodie as he managed to shift his eyes to Jeth’s face. He cringed away. Jeth’s eyes were like looking into the mouth of a volcano—merciless and destructive. The flames devouring Jeth’s home danced in his eyes. His skin was pulled back tightly across his bones. He was so still, a statue. His chest didn’t move.
Kodie didn’t touch him. He didn’t speak. There was nothing to say.
Eventually, Kodie’s own family made their way over to them. None of his kin had died, thank the gods, but poor Patrica was coughing continuously, the smoke not good for her weak lungs.
His family circled them and each bowed their head.
Jeth suddenly lifted his head and his chest began to move. His face and tunic were smoke stained. He slowly laid his mother on the grass, and the gentleness of the act broke Kodie’s heart. Then Jeth stood and Kodie stood beside him.
“Jeth—” Byrd said.
Kodie held up a hand and Byrd fell silent. They were all stricken with the death but Jeth....
Jeth turned to him, and Kodie saw nothing of his friend in those eyes. They were empty. No life, just blank. Jeth turned and headed for the town. Byrd and Kodie’s brother stepped back to let him through. Never once saying a word, Jeth walked down the lane, his body stiff and his hands fisted.
Kodie put a hand to Byrd’s chest when he made to follow Jeth.
“No, let me. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He looks....” He had no word for it. “I’ll go after him. You make sure everyone else is well.”
His father met his eyes, looking ill. “He’s dangerous, Kodie. There is a rumor about giants, one I hoped would not apply to your friend. He’s in a rage, Kodie. When they feel that all-consuming fury, they are literally consumed by it.” Byrd paused. “He’s going to kill, Kodie. That is his only thought and his only desire.” Byrd gripped his shoulders, hard. “There is no way to snap them out of it, Kodie. Do you understand that? You could be killed with everyone else. You must warn the town. Get them away from Jeth. Maybe the boy will come to his senses in time.”
Kodie also felt ill and looked away. “Why should I warn them? They killed his mother.”
“No. Only one person did that, and we do not know who it was.”
“I have to try and snap him out of the rage, Papa.” Kodie gripped his father’s face between his hands. “All we know are rumors about giants. I know I can save him, and I can bring him back. He would never forgive himself for killing innocents. I must calm him, or something. Stay here.”
“He means that much to you?” It was a simple question that was loaded with meaning.
Kodie didn’t hesitate. “Yes. He does.”
Then he was off, running hard after his friend.
***
Kodie caught up with Jeth before he entered the village. He ran in front of Jeth and held up his hands.
“Jeth. Jeth, can you hear me? It’s me, Kodie. Jeth?”
No response. Not even a flicker of recognition in those empty eyes. Jeth simply grabbed Kodie’s shoulder and literally tossed him out of his way. Kodie flew through the air and landed hard on the ground. Jarred and achy, he gasped and struggled to his feet.
Jeth vanished. With panic driving him, Kodie ran into the village. He didn’t have to go far to find his friend. Jeth upended several carts full of trinkets and cloths. People surrounded Jeth and started to shout at him, unaware of their danger.
No moon and no stars made the night darker, made the torches brighter. The flame glinted off Jeth’s cold eyes. Kodie’s eyes had acclimated to the dark and the torches actually hindered his sight. Jeth tossed one person, then another and another, each one higher than the last. They crashed to the ground with groans and whimpers. Jeth didn’t seem to differentiate between men or women.
“Jeth!” Kodie shouted, even knowing his friend couldn’t hear him. Knowing he didn’t recognize him. How was he going to wake him up?
Women screamed, men yelled. A man—Kodie recognized as the carpenter Malak—tried to bring down a hammer on Jeth’s head, but Jeth grabbed it and yanked it out of Malak’s hand. Then he gripped Malak’s wrist and twisted it, breaking his bones with a snap. Howling in pain, Malak tried to stumble away as Jeth kicked out. More snaps of broken bones, and Malak crumpled to the ground. When Jeth was done with him, he was like a doll broken by a raging child.
Kodie watched in horror, unable to move. A few men, mere shadows in the night, attacked Jeth to no avail, others ran away. Women screamed and children cried and Jeth didn’t stop. Then an idea came to Kodie’s mind, one so ludicrous and terrifying that it just might work. Kodie took a deep breath and ran after Jeth as he followed another man staggering in a limping run.
Was that Kyller, the baker?
Kodie’s heart leapt in his throat when Kyller shoved a woman and child in Jeth’s path. Kodie dove for Jeth. Jeth raised a fist to the terrified woman as Kodie landed on his back, throwing off his balance. Jeth snarled and jerked hard enough to toss Kodie to the ground. He picked Kodie up by the collar of his tunic. A look of such loathing and fury covered his beloved face, and Kodie momentarily believed Jeth to be nothing but a giant. A heartless beast of rage.
Then Jeth tossed Kodie aside again and advanced once more on the woman. Kodie scrambled to his feet, heart painfully hammering against his ribs. He jumped in front of Jeth once more.
“Go. Run. Now!” he yelled at the woman—Luthera, the seamstress. He was close
enough now to see her face. His words appeared to jerk her into action and she did run, carrying the child with her.
Before Kodie could rethink his decision or Jeth could toss him aside again, he jumped into Jeth’s arms, locked his own around Jeth’s neck, and kissed him right on the mouth.
Jeth froze.
Kodie kept his mouth on those rather nice lips, his eyes open to watch the emptiness in those black eyes began to shift and fade. Black eyes fell shut, and Kodie removed his mouth. Jeth staggered backward, and Kodie let him go. Jeth sank to the ground with a groan and gripped his head, the hand visibly shaking.
Kodie breathed a sigh of relief. He knelt in front Jeth, happy he knew those eyes when Jeth lifted his head. Jeth looked disoriented and his pupils were huge and hazy.
“Jeth?”
He grunted. Kodie smiled and gently touched his shoulder.
“What happened? Kodie, what happened?”
Kodie wasn’t sure what to say. Jeth let out a painful gasp.
“Mama,” he croaked and staggered to his feet.
Kodie gripped his arms as Jeth struggled. “Wait, Jeth.”
“Let me go, my mama—”
“She’s dead.” Kodie hadn’t meant to be so abrupt, yet the words simply leapt out.
Jeth stared at him a moment before grief swam in his eyes. He collapsed against Kodie, nearly sending them both to the ground. Somehow, Kodie managed to keep them both standing, and patted Jeth’s back.
Jeth gripped Kodie close and gasped in air. “What did I do?” he whispered in a cracked voice.
“Let’s get you back home and I’ll tell you.”
“I have no home.”
Kodie pulled back enough to meet Jeth’s eyes. “Yes, you do. You’re in my family, Jeth. You and your mother, nothing has changed.” His tone allowed no argument.
