by M. D. Grimm
Jeth had grief and regret written all over his face. “Did I kill anyone?”
Kodie didn’t answer. That said enough.
Jeth groaned again and pushed away from Kodie. Shouts and footsteps sounded close by and Kodie grabbed Jeth’s hand.
“We need to leave. Now. Hurry!”
They ran. Like cowards, like the guilty, they ran as the townspeople gathered, ready to string up the giant spawn in their midst. They never stopped running and, despite Kodie’s sore body, he kept up with Jeth’s long strides. By the way Jeth seemed to lag, however, Kodie suspected the rage had taken a physical toll on his body.
When they reached the dry husks of their charred homes, they found Kodie’s family waiting on the lane. Kodie realized his father and brother appeared to be ready to walk into town, perhaps in search of them. They had a few of their belongings, the few that survived, and the dogs herded the sheep under the watchful eye of one of his sisters, Evie.
Relief washed over Byrd’s face. “Good. We will bury Jeth’s mother, then we must go.”
They did and Kodie’s mother and sisters keened and sang over her grave. Jeth stood silently, slightly apart from them, his shoulders hunched, and his face hidden by his hair.
They buried her in the field, a few miles away from the village and the place of her death. She had loved the open fields and the hills in the distance. Jeth carved the symbol to mark the grave on a large piece of oak wood.
“May the gods protect this grave and allow this angel of the earth to rest in peace,” Byrd said solemnly.
Then they left. Kodie stayed behind and walked with Jeth who hadn’t spoken a single word since the village. Neither did he try any conversation. He was only a silent companion, making sure his friend knew he was right beside him.
“What happened, Kodie?” he finally asked when Kodie’s family was out of earshot.
Kodie took a deep breath and told him everything as Jeth listened in silence. Well, everything except the kiss. He simply said he’d spoken and shaken Jeth, snapping him awake. If Jeth didn’t remember, he wouldn’t tell him.
The kiss had done things to him. It nearly turned into something more than a cure for Jeth’s rage, and Kodie wasn’t even sure why it worked.
Jeth stopped walking and grabbed Kodie’s arm, staring at him. Kodie frowned.
“What?”
“How did you really wake me up?”
Kodie’s heart thudded. “I—I told you,”
Jeth squeezed his arm. “You know you can’t lie to me. Spill it.”
Kodie looked down at his feet and kicked some dirt with his toe. “I thought the only thing that would wake you up was... something shocking and... non-violent.”
“What was it?”
“I kissed you.”
He looked up cautiously to see Jeth gaping at him. Then a spark of memory flickered in his eyes and he snorted.
“By the gods, you did kiss me. By the gods, I remember.”
Kodie frowned hard while Jeth began to laugh. He barely resisted smashing his fists into Jeth’s face.
He hissed. “It’s not funny.”
Jeth snickered.
It was nice to see his friend smiling, even if he didn’t like the reason. Then Jeth’s smile faded, and his eyes became haunted once again.
“I dishonored my mama,” Jeth said. “I caused all this. It’s all my fault.”
Kodie opened his mouth but Jeth held up a hand, silencing him.
“I can’t stay here, with your family, Kodie. I only bring trouble with me and to those I love. I don’t know when the rage will take me again, and I could hurt one of them.”
“You never hurt me.”
Jeth’s glare was fierce. “I threw you, Kodie. Don’t you dare try to placate me or lighten the situation. I have something inside me, something that is all giant. I need to control it. Or use it. There is only one place that I might, either way.”
Kodie frowned. “Where?”
“The army.”
Kodie felt like Jeth punched him in the gut. He didn’t show it. He stood straighter and nodded. “Fine. I’m coming with you.”
Chapter Five
Six years later
“Ouch! Down for the count.” Jeth laughed. It was cut short when his opponent swept his legs out from underneath him. He fell hard on his back. Jeth grunted and looked up to see Kodie’s elbow at his throat. Kodie straddled his chest wearing a cocky grin.
“One would think you’d anticipate that move by now,” Kodie said with a click of his tongue. “Remember, the bigger you are, the harder you fall.”
Jeth raised an eyebrow, holding back a laugh. “Well, I have to let you win sometimes, don’t I? Or else you’re pride would shatter.”
Kodie narrowed his eyes and jabbed Jeth in the throat with his elbow. He grunted again as Kodie climbed off him. Kodie turned back and held out his hand. Jeth took it and rose to his feet.
Jeth was always amazed at how much taller he was than everyone around him, even his best friend. Jeth had grown past seven feet, and showed no signs of stopping. Kodie had stopped under seven feet. Jeth was impressed with his friend’s stature and strength, given his completely human heritage. Jeth could still snap every bone in his body... if he could catch him. Kodie was quick and nimble, his mind sharp enough to know when to use brute strength or tricks and feints. Those qualities often meant more than sheer muscle, 81specially on the battlefield.
“Nice work, soldiers!”
It was supper time and the training field was empty except for them. It was the perfect time for Jeth and Kodie to pit their skills against the each other. Depending on the training exercise, they might not see each other for a week or even two. They were always eager to see what the other had learned and to show off their own newfound talents.
Their commander walked toward them and Jeth sensed Kodie’s unease. They hadn’t been aware of their audience, and Kodie was especially self-conscience among the higher ranks. Jeth didn’t care one way or another.
Commander Landfeld was a short, stout man with a shiny bald head and enough metal on his shoulders to drown him should he find himself in the water. Jeth and Kodie came to attention, shirtless and sweaty.
“At ease.”
They shifted.
“I’ve been meaning to speak to the both of you.” Commander Landfeld halted in front of them, his hands clasped behind his back. “You two are, without exception, the best soldiers under my command.”
Jeth grinned inwardly.
“That is why I have picked the two of you for a dangerous mission. One I know you will succeed in executing, because of your skills, your dedication to each other, and you follow orders without hesitation.”
It had been many years since he’d heard such great news. He knew Kodie felt the same.
“There have been attacks on several villages on the eastern outskirts of this kingdom, by tribal people called the Shuns. Normally, the king would order a large squadron of soldiers to fix the problem. This, however, is a delicate situation.” The commander eyed both of them. “This is confidential information. If it gets out, I’ll know who can’t keep their tongue. You will be tried for treason and hanged. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!” they said in unison.
“Good. The Shuns are being led by the king’s own brother. He does not want the attacks or the presence of the Shuns to be known. The villagers have all been slaughtered, and the Shuns camp on the ashes.” The commander gestured for them to lean closer. “Now, this is what you will be doing....”
***
There were moments in his life when something miraculous happened, like when he met Kodie. Then there were moments that were bleak and empty, like when his mother was killed, and he’d discovered his rage. Then there were moments like this.
Their plan was perfect, quick and decisive. They set the explosives around the camp. They snuck around unseen. So why had their plan backfired? Damn, stupid Shun. He’d tripped over the cursed explosive
before they were ready and out of the way. Jeth frowned heavily and stared up at the sky. Now he was flat on his back with a poisonous arrow in his shoulder, not too far from his heart, and he didn’t know where in the gods’ names Kodie was at.
Jeth felt the poison racing through his blood and shutting down his system. Instead of panic, he was oddly calm. He couldn’t even find the rage. He simply lay there, bodies strewn around him, the smell of smoke and burnt flesh filling his nostrils. He couldn’t move his head or any part of his body. Everything seemed numb, even his tongue, and he had the oddest sensation of floating. Weird. He’d heard the poison of the Shuns burned through the body like fire, and death came after waves of agony.
Despite his predicament, the only thing on his mind was Kodie. They were supposed to meet up when the explosives were in place, yet that never happened. All the Shun were dead, he was fairly certain of that.
He heard his name called.
Jeth blinked, the only movement he could manage. His mouth wouldn’t work. Damn.
“Jeth! Where are you?”
Damn it. He wanted to answer. Over here, Kodie.
“Jeth!” Kodie sounded panicked and desperate. Jeth closed his eyes and tried his hardest to will Kodie to him. He wasn’t sure it would work, but he had nothing else.
“By the gods!”
There he was—bloody, covered in ash, stained with smoke, and limping, but whole. Moving. Alive.
Kodie collapsed beside him and paled at the sight of the arrow. “Damn the gods for this.”
He cupped Jeth’s face, and Jeth realized he couldn’t feel Kodie’s hands. He stared into Kodie’s face and wanted that to be his last sight before he died.
The moon was full and high in the sky. Kodie looked enchanting with the moonlight shining around him like a halo. His pale eyes were wide with worry and his blond hair, grown to just below his shoulders, made a nice frame for his face.
Why didn’t Jeth ever notice all that before? How could he never have noticed how terribly beautiful his friend was? Death sure changed a man.
“Jeth, can you hear me? I mean... blink once for no and two for yes. Can you hear me?”
Jeth gave him two blinks.
Kodie took a breath, held it a long time before letting it out. It blew in Jeth’s face, and he wondered why it smelled like honey. Had they even eaten honey in the past six years? Since they joined the army?
Kodie gripped the arrow’s shaft. Jeth knew it was too late, so did Kodie, yet Kodie would never give up on him. Kodie yanked out the shaft and pressed a cloth to the wound before frantically looking around. Jeth wanted to talk to him and try to comfort him.
There’s nothing you can do, Jeth thought. My lovely, Kodie. There is nothing.
“This can’t happen. This is not happening.” Kodie shook his head and met Jeth’s eyes again. Jeth saw the tears held back with ruthless control.
He felt his own eyes burn. He honestly thought he would live longer than this. A soldier’s life was short-lived, but he was exceptional. He had giant’s blood, for the gods’ sake! He always thought he’d die with a sword in his gut, not lying prone on his back by a cursed arrow. With Kodie crying above him.
After a long, tense moment, Kodie must have finally accepted there was nothing he could do. He sat with a wince beside Jeth, one hand on his chest.
“I’m not leaving you, Jeth. I’m staying until... until,” he said softly, his voice cracking. “I’ll bring your body back with me. Somehow, I’ll manage that. I’ll bury you next to your mother. You want that?”
Jeth blinked twice.
Kodie tried to smile despite his shaky mouth. He finally looked away, and Jeth could hear a hard sniff. He wanted to touch Kodie. Damn this paralysis! Kodie turned, losing the war with his tears. They made tracks down his smoke-stained face, and he got to his knees with visible effort.
How bad was he hurt?
“I’m sorry, but I can’t—” Kodie threw his arms around Jeth’s neck, and though Jeth couldn’t feel them, he knew Kodie held him tightly. He wanted to move his arms. He struggled to no avail, no movement answered his commands.
After a long moment Kodie lifted his head and planted a kiss right on his forehead. Jeth blinked. He felt that. He felt that.
Kodie left his line of vision, and Jeth only had a moment of panic before his vision shifted and his sight took in his limp body and the ground. Somehow, Kodie managed to get his hands under Jeth’s arms and was dragging him. He could hear the effort his friend put into it. What was Kodie doing?
When he was finally laid back on the ground he saw trees above him and he knew. Kodie, just in case anyone survived, had taken them to a safe place. Smart man. Then his vision shifted again and his head turned. His head and shoulders lay in Kodie’s lap with his arms around him. Jeth stared up at him, now starting to feel the pain of the poison. It did indeed feel like fire in his veins.
Jeth could slightly feel Kodie stroking his hair. Kodie tried to put on a brave front but the tears flowed freely down his cheeks. He kept sniffing.
“I wish I was dying with you,” Kodie said softly. “It isn’t fair. I’m the ordinary one. You’re the giant ilk.”
Jeth would have snorted if he could have. How alike their thoughts were at times.
“I quit after this,” Kodie said, wiping his eyes. “I only joined because of you. I couldn’t let you do this alone. I certainly couldn’t live without you.”
Really? A different sort of warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the poison. Kodie’s devotion was sweet and overwhelming. Though Jeth would have joined the army with or without Kodie, the fact he always had Kodie by his side helped him during his darker moments. The army helped shape him, helped him learn control, helped him find a purpose in life. But Kodie was his light, his focus, his foundation. Kodie made him want to be a better man. He wanted to be one for his mama, but she was gone, far beyond his reach now. Yet... he was about to join her, wasn’t he?
Kodie looked like he wanted to say something more and appeared to struggle with it. Then he sighed heavily and leaned down to hug Jeth. “I love you very much, my brother.”
I feel the same, Jeth thought, wanting Kodie to hear him. Desperately wanting to say the words.
Then the pain became too intense and he groaned, his muscles seizing. Kodie pulled back, his expression looking like he’d been poisoned as well.
“I’m not leaving you, Jeth. I’ll never leave you,” Kodie continued saying that as the pain worsened, and Jeth descended into agony. And into death.
***
Jeth didn’t remember anyone mentioning birds in the afterlife. Yet, that was exactly what he could hear.
What in the gods’ names?
His eyes popped open. His body ached, his head pounded like he had a fever, and his limbs were prickly, similar to when they fell asleep. He was alive.
Praise the gods and all their eccentricities!
Jeth slowly lifted himself to a sitting position and looked around. He carefully flexed his fingers and toes, his arms and legs, and realized he was next to the same tree Kodie had dragged him under. He was amazed he had fallen asleep, or perhaps it was more of a faint caused by the pain. Even his body, giant blood and all, couldn’t hold up against it, yet it was that same blood that kept him alive. Giants were known for their immunity to all poisons and venoms, and he hadn’t been sure enough passed to him. The poison certainly affected him like anyone else, even if the pain had been delayed.
Where was Kodie?
Gaining his feet, Jeth slowly made his way to the field to see his friend hacking away at wood. It took him a moment to realize what Kodie was doing. He was making a litter, so he could carry Jeth’s dead body back home.
His promise was comforting. Kodie would go through all that trouble for him. Jeth loved, respected, and admired the man more than ever. To be buried next to his mother was his deepest wish. It didn’t surprise him that Kodie would know his wish without him saying it.
&nbs
p; Jeth walked slowly to his friend, his muscles loosening. Kodie must have been intent on his work because he gave no acknowledgement to the fact Jeth stood right behind him.
“Kodie?”
It would have been comical in any other situation. He’d never seen Kodie jump that high. Kodie whirled around and held up his axe, his face pale and drawn, his eyes filled with grief and rage. Then they filled with bone-deep shock when he saw Jeth. He gaped, eyes bulging.
“I don’t think you’ll be needing that,” Jeth said. “Unless you had your heart set on carrying me all the way back.”
Kodie stood there, frozen like a stature. Then Jeth found the axe blade under his chin. He raised his eyebrows.
“Who are you? Why have you come to torment me with his body? Are you a god or a demon? Perhaps the god of mischief? Yes? Come to drive me insane?” Kodie’s movements were jerky, his eyes puffy, face ravaged. His gaze kept jerking over Jeth’s face and body, as if expecting an attack.
“Kodie,” Jeth said slowly. “It’s me. I am giant spawn, remember? They have immunity to poison, remember?”
“Prove it,” Kodie said breathlessly. “Prove to me you’re the real Jeth.”
Jeth thought about it. What would he know that a god wouldn’t? What did he know about Kodie that no one else knew? Or perhaps it wasn’t what he knew but how he felt. What Kodie would recognize if he was to see or touch him.
“Lower the axe and I will show you.”
Suspicion was written all over his face.
“If I was a god or demon, my word is my bond. I swear that if you put down the axe, I shall not harm you.”
There was a moment of silence before Kodie lowered the axe. Jeth took a step toward him, standing toe-to-toe with his friend. Without warning he grabbed Kodie’s face in both hands and kissed him right on the mouth.
His friend gasped, and Jeth heard the axe drop. The kiss was supposed to be quick and clean and only involve lips. Yet when Kodie gasped, that open mouth was too much of a temptation. Jeth slid his tongue inside for only a moment, brushing it against Kodie’s. A thrill of pleasure shot like a lightning bolt down to his stomach. It shook him painfully, and he jerked back, schooling his expression.
