by Lily Thomas
“I see. So now I know why you were so harsh on the warrior. Was it really fair though?” Keylz complained.
He himself had faced Stryme this day and had the bruises to prove it. He was going to be sore for a couple of days, after being in the arena with Stryme.
“Those men should be in top condition. It serves them right for not keeping up with their training while I was gone. Someone here has to whip them into shape. Besides we both know you are only upset because you lost to me. Several times today, if I recall correctly.” Stryme smirked.
Keylz laughed and patted Stryme on the back. “Why don't you run along and show the human female the city. I can see you can't wait to leave. I know the men and I won't be sad to see you leave the arena.”
“I think I might just do that.” Stryme replied as he strolled away. His eyes were already focused on the pleasing form watching him from a distance.
Elizabeth gasped, as she saw him heading in their direction. Quickly, she popped her head back behind the corner of the stables pulling Kiyla with her.
“Do you think he saw us?” Elizabeth asked Kiyla.
She didn’t want Stryme to know she had been spying on him and had been enjoying the sight.
Kiyla let out a twinkle of a laugh. “Why else would he be heading our way? I am sure he wants to talk with us, especially, since he knows I showed you the mare. He probably wants to know how you enjoyed the surprise.”
“I see the practice field has gained a small audience.” A deep voice spoke from behind them sending goose bumps racing across Elizabeth's skin.
How could he affect her so? His voice was the perfect pitch and with that growl that was always there, he could melt her heart. Closing her eyes she took a steadying breath. She kept chanting in her head that he was nothing, because soon she would be finding herself a way home.
Elizabeth glanced up at Stryme. He stood so close, she was able to feel the heat radiating off of his bare chest. Her breath got stuck, as she took in the sight before her. Her heart stuttered, as she imagined running her hands over his tanned flesh.
Kiyla spoke pulling Elizabethout of her one-track thoughts.“Good day to you, Stryme.” Kiyla inclined her head, ever so slightly.
Elizabeth followed her lead. “Good day.”
Keylz let out a laugh, as he came up on the group. Patting Stryme on the shoulder he said something to Stryme in their language. It made all three of the giants laugh, and Elizabeth felt like she was being left out of a joke. Or that she might very well have been the butt of the joke.
It wasn’t like she had been discreet, when she had been staring at his drool worthy chest. Heat flushed her cheeks, as she avoided even looking at Stryme.
“This is Keylz, and he will be joining us when I show you the town. As will Kiyla who you have already had the pleasure of meeting.”
Elizabeth gave a nod of her head in Keylz’s direction.
“You have seen your horse then?” Stryme straightened his shoulders.
She could tell he was hoping for a positive response. “Yes, she is quite beautiful.”
She saw light enter his dark eyes, as his chest puffed out. Her eyes zeroed in on his glistening chest, and she could feel her legs wobble a bit. Shyly, she glanced around to make sure no one had seen her eyes bugging out.
“Then I will have the horses readied for our ride.” Stryme slapped Keylz on the back. They may not have been brothers, but they clearly held affection for one another.
“What about the other women?” Elizabeth asked. She didn’t even know if any of the other girls would want to go into the giant city, but she felt as though she should offer. It would be a chance to get out and stretch their legs.
“There will be many curious giants out there, and a small party will be easier to manage.” Stryme explained. “Some of the other females may not react well to large groups of fire giants around them.”
Elizabeth gave a nod. His reasoning was sound. At some point the women might get their chance if they wanted. For now, she would use herself to test the waters, since there was still the chance a fire giant out there might want them dead.
After a short wait, she found herself mounted up on her own horse. It felt good to be in control of her horse. She had such a feeling of freedom, even if it was a false one.
Elizabeth felt a knot twist in her stomach, as both excitement and fright mixed inside of her. She wanted to see the city, but she feared being out there with only Stryme and Keylz as her protectors.
Eyeing the men she wondered if she was being cowardly for no reason. They were both built and each had weapons strapped all over their bodies. These were true warriors. She might never be as safe as she currently was, but she couldn’t stop imagining a crazy mob of blood seeking fire giants.
They made their way out in a two-file line, with Elizabeth and Stryme leading the way.
It was an impressive city. Everything around them was built from the black stones of the mountains.
When she first laid eyes on the city, she had thought of it as a frightening fortress when really it was quite beautiful. Up close one could see the black rock actually had a small amount of shimmer to it.
Elizabeth had the hardest time keeping her mouth closed. It kept popping open despite her best intentions. Everything was so new, yet it all seemed familiar to her. The giant town reminded her of the town that surrounded her castle. Other than appearances, humans had more in common with the fire giants than they realized.
Just replace the black stone with brown and grey and take away the fire giants and Elizabeth could have been back at her kingdom.
It seemed news was spreading about a human female being shown around the town. More giants kept gathering on the streets to watch them pass by. Most of the giants were just curious, but some shouted what she could only think were insults, every once in a while.
“They are making me feel like royalty.” Elizabeth commented as even more giants lined the streets. She was royalty, but she wasn’t about to admit it out loud. She didn’t need to give Stryme another reason to keep her as a valuable prize.
Stryme leaned back in his saddle, his reins resting along the stallion’s neck. “Most have yet to see a human. They have probably heard the same stories you have, just in reverse.” He raised an eyebrow. “Can you blame us? When the humans moved in they took over the land like they owned it.”
Heat rushed up Elizabeth's face. “You can't blame me personally. I wasn’t even born when humans came to settle this land.”
“No. We can't.” He gave her a meaningful look. “Not all of my people think the same way I do though. Some would like me to wage war against human kind and drive them from our beautiful land. Unlike the rock giants I am unwilling to join the fight unless it is brought to me first.”
When she didn’t reply he asked her another question.“Do you believe we should all be wiped out?” His crimson eyes were focused on her so intensely, she felt like she might break a sweat.
“No, but I know the effects of war all too well. I find I’m not as blood thirsty as the rest of the humans.” She replied easily as she avoided his gaze.
She had lost her brother to hatred. She didn’t want to lose anyone else because of a senseless war.
There was silence between them, as they rode further into the city. Eventually, they even made their way into one of the mountainsides.
She wondered how much of the city was hidden away inside the mountains. Elizabeth had never seen anything like it before. It was a little frightening to be walking into the side of a mountain, but ever so thrilling at the same time.
This whole adventure she was going through was unbelievable. Soon she would have better stories to tell than the old men at her castle. Most wouldn't believe her if she told them though. They would think of them as nothing else but the delusions of a young woman. Men had the adventures and stories to tell. Women were homemakers and child raisers with no stories to tell.
She still didn’t know if she was ever g
oing to get back in the first place. She might not have anyone to tell the stories to.
Elizabeth nibbled her bottom lip nervously, as she contemplated telling him about her need to get to Sardarn. Although he didn't believe innocents should die, would he want her people to actually be able to defeat the rock giants? An alliance between the two human kingdoms wouldn’t be in his best interest.
It was a risk she couldn't take. No matter how fair he seemed she just couldn't make herself believe he would actually aide her people. If anything it would only give him a better excuse for keeping her away from her people.
As if reading her thoughts he asked, “I have found myself wondering why human females would be traveling to the other kingdom. The two kingdoms don't have much contact. Then all of a sudden they send over an envoy of soldiers and females?”
Elizabeth debated in her head what to tell him. She didn’t want to give too much away. “As you said it is rare, but not uncommon. We’ve had trouble with the rock giants of late, and my father thought it would be best to send me to ask for assistance.”
“So he sent his daughter in his place?” Stryme watched her with those unmoving crimson eyes of his. Clearly, he was having a hard time seeing it as the truth.
Every time he watched her she was sure he saw more than he let on. Those eyes scanned her face, and she feared she might accidently let something slip.
“I lost one brother in the war and the other is currently helping our troops. I was the only one left. Is it hard to imagine that my father might believe in me?”
He dropped the subject with a shrug of his shoulders, but his eyes still watched her carefully. That was fine by her. She didn’t need him to be asking questions about why she had been sent.
Thinking back on their conversation she realized she might have said too much. If her father had sent her to form an alliance that meant she was someone of power. But Stryme either hadn’t picked it up or he was doing a good job of pretending not to know she slipped up.
She prayed she hadn’t blown it.
After a couple more hours of showing her around, Stryme finally decided it would be best if they headed back to the castle. She was thankful for it. Her leg muscles were becoming sore again, for she may have been a little too eager to go riding so soon.
Sarah intercepted Elizabeth, as she entered the hall. Her eyes were frantic, and Elizabeth braced herself.
“Where have you been for the past day?” Sarah looked at Elizabeth accusingly, worry hidden in her hazel eyes.
Elizabeth was shocked. She could see the worry in Sarah’s eyes, but she didn’t take kindly to the tone of her voice.
“I was out seeing the fire giant city.”
“What need do you have to be shown the city?” Sarah asked all worry gone from her eyes. Now she was just vexed with Elizabeth.
Having decided she had enough of this, Elizabeth brushed past Sarah. Amazing how a friend could turn so easily. It wasn’t like she had done something horrifying. She had just wanted to see how the fire giants lived. And she had realized it would be hard to get out of the city.
“It isn't like I have done anything wrong.”
“It isn't like you've been doing anything!” Sarah accused Elizabeth.
“Showing me the city was a kindness. It also showed me that there is no possible way of getting out of here! You are blind, if you can't see that, Sarah. How do you propose on escaping?” Elizabeth scoffed. She hated the way they were talking with each other, but Sarah’s mood was rubbing off on her.
This whole situation was stressful.
“Perhaps, you weren't looking for an escape.” Sarah followed Elizabeth into their room. “Maybe you aren't wanting to leave this castle. Maybe you have no wish to save our people. I’m starting to wonder about you, Lizbet.”
Elizabeth had enough of her accusing tone. “That isn't true, and you know it! They are my people, and I would do anything to save them from the rock giants. Since you seem to have all the answers, how would you plan on getting out of here?”
“Steal a horse.” Sarah stated simply.
“Steal a horse? Don’t you think someone might stop us? Stealing a horse won’t be a simple task.”
Sarah sat on the bed staring at Elizabeth in silence for a little while. “I’m sorry, Elizabeth. It’s just being here is starting to get to me. I know the other women are panicking as well. It’s hard not having any word about how the war is going for our people.”
Elizabeth sat down next to Sarah. “Don't think in such a negative way. We will find a way out of here. Don't worry about it right now. We need to take everything one step at a time. If we rush this, we will definitely get caught.”
“I will try my best to keep my head straight. I just find myself losing it at times. You have to admit you have been traipsing about quite a bit.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I know, but the more I befriend the fire giants, the easier it might be at an escape.”
Finally they were coming back to being friends instead of enemies. They needed to stick together, if they were going to get out of this. They couldn’t turn on each other, not now.
If Sarah found out about her fondness for Stryme, their friendship could end forever. A friendship took years to foster, but only seconds to destroy.
Chapter 11
As she watched the evening activities from her seat at the table, she thought back on the discussion she had with Sarah. She had been accused of not wanting to leave, but she did want to help her people.
She was just having a hard time thinking they could find a decent escape route. On the trip around the city she was able to see it would be hard to get out without someone knowing. Once word got to Stryme, he would be after her in no time.
Stryme was sitting beside her, and she could feel the tension build in her shoulders. She assumed she would be sleeping with him again tonight. Would he be satisfied with just sleeping or would he want more? And why was she hoping he would want more?
She groaned inwardly.
Sarah might be right about her after all. Maybe she wasn’t trying to escape. Her fondness for Stryme might be clouding her mind. Elizabeth felt confused and thinking about it was just going to give her a headache.
A more pressing matter was the fact her brothers may have been the ones to beat and leave him for dead. She was still trying to figure out how to tell him. There was no way she would be able to predict his reaction, when he learned.
Now that the shock had worn off, she could see the possibility of her brothers doing it. They had been raised to despise the giants and to have one in their grasp only to let him go? Elizabeth didn’t want to think of them as evil, since they were her brothers.
How could he like her after finding out she was related to the men who had brutally beat him? Maybe she would see the brute in him finally come out.
“Hello.”
Elizabeth jumped, as she looked to her left. The older giant woman who had led them to their rooms stood next to her.
“Hello.” Elizabeth replied.
“How did you enjoy your ride?” She asked kindly as she took a seat beside Elizabeth.
“It was a beautiful city. It was different yet at the same time it reminded me of the town I come from.”
Looking the giant woman over Elizabeth couldn’t help but notice the similarities to Stryme. “Forgive me, but do you have any relation to Stryme?”
“I am his mother.” She beamed, clearly proud to be the one to give him life.
“And his father?”
The older giant woman paused, looking crestfallen for just a moment. When she recovered she spoke again. “He had an accident, while hunting in the forest. It was a tragic ending to a courageous king. He was still in his prime, when it happened, which makes it all the more sad.”
“I apologize for bringing up your loss.” Elizabeth's heart went out to his mother. Deaths were never easy to get over. “I myself have lost a loved one quite recently.” Elizabeth confessed.
�
�I am sorry to hear. Who?”
“One of my brothers was killed by the rock giants. Now I fear my other brother is fighting alongside our soldiers. He can be reckless, when he lets his emotions get a hold of him.” Tears pooled in Elizabeth's eyes, but she managed to blink them away. She didn’t want to lose her second brother.
Thinking of her family made her worry for them. She knew her mother would be losing it, since the other kingdom would have sent word they never arrived. They must think all the women were dead.
She didn’t want to shed any tears in front of the fire giants, so she swallowed her emotions. His mother put her at ease, and she found the words just flowing from her. She missed having someone to talk to.
Taking a deep breath she steadied herself. She might say something she would later regret. She didn’t want to spill any of her secrets to his mother, because Elizabeth was sure any juicy bits would be relayed back to Stryme. Her loyalty would be to her son and king, not some human woman.
Stryme listened in on the conversation they were having. He enjoyed how his mother was accepting of the human females. She had even voiced concern about their safety.
Stryme wasn’t willing to let them go though. He wasn’t keen on the idea of the two kingdoms uniting, since they would be able to do a lot more damage joined than apart.
When Elizabeth mentioned a man near to her heart had died, the grin slipped from his face as a frown took over. He hadn’t been able to catch what the man’s relation was to her.
He didn’t like the emptiness that filled her soft blue eyes. It tore at his heart that she had such a horrible emotion like sorrow inside her. He remembered the horror, when his father had been killed. There was nothing worse than the loss of a loved one.
“I am sure your brother will be as careful as he can be.” His mother laid a hand over Elizabeth's.
Stryme felt his heart go light with joy. Elizabeth was only talking about her brothers. There was no need for him to worry that she might be missing a former lover. Though the lightness didn’t last. She had still lost a family member, and he wished he could take her misery for her.
