The Path of Giants

by B. T. Narro

  I had a few breaths as I thought about it. “I don’t fear death much anymore. The thought just makes me sad. What I do fear is what would happen after, to all the good people who would have no hope against dteria.”

  The only sound for some time was the fire crackling.

  “I’m very glad I met you, Jon,” she said in a raspy voice as if she was falling asleep.

  The comment pulled up the corners of my mouth. Soon I found myself closing my eyes and thinking more happy thoughts. Tomorrow, we would arrive at the castle. I looked forward to showing Hadley what her new life could be like after we, hopefully, met everyone there.

  But then I frowned again as I remembered how rude and difficult she had been regarding Kataleya’s recently deceased father. I was just about certain there would be other problems caused by bringing a witch into the castle, but I was even more certain that I had made the right choice. As of now, none of us hated the king of Rohaer as much as Hadley did. None of us wanted him dead as much as she did.

  She might not be brave right now, but that hatred would go a long way to making her so. I knew this because the same thing had happened to me toward the dark mages.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  In the morning, I rode beside Hadley, eager to arrive. We were just a couple of hours away now. I felt closer to Hadley after seeing what she had been through. I wanted to trust her and keep her safe, but I felt like this feeling was coming from my mana playing tricks with my heart. I had to remind myself that I didn’t know her as well as I did the sorcerers I had trained with for a long while now.

  Suddenly, something struck me in the back of my left shoulder hard enough to take me off my mount and rip a scream from my throat.

  I tried to get my hands out to help me land, but the sharp pain in my shoulder made it difficult to move my left arm. I fell awkwardly, possibly breaking my right wrist as I screamed again.

  “Jon!” shouted Hadley.

  I was quick to my feet, aggression removing all pain as I looked behind me. Valinox was coming toward me, and he had a new partner this time. It was she who must’ve struck me in the back of my left shoulder with what I could now feel was a dagger still stuck in me.

  She wasn’t advancing toward me like Valinox, staying behind him. I wanted to yell and swear at my betrayer, but her worried—maybe even apologetic—expression confounded me and sapped my anger.

  Hadley came up behind me and pulled the dagger out of my shoulder. “Heal yourself,” she said as she stood in front of me, looking so small in my eyes as she held the dagger ready.

  Valinox brushed his hand aside, and Hadley went flying off with a startled shout.

  I finished healing my shoulder first to stop the bleeding. I was starting on my broken right wrist when Valinox picked me up with a thick cord of dteria around my waist.

  “Again, Eden!” he snarled with a look at her over his shoulder. “And don’t miss this time!”

  She slowly took out another dagger from the holster around her belt and lifted up her other hand. It floated in the air before her.

  She held still for just a single moment, hesitating, but then she started sprinting toward me. She motioned like she was going to throw something. The dagger shot at me as she finished the motion.

  It was too fast for me to keep my eye on. I could only hope to protect my face, throat, and heart with a thick shield of dvinia, but the dagger missed my more vulnerable spots and impaled me in the same left shoulder, this time in the front.

  “You’re missing this on purpose!” Valinox yelled at Eden.

  “I’m not,” she said. “The girl!”

  Hadley was about to drive her dagger into Valinox’s back, but Eden grabbed her with dteria. Hadley swiped wildly as the dteria pulled her away, nicking Valinox’s shirt before Eden wrestled her away with the clear energy. Soon Hadley fell and started to roll away from all of us as Eden’s dteria gained momentum.

  But she had given me enough time to remove Eden’s second dagger and heal not only that wound but my broken wrist as well.

  Valinox glared at me. I knew he had the capability to kill me on his own. He could throw me against any of the nearby trees, and that would be it. It looked like he was thinking about it, like he was risking waking Gourfist just to get rid of me.

  Eden must’ve felt the same thing from him. “It’s not worth it,” she said. “He’s just one healer.”

  “You are going to kill him right now, or I will make sure you suffer.” While still suspending me in the air with a ring of dteria, Valinox wrapped a smaller ring around the hand I was using to hold the dagger.

  With a sudden twist, he broke my wrist all over again and forced me to drop the weapon.

  The shock of it ruined my concentration—the spell I was preparing—as I screamed yet again. Eden ran toward me as I was in too much shock to heal myself, snatched up the dagger, and was about to stab me in the chest, but I finally gathered my thoughts and blasted her back with dvinia.

  I didn’t bother healing my wrist. Having the spell ready in my mind, I hit Valinox with an even stronger version.

  The spell still struck him—demigod or not—with a huge amount of force. He flew backward and tumbled over himself.

  I fell to my feet and healed my wrist. Then I took out my sword and charged Eden. I knew I would have no hope of reaching Valinox before he had another spell ready, but Eden was closer. And Valinox might actually let me kill her.

  She tried to get to her feet in a hurry, but she slipped. Suddenly I was over her, close enough to run my sword through her spine as she tried to scamper away with a shriek.

  I hesitated. I couldn’t do it.

  She looked over her shoulder and found me frozen. She stopped.

  My muscles were tense. “Goddamn you, Eden.”

  “I’m so sorry, Jon.”

  I heard Valinox scream. I looked over to see Hadley on his back, her teeth in his neck. He reached over and picked her off him with one hand, then threw her to the ground with immense strength.

  She bounced off the dirt, a look of horror on her face. Her legs couldn’t seem to move as she squirmed with her torso. I ran to Valinox and hoisted him up with dvinia. I knew it was pointless, but I couldn’t bring myself to kill Eden, so I had to try to slay the demigod, or at least get him away from Hadley so I could heal her.

  There was a distant roar, so powerful and fearsome that it took all the fight out of me and replaced it with dread. My spell came to a sudden end. Valinox peered to the faraway forest, his eyes wide.

  Oh my god. Was that Gourfist?

  Valinox took off into the air, leaving the rest of us, including Eden.

  I shot her a look over my shoulder. She started to run away.

  I would deal with her in a moment.

  I bent down over Hadley.

  “Mmm!” she groaned, gesturing at her legs that she couldn’t seem to move. I didn’t know why she wouldn’t open her mouth, but I couldn’t worry about that right now. I figured the demigod had broken her spine.

  I put my hand on her stomach and reached the other one around to get in between her back and the ground. The damage was severe, but localized. I had cured that young man of a deathly infection, and now I felt like I could heal anything.

  It took a solid minute of healing, with one break halfway through to check on Eden—still running and weaponless—but I repaired all the damage the demigod had done.

  There were no other roars from the forest. Eden was quite far by now, but I could catch up to her on my horse. “Stay here,” I said, as I made a run for my mount.

  But then Valinox came down from the sky, landing next Eden, and soon he was taking off again with her in his arms.

  I let out my breath, then went back to check on Hadley. She was rushing toward her bag of ingredients that had fallen off me earlier. She opened it up in a rush as I walked over curiously.

  I watched her pull out an empty vial and spit a mixture of blood and saliva into it. Then she put on the stopper a
nd tilted the vial upside down over her hand to make sure it was sealed.

  She looked at me with a bloody grin. “I have some of his blood now.”

  I couldn’t care about that right now as I was too worried about further danger. “Come on,” I said as I got back on my mount. “They might return for it if he realizes.”

  Her face fell. “You’re right. Let’s get out of here.”

  We rode for a little ways without speaking. The more time that passed, the better I felt about making it to the castle without another incident.

  “I don’t think he knows you’re a witch,” I said as we rode beside each other. “To him, you’re just some girl who bit him on the neck.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” she replied. “I believe we should be safe, especially because he’s also scared of Gourfist.”

  I noticed that she had her bag of ingredients with her now. I didn’t see any reason to take it from her after she had proven definitively that she was on my side.

  The cold wind picked up, and I suddenly noticed the holes Eden had caused in my shirt. Not wanting to feel the cold breeze the rest of the way, I told Hadley to hold on.

  I got off my horse to search through my bag for another shirt. I wasn’t sure if Hadley was watching as I removed the torn one. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to check, especially given the pride I had in the shape of my torso. I caught her looking, but she glanced away when our gazes met.

  I put my new shirt on, then got back on my mount.

  “I didn’t like the feeling of the wind through the holes.”

  “Mmhmm,” she said as if she didn’t believe me.

  “So you have heard of Gourfist.” I wanted to get the conversation back on track.

  “He’s not just a legend in Rohaer. His existence is a fact because there have been many sightings.”

  “Does that mean he’s awake now?”

  “I’m not sure. Perhaps he just awoke for a moment and went back to sleep. Time will tell.”

  There was a silence as we looked at the distant expanse of trees. Curdith Forest was huge, many miles across. Gourfist was rumored to be sleeping at the center, where dteria changed the creatures of the forest most severely. I had faced one of them, a large cat called a cantar, and that wasn’t too far from the border of the forest. I couldn’t imagine what kind of beasts roamed near the center.

  “So that was Eden?” Hadley asked.

  “It was.”

  “Why has she chosen Valinox’s side in this?”

  “I don’t know.” It wasn’t as if any of us had a chance to speak to her after she nearly killed Remi.

  I was more curious about something else. Had Eden missed my vital areas on purpose? I wouldn’t forget her apologetic look anytime soon. It was the only reason I couldn’t kill her when I had the chance. It didn’t seem like Hadley had seen that. She must’ve been too focused on jumping on Valinox’s back during that time.

  I realized that I could keep what I’d seen to myself, and no one would know of Eden’s reluctance. That begged the question, however, of what I should tell people when they asked what happened here. Should people know that Eden seemed unwilling to kill me? That might hurt us in the long run. It all depended on Eden’s intentions going forward.

  Attempting to have her rejoin us seemed like it would cause more problems than it could ever help us. Besides, she had done this to herself.

  But then why did it feel like it would be difficult to keep her reluctance to myself? I supposed because it was like lying, and that lie could very well cause Eden to lose her life.

  But wasn’t that what she deserved?

  Ugh, I was so confused.

  I decided not to worry about it for now. “You did well,” I told Hadley. “You’re not such a coward after all.”

  She laughed. “I guess not.”

  We spent the rest of the short trip speaking about Eden, the other sorcerers, and eventually Gourfist and the legends surrounding him. I didn’t divulge anything that might make Eden possibly appear innocent, still unsure what was right.

  By the end of the conversation, Hadley knew a lot more about the sorcerers she would soon meet, and I had found out that the people of Rohaer had heard the same legends as we had, in regard to Gourfist and the demigods.

  Before we reached the castle, we had to get past the wall surrounding the capital. There were always two guards watching, questioning anyone suspicious who might enter. I was certain they had been given Hadley’s description. That was probably why they stared at her as we approached on our horses. Fortunately, they knew me. They trusted that I had the witch under control and let me go through without issue.

  “How long have all of you been sorcerers for the king?” Hadley asked me as we rode slowly through the busy capital streets.

  “Less than a year,” I said. It had actually been much shorter than a year, but I didn’t want that detail to undermine the clout I had earned and how much all of us had improved.

  She didn’t seem too amazed by the castle as we came up to its outer wall. I had figured she’d seen it plenty of times over the last two years while she had worked in the capital as a grocer. The drawbridge was already down, a couple of guards outside. Just like the ones at the city wall, they recognized me and let me through without issue.

  Hadley didn’t seem nervous as we dismounted and gave our horses to the stablemaster. I found a look of purpose in her eyes, instead, as she gazed ahead and waited for the portcullis to rise. It reminded me of the first time I had come here. Although more impressed by the castle than she was, I never lost sight of my cause. I had come to learn about sorcery, knowing there was more I could do with my life if I had some power. I never doubted that I was making the right choice.

  The king didn’t employ the same number of guards as he had during the height of Cason’s power. Now that the warlock was dead, the castle seemed to be secure without as many armed men around, especially if my friends had returned.

  I noticed the usual bustle of castle workers moving about the courtyard. I didn’t know if the king told them not to stare, or if they were just perpetually busy, but they always seemed focused on whatever task took them from place to place.

  I recognized the princess as she emerged from the keep and walked briskly toward me with a grin on her face. I bowed, and she stopped to curtsy for the briefest moment before she hurried toward me again.

  As soon as she was close, she threw her arms around me in a hug. “It’s good to see you again, Jon!”

  “You as well,” I said.

  “Who is this?” she asked a little snidely as she looked at Hadley.

  I let the witch introduce herself. “Hadley Eshell.” She gave a practiced curtsy. She probably recognized the princess by her extravagant green dress.

  “Is your father around?” I asked Callie.

  “Yes, in the keep. He needs to speak with you immediately.”

  I started in that direction, but Callie put up her hand to stop Hadley. “I’m not sure you’re allowed.”

  “It’s fine,” I said. “The king needs to meet her as well.”

  “Why? Who is she?” The princess’ childish tone reminded me that she was four years younger than me, though she did have a birthday coming up. I wondered if she expected me to get anything for her. I’d have to worry about that a little later, when things calmed down.

  “I’m here to help,” Hadley said.

  Callie’s eyes widened. “Wait, is she Remi’s witch?”

  “I don’t belong to Remi,” Hadley said. “But yes, I am that witch.”

  Callie appeared nervous as she put me in between her and Hadley. “You brought her here without chains or anything?”

  “She has come voluntarily, princess. She even found me before I found her.”

  “Then she could mean to do harm.”

  “Callie,” I said as I looked into her eyes until I held her gaze. “I’ve gotten to know her well. She’s on our side.”

  Callie didn’
t seem to believe me, looking past me at Hadley suspiciously.

  “Callie!” the king called from the high window of the keep. “Don’t delay Jon any longer.”

  The princess lowered her head as if embarrassed and stepped out of our way.

  I hastily made my way into the keep and up the stairs, with Hadley close behind. I gave a few looks over my shoulder as we made our way up. She didn’t seem interested in the inner workings of the keep, not even flashing a glance at the masterful paintings and extravagant banners adorning the walls.

  “Is the castle of Rohaer like this one?” I asked.

  “It’s much bigger,” she said.

  That was probably why.

  The king’s councilman, Barrett, met us in the hall of the third floor. “Kataleya told us the two of you were coming,” he said. “Hadley, follow me to speak with his majesty.”

  I took the rear as I followed behind them. Hadley didn’t appear the least bit nervous as Barrett led her into the room designated as the throne room, though the only furniture there was a long table. There were six people in the seats, most of whom I didn’t recognize except for Kataleya.

  She and the king were hovered over a map at the end of the table, but the king stopped whatever he was saying as we entered. He motioned for Hadley to come to him.

  Kataleya approached me at the same time. She gestured for me to leave with her.

  I looked over my shoulder at Hadley before I was out the door. She was curtsying in front of the king. “Your majesty.”

  “So you’re the witch…”

  I couldn’t hear anything more as Kataleya took me out into the hall.

  “Follow me, Jon.” There was urgency in her tone.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing dire, you can relax. We just need you to heal a few sorcerers who Leon could not.”

  “Everyone else is still in Koluk?”

  “They are.”

  “Catch me up?”

  She nodded as we hurried down the stairs of the keep. “The king sent out tax collectors. His scouts never found Cason’s men who escaped with Valinox and his coin, so he has taken measures to ensure the taxes collected from the people are returned safely. I’m talking about guards, but their absence has left Koluk and the castle somewhat vulnerable. Leon could use more support, but the king just doesn’t have it.”