Alaric Swifthand

by Steve Lazarowitz

  “Okay, what are our options?” asked Tindal.

  “We can stay and try to explain it, I suppose.” My attention was focused on Tindal. I wanted to give Graham some time alone with his grief.

  “Oh, good call.”

  I ignored him. “Or we can run and have the entire population after us for the rest of our lives. Why does this kind of thing always have to happen to me?”

  “You’ve been successful so far,” Graham reminded me.

  “Which only means his luck is due to run out!”

  I glared at Tindal, then turned my attention to the giant. “We have only one option. We need to solve the mystery.”

  Graham stroked the Elder’s cheek with the back of his hand. In spite of the urgency of the situation, I was reluctant to rush him, though I kept staring at the hut’s entrance, half expecting another giant to put in an appearance. When Graham looked up again, his face had taken on a look of determination that seemed almost out of character for my easygoing friend.

  “I’m sorry, Alaric, but I can’t go with you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If I run now, I will be admitting my guilt in this matter. I have a responsibility to my people. I have to make known what happened here.”

  “But I didn’t kill him!”

  “I believe you. And I will tell them that, but it doesn’t matter. I must stay and suffer the consequences. If I don’t, my family’s reputation will suffer. I cannot be the cause of that.”

  “Is that reputation more important than your life?”

  “Yes, Alaric, it is.”

  I sighed and walked forward to stand beside him. Even kneeling, he was almost as tall as me. “I can’t stay.”

  “I know that.” He rose and looked down at me.

  There were tears in my eyes. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “And I will miss you, but you cannot afford to wait any longer.”

  Graham was right and I knew it. There would be time to mourn our separation later, but at the moment, I had to get moving. But Graham wasn’t finished yet.

  “Tindal … in spite of the words spoken between the two of you today, I can assure you Alaric is one of the bravest, most compassionate men I know. I realize this looks bad, but it won’t have been the first time circumstances have conspired to make him look guilty.”

  I thought then about my experience with the passengers. Could they have somehow returned and taken over my body again? If so, who was the other player in the game? I rejected the possibility almost immediately. It was unlikely for such an event to occur even once. It didn’t seem possible it could happen again.

  On the other hand, I couldn’t think of any other explanation for what had transpired. Once again, life was busy making decisions for me, while I blindly blundered along. I was tempted to curse my fate, but decided against it. It would have to wait for later, when I had the time.

  I nodded to Tindal and motioned for him to follow. I tried to avoid looking at Graham as I left the hut, but didn’t quite succeed. Once outside, I forced the him from my mind, though that last glimpse would haunt me for weeks to come.

  Aynslae was waiting, a question in her eyes. I only now realized she had not followed us in.

  “Did you see anyone out here?”

  She couldn’t miss the urgency in my voice. “No. Why, what’s wrong?”

  “I’ll explain later. We have to get moving.”

  I walked quickly between the houses, hoping I was heading toward the edge of town. Aynslae looked briefly at Tindal before joining me. Considering our exchange, I was sure Tindal would not stay with us, but he surprised me and turned to follow.

  I don’t think I can ever forget our panicked flight from Rikkordia. Everywhere we looked, giant warriors moved between dwellings. At each encounter, we were more and more certain we were the subject of their interest. Yet each time, they passed with nothing more than a curious glance. It was well over an hour before I managed to navigate our trio out of the city and into the surrounding countryside. I wondered how long we had before the giants mounted a pursuit.

  As I half walked, half stumbled along, I found myself thinking about Graham and his honor, then tried not to think about what that honor would cost him. It hurt me to abandon him that way. It was there, just leaving the city behind, that I made a decision. Somehow, I would find out what happened and return to Gigantia to prove it. Somehow, I would find a way to clear Graham’s name.

  We left the city traveling east, into an area as barren and foreboding as any I’d encountered. Rocky crags and outcroppings appeared with increasing frequency, limiting the direction of our travel. Even had we wanted to turn north, we were channeled like water, flowing, always flowing south.

  We wandered through a series of shallow, natural valleys that led to more of the same. Sometimes the walls were low enough to see over, revealing dozens of pathways cut into the stone. In other places, the walls rose ten feet above our heads, tickling feelings of claustrophobia I never knew I possessed. In spite of my fatigue, I stepped up the pace, hoping to get through the natural maze as quickly as possible. It only now began to occur to me that if we didn’t soon find water and provisions, we would be in trouble.

  We walked throughout the night, not daring to stop. By morning we were beyond tired, but I still felt it would not be wise to rest without finding a well concealed area. Of course, considering the surroundings, there were precious few places that weren’t concealed. Yet I derived no security from the observation.

  If we were pursued and some of the giants we had passed somehow recalled our direction of travel, any party pursuing us would be funneled to the same approximate place we now found ourselves. So, exhausted as we were, we continued to move until sometime in the mid-afternoon.

  Finally we could go no further. We stopped in a particularly narrow crevice that wound its way into a dead end. I didn’t like the idea of not having an escape route, but then, a single entrance is far easier to defend than two.

  I think we all slept for a bit, but not long. I felt myself drift in and out of dreams, until an hour or two later, when I forced myself to my feet and, after much cajoling, convinced my two companions to continue our flight. We hadn’t been long on our way, when Tindal started talking.

  “I have to tell you, Alaric. I’ve listened and listened to your tales of adventure, but I didn’t really believe any of them. They were all just a bit too improbable. But now, I think I’m beginning to see. You’re cursed, Alaric. The Gods have it in for you. Had I known that before, I’d have never joined up with you.”

  Aynslae looked at me. I shrugged. I considered it entirely possible Tindal was correct. Certainly, I couldn’t argue the point. There was too much evidence supporting his accusation. When it became obvious I wasn’t going to reply, the Sword of Truth leapt to my defense. Of course, I was the only one who could hear him.

  “You’re not cursed, Alaric. You’re blessed.”

  “How do you figure?” I said it aloud. At this point, I didn’t care what my companions thought of me.

  Apparently Tindal thought I was answering him, but I never heard his reply. I was too busy concentrating on the sword’s.

  “Think about it. If you had stayed in Modron, you’d be a palace guard still, making just enough to survive. You wouldn’t have a magic sword and shield. You wouldn’t have the skills you currently possess. You wouldn’t have met Graham, for that matter. And even though things didn’t work out with Theona, you did have a good time with her while you were together. And you’re free, Alaric. You can go anywhere, do anything. How many people in the world can make that claim?

  “With your skill, you could become a guard on a Caravan, a paid mercenary, even an assassin, if that is what you wished. Your abilities are indeed remarkable. Not to mention if the Gods were against you, you’d never have survived as long as you have. If anything, the powers that be are protecting you, for reasons of their own.”

  I thought long and hard about my swo
rd’s words. Tindal had thankfully stopped speaking. Aynslae had moved away from me to a safe distance. Perhaps she had been affected by my companion’s tirade. I didn’t care. Was it good fortune or bad that had brought me to this place? I guess I’ll never really know.

  It was almost dusk when we chanced upon a party of giants. Actually, party is probably an overstatement, as there were only three of them. However, when dealing with beings that large, it felt as if we were watching a small army. Tindal was the first to comment.

  “That’s just terrific. Now what do we do?”

  “We approach them.”

  “Are you insane?”

  “Sometimes, but not now I think. It’s not very likely they’re from Rikkordia. There’s no way they could have found us so quickly. Therefore, there is no reason to believe this party of giants would have anything against us. We can make up a story, tell it to them and enlist their aid. At the very least, they might give us some food and water.”

  “And if you’re wrong?”

  I thought about what the Sword of Truth had said. “Let’s just say I’m feeling lucky today.”

  Tindal looked at me strangely and didn’t press the issue. Aynslae, who still had no idea why we had suddenly fled, looked puzzled, but said nothing.

  Trusting my newfound optimism, I approached, hoping I wasn’t making a big mistake.

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  Chapter Twenty-seven

  By the time we were within hailing range, one of the giants had taken notice of us. He alerted his two companions. They stood and watched, apparently surprised anyone as small as we, would approach anyone as large as them. I was a bit surprised myself, all things considered. Even more so, when I realized one of the group was a woman. I had never seen a woman giant before. Had she been a couple of feet shorter, she’d have been downright attractive. Considering our circumstances, I wasn’t about to hit on her anyway.

  “Well, well … what have we here.” The first of the giants was almost smirking.

  “Sorry to intrude. We’ve somehow managed to lose our way. We’re almost out of food and water and we were hoping you might direct us to a nearby city.” Standing among them, I felt almost the same way I did surrounded by the walls of rock. “Preferably a human city.”

  The giant chuckled. “Glad to be of service. I’m Drake. Be welcome. We were about to eat. Why don’t you join us?”

  Tindal looked nervous, but shrugged. I smiled and accepted. Strangely enough, Aynslae didn’t seem at all perturbed. Perhaps she didn’t realize precisely how dire our situation was, or maybe she was in shock. At least she was hovering closer to me than she had been on the road. Only at that realization, did I understand how lonely I’d been for female companionship. And it was even worse now that Graham was gone. Not that he was a replacement for Theona, but I liked him immensely and he had been good company.

  Of course, Aynslae hadn’t shown any interest in me at all, which was beginning to bother me. If I wasn’t distracted by the fact I was fleeing for my life, I’d have been downright hurt.

  A half hour later found us sitting around a fire intermingled with giants, sharing a meal of rations that tasted better than they had any right to. So good, in fact, it was almost worth the days of hunger. Sitting there eating, I could almost forget I was the subject of a hunt. Dinner conversation consisted of introductions and light banter. It turned out, the three were siblings.

  Drake was the largest of the trio and apparently the leader. I had already surmised his position, as he was the one who had invited us to dine with them. Long black hair, almost black eyes and a short dark beard, made him look rather sinister, but his smile was infectious and soon even Tindal seemed to have stopped worrying.

  The woman was named Kharrah. I had always wondered what a giantess would be like and that night, at dinner, I found out. She was, of course, much larger than the women I’d known, but she was proportioned perfectly so that it was only noticeable when she was beside me. Her hair was light brown, her eyes even a lighter brown, an eye color I had never seen before. Each time she smiled her eyes sparkled. The effect was so striking I found myself looking for it more and more as the meal progressed. By the end of that meal, she wasn’t a giant to me, but a woman. I held no illusions though. I could never see myself dating anyone I had to climb a ladder to kiss.

  Leif, the younger brother, looked very much like Drake, but with shorter hair. He was somewhat quieter, but no less good-natured. I was just beginning to let my guard down, when Tindal started a conversation that would change the course of our future.

  “So, where are you folk heading?”

  The giants looked at each other, uncomfortably. Apparently, their goal was not something they were willing to discuss.

  “We’re hunting,” said Drake, finally.

  “How long have you been at it?”

  “A couple of weeks now.”

  “I see.” Tindal looked at me and I knew the issue wasn’t going to end there. Drake seemed relieved by my companion’s easy acceptance of his answer. I almost changed the subject, but decided against it. Like Tindal, I too was curious.

  After a few minutes of silence, Tindal looked up from his meal and smiled. “You might consider trying something a bit different.”

  Even Aynslae shot me a puzzled glance. I shrugged. I had no idea where he was going with this.

  “Why do you say that?” asked Drake.

  “If you’ve been hunting for a couple of weeks and you’ve killed nothing more than dried fruit and cheese, you’re probably in the wrong business.”

  Aynslae’s look of curiosity turned to one of panic. I held up a hand to silence her and perhaps calm her, though my own heart was racing. Given the situation, I don’t think I’d have risked our host’s ire.

  I saw a fire kindled in Drake’s eyes. Then he seemed to relax. “Who said we were hunting for meat?”

  Tindal hung his head in mock shame. “I apologize. It was silly of me to assume. You know, if you’re looking for something specific, Alaric here might be able to help you. He is widely traveled and sees much that is hidden.”

  He dropped his head to hide a mischievous smile. He needn’t have bothered. Three large pair of brown eyes all turned in my direction.

  I looked at Tindal and tried to allow a note of anger into my voice, a task currently not at all difficult. “My friend is mistaken. I am but a simple traveler.”

  Kharrah looked at me and smiled. I felt distinctly uncomfortable. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because no simple traveler carries a magical shield.”

  “What makes you think its magical?”

  She pointed. The Shield of Reckoning, true to form, was glowing slightly. I sighed, then chuckled. “A minor enchantment. Barely more than a parlor trick.”

  Leif leaned forward and whispered into his brother’s ear. Drake nodded and spoke. “Tell me, what do you know of the Boots of Darkening?”

  The Sword of Truth spoke before I did. It was times like this I was thankful only I could hear him.

  “A powerful magical relic, believed lost in the Bloodless Wars. Supposedly makes you invisible, though that’s a simplification. It makes you virtually impossible to detect. In addition to hiding your presence from others, it also allows you to move about in complete silence. If I recall correctly, the wearer doesn’t even cast a shadow.”

  I wondered if the Boots of Darkening were somehow related to him, perhaps a distant cousin. I repeated the information. Tindal’s eyes widened at Drake’s nod of agreement. I smiled, mysteriously. I have to admit, I was enjoying myself.

  “And do you know where to find it?” asked Drake.

  I waited for the sword to speak. When it didn’t, I improvised. “If I did, it wouldn’t be lost, now would it?”

  “Good point. They say it still may be found in the Caverns of Longing. It is for those fabled Caverns we are searching.”

  “And you think they’re around here?”
I had never heard of the Caverns of Longing, but wasn’t going to let that stop me.

  “As a matter of fact, we have good reason to believe they are very close to where we are now, as little as a day away. Perhaps you’d like to join us on our venture.”

  I smiled slightly. Revenge was going to be sweet. “I never make that kind of decision without consulting the oracle.” I turned toward Tindal. “What about it Oracle? Is it a good idea?”

  Tindal’s eyes widened, but he wasn’t done yet. “Yes, great one. Let us accompany these men.”

  Somehow, I managed to hide my anger. What was he doing? The last place we wanted to stay was in the area.

  If the giants noticed anything amiss they gave no hint of it.

  “Excellent,” said Drake. “The more the merrier, I always say. Especially in a place as dangerous as the Caverns of Longing.”

  “Did you say dangerous?” asked Tindal.

  “Certainly. You are aware of the legends, are you not?”

  “Of course I am. I was simply pointing out that dangerous was severely understating the matter, is all.”

  The giants might have accepted his statement at face value, but I could see how pale he was when he said it. I would think it served him right, but since I was going to be with him when and if we found it, it was hardly something I could gloat over.

  Soon after, the conversation wound down. I suppose our hosts sensed Tindal and I were done talking. Aynslae, of course, hadn’t spoken at all. Finally I pleaded fatigue and moved off to the side, to find a place to rest. Tindal and Aynslae lay down nearby.

  I didn’t sleep right away. Instead I lay awake wondering just what I’d gotten myself into and how to get out of it. Tindal snored nearby, reminding me with each irritating rasp that for once, I hadn’t gotten myself into anything. I rose, walked over and kicked him in the side. In the distance, three mounds lay sleeping and thankfully silent.

  Tindal opened his eyes. “This had better be important.”