by Bill Albert
“Of course, my Lord, but I really do suggest you wait up here as long as possible.”
“If I was interested in your suggestions, I would invite you to be a part of my staff,” the second Minister scolded the guard Captain with his voice rising steadily. “Until I do so, which at this point is incredibly unlikely, you are guard Captain only and will follow your orders. Is that clear?”
There was silence as Gallif and her friends waited, imagining the two Giants were glaring at each other. Then they heard the study thumping of footsteps as the guards at the opposite end of the hallway hurried to join the others.
“All right, standard positions,” the captain ordered and their march away and down a flight of stairs was followed by silence.
Gallif pulled the door open enough that she could look through and check both ways. She opened the door completely and stepped outside heading in the opposite direction from where the second Minister had gone. Luvin, Rosario, and Kellis were right behind her.
They sprinted up a flight of stairs before Kellis brought them to a stop.
“One more flight up and will be directly under the Chamber of Ministers. I don’t doubt it’s going to be guarded up there.”
Gallif cradled the flame sword in her right hand and the Frost sword in her left. She made sure the rest were also armed and instantly marched up the stairs to the second level.
There was a giant on guard there and his hammer came pounding out of the darkness towards them. Gallif was fast enough and rolled off to the left out of the way. Luvin felt his hair caught in the breeze as he dropped to his knees and rolled forward. Rosario wasn’t fast enough and the flat head of the war hammer caught her in the shoulder and sent her tumbling back down the stairs. Only quick reflexes from Kellis prevented her from smacking headfirst against a rail.
Gallif bolt upright and struck at the giant with the flame sword. He missed with the blade, but the heat was close enough and the giant’s own strike was thrown off course. Luvin took advantage of the distraction and used his own hammer to shatter some of the giant’s ribs.
Gasping for breath Rosario held onto the rail live a vice grip to prevent herself from falling any further and nodded for Kellis to deal with the giant. She ran forward to join Gallif and Luvin in the melee.
Luvin was focusing on bringing the giant down. He kept moving and made several attempts to connect with the giant’s legs. Gallif was aware of every move Luvin took and moved in the opposite direction using her flame sword and frost sword against the giant. She jabbed into its shoulder with the flames sword after barely ducking a strike from the hammer. Before it could reverse and attack her again, she sliced the hot flesh with the frost sword. The burnt skin was immediately frozen, and the giant nearly lost its grip on the hammer and cried out in pain.
The giant stumbled but caught movement to one side and took a wild swing at Luvin. Because it was still reeling from the pain of Gallif’s strike the hammer head swept through air and Kellis’s sword struck the thick handle. The wood splintered but did not fall apart.
Knowing how important it was they take down the giant before more arrived the three of them pressed harder and faster. Each of them taking careful attacks on their opponent.
Rosario brought herself up to the level to fight but was finding movement difficult. She felt weak and couldn’t approach them. She ground her teeth and furiously cursed as she tried to heal herself.
Knowing the longer the battle took the smaller their chances of surviving Gallif, Luvin and Kellis increased their attacks and circled in on the giant.
Gallif, on impulse, ran forward and jumped as high as she could with the cast blades from her swords extended as far as she could reach. She twisted in midair and struck the flat blade side of her frost sword against the giant’s eyes. It tried to cry out, but the pain was too much and let out a terrible, low gurgle as it ground its teeth together.
Luvin saw his opportunity and his hammer smacked against the giant’s knee, breaking it, and the giant stumbled back. It was distracted long enough for Kellis to strike its shoulder and, bleeding profusely, it fell onto its back with a resounding thud. It almost rose and fell back twice before it stopped moving completely, but they had no time to consider their victory.
“Rosario!” Gallif called as she saw the woman collapsing. They all ran to help her but weren’t fast enough to prevent her from hitting the floor. They rolled her over and were shocked at how pale her skin was. She was also sweating badly and breathing heavily.
“Not one of my better moments,” Rosario said with a weak smile. “It looked fun. I wish I could’ve joined you.”
“I don’t understand,” Luvin said as he kneeled next to her. “You weren’t hit! You’re not bleeding or even bruised.”
“No, not from up here.” With that Rosario pulled up the right leg of her armor. She twisted to one side and they can all see the snakebite near her ankle.
“Kellis, check out the room and see if there is anything that can help her,” Gallif ordered. “Luvin keep an eye on the steps and make sure nothing comes up at us. Try and find a way to block them if you can.”
As her friends set off on their tasks Gallif cradled Rosario’s head and shoulders in her lap and wrapped her hand tightly around Rosario’s own.
“Dammit,” Gallif shook her head. “Why didn’t you say anything? We could have made it easier for you. We could’ve asked the second Minister for help or something.”
“Even the young ones have a pretty powerful venom,” Rosario said flatly. “The poison works its way through the system at a steady pace. The smaller ones, the newborns, their venom isn’t as quick or is pure, but still...” Rosario’s words were cut short as her body shuddered violently. Gallif held her closer and prayed that Rosario would soon be given peace.
“I always admired you at the school,” Rosario said in a raspy voice. Her eyes seemed to lose focus and she had to squint to see Gallif’s face clearly.
“Me?” Gallif asked honestly. “You are the hero. You wanted to help and heal people.”
“You’re so beautiful,” Rosario said as another shudder shook her body.
“We will remember you,” Gallif said. “Luvin, myself, everyone who knew you at the school will remember you.”
Rosario smiled and tear started to flow from her eyes. Gallif pulled her close and kissed her on the four head. Rosario’s heart was beating so rapidly Gallif could see the pulses in the veins in her neck. She was covered with sweat and had lost most of the color of her skin.
“You will survive,” Rosario said shaking and Gallif rocked her dying friend gently until she stopped breathing.
Gallif felt Luvin and Kellis watching them. Luvin’s eyes were red with tears as he reached forward and put a hand on Rosario’s eyes and closed them.
“We won’t leave you here,” Luvin said in a whisper.
Kellis pulled a soft, comfortable blanket from a large sofa and wrapped it around Rosario’s body. Gallif picture up in gently laid her departed friend on the giant cushions.
Gallif took a deep breath and look straight up at the ceiling as if she could see the King standing there defiantly above them.
“We have to go,” Gallif said as she stood and walked to the door at the bottom of the stairs that led up to the Council chamber. She pulled the handle and discovered the door was locked.
“I’ll get it,” Luvin said determinedly and leaned down to look at the lock.
“No,” Gallif ordered angrily. “Get back.”
He moved to one side and she step forward and savagely kicked the door. The door shook loose but her anger and hatred boiled over and more strikes from her swords and kicks from her boots cause the door to completely fall away in parts. With swords in hand, determined to bring his reign to an end, Gallif marched up the stairs into the Council chamber.
Luvin and Kellis followed and they all gasped at what they found at the top of the stairs. King Krove, formerly the Third Minister, was nowhere to be seen. The fi
rst Minister however, stood alone in the center and invited them to join him.
“Kellis, my loyal friend, how great it is to see you,” the first Minister said.
“It is my honor to serve you, my Lord,” Kellis said and bowed her head.
“Gallif and Luvin,” he nodded to them as well. “It says a great deal about you that you have made it this far. I’m very impressed.” Despite their distrust of the Giant Lords in general they felt honored by his words. They were reminded of the dangerous temptations they had face before. It was just as wrong to assume that every giant they met was evil as it had been to assume that they were good.
“You’ve seen so much,” the first Minister said and looked deep into their faces. “You’ve also lost so many. I’m sorry, but I fear you will lose much more before this conflict is over.”
All three of the humans were stung by his words. They knew he meant no malice towards them and feared he was simply telling the truth.
“Where is the King?” Gallif asked.
“He fled the tower not long ago by jump casting. Something he learned only today but has become so good at. He feared those opponents of his rule were getting too close.”
“He was right,” Gallif announced. “Yet, I still can’t believe he would flee this tower so easily. All of his power and influence are centered here.”
“No, the center of power in the influence he has, he believes, is himself,” the first Minister said he said reminding them of the immense tubs resting on the tips of the Rainbow Mountains. “He claims he could destroy Atrexia from this distance with them. The fate of that city is controlled by his hand.”
“But still, giving up this landmark,” Gallif gasped. “The significance of it.”
“You must remember that a single snowflake can fall unnoticed, but an avalanche can destroy a city,” the giant said looking eastward.
Gallif, Luvin and Kellis followed his gaze and looked out upon the Land of Starpoint in amazement. Just outside the main gate of Spring Field, and directly against the outer wall, thousands of fires, both as handheld torches and campfires, could be seen. There was enough light that the entire hillside in the distance appeared to be on fire as more people approached. If the number of people outside the gates kept increasing there would be fire beyond the sun in the very heart of their land.
“Where’s Krove?” Gallif asked without looking away from the fires.
“He’s gone into hiding in the secure areas beneath the execution platform.”
“He left the city?” Luvin asked.
“There is fighting going on across Spring Field. We have received word the security forces from Summer Gate, in the south, and Winter Down, up north, are headed in this direction. No word as to who leaves them or where their allegiance rests. You also see what’s approaching from the east.”
“He believes no one will look at the execution stand out there,” Gallif reasoned. “That they will believe all the Giant Lords would be secure on this side of the wall.”
“Is his thinking correct?” The first Minister asked.
“Yes,” Gallif admitted. “If I were out there, I would move right past it.”
“I’ll there you must go.”
“We better get moving,” Kellis urged them.
“No, stand together, and I will get you there.”
“How do you know where to open the door at the other end of the cast? My Lord, you’ve never been there.” Even Kellis was surprised by his determination.
“No, but Gallif has. Open your memories to me and I can make sure you have safe passage.”
Gallif remembered the walk she had taken to be executed. She was aware of his presence and realize the true nature of his powers before he withdrew from her memory streams.
There was a shimmer in the air before them in the first Minister motioned for them to enter.
“We lost a friend in the level below us, Gallif said looking up at the giant. “We you make sure she’s taken care of?”
“I will grieve your loss.”
Gallif put her hands around Kellis and Luvin and led them into the shimmer.
***
Mekon swung his longsword low this time hoping the change in his ark would surprise the giant he was fighting. The idea worked in the cut deeply through the guards red tinted armor and into his leg. The guard stumbled back causing his counter swing to go often miss Mekon.
Mekon reared his sword completely back for another strike but this time he was countered by the second giant he was in combat with. The second giant stepped close, jamming his elbow in to Mekon’s ribs. Mekon grasped for breath and the second giant quickly repositioned himself and elbowed him again. Mekon shuddered and fell to one knee as his vision blurred briefly. Before he could orient himself the first guard smacked him hard in the other side and he was sure he heard ribs cracking. He dropped to his back in pain.
“You are a traitor to the King,” the first guard declared ready to kill him. He reared his own sword back for a swift and final strike.
There was a brief flash of fire as Gallif step between them. She wasted no time in piercing the Giants chest with the flame sword. The guard crashed backwards onto the deck.
Luvin’s hammer connected with the second giant’s right hip and completely knocked him off balance. He grabbed on to one of the stronger beams to prevent himself from falling off the platform but a sword strike from Kellis immediately removed his arm. He fell flat and Luvin made sure he never rose again.
Gallif quickly went to Mekon.
“It’s good to see you,” Mekon said to her. “Luvin, I’m glad you’re still with us.”
“Thank you,” Luvin blushed.
“This is Kellis,” Gallif pointed out to him. “She’s an assistant of the first Minister.”
“I prefer the term agent.”
“Agent,” Gallif corrected herself. “She’s on our side. This is Mekon,” she introduced the agent to the woman.
“Hello,” she said as if being introduced to giants was an everyday thing.
“Hello,” Mekon greeted her and started to rise. “Have you seen Rosario?” He had hoped for good news but the looks on their faces gave him the answer.
“I’m sorry,” Gallif said not losing eye contact with him. “She’s in the tower. She’s being taken care of.”
“I hope so,” Mekon said trying to hide just how upset he was from the news. “We must make sure her death was not a waste.”
“Is Krove still here in the execution platform?”
“Yes,” Mekon nodded. “He and the three Ministers that remained on his side in their security forces above us on the second level. We’re trying to beat them on to the execution stage itself.”
“There’s thousands of people out there,” Gallif said quickly. “Have you thought of getting them to help?”
“No,” Mekon shook his head. “There is still so much confusion. So many people not knowing what the truth is and isn’t. We must prevent this from spiraling out of control. Let them see the truth in what is happening.”
Gallif knew he was correct and was almost embarrassed at her suggestion. She scolded herself that she should remain calm and focused.
“We better get moving,” Kellis suggested.
Mekon nodded and they followed him up the next flight of stairs.
They paused for a moment at the top of the stairs and listens. They were directly below the execution stage now and believed Krove must be nearby.
Gallif remembered being marched through this area on her way up to be executed. She tried to remember anything she had seen or heard at the time that could be a clue to where Krove was. There had been battles here, there were signs of damage, and several things had been rearranged to try and fortify the area from attack.
They heard several distinct thumps followed by a dragging sound and could tell someone was coming towards them. Many of the torches had been removed and the few that remained created a maze of distorted shadows. After a few more sumps they were f
inally able to make out the image of a giant coming towards them. Its leather armor was torn and bloody. There was a severe cut in his right leg. So much that he couldn’t walk properly and dragged his right leg behind him.
Mekon signaled to them that it was okay as he helped steady one of his agents.
“The Seventh Minister, the Ninth Minister, and several others have been spotted on the execution platform.”
“Is Krove with them?” Mekon asked.
“We don’t know for sure,” the giant informed them. “There several giants all wearing the same cloaks from the general staff. We can’t tell who they are. It’s not particularly clear who was on what side.”
“He’s bound to be there,” Mekon was positive. “Stay here,” he ordered the humans and the two giants quietly and slowly moved closer to try and get a sign of what was going on upstairs.
Gallif shook her head and pulled Luvin and Kellis close enough that she could whisper to them.
“He didn’t go up there. He’s waiting down here. The same way he left Spring Field to hide out here.” With Luvin and Kellis ready she led them in the opposite direction of the stairs. After a few minutes they found a barricade and the closer they got the more sure she was that she had been briefly held in the secured area before her execution. The area inside was dark and quiet. The only light in the room emitted from her swords.
They stopped just inside the door and waited for hints as to Krove’s possible whereabouts. There were several official robes hanging on hooks in the wall, the cell where the prisoner was kept set empty in the corner, and the stairs leading directly up to the execution deck were against the opposite wall.
“I know you are here, Krove,” Gallif said boldly. “Notice and I chose not to address you as King.” She took a few steps forward and watch the shadows for changes. Luvin and Kellis stayed behind her but took a step away so that no one could circle the three of them.
“I know the secrets of Starpoint Mountain, Krove,” she continued. “Those secrets will stop you from reaching the throne.”
“You can’t stop me,” Crow’s voice echoed in the darkness. “I’m confident that the security forces coming in from around our country have been ordered to protect me. You, or confessed criminal. They will believe you.”