Faith and Fury

by Tiger Hebert

  “What are we waiting for?” was Vacinne’s retort.

  With that, they both turned toward the mountain, and began the ascent. Renlar didn’t look back, his eyes always seemed to be on the trail ahead, and he moved with quickness. Vacinne marveled at the grace and stamina in which he attacked the rugged mountain terrain. Even in her youth and fitness, she found the pace rigorous. As the minutes turned to hours, and Jhebal rose higher into the morning sky, her legs began to ache, and the frigid air still burned her lungs.

  Gotta keep moving. I am not sleeping in another damned cave, she reminded herself.

  Renlar slowed his frenetic pace and eased to a stop. He stood tall, arched his back as he stretched. Then he turned back to Vacinne. “Mind if we take a quick stop for a drink?”

  Relieved to have a rest, Vacinne nodded. “It’s a bit early for a drink, don’t you think?”

  Renlar passed her the flask of cool water first.

  She smiled awkwardly, as she received the proffered flask. Then she silently berated herself. Vacinne, you’re a real ass sometimes.

  Renlar acted like he didn’t even catch her remark. Instead he let his eyes wander right over her to the sights beyond. He drew in a deep breath and he smiled. Vacinne watched as a look of peace filled his countenance. She turned around to see what caught his eye.

  As she turned around, for the first time, she got a great view of the valley below them. Much of their hike the first day was shrouded in the storm. The path that they’d taken today was full of so many twists and turns through ravine like crags that they’d yet to come across such a wide-open view. It was spectacular.

  From the snow dusted mountainside, she could see the ruins of Esboralis. She could barely make out the villages of Dunmorrow and Ketabo and the rolling hills they sat upon. In the distance, she could even see the white peaks of High Crown. She’d been surrounded by mountains her entire life, yet she’d never seen her world from this perspective. It was a strange feeling to her. It was beautiful, but it was more than that. It was freeing and invigorating. In some strange way that she couldn’t quite understand, it made her feel freer than she’d ever felt.

  It’s just a stupid mountain. Get a hold of yourself.

  That’s what she told herself, but there was no denying that she felt something different.

  Renlar tromped off the path through a few feet of snow to reach a small stream. Each day, Jhebal’s rays warmed the snow and ice upon the mountain top, giving way to fresh, pristine waters. The waters would flow over rock and boulder as it made its journey down the mountain. It would provide some of the cleanest and most refreshing drinking water that you’d find anywhere, and Renlar had full access to it.

  He filled the flask from the tiny waterfall. Then he bent down, cupped the icy water in his hands, and began to drink. Once he’d had his fill, he wiped his mouth, and then he stood up and put the flask away.

  “Shall we?” asked Renlar.

  Vacinne said, “Yes. Sutara is already leagues ahead of us by now.”

  “It’s hard telling what in the Nine Hells she is up to, but she does have one big head start,” admitted Renlar.

  “Time to catch up,” said Vacinne with bold confidence. “Then, we kick her ass.”

  Renlar chuckled. “I love your attitude, but I think we might need a bit more of a plan than that.”

  Vacinne scowled. “I know, I’m just royally chuffed that she played us so easily. I don’t know what role she plays in all of this, and I don’t know what’s become of Warden Masoc and his company, but I’d dearly love to give that bimbo a thrashing.”

  Renlar shook his head disapprovingly, but he did laugh.

  He said, “I don’t understand what she’s up to, but we were at her mercy. She could have killed us right there in that tunnel if she chose to, and there’s little we could have done to stop it, but she didn’t.”

  Vacinne snapped, “She left us chained up to die in a demonic hatchery. What do you call that?”

  “Motivation,” said Renlar with a wink and a laugh.

  “Motivation? Motivation!” shouted Vacinne. “Well, I guess it worked, because I am awfully motivated to stick a blade right between her ribs.”

  Renlar’s laughter died. He turned to her. His expression wasn’t anger or irritation. No. It was something else that made Vacinne shrink back. It was sadness, and perhaps even disappointment. For once, she bit her tongue.

  Renlar said, “Vacinne, I’m thankful that you never had to know the life she lived. I’m thankful that you’ve never had to barter for your survival, selling whatever you had to make sure you had a meal and a warm place sleep. She never had that luxury. For one night, in that cave with me, you got to experience the tiniest taste of what a great deal of Sutara’s entire existence has been like. You may not understand her, you may not like her, and you certainly shouldn’t trust her, but you shouldn’t hate her.”

  “But...” Vacinne started, before she thought better of it.

  Renlar drew close to her and spoke with passion in his eyes. “Vacinne, I realize that people are able to overcome a great deal, and some can rise above their station, but some don’t. We’re not all dealt the same hand in this life, but not everyone’s story turns out the same way—and for those that don’t turn out well, who are we to judge?”

  Vacinne lowered her guard, and with a soft voice she said, “Renlar, I see kindness in your eyes, and I hear compassion in your voice. Clearly you cared for that girl and you did whatever you could to help her, but regardless of where we come from, regardless of where we go, we are responsible for our own choices in this life.”

  Renlar’s expression softened, and he sighed. “I know. She will have to account for her deeds, in this life or the next, but you can’t hate her for it. Hatred already fuels enough in this world. We can’t let it fuel us too.”

  His words hit her like a boulder falling off a cliff. She had nothing to say, so she just nodded. Renlar turned, picked up his pack and tossed it on his back, and the journey resumed. With her pack already on, Vacinne followed right behind him.

  As Renlar had predicted, the weather had been favorable, and the travel was smooth. Soon they’d crest the first peak and be able to make their way down the northern trail, toward Drenamere. Renlar had told her that they’d be able to make up a lot of time once they got to the other side of the mountain. She didn’t see how that was possible, but despite all his shortcomings, she’d finally come to the conclusion that he was indeed a rather capable guide. Perhaps more so than she had been giving him credit for up till now.

  The ground began to shake. Thunder echoed across the rugged landscape. Renlar turned back to Vacinne. Alarmed eyes met briefly before they both looked about. With nothing in sight, they relaxed. Then the thunder struck again, and the earth shook.

  “Is that an earthquake?” demanded Vacinne.

  “I hope so,” answered Renlar, his eyes flashing concern. “Let’s move. Hurry!”

  The ground shook violently as the sound returned again, and again. There was a certain rhythm, and it was getting faster.

  Renlar screamed, “Frost Giants, run!”

  The thundering steps echoed over the snowy terrain as the pale blue skinned giant burst through the pine forest fifty yards east of them. Pines snapped like twigs as the giant swatted them aside. Their boughs burst, cascading green needles across the mountain side. The pale blue monstrosity roared as it charged toward them. Each stride spanned over a dozen feet. The fur clothed giant charged forward with a colossal blue steel axe in his hand.

  Renlar’s hands flitted into a series of rapid movements, ending with a violent gesture toward the giant. A wicked burst of wind hit the snow carpet, blasting the giant with a blinding storm of snow.

  “They live in the snow!” barked Vacinne as she raced hot on his heels.

  “I know that,” snapped Renlar. “Just get to the mountain top. Go!”

  No sooner had the words left his mouth then he stopped running long enough
to go on the offensive. As Vaccine darted past him, he raised his hands into the air. With unseen hands, his black blades lifted away from the many sheaths on his person and rose into the air around him. Then like released arrows, the twelve daggers shot forward with incredible velocity. The dark blades tore into the giant’s pale flesh. Daggers struck him in the chest and the shoulders, but giants boast incredibly thick skin. The daggers didn’t penetrate far enough to do serious damage.

  Renlar ripped the daggers free with his magic and drew them back to him on a wild gust of wind. The giant snarled and roared, but his charge continued. Renlar’s second salvo was unleashed with a mighty burst of wind. The daggers flew with great speed. Renlar targeted soft flesh: nose, throat, mouth, and eyes. The giant roared his war-cry as he closed the distance on his quarry. The daggers struck with uncanny precision. Black daggers shot into the giant’s open mouth and ripped through the back of his throat. A horrified expression filled the giant’s face as he crashed to the snow-covered earth. His dying body slammed down hard and skidded toward Renlar with frightening speed. Renlar thought the body would stop, but it didn’t. He leapt up and ran across the massive body that skidded below him until it ceased to move.

  Renlar found himself standing upon the lower back of the dead giant. His heart pounded in his chest, and his breaths were ragged, but he’d done it. The frost giant was dead.

  However, there would be no time to celebrate. Not this day.

  A pack of Frost Giants burst from the pine grove. Trees snapped, casting their needles every which way. The towering brutes charged into sight. Three of them, each standing well over twenty feet, made haste for them.

  “Run,” screamed Vacinne from farther up the trail.

  Renlar took heed. He flung his daggers toward the hunting pack but sprinted up the hill.

  If only I can slow them down, we can make the peak, thought Renlar.

  But the giants were too quick. Their long strides covered too great a distance, and the snow and rugged terrain slowed them naught. Vacinne led the way up the path, but they still had nearly a hundred yards before they’d reach the peak. A huge spear ripped through the air and slammed down into the frozen earth just a few strides ahead of Vacinne. She screamed with a start. The surprise cost Vacinne her concentration and she slipped and fell. Renlar was at her side in a few steps, but it was too late.

  The first giant swept in and snatched Renlar up in the palm of his hand. The cold hard grip of the frost giant threatened to crush the life out of his helpless human body. Renlar reached for his swords, but his arms were pinned.

  Vacinne turned and drew her sword, but a second giant swatted her to the ground with ease, before snatching her up. With voices that sounded like they could shake the very mountain, the Frost Giants bellowed and laughed as they celebrated their catch, shaking Renlar and Vacinne in their massive fists.

  The third giant scowled and grunted at their victory. His brow furrowed as anger and shame painted his pale blue face. He snorted and gave a grunt before turning and stomping away.

  Then over his shoulder, the angry giant roared, “Back to Frizjarda!”

  The two victorious giants ended their celebration immediately. The command had been given. They were to take their spoils and return to Frizjarda, the home of these Frost Giants.

  11

  Frizjarda

  Renlar and Vacinne thought to fight against their captors, but it took just seconds to realize that was a really poor choice. The giants could easily crush them in their grip without much effort. Vacinne had only ever heard of Frost Giants. She’d never thought she’d actually see one. They were unlike anything she’d ever seen. They were incredible, and terrifying.

  Perhaps orc or ogre, crossed with a giant. Maybe even throw in a little troll, she thought.

  Beyond their sheer size, they were quite thick, in an almost stocky way. Which seemed odd to call something that stood over twenty feet tall stocky, but they were in a way. They had very broad features, from their heads to their shoulders and hips.

  There is no way they are just giants, she concluded. She was right.

  The giants tromped over the unforgiving terrain with ease as they carried their quarry. Over boulders and snow drifts and through forests of pine, they moved eastward with speed. Vacinne wasn’t in any hurry to reach the Frost Giant city, but at this speed, it wouldn’t take long to get wherever they were going. She was correct. It couldn’t have been more than an hour, and the spires of the frozen city were suddenly coming into view. As the giants crested one last peak, their home came into full view.

  Vacinne’s jaw fell open at the site. The village-sized city was nestled into something like a small mountain top valley or crater. Monolithic structures of crudely hewn stones made grand towers that shot skyward. Layers of crystalline ice covered the spires. Massive icicles hung from nearly every surface of the frozen domain, and even on a fair day as today, bitter cold wind whistled as it whipped down into the bowl-like crater. Dozens of Frost Giants filled the small city. Some of them forged weapons while others sparred. It was beautiful and terrible all at the same time. Vacinne feared for her life.

  The Frost Giant trio marched into town with great howls, signaling their triumphant return. The giants in the city below looked up. Vacinne and Renlar were hoisted high up into the air, and the giants below answered with thundering roars of approval as they drew together to greet the hunting party.

  As the three reached their kin at the city’s heart, they were greeted by well over thirty giants, perhaps more. Vacinne couldn’t tell from her vantage point. Hoots and hollers continued to shower the hunting party for a couple minutes before it finally died down enough for them to speak.

  “Make way,” growled a voice from the other side of the crowd. With a snarl and a snap, the voice repeated itself. “Make way!”

  The Frost Giants clumsily parted, allowing a gigantic figure to make its way through the throng. This monstrosity had to stand well over thirty feet tall, easily towering over all the others. He wore thick white furs and dark brown leathers over much of his large body. It must have taken dozens of animals’ pelts to create something large enough to clothe him. Skulls of full-grown beasts ornamented the thick leather strap that served as a belt. His face was covered with markings in white paint, and his head was crowned with a dragon’s skull. There was no doubt, this was the King of the Frost Giants.

  “Who do we have here?” said the king with a voice that sounded like boulders rolling down a hillside.

  “Humans trespassing, great Valjin, the Dragon Hunter!” replied the giant holding Renlar.

  Valjin turned toward the giant who returned empty handed. “Where are your spoils?”

  The sour faced giant replied, “There were no more.”

  Valjin scowled, “You return to your king empty-handed?”

  “There were no others, mighty Dragon Hunter,” replied the shamed giant.

  Valjin strode forward and backhanded the giant. The mighty blow sounded like trees snapping. The force staggered and nearly toppled the younger giant.

  Valjin roared, “You will not shame me again. You will not attend the feast today. You will not eat.”

  The disgraced giant’s eyes filled with rage and shame as he backed away from the others, before turning and running out of the village.

  Valjin leered at Renlar and Vacinne. “Well done. Just in time for today’s feast. Prepare the fires!”

  Vacinne’s heart sank.

  The Chieftain turned and lumbered away, soon disappearing beyond the throng of giants. The other giants wasted no time in crowding in around them though. Their big, vile faces drawing close for a better look at their newest prisoners.

  The giant holding Renlar shouted, “Fetch the crate!”

  It seemed to only take a few beats of her racing heart, and the crude wooden crate was dropped down at the giant’s feet. The swirling puff of snow filled the air for a moment before it was swept away by the stiff breeze that assaulted the
village. The giant holding her reached down. His over-sized fingers fumbled with the crate lid for a moment before he was able to pop it open and dump her in. Vacinne managed to land on her feet before falling back into the crate’s sturdy oak walls. The other giant carelessly tossed Renlar in the same crate. He landed flat on his back. Then the lid was slammed down and the lock’s clasp was slid shut.

  Vacinne and Renlar were trapped.

  “They’re going to eat us?” cried out Vacinne.

  “Not if I can help it,” said Renlar.

  “How do you propose we get out of here?” she demanded.

  He shot her a fiery glare. “Give me a minute, will you? I need time to think!”

  Vacinne huffed as she attempted to pace about inside their tiny four-foot by four-foot cage. Renlar crossed his arms and gave her a sour look. Then he sighed and got to work on finding a solution. He studied the make of their cell. It was a very crudely crafted box made of thick wooden planks, most of which were nearly a foot wide. It might have been shoddy craftsmanship, but the wood was solid. They could break out with sheer brute force, but it wouldn’t be quiet. The giants would be on them in seconds.

  Vacinne stopped her pacing for a moment. “Hey, this whole box is held together by nails, right? Can’t you just pull the nails out?”

  Renlar shook his head. “I’ve already checked. They are using ameenum. I can’t do anything with it. The same with the lock.”

  “Ameenum?”

  Renlar replied, “It’s an ore that is found in some of the regions around here. It’s quite rare, and is found in difficult to mine places, so you won’t see it very often. Rare if ever. It’s an incredibly dense ore though. They use it in their craftsmanship and their weapons. They melt it down and use it with iron and carbon to make what we commonly known as blue steel. It’s an incredibly dense alloy with tremendous hardness. A well-crafted blue steel axe in the hands of a Frost Giant can sheer right through regular steel with ease. It’s one of the many reasons why they are such a frightening foe.”