Book Three: Avatar of War - Chapter Two: The Giants

Book Three: Avatar of War
Chapter Two: The Giants

Phephe found them while the group was still sorting gear.

“I’ve just come from the officers’ meeting. Kael Drakkal.”

Izzy’s head snapped up. “The giants?”

“The giants.”

They had been in Velious long enough to understand the three powers that dominated the frozen continent: the Coldain in Thurgadin, the dragons of Skyshrine, and the giants of Kael Drakkal under King Tormax. The Frostraiders were about to trespass in the third.

“The officers think we’re ready to start collecting the armour components,” Phephe said. “The Dragons of Skyshrine can forge something far better, but they need the proper base armour and gems. Other groups are already in Siren’s Grotto and Velketor’s Laboratory.”

“Not a full raid, then,” Caradawc said.

“Smaller groups. Find what we need and get out. The Arena is off limits. If someone desecrates the statue of Rallos Zek, the Avatar of War appears. We are not ready for him.”

Caradawc nodded. Simple. Get the armour. Leave.

The group assembled: Minot the Halfling Warrior, Fuaim the High Elf Enchanter, Molasar the Iksar Necromancer, Woonz the Human Bard, Cymru the Barbarian Beastlord. For a moment Caradawc felt the old familiarity of the three of them—himself, Cymru, and Izzy—standing together again. It was a small comfort.

They entered Kael carefully. The giants owned this place. Every corridor carried the sense of trespass.

The first pieces came sooner than expected. More followed. The plan worked—until Kael began to notice them. Fights grew harder. Routes had to change. Phephe recognised the moment first.

“We have enough. Everyone out.”

The withdrawal started orderly and then became a running fight. Giants poured after them. Caradawc saw one break toward Izzy and shouted her name. He was too far.

Then Kabuki hit the creature like a falling boulder, drove it sideways, and finished it. She turned to Izzy.

“I told you to be patient.”

They ran together. The sounds of pursuit faded only when they reached the Wakening Lands.

Kabuki stood breathing hard, weapon still in hand. Izzy walked to her. Neither spoke. Then Izzy embraced her, and after a moment Kabuki returned it.

Phephe came to stand beside Caradawc.

“She came back.”

They had done exactly what they came to do. Nothing more.