Chapter 23: The Giant’s Domain

  Corin, Nanaua, Livia, and Simeon joined the forest elves as they performed the first rite in preparation for their entry into Baltro’s domain.

  The forest elves had stopped near a large tree that had figure of Baltro carved on it. This tree was massive, much larger than the surrounding trees. The mere image of the giant was imposing, about twice as tall as any of the forest elves. Corin could not imagine what facing the actual giant would look like.

  Each of the members of the thicket would walk up to the base of the large tree and offer bounty from the forest. Some carried fruits, others water, and others seeds. Anything that gave rise to life in the forest, anything that was nourishing, was dedicated to Baltro.

  Oba, in front of Corin, finished her offering. Now it was his turn to perform his role in the rite.

  Offering tribute to a titan is the last thing I wanted to do.

  Corin walked up to the tree with a large light fruit in his hands. He had become fairly acquainted with this fruit recently. They were large, orange like fruits, almost as big as his head, but the skin was translucent, allowing it to shine. The inside of the fruit also resembled an orange, with various blue segments that could be peeled off and eaten, but he had been warned that the taste was repulsive. He had been reciting the words over and over in his head.

  He knelt in front of the large carving, bowed his head, and raised the large light fruit in front of him.

  “Baltro, great lord of this forest, we thank you for your protection, for the bountiful blessings we receive from your forest, and for your continued tolerance of our presence in your domain,” Corin recited.

  “Great Baltro, your grace is infinite. Our thanks we give,” Ciba uttered in response.

  After Ciba’s reply, Corin raised his head, took a bite from the light fruit, and placed it at the foot of the tree.

  As he stood up and walked away, he had to fight the urge to vomit. The light fruit, despite its utility, had one of the most foul tastes that Corin had ever come across. Despite the warnings of its taste Corin decided it should be him that should bite into it, since it was his idea to travel into Baltro’s domain. Livia was left with an apple, Simeon with a larro root, and Nanaua with an orange. She had to be reminded many times that she was not to eat the entirety of the orange.

  Corin made his way back to the caravan with the foul taste in his mouth. A voice whispered from inside one of the wagons.

  “Is it done yet?” Zhi asked.

  “No,” Corin replied.

  Zhi fell quiet once again.

  One of the conditions that the group had agreed to before setting into Baltro’s domain was that Zhi had to be kept hidden away during this portion of the journey. They did not know how Baltro would react if he knew that an Onsiel was among them. They all agreed to follow that advice.

  Shortly thereafter, Livia, Simeon, and Nanaua joined Corin. The forest elves continued the rite while Corin and the rest viewed from a distance. Silence hung over the air for the entirety of the ritual.

  This should be enough. Once we enter the giant’s immediate vicinity, Baltro will recognize our offerings and let us be.

  Corin tried his best to assuage his fears, but he knew he was putting all their lives in the hands of a temperamental being. He was guiding them all to a fire and hoping it would decide to leave all of them unscathed and only burn their enemies. They had begun making plans for how exactly they would entice Baltro into attacking the Zifors. All of this was predicated on the hope that Baltro would not decide to attack them all regardless. But at this point the fire was better than the squadron of trained killers.

  The group had spent three days on their voyage into Baltro’s territory. The nearer to him they got the quieter the forest became. Telltale signs of the looming presence could be seen. Large swaths of forest were missing, trees ripped in half in certain places or some entirely crushed.

  “Has Baltro noticed our presence?” Simeon asked Ciba as they walked in the late day. Soon they would be setting up camp.

  “Baltro has not reacted to our approach,” Ciba replied.

  “So he does not know we are nearing him?”

  “Or he does not feel any concern from our presence.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Ah, that is an equally valid reason," Simeon replied.

  “Have you seen any continued movement from the Zifors?” Corin asked.

  “The twelve furtives are following our trail. That much is certain,” Ciba replied.

  “How fast is their pace?”

  “We expect them to reach our current position within six days,” Ciba replied.

  “That does not leave a lot of time for us to maneuver around Baltro," Simeon replied.

  The group continued until they broke for camp. As they had done the previous nights, they ate near a wagon that was close to the end of the caravan.

  Corin, Livia, Simeon, and Nanaua sat in front of the caravan as they ate the soup from the forest elves. While they all appreciated their hosts’ generosity, they all began to tire of eating the same meal every day for dinner.

  “There really isn’t much you can do with the same vegetables, is there?” Livia stated.

  “If only they would let me hunt once,” Simeon said.

  “Simeon, don’t say that too loud!” Livia replied.

  “I know. You are right. I can’t help it.”

  “Pretty soon we’ll be out of this forest,” Corin said.

  “True, or we could be buried in it," Simeon replied.

  Corin and Livia laughed. Nanaua did not appreciate it. Even Zhi could be heard laughing.

  “Count yourself lucky that you’re not stuck in this wagon!” Zhi called from inside the wagon.

  “Aye, you’re right,” Simeon stated.

  “By the way, how was the light fruit, Corin?” Zhi asked. “Nanaua tells me you found it particularly delightful.” She

  tried her best to stifle her laughter.

  Corin looked at Nanaua, who pretended to look away but also could not help snickering.

  “You’re more than welcome to eat it next time,” Corin said to Nanaua.

  She ignored Corin.

  “I was curious what the larro root would taste like,” Simeon said. “I did not think it would be so sweet.”

  “Oh, I want to try it next time!” Livia said.

  “Aye, we could definitely switch,” Simeon said.

  “Anyone interested in trying the light fruit?” Corin asked.

  “That sounds like a great idea!” Livia replied to Simeon, ignoring Corin.

  The conversation continued as if Corin had not said anything.

  ***

  The next rite was completed in two days of travel. The same pattern occurred.

  “Baltro?” Simeon asked Ciba.

  “He has not reacted to our presence,” Ciba replied.

  “The Zifors?” Simeon followed up.

  “Their trajectory has not changed. They will reach us in four days,” Ciba replied.

  The group continued as they had. Two more days of long travel and the group reached the last rite location.

  The rite was completed, and the group settled a camp nearby.

  “Tomorrow we will begin the last part of our journey toward Baltro’s location. The Zifors that hunt our guests are expected to reach us in the dead of night,” Ciba said.

  “The Zifors entered Baltro’s immediate territory yesterday. As of yet, Baltro has shown no indication of reacting to any of us in his domain, but a plan has been set into place to ensure that Baltro attacks the Zifors when they are near him.”

  Corin knew that Ciba had been studying Baltro’s response to their foray into their territory as he devised this plan. Corin was anxious to hear what Ciba would suggest.

  “Once Baltro begins his rampage, there will be no furtive around that will be spared from his wrath. But it will not be enough to go near Baltro and hope the invaders follow him. We will have to lure them in and have something catch Baltro’s attention.”

  “I’ll do it! I’ll lead them straight to the giant!” Corin shouted instantly.

  He was not going to run away this time.

  “That will not work,” Ciba said.

  “What?” Corin began to say. He had prepared for this moment. He knew someone had to lead the Zifors to the giant, and he had already devised many ways he would do so with the smallest amount of risk.

  “The invaders have been following a caravan through the forest. That is what they expect to see. If greeted by anything else, they will immediately know that is not what they have been pursuing and all the effort we have put into leading them here will be for naught,” Ciba replied.

  “Do you mean to bring the entire caravan to Baltro?” Corin asked with fear rising in his voice.

  “No, we shall split up the caravan. Ten wagons will head toward Baltro. The rest of the caravan will go north. We will do our best to ensure the Zifors follow the caravans headed towards Baltro. We will weigh down the caravans, and bring extra steeds to make the marks more noticeable. The others will be more methodical in their maneuvering, ensuring that they leave no tracks,” Ciba said.

  “But who will guide the decoys?” Corin asked.

  “I will go and lead the main wagon,” Ciba said. “Olbret, Filo, Galba, Nurva, Gordio, Pioni, Geta, Carella, and Gobelo will lead the other wagons.”

  “Will you wait until the Zifors get close enough so that Baltro attacks?” Corin asked.

  “No, the next step in our plan requires your help,” Ciba turned to Simeon.

  “Oh well, of course, what can this old man do for you?” Simeon replied.

  “We require for you to set a trap to one of the wagons,” Ciba began. “We will leave it near Baltro’s location by itself with a broken wheel. This should prompt the invaders to investigate it. What we need from you is to ensure that the trap attracts Baltro’s attention. This will ensure he attacks the invaders.”

  “I see. Yes, I have many ideas.” Simeon turned to Livia. “Do you still have dragon powder available?”

  “Not much, but enough to help with whatever scheme you are planning,” Livia replied.

  “Good, you will need to set the trap tonight. When we move tomorrow, we will set the wagon near Baltro,” Ciba added.

  “But what about us? Where do we come in to help?” Corin asked.

  “We will need the ape-man to ensure the trap is set when it is left. You and the others will go with the other wagons. We have enough to drive the decoy wagons,” Ciba replied.

  “I shall go as well!” Nanaua stated. “None of you are able to fight! If it comes to combat I will risk my life to protect your thicket members. And Throk and the others will recognize me. If they see me, that might give them pause before fleeing from Baltro.”

  “Your point is very well taken,” Ciba stated.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Simeon stated.

  “Wait!” Corin called. “This whole plan was so that you would not be left alone. I won’t stand by here and let you leave now!”

  “I won’t be alone,” Simeon replied with a smirk. “Nanaua will be there. And so will Baltro!”

  Corin looked around. The images from his dream, from his nightmare, began to swirl in his mind. Cyril telling him to run. He would not run away again.

  “Show me how to set up the trap,” Corin said to Simeon.

  Simeon recoiled. “Corin, I—”

  “This was my idea. So many others are already being put at risk. There is no scenario in which I am watching this unfold from afar! Either you show me how to do it, or I go with you,” Corin shouted.

  Ciba began, “Corin, there is—”

  “It's fine,” Simeon interjected. He stared at Corin straight on.

  Simeon had known Corin for a long time. Trying to dissuade Corin from this course of action would lead to further chaos when unity of action was needed.

  “I will set up the trap tonight and show him how to arm it in the morning,” Simeon stated.

  “But he will—” Ciba began.

  “The lad brings up a good point. Setting the trap will be a long affair,” Simeon insisted. “By the time I am done, morning will be near, and I will be quite exhausted. My senses will be dulled, and I will only be a hindrance if I were to fight. I will show Corin how to arm it. The difficult part will have been completed by then.”

  Ciba and the others were quiet. They were communicating with each other.

  “It is settled,” Ciba acquiesced. “In the morning, myself and the other members of the decoy caravan will set off toward Baltro. Corin and Nanaua will make preparations. The rest will go north. Now rest.”

  He departed without saying anything further to Corin or the others. The other forest elves of the thicket began to depart.

  Corin began to move toward Nanaua to discuss plans for the next day, but Simeon grabbed him by the arm, firmly. “Tomorrow, once this whole affair is done, you and Nanaua better come back,” he said in a low voice and then let go of his grip.

  Corin shared an intense gaze with his friend. They’d been through a lot, and neither wanted it to end here.

  I will, Simeon. I will come back.