002 - Giants by the Sea

Five years ago the Alchemist was granted a valley and village for his personal use. There were several new buildings, long wooden houses, and a metal fence running the whole way around the settlement. In the hills around Magnus was sure there were several sentinels, though he'd never quite been able to see them.

Magnus halted at the large metal gate. Festus and the three men disembarked. Though he’d brought many others to the village for the Alchemist, Magnus had never been beyond this point.

"Don't forget. In six days be here with your friend." Festus waved and called after the cart. Magnus waved back and called 'yes sir!'

There was still another hour of light left in the day perhaps, enough to get onto the main road back to town. There were no more shrieks or cries of creatures. At every flutter of wings Magnus started, looking up at the skies and clutching a wooden club. If a black skinned creature came what could he really do? He needed strength, power.

Only a giant could fight the beasts, only a giant could protect his family and friends. Many from Kloster desperately wanted to join the giants, to undergo the Alchemists treatment, Magnus had tried but fallen at the first hurdle - his core was a grade six, the lowest grade. Even Rolf with a grade three couldn't join. Now? Now things were different! Now he had word straight from the Alchemist!

Turning onto the main coastal road Magnus saw a man leading a pack mule. The man had stopped and was staring at a flock of sheep, each as tall as a horse.

"Incredible, just bloody amazing." The man sighed.

Magnus face lit up and he leapt from the cart, "Uncle Willis!"

"Magnus? Lad! Ahha! How are you doing son?" Willis received Magnus in his arms and lifted him up. "Ye gods lad, have you been taken the giants brew? You've grown a head and a half since I saw you last!"

"How have you been uncle? Where have you been?" Magnus struggled out of the embrace.

"Oh here and there, up and down the Iron Coast. Here, got something for you." Willis set Magnus down and took out a small hunting knife. "Look, on the pommel and sheath."

"Is it . . . is it a dog’s head?"

"No lad! A wolf! You've always liked wolves, right? Well, I found this little thing in market and thought that my little Magnus Lund would like it no end."

"Thank you uncle." Magnus thrust the dagger into his belt. "Have you been to Kloster yet? Are you here to stay?"

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"No, no, I've just come up the road. Come, let's go into town before dark." Willis tied his horse behind the cart and they set off. "How’s the family doing? Pa Lund keeping you busy? Course he is! Ha!"

Uncle Willis kept looking around, pointing and exclaiming with surprise every time he saw another giant creature or a giant farmhand tending to a field. "Incredible, I'd never have thought to see Kloster like this. I've been gone a scant year and everyone turns giant, even my nephew!" Willis laughed, slapping Magnus on the back.

"That may be truer than you know, uncle." Magnus grinned. "I've been driving the Alchemist these past months and just today I asked, and he said I could, me and Rolf."

"What? Even without a core?" Willis frowned.

"Even without a core. Festus said so, and said that I would have the strength to fight them." Magnus said, punching the air.

They rode in silence for a time, a patrol of giants passed them in the opposite direction. By the side of the road were the ruins of a farmstead, burnt thatch and scattered stones had been pushed into a pile. They weren't far from the walls of Kloster now, the road had deep worn wheel ruts and grass at both sides was trod flat from giant feet.

Willis broke the uneasy silence; "No lad, don't do it. Even if you had a core don't go do it. Think of your brother and sister, they went and joined and look what happened to them! Both dead on the beach! Think what it would do to your parents!"

Magnus frowned, replying "The black skins could kill me giant or not. As a giant I could fight back!"

"Magnus, lad, you're young. Give it another year, maybe your core will come in. The black skins will still be there to fight." Willis shook his head and put a hand on Magnus shoulder. "Give it time lad, think it over."

"I've thought it over uncle. I want to join, I'm of age. My sister was a year younger when she joined."

"And she's dead!" Willis roared.

"I'll not be dead." Magnus said stubbornly. "This is the last chance, Festus said it'll all be over soon, that the black skins would stop coming. Don't you see uncle, this is my last chance!"

"Ye gods, it'll be over soon and you want to throw yourself into the maw of a wolf? Were you born without sense lad?" Willis slammed his palm into the cart. "I never thought a Lund would be so bloody minded!"