Yvall followed Kobe down the steps from the war room, through many halls and rooms, before finally entering King Quincy’s collection room—a kind of castle museum of sorts, where the king kept his less treasured items on display for passersby.

“Kobe, why have you brought me down to my father’s museum?” Yvall asked.

“I'd like you to read what’s behind that glass,” Kobe said as he pointed to a display case made of glass. Within the small display case was an ancient-looking piece of paper, stained yellow from age, the sides ripped, but the text upon it still fully readable. The black ink read:

GODS. GODS CAME BEFORE US,

GIVE THEM THE COUNTRY, GIVE THEM THE WORLD BACK.

THE RULE OF THE LAND BELONGS TO THE RIGHTFUL RULERS.

I'VE FORGOTTEN ALL I KNEW BEFORE. THEY'VE ENTERED MY MIND

AND WON'T LET ME SLEEP, THE METAL, THE WORMS, THOSE EYES OF SMOKE.

READ THY WARNINGS. FOR THOSE WHO ENTER THEIR DOMAINS, HEED THE WORDS:

ABANDON ALL HOPE.

“Do you know what this paper is referring to?” Kobe asked Yvall.

“I mean, I've read this paper hundreds of times probably. It's been here as long as I can remember, but I've always wondered why my dad kept some piece of paper behind glass, and I guess I've never really asked him about it,” Yvall responded.

“It’s about the Goliaths, written 50 years ago by the poet Pintlet Smith. He was in search of inspiration for a new book of poetry. He traveled around Vallta, visiting each Goliath—not with murderous intentions, but simply to watch them and write poems of their forms and their grandeur. That piece of paper is the only thing he ever wrote after meeting face to face with them all before disappearing,” Kobe explained.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

A shiver went down Yvall’s spine. “He... disappeared? Kobe, I’m beginning to doubt if this conquest is even possible alone. Everyone I have asked to travel with me has declined due to great fear,” Yvall said with doubt.

Kobe and Yvall began slowly walking towards the great castle’s entrance. As they walked, they discussed. “These beasts, who all that have faced them have perished or vanished—I truly don’t believe I can do this, Kobe,” Yvall said with a grim expression on his face. “I’m nothing like my father’s knights. I’ve trained in combat and the way of the sword, yes, but I’ve never gone on expeditions with knights. I’ve never truly labored greatly. I’m beginning to think my father is right, Kobe. I’ve truly worked for nothing.” Yvall finished his sentence.

As Kobe and Yvall walked through the castle’s large front door, onto a beautiful castle vista, with fruit trees blooming on the supple green grass, Kobe said, “Prince Quincy, if you truly believe your father is right—and he just may be—then you find your challenge, and I believe the challenge has found you already. Or should I say us? I, Kobe, do humbly ask you to join on your conquest if you are so inclined. I will fight to my last breath if it means seeing May alive again.”

Yvall’s smile beamed through his previous grim disposition. “Of course, Kobe! You would be a fantastic confidant on this journey,” Yvall said as he smiled. “Kobe, you are no longer Kobe the servant to the Quincy kingdom. I dub thee Sir Kobe, the knight and brethren of Prince Quincy,” Yvall said with honor.

The sun beamed down upon the two in the castle yard as Yvall yelled to nearby servants, “Bring around two horses from the stable!”