Estela read many books for Ergath that day, pausing only to eat and drink. He listened as he sheared his sheep one by one with a practiced skill and gentle hand. It was apparent the creatures were quite fond of him. Now and again, he would look down to ask a question, seeming to have genuine interest. Sometimes Estela would have an answer, sometimes she would not.

Either way, Ergath's reaction would be the same. He would make a sound with his mouth and not look up. If not for the questions, Relma thought she wouldn't know if he was listening at all. Ronald set about cooking a meal from the supplies he had gathered. Eating cheese was something one could get sick of very quickly. Relma would have offered to help, but Ronald preferred people to help with his cooking. Halflings took that kind of thing personally.

So she found herself with nothing to do at all. Relma didn't like not being necessary and spent this time petting some of the sheep. As she did, she wondered if her Father, Hadleim, had ever been to a place like this. He'd been a great warrior, hadn't he?

It didn't really interest her.

She looked up to Ergath. "So, do you have any family?" she asked.

"No, nothing of the sort," said Ergath, shaking his head. "Living together under one roof is a peculiarity of the smaller races. We giants are far more sensible. Children are raised by their mothers and sent out independently once they are mature.

"We keep in some contact; we've had to do so, what with the occasional army that tries to root us out. But we keep to ourselves for the most part."

"You keep a strange hoard for a giant," noted Estela.

"Well, it isn't a good idea to hoard treasure when you live so close to the black dragons," said Ergath, raising one hand and moving it through the air. "So we hoard other valuable items. My family accumulates books and keeps them in good condition.

"We've picked up the details of reading the text quickly enough. We just kidnapped some educated merchants and forced them to show us. It helps communicate, but the text is too small to read.

"Still, they are valuable."

"But how do you know so much about your father if he didn't raise you?" asked Relma. She knew only what she had been told by Argath and Aunt Pan. Which wasn't very much, though she hadn't asked that much.

Relma should ask more about Hadleim when she gets the chance. The information might prove useful, and it could look bad if she didn't know it.

"Well, I was the youngest and strongest," said Ergath with a smile. "So I was sent by my late mother to act as his heir. One of my sisters stayed with her and inherited Mother's cave."

"And where is that?" asked Relma.

"Oh, some miles off," said Ergath, stretching his huge shoulders as he shifted in his stone seat. "The exact location escapes me. I haven't been back there for many years." He put down the sheep he was shearing, and another came onto his lap.

"Don't you ever miss your family?" asked Relma.

"Well, I meet them occasionally," said Ergath, stretching his neck. He did not seem to like sitting still. "But we giants don't really mind being on our own. We don't hunt in packs like humans or wolves."

"We aren't anything like wolves," said Estela.

Ergath looked down. "Are you so certain?"

No one said anything. There wasn't anything to say.

Then Ergath looked up. He closed his eyes, then opened them. Relma had the feeling he had sensed something and wondered how he had. "...Ah, here they are. You spoke correctly. I will not eat you or your friends, after all. They are still some miles off, and they may not find us.

"I suggest you finish your meal."

They did it very quickly. Then Ergath took them to the mouth of the cave and motioned. It slid open to reveal the distant figures of Ajax and Anya, making their way up the slopes. They were accompanied by many wolves.

Suddenly, Anya halted. "Hold up. I smell giants. And also, Relma."

"You don't think she's dead, do you?" asked Ajax, concerned.

"No," said Anya. "There is no blood or death in the air. Likely being held captive."

"What kind of giant takes captives?" asked Ajax.

"The intelligent kind," said Anya.

They were looking right at them now and very near. Yet they couldn't see.

"Why can't they see us?" asked Ronald.

"I have established wards upon this place," said Ergath. "No one can see past it unless they are allowed."

"Then you let us in?" said Relma.

"I was interested to see what you would do," said Ergath. "Still, wolves have a keen sense of smell. I expect Ajax will find his way in eventually. I will be leaving the door open, after all." He hefted his scimitar. "When he does, he will find me waiting. So tonight, I dine on the children of Telix.

"Still, a deal is a deal, and I shall open the way to Lightning Trail."

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He led them into the main halls and opened another passage. As the stone ground opened, Relma examined it with interest. This one was smaller, and he had to hunch over to enter it. A faint, oozy smell came down it, along with the water drip. You could see moss growing over it in various places. "This passage was dug by my Father. It was made to ambush those who reached the peak of the Black Mountain. It will lead you straight to Lightning Trail."

So the giants could delve into great tunnels and know how to ambush. Relma would have to remember this when she became King. She could use the knowledge to her benefit later. And if she didn't, it could be used against her.

"Thank you, Ergath," said Ergath. "Without you, I'd have been caught for sure."

"It is no trouble. I will eat well because of this," said Ergath.

"Are you sure you'll be able to defeat Ajax?" asked Estela.

"I know many spells. And this is my home ground," said Ergath. "This will be my first battle in a decade. And it will be a worthy one indeed.

"Now go; Ajax is working at my defenses. I shall delay his coming as long as I can in case I am defeated. When you come to the crossroads, take the left passage. Right leads down to the old goblin empire.

"And at the next crossroads, you'll take a right, then-"He paused. "Never mind, you'll never remember it. It's far too complicated. So I'll take you there myself."

"What about your sheep?" asked Relma.

Ergath motioned. The pen in which he kept the sheep shuddered, and the wall opened to reveal a passage leading upwards. The sheep scaled up it without a word. Relma shuddered as she felt a sense of unease came over her. Just how powerful must Ergath be to command the mountain itself?

She definitely had to make sure the giants were on her side when she became King. Either that or put the problem down another way. Which she did not want to do. She liked Ergath.

"Come," said Ergath. "We have a ways to go."

He led them through the dark passage, summoning a sphere of light to see by. It gradually got smaller, and soon Ergath could hardly fit. Yet he showed no distress or discomfort, smiling as he clambered.

"Did your ancestors really dig all this out?" asked Relma. It must have taken a great deal of work. Humans or dwarves would have difficulty with these caverns.

"Not all of it, no," admitted Ergath. "We connected our passages to an existing cave system. These were once inhabited by the old goblin empire."

"Goblins?" asked Estela. "Aren't they all dead?"

The passage widened to reveal a vast natural cavern. The ceiling alone rose high, with many crude arches keeping it up. By the dim light of Ergath's spell, she could make out images on the walls of great ziggurats rising high into the air. Many of them were overgrown with red and white flowers. Relma couldn't see very far, but she could hear running water. The air here was also cleaner, which meant wind must come into here now and again.

"The goblins were a small race of green-skinned creatures," said Ergath. "They only lived a few weeks and were small, weak, and stupid. But they multiplied and were skilled with rope and woodworking. The elves fought many wars with them, but they delved deep into the earth to escape them.

"The elves and dwarves made many alliances. Both of them hated goblins and wanted them gone. The dragons helped them."

"So, where did humans play into this?" asked Estela.

"In those days, humans were minor players," said Ergath. "Goblins and humans were of the same generation. Both awoke after the elves and dragons at the beginning of the world. But because the goblins reproduced so quickly, they became their own faster. As a result, they were more of a problem for the elves.

"Humans were something of an afterthought in those days." He muttered something, and his light brightened. Relma looked around and saw that the cavern was far larger than she'd thought. There was an underground river running through it. Many spikes were coming from the top and bottom of the cave. What were they called again? And how did they form?

"So what happened to them?" asked Ronald.

"The humans came into their own," said Ergath without passion. "Anoa the Bright made an alliance with the goblins. He used their tunnels to go quickly from one place to another. Their tunnels were of invaluable service during the wars. He also used them as shock troops during many of the battles.

"While doing that, he allied with them to locate all their cities and map out their caves. When the elves were defeated, he allied with the satyrs and dwarves. From there, he launched a series of campaigns to wipe them out. He succeeded where the elves failed."

"Anoa wouldn't do something like that," said Relma.

Ergath stopped and looked at her. "Have you ever heard of the Road of Ancient Stone, child?"

Relma shuddered as the air grew just a bit colder. "...I've heard about it. Nobody likes to speak of it, and whenever they mention it, everyone gets serious."

"That is because it was once the heart of goblin civilization," said Ergath. "Until Anoa the Bright began his campaign. He burned every city and village. He slaughtered every goblin he could find. The mountains stank of corpses, and the cliffs ran red with blood. And he took no booty or gold.

"None in that campaign gained anything by their destruction. On the contrary, it was pure malice that drove them. Malice and hatred.

"Such was the horror of the deed that the Road of Ancient Stone connected with the hells. One who walks into that place now steps into a realm where the hell has been made manifest.

"At any rate, now you know why Anoa is called 'the Butcher' by his former enemies. Or at least the ones he didn't wipe out."

"What is your source on this?" asked Estela.

"The knowledge was passed down through my family. So we've kept outstanding records," said Ergath. "Though our books are far too large for you to get any use out of them." He looked up and pricked his pointed ears. "...Hmm, they've broken through our wards. Now, they're following after us at a rapid pace. Come, it's just a little further. Then we'll part ways."

The natural caverns faded away. Soon, they scaled a winding passage that led steadily up like a spiral staircase. The drip of water could be heard still, but the river faded away.

Finally, they turned the last corner and saw daylight ahead of them. They quickened their pace and soon emerged from the cave entrance. It was suddenly bitterly cold, and Relma pulled her cloak closer around her. The peak of the mountain stretched ever higher above her. The wind howled.

"And here we are," said Ergath. "From here, just keep on this path, and you'll come out near the very peak of the mountain. The sword is at the top."

"What about you?" asked Relma.

"I'll deal with these irritating wolves as I had intended," said Ergath. "I'll be behind you; I just need to set a trap or two." And he kneeled down to begin muttering incantations.

"Thank you, Ergath," said Relma.

They scaled upwards. Once they got past the cave, Relma caught a glimpse. They were near the very top of the Black Mountain. Far below them are all the forests, towns, hills, and rivers of Gel Carn. It and the surrounding lands were like little models. Relma found her breath catching in her throat.

"You seem remarkably chummy with that ogre, considering he meant to eat us," said Ronald.

"He didn't, though. And now he's helping us," said Relma, turning to keep climbing.

"Whatever you say," said Ronald.

Relma focused. They were always there. Only a little further, and Lightning Trail would be theirs. Then, there was an earthshaking, crushing noise, and a howl of rage.

It was time to go.