Abner looked at the warriors before him.

"The River Giants attacked at Swordfall," Abner started, with everyone feeling the awkwardness of the statement. "Then massacred the northern governor on way to pay homage to the one true king. They also killed some of our soldiers."

Abner took a breath.

"The giants were on the outskirts after the wars that we all fought in, against them. Under both of our kings. We'd have random attacks by solo giants. Attacks of our villages occasionally. But they were done. We destroyed their main city and throne. They have kept one outpost though. The Outpost of Elah, at the river. Some of you remember when Jalut took it. It was horrible. It was the worst attack we've ever experienced. The wars against them were a direct consequence of that outpost being taken. We were never able to take it back."

The room was silent, but all of the warriors' blood pressure was rising.

"Do you remember, they sent a survivor?" Abner started. "A poor farmer to tell of the massacre? Jalut did that. That poor man went crazy. Seeing his family murdered. His sons crushed. And him being forced to survive and tell the rest. That is the giants horror. They have no pity. They were bred and made for war and devastation. How many of our villages did they raid? Women of ours they raped and kidnapped? Children of ours eaten? The blood shed could fill the river."

All who went to the outpost remembered it. Elhanan sat awkwardly, knowing he had the magic sword of the fallen giant.

Most knew he had it. But it wasn't official. It was lost to time. Nobody dared touch it or wield its power.

Joab listened intently to all that Abner said, and agreed. But his main thought was still to kill the man who stood before them all.

"Our king has instructed me to make a secret group of rogues. Warriors. Mercenaries. Killers. Assassins. Outlaws. Whatever you want to call it. You will not be known by the our land. You will not be paid more. This doesn't take away your responsibilities in your life. But your king humbly asks you to do this. The number of giants is diminished, but their human worshipers are many. They must also be destroyed."

Abner leaned forward.

"Before me I see many who have fought against the giants. The only one missing is Abishai the Giant Killer, and he will be with us in this fight, I promise you. Will you do this? Will you defend our king and our land? And wipe the giants out for good?"

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One warrior in the back stood and said they would.

Then another.

An older soldier of the old wars stood as well.

Beniah stood.

Soon, the whole room stood, besides Joab and Elhanan.

Abner looked at them.

Elhanan grinned.

"You know our answer. No reason to be theatrical about it."

Abner nodded.

"You are the King's Elite. The giants now. In the future, perhaps you will be called to save our kingdom from some demonic beast. Or a priesthood of evil. Or the Evil One himself. Under the Creator and our king, this is your task. Destroy the giants."

All nodded and agreed to their task and sat.

"Now," Elhanan spoke up, "where do we start?"

Men and soldiers and killers all spoke up and argued. Every man thinking they were the correct one and the leader of the operation.

Abner let it go, but soon men were standing and striking each other and threatening to have a sword fight in the hall.

Beniah broke them up, but it started again.

Soon, Joab cleared his throat.

Everyone stopped and slowly stared.

His feet were up on the table and he crossed his arms.

"It's very simple. It's a suicide mission. We take back the Outpost at Elah."

Murmurs. Shock. But no real disagreement.

"Explain more, please," Abner finally spoke.

"That is where they mainly congregate, besides the old city we destroyed, where they still do meet occasionally. Gath is still alive. And so is Lahmi, brother of Jalut. As long as they live, the giants will. Take back the outpost and it breaks their back. The rest of the giants and their spawn will soon run, and we'll hunt them down. Then destroy their followers, and save any women and children we can in the process."

Silence.

"A sneak attack?" Elhanan asked.

Joab shook his head.

"No. Direct. Show them we have no fear. And if we do, we just lie."