“Lord Tadrianus, the Antala representative is here.”

Dathan looked up from the tome on his desk and nodded to the warrior at the door. “Thank you, Warren. Show them in.”

As the Antala entered his office, Dathan stood and stepped around in front of his desk, offering the representative, who only came up to his waist, a short bow. The Antala returned the gesture, large dark eyes never leaving his.

“Welcome to my estate, Representative Sorin. The team you have working for me have been most satisfactory. Thank you.”

Sorin waved a claw, the fur on his neck ruffling. “That is a contract well negotiated. No thanks needed. However, your rail project is of concern. We cannot use it as presented.”

Dathan frowned then slowly nodded. “It’s too big for our tunnels, isn’t it? I should have thought about that.”

The fur on Sorin’s neck flattened as he nodded once. “Correct. We will have to reduce the size. This will mean changing the contract. I have the draft for you to review.” He reached into his leather vest, pulling out a small portfolio, then handed it over.

Opening the portfolio, Dathan gave it a quick once over. It was much the same as before, with only the requested quantity and sizes reduced, with an equally reduced rate of payment. The ratios still looked fair and would be a nice addition to the estate revenues.

“Everything looks to be in order. Send me the final draft and I’ll get it signed and sent off to the factors down south. Anything else? Would you like to visit your workers while you’re here?”

Sorin nodded and Tahan had Warren lead the Antala to the cavern. Returning to his desk, he leaned back in his chair, a soft smile on his face.

Introducing the rail system to the Antala was only the first step. With their influence, he hoped to convince the council to build a rail line to the farms. Wagons were good and all but the draft lines could move far more freight quickly. There were even rumors of the Tarkets working on a draftless train, though those same rumors said the things tended to explode.

Dathan wondered if the mages had ever tried to make something to pull a wagon or rail train. If they could make flying carpets, why not something stronger to replace oxen?

Thoughts for another day. Time to finish the expenses.

***

“It seems the Knights are more formidable than we were led to believe.”

Korin huffed and looked over at the speaker, a Raja who had accompanied him from Central when the Warrior Guild had called for a replacement leader.

“An interesting way of saying we were misled, Hathor. The influence the Knights have in the city are far in excess of their numbers. They are the head of the council, whatever the statement of equality might be. And their battle prowess…” Korin trailed off, rubbing his arm. It had been healed but he still remembered the injury in his first battle as leader of the guild.

Hathor shook his great head. “I do not believe it was the Central Guild’s intent to mislead us. Rather, I believe the previous leader here in the Jeweled Gate falsified his reports to make himself appear more important and garner influence back in Central.” At Korin’s expression he continued.

“I heard rumors in Central before we came, though I waited until we got here to confirm my opinions before I shared themwith you. Even our information network here is a sham. Other than the Warriors of the guild we have zero informants.”

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Korin scowled, his ears laying flat as he resisted a snarl. “Of course, because how else could our mission be made more difficult?” He reached up with both hands to rub his muzzle before relaxing. “Do you think the Central Guild will accept a report saying our mission is impossible?” Hathor’s expression earned a barked laugh.

“Of course. Failure is unacceptable.” Korin sighed. “Do you think I can get away with sneaking back to Central and strangling the man for leaving us in this situation?”

Hathor frowned. “You are no Shadow Dancer.”

“Right, right. Straight up duel it is.”

Hathor continued to frown.

“Fine. Thoughts on mayhem aside, how do you propose we gain control of the gemstone mines?”

The Raja’s frown lessened. “Perhaps we go straight to the sources and speak to the Antala themselves.”

Korin nodded thoughtfully and the two settled in to plan.

***

“The small, Tyrant, thinks to unite the tribes, with ogres and trolls.”

Grivon slammed his fists down on the arms of his mammoth bone throne. “Ogres and trolls! I will eat this tyrant and take his power as my own!” The save seemed to shake with the power of his voice and anger.

The giantess slammed the butt of her staff, formed of an entire sixty foot tree trunk and decorated in bones and stones, into the cave floor with enough force to crack the stone. “You will do nothing of the sort, you old fool. The Tyrant killed Sabor by freezing his head and shattering it. Even you were wary of Sabor’s strength, for all that he was only a portion of your age.” She stared at him with gray eyes that carried more experience than any other giant alive.

“I have not watched over you these fifteen centuries for you to die of foolish pride.” She snarled at him when he looked to protest. “Yes it is foolish! I, Samath, say it is so!” When he settled back, she continued.

“Three times you have led hordes into the valley and three times you have been repulsed. You have learned from those hordes but it has not been enough. The horde has not been enough. In this world, the horde is not enough.”

Grivon ground his teeth, fists resting on the arms of his throne. “The slates of our ancestors say that the horde ruled our entire world and that we nearly conquered this one!”

Samath leveled her gaze at him. “And those ancestors failed in this one, did they not? Almost conquered. That means defeat. That means we must change.” She pointed one gnarled hand at him. “You, must change.”

Once again his fists smashed down, shattering the arms of his throne. “I am the strongest giant to ever live!” The very air quivered before his rage, seeming to swirl around the cave. A few stones tumbled from the ceiling, clattering to the floor.

Samath leaned on her staff. “It is true. Samath agrees. Yet still you listen to Samath, for Samath is the oldest and wisest giant. We need this Tyrant, to do what you cannot do alone. Break the gate. Once past the valley, the rest of the world will be ours.”

“And then I will eat the small Tyrant.”

“And then you can eat the small Tyrant.”