Alvar returned to his ships, he made a subtle movement and a boy in scruffy clothes came running over. His hands fumbled over the large ropes that held the ships close to the dock while Alvar strolled onto the ship. He went up onto the deck where he met Varun and Venor, who were waiting for him.

“There was a big fight down here last night Alvar,” Venor said as Alvar came on-board. “Word is that your mistress broke it up and took down most of the fighters while she was at it.”

“Did she now?” Alvar said not sounding surprised.

“A few men were injured, one or two ended up dead and Orkan’s youngest son is missing,” Venor added.

“I’m sure she’ll return him in the morning. He’ll be battered and bruised but perfectly safe. The woman sold for 50,000 reteps,” Alvar asserted proudly, “I told you she was a fine catch. Now to Durkan to see who wins the bidding war for these beauties,” Alvar said as he made a gesture towards the Giants, who were all unconscious.

“Get these ropes off! Now!” Varun shouted to the slave from the ship’s deck while Venor stepped across onto the other ship. The ships moved out to sea and Varun squatted, inspecting Torbjørn and Ilioc as they lay unconscious on the deck.

“I wonder what Isana would have made of these two,” Varun said loudly so that Alvar, who was standing at the prow of the ship, heard him.

“She would have put on a quite a show with them,” Alvar replied glancing over his shoulder to look at the Giants.

“How is your wife?” Varun asked as he stood and walked towards Alvar.

“Still installing terror into the people of eastern cities. She’s working more in Cirrom and Dasa now, I think Ojas is creating distance them.” Alvar replied.

“He respects you. You earned your title, and people know the power you hold Alvar. Ojas is rotten and not even his army of agents will protect him forever.”

“They will if they’re like Isana,” Alvar stated and Varun nodded in agreement. “My wife may have taken my family name of Avery now but she was Isana Ojas for a time and she still works for Ojas. A different name will never change that.”

“And what of her family? The Isa’s? Rumours circled around of Isana’s parents stealing from a wealthy man and none knew any more. They vanished.”

“Gerard Isa, Isana’s father, ended up in the arena,” Venor called out to them from the other ship. “I served in the arena for a time alongside him. I was there for sport while he was there for good. The screams you hear from there are like no others. There are twisted creatures in the Mieczyslaw arena. One day Gerard was taken away and soon enough I heard those terrible screams and they were his screams.”

“It’s a vicious place that arena,” Alvar called back to Venor. “I cannot imagine growing up in that place,” He continued more slowly. “It hardened Isana to fight harder and faster than a man ever could.”

“She fought hard enough to be picked out of the arena, one of the chosen few. To become an assassin, with a bit of law keeping on the side,” Varun added.

“She learnt how to tame a man with her tongue and how to control one with her body. What a ruthless woman she is,” Alvar added and to which Varun had no reply.

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“Alvar!” Venor called once more. “Do you think these Giants will fetch a good price?”

“I rather think they will,” Alvar answered him.

When Twulai awoke once more the environment around him had dramatically changed. Unlike the previous docks these ones were clean, the walkways were exceedingly larger, paved and had stone buildings rising above them. Columns stood by the entrance of numerous buildings and, for somewhere this pristine and well-built, it was eerily quiet. Twilight hung down on them, the moon shone brightly yet at ground level it was dim and dark as though they were caught in the moment before a lightning strike. The atmosphere was calm yet something within Twulai told him that this was misleading. Twulai then noticed the absence of the wind, something so simple yet very unnerving. He turned his attention back to the dock, where there were lines of large wagons being guarded by several men. There were three empty spaces stood out waiting for someone to fill them. Twulai’s senses were limited from the poison however, he could make out soft murmurs along the shoreline as the men stood with their arms crossed staring at the Giants.

The ships drew in and docked, and immediately men came onto the boat to take a good look at Twulai. They traced out his muscles with their hands while others looked deep into his eyes. They did the same to Asil before moving over to the other ship and inspecting Ilioc and Torbjørn.

In the corner of Twulai's vision, he watched as a few men came to talk to Alvar.

“Fine muscles on these and good strength too. 8,500 reteps for them both.” One man said. Alvar then directed his gaze to the other man without saying a word.

“40,000 reteps for the other two on your second ship.” Came the second man's offer. Alvar considered the offers for a moment, switching his gaze between each of the men in turn. He held it there for a moment before nodding to Varun on the other ship.

“I accept. They won’t let you down, they are stronger than they seem.” Alvar asserted.

“We’ll see!” Came the reply, while the man hit Alvar on the back. “A month on the ice fields shall soon strengthen them up.” The men before them laughed in a deep husky tone.

Money was exchanged between the men and more men made their way onto the ship. They pulled Twulai forwards using the chains that were tied around him. His hefty body made a loud bang as his skin met the wooden decking. The chains dug into Twulai’s skin before a man’s face came into view.

“You will stand,” he commanded the Giant. Twulai followed his orders and stood with difficulty. Once he was on his feet the chains that were wrapped around his legs were removed so that he was able to walk.

“Get her to stand,” the man called to men behind Twulai and a few moments later, more chains fell onto the deck. Twulai and Asil were then led off the ship, onto the dock and put into a wagon. Across from them Ilioc and Torbjørn were being loaded up into a different wagon.

In the wagon Twulai he sat with his head bowed and Asil sat opposite him. Both were lacking in energy due to the toxins from Alvar’s bullets flowing around their bloodstream.

“Asil? Are you ok?” Twulai asked in a rough voice.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” She replied. They heard the crack of a whip and howling erupted following the whip’s sound. The wagon on which they were seated jolted and began to move. They passed stone buildings around them with growing speed, and the sound of many legs hitting the stone below them echoed around the street.

Twulai managed to raise his head and look back towards the docks where he could see Ilioc and Torbjørn in a wagon identical to theirs. A man at the front of the wagon used a whip to wake around 20 wolves that lay asleep at the front of the wagon. As soon as the whip touched their skin they awoke and let out a painful howl before racing off down a street. Twulai then lost sight of Ilioc and Torbjørn.

Twulai turned back and caught the faces of men, women and children staring at him from windows. Asil managed to look up, and her face turned to horror as in every window three was a face glaring at her. People were looking at her as though she was a monster, which scared but also fascinated them. The wagon raced through street after street, passing through tight alleyways and as well as large squares. Some had taverns surrounding them while others had platforms placed in the centre for some kind of public viewing. Soon they came to the edge of the city and moved onto a smooth road where the plains in front of them were lit up in the moonlight and stretched out far beyond the horizon.