Part 2: War

  Chapter 6: The Giant’s Line

  A surreal sight awaited the army. Two weeks they had been marching, but their first encounter with Giants had yet to occur, until now.

  “We have confirmed the first sighting of Giants.” Kadus spoke.

  The tent was cramped. Within it were Artesh, his top three lieutenants, Subulai and Quan, two humans, and the dwarf Moro, as well as Zhi, her second in command, Ranni, Kadus, and Habres.

  They all huddled over a map that stretched out over a table. On it were various figures depicting the various elements on the battlefield. Up until this point the map had only contained their own army.

  “Giants?” Artesh asked.

  “Yes.” Kadus replied.

  “How many?” Zhi asked.

  “Five.”

  The tent grew silent.

  “Well, is there any space to maneuver around them?” Subulai spoke up now. “Is there any way that we could break one off from the group and fight them individually?”

  “No.” Kadus replied. “They have formed a line at the end of this valley. All Giants are within viewing range from each other. There is no other way for our army to maneuver beyond the Giants but through them.”

  “And the Giants are working in concert to hold this line?” Artesh asked.

  “It seems that way Commander.” Kadus replied.

  “Titans working together.” Artesh muttered. “I always thought it could be a possibility, but so early into our fight?”

  “We've already slain three Titans.” Zhi spoke up. “Two of them Giants. Their response is expected.”

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  “Do we know what Giants are holding the line?” Quan asked. He rarely chimed in. “There are only three Giants near this area that I can recall, Bolno, Besal, and Balino. Are those three part of the line?”

  “You are correct Quan.” Kadus replied. “The five Giants at the line have been identified as Bolno, Besal, Balino, Beryl, and Barmoro. Bolno is the most senior of the Giants. He is thought to be the tenth strongest Giant.”

  “Tenth.” Moro spoke up with a grin. “Once we're done with him he'll be the strongest Giant we've defeated so far.”

  Artesh looked back at Moro with a smile on his face. Whereas all the other faces in the room were dour with worry etched into their faces Moro smiled as more details were shared.

  “What are you so happy about?” Habres asked Moro.

  The dwarf jumped on the table where he was at eye level with all of them.

  “Don’t you see?” Moro began. “This is an opportunity like none we've seen before!”

  “And how is that Primus Moro?” Kadus asked genuinely intrigued at what exactly the dwarf was thinking.

  “We've fought these bastards before! This is not the first time we've fought against Giants.”

  “Well it is the first time we are facing more than one Giant.” Habres interrupted.

  “High Onsiel Zhi faced down two Titans by herself and came out unscathed!” Moro said as he pointed to her.

  “They were very weak.” Zhi added.

  “True, but now you have us!” Moro replied. “We have already faced Giants before! Add however many more you'd like but we've faced those bastards before! But those Giants have never fought against us. We know what it is like to fight as a unified front. But Titans don't know what that is like! They're used to one on one fights with other Titans. How do you think they will react to fighting not against other Titans but alongside them? They hate each other more than they hate us! And they don't know what it is like to fight an enemy that is willing to die!” Moro worked himself up. “We need to go at them hard! We need to smash into their lines, full force and aim right at Bolno! I reckon once we destroy Bolno the rest will be too panicked to hold up the line and flee!”

  Artesh smiled all throughout Moro’s speech. Moro had been the only one of his lieutenants he had personally picked, although he still held in high regard both Quan and Subulai.

  “Primus Moro I appreciate your enthusiasm but a full frontal assault against five Giants might not be a great idea.” Habres replied.

  “Moro let's listen to Lord Habres.” Subulai spoke up.

  More voices began to chime in.

  “Are there no other routes?” Quan asked. “Surely there must be some pass through the mountain before we meet the Giants?”

  “The mountains on either side of this valley are very steep.” Kadus replied. “Perhaps in the summer they could be passable, but during winter it is not a possibility.”

  “We must strike!” Moro reaffirmed, convinced by his own argument.

  “Now gentlemen let us see what options are available to us.” Artesh spoke up.

  Artesh was good at pageantry. He knew the wise thing was to seek counsel and to deliberate on what to do. But he had already decided what they would do. Voices still rang out speaking about different opinions and Artesh pretended he was listening to all with equal weight.

  “Primus Moro is right.” Zhi spoke up.

  All of them turned to Zhi and they all quieted.

  “We always knew we would have to face multiple Titans at once.” She continued. “Whether we face them now or later is irrelevant. If we come across this meager force of five Giants and are unable to win against them, then how are we supposed to face the strongest? What are we to do if we face Takaxluet? Or Bukulkan? Or Anciudu? These Titans could clear this blockade without hardship. We need to march up to them and destroy their line. If we cannot do that then we have already failed.”

  Artesh and Moro smiled as Zhi spoke. The others looked to each other, trying to see if any of them would speak up against Zhi. In the hierarchy of the Legion there was a clear delineation of power. Jokasta was at the very top, and Artesh was her appointed commander of the Legion, but if Zhi had something to say it would be hard to go against her voice.

  “All right, that's settled.” Artesh said as he smiled. “So how do we want to split this effort?”

  “I will deal with Bolno.” Zhi said. “You all figure how you want to deal with the rest of the Titans.”