That One Time I Went on a Quest

The Little Giants

'...so be more careful!' he shouts, ostensibly at Oon'Shei, who wouldn't understand nor hear a word he's saying.

'Do you see anything?' Kathanhiel asks from her leather-bound chair in the cabin.

'No, nor do I want to.'

Arkai's squad of Ink Scouts had gone on ahead while we were bargaining for the coach, but they are almost certainly behind us by now, since for the past two days the little giants had kept this pace up without a second of rest. Haylis says this is perfectly normal; two weeks of continuous running is apparently a popular exercise routine for them, second only to digging a personal tunnel though a mountain.

She also says that all those carriages at the enclave were built by one giant, one, which seems hysterically far-fetched. Unlimited stamina and immeasurable skill – how can the little giants be so absolutely capable? These were the people that the dragons drove out of the Endless Ranges almost a thousand years ago, and all this time they have been trying to return and failing.

Compared to them, what can tiny humans do?

Having not much to do, I bring this up with Kathanhiel.

'You only see their strengths,' she says. 'The little giants value skill and self-actuation above all else. Even for an organisation as simple as running a coach service they require human assistance, because working together is simply not a part of their life.'

'But they're so strong, and smart too.'

'They are, but so are the dragons.' She taps the scabbard of Kaishen hanging at her side. 'This sword was made by one who was known as Ush'Ra the Godsmith, a paragon of their people. The art of its making had been lost because its creator refused to share it with others. That's how it is with them.'

'Really? But I-I've heard that, um...'

'That it came from a bolt of lightning?' She smiles. 'Or is it my pulling it from a rock in the middle of a lake? That one's my favourite. When I was young I imagined myself as the hero in it. Little did I know...'

'Did...Ush'Ra the Godsmith...make more swords like Kaishen? Maybe if-if I could get one too I can be of some use to you.'

Her face darkens. 'One such sword is one too many,' she says quietly, and not to me, 'and I don't need you to fight. There's nothing I can't take care of with Kaishen at my side.'

'Y-yes my lady.'

She blinks. 'I like this about you Kastor. You always ask the right questions.'

'I just want to be of more useful than the esquire who cooks and cleans.'

'You'll do much more than that.' She stands and moves to the window. 'Would you mind go checking on the horses? That last bump must've startled them.'

Rough of her to counsel me so well then immediately undermine the effort by giving out a menial task. As I open the door to the next cabin I glance back; Kathanhiel is holding up her sword against the rain-pelted window, as if offering it to the light. She looks like she needs to be alone.

Raining. Always raining.

The horses, shut in and constantly rocked about, are displeased at the accommodation. I try my best to calm them down, but the farrier at the winter palace didn't say anything about handling horses inside the carriages they are normally pulling. Killisan is the quietest of the three, savouring a coil of rope like a mouthful of caviar. Bobby ignores me completely and goes on swishing his tail about like a princess. Haylis's horse headbutts me in the gut. Twice.