possible. Athryn dug an elbow into his side, urging him forward. Khirro drew a deep, slow breath, preparing to move.
Nothing happened.
He tried again, struggling to make his limbs carry him forward to rescue his friends, but they’d have nothing of it. Fear paralyzed him, froze him to the ground with his face in the dirt like the snake it made him feel.
He cursed his stubborn muscles. Both Elyea and Ghaul gave up everything to aid him on a journey not their own, risking their lives for him, yet here he lay, unable to propel himself to rescue them. Disgust and self-loathing coiled in his belly. Hadn’t enough people died because of him, because of his fear? He wouldn’t be able to live knowing these two perished because of his cowardice.
He was gathering his strength, focusing on one limb at a time, when the giant pulled his spear from the fire and gazed at the glowing tip. A homely grin twisted the giant’s lips as it looked from spear to prisoners, a low chuckle rolling through its yellow-brown teeth. The creature extended the weapon, the glowing tip leaving a ribbon of gray smoke trailing behind, until it hovered a few inches from Elyea’s cheek.
The heat brought her from her daze, wrenching her mind back from wherever it had gone to escape. She raised her head, eyes widening when she saw the glowing spear head—leaf-shaped and the length of a short sword—pressing close to her flesh. She leaned away, feet scrabbling against the forest floor sending dirt and decayed evergreen needles spraying away, but Ghaul’s limp form lashed to her back held her from moving. The giant laughed at the high-pitched squeaks of fear escaping her throat and flicked the tip toward her. She flinched and the beast laughed louder.
Khirro’s teeth clenched watching the giant play his game over and over: threaten her, watch her cringe, laugh aloud. Not until the orange glow faded did the giant lose interest. Khirro let out his breath as the creature drew the weapon away. Tears ran down Elyea’s face leaving clean tracks on her dirty cheeks.
The giant thrust the spear once more; Elyea dodged but the point continued past her ear and brushed Ghaul’s cheek—Khirro heard the sizzle of hot metal on flesh. Ghaul’s head jerked up; he yelped with pain and twisted away, his weight shifting enough to tumble them on their sides. Elyea struggled against the rope and freed one hand—she must have been working the knot while she feigned unconsciousness. The giant grunted a curse and slammed his spear to the ground in disgust.
As Ghaul writhed on the ground beside her struggling to loose himself, Elyea freed her other hand. The giant reached for her but she avoided his clutch. The huge man ignored her as she scrambled away, concerning himself with the most dangerous threat first. He sat Ghaul up like a child playing with a doll and hit him open-handed across the face, knocking him unconscious. Khirro tensed. This was the time to act, but he did nothing as the giant closed the distance to Elyea in two strides, wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her from the ground. The creature laughed as he brought her back to his seat by the fire. He pulled her face close to his, his tongue snaking from his mouth and up Elyea’s cheek. She cringed, struggling to pull away, her face screwed up in disgust.
From above, a shriek rang through the night—Shyn had waited long enough. The gray bird swooped from the dark, talons raking the giant’s head. The creature bellowed, swung its free arm wildly, but Shyn avoided the blow. Athryn jumped to his feet and pulled his sword. Khirro didn’t take the time to consider his options, leaping up alongside the magician, thankful his limbs did as he asked. He drew the Mourning Sword, vaguely noticing the blade looked blacker, the red runes glowing fiercely in the firelight.
Shyn swooped again as Elyea fought the giant’s grip, but there was no element of surprise this time. His fist looped at Shyn; the falcon dodged, but the blow caught him mid-wing, spinning him away. In the moment of distraction, Athryn rushed the giant, sword raised to strike.
The giant saw him at the last second and brought his arm down to block the sweep of Athryn’s sword; his blade separated the giant’s meaty finger from his hand. The monster howled in pain and rage, nearly deafening them, but reacted immediately catching Athryn’s