Master of Chains - Jess Lebow [53]
Ryder thought about it for a moment. "Well, yes," he said nodding.
Giselle cocked her head to the side. "Really?"
Ryder realized his faux pas. "Though," he stammered, trying to cover for himself, "I suppose there are exceptions."
"Exceptions?" Giselle put her hands on her hips and looked him up and down.
Ryder shrugged. "Well, all I mean is, were I not so beaten up, I would have an advantage over you in a fight."
"If you think so," said Giselle, smiling, "then perhaps you should prove it."
Nazeem chuckled. "I believe you have just been challenged, my friend."
Ryder blushed. "I… I didn't-"
"Don't worry." Giselle nodded and touched his arm. "I'll wait until you are fully healed before I beat you again." She added her laughter to Nazeem's.
Ryder just shrugged, not knowing any other way to pull his foot out of his mouth.
"The dwarves have always had a particular hatred for the giants. But despite your lack of tact, your point does have relevance here," continued Giselle as they walked into the bustling open courtyard behind the wall. The brown-robed Broken Spear busied themselves with many different tasks. Fires were being lit. Wounded were being tended to. And on the walls above, sentries climbed atop huge stone blocks that gave them a view of the path and the plains beyond.
"You see," continued Giselle, "the giants were involved in another battle when the dwarves arrived at Fairhaven. They had already taken many casualties, and were not prepared to take on two foes at once. They fought until they realized all was lost, then they fled to the Underdark."
"The Underdark? I thought only the drow dwelt there," said Ryder.
Giselle shook her head. "There are many creatures who make their home below the surface of the world. The giants founded a new village there. It's called Cairnheim. It is said that there are passages to it scattered all over the Giant's Run Mountains." Giselle stopped walking when they reached the base of the tower.
There was a long pause, then Giselle clapped her hands. "And that concludes our history lesson for today. Please forgive me if I prattle on. I get excited about the past. Anyway," she stepped past the two men, "I'm sure you are both very tired." She looked up into the sky. "It will be getting dark soon. Find yourself a place to rest. There will be a feast tonight, to celebrate the great haul we made." She looked at them both. "And to welcome our new friends. Until then, be at ease. I have much work to do, but I will make sure to have a healer come take a look at your wounds."
With that, Giselle turned and walked away into the busy center of the courtyard. Ryder watched her go.
"I think she likes you, my friend," said Nazeem.
Ryder felt his heart race. "What?" He shook his head. "I didn't get that impression at all." The thought of this powerful woman being attracted to him did sort of excite him. He might have let himself enjoy it a bit more if it weren't for the guilt he felt over Samira.
"You know," replied Nazeem, "for a man with two good eyes, you see very little."
Ryder shook his head at the smiling Chultan. "I see what I choose to see."
"My point exactly."
As Giselle disappeared into the crowd, Ryder turned away and headed for a pile of straw under a canvas lean-to. He lay down on it, letting his aching body rest for the first time in what seemed like his entire life.
"Doesn't matter what she thinks anyway," he said as he settled in. "We'll be leaving soon."
* * * * *
That night there was a terrific feast and celebration. The tales of the battle grew longer. The foes they fought grew larger, and the heroic deeds grew more frequent. Ryder sat near the fire speaking with Nazeem, eating fresh meat off the bone.
A portly man wearing a leather apron with several huge stone mugs hanging from his belt approached them. He staggered when he walked, and his cheeks were a bright red. Under his left arm he carried a sloshing bucket full of a greenish liquid.
"Krogynth, gentlemen?" asked the overly jolly man.
Nazeem was on