Corin walked up to the ten solitary wagons that had been set apart. At the end of the line, Corin could see his wife standing outside a wagon that seemed exactly like all the other ones.

  As he walked up to her Livia turned to greet her husband. Corin had not seen or spoken to her since the previous night. He was not sure what her temperament was.

  “Hey there handsome.” She warmly greeted Corin as she leaned in and planted a kiss on him. Once done she immediately turned to the wagon.

  I guess she is not angry.

  “That will have to do Simeon.” Livia shouted towards the wagon.

  From inside the wagon, Simeon appeared.

  He eyed Corin.

  “Well there he is. I take it you had a good night of rest?” Simeon asked Corin with a wide grin.

  Corin had been unable to fall asleep throughout the entire night. His thoughts swirled with the countless ways in which their plan could go wrong.

  Corin looked at Livia and Simeon and could see that even though he had poor sleep, they had not stopped since he last saw them.

  “As good as I could get.” Corin responded.

  “Well good, because you'll need to pay attention now.” Simeon began.

  Corin stood attentively waiting to hear what Simeon would say.

  “Not there you. Come in!” Simeon told Corin.

  Once in the wagon Simeon walked Corin through the various mechanisms that the trap would use. As Simeon explained each of the components he asked Corin to repeat them back to him at least three times, to ensure that Corin remembered exactly what each of them accomplished. He also showed Corin where he had placed spare parts in case something broke and finally showed Corin how to arm the trap.

  “Now you see this string here?” Simeon asked as he grabbed a string tied to the door that led into the wagon.

  “Yes.” Corin replied as he eyed it.

  “Once the wagon is set, and once it won't be touched anymore, you need to grab this string and attach it here.” Simeon stated as he pointed to a small hook that hung from the center of the wagon.

  Corin went to touch the hook and Simeon quickly slapped his hand away.

  “Boy you'll kill us all!” Simeon quickly shouted at Corin.

  “Sorry, sorry!” Corin said as he rubbed his hand.

  “Do not touch this hook!” Simeon stated. “Only arm the trap once the wagon has come to a complete stop!”

  Corin nodded.

  “Repeat it!” Simeon ordered Corin.

  “I will not touch the hook until the wagon has come to a complete halt. I will not touch the hook until the wagon has come to a complete halt. I will not touch the hook until the wagon has come to a complete halt.” Corin repeated three times for Simeon.

  Simeon nodded. “Good good.” He said as he looked around.

  “So what exactly will happen when it goes off?” Corin asked.

  “Oh it is set to be quite a glorious explosion.” Simeon stated. “It will be heard for miles. There is no furtive alive that would survive the immediate impact.”

  “Well maybe Baltro won't be too busy afterwards.” Corin replied.

  “I hate to say it, but you'll be lucky to get one of them with this trap. You will need to be prepared for what is to come, do you understand?” Simeon asked.

  “I know, I know.” Corin said, trying to brush off Simeon.

  “Corin, part of the reason I agreed with your suggestion is because I have seen first-hand how well you wield that blade. You really have learned a lot from your practice with Nanaua, and will do better than I could hope to if a fight were to break out. Not even Cyril was as adept as you are now.” Simeon said.

  Corin was taken aback.

  “Thanks Simeon, I-” Corin began.

  “But if a fight does break out, you must run. You may be skilled but the situation does not favor you.” Simeon said.

  “I understand.” Corin said.

  “Now go, there is one last thing I need to do.” Simeon said. “I may be done giving you a piece of my mind, but now it's Livia's turn.”

  Corin understood. He went outside where he found his wife leaning against the wagon, teetering between the edge of wakefulness and sleep.

  “Livia.” Corin said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

  She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him.

  “There he is! My husband who keeps throwing himself in the middle of suicide missions!” Livia said. “Am I really that bad of a wife?”

  Corin laughed uneasily at Livia's joke. He could tell that despite the joke she was not very pleased.

  “Livia, I'm sorry. I know how it seems, but-” Corin began.

  “It's fine. I spoke to Simeon and he calmed me down during the night. That's why I didn't smother you in your sleep.” She added with a sly grin.

  “I'm sorry Livia, but this plan, I think it really is our best chance.” Corin said.

  “You think I don't know that?” Livia said. “You think that if you came up with some idea that would end up with all of us dead I wouldn't say anything?”

  “Well, no.” Corin replied. “I know that you would say something.”

  “That's right, that's how you're still alive, I mean do you remember Dendru?” Livia asked with a smirk.

  “Yes I remember Dendru.” Corin said under his breath.

  You only bring mention that incident, along with the one with Palaza all the time.

  “And who could forget Palaza?” Livia said.

  “Yes I remember that too.” Corin said.

  Livia elbowed Corin playfully and grabbed her husband's hand. She looked deep into his eyes.

  “But the reason why I'm calm is not only because Simeon spoke to me, but because I trust you.” Livia said. “I know you better than you do, and if I'm sure of something, it's that I'll be seeing you soon, with no murderous hunters just one step behind us.”

  Livia leaned in and kissed her husband. The two warmly embraced each other.

  “We will begin our departure shortly.” Ciba announced loudly in the middle of camp.

  The couple held onto each other for one more moment, then Livia let go.

  “Go on then. Show them how furtives from Trinixo fight best.” Livia said.

  “And how is that?” Corin asked as he looked at his wife.

  “Dirty.” She said as she winked at him.

  ***

  Corin could not help himself. As they neared the point at which they would leave the trap laden wagon, Corin kept staring at the odd formation in the distance.

  “This Giant will not mind us leaving a wagon in its territory?” Nanaua asked as she too continually looked eastward towards the same rolling hills.

  They were now as close as they would get to the Giant.

  “If Baltro had any feeling towards us besides disinterest we would not be having this conversation.” Ciba replied calmly.

  Around him Corin could only see a very distinct landscape to that which he had seen in the rest of the forest. Various trees lay on their side, some uprooted, others as if a large hammer hit them over the side, and some trees were split in half. It was through this landscape of destruction that Corin could see the jagged hills that seemed to lie strangely in the distance. If Corin had not known any better he would have noticed their peculiarity in this strange environment, but nothing more. But he did know better. The hills he looked upon were the Giant Baltro, who slumbered as the furtives traversed the destroyed terrain it left behind.

  “Do you think this would deter the Zifors?” Corin asked Nanaua. “Do you think Throk will desist in his search?”

  “Whether he senses danger or not, Throk will not relent in his pursuit.” Nanaua replied. “He knows he is close to the Onsiel. If he stops now, he knows that he will lose his only chance to be the one who personally brings the Onsiel back to Tonatiuh. This is his only opportunity to cleanse his tarnished reputation.”

  “We shall stop here.” Ciba said.

  The caravans slowly came to a halt. Now was the time.

  “Corin.” Ciba spoke to Corin. There was nothing else that he needed to say.

  Geta, who was driving the wagon that Simeon had rigged, only walked away while Corin approached it. Nanua looked at Corin and nodded to him. He nodded back. Corin waited by the rigged wagon as the decoy caravan continued on. Once they were well out of eyesight Corin finally prepared himself to go into the wagon.

  Once inside the wagon he looked over the entire contraption that Simeon had rigged. He looked at every connecting part, the small levers that were being held up by flimsy struts, the various pieces of thread that connected the levers, all the way to the firing mechanism.

  He repeated every single portion of the device three times in his head, and looked over it, making sure it was where it ought to be.

  Fuse. Fuse. Fuse. Arming lever. Arming lever. Arming lever. Dragon powder stores. Dragon powder stores. Dragon powder stores.

  Corin inspected it and saw it exactly as Simeon had presented it to him earlier in the day.

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Only one thing to do now.

  Corin grabbed the piece of thread that hung near the door. He slowly guided it to the hook that connected to the arming lever. Gently he looped it around the hook and let it fall. The thread now hung in the air.

  This is the most important part.

  Corin had to leave the wagon without setting off the trap. There was not a lot of leeway given to the string when opening the wagon, so Corin had to make sure not to open the door more than he already had. Slowly he snaked his way out of the interior of the wagon. He moved so slow that it seemed as if he had just stopped moving completely. But slowly he made his way out of the wagon, and with the same care that he had taken to get out of the wagon, he then got off of it.

  Upon setting his foot on the ground, it touched a muddy part of the ground, and Corin soon saw himself falling backwards.

  His back hit the ground hard, and all the air he had been holding in came out in a violent exhalation. Corin panicked as he looked at the wagon, but nothing happened.

  “Phew.” Corin breathed a sigh of relief. Still on his back and on the ground he moved away from the wagon before getting up. Once he did he began to run towards the rest of the decoy caravan, with a feeling of caked mud on his back.

  As he ran Corin looked eastward, toward the slumbering Giant. The warm rays of the late day sun bathed the hills. Soon it would be night. Soon the trap would be sprung.

  Soon the Giant would awaken.

  ***

  The group lay in wait in absolute silence. They did not want to attract any unwanted attention before the trap went off.

  In the distance a bright light shone for the briefest of instances. If you had blinked you might have missed it. The forest once again became dark, only lit by the moonlight.

  “Was that it? Did the trap work?” Nanaua asked as she looked around.

  Corin too looked around, unsure of whether or not the trap had been activated.

  “I don't know, I-” Ciba began replying but he did not need to finish.

  The first thing they heard was the loud boom of the explosion that had been set off.

  “Simeon really did it…” Corin whispered.

  The ground began to shake. Then they heard the loud, angry, thundering growl. Under the moonlight Corin could see the hill in the far distance begin to stir. No longer was it an out of place mountain in the middle of the forest but a large towering figure that continued to grow in size as it righted itself up.

  It took several moments for the Giant to fully stand, but once it did the imposing figure could be seen for leagues at a distance.

  “By Jokasta…” Corin whispered.

  “I have never seen such a large creature.” Nanaua uttered.

  The Giant had a humanoid figure, but exact details about it were hard to determine with only the moonlight shining down upon it.

  The Giant raised both arms above its head and brought them down with great fury on the spot where the wagon had been.

  “We need to leave now!” Ciba shouted.

  Corin did not hesitate to follow the order. Despite their distance to the Giant they did not want to wait around any longer. They all began their mad dash away from the rampaging Giant.

  Corin took one step on solid ground, and before his next step hit the ground the ground began to shake. It did so with such intensity that it threw him onto his back.

  “What power!” Nanaua cried out as she too struggled.

  Laying flat on his back Corin struggled to look up. The ground shook so violently that his head could not stop rattling and his vision could not focus.

  Corin could see the trees around him shake violently. The one right next to him snapped in the center. He saw where it was about to land, right on top of him.

  He did all he could to push himself up and jump out of the way.

  CRASH!

  The tree exploded upon hitting the ground and the fragment hit Corin on his legs.

  “Argh!” Corin shouted.

  “Corin!” Nanaua shouted back at him.

  “Corin, are you hurt?” She shouted again.

  “I'm safe.” Corin shouted back. He struggled to get back up.

  Something grabbed him from the nape of his neck and righted him up.

  He looked up and saw Nanaua staring at him.

  “I told Livia I would bring you back alive!” Nanaua shouted. “Don't make a liar out of me!”

  Corin nodded and continued running. He could see light ahead of him. It was Ciba with the lone piece of light fruit they had brought with them.

  “We need to hurry and reach the forest elves!” Nanaua shouted.

  AAARGGHH!

  Another loud shout and the ground shook again. This time Nanaua held onto Corin and the two of them were able to stand.

  “Thanks!” Corin said once the shaking lessened.

  The two continued running toward the light.

  They reached Ciba who was moving towards the rest of the decoy caravan.

  “In all the centuries of Baltro's reign over this domain have never seen such anger from the Giant!” Ciba said.

  The trio continued at a fast pace towards the rest of the decoy caravan. The landscape shifted with every step they took, the trees shattering and falling all around them.

  “Ciba, is it possible” Corin began as another quake shook the ground interrupting him, he regained his balance “is it possible to get any information from the trees near the explosion?” Corin finished asking.

  “RAAARRRGH!”

  Baltro screamed once more and another strong quake followed.

  “No,” Ciba yelled out. “The trees! They are under too much duress! They cannot speak!”

  “Was there anything you saw before they set off the trap?” Corin shouted.

  “Very little!” Ciba yelled “This place is too damaged for good communication. The last time we saw them eight of them headed towards the decoy.” Ciba replied.

  “Eight?!” Corin replied confused.

  “We are not alone.” Nanaua shouted. She held onto her pike with both her hands.

  “What?” Corin asked now. No longer being held up by Nanaua and struggling to stand on his own two feet.

  A sickening sound came as a blade pierced Ciba straight through.

  “Ugh, what-” Ciba groaned as he was lifted high.

  Below his raised body stood a hooded figure. One that brought one word to Corin’s mind. Kishtro.

  The hooded figure threw aside Ciba’s body. It faced both Corin and Nanaua now.

  “Ciba!” Corin yelled as he ran but he was held back. Nanaua gripped Corin tightly by his arm.

  “Using a Giant against your brethren? That is not something you could have conceived of yourself Nanaua.” The voice under the hood spoke. “Was it this small furtive who came up with the idea?” The figure pointed its blade straight at Corin.

  “Noro.” Nanaua replied.

  The ground continued shaking under them. Corin struggled to stay on his feet.

  “I would have never thought you would stoop to something so cowardly.” Noro spoke to Nanaua while still pointing her blade at Corin.

  “Cowardly? You just murdered this furtive in cold blood. These forest elves have no means of defending themselves yet you strike from the shadows?” Nanaua replied.

  Noro did not say anything.

  “If you think I am a coward then why not test your blade against mine?” Nanaua said as she held her weapon.

  AAARGH!!!

  Another strong quake ensued.

  It was too much for Corin and he began to lose his footing. He looked down to try and stabilize himself.

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement.

  It was Noro. Despite the shaking of the ground Noro moved through the chaos with deft precision. Within five steps her blade was close enough that Corin could see the strange markings on it.

  Corin initially thought that Noro was to attack Nanaua, but Noro moved past Nanaua, her blade now raised in the air was aimed right at Corin.

  Corin reached for his blade, but he knew that he would not be quick enough. As he pulled it out, Noro’s blade was almost at his head.

  “AAARGH!” Nanaua yelled as she threw herself at Noro.

  Noro’s blade missed Corin's head by the slightest of margins. Had Nanaua even been half a second slower Corin would have been dead.

  Nanaua and Noro struggled on the ground. Corin had a hard time seeing what was occurring due to the poor lighting and the constant shaking around him. The only light source nearby was the dropped light fruit that Ciba had been carrying.

  All he could see was that Nanaua was on top of Noro. She no longer had her pike in her hands, but that did not deter her from attacking. She was pummeling down on Noro who was doing everything she could to cover her head from Nanaua's angry fists.

  Corin looked around and saw Nanaua's pike. It was far from where Nanaua and Noror were currently fighting. He grabbed it. The weight of the pike was immense. The weapon that Nanaua regularly wielded with one hand was a struggle for Corin to hold properly with both of his hands. He also could feel the unnatural essence that permeated it. The gift from the cursed dragon.

  “Nanaua your weapon!” Corin shouted as he neared her.

  Before Corin could give her the weapon he saw a deft movement from Noro. On one hand a metallic sheen could be seen.

  “She has a blade!” Corin shouted.

  Nanaua saw it at the last moment. Noro meant to plunge it deep into Nanaua's chest, but Nanaua moved. The dagger dug itself deep into her side.

  “AAARGH!” Nanaua yelled in pain.

  Noro took no time, she pushed Nanaua off of her. Once she had enough separation she kicked her off of her and pulled the dagger out of Nanaua.

  As she got up Corin swung at her with Nanaua's pike. It was nowhere near the deadly attack that Nanaua could muster. Corin just did not have the strength to wield her pike. Noro effortlessly moved out of the oncoming swing and lunged at Corin with her dagger.

  As Noro lunged, Corin did something he had seen Nanaua do many times. He may not have the strength to wield the head of the pike, but the pole could still be a viable weapon. With the blunt end of the handle he hit the incoming Noro straight in the face.

  It was a solid hit. Noro recoiled. Before Noro could attack again Corin dropped the pike and picked up his blade.

  As Noro regained her balance Corin went on the attack. He had to. He thrust at her. Within inches of her body Noro was able to redirect Corin's attack, but his blade still drew blood. He pierced her upper arm. Noro yelled in pain. But now was her chance and Corin knew it.

  He began to back away, to prepare for another attack. Noro was not going to give him the opportunity. As he backed away she swung her dagger straight at his neck. Corin parried the attack. When her strike connected a flare of pain shot down Corin's arms.

  Not as strong as Nanaua but still so much stronger than I.

  “You are feisty, my tiny friend.” Noro said to Corin. He could see her features now. Her resemblance to Nanaua was uncanny.

  Noro did not hesitate. She continued the onslaught. Corin could barely hold up.

  Noro swung down her blade with one arm at Corin who struggled to hold back the attack with both arms.

  “Tiny one you are weak!” She shouted at Corin and kicked him in the stomach.

  He was sent back, his blade flying out. The ground around him shook and he struggled to get up, but before he was able to make sense of what was happening he was being raised from the ground.

  He was face to face again with Noro. Her eyes showed something feral in them. She no longer had a blade in her hands.

  “I'm going to enjoy this!” She hissed at him.

  Noro clenched her fist and made for Corin's face. He moved his head at the last second and pulled out his pistol. But as soon as Noro saw the glint of metal she knocked away the weapon. The next punch was aimed at Corin's torso. It connected and nearly doubled him over. As he struggled to catch his breath, Corin did what he could and balled up his fists. He swung at Noro and connected straight with her face. She recoiled from the strike and Corin hit her once again, this time punching her in her gut. He unleashed another flurry of strikes, each of them connecting with their target. But each subsequent hit seemed to affect Noro less and less.

  Corin swung once more but Noro grabbed his fist. The next punch that flew was from Noro and it connected with Corin’s face. The blow knocked him back but before he fell Noro grabbed him. She now gripped him by his throat. She effortlessly raised him off the ground with one hand.

  Corin felt the fist tighten around his neck.

  “So much fun small one!” Noro said as her mouth was covered in blood. “But the fun stops now!”

  BANG!

  Instantly the grip around Corin's neck loosened.

  In front of him, Noro fell to the ground. She groaned in pain as she squirmed on the ground.

  As she lay on the ground Nanaua walked over. She threw the pistol in Corin’s lap and raised Noro’s blade and plunged right into her foe's head.

  “Goodbye cousin.” Nanaua said.

  The Giant shouted once more and the ground shook.

  Corin put away his pistol and blade. He tried as best he could to reach Ciba. Once he reached him he looked into his face.

  “Ciba!” Corin yelled. “Please! Say something!”

  The lifeless forest elf’s eyes stared into the distance.

  Nanaua slowly came up to him.

  “We must hurry Corin.” Nanaua said.

  “But Ciba.” Corin weakly replied.

  “He is no longer with the living. Unless you want to join him we need to continue moving.” Nanaua said.

  “I’m sorry Ciba.” Corin weakly said as he got up holding onto the light fruit.

  Nanaua grabbed hold of Corin and the two of them made their way deep into the forest, to find the other forest elves.

  ***

  Corin and Nanaua followed the guidance they had received. How to reach the other members of the decoy caravan after the trap had been sprung.

  The rest of the caravan had headed south, to put as much distance between them and Baltro as possible. There they would wait for Ciba, Corin and Nanaua after the trap had been activated.

  As Corin and Nanaua set off the quakes continued. The duo struggled to stay on their own two feet as they both had significant injuries.

  Nanaua kept clutching at her side, where Noro had stabbed her.

  “Let me tend to your wounds.” Corin said.

  “No.” Nanaua groaned. “First the forest elves.”

  “But your wound, I need-“ Corin began but was interrupted.

  “You heard Ciba, did you not? There were only eight of the Zifors at the site of the trap. Who knows where the other three are? If any of them finds us, our death is certain! We need our allies!” Nanaua said.

  As soon as she finished she began coughing violently. She fell onto one leg and Corin went over to help her stand. She was heavy, far heavier than any other furtive Corin had ever tried to lift.

  “Fine, but if I can’t tend to your wounds now then I will help you get to the forest elves so that I may take care of them.” Corin said as he began the slow march with Nanaua.

  The two of them struggled for a long time to move even the slightest of distances. Many trees had fallen, the ground continued to shake and there was almost no light to see. It was long and grueling, but they found the other forest elves.

  Geta greeted them.

  As soon as Corin saw Geta he collapsed. He was beyond exhausted from having helped Nanaua walk all this way.

  “Ciba he’s-“ Corin began with what little breath he could muster.

  “We know.” Geta replied.

  He had the same cold tone that Ciba would speak in. Geta helped both of them get up.

  “Come, you will ride in a wagon.” Geta urged Corin and Nanaua as he led them into his wagon.

  The duo entered the wagon, and it began to move.

  Once inside Corin tended to Nanaua’s wound. She had stuffed the gaping wound with a piece of her clothing to stem the bleeding. But at this point she had lost a significant amount of blood and she seemed to be on the verge of losing consciousness.

  “This is all my fault.” Corin said as he looked at the wound.

  He felt defeated. Even with his plan executing as close to perfection as possible Ciba had died, Corin had been wounded, and Nanaua was at death’s door. She wouldn’t have been in this state had she not saved his life twice.

  “Corin.” Nanaua weakly said.

  “What?” He replied with a lump in his throat.

  “Tend to my wounds first.” Nanaua weakly began. “Feel sorry later.”

  “Yes. Of course.” He said as wiped his grimey face.

  Corin did just as instructed. He grabbed the medicine kit that Livia had prepared for him and cleared his mind of any other concerns. His main focus was tending to Nanaua.

  He took off the bloody rag she had put in her wounds.

  “Ach” Nanaua whimpered.

  “This is not going to feel good.” Corin said.

  He poured a salve on Nanaua’s wound.

  “Aaargh!” Nanaua yelled louder this time.

  That is better than no reaction.

  Corin continued cleaning the wound and taking out any debris inside of it. Nanaua kept grunting throughout Corin’s treatment. Once Corin cleaned out the wound he grabbed a needle and a piece of thread. He did his best at closing the wound, but it was a poor job compared to what Livia could do. If only he had been more careful.

  She’s not here, and Nanaua needs you now!

  Corin finished taking care of the wound and put a fresh bandage on it.

  “Is it done?” Nanaua asked.

  “Yes.” his reply.

  “Thank you.” She said.

  “I did nothing worth thanking.” He shot back.

  “You feel bad because of Ciba,” she began and then coughed. “Just think if we had to fight five other opponents as strong as Noro at once. We would have all shared his fate.”

  “But Ciba he trusted in my plan and he died.” he replied.

  “The elf was no fool.” She began. “He knew what the risk was yet he agreed to help, you would do well to remember that.” Nanaua added weakly. “Honor his sacrifice.”

  Corin hung his head. He understood what Nanaua was trying to say, but the words did not reach him.

  “Do not feel shame, you fought valiantly against a foe far stronger than you.” She stated.

  “Bur Nanaua, I feel like-” he began to vent.

  “Corin, I want you to know that I am proud to fight by your side. Now I must rest.” she replied and went quiet.

  It did not take long for Corin to hear the rhythmic breathing of sleep. As he sat in the wagon a small bump reminded him of his own injuries. He had been kicked in the stomach, punched in the face, nearly choked to the death and more. He touched his ribs to see if there was anything broken.

  “Ouch!” Corin yelped.

  There was a lot of pain but nothing seemed to be broken.

  Corin touched his face. The left side of his face felt swollen. He felt the inside of his mouth and discovered that one of his teeth had been partially chipped.

  I must seem like quite the looker.

  Corin drank a tonic that Livia had made him. A mix of herbs that was supposed to help injuries heal faster. Whether it was effective or not he didn't know, but a clear effect from the tonic was the drowsiness it instilled on its drinker.

  As Corin's eyes shut he could only think of one thing. Ciba's lifeless eyes.

  I'm sorry. I will be better in the future. I must be better.