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"Yes, yes." Ragnar said impatiently. "I was there myself. What of this Giant."
"I will get to him shortly." Talberth said with a small touch of annoyance in his voice. "If I am not interrupted. Now then, hrummph..." he cleared his throat. "The giants have increased their presence inside of Geoff. They had been spread fairly thin, but most of those from Sterich survived and..."
"They should call the fight in Sterich, The Great Goblin Hunt. It seems like that's all we did during the last few weeks..." Ragnar trailed off under the stern gaze of Talberth.
"Most of those giants survived and have come to Geoff," Talberth continued, "and more have come from the clans farther back in the hills and the mountains. So, now, instead of just roving patrols of goblins and their like, we are seeing larger monsters and even giants themselves. This has made my tasks much more difficult."
"Just what are your tasks?" Ragnar asked with a deep curiosity.
"None of your business!" Talberth replied. "Well, none of your business for the most part." he relented. "Getting into and out of the duchy, and killing a particular giant who is a large part of my problems are your concern. The giants had grown complacent before Sterich. Now Sterich and Hochoch are the bees' nests that we have disturbed and they are flitting around the duchy like mad. But one giant in particular is stirring things up along the border here. Hreidmar, a hill giant clan leader, fresh from the mountains."
"You want him dead?" Ted spoke for the first time.
"Exactly." Talberth nodded toward Ragnar. "With his help and your compatriots in the duchy it should be well within your abilities. This Hreidmar, he leads his fellows from the front. Takes out patrols himself and has helped prod these overgrown potato sacks of giants into action. I have just received word that he has left Midwood and is leading a patrol to sweep the border around us."
"Why not send knights and soldiers?" interjected Emiel hopefully.
"Because any show of force and he will simply retreat back to Midwood or summon reinforcements. The time is not right for such a confrontation. Besides, the giants have surprisingly up to date and accurate information regarding our forces, when and where and whatnot. No, this task is better accomplished by you and your people with Ragnar's assistance." Talberth said looking from Ted to Emiel.
Ted looked dubious at the suggestion. Ragnar would seem as no more than a child in comparison with the smallest of these giants.
"I have helped slay giants before." Ragnar said quietly in answer to Ted's wordless question.
"I would not have you undertake this mission if I did not believe that you could accomplish it." said Talberth. "But be that as it may, though you have been kept in the dark regarding this, you have each agreed to serve me, and the duke, and your own interests." he gave a piercing look toward Emiel.
"Indeed wizard, I have no qualms, but a larger force will be needed, unless we can get this Hreidmar away from his followers." Ragnar said.
"Emiel will see to that. He will provide a small but hardy group of partisans. They have become skilled in ambush and stealth, but they need a warrior of some skill himself to face and kill Hreidmar." The wizard opened a drawer set in the table and withdrew a squared and folded map. It had seen much service but was clearly marked and finely drawn.
"This.." said Talberth pointing to the symbol of a small house, recently redrawn with a spire and a thick circle around it. "This is Hochoch. To the west is Midwood, between them, though nearer to us, is the Oyt River. Hreidmar, from what my sources tell me, plans to cross the Oyt and come as close to Hochoch as possible, hoping no doubt to descend upon a patrol of our own. And there are outposts being built along the river which he might raid. It's a bold and dangerous move. I know of only three reliable crossings of the Oyt along our border. They are all watched, but the giants have a means of crossing when and where they will, and we know not how they do so."
"Emiel, finding out how they do this is of prime importance." the wizard said seriously. "As much as I would like to stop Hreidmar on the western side of the Oyt, that will not be our plan. You will leave today, I said time was short, and cross the Oyt. Word has already been sent and you will be met at a safe location within the giant-held lands. From there you can contact your people, Emiel, and make plans to waylay Hreidmar and his band as they return from across the Oyt. There is a slim chance that the giant will be stopped this side of the river, but no warning is being sent to our patrols. Any word given would pass directly to the giants. As I said they have very good sources of information."
"What about us?" asked Emiel "Won't they know about us?"
"I honestly don't know. Every precaution has been taken, which is why you have sworn service to me and not the Duke. Can you trust your own people Emiel? I have told no one, and besides the four of us.." the wizard said discounting Belsimioth who sat quietly by the door "...no one knows of these plans."
"My people would not betray me" Emiel said firmly.
"Good, I have prepared gear for you and a meal. You have time to eat and drink with some leisure and check your gear before you depart. Any questions?" asked the wizard.
"Where's the food?" said Ragnar with enthusiasm. "I'm starving."
* * *
(To Be Continued)