Chapter 14
An Ivory Banner
Davien was not dead, though he was in a great deal of pain … or would be in a great deal of pain if not for the Grayscape. He was intrigued to no end by the red glow that permeated the essence of this particular giant in the Grayscape. Although Davien was new to this experience, he knew without a doubt that this was abnormal.
What also fascinated him was his ability to influence this giant, as he had earlier attempted to convince it to let him go. He had settled on simply convincing it to give in to its covetous nature and take him without consent from the other giants. What Davien saw in the Grayscape was a tremendous horde of treasures, presumably taken from the former inhabitants of the dreary city they had just left and were unlikely to ever be reunited with their rightful owners.
As with the giant, something was odd in the giant’s cave treasury. Perhaps eight, large barrels seemed to radiate an intense glow of their own, or they were containing such a glow. Davien did not know and would not have been in a position to open them but none-the-less he was attracted to the light the barrels exuded.
Near the barrels was a pair of chests, the size of which might contain small coins and other easily carried items. Around the back of the cave there were numerous casks of wine, wheels of cheese and aging bread.
Towards the entrance, and only visible from further inside the cave, something else drew Davien’s attention. A tall banner, unfurled, displayed a shield with a mountain and a hammer. It too radiated a faint glow, though not red as the giant but an ivory-cream like the barrels.
Davien’s body was a ragdoll under motion only through the power of the giant in whose hands he was held. Thankfully the compulsion to not further harm Davien was heeded and eventually he was laid on a reasonably comfortable pile of soiled giant clothes. The giant, meanwhile, began to empty out one of the large barrels. At first the barrel appeared to contain only sand and then Davien saw what produced the ivory-cream glow.
Out of the barrel rolled two finely crafted helmets, emblazoned with the same symbol as the banner. A shield, with a mountain and a hammer. Surely a makers mark, or symbol of authority or status, thought Davien. Copious amounts of sand poured out before Davien saw another object. A pair of gleaming metal tunics, followed by greaves and gauntlets. All appeared to be emblazoned with the same markings.
The giant paused a moment before gathering one of each item carefully into his right hand. He looked, repeatedly, from his hand to the ground where Davien lay, as though he at least half expected to drop the seemingly precious armor. With his enormous, pustule covered tongue partially out between his scar covered lips, Davien thought he looked as dumb as he sounded.
When the giant reached Davien, he bent down low at first, then rocked backwards with a violent crash, his right hand extended well above his head. Landing on his buttocks, he laughed a little laugh and gently set the armor beside Davien. Whistling the giant giggled and began to undress the ‘corpse’ that lay before him.
Before Rip had even removed a single shoe he heard a trumpet in the distance. The trap that had been sprung earlier must have amounted to something special if they were using the trumpet. Something special, thought Rip, is exactly what was needed.