005 - Giants by the Sea

There was a moment of stunned silence in the Seamaidens. Harkness leapt to his feet. The little blue frocked trumpeter took a breath and continued; "Lord Tygis requests that all giants not on patrol or part of the city guard report to the docks." He gave a final blast from his trumpet and strode out of the bar.

"Attack? We're finally going to attack?" A giant murmured, his voice carrying around the whole tavern. Harkness was the first to react, dashing out of the giant rear doorway - the remaining giants roared, "Attack!" jumping up they rushed after him, a stampede of massive feet shaking the whole street.

Rolf and Magnus trembled with excitement. Festus had said that the war was ending soon - this must be it! The lord must've planned this out! Outside it seemed that every giant in Kloster was on the move. The ground shook again as several giants run down the city streets, Magnus and Rolf chased after. The town was alive with chatter and cheers and townsfolk thronged between and under massive legs, all pressing forward.

The docks of Kloster were two long piers along a stony waterfront, several derelict warehouses facing outwards. Five years ago Kloster had a thriving port, a fishing fleet numbering in the dozens, and trade vessels coming in from all parts of the Iron Coast. This was the first thing that had been targeted, all boats and ships had been ravaged, every seaworthy vessel near Kloster ripped apart.

A square formation of giants made space in the centre of the dock wharf, keeping the chattering giants and people at bay. Within the space stood a tall man in a black iron armour. At his signal a trumpet blast sounded, silencing the crowd. "People of Kloster, we have endured long these constant invasions of our home. No more!" An enormous cheer rose from the crowd.

"Is that Tygis?" Magnus whispered.

"Of course! Who'd you think it was?" Rolf replied.

The armoured man continued; "Our struggle has borne fruit! We are at the verge of victory! We need only one final push and the black skinned beasts will be no more!" Another cheer, Magnus and Rolf covered their ears with both hands. "All giants are to, at my request, partake in the construction of a fleet capable of carrying our fighting force across the straights. All town residents must support this action. As soon as the fleet is ready and the weather good we will attack!" Lord Tygis raised a fist into the air, cheers erupted once more, the entire town went into a frenzy.

All the townsfolk frustrations and anger was given lease, at the instructions of several blue frocked men squads of giants felled trees and dragged them to the docks, the sound of hammers on wood carried through the night. At the end of the first day there were already several massive barges taking shape, it seemed as if there was no limit to the peoples stamina. A certain joy and bloodlust took form in the songs and conversations, every giant boasted in anticipation of how many black skins would fall at their hands.

Magnus was right there - he'd been infected by that enthusiasm, working till the skin on his hands ruptured, stitching sails and cording thick braids of rope - anything he could do to help. Rolf ran supplies, a hundred or more people with him, delivering food and goods from every part of Kloster. The whole town turned its focus on the construction of sea worthy vessels for giants - for the attack.

There were still a good few days before the boats would be ready, even at full tilt construction could only go so fast. On the sixth day Magnus met Rolf by the gates - this was it. The last chance. They retrieved the cart and gathered the others chosen for the Alchemist and set off. Once the Alchemist worked his magic they'd be able to stand shoulder to shoulder.

Magnus drove the cart, the entire journey a blur and his mind abuzz with the excited chatter of all in the cart. Apart from Rolf and himself there were a dozen youths, he recognized them as mostly rank threes, seems like they'd lucked out too. The village gates were wide open, Magnus halted the cart and for the first time entered through.