^^ D'awwww ^^

--- Dimitri ---

"Shiny..."

"If you wake me up like this ever again, Gruner, I will get you a Copper Muzzle." I turned my head and glared at him, making him release my earring.

He blinked slowly, and then bopped my nose playfully, leaping away and crouching.

I sighed and chuckled, amused despite myself, then pet his spine. He purred, then darted off after an insect that had flown in, eating it in a snap.

'Oh... so he is an Omnivore. Good to know...'

I started to fall back to sleep, and a mug of coffee was shoved under my nose.

I grinned and patted Davila's hand, then went to sip the coffee, only for Gruner's head to pop out of the dark liquid, and him to grin. "Warm..." he purred.

I blinked slowly, and then picked him up by the spines, and set him on a rag to dry off. "You're adorable, but stay out of my coffee... that's gross." I emptied it out the window, and shivered.

Davila refilled my cup. "Sorry, he's just too adorable to say no to." She snickered.

I shook my head, sighing, and then drank my coffee. Suddenly, as I was storing my mug, I blinked, a thought occurring. "This morning I asked you to sort all of the Shiny things, Gruner, are you done?" I asked Gruner.

He nodded swiftly. "Our hoard consists of 2,167 Silver Continental Coins, weighing 2oz each, with a purity of 87%, as well as 120 Golden Continental Coins, weighing 10oz, and a purity of 82%, and a Guild-Set value of 1000 Silver Continental Coins."

He hopped on top of my Safe, and continued. "Then, you have stashed 10 Golden Aurum Council Coins, weighing 54oz, and with a purity of 98%, with an estimated value of 50 Golden Continental Coins. Next, 100 Silver Aurum Council Coins, weighing 18oz, and with a purity of 98%, with an estimated value of 100 Silver Aurum Council Coins, and therefore 5,000 Golden Continental Coins."

"Wow, Gruner, that's amazing-"

He grinned, leaping onto my bottle-rack, where I'd hidden my diamonds in an fake bottle of liquor, that only held water, and puffed out his chest, continuing happily.

"Lastly, you have hoarded 11 uncut diamonds, (with the 12th being mine, forever and ever and ever, cause you gave it to me, and it's MINE now,) each having an estimated weight of 6oz, and with an estimated value in the Thousands of Gold each, even with an unknown purity, though the current exchange rates mean they would accrue more wealth for you, were you to have them cut and set into expensive jewelry, and sold to a King or Wealthy Merchant."

I blinked at him as he rattled off knowledge of the entire financial system of the Continent, and grinned. "Very well done, Gruner!!!" I tossed him another diamond. "For your hard work, I appreciate it, little one."

He hissed gently and hid in the safe, staring at his new possession, the water making the facets flash in the light.

I looked at Davila, who was in the driver's seat, and staring at him. "I want him to be my accountant." I chuckled.

She grinned. "Thank the gods, I thought I'd get stuck with that."

Demos stretched slowly. "Nah, you get to make glass, from the sand I make. Sweet deal, really. I've always wanted to travel, and now I get to, as a Geomancer in a Caravan... even if it's just one carriage for now."

"A flying carriage." I corrected.

"Yes, flying carriage. That part is still amazing to me..." he grinned and looked out the window, down at the tree-tops.

--- Two Days Earlier ---

"Shiny... Shiny Can Has?"

"Gruner... let me sleep... I'll give you some Shiny when I'm awake..."

"Promise?"

"Yes, Gruner, promise... now go to sleep, until dawn."

"Dawn. Got it." He curled up, purring, on my skull.

'Sigh... whatever... feels kinda good, actually. Natural massager. Should put him on my shoulders-zzz.'

---

"Dimitri. Your dragon is eating my crystals, and I'm... I'm going to be honest, and say I'm too much of a coward to stop him. I don't think he's vegetarian." Demos poked me.

I groaned and sat up. "Gruner... why are you eating Crystals?"

"Magic. Smells of magic. Shiny magic... Very Shiny." He mumbled, mouth full of lavender-colored crystals.

"And are you going to pay Demos for his Crystals? Or steal them? Remember that talk we had about stealing?" I asked.

"... not my diamond, no?" He asked warily, spitting out the Crystal.

"No, not quite, but it will be gold. Remember I promised to give you a Shiny if you let me sleep? Give him the gold. One gold." I said simply.

He grumbled, and hissed at Demos, then cheekily kicked a gold coin at his feet, flaring his ears like a cobra would his neck, making Demos squeak in fear.

"He's vegetarian, Demos... mostly, and even if he isn't, he's the size of a kitten." Davila snorted.

He snorted. "He breathes fire. Anyway, the Chief is outside, with Oze, and Tamil." He let us know.

I nodded and opened the door, stepping out, then grinned. "Lovely Tamil, what is this? Wishing me well? We leave in a few hours."

She smiled. "I do wish you well, but this time I'm here with Arias as Security in the Forest."

I nodded. "Alright... Arias?"

"I'm also here to wish you well... and to give you these." He handed me two thick gold rings, with barbs on the inside, for catching and holding hair.

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a Warrior of the Canaanites..."

He shrugged. "It's not an Exclusive Practice. You earned them, with your two victories over me. One goes in your hair, the other in your-... oh, you already have earrings. Huh..." he blinked at the sight of my thick golden-copper hoops.

"Yes, I do. A mark of the Fell. Davila has them also... I could cut a second hole, though." I shrugged and went to cut my ear, for the holes, and he held up his hands.

"Okay... let's not. The rings don't have to go on your ears. You already have braids, just put them in those." He sighed.

I nodded and closed them around my main braids, next to my ears, and grinned. "I like them... thanks."

He nodded. "Now, I'm informed you plan to go to Kalægir first? And you're taking my Geomancer?"

I nodded. "I am. I wish to see the City my ancestors built with their hands, and see how it measures up to the Acropolis."

Oze grumbled, making himself known. "I've seen your city in your mind... and there's no doubt that Kalægir is more beautiful."

"Beauty isn't what I care about. Structural strength, defensibility, politics, mercantile involvement, economy... these are all parts of what makes a City great." I shook my head.

He chuckled. "Well, the Guild Originated in Kalægir, so they are quite prominent, there."

Arias looked past me, at Demos. "You're sure? You finally got back to a good place... traveling with a collection of Liquor..."

Demos smirked. "The Liquor that cured my alcoholism? I think I'm safer with it, to be honest."

Arias blinked slowly, then shrugged. "True enough... anyway, the Council wants me to send something to the King of Kalægir, because... politics, I guess."

I hummed in appreciation for their thoughts. "Demos will present it, after I present the Fell's offering. What would you send along with us?" I asked.

"A bunch of jewelry, as usual." He waved a hand dismissively.

"I see... Oze? What's the proper gift?" I asked.

"Well... you've never given any tribute before-"

"Not tribute. My Peoples do not pay Tribute. We give Gifts to friends. Our Country is as great or greater than all this Continent combined. We will extend courtesies and a friendly hand, but we will not grovel." I said sternly.

He huffed. "Your pride will be the death of you."

"A dragon will be the death of me, and I won't settle for anything else. But Pride won't play a factor. Now what's the proper Gifts, between Equals?" I asked.

He scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Perhaps... aha!!! A Rune-Stone Weapon!!! Those are treasured far beyond any jewels or gold." He nodded.

I grinned. "Easy enough..." I nodded again. "Alright, then get your offerings swiftly, Arias, I've got a Schedule to keep."

He grinned and nodded. "Easily done, yes. Also... the Council and I both would like to know what you plan to do about Tamil..." he glanced at her.

I blinked slowly. "What? Her pregnancy? Uhm... Celebrate?" I asked hesitantly.

He chuckled, and she grinned. "He means our children, Dimitri. Will they stay here, or-"

"They will live amongst the Acropolis, and then the Fell will accept them as Warriorborn or Warrior-Smiths, if they display the correct skill-sets. If they do not, then they will be allowed to live as Free-Folk, and likely will live here with Tamil." I said simply.

She blinked slowly, and then hummed. "And me? Am I expected to simply release my children to your care?" She asked archly.

"No, of course not. You'll be with them, won't you? Or do you think they should stay with me? I think that I never had a mother, so I'd like them to-"

"No, wait a moment. I'm the Captain of the Guard. I can't leave for however many years-"

"How did you plan on raising them, then?" I asked simply.

She flinched, and then hummed. "I planned on making Ran help me, honestly... but an entire host of Giants... I don't think they'll be safe."

"Of course they won't be safe. That's the point. Well, they'll be slightly more safe inside the Acropolis, but amongst the Fell, they'll learn and grow according to their environment. Growing in an environment of Danger makes one adaptable, and gives one the ability to think quickly. Safety is overrated, and detrimental to a young Warrior's mind." I waved a hand dismissively.

She frowned. "That's not how we train warriors, here-"

"And we can both see whose warriors are better, and in spades, yes?" I asked archly, smirking.

She blushed. "Fine... and I'll be with them? Will I be allowed?"

I shook my head. "I'll have to fight for your right to be there, and theirs, just like my father did for me. And Davila may have to fight as well, but I'll avoid that, as best I can."

Davila shrugged. "So be it."

Tamil blinked slowly. "I... see. And you're sure they shouldn't live here? Surrounded by other Elves? They'll be only a quarter Giant. They will most likely be my size."

I chuckled. "My Blood will overpower yours, Tamil. Giant blood overpowers everything, regardless of how watered down it is. A hundred generations of human blood wouldn't make my children any less Giantkin. Now Arias, you were fetching something?"

He nodded. "Someone's already coming... but the children should have experience with their Elven Heritage as well, yes?"

I hummed. "True... then, you'll bring them here for the Winters, yes? Summer in Giant Country is when all the most dangerous things are awake, and the green is most wide." I nodded.

She blinked. "I'll... think about it. "

I laughed. "Well, you have a few months to figure it out!"

She smirked. "Don't remind me... I need to train a replacement, I suppose... damn. I like my job."

"And you can return to it, once the child is of an age to live on his own... perhaps 15 years? 12, if he lives with my father? Ah well... aha!" Six elves arrived, carrying between them three trunks, laden with jewels and gold, and the insides filled with even more precious jewels and metals.

Arias nodded, and they loaded the jewels into the carriage. Then he looked at the mound of sand that was held inside a massive swath of cloth. "And... this? You never did tell me what you planned on doing with it." He said.

I grinned. "I plan on making something... incredible."

He chuckled. "Alright, well, I'll let you get on your way." He nodded.

I nodded and kissed Tamil's forehead. "Then I'll be off. And remember to eat lots of-... oh, you don't eat meat... Uhm... beans! Eat lots of beans. Giants need a specific amount of proteins to grow properly." I grinned and leapt into the carriage, whipping the reins once.

The horses disassembled, and the wings grew, taking us slowly into the air.

--- 16 hours later, sundown ---

I pounded the sand deeper into the mold I was building, standing in the middle of a molten Lightning-Fire, a dangerous task, but very powerful, and that was what mattered.

The sand was ridiculously difficult to melt and compress, but with the assistance of the Fire I'd crafted by giving lightning liquid properties, it was slowly bending to my will.

The mound of sand, which had been nearly 200 Feet tall and wide, (as it was the innards carved from the Cavern,) had shrunk down to about five feet, Oze's height.

A thick pole, built to be held by a dwarf's meaty hands, and a massive hammer's head, slightly less dense than the pole, to allow for a proper balance, were slowly coming into shape.

Demos saw what I was making, and hummed. "Do you need assistance? I could-"

"I will not be requiring your help, Demos. Thank you." I grunted, and swung my hammer again, making an indention for the Rune-Stone I was going to place in the Head.

Davila whistled gently. "A Giant's weapon, hmm? For whom?"

"The King of the Dwarves." I grinned, and let the fire bake the molded crystal, hardening and tempering it, while I stepped out of the fire, and shook myself off.

She hummed. "Petrie won't like that..."

"Petrie sent me to make peace and trade routes. How I do so is my business." I snorted.

She shrugged. "So be it."

--- Present ---

"You should really stop staring out the window. Sit on the drivers bench, look at the real view." I chuckled and patted Demos's shoulder.

He hummed. "No, I think I'll stay where it's safe."

"You are, without a doubt, the most likable coward I've ever met." I commented, amused, and then sat down with Gruner, petting his spine.

Davila chuckled. "Not so. Remember Tenpin the Fool?"

I laughed. "Of course!!! The Free Folk Circus... yes, you're right. Tenpin was funnier."

He raised and eyebrow. "I am not ashamed of my cowardice. I am weak, and therefore the thought of facing things stronger than I makes me afraid. This is a natural reaction."

"Clearly you're not a Giant, but I'll say it anyway. Fighting something stronger than yourself, against impossible odds, is when Giant Warriorborn and Warriors come alive. The harder the battle, you see, the more glory and honor for your family and Clan won by victory... or even death, if you fought well enough." Davila shrugged.

He chuckled. "Your people sound so completely Barbaric, at times, but then you speak so literately, and about history with an eloquence that amazes even me, an Elf! We Invented Eloquent Language, and you shock me with your mastery of the Tongues."

I nodded. "Giants have always been Scholarly... like the Vikings. We're a warrior race, yes, but a warrior isn't a berserker, he's an intelligent creature that looks for and finds the most efficient ways to win a War... we just got some very bad publicity from the Earth Giants... cannibals." I shivered.

He smiled. "Well at least you're not reviled by the masses quite yet. Giants are a Myth to most people. Or extinct."

I laughed heartily. "Extinct? Our numbers far exceed yours! Even in the Acropolis and the Fifty Ring Villages, of which the mighty Fell is only One, we outnumber your entire race, and our military might is simply devastating, compared to the soldiers we've met so far. If you had an army of Chaste, then you might be able to destroy... one village? Perhaps?"

Davila chuckled. "Don't undersell them... if the quality of their power relies on their environment, it might be possible that our specific environment is useful to them... if that's the case, they they may be able to storm the Acropolis... though what they'd do after they met the Million-Plus Elders inside, then the Warriorborn and Aurum Councils..." she laughed sarcastically.

I nodded. "True."

Demos raised an eyebrow. "I've no clue what that means."

"It means we are a Warrior Race, and anyone foolish enough to attack us is a doomed fucking moron; it means our enemies die honorable deaths, at either the hands of our Ring Clans, or the Elders will dust off their knuckles and Rune-Stones, and stomp some skulls to bloody pulp." Davila said candidly.

I grimaced. "I was attempting to not be so graphic."

"I'm an artist. Graphic is as close as you'll get me to politically correct." She shrugged.

"And I'll take it. Now, let's talk about the Dwarves... do they know that we built their capital? Or is it lost to the histories, like the Elves?"

He shrugged. "No clue. Dwarves don't exactly like my kind."

"Why?" I asked. "Have you warred, since we left?"

He blinked slowly. "Dimitri, the last 46 recorded wars have been between the Dwarves, Elves, and Humans, or some combination thereof. This has been going on for almost 4,000 years." He said clearly.

I chuckled. "I guess without the Giants to war with, your peoples chose different opponents... that will change, I think... well, I'll know soon enough... and what of their smithing? Is it better than mine?"

He snorted. "I've no knowledge of smithing, but yours seem the most impressive, so far... I'm a Geomancer, Dimitri. I can tell you about rocks and ores, but once they're refined, I have no control or knowledge of them."

I sighed. "True... alright... what about mining, then? You would know about that?"

He nodded. "That I would, yes. They mine everything from Coal to Gold in their Mountains... that's the reason that the Guild runs itself out of their city. Near-endless supplies and the control of the Monetary worth of Gold."

I hummed softly. "Interesting... and when their mines play out?"

He shrugged. "They never will. The Geomancer's continuously pour scrap metal and rocks into the mines, and re-seed the stones with veins of metals and gems... it's very lucrative, for a Geomancer, that kind of endless work."

I grinned. "So the Elven Geomancer's can take the Dwarves by their balls and beards if they simply refused to replenish the mines?"

He grinned. "Exactly. That's what most of our wars are about, really, because it's so rare for them to have any Mages born at all, much less Geomancer's... and also they want the secrets of the Chaste Ceremony, which is another thing we fight over."

I nodded. "Good to know... I have quite a bit of leverage, then..."

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you plan on... using that leverage?"

"I plan for lots of thing I hope never happen... and I Plan for what to do when they do happen. But I don't plan on starting any wars, if that's your question." I shrugged.

"Oh damn... no fun at all." Davila frowned.