^^ White Tiger ^^

--- Dimitri ---

I raised an eyebrow at the massive feline that was lounging, asleep, on top of the building behind us, and then chuckled softly. "Why are you so freaked out? It's a Tiger. Though... how it got up here is a mystery." I hummed.

"Wait... so everything here is en ratio to you Giants?" Holden asked.

I nodded. "Yes. From the plants to the mountains. This kitten is full-grown, though." I cracked my knuckles and sniffed the air, trying to determine what type of tiger it was.

"Male... Serbian... Old... ready to die." I nodded, and tackled it.

It squawked, clearly surprised, and I snapped its neck swiftly, then dragged it towards the caves where I'd left the dungeon Dragons.

I skimmed it quickly, and took the fangs, as they curiously appeared, and left the meat for them. I took my dragon loot, and hauled it onto the roof of the carriage, then placed the tiger pelt with them to dry.

"Now! Onward!" I grinned.

Davila smiled and boarded the carriage, sitting Tamil in her lap to hug gently, (clearly having an overdose of oxytocin in her system).

Demos and Holden boarded and sat on the bench, settling themselves. "How long a ride is it to your Capital?"

"Capital?... oh, the City. There's only one City, Holden. The rest of the land is farmland or the Great Forest. A word for the wise... never enter the Great Forest. Ever. You aren't prepared." I shook my head, and ordered the carriage to start flying towards the Fell Village. "And it's a five-day ride on horseback... but our horses are bigger than yours, so..." I shrugged.

I checked the cage I'd built on the back of the carriage, which held the four mares I'd brought with us, and nodded when I saw them sleeping.

---

"So... the difference between this Great Forest and Canaan?" Tamil asked me suddenly.

"... This world is a reflection of what yours was before people lived on it. So no trees were cut down, until we cleared out a piece or two for our city and farmland. The entire continent is made of forest. One forest." I smiled.

"Ooh? And the continent is very big?"

"The same as yours, as I said. Including what's been swallowed by the sea in your world. Ours never did. Also, the forest is filled with all types of creatures that are only myths to you... aha! See? That is a Jackalope!" I pointed at the herd of giant, carnivorous rabbits.

She shivered. "Okay, then... so why are your Council called the Aurum? I'm bored."

I hummed. "Well... the explanation is complicated... there's the Aurum Council, and the Warriorborn Council... sort of..." I halted, thinking deeply.

"Wartime and Peacetime councils." Davila nodded.

I grinned. "Exactly. The Warriorborn are all amongst the Giants that were born to the Warrior Clans, whether or not they join one of those clans... and in times of War, the elders are brought to the Arcanum to decide which clans fight and defend the city, strategies and such."

Tamil raised an eyebrow. "You go to war often?"

"The forest makes attempts every season or two... and the other Giants. Metal Clan, mostly. Sometimes Fire Giants, but mostly they keep to themselves." I shrugged.

Holden hummed. "Then why attack at all, if they always lose?"

"We have the only land conquered from the Forest. It's coveted by just about everyone stupid enough to attack us." Davila laughed.

He hummed. "I see... like the tunnels that the Dungeon Dragons try to take from us..." he nodded in understanding.

I smiled and handed out rations, then looked at the two elves. "Uhm... all I have is bread and cheese for you, my rations are meat, bread, and cheese."

Demos grinned and accepted, then handed half to Tamil, who thanks us and munched on it quietly, staring at the forest, trying to map its size.

I grinned and tapped the map of my continent on the wall of the carriage. "Already mapped, lovely."

She hummed, tracing the City, a small dot of white amongst the sea of green and blue. "Small... I'm surprised."

"That's not exactly... to scale, dear Tamil." I grinned as the City crossed the horizon.

"We made it in 32 hours... good to know." Davila made a note, and kicked her feet up.

The elves and Dwarf watched in wonder as the City came into view slowly. First, the farmlands, populated mostly by Golden Oxen, Silver Sheep, and other brightly furred domestic animals.

Davila began quietly naming them for Tamil, who once again sat in her lap, whilst I gazed at the horizon, where the walls and villages were coming into focus.

"There's the Tillman's... the Ozarks! I remember now, Henrick's old clan?" I grinned at Davila.

She nodded. "Indeed. Should we drop the horses off with the Tillman?"

"I think we should talk to the Council... but those horses ain't gonna stay asleep much longer, that's true... ah well." I directed the carriage down towards the village surrounded by herds of Warhorses, and waved to a Giant I vaguely recognized.

He grunted, eyeing the carriage. "Dimitri the Dwarf... what brings you?"

I pulled the cage of horses to him, and he blinked slowly. "Ahhh... you want me to mix a breed of human horses, to make these more impressive?" He scratched his chin.

"That would be great. I plan to sell them to humans for warhorses, the mixed breeds." I shrugged.

He nodded. "Sounds interesting. Four mares?... yes, I'll do this, because I'm curious. Ten silver a piece for the offspring, when they're yearlings, and fifty when they're full grown."

I shook his hand, and then boarded the carriage. "I look forward to your progress!"

We flew away as he awakened the horses, and gently guided them to the pasture to eat.

I pointed at the Arcanum, as it crossed the horizon. "And that, my dear, is the Arcanum. The complete history and library of my people, as well as much history you lot have forgotten, I suppose. The wars between our kinds, and the peaces. The villages you see, those semicircles? Those are the Clans, all 48, though you can only see twenty of them right now."

I'd never seen the City from the air, but it was just as beautiful as when you walked its streets.

Thirty miles across, so vast that you couldn't even see the other side because of the curvature of the earth. "Within these walls, we house the Elders and Young, to learn crafting, trading, fighting, survival; skills every single Giant, no matter their trade, must know to be accepted amongst our peoples." I smiled, and remembered my years within the walls, yearning for my mother and I to join my father within the 'Fabled Fell'.

Tamil chuckled. "It's a lot like the Elven Clans, then... except ours are... very spread out. The River Walkers are known for our skills with diplomacy and silent movements in the marshes. I've only ever heard of the Fell... why?"

"Because when the other clans ran and hid in Giant Country, the Fell stayed for 200 years, screaming defiance at Borr the Ruthless, and survived his hunt. Unlike the others, we did not run, and instead gained allies amongst the other races, and won that war. A war against a God and his chosen, and we won, and slew the god of the heavens, the father of Odin. Then we returned with our kin, triumphant!" I grinned proudly.

Davila smiled. "What he means is, the reason you've never heard of anyone else, is because the bards of the time were too occupied singing our praises to care about where the rest of the Giants went to, and why there were only a hundred of us left. Also, we built many, many monumental things; Kalægir being the biggest, and inscribed our histories upon the stones we cracked from the earth."

Tamil laughed. "So you made a name for yourselves, by all sorts of force?"

"That's a good way to say it." I smirked.

She patted my head patronizingly. "Alright, tough guy, cool it down. You weren't even there."

"No, but through the Memory Tomes I've seen it a thousand times over! Anyway, were landing soon, in front of the Arcanum. Now, let's discuss rules..." I gazed at them sternly.

Holden hummed. "I'm a Diplomatic emissary, here to negotiate a Treaty with the Aurum Council... I'm saying that right?"

"Yes. Now, rules. 1: never speak unless spoken to. I did, and I got a fight with the Champion of the Arena, And an expedition, as thanks. 2: Politeness. Do try not to offend the Elders. They're old, cranky, and traditional. Finally 3: Don't give in to anger. They're going to be judgy and rude and probably a little racist, but keep your cool. I don't want to battle anyone to the death for your honor today." I said swiftly.

Tamil hummed. "I will do my best to remain Civil. Demos you don't have to worry about. And Holden will behave."

"I will?"

"Yes." She gazed at him icily.

He nodded. "Ahem... aye, I will."

I smiled and hopped down, helping Davila down as well.

The guards crossed their spears, and I nodded. "They are in session?"

One nodded. "Welcome back, Dimitri the Dwarf... much word about you, these past four months. You were due back a month ago."

"Trade went unexpectedly well." I shrugged.

I blinked when Demos squeaked in fear, and tended my muscles as my father rammed into me, tackling me into the stones.

I grinned and tussled with him, reveling in the fact that I was winning for once. He plucked that thought from my brain entirely when he got me in a choke-hold, and I was forced to tap on his arm for release.

He stood us up and laughed, dusting me off. "You're a month late, my son! The Council was about to send me after you!"

I grinned. "What a sight that'd be... anyway, these are the companions I returned with. Demos and Tamil of the Elves, and Holden Sathorn, Prince of the Dwarves."

He hummed and gazed at Tamil, then Davila, and his nose flared. "I see... I'll have grandchildren before long! HA!"

I chuckled. "Indeed. Tamil, Demos, Holden, this is my Father-"

He picked up Tamil, hugging her gently. "I am Wyler the Driven of the Fell! Your lineage, little Elf? Are you Termini, like my Lila?" He asked, setting her down.

She cracked her back slowly. "No. The Termini consist of your son, and only him. All the rest are dead. I am a Canaanite River-Walker, Tamil, Chief of the Sentries of the Gard... or I was. I've resigned, and trained a replacement. Now I suppose I'm just Tamil Argos."

He nodded. "Amusing... you are welcome in my home, Tamil Argos of the River-Walkers. Now! Davila! You're very nearly Due, yes?"

She nodded. "Only a few more days, maybe a week, if I'm lucky."

He grinned wider. "Wonderful! Now, the Elders only know a few things, so far; one: you're late. Two: you bring companions. And three: you have succeeded with your trade route... mostly. From what we saw. Wonderful work on that Troll Market, by the way. I'm very proud." He patted my shoulder.

I hummed. "I see, they checked on me?"

"Petrie sent a youngling through the portal. He returned about a week ago with that news." He shrugged.

"The Elders will see you now, Dimitri." One of the guards spoke softly.

I nodded. "Father, stay with them, please?"

He grinned and nodded. "I'll get to know your friends, then! Now, who wants to hear a story of baby Dimitri?!?"

I groaned and walked through the crystal passageway, into the Council Chamber.

The Elder Speaker gazed at me, and leaned forward a bit. "Dimitri the Dwarf... we the Aurum Council, would like your report on your Trade Venture."

"Success with the Elves and Dwarves." I nodded.

He raised an eyebrow. "The humans?"

I shook my head. "Four months wasn't long enough to create reliable ties with all three races. The Humans are not unified like the Dwarves, and the Elves are also split into many clans... they have a Council, though. My Troll Market is also located next to the Portal, which is mere miles away from the Elf Capital."

He nodded. "Understood. Continue?"

"The Dwarf Kingdoms have been unified into one kingdom, ruled by the Sathorn Royals, and they have sent a representative with me, their Prince, to officiate a trade agreement and treaty with you, the Aurum Council." I examined a cracked nail as they spoke amongst themselves.

He tapped his cane lightly, and hummed. "We will discuss that matter later. An overview, then. Your mission was successful, yes?"

"Correct."

"Good. Now, let us speak about the Elf. Dime?" He hummed.

"Demos. The Geomancer. A coward, yes, but very skilled with his Craft." I said clearly.

He nodded again. "And the female? Tamil?"

"Yes. She was captain of their Guards, until she became pregnant, and trained a replacement." I decided to get it over with.

He blinked slowly. "By you, I'm to assume?"

"Correct."

He slammed his staff down thunderously, several times, to silence the equally thunderous response, then growled softly. "Might I ask... why?" He asked slowly.

"Uhm... she's pretty? And fast? And quite honestly simply amusing?" I said dryly.

He chuckled. "I shouldn't have expected an actual answer... and the child? Will it live here, amongst its kin?"

I nodded. "She has conceded that point. She will live in the City, as my mother did, with me. When my child by her is old enough to enter the Fell, as is it's right as a Warriorborn, she will live with my father and I, in our Hall. Davila is also pregnant, on happier news, and is due within a few days." I chuckled.

He leaned back and relaxed on his chair. "Mm... congratulations, I suppose... much has changed, I think, since your father brought your mother and you before us. You were not born amongst the Giants, and that was one of the main reasons we resisted your birthrights..."

I nodded. "They will be."

He nodded and looked up from me. "Good... then I move, as speaker, that so long as these Halfling's are born on Giant Soil, then they are to be given the freedoms any giantling is given. Should they prove their mettle or craft, then they will be accepted. Should they not, they will be named Free Folk, and sent back to their motherlands. East house?" He looked at them expectantly.

They conferred, arguing loudly, and soon a verdict was reached amongst them, by barest margins. "The East House votes to accept the Speaker's decision. The halflings will live amongst us unharrassed, so long as they are worthy of their heritage."

"North House agrees." The speaker for North House grumbled.

"West house disagrees. Let the bastard elf child live with elves." The west house speaker growled.

I let lightning run over my skin. "Watch your tongue, Speaker..." I said quietly.

He sat down, his pale face a reminder to his fellows whose child they passed sentence on.

"South House agrees with addition... we wish Dimitri the Dwarf to fight as his father did for the halflings' right to live." The south house speaker intoned.

I whipped my head towards them. "Live amongst us. You are not voting on whether to kill my children you stupid fucking maggot!" I snarled savagely.

He sat back down, and the Elder Speaker cleared his throat. "South House. The options are exile or acceptance. Nothing else. Re-deliberate."

They conferred again, and I steeled my nerves against their words.

Almost ten minutes later, they reached a conclusion. "The South House calls for nothing short of Blood, Speaker. We say he will fight for his children's rights to live."

I turned, letting lightning arc over my skin. "So be it, little worms... WHO's first? WHO wishes to challenge a Warriorborn Chaste of the Fabled Fell? WHO WANTS THE BLOOD OF DIMITRI THE DWARF?!?" I roared at them.

The speaker slammed his staff to the Stones. "I will hear no more of this! South House, you are facing contempt! And Dimitri! One more outburst from you, and I will speak with your Chief!" He snapped.

I growled wordlessly at the Elders of the South House, but let my Lightning fade.

He hissed a warning, and an axe slammed into my left shoulder, biting into my skin, but not my muscle.

I turned slowly, pulling it out. "Very well, South House. Feud Accepted."

"Dimitri, let's not be rash-" Elder Speaker started.

"You howl for my children's blood like depraved wolves, you attack me in this place of peace, you defile the Laws of the Council... indeed, Feud Accepted, South House. The Fell will never back down from a challenge." I said calmly, my voice carrying the promise of death across the Chamber.

The Elder Speaker sighed. "Very well... motion to allow halflings to prove themselves as Giants and Tradesmen, carried by majority rule... and a Blood Feud between the South House of Elders and the Fabled Fell of the East House, specifically Dimitri the Dwarf of the Fell, enacted by the South House, accepted as Genuine by the Speaker of the Aurum Council... Warriorborn Council Speaker's Verdict?"

A giant who had sat in the shadows the entire time moved slightly, then nodded slowly. "The Blood Feud is Accepted as Genuine." he growled.

I turned and stomped out, gripping the axe still. The doors creaked open, and I dropped the axe in front of my father, who was in the middle of telling a joke. "The South House has begun a Blood Feud with me, and the Fell. I have accepted." I ground out, and then started walking towards our Clan, to tell Petrie.

Father sighed. "What was the cause?"

"They howled for my children's blood. I demanded theirs. They responded with violence inside the sanctuary." I snapped.

"Would you like me to stitch up your shoulder?" He asked calmly, unfazed.

"No." I sped to the healing process with a thought.

Holden spoke softly. "Aren't feuds amongst Giants until one side is... extinct?"

Father nodded. "Indeed. The South House will tremble this Season beneath the Fury of the Fell. Candy?" He held out a piece of caramel from his pocket, perfectly unaffected.