As dawn breaks they head off with their new guide Ikkarikka heading for the Eagles Eerie. They descend the mountain and into the valley and it is not long before they are once again climbing into the mountains and wending their way along the mountain road.
Danger Round Every Bend
As night begins to fall they find a shallow cave in which to shelter from the wind and the snow. Without firewood they huddle round the flaming sword Maraghbur. During the second watch Styx's hears gruff voices coming from above them. Maraghbur's dim flickering affords her keen vision enough light to pierce through the darkness and illuminate the faces of two Giants who have spotted the party from the ledge above.
Awesome Artwork by Einar Martinsen
Returning to the group she wakes them all and describes the interlopers. Maraghbur is extinguished and in the darkness she listens to the pair hatch a plan to ambush the party as they traverse the pass in the morning.
Forewarned is forearmed as they say, and the heroes hatch a cunning counter plan. Laurel, Styx and Nyx scale the 100 feet of steep but not sheer cliff which separates their ledge from that of the giants. They stealthily approach the now slumbering Giants and tie their bootlaces together before retreating up the pass and around the next bend.
Before dawn Tarigoz leads the other half of the party along the pass around the switchback to within earshot of the still sleeping Giants. With a battlecry he leads the charge and in a simultaneous pincer movement Laurel and the two Phylus attack from the other side.
Caught Flat Footed
The Giants are quick to their feet but one stumbles and falls, its boots tied together by stout laces the thickness of good rope. Ssinkar recites a blessing as the combat ensues. Despite having the boon of Kriskar vested upon them both Tarigoz and Wulf's blows are found wanting whilst Jan envokes his firry blade and strikes solidly at the standing Giant who retaliates with his big club catching Wulf a mighty blow to the chest.
Styx pounces on the fallen Giant and her sister swings at it with her nunchuks to no avail. Laurel catches it with one swipe of her scimitars slicing the creature a deep wound.
Whilst Tarigoz's attack is parried away Ssinkar commands the standing Giant to Sleep. Offering no resistance the Giant is struck by both Wulf and Jan who open new deep wounds in the creatures flesh.
Styx is roughly tossed aside as the second Giant lurches to its feet, Nyx stabs at the creature striking it in a vulnerable spot. Laurel strikes once again and both blades find their targets opening wicked wounds across the Giant's arms.
Tarigoz lands a blow on his foe who stands as still as a rock under he Salamankari Clerics thrall. Ssinkar reiterates his command and regains control of the Giant. Jan plunges his fiery blade deep into the creatures belly.
A Crushing Defeat
Laurel once again deals a serious blow to the other Giant. Tarigoz finally despatches the enthralled enemy and it tumbles off the ledge and down the mountainside. Wulf critically injures the second Giant and Tarigoz finishes the job. The Giant teeters and totters before crumpling to the floor on top of Nyx.
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