19 Gorts

Suddenly, we heard a pleased, raspy laugh—neither fully feminine nor entirely old and decrepit—echoing sharply through the gorge.

I saw Kays tense, his lips pressed into an angry line, while the laughter grew louder and louder.

“Kays, my delightful friend!” an old woman’s voice croaked, carried by the echo. “I see you still can’t sit still. Craving adventure? Well, I’ll gladly arrange some for you!” The voice cackled with vicious amusement. “I hope you die in the process!!!”

Abruptly, the voice broke into a terrifying, deafening scream—like some kind of banshee. We covered our ears, but it didn’t help. The heavens tore open with thunder just as loud, and a wall of rain came crashing down.

“Laverna! You ancient, miserable hag!” Kays roared at the scream, sweeping his hands through the air. With a few sharp gestures, he halted the rain and drove away the storm clouds.

But the damage was already done. Suddenly, we felt a violent jolt beneath us, staggering from the impact and looking around in alarm. It felt like an earthquake. Sheer cliffs trembled, loose stone sliding down their faces. Turning back, we saw one of the gorts open its eyes—and inside them burned fire and molten rock, swirling like streams of lava.

With the screech of grinding stone and cascades of falling rubble, one enormous stone arm broke free from the cliff… then the other. Pushing itself away from the mountain, the giant’s colossal body separated completely with a thunderous crash.

Let me be clear: the sight was utterly horrifying in its implied danger.

“Everyone, run! Drive the horses!” Kays commanded, and everyone spurred their mounts into a gallop.

Everything would’ve been fine—except this was my first day in the saddle, and riding at such speed was absolutely beyond me. I simply couldn’t do it.

Suddenly, another giant beside us opened its eyes. Dust, stones, and sand exploded in every direction as it, too, began tearing itself free from the cliff face.

I rode as fast as I could, desperately trying to keep up with Yafi. Then, out of nowhere, a massive boulder crashed down right in front of me, and my horse reared violently. I had no chance of holding on. I flew off the saddle, while the terrified animal bolted away from danger.

But just before I hit the ground, something softened my fall. Shocked, I glanced down and saw a faint glow beneath me—and Kays rushing toward me at full speed.

Yafi wanted to turn back for me and help, but the brunette stopped him.

“No! Ride after the others! I’ll handle this! Get everyone as far away from here as possible!” the mage ordered, casting some sort of spell as he moved. Because of it, an invisible shield appeared over our unit—like a giant umbrella—protecting them from the falling stones.

Meanwhile, the gort closest to me had fully torn itself from the cliff and rose to its full height.

Mother of gods! It was terrifying to look death in the face like that.

I shot to my feet in an instant as the giant stomped in place, trying to crush me beneath him. He raised his massive stone fists for a blow. Anyone could guess what he intended—to stomp me flat or swat me like an annoying cockroach.

I had never run or dodged between rocks so fast in my life. When I heard the crash of that enormous stone fist behind me, something like a second wind exploded inside me.

Of course! I wanted to live! My adrenaline was off the charts!

Suddenly, my arm was yanked sharply, and I saw Kays beside me, casting something. We were enveloped in a kind of cocoon, and judging by the giant’s reaction, he was searching for us but couldn’t see, striking the ground blindly and whipping his head back and forth.

“We won’t last long like this,” the brunette said, looking at me. “We need to hide.”

Kays began scanning the area more urgently just as the gort’s blows shifted closer to our position.

Gripping my hand tightly, the man pulled me toward a rock wall. Behind us, we heard the thunderous crash of shattered stone—the giant’s fist slamming into the ground again.

There was a narrow crevice in the cliffside, and we squeezed inside. It was so small and unnoticeable that we barely fit together, pressed tightly chest to chest.

“And now what?” I whispered.