Alarick's voice was almost childish and fragile, as if he was afraid to look down and see the worse.Aefstine's voice responded, trembling and small. He was crying."Alarick!" Aefstine called. "It's me, my sweet boy, help us get out.""Quick now! Let's rip that open," it was Randal's voice, and soon they could see him too, looking down. "I'm here, love. It's over now."Aefstine covered his mouth, but still a sob was heard and tears fell down his grey eyes.Both warlords managed to rip the iron bars from its place, and Thorne came through with a rope which he dropped down.It was not such a high ceiling but Erriene was still worried about the child. The boy was now awake, looking up in awe.Aefstine climbed up first, and they manage to get the child up by tying a small branch to the rope, and making a seat. Erriene helped him to hang on to the rope, and performed a small spell so he wouldn't fall. Then, he climb

  Two weeks had passed and Alarick found the female giant that birthed his son. She was decapitated along with the male who drank his blood and had mated with the female, as well as all the others that conspired against the child. Randal was with him the entire time, and the borders were tense and dangerous, Maudians coming and going all the time. Chieftain Faizah complied, but Alarick knew it was only a matter of time before a more charismatic giant convinced him and changed his opinions. The giants had already been expulsed from so many territories across the lands that they were forced to act more civilized now for the sake of survival. Hiding their cruel nature and sadistic ways, they were few, and they knew their race was vulnerable. Alarick could see right through their eyes. They were just waiting for a reason to betray them. Alarick and Randal left the city under the watchful eyes of the Frost Giants, and

 Kalise’s sky was golden and quickly darkening as the sun disappeared when Alarick reached his destination.The normally three to four days’ travel shortened into just a whole night and a whole day for him in his haste. He travelled without stopping aside for a few moments of rest for his horse.He unmounted in the small stable of the temple, and walked up to the doors with no formality. He is with a few companions as Kalise was well patrolled by his soldiers now.The temple was quiet as it was close to nightfall and near time to lit the candles. He entered, seeing only the usual dwellers who greeted him in fear or surprise. Or both.“Where is he?” Alarick asked no one in particular.They all knew exactly who he was searching for, and a woman with long and brown braided hair meekly responded.“He is at the top of the temple, my lord.”Alarick nodded and he turned to the soldie

 “Are you really going to leave, Aefstine?”Aefstine smiled at Erriene as he ruffled his hair. They were sitting by the garden and watched as Uldrik played not far from them. Randal and Alarick had went hunting that afternoon.Aefstine nodded. “Do you know that I’ve always wanted to be a traveller? I plan to go to different places and see the world with my own eyes after I finish my apprenticeship at the temple. But unexpected things happened along the way.”Unexpected things like being married to Randal and suddenly becoming Maud’s Dalli and Alarick’s mamkka.Erriene watched as Aefstine’s pretty face turned solemn as if remembering something and he had no doubt that he is remembering the past.“I will miss you. Alarick and Uldrik will surely as well,” he said emotionally.He couldn’t help it, he had grown close to Aefstine and despite his young face, Maud’s

 Aefstine could barely contain his excitement.Inside his chamber in the mansion, he saw the servants packing his clothes and books. With nothing else to do, he paced back and forth. Now and then, he would pause and offer help, but the servants would only reject his offer and frown at him.The sun was peeking in the horizon, the household awaken with shouts and loud talking.He walked to the windows and gazed at the dawn behind the slightly dusty glass.Gytha was such a warm country. Not only the weather, but most of the people too, always hugging and smiling. He wondered what the cold would feel like."Kid!"Aefstine turned away from the window and saw his brother leaning on the door of his chamber.He scowled. "I told you not to call me that, Kynan."Kynan gave him a crooked smile. The second born and his older brother at eighteen years old, was an awkwa