The Gentle Giant

Book One ~ Chapter Ten

The trees grew sparser as the group reached the edge of the forest, and before long, the blue sky could be seen. Morga and Erik had already moved on ahead, no time to hesitate. Muriel and Emir stopped on the edge of the forest. Emir stared out across the expanse, he'd never seen anything like it before. Vast plains of grass shimmering in the warm sun, but the ground was cold and frozen beneath their feet. Emir shivered as his breath was visible to the naked eye. He grabbed one of the coats and pulled his arms through it, wrapping it around his torso. A wind blew through the fields, rattling in waves. "The Shining Steppe," said Muriel, "This is where I was born."

Emir smiled softly, "It's beautiful."

"I don't remember anything. These fields... this land.." the corners of Muriel's lips turned downward, "Not that they wanted me here anyway." He shook his head and looked out over the tundra once more, "Probably better that way. I doubt I'd want to remember."

"I know you said you don't remember much.. but, do you have any good memories..?" asked Emir.

"I-" Muriel paused, "Good memories?"

"Yeah! I mean, you've gotta have some, right?"

Muriel frowned, staring at the horizon for a long moment. Inanna trotted up to him, brushing her snout against his hand, startling him out of his thoughts. "I-I mean, yes. Meeting you wasn't a terrible memory, Inanna. I guess it's happy.. sort of."

"Wanna tell me?"

"I'm not really good at telling stories." Inanna responded to Muriel's words with a soft howl. He then sighed and kneeled down to give her a few good ear scratches. "Fine.. it was when I was still a gladiator. I told you Lucio had me perform executions. But sometimes he'd get bored. He'd throw me in with rabid animals to shake things up. That day... he put me in the arena with Inanna. But we didn't fight." Inanna seemingly smiled and barked happily. "I didn't forget. I just didn't say it. She says Lucio caught her when she attacked his army as they marched through the forest. When I saw her, she was starving, her fur was so dirty. I expected her to come right for me. To attack. But she just sat there. Lucio was furious. Docile wolves don't make for good entertainment. And I... I knew I couldn't do it anymore." Inanna licked Muriel's hand affectionately, her tail thumping against the ground. "She was innocent. She hadn't done anything wrong except defend her home from intruders that came to destroy it. Everyone else I'd faced in the arena... at least I knew they were criminals. And they always fought back. But not her. She looked me in my eyes and just sat... waited. So I took my axe and broke down the gates locking us in the arena. And we ran... I could have walked out on my own whenever I wanted. But I didn't until her. I thought she'd leave when we got into the forest... Instead, she stayed. Still hasn't left." Muriel gave Inanna a wide, genuine smile and pressed his forehead to hers, "Without her, I'd still be in the arena." He stopped talking and looked away, suddenly embarrassed, "S-story's over. Let's keep moving." Muriel huffed and tugged his coat tighter around himself, taking his first step into the tundra. Emir laughed and followed suit, Inanna trotting alongside him.

It was nighttime when Morga stopped the group, right in the middle of the frozen fields. "We'll make camp on open ground tonight. Keep your guard up." It was nearly pitch-black. Emir couldn't see more than a few feet away from his face.

Erik lit a torch and turned to face Emir and Muriel, "The two of you have learned everything you can on your own. It's about time you spar." She then pulled out two knives and dropped them at the men's feet.

Emir stared blankly at the one near him, "This feels like a bad idea," he thought.

"You won't learn anything fighting against trees and rocks," said Morga, "Pick it up. Even as an archer, you'll need to defend yourself if someone gets too close."