On the Path of the Giants

Chapter 1: Joshua

        The grass swayed gently in the morning breeze, between the rows of tall stony obelisks. A lone deer, attracted by the sweet smell of dew, approached the greenest patch of grass sparkling in the golden light of dawn. As it lowered its head to eat, an arrow flew past it, scarcely touching one of its antlers before losing speed and landing not far behind. Startled, the animal quickly dashed off, taking cover behind the monoliths as it fled.

           Disappointed, but not distressed, a young hunter advanced to fetch its loosed arrow. His attire, mostly comprised of deer hide, complemented with a short, old cloth scarf, looked dirty, despite its especially well crafted allure. His face looked weary, not from lack of sleep, but from concern. As he bent to pick up the nickel-tipped arrow, the hunter sighed. His memory drifted back to the day of his exile, when he was forced to leave the village. The bittersweet thought swelled tears in his eyes, but his pride stopped them from falling. He could not linger in the past, if he was to gain back his place in the village. He needed to go forward, deeper in the Giant’s forest.

           The march between the hulking gravestones was sullen and silent, save for the howling of the wind, sweeping the grass roads like a scythe. Even though he had been warned all his life about the harsh winds of the Giant’s forest, he had not known it would be so strong. As a forest dweller, Joshua had never experienced severe winds. What the trees could not stop, the walls of the village did. He wondered if that was one of the many curses of this forest. A gust of wind brought a handful of dust flying at his face, forcing him to close his eyes with stinging pain. “It has to be” he thought, before adjusting his scarf over his nose.

           Back in the village, everyone knew of the dangers of the Giant’s forest, and of the fate awaiting those that braved it. It is here that, as it is told, the Giants built their lairs and lived many years ago, before the curse came. Old man David said his grand-father was alive back then, and witnessed their end. In the days of the Giants, Old man David told the kids of the village, the sun was brighter, the leaves greener, and every animal was living in harmony. The Giants themselves, they were massive. “Taller than the trees, and as wide as a house” Old man David used to say, though most people agreed that he was exaggerating, to make a good story. “Barely 12 foot tall” his wife would answer, “and that was the tall ones.” At the time of the Giants, there was no wind, and the rain was always light and warm. Life was plentiful. Until the winds came in and howled through the Giant’s and the Village’s forests alike, blasting trees off in its wake and killing all that stood in its way. It is said that with the wind came the curse, spreading death as it blew harsher and stronger. The Giants, who had access to magic unbeknownst to Men, kept the curse from spreading into the Village’s forest, at the cost of their lives. For years after, the people of the village would hear the cries of the Giants coming from their forest. Even now, when the wind is howling, and the rain is pouring, the Giants can be heard crying in agony. Even as a kid, Joshua thought that the last part was added only to scare him and the other kids, but he still knew better than to approach the Giant’s forest.  No one from the village, even grown men, even dares approach the Giant’s forest, for the curse is said to still be lying, dormant, at its heart. No one until Joshua. But then again, no one had ever been shunned from the village before him.

        But if he had to do it again, to defend the honour of his sweet Lydia, he would. He would do anything for her. He would do anything for their love.