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look for a suitable site for combat.”
    Up the steep slope they scrambled, Yoladt stopped at the crest and pointed to a symbol carved into the side of a boulder. “The marker.” He informed them. “This way,” He said leading them down the far side of the hill into a shallow valley that ran eastward into a narrow defile.
    The Larkoth were moving quickly now sensing that their prey was close at hand. They traveled the slopes with ease, well used to travel in mountainous regions.
    Yoladt led them across the valley floor, seeking to gain the defile before the Larkoth fell upon them. Loose stone and uneven ground made their footing treacherous.
    As the neared the middle of the valley two of the giant beasts leapt out of concealment in front of them.
    “A trap!” Yoladt yelled dropping his pack to the ground.
    With a blood curdling roar the two Larkoth fell upon the surprised party.
    Casius’s hand dropped to his swords hilt, but before he could draw the blade the ape struck him. The force of the blow lifted him into the air and tossed him helplessly onto the ground.
    Before the Larkoth could strike again, Calriss leapt over him and drove his spear deep into the beast’s chest. The spear missed its heart but tore into the lung. With a yowl of pain the Larkoth snapped the spear shaft and drove its massive fist into the Mahjie’s head.
    Casius watched in horror as the brave warriors face exploded into a spray of bloody pulp. His body collapsed onto the ground his arms and legs twitching violently as he died.
    The Larkoth staggered, pulling the spear from its chest, dark blood gushed from the wound matting the thick gray hair. It screamed spinning around revealing a spear stuck deep into its back.
    Yoladt leapt aside narrowly evading its desperate attack. Drawing his long knife he circled the dying beast. The Larkoth dove forward seeking to ensnare him in its powerful arms.
    Yoladt proved too fast and at the last possible moment he ducked beneath the outstretched arms and moved aside. As the enraged creature passed him by he laid open its throat with a slash of his knife.
    The Larkoth clutched at the wound striving to stem the flow of blood. It’s monstrous roars now nothing more than a wet gurgling cough as it fell to the ground.
    Casius gained his footing and drew Aethir; the black blades normal hum grew to a high-pitched roar. He rushed forward towards the remaining Larkoth.
    Bleeding from a dozen cuts the beast was being attacked from either side by both Connell and Marcos. The Larkoth’s powerful arms swept about keeping both men at bay.
    It was a stalemate until Suni appeared out of nowhere. Leaping up from the ground he delivered a powerful kick that struck the apes head staggering the giant. The creature was momentarily stunned and let its guard drop.
    Connell saw his opening and stepped in. With a mighty heave his sword swept across the Larkoth’s abdomen, opening its belly and spilling loops of bloody entrails onto the ground.
    The stench was overwhelming and Connell stepped back gagging. The damage was done and the Larkoth fell onto its face, a quivering heap of muscle and fur.
    Casius turned to face their pursuers. The Larkoth had gained the valley floor but the quick deaths of their companions had stopped their advance.
    They pounded their chests in defiance, roaring violently in anger. One of the great beasts tore a boulder larger than a man from the hard ground. With a mighty heave it hurled the stone at them.
    The rock crashed into the ground less than ten feet from Marcos.
    “Let’s go!” Yoladt shouted grabbing his pack from the ground. “They will attack soon.”
    They needed no further urging, grabbing their gear they followed Yoladt into the dark defile at the valleys head.
    Stumbling into the dark shelter of the defile Casius turned to see if the Larkoth gave pursuit. He watched in disgust as the four beasts fell upon the corpses of their brethren. Two of the giants were fighting over Calriss’s