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y.”
    Crack!
    Another arrow shattered on his armored chest.
    “That’s enough of that , I say!”
    The Ettin turned. Swung his anchor into the ran ks, scattered the soldiers like leaves.
    “Ettin!” I yelled. “Don’t do that again! Else, your brother ’s going to have one head, not two!”
    It turned and lowered its big eyes. Its hairy brows buckled like Giant caterpillars and one head licked its lips. It stopped swinging and draped the chain and anchor around its neck like jewelry. What was taking place was just not normal.
    “Let me hit him in the knee again,” Brenwar said.
    “No, just give it a moment.”
    The War Horn sounded. The Legionnaires, on horse and foot, made another formation and trotted back up the hill, leaving me, Brenwar and two Ettins all by ourselves.
    “Can we talk now ?” I yelled up to him.
    His words were loud. Slow. Deep.
    “FREE MY BROTHER. OR DIE!” Its ugly faces smiled. “I CAN KILL ALL OF YOU. I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU IF YOU HARM MY BROTHER!”
    G reat Guzan! I hadn’t thought of that. Supposing I did kill the Ettin―which even though it was evil, I shouldn’t―what was to stop its brother from going on a rampage and killing more people?
    “You won’t be killing me,” Brenwar said, “you smelly animal. I’ve tak en down Giants bigger than you!”
    “GO BACK TO MORGON,” one head s aid.
    “YOU BEARDED HALFLING,” said the other.
    “Bearded what!” Brenwar started to bring his hammer down.
    “Don’t!” I said. “Brenwar, let me handle this.”
    Delay him, Nath, a voice said in my mind. It was Bayzog. We search for the women as you speak.
    “You better make i t fast,” I said.
    “Make what fast?” Brenwar said. “Hitting the Ettin ?”
    “No,” I said, “I was … never mind. Just be still.”
    I didn’t want to tip the Ettins off. They weren’t the smartest of the Giants, but they weren’t stupid as Orcs either. Well, maybe.
    “Listen , Ettin,” I said, “No one has to die. Not me. Not you. Not your brother. Let’s just trade. Your brother for the women. Even is even.”
    “It’s a good idea , Brother,” the Ettin prisoner said.
    “THERE CAN BE NO DEAL .” Both of the free Ettin’s heads shook as they said it.
    Something about the way it said that ran a chill right through me.
    “Of course there can be,” I said. I didn’t want to say the next though t I had in my mind, but I did. “Unless something has happened to the women.”
    “HA , HA, HA,” it laughed. “THEY ARE ALL DEAD.”

 
    CHAPTER 9
     
     
    “This is perfect. Delicious. Salivating.” Kryzak wiped the sweat from his colorful head.
    Before him, a small image of a Man shimmered inside his grand tent. Speaking on a bright carpet.
    “It’s going well, High Cleric,” the Man said in Common. “Nath Dragon battles the Ettins as we speak. Others have split up. I must go now.” The gray image bowed.
    He snapped his fingers. The image f aded away.
    “I wish I could see it,” Kryzak said, wringing his hands. He walked over and sat in a plush chair.
    Two Draykis were on each side. Four acolytes in grey robes and with single tattooed rings on their bald heads stood inside the tent as well.
    He snapped his fingers.
    One acolyte readied a goblet. The other poured.
    Kryzak took the goblet and drank.
    For years he’d been hunting Dragons. Now he was hunting the most valuable one of all. Nath Dragon. He had longed for this day. Longed for the day he could prove himself to be the one, the only one for High Priestess Selene.
    “I want to be alone now,” he said.
    The acolytes departed, ducking through the tent flap one by one. Behind him, the Draykis, nearly seven feet of brawn and scales, stiff as statues, remained. He liked them. Commanding things so big and powerful gave him a thrill.
    He patted the bright tattoos on his head with a satin cloth.
    “Nath Dragon,” he muttered. “So far, so easy… ”
    The Clerics of Barnabus were a crafty lot. Their eyes and ears were