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guard the fireplace?”
    “Who knew he’d head up there?”
    “He might get away.”
    “No, he won’t.”
    Jason heard the big front door open and shut. Not long after, he heard the roof creaking. He was trapped.
    “Ho, Matt! This is Peluthe. You hear me?” The voice came from above.
    “I hear you.”
    Peluthe spoke calmly. “Why not end this silly game and climb down? You cannot possibly escape. We promise to kill you quickly. No prolonged suffering.”
    “Think about it,” Jason said. “If you were in my position, would you come down?” He shifted on the ledge, legs dangling.
    “If I were being reasonable, I just might. Even if you last in there until dawn, there are plenty of us to easily slay you. We have weapons.”
    “You’re only big at night?” Jason verified.
    “Now you know our real secret,” Peluthe answered. “You can understand why we can’t allow you to leave here alive.”
    “Plus, we haven’t had fresh human in ages,” the codger called from below, his voice now deeper.
    “I promise to keep your secret,” Jason tried. “Why not just let me go?”
    “Deal,” Jep replied. “Come on down.”
    “No, I mean for real.”
    “Fresh human is a rare delicacy,” Jep explained. “It’s nothing personal—you seem like a good enough lad. If you would rather not be eaten, a wise policy is to stay away from these woods, and especially from our village.”
    Jason stared down the chimney in silence. He really was trapped. His demise was only a matter of time. At least he had sent Tark off with a message for Galloran, so his return to Lyrian wouldn’t be a total waste.
    “Be reasonable,” Peluthe pleaded.
    “Sorry for the inconvenience,” Jason said, trying to keep the fear out of his voice, “but I’m going to make this as difficult as I can. You should be ashamed for inviting a guest into your home and then trying to eat him.”
    “Suggestions?” Peluthe asked, no longer addressing Jason.
    “Find a pole,” someone proposed.
    “Smoke him out,” growled the codger.
    “Saul!” Peluthe called. “Trade places with me. I’m coming down.”
    A commotion of voices ensued, with some giving directions and others complaining. Jason heard the giants clomping about. A big pair of hands began piling wood into the fireplace.
    “Find greenery,” Jep instructed. “It makes more smoke.”
    Jason heard the front door open and close.
    He examined the little ledge he was on. If he put his nose against the rear corner of the ledge facing the wall and breathed through his shirt, he might last for some time. But no matter what precautions he took, eventually he would asphyxiate. If they piled the wood high enough and it burned hot enough, he might even cook! Jason had known returning to Lyrian might get him killed, but deep down he had not believed it would happen. At least not so soon!
    Down below, green boughs were heaped atop the growing pile of wood.
    Jason patted his pockets, considering his options. He had money and jewels from Tark, but the giants would not likely accept a bribe when they could just kill him and rob his corpse. He had Ferrin’s hand, but there was no chance the displacer was near enough to offer direct assistance. Were these giants loyal to Maldor? If so, could he pretend to be a displacer by dropping the hand, maybe bluff that he was on an errand from Maldor? He doubted whether the giants would care.
    Peluthe called to him again, this time from below. “Are you sure you refuse to come down? This won’t be pleasant.”
    “Not to mention that the smoke will sully your flavor,” Jep added.
    “We could provide a quick, clean death,” Peluthe offered. “Dignified and painless.”
    Jason wondered if he should keep answering. His responses might only encourage them.
    “Don’t bother playing possum,” Retta said. “We’re going to get you down one way or another, even if we have to climb up there in the morning.”
    “I hope I taste like ashes,” Jason