The Giant's Giant by MARK CHEVERTON

Author:MARK CHEVERTON
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MARK CHEVERTON

Chapter 17

Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Brianna stared up at Stannis as she fell, her screams echoing off the steep sides of the ravine. A look of horror spread across the boy’s face as he realized what was happening.

If I keep hold of the rope, I’ll pull Stannis off the log, dragging him to his death, she thought. I can’t do that.

She looked at her hand. The metallic line was coiled around her wrist like a constricting snake. Focusing on her hand, Brianna tried to let go, but her fingers wouldn’t obey; panic ruled her body right now. Using every bit of will, she tried to stretch her hand open, but the fingers refused to move.

Suddenly, Stannis leaped off the opposite side of the log, the foolish boy plummeting into the darkness.

“What are you doing?!” Brianna’s voice was loud and ragged, her throat sore from her screams.

As Stannis fell, he cast her a smile. “Hold on tight with both hands!”

Brianna grabbed the line with both hands, squeezing so tight her knuckles turned white.

The line grew tighter and tighter until . . . SNAP . . . the slack was gone, and their fall jerked to a stop. Brianna and Stannis hung on opposite sides of the log, each clutching the metallic rope as they swung back and forth.

“What were you thinking? Was jumping off the log part of your plan?” Brianna gripped the cable with all her strength, her sweaty hands slipping a little.

“Well, I couldn’t just let you fall.” Stannis smiled as he swung near. “If you fell into the ravine while holding my rope, you might—”

“I might take you with me?”

He laughed. “No, I thought you’d take my rope with you. I worked hard to make that rope.” Stannis laughed again. “How about we climb up and get back on top of the log?”

With a nod, Brianna started climbing with Stannis, trying to keep their motions synchronized. But her hands were so sweaty she couldn’t get a grip.

“I can’t do it; the line is too slippery.” Brianna’s voice had grown weak.

“Okay, then I’ll climb up and somehow tie the rope off, so I can pull you up.”

“There’s no place where you can tie it off. All the branches are gone. It’s impossible.”

“I never thought I’d hear a giant give up. Isn’t there something about that in your Way-thingy. We were kicked out of Harmony before I got to the Way-class.” Stannis gave her a reassuring grin.

Brianna nodded. “It’s called The Way, and it’s the LapisStone: ‘A true giant faces every obstacle with bravery and determination, and refuses to yield. A giant who surrenders is not a giant.’ My father used to make me recite the Stones of the Way over and over, so I’d learn them and live them . . . I thought it was pretty stupid.”

Stannis swung closer and grabbed the rope above Brianna and held tight, so they’d be closer. “It seems like you learned the lesson in spite of the stupidity.”

She laughed. “Reciting the line doesn’t mean you believe in the line.

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