Awakening the Giants Boxed Set: An Epic Fantasy Series, Books 1-3 (Sword of Ares, Iron and Flame, Legend of the Fallen) by Alex Morgenstern

Author:Alex Morgenstern [Morgenstern, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-14T22:00:00+00:00

Bear Queen

Alana stayed in the biggest yurt she had ever seen, where silk-clad ladies catered to her every need, not that she asked for much. The entire torso of a lamb had been braised just for her, and presented in a plate of silver, along with imported wine and yoghurt. Incense and sacred seeds burned in front of her, and she felt the tension leaving her body as if offended by the holy smoke.

Ira entered the yurt and sat on the floor next to her.

“How do you feel?”

“This has made me happy, I just wish our friends could enjoy it, I wish all of our people, even your people, that we all could be here.”

Ira smiled faintly.

“I am glad you made it. Now, the chieftain is talking to his generals, let’s just hope they don’t raise any objection and come with you.”

“Thank you, Ira. You’re so good to me. I am so happy to have someone who really cares for us.” Alana threw herself in Ira’s muscular arms. Her breath was steady and robust.

“What are you going to do?” Alana looked up at her. “Would you come with us? Or not? I understand if you don’t.”

Ira chuckled.

“I hate war. Honestly . . .” She sighed. “I cannot lie to you, Alana. I know your cause is just, and I love to help you, if I can, I will always help. But war is painful.”

“I know,” Alana said, but she knew, although she had suffered losses and injustice, she knew little of battle and warfare itself.

“There’s something nice about it, though,” Ira said, stretching her long arms.

“What?” Alana raised an eyebrow.

“You have not been part of an army before, you’ve fought in the forests and fields, and I’m sure Kassara taught you a lot, but . . . Many people, willing to follow and act, as one, comrades you’d give your life for. And deeds of valour greater than anything you’d ever think you’d do.”

“I think I’ve already had a little of that.”

“But at the same time—” Ira sighed. “—it’s the most horrible thing in the world, it takes away the ones you love and leaves you scarred for life.”

“Tell that to me,” Alana muttered.

“So, please understand if I don’t join you.”

“I do, Ira, and there is no way I can thank you enough for what you have done for me.”

Suddenly, a hand encased in leather gauntlets pulled the curtains at the entrance, revealing a blaze of sunlight. The sentinel stepped in.

“Miss Alana, your presence is required at the Chieftain’s yurt.”

“Aye,” Alana said, swallowing nervously. She clumsily stood up and looked at Ira.

“Good luck,” Ira winked at her. Alana nodded and followed the sentinel back to the Chieftain’s yurt.

Inside, Alana sat next to the great chieftain, two eunuchs sat cross legged on each side, and in front of them, four tall generals dressed in full armour. Their helmets were round on the top, with leather pads as cheek guards, their armours of segmented iron upon hardened leather. They made them look like armoured beetles.

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