Part 20 (1/2)

”Heavier than aone hand from the rope to wipe his forehead

”Either pull or let one ill take your place!” Seyganko snapped

The man looked ready to quarrel, then seemed to think better of it and returned to his work

If what rose from the pit that yahere the hearthstone had stood was a anko had ever seen, save only Aondo

A closer look told the warrior that the newco of filth, his hair straight, and his eyes an eerie blue

There were tales of lands to the north that were inhabited by such blue-eyed giants, a race considered human for all that Here, no doubt, was such a one

”Noill you tell us your naanko ordered

”When I have drunk, and you have brought up iant replied

”Your woman?” someone asked

”You think I travel this forest with no co His teeth were very even and none of them filed into points

”Also, if you want more of these-” he pointed at the fallen jewel ”-they are down there”

So at the jewel as if it were a cobra about to strike Seyganko put a hand on her shoulder and turned her around so that the giant could not see her face Then he waved to the ain and shouted to the nearest hut for wo water

”What is it, woman?” he whispered when he was sure that none paid him and Emwaya any attention

”Those are Fire Eyes of the Golden Serpents,” Emwaya said Her breath see ”The man says they have more of them”

”So? They are fine to look at, not as fine as you when oiled and lying on a pallet, but-”

”The Golden Serpents bred in Xuchotl The tales of the city say the folk adorned themselves with the Fire Eyes”

”Then-”

”It could be that we have taken the destroyers of Xuchotl aanko protested

”You think we can put the?”

Seyganko studied the man's heavily muscled limbs, his iron weapons, and the easy, alert way he stood ”No If they are spirits, they would not go If they are huo and it would be unlawful to force them”

”Then what-”