* * * * *
Upon getting over my initial amazement, I did cautiously insert my falchion through that hole, blade-first. Then, I withdrew it. After carefully examining it, and seeing not even a blemish on its polished surface, I did proceed through the hole, bodily. First, my head; followed by my upper torso and left leg; and, finally, my right leg.
Svyatogor did come after me, with Skogul bringing up the rear. And, when we all stood shoulder-to-shoulder, once more, we did gaze with wonder at our surroundings.
How best to describe it?
Well, for one thing, we did behold in front of us a hill surrounded by an orchard. With each tree of this orchard bearing golden fruit on its branches. But, not solid gold! Rather; more of a burnt orange, with a blackish-colored slit on the bottom of each fruit.
"Dragon's eye apples," exclaimed Svyatogor: "I heard tell of these, once. From Bedouin silk merchants, in the Byzantine market place, when I was Skogul's age."
"Well," replied his daughter: "If these trees are guarded by a real dragon, as in the legend of Fafnir's Treasure, then we had best resume our giant sizes.
Her father agreed. Whereupon, they simultaneously became a hundred English feet tall, once more. Skogul then picked me up, in her left hand, and placed me on her left shoulder. Apologetically half-smiling for any presumption on her part.
So, I replied (whispering in a tone of voice that I hoped only her giant-sized left ear could hear) that I did not mind. Even so, Svyatogor did meaningfully clear his throat, at this point. He then gestured, with his seax, at the hill beyond the orchard.
Atop that hill was a castle that I had never seen the like of, before. Imagine a beehive the size of a mountain! And, made of gleaming polished brass, to boot!!
This is what my stalwart companions began proceeding toward. Our intended destination, the seemingly unprotected north gate of this edifice. Although, we were well aware that--on a battlefield--nothing is ever as it seems.
Carefully, the Varangiants traversed the orchard, so as not to crush any of the trees. Svyatogor delicately placing one foot in front of the other, as he went up one row. Skogul doing the same, to his right. Upon reaching the foot of the hill, they separated only as long as it took to circle round it.
That is when it happened.
Suddenly, a voice did ring out from within the hive-shaped castle, reverberating with the same quality as echoes within a cathedral. And, its utterance was most concise.
"Arise, Korybantes! Arise, and defend your mistress!"
Whereupon, a swarm of bee-like robber flies did issue forth from the castle! Each one the size of a prize bullock. And, each one ridden by a warrior, armored in black.
The last thing I saw, before Skogul and I were surrounded by a living tornado of giant insects, was her father being likewise enveloped. And, when I say "enveloped," I do mean that they did cover his entire body, from head to foot!
I soon discovered the reason for this, as Skogul was soon so covered, herself. Oh, she did resist as best and as long she could! Depositing me upon the ground between her boots, while she cleaved left and right, with her mighty shield and seax. Trying to, at least, stir the air enough to dislodge our assailants from their perches. If not outright cleave them in twain, en masse.
Ultimately, however, there were so many that did land upon her face that she could not breathe. And, so, she did collapse.
tbc
Giantess World
