The rise and fall

This is number seven I believe, nothing more to add for now.

Have a good one and remember, if the novel gets like 100 pps by Friday I will do a triple release on the weekend.

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It took a surprisingly short time to get to the city gate considering the cargo we had to carry all the way from the clearing on the forest's edge.

It is now late afternoon, sunset is upon us, the whole area is covered in a warm yellow glow. Truthfully, time-wise it is not that late, but it is winter so the days are much shorter.

The gate is already in sight and our presence seems to have started a commotion. Even from this far away I can see soldiers running across the wall and through the gate.

''Are they preparing for a monster attack?''. Ubam asks while carrying the three spears I borrowed and the executioner's ax. At first, Vun had them but he seemed to prefer carrying the carcass, the effort probably heated him up a bit.

Even with all the people running around the gate we don't stop and keep steadily walking forward, they must have seen us carrying the body, not like we are hidden or anything, on the contrary, we are on a wide-open field.

Looking up I can see the scared face of the soldiers peeking rough the arrow slits on the wall, every single hole had at least three heads peeking at us.

As we get underneath the gate itself the inner streets of the town come in sight, there is a unit of soldiers pointing spears at us with the captain at the forefront surrounding the road in a half-circle.

I wave a the gathering of armed men and say in a loud jovial voice. ''Captain, thank you for the warm welcome, I am glad to announce that the hunt was a resounding success''.

He did not seem to expect me to return anytime soon, if at all.

''Lower your weapons men''. He exclaimed while lowering his own spear. ''Welcome back merchant, no, are you really a merchant, what was your name again, I didn't quite catch it last time''. And I don't remember ever introducing myself.

''Caspian Season, a merchant by profession and sole owner of the lumber yard of this fine city, and now a hunter of little renown''. I say with my back straight and chest sticking out, the gazes of the spectators felt great.

''I see, then tell me, sir Caspian, what is that you are carrying into the city?''. My dinner.

''That, dear captain, is the result of days worth of planning, not to mention the effort and great danger everyone experienced while on the hunt''. Every word I spoke made my head bigger, I swear.

''I would be more than glad to tell you about it in detail, but sadly there is no time right now, so if we may get going, I will make sure to contact you at a later date with the full story of my exploits''.

The soldiers behind the captain were getting louder in their mutterings, I could hear words such as, large, monstrous, fearsome and I could take that on myself. Good luck with that one buddy.

The captain lifts his head and stares at the fearsome beast on the fearsome giants' back, I say fearsome giants because after all this time of carrying the carcass around their faces were fully red and they were sweating profusely, they are most likely quite close to their limits.

''That is fine by me sir Caspian, one last question before you go, where do you plan on taking this thing''. I'm going to stuff it and use it as a gate guard, lets see who dares come inside with this thing standing by the door.

''I am taking it down by the docks, I have a warehouse over there where i can process the body''. He seemed convinced enough.

''Alright then, stop gawking and make way men''. He turns back at me. ''I would offer you an escort but I don't believe anyone would dare stop you''. We think the same way then.

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And so our parade through the city streets started, while it was getting slowly darker the streets were still full of people. People who had most likely never gone more than a handful of miles away from their houses, not to mention seeing a monster.

The fact that we got somewhat of a following of curious bystanders pleases me, they are looking at us, me to be more exact, as I am the only human among giants, with great admiration, I could feel the ladies swoon.

Slowly we made our way to our destination, the Giants Fist, and its neighboring establishment, the brothel. If I remember correctly the madam has Vulnog skins lining her chambers, although I can't help but compare the ones she has with this one, there is quite a size difference, at least a meter id say, as in mine is much larger.

As we reach the docks our procession starts including giants, these ones were also looking at us with admiration, but not at me this time, but at their fellow kin, the ones carrying the body.

Soon the large building that I recognize as the bar comes into sight, I quicken my pace so that I reach the doors before anyone else, with great vigor I kick the door inwards, causing it to smash into the wall.

''Olek, come out!''. The drunkards residing in the bar, bot local giants and foreign human traders, had very surprised faces, after all a human just kicked in the door at a giants establishment, not very smart by normal standards,

Shortly after the building seems to vibrate as an angry Olek comes out of the back area of the bar. ''What is it!'' He bellowed while glaring down at the people staring at him.

''It's me Olek, quickly call for the madam, I have a great thing to show you!'' That caught his attention, his red cheeks, probably due to excessive drinking, went up.

''It's you Caspian, what happened to make you so happy, did you find a nice lass and wanted to introduce her to me''. He said with a jovial smile and the gruff voice typical to most giants, his earlier anger already gone as if it never happened.

''The hunt was a success Olek, I've got one, quickly call the madam, she has to see this!''. Judging by the look in his eyes he had no idea what I am talking about, fair enough, I turn and open the large door wide then get out of the way allowing the outside cold air to come inside and for everyone inside to see outside.

What greeted my eyes was the carcass carriers waiting out front, Ubam was saying something to them while swinging the ax around.

Behind me there is the sound of wood hitting wood, someone must've dropped their tankard.

As I kept looking outside a large shape quickly walks past me onto the streets. ''What on the ancestor's name is this!''. Olek exclaimed.

''A Vulnog, like the ones in the madam's stories, now that you've seen it quickly call her over, I need to ask her for advice''. Olek got closer to the thing and stretched his arm as if to touch it before stopping himself.

He looked at me, then, to my surprise this time, he bellowed. ''SWEETIE COME OVER, THIS LAD CASPIANS GONE AND DONE IT!''

I was not expecting that, and neither were my goons as I can see them flinch and drop the body on the ground with a resounding crash.

No one says anything as the doors to the neighboring building, the brothel, open and several women peek out, none of them was the madam. We, as in the people on the street, stared at the scantly clad ladies until the shadow of a woman could be seen behind them, the form walks outside and closes the door behind her.

She then walks closer and closer, the scowl present on her face intensifying with every long stride. Soon she stood just above the dead Vulnog, kneeled and grabbed its head, then forced its jaws open with her bare hands.

''It's fresh''. I know lady, it's not even been half a day since it drowned.

She gets up and turns to me. ''Did you use the method I told you about Caspian?'' I simply nod back at her.

''Good, very good, I've never seen one this large, it may even have been a pack leader''. A pack leader, as in the alpha, oh boy I fished a big one.

''Madam, can I ask a favor of you?''. She looked quite sad while gazing at the body, probably thinking back on the friends she lost.

''What is it Caspian, ask away, I will try and give you a hand if I can''. Isn't everyone so friendly today, first the captain who wanted to help me hide a body then the madam who just accepts to help me without even knowing what I will ask of her.

''Madam I would like to have the thing skinned, do you happen to know of a way?''. This is what i want from her, to help me skin it, I haven't met a single hunter or anyone even remotely related to killing animals since I came to this city, the madam is the only one.

''Skinning you say, I can help with that, leave the body with me for a few days and i will bring back the pelt, don't worry, I told you before, I was an experienced hunter, I can at least skin a beast, no matter how fearsome it may look''. Great, that is very reassuring.

''Then I leave it in your hands madam if you require any compensation do not hesitate to ask, part of the merit goes to you and your trap making skills''.

As we were about to finish our conversation, Olek who quieted down after calling the madam comes closer to me and places a hand on my shoulder.

''Caspian, no, sir Caspian, how about a trade?''. Oooh how strange, Olek being proactive for once.

''But of course, Olek, what is it that you want to trade?'' It better be good, I don't feel like doing business right now, a bit too tired and sore all over.

He looks down at the body and points at it with his other hand. ''I want the head Caspian, in exchange for the head I will prepare a feast for your victorious return, everything free of charge''. I look at him suspiciously, this guys a miser, there's no way he'll make a deal with himself as the losing party.

Seeing my suspicious gaze he continues. ''I'll even add some of the best liquors from my personal collection, only for you of course''. That sounds great this guy is known for hiding the good stuff, and I don't have a need for the head either, but why is he doing it.

''I will agree on one condition, tell me why you want it'' It's piqued my curiosity, the reason a miser such as him would want the ugly head of all things.

''For decoration, that right there is a very rare thing to own, I must have it displayed in my bar'' He says with reddened cheeks and twinkling eyes, a fellow collector I see, good enough a reason as any other.

''Then I accept, get the feast ready Olek, my underlings, cough, I mean brave workers, deserve it, and as for the head''. I turn and look back at my guards, Ubam was still carrying the three spear I borrowed a while back, the ax tho, was back in Vuns hands.

''As for the head''. I repeat myself. ''Vun, off with it''. He looks at me questioningly without saying anything.

''Off with its head Vun'' I make a cutting motion at my neck using my right hand.

Vun instantly understood and, for the following few minutes, the sound of the rising and falling of an ax together with splitting bones and shearing meat was heard all around the harbor district.