With a doubtful scowl, Borg seemed to accept this. He let out a deep sigh, and nodded for Hyden to lead him. As Hyden complied, Borg’s spoke from behind him.
“It is a sign of strange times when any member of the Skyler Clan chooses to befriend an elf, but a bridge between the two races has long been needed.”
Hyden had to hurry and scramble to stay ahead of Borg’s huge strides. He wanted to ask about Berda, but couldn’t find the words, or the moment, to speak them. He cared deeply for the giantess who had educated him through the telling of her tales, while her husband grazed his big horned goats in the valleys around the Skyler Clan village. He had a feeling that if he didn’t see her while he was here in the mountains, that it would be a long while before he had the chance again. He wanted to ask her about the man named Pratchert, who eventually became the wizard, Dahg Mahn. He wanted her to see Talon, and to ask her what she knew about such a bonding. All of that aside, he just plain wanted to see her, and hear her soft voice, as she carried him away to some grand and far off place for an adventure. It came as a shock when Borg, seeming to have read part of his thoughts, asked him a question.
“So Hyden Hawk, where is your familiar?”
Hyden took two more steps, then stopped abruptly, and turned.
“How do you know about Talon?” His tone was as curious as it was fearful.
“I talk with the animals as you do, Hyden Hawk.” Borg made sure that his tone wasn’t severe. He hadn’t meant to alarm the boy in any way. “They help me with my duty. Sooner or later, I hear of everything that happens in these mountains. How else do you think I could guard such a vast border by myself? For the moment, you and Talon are the envy of the skies. All the birds are chirping about it.”
“I can only communicate with Talon,” Hyden said, as he turned and started walking again.
“You will grow into your power far sooner than you’ll like,” Borg told him. “It’s something that takes time to develop. Usually, necessity brings out the abilities you have happened upon. And I am afraid that using your gift will become a necessity before too long.”
The giant sighed again, as they continued stalking through the snow.
“Bad things have been loosed upon the world recently. I think that maybe you and your group may have met one of them already.”
The idea that there were more things out there like the hellcat that had killed Lord Gregory and half blinded Vaegon, made Hyden shudder. He wondered what sort of things they could be and what they were after. The hellcat had seemed concerned only with Mikahl, or maybe it was that magical sword he wielded. Either way, Hyden was sure that he would find out more about the kingdom men than he really wanted to.
He was relieved when they finally reached the cavern, and at least for a while, his mind wouldn’t be idle to dwell on such dire possibilities.
Borg had to duck into the cavern, and ended up sitting cross-legged by the fire, with his head brushing the soot blackened ceiling. Hyden introduced him to everyone and them to him.
When Mikahl rose and bowed formally, as Westland custom dictated, he got a good look at the massive Southern Guardian. He was shocked, and relieved at what he saw. The things his countrymen had fought at Coldfrost hadn’t been giants at all. He couldn’t picture them as even being half breeds.
Borg was just a great big human, where those things had been semi-intelligent beasts. The contrast between what Mikahl had expected, and what was before him, confounded him so much that he forgot to ask Borg the questions that had been eating away at him for the last few days. He was so relieved, that he forgot about everything for a while, at least until he caught the giant eyeing King Balton’s sword.
Chapter 32
After everyone had been introduced, and all the formalities had been taken care of, Loudin attracted Borg’s attention by carefully unrolling a few feet of the bark lizard skin. The size of the cavern wouldn’t allow him to show any more of it, but he didn’t need the extra room. Like some monstrous baby, Borg crawled on hands and knees over to the roll to examine it closer.