Dark brooding trees held their violet canopy far overhead as the neat rows and columns of soldiers marched further and further from their home border. With trunks easily as large around as a human hut, the grey Ashen Willows of the Likmar forest held little beauty to the occupying army as they marched in rhythm with a large drum that compelled them to keep going. Their march had been progressing further and further north towards the main mining encampment atop a bluff that had slowly been whittled down over the past ten years.
Ten years. Miklian couldn't believe this occupation had been going on for ten years. It felt like they had first made camp in these inhospitable lands not a month ago, and yet here he was riding a Menchari and watching carefully over his troops. The giant had spent less than a year in any position of authority, yet the general had insisted he be in charge of the mobility to the mine. It struck him as odd that he was being tested in this way, but he knew it was only because the higher ranks had gone ahead to see the progress.
The mine was the main location for their prisoners of war, fugitives, and slaves they had taken over time. Beyond that, he wasn't sure why they had chosen such a place. His mind wandered some before a call came from the front of the lines for a halt. Unable to see the reason for the command, he dismounted and walked cautiously towards the source. His troops parted easily for him until he reached the front line where a single warlock stood, or floated more accurately, at eye level to the captain.
"Captain Miklian, there is news. Double your pace. You are requested urgently." The voice hissed and doubled, bouncing around in his head like a migraine before offering a paper letter from within the swirling shadows that made up the robe.
"Yes, sir. We will be there before nightfall." He accepted the letter before saluting the warlock who hissed pleasedly and dissipated into the fog. "You heard! Double time! Move out!"
His voice boomed to the ranks behind him who immediately started moving with the doubled pace of the drum. Miklian waited in place until his steed came near enough that he latched on to her harness and hoisted himself up beside her face, patting her brow as she trudged on with the advance. When he sat on her neck once more, his mind began to wander again. Why the hurry?
It was shortly before sunset when they arrived at the mine, but the shadows were long and the mined flat space he had been expecting was partially surrounded by the ruins of what looked like an ancient city that had sunk into the stone?
"It's called a caldera, captain." A familiar voice spoke from behind him as he looked down on the ruins. Miklian turned around sharply to salute his superior before moving to embrace his brother.
"Camledan, it has been too long. How are you? How is Shehsani?" The younger spoke eagerly, asking about his sister-in-law quickly. He had only last heard that she was pregnant again, this time it was certainly a boy.
"She is well. We expect to know by the end of the month if I finally have a son. Come, let us eat. There is much to talk about." The taller brother hooked his arm about Miklian's shoulders, pulling him toward a tent that erupted with the flavourful scents of freshly cooked foods as soon as they rounded the entrance.
A long table was set with plates sizable only for giants with dishes piled high with food lining the center of the table. A few officers recognised Miklian and waved jovially, welcoming their friend to the folds of their high life. Some were faces he recognised from the academy, others from the times since the occupation began. All but one were friendly.
The head of the table was taken by a stern and aged giant woman who watched carefully as the two men entered the tent. Her stormy grey eyes did not leave the shorter of the two as they made their way towards her and bowed politely. She did not say anything, but huffed and waved a hand to let them sit near her.
"Thank you, General." Miklian was careful not to upset her drink as he sat before waiting for his brother to sit beside him. Before placing anything on his plate, he turned to her and quietly asked "How are you, mother?"
She glared into him, warning him to behave himself but did not answer his question and instead pulled a human girl over to her forcibly, nearly ripping out her arm. "More wine," she demanded before letting the girl go. This human was obviously fully grown, but to see the size of them was still such entertainment for those unfamiliar with them. He had long ago lost the novelty of fighting against such tiny foes, but seeing them docile like this...
It sent a pain into his heart that he could not trace its origin.
"Eat, brother! You are so skinny! You resemble more a goblin than a giant!" Camledan was the eldest and had never let Miklian forget their sizable difference in height. Standing straight, the younger stood even with his brother's shoulder.
"And you are much more an ogre." The smart response sent boisterous laughter down the length of the table as he finally reached for the haunch of a large bull. Tearing the meat from the bone was easily done, but the teasing did not stop as he picked the bones from his meal.
"Ah, there he goes! Why don't you just eat them whole like the rest of us? Are you still afraid, little brother?" A sharp jab of an elbow met his side as he chuckled a response.
"Not afraid. I just hate when they get stuck in between my teeth. It's rather difficult to get them out, you know." His calm demeanour was generous to his brother who took the hint and began talking with his friends who had been at the camp for some time, some of whom were leaving shortly thereafter.
The night wore on until the general and Miklian were all that remained in the otherwise silent tent. She dismissed the slaves from the room, all of whom scurried away quickly, before she snapped her fingers that the tent be closed. He had been waiting for this the entire evening and knew some of what was to come.
"Mother, before you say an-"
SMACK!
Miklian's attempt to forestall the inevitable failed miserably as she swiftly backhanded him out of his chair.
"I gave you one duty when I sent you home. Do you remember what that was?" Her voice was colder than a mountain wind as she spoke, but her voice was steady.
"Yes, mother." He remained on the ground, quickly pulling himself into a respectful kneeling bow before her.
"Well? What did I send you home to do?" She lorded over him, waiting.
"To find a wife."
"So tell me. What happened?" Her arms crossed as she stood expectantly.
"I tried, mother!"
SMACK!
The older woman easily sent him reeling onto his back before waiting for him to return to the kneeling position before her. "I will not ask twice."
His head lowered in shame as he quietly said "I failed."
"Louder."
"I failed." Miklian's voice was clearer and marginally louder as she stepped away from him to pick up her cup.
"You failed." She stood with her hand on the table before her as she drained the rest of the wine before throwing the cup at her son. "Your brother has five daughters and is expecting another child soon. You have no wife, no house, not even an officer's rank. Captain! Pah!"
The cup bounced off his shoulder as he remained kneeling. In this life, he had never once measured up to his brother, let alone his mother's expectations.
"You are just like your father. Get out. You are not my son." This was far from the first time she had disowned him in such a fashion, and he was fairly sure it would not be the last as he stood and excused himself after saluting her as her station required.
As Miklian made his way back to his tent, he could hear the sounds of various couplings throughout the camp. He had no care for it, none of the giants or ogres that made their way with the military could please him. He was loathe to tell his men to not enjoy their pleasures when they could, though. As he tied the loops of his tent closed, he paused. A sound behind him in his tent put him on full alert. Turning around slowly, he made sure to stand as tall as he could in case it was an intruder of the smaller variety, but when he finally laid eyes on it, he was stunned.
"Please, please don't hurt me."