The pair entered the larger tent quietly, Miklian leading his human so all could see how she belonged to him. It was all a show, but the posturing and acting seemed to be enough for Captain Trian and his subordinates. As the taller giant invited his guest to sit, the conversations began on Wynessa.
"You must tell me how long you have had such a vibrant creature? She certainly has some charms about her, I can see that much, but how was it you met?" Trian was desperate for a story, it was clear in how he leaned on the table, watching her carefully and practically drooling. "I am surprised that the General was understanding to your tastes."
"To be clear, the General is not understanding of anything I do. Though I have not had her in my possession long, she is useful and entertains me." Miklian did not dance around the questions, answering them in turn. His voice was deliberately respectful but strong, showing both his sincerity and his unwillingness to part with her. "As for how we met, let's just say it was a surprise that brought me to my knees."
"A slave brought you to your knees? I would pay to see that! Ha!" Food flew from the captain's mouth, causing Miklian to flinch in disgust. Just as he was about to say something, Wynessa tapped gently on his arm. He leaned towards her, not taking his gaze off the other captain.
"I have an idea. I found some liquor that I think would suit the captain nicely. Should I go get it?" She whispered carefully to him, to which he nodded. She stepped back, curtseyed respectfully and backed out the tent before taking off jogging towards the old tower.
"What was that about, Miklian? Don't tell me she's the one giving you orders?" Trian scoffed, shoving more food in his mouth.
"Of course not. She asked permission to fetch something I had forgotten to bring. As I said before, she is greatly useful. She will be back in a moment. In the meantime, may we discuss something more pressing?" He leaned on the table slightly, much more carefully deboning the sheep before him as Trian looked at him confusedly. "A member of the town, just an elf really, was chased up a tree and accused of being a witch."
"Oh that. I tend to let the Alderman deal with petty squabbles such as that. Why? Does he interest you?" He paused, looking Miklian over with a new gaze, less appreciative than before.
"In a fashion, yes. I will be heading north tomorrow, so I petition you to allow me to take this elf with me as a guide. The target I am seeking out is a bit... Elusive." he carefully took a bite of the haunch before him just as Wynessa returned with a pair of matching bottles of cloudy dark liquid. She curtseyed as soon as she entered the tent, before moving straight next to her giant. "Ah, good. The gifts. While I know they aren't what we're used to back home, I had thought these might do well by you."
"Gifts? You needn't have. Come girl, bring them to me." He snapped his fingers at her, making her insides boil as she stepped towards Trian with the bottles in hand, setting them gently on the table that rested at shoulder height to her before bowing and backing away before he could touch her in any way. "Quick little mouse aren't you. Alright, let's take a look at these gifts then."
He pulled one of the bottles towards him, easily breaking the seal and taking out the cork before smelling the aromatic concoction within and smiling. He was actually smiling! Wynessa was so sure that bottle had been wine, so perhaps it was vinegar by now? Absolutely not palatable, but sure enough he snapped his fingers for a cup and poured the majority of the bottle into his own before pouring what remained into a cup for Miklian.
"A drink then, a toast. If this doesn't kill us, you can take the elf with you tomorrow. I'll even set you up with a cart and ox if it tastes as good as it smells." Trian lifted his cup to the pair, Miklian lifted his own and they both drank to the health of the other. What Wynessa had not counted on was the fact that Miklian very strictly barely ever drank and this what-was-once-wine was now potent enough somehow to get him incredibly drunk off of the small amount that he had.
Their host drained his cup and smacked his lips as he sighed, but as he had previously stated he would, he told one of the guards by the door of the tent to sort out a cart and ox. Shortly thereafter, Captain Trian fell asleep in his chair, snoring loudly.
"I think that is our que to retreat to our tent, master." Wynessa spoke up from behind him quietly, just barely loud enough that some of the slaves heard her as well as her giant who nodded and moved to stand, only to waver in place before resting a hand on the heavy table.
"Can someone move some of this food into our tent? I doubt how much longer I will be able to stay standing, but I would like to keep eating. Also, any of you who is hungry has my permission to eat what you like off this table. Gods know there's more than enough." He slurred slightly as he staggeringly stepped towards the entrance of the tent. "Gentlemen, please keep an eye on the Captain. He's severely intoxicated."
It took a few tries, but eventually they got Miklian back to the tent they were borrowing and laid him down on the bed. A few of the slaves questioned if he had truly meant what he said about eating the food to which Wynessa addressed them.
"My master is a gracious person, and he means what he says. Please, do not put yourself in harm's way, but eat what you will allow yourself to and do not feel ashamed. If you need to, use my master as an excuse and take food back to the others." She used him as a shield for the people who needed encouragement and a weapon against those who would harm them. "If you ever need help, seek out the blacksmith in town. He is old, but a good man."
Recognition of what she truly meant flashed behind their eyes, knowing she referred to someone who had helped the resistance move supplies through town helped set their minds at ease. One of the women came forward and asked cautiously, whispering to her.
"Is he with us?" She motioned towards the sleeping giant in the tent behind Wynessa who nodded in response.
"Secret weapons need to remain secret." she responded hushedly before shooing them back to the feasting tent. Watching them move excitedly gave her some hope.
Maybe there was some use in this giant after all.