Fannars POV
It has been 3 weeks since I woke up from a nice long nap. Since then I have been directing the greenhorns here where to pile up the giants bone. This way I can start forging giant bone-steel. The blood collected from the battlefield will be used to quench the bone steel, that combined with some choice runes out to make these very deadly to the bastards.
There have been a few minor skirmishes with the giants recently, but it seems to mostly be following the norm. If the war order didn't require I stay through the majority of the fighting I would already be back in my bed right this minute.
I can't even get a letter through to my Lija due to none of the scouts returning. I offered to run a few messages down, but that old man Erik just thinks I would go home and forget about delivering the messages. Which Is not true in the least. I just wouldn't come back after dropping them off.
It will probably take me three weeks to finish all the giant slaying bolts the chief asked for. 10,000 bolts is a tall order. Its probably going to take me a week just to smelt out the Bone-Steel. Luckily they got another craftsman building the shafts for the bolts. If I can't find a way back when this is done I may just have to smash my way out especially since Lija ought to be giving birth in just over a month.
Reaching the forge and cracking open the earth fire vein, I start preheat the smelting furnace. I begin by breaking the giants bones into more manageable piece and tossing them into several crucibles the size of ten men. Topping it off with frost iron ore and setting the caps I sit down to fill my mead horn up.
Taking two good swigs from the horn its time to get to work. Guess I can keep a steady pace for all three weeks as long as I leave the earth fire vein open. Should hold off the frost waste restrictions on me while I work. Putting the first crucible in im getting fired up. As time begins to pass
*****
Clan Head POV
"Master, we found it!" a man says approaching me.
Taking the letter and rune stone in hand that I have now waited two weeks for, I begin by opening the letter. After reading it I'm a little shocked. It's been a few hundred years since giants had been foolish enough to break the accord. Reaching for the rune stone I run a trace of qi through it activating a recording of the situation at the front.
Seeing Irons-bane let loose is always a pleasant experience so long as your not on the receiving end of his hammers. My personal enjoyment being put aside, the sheer numbers of the giant horde where easily 3 times the norm. Noticing the leader of the raids this time seems to be a newbie to these battles might be the cause, but it's still abnormal.
Witnessing the strategy of strangling the life lines of the fort and even going so far as to kill messenger scouts it's definitely extreme. For several thousand years the northern war front has produced many a fighting genius for both sides why would they try to change it now.
Sending the scouts away from my room and locking the door, I move the bedframe and lift the escape hatch. Heading down to the ancestors chamber I turn the rune stone at the left of the isolation chamber. This will let her know I seek her council. Waiting for close to an hour the chamber begins opening.
Out of the 9 great clans, only our clan and raven clan have female ancestors. While the other realms may look down on female cultivators, Earth clan firmly believes they are stronger than many of the males at the same level. Female cultivators typically experience stronger heart demons, and instability in qi and soul foundations due to having stronger emotions. However this only increases their innate strength. Gaining understanding in the realms of heart comprehension, understanding the principles of the universe, and when they have stabilized their foundation after one of these experiences it becomes unshakable compared to those of men.
After being welcomed in and sitting down across from the ancestor I fill her in on the details and pass the letter and rune stone over to her. Watching her expressions change while replaying the rune stone was quite enjoyable, at least I'm not the only one impressed. Although she is over 1200 years old she does not look a day over 19. One of the many benefits of body cultivators is aging slower than other forms of cultivating and even regaining lost youth with a realm breakthrough.
"I see. I'll Contact the other clans ancestors and we will go meet the king of giants. It has been a long time, maybe we can exchange pointers. Though I imagine it will take a couple weeks to get there" She says with fire burning in her eyes.
"Thank you ancestor." I reply taking my leave. One common trait all those peak powers have is that they are true battle maniacs, even when they act wise and mysterious they truly just want a good fight. I say a silent prayer for the giants not to antagonize them, wait maybe they should, a little suffering might do them some good. Laughing to myself I cant help but wish to be a fly on the wall for this one.
*****
3 weeks later
Ancestor POV
"Here we are Kiddies." I say smirking at the others.
"Why did you drag me all the way here without more mead lass. You know its not good for my mood." Snake clan says.
"Sis Didn't you tell them we came to beat the king of giants back into his diapers." Raven clans says.
"ok, we will go in, be polite and if we don't hear what we want we can beat the king then. Any complaints." I say while glaring at the lot of them.
Skipping up to the frost clans gate like the young girl I appear to be, stopping right in front of the guards to their absolute confusion. Looking up with a cute and innocent look on my face, with my index finger on my chin and head tilted I start talking with the weakling in front.
"Oh! Mister Guard guy seems really big. Are your strong?" doing the doe eye blink.
Looking down at the little girl only as tall as his calf, begins laughing at her. He says that he is indeed very strong and wants to know how he can help, while grinning sarcastically at this possibly naïve girl.
"Is the king in? see me and my sister brought these old men to escort us so we can see the strongest man in the north. You'll help us right mister?" I ask back while gesturing to the other clans ancestors.
With a full bellied laugh ringing out, drawing the attention over from the other guards. Finally done laughing he points at me and proceeds to make fun of me.
"Pip squeak, you turn around and leave before I squash you like a bug." The giant says slowly lowering his finger like if I don't move he will just smash me. The others are face palming knowing my height is a sore point among the clans.
"Big meanie don't blame me if I hit back." I say back faking a shocked look on my face.
Just as his finger nears my head I throw an upper cut at about half strength. Before anyone can blink shock washes over their faces as from the waist up the giant is gone. No blood stains or marks are left just half missing giant.
"He lied sis. He wasn't strong at all. Take me to see someone strong, pretty please." I say bouncing in front of her like an excited kid at a theme park.
All the other clan heads are cringing at this act. A couple even wished they had recording rune stones on hand to use this to teach their clansmen when they get back. Never underestimate anyone even a small petite girl. Of course we are talking in relative terms here, wolf clan head is 1.75 meters tall. While the average female height for adult women in earth clan tends to be 1.9 to 2.2 meters tall. Meanwhile child giants start out at 1.5 meters tall and adult females grow to around 10 to 11 meters tall.
"Sure thing little sis I'll just smash my way to the big building in the middle, surely someone strong will come to stop us at some point. Ok grandpas, lets go before lil' sis throws a tantrum." Raven clan says
At this point the other clan heads want to drink and forget this ever happened. Well except snake clan and boar clan, they are already pulling out the reserves from their space rings drinking straight from the barrels. Raven clan head smashes the gate in creating a big cloud of dust and smoke trying to get as much attention as possible.
Making their way to the keep in the center of frost clan, occasionally smashing any random thing just because, they finally see the guards ahead. With the royal guards blocking the way they come to a brief stop. One guard, presumably the one in charge steps forward and gets their attention.
"Earth clan warriors, our king has invited you to stay and rest at the main hall. Claiming the right of host, we will hold a feast in honor of your visit in 2 days. Do you wish to accept the rights of guest, or forgo the honor." Head giant says.
Seeing the looks on their faces and not wishing to throw out all the cards we hold we decided to honor the offer and accept the rights of the guest. Apologizing for the unnecessary damages along the way whilst the giants apologized for their rudeness upon our arrival.
Guest rights are simple. Whilst under the protection of these rights no member of the host clan may cause harm to you. The host will provide reasonable shelter, sufficient food and drink, as well as fire to keep warm. However, honor dictates that any boast made can be challenged, and as a guest there are guidelines to follow. You may not directly insult the host, however you can insinuate an inadequacy or weakness through wordplay while sounding sincere. You may not try to harm the host physically unless required to complete a challenge. Failure to follow guidelines as a guest result in immediately fighting it out, failure as a host can result in being exiled from your clan or even death depending on the infraction.
Both earth clan and frost clan hold this tradition as law. Honor demands not being outwitted or failing to complete your duties even when housing the enemy. This law is so important that earth clan performed a full invasion of the eastern realm just to eradicate 1 medium sized family for using this tradition to poison and enslave a few members from the earth clan.
Now it is taboo in all realms, never again does any realm want a total war with another. Once the cause of the war was released many families that had been found doing the same but not yet caught were eradicated, with the heads sent to the north realm as an apology.
Settling in the 8 clans present proceeded to get comfortable and prepare for the ultimate life and death game of whit to begin.