Ice was flowing in a solid state, it was miraculous, but Amir could only wince as the Giant slowly turned around to meet her gaze.
Dione's tone instantly shifted and he sounded like a poor beggar on the street when he said, "My Queen, it was merely part of the test you wanted me to administer. I apologize."
When she didn't respond and the Ice flowed higher up his enormous body he cracked, "Please don't make me sit out of this war. PLLLEEEEAAAA-"
The Ice cut him off and only his eyes were left to dart around at Ymir and Arthur who were now approaching his tome of Ice.
Arthur laughed, "Hehehe, do not worry Dione, we are not removing you from command before the War of the Century."
Amir could see the relief that statement brought to the Giant as his eyes sparkled with jo- 'Wait, no, that is just ice forming in his eyes. Yikes.'
He looked over to his mother as she shrugged, "We do have a punishment for you." She waved her hand and the Ice sublimated in less than a second.
Dione was breathing deeply, "Anything, how may I serve?"
Ilse gestured at Ymir, "Take him to the barracks or anywhere he might like to go, he is a Youngling after all, there is much to learn."
Dione frowned, "Is he? I thought you might consider him an adult after I heard...." he muttered off and realized he was rebuking his punishment, "I didn't mean any offense my Queen, it was merely my thoughts escaping my mouth."
He knelt down in true reverence.
She smiled, "It is fine. You would be correct. Normally 28 cycles would spell death for any Giant and their mother. But we made it, right son?" She smiled in an joyful manner and locked eyes with Amir.
He nodded and asked, "I was in there for 28 cycles, really?"
He only received a small nod from Arthur and a soft glare from Ilse.
Dione stood and clapped, "The rumor is true, that is MAGNIFICENT! STUPENDOUS! MARVELOUS!"
It clearly was the first confirmation he had heard of it, "A TRUE warrior King is born! We will unite the realms of the East! We shall sail to the North and Conquer the Beast folk, then turn to the Sout-" Ilse waved her hand.
"None of that. Please." She sighed and walked off with Arthur following like a lost puppy. Amir heard him ask, "But why can't we conquer the Beast folk, they are so fluffy...."
Amir ignored Arthur's....Arthurness and was trying to figure out the next source of danger. Barracks were dangerous places, especially for young princes who were recently outed to be talentless.
He glanced at the man standing a few feet above him, "Is it common for Giants to gestate that long? I don't think I learned any biology in the Rite."
Dione nodded, "It is rare but does happen in about 1 in a 1000. Frost Giants were birthed from the Eternal Ice. So we occasionally turn into a static pregnancy that can last forever." He glanced over his shoulder, "I wasn't sure she had been with a static pregnancy, it was just a rumor..." his tone somber and a look of guilt washed over his face.
They began walking down the corridor and Amir just listened, "Your mother is a strong woman. She has been with Arthur since before I was even born. They have given birth to more still-ones than any Royal family in Giant history....that is until you!" He smiled wide and smacked his prince's shoulder. "Rejoice! You are unheard of!" He laughed heartily and they took a series of turns before arriving at a door.
Amir asked, "Am I really the FIRST of my kind like the quill or paper said I was?"
Dione nodded, "Indeed, little one, indeed. This era will be revolutionary."
He gave Amir one last hard look before he turned on his "General" mode, then he swung the door open and the huddled mass turned towards him with eagerness plastered all over their mugs.
"WHAT ARE YOU STANDING AROUND FOR?!!!"
Dione stepped forward, clearly in his element, "Get Vice Commander Zeif over here, yesterday!" A Giant sped off in a specific direction as he weaved in between people with fluidity.
Dione pointed to a human in black garbs, "Report."
He nodded, "General, we have transmissions of 3 rebellions in the southeastern counties."
Dione waved it away, "Tell me something I don't know, how is the coalition?"
He nodded and flipped a page, "We are noticing massive movements in the 42nd and 53rd lines of topography. They are importing equipment from the low-lands and they have support by at least..." he checked another page, "Seven clans..." his tone dropped at the end, clearly worried.
Dione smiled, "Huh, I had expected the Ethereal Maw bastards to assist them...no matter." He waved the man away and his body vanished into thin air.
Amir could tell this was war footing, he had seen too many triages ran to not notice the signs of organized panic beginning to set in for the newbies.
"Dione, where should I go, I do not want to be a bother." He tried to whisper but it was clearly impossible as the hundreds of eyes shot towards him.
Dione waved his hand, "You will observe. Oversee what war is, that is how you will be a great King." He ended with a gusto, like he was proud.
Zeif was walking over when he heard the declaration and laughed, "Boy, do not listen to this fool. You are not going to be King."
Dione smirked, "Traitorous words."
They pulled each other tight and hugged, "I am simply being honest brother. It is unlikely he will see the day where the crown of Giants is placed upon his head."
Dione smacked his brother's back, "But we will fight to make that future a reality, right brother?!" They laughed and nodded together for a few moments before Dione asked, "How is mother?"
Zeif sighed, "She is worse. Her condition is untenable, or that is what the Physician says." He shrugged, blowing it off, "She will pull through, her swelling is going down every day now that she is being bled."
Amir questioned his hearing for a moment before he asked, "Being bled?"
Dione answered immediately, "It is a technique rarely used to treat matters of the heart. Do not concern yourself with it." He turned and smiled warmly.
Zeif nodded, "They give her a few years before she ascends to the Heavens."
Dione and Zeif shared a moment of weakness together as brothers amongst their men. They had dealt with many issues with their father and it was public knowledge at this point. Dione half expected it was the reason everyone was gathered here in the first place if he were completely honest.
"Hear my orders!" Dione yelled at the men standing around who instantly stood at attention.
"You are to collapse into your companies and you will assist in province management." He waved his hand, "My commanders will guide you to the areas and the Queen's Royal Agents will assist you in reducing the autonomy. I want to make it clear that you are not their friend. You are an invading Giant. Do not harm the Queen's people. Dismissed."
He waved his hand and the men around sprinted into different directions, the Giants were hauling ass.
Dione waved at Ymir, "Come, let me introduce you to my brother, The Siegebreaker!" He giggled as his arm was smacked by Zeif.
Amir walked over and noticed the man's body was clearly different as streaks of darkness were flowing up and down him like wavy blacked-out tattoos just under his skin.
Dione noticed his gaze following the patterns and asked, "You can see his Qi flow?"
Amir nodded and Zeif turned paler than a sheet as his streaks retreated deeper into his muscles. Dione laughed, "He has always sucked at infiltration missions, I wonder why?! Hahaha!"
The Giant smacked his knee and Zeif was blushing quite hard.
The group spent a few minutes walking around getting Ymir adjusted, Dione was mainly just giving people orders, here and there, and receiving requests through various men and women with large stones in their hands.