Cursed Blessing

:::: A few days later::::

Christian and his warriors stomped into the inn doors after a few days search, so far they had come up with nothing. If there were magicians here, they were hiding themselves very well.
She trailed in behind them. She was a bit disappointed; they had found really nothing that would lead them to the child. Finding a chair she sat down, pulling her hood back. She looked around at the other in the inn. They were nervous of the strangers. "I don't think they like us being here."

“I don’t blame them” one of the warriors said as he took a seat next to her and ordered some mead. The rest of the company took a seat around the table and did the same. Christian was the only one not sitting, he was quite frustrated.

She had found out over the time here that her wolf fed from his. Whatever mood he was in it affected her. "Christian, sit, please. You’re making everyone nervous."

“No, I’m fine” he started to pace back and forth, he needed to find a clue on what was going on in this place. Something in his gut told him that things weren’t quite right here.

She sighed, took out her stones, shook them and then cast. She looked the stones over. "North of here. The land is tortured by something. It’s not friendly."

“We have followed those stones for days, what kind of shaman are you” another of the men asked, clearly annoyed of the lack of results.

She glared at the man. "Stones are like oracles. They give suggestions and hints but don’t tell you exactly what is to happen. Follow them or not. I'm not twisting your arm. Don’t like it go back to the boat."

Christian looked around the room; it was quiet, too quiet. “Quiet!” he ordered and looked around.

She folded her arms, not happy. "Don’t bark at me. He started it."

He sniffed the air, he smelled… something. “Arm yourselves!” he pulled the ax off his back and moved up on the sturdy table. A rattling sound could be heard all around them, the dragging of metal against the ground.

She stood and backed up away from the men, placing her back against the wall. Her senses flared, trying to figure out what it was before it showed itself.

A Growling noise could be heard from outside, then out of no were five fingers came through the wall around her, then they closed and pulled her and the wall out of like it wasn’t even there. It was a massive Cyclops, tied to his right wrist was a long rope with a long line of human bones, in his left hand a gigantic club with massive spikes.
She screamed as the massive fist, grabbed and pulled her skyward. The wolf sprang forward and she changed. Clothing ripped and shredded. Her arms where pinned, but she struggled and bit the hand, nearly crushing her

The Cyclops let go of the grip, but the wall was still stuck on his hand, he tried to shake it off his hand. After a short while he had enough and smashed the club in to his palm, crushing the wall in to dust.

“Gimp! Come here” Christian shouted as the band of Vikings moved in to position to take on this beast.

When her feet hit the ground she ran right to Christian, darting behind him. She panted trying to calm herself. The thing had scared a life off of her she was sure.

“I heard these things aren’t the brightest of beasts, but they are very tough. Stay frosty!” he said and held his hand around her, making sure she stayed behind him.

She snapped her jaws. 'Frosty? !' she thought. She curled her lip and growled. The beast swung his massive club at what was left of the inn, causing everyone to scatter like leaves in a strong wind.

One of the Vikings was not fast enough and was crushed by the club when the Cyclops swung it a second time, killing him instantly. “Alright everyone, stay light on your toes, and avoid that club at all costs” he looked over his shoulder where he managed to keep her safe. “I need your help” he said quietly.

She nodded. Drawing on her magic, she tossed several fire balls at it, catching his clothing on fire and one hit close to his one eye, causing him to howl in anger, blinded for a moment.

“NOW!” he screamed and everyone charged the beast. The fireball by the eye had temporarily blinded it, while most of the Vikings where trying to bring it down on its knees by attacking the kneecaps, Christian launched himself with his ax at the head and struck hard over the head. To his surprise, it simply looked at him with its one eye, the ax was implanted deep inside the skull. It pulled Christian from his grip of his ax and tossed him up in the air slightly and grabbed him in the air again. He closed his pawns together with Christian inside and started to squeeze his hands together.

She growled at seeing Christian harmed. She raced forward and grabbed a sword from one of the men, running to the back of the Cyclops. Using the sword and her strength she cut his Achilles in his heel. The Cyclops legs buckled under him and came crashing down, letting Christian go as he fell.

Christian rolled away from the beast, quickly gathering his legs beneath him and shifting. Moving swiftly he grabbed his axe still in the forehead of the Cyclops. He pulled it loose with a sucking sound. The Cyclops tried to rise again, cut Christian took his axe and cleaved this head from his shoulders.
When the villagers realized that it was dead they slowly came out of their hiding places to look at it. Small children ran up to it and poked it with sticks.

She walked up to Christian to see if he was really okay. He was covered in blood and who knew what from the Cyclops. She wrinkled her nose. “You need a bath. Wow didn’t know anything could smell like that.”

Christian looked at her then himself. “I have to agree.” The mayor of the town approached them. “Thank you for what you have done. You have freed us. The town is yours; we will hold a celebration for you and your men this night. Please stay and enjoy.” Christian knew his men deserved this small celebration for they had worked hard and traveled far.

“We shall accept. But will make camp outside the town.” He didn’t like to get too close and it was safer for all.