Role

Chapter 4

The crowd roared as he jerked his axe free from the lifeless corpse. It
squelched, as his shovel used to in the mud, and the blood of his foe
leaked onto the sandy floor of the great arena, pooling as the life saving
rain in his desert ordeal once had. It reminded him to drop to his knee
and bow his head in prayer. That brought jeers from the crowd, a mix of
all giant kind. Most of them had forsaken the gods. Ruvende, however, was
certain the gods had chosen him to live, and had delivered him from the
desert to the holy city of Ostalagiah, where all giants had gathered,
and now were forced to band together and defend themselves against the
Grom'lak, the small ones.

What Ruvende still did not understand, and constantly questioned, is why
he was forced to survive such an ordeal in the first place. Why he was
punished in such a brutal manner? Why the gods would send their chosen
children, elven wizards, to be the purveyors of his punishment?

At that moment, two great pillars struck the ground on either side of him,
one of water, and one of lightning, and the crowd once again erupted in
cheers for the victor. Ruvende looked up, and the High King of the Giants
smiled grimly upon him. At the side of the High King was a captive wizard,
forced to do his bidding, and in the midst of the spectacle of victory,
it suddenly dawned on Ruvende. Magic. It was magic that had corrupted the
elves at the bonding feast. It was magic that was to blame for the death
of his betrothed, for his exile from his kingdom, even for the war the
giants now fought against the Grom'lak. The scheming galdros, or wizards,
hiding in their high towers sent the brave humans, dwarves and elves onto
the great battlefield against the giants. This death and destruction was
on them, trying to seize more power for themselves. Yes, Ruvende was certain,
it was magic that was the source of evil, and it was Ruvende's destiny to
fight against those wizards. That is why the gods preserved him, why they
hardened his skin and his soul, so that he could do what must be done.