Role

Chapter 1

'Chest your cards' Manno said with a disapproving scowl. The pile of money on the table
was growing very large and Manno intended to win it using his skill, not because his
drunken friend was flashing his hand all over the place. The game was a card game called
Executioner's Axe. It was a betting game where on the rare occasion it was possible to
have a tie, in which case the money stayed in the pot and everyone had to re-ante.
Amazingly, there had been a tie two hands in a row causing the pot to grow into
something to covet, and covet it Manno did. He was determined to win this hand and he
knew how. He had begun to notice playing patterns from his opponents by which he had
been able to develop an ingenious plan.

It was Manno's turn now and he had been feigning concentration and indecision when he
knew all along the card he was going to play. Finally, he threw one of the weaker cards in
his hand, setting the trap he had planned. Manno inwardly smiled as one by one each of
his opponents played right into his strategy. Tossing down his last card Manno grinned in
satisfaction as he scrapped the pot towards himself, trying to ignore the audible groans
from the other cloud giants at the table.

Manno had only had a minute or two to enjoy his victory when two cloud giants walked
into the feast hall where they had been playing cards and drinking ale.
'Manno, chief wants to see you, now' said one of the approaching, well-armed giants.
Manno nodded in agreement and gathered his things and headed to his fathers tent.

Manno was the youngest son of the Chief of the cloud giant village north and west of
Udgaard. He was a strong warrior, as any cloud giant had to be living in that village with
all the Udgaardian patrollers in the mountains below the village. Shaking the snow off his
boots he stepped into his father's tent.
'Manno, good you are here. There is encampment of fire giants on trails outside of
Udgaard. They send emissary. Wish to meet with us. Them say wishes speak to us. Is
willing to make trade for information. You go with your brothers. See giants, see what
want.' The chief of the giants explained with his usual brief manner.