Chapter 57 #2
The ground shook as we passed the large people on the street, and we had to stay close to Sanchor to avoid getting stepped on by giants in a hurry.
Two children, who were at least four times bigger than me, kicked an oversized leather-bound ball downhill toward us.
I used my wind power to divert it from hitting our group.
Soon after we turned off the main street, the giant man led us to a two-story home made of large stones, cobbled together on the first floor and horizontal logs on the second.
The size was almost comparable to a castle.
It had narrow windows twice my height on either side of the thick, wooden front door.
We kicked the snow off our boots on a porch mat that fit all of our group, while the giant went inside to inform his wife of our arrival.
A moment later, he returned and invited us inside.
As we entered the living room, I began to wonder if insects felt the same way I did, looking at furniture that would be challenging to climb and sit on.
The couches and chairs were carved from a beautiful beige stone and had lovely blue cushions that looked comfortable.
A suckling noise from the far corner drew my attention toward a woman in a rocking chair. She had bright-red hair in a braid, pale skin with freckles, and a baby in her arms that was slightly larger than me. The child was drinking from the largest exposed breast I’d ever seen.
“Here they are,” Sanchor said, gesturing at us.
Methelaga scrutinized us as she continued rocking and feeding her baby. “You’re the ones who plan to retrieve the fountain?”
“Yes,” Darrow answered.
“Which one of you will open the portal to Earth?” she asked, running her gaze between us.
I lifted my hand. “That would be me.”
“Well, you fit the description the druids gave me, so you must be the one.”
We all glanced at each other in confusion.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She sighed. “A group of dark elves came late last night wanting the results of my calculations, but I refused. Sanchor crushed several of them with his feet and fists, but two got away by teleporting.”
Darrow stepped closer to her. “Did one of them happen to have dark silver hair and eyes?”
“Yes.” Methelaga’s lips thinned. “He thought very well of himself and tried to charm me into giving him what he wanted—as if I couldn’t sense he was Unseelie.
The fool already stood right next to the pertinent notes.
The only thing I hadn’t finished was your return timing, but I had narrowed it down to the day. ”
My husband cursed. “It had to be Vas.”
Loden frowned. “He can’t open that portal, or anyone except Aella, so why would he want the information?”
“Oh, it’s more like he wanted to know exactly when your group would be leaving, which is in less than five days unless you want to wait over ten months for another chance.
I strongly suggest you be careful and look out for enemies if you take the earlier date, which you must, since I don’t think Paxia can wait for the next,” she said.
My gut churned. “Is there any chance they know the timing?”
“Unfortunately, it’s possible. They snuck into our home while we were asleep, and we found them rummaging through my office there.” Methelaga gestured toward a closed door to her left. “Papers were scattered all over when we caught them.”
Damned Unseelie. I hope they at least struggled to climb onto the furniture while rifling through Methelaga’s things. Maybe we’d get lucky, and they didn’t see the calculations, though with giant handwriting and paper, that might be wishful thinking.
“That’s just great,” Jax said, running a hand through his shoulder-length brown hair.
The baby pulled away from its mother and let out a loud burp.
The smell of gassy milk filled the room, with many of us wrinkling our noses.
Methelaga didn’t bother to cover herself as she put the child against her shoulder and began patting his back.
Her nipple jutted forward, as large as my head, and bounced as she burped the little one.
It was such a shock to see a much larger version of female anatomy that it took me a moment to drag my gaze away, noting most of the others had the same difficulty. At least Darrow kept his eyes on our host’s face.
He wore a perfect mask of indifference. “If we leave at the first opportunity, how long will we have to retrieve the fountain?”
The large woman looked down at him. “You’ll have two hours to open the portal and leave, and then you’ll have to stay exactly one week.
For your return, the next opening is seven days later, with a twelve-hour window to get back to Paxia.
If you miss it, you’ll be trapped on Earth for almost a year, which could spell doom for this whole planet at the rate the land is dying now. ”
“Not to mention the war,” I said with a sigh.
Methelaga handed the baby over to her husband and finally covered herself. “You’ll all stay for dinner since I’ve already had the stew going for hours.” She gestured toward the kitchen that we could glimpse through a large, open doorway. “Would you like some milk to go with your meals?”
Jax cleared his throat. “Um, what kind?”
“Mine, of course. I produce extra that I donate to those in need, and can put it in small cups for you. We produce very healthy milk that will make you strong enough to face anything, including the Unseelie,” she said with a confident smile and a wink.
“That is very gracious of you, but we must decline,” Darrow said in his most tactful voice. I didn’t even know he could speak with that level of diplomacy until now, but it was wise to be nice to people who could stomp you to death.
Rynn gazed up at the giant with wonder. “Wait. In my lessons, I learned that your breastmilk helps speed up recovery time for injured and sick fae by twice as much. Is it possible I could get some to take back with me? We would be so grateful.”
Jax’s face twisted in horror as he leaned past me to look at my cousin. I couldn’t judge the girl, considering the lengths I went to take care of my plants. If ice giant milk helped people get better, so be it. I just hoped she didn’t tell anyone that’s where she got it.
Methelaga beamed at the girl. “Aren’t you a smart one? Of course, I have special containers that will keep it fresh so that you can take it with you.”
“Maybe the thirteen-year-old should be nominated as the next ambassador to Hartol,” Jax muttered under his breath from where he stood next to me. I nudged him in the shoulder as a warning while choking back a laugh.
“That would be great,” Rynn said, oblivious to his words as she excitedly bounced on her toes. “With all the wounded from the war, it’s impossible to help everyone with their injuries as much as they need. Your milk will be a big help!”
She’d been spending even more time these last weeks using her healing powers either at Siggaya or Radoumar.
While I didn’t like her being that close to the battle lines, both cities were in desperate need of more healers, and she was already as good as some of the adults.
The more Rynn used her powers, the more quickly she built up her reservoir of magic.
Still, I hated that she had to see so much ugliness and death at a young age. If she hadn’t already saved dozens of lives, I would have called it off. We didn’t have the luxury, though. If I kept her away, I condemned many people to death.
The female ice giant leaned down and tweaked my cousin’s nose. “Anytime you want to come up here and get more, you’re welcome. We value good healers up here, and I can tell you’re going to be a great one.”
Rynn blushed. “Thank you. Oh, and your stew smells delicious.”
“I hope you have a good appetite,” Methelaga said with a mock stern look.
“She does,” I assured her. “All of us appreciate your help and your offer of a good meal.” It did smell amazing, so I wasn’t about to turn it down and upset the giant. We had to wait a while before I’d have enough power to open the portal back anyway.
She gestured toward the kitchen. “Then, come with me.”
We dutifully followed.