[Dogged57]

The scout saluted his commander and gave the report. "Giants to the south, giants to the east, and giants to the north, my chieftain. Nothing but giants in the whole of the land! Giants from the cold mountains, giants bathing in bloody rituals, and giants emerging from the very ground itself!"

Acco, Chieftain of the Marverni and the first to undertake the reconquest of tribal lands shook his head as the scout drew a rough map on the ground. Vercingetorix, mad prophet of Doggedetorix, sat on the ground and rocked back and forth, clutching his knees to his chest. He gibbered madly under his breath, calling upon his god, naming the absent druids, and raving about slaying the enemies of the faith. Segonax the Gutuater, annointed in the blood of the sacrifice given to their god in thanks for the easy conquest of the lands of Runia, joined them at hill encampment overlooking the tents of the warband.

"The city of the Frost Giants lies just over the hills to the east. They won't be happy that you've come here." Robidan the Ferran spit as he mentioned the giants, bravado in front of the Marveni who had conscripted him. While he had proven himself in battle and wore the sign of their god, he was still not accepted by the tribes.

"That we've come here," Segonax stressed. "You'll share our fate, be it a grave or the spoils of the land."

Acco, cutting off the Gutuater, added "The men are still restless. They still need the raids. None of us has made our fortune in the piss-poor lands we've stumbled through. But first, we return home to celebrate our victories. That'll occupy them for a while."

"A short while," the Gutuater added under his breath.

Vercingetorix fell silent and still. His eyes closed and his breathing slowed. None could wake him. The leaders of the army hid this from the men, knowing it would unman them if they saw. And they started the long march home through the mountain pass, wine and women waiting for them.