Ivaris - Chapter 3 by Jennifer Raney

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Seroan turned away from the blaze I called into my hands, as big and hot as I could muster, and sent it over the giant's head. Just as I commanded my fire storm to come down, the giant raised his staff over his head and laughed. Or well... it was more of a roaring gurgle, but I figured it for a laugh.

A dull glow appeared around it and my flames fell harmlessly to the ground; a great malicious smirk twisted the thing's face.

"Fucking fire shield," I muttered.

"Something else, quick" Seroan said, as the giant started at us again.

"Yeah, yeah."

He moved protectively in front of me, and I organized my next idea. I closed my eyes and summoned the electricity from the air around me. There were no storm clouds nearby, so this took a few moments, but I soon had a fair sized lightning storm in my hands. I stepped out from behind Seroan and hurled it at the giant with all my might. Jagged tentacles of light propelled the storm from my fingers, and hit the giant in the gut with no small force, knocking him backward to the ground.

This was our chance, "Run!" Seroan half shouted, and we scrambled down the opposite side of the ridge. I fell a couple times, and the sharp stone cut my hand, but I ignored it.

The cave giant had recovered and was back on his feet after only a few seconds and I could hear him behind us. Suddenly I saw Seroan topple forward as magical roots sprang from the ground and entangled his feet and legs. He hit the ground with a painful "oof." Rapid thunderous cracks indicated that the giant was now running in our direction and I had to do something quick.

Then, a stroke of genius on my part, I set the roots on fire. The spell singed Seroan around the edges a bit, but he was freed, and we made it off the rocks and into the trees below.

The giant roared and continued his pursuit, but the thickening trees slowed him enough for us to make our escape. We ran as far and as fast as our legs would take us, and after twenty minutes or so we stopped to catch our breath and to listen for the giant.

We heard nothing, "He must have given up," I said, still puffing.

"You scared him."

"I know, I'm pretty frightening."

"That's why I ran."

"Me too."

"You scared yourself?"

"I'm not very brave."

He laughed, but we were still winded from the run. "Let's make camp down that way," he pointed, "I think I saw a creek."

We picked our way down the rest of the hillside and set about our camp by the stream. I put up my traps and camouflages, and Seroan cut some saplings for a shelter and filled our canteens. We said nothing as I made a fire and put some water on for tea, but I noticed him watching me, so I looked up.

"You're beautiful, Ivaris, I admire you," he said finally and his eyes twinkled with his smile.

I must have blushed something awful, because he laughed when I looked away. I wore my hair long then, and he pushed it out of my lowered face and raised my chin with his hand. He kissed me then, and it was the sweetest, most genuine kiss I'd ever felt.