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Description
The cracking and crunching of tree branches created plenty of noise to mask Faolán’s footsteps. He kept his distance from the giant to stay out of sight; thankfully he was easy to keep an eye on. The forest was thick and jumping over the fallen trees was tiring for Faolán, but he wasn’t ready to give up the chase. He couldn’t, there was too much at stake here. Proof of this giant’s death would reward both him and Faye with enough money to live off of for months.

‘A home would be nice,’ Faolán thought. A little cottage all his own, something to start anew in. That was his driving thought. Yes, the death of this giant would mean the start to his new life. This was what he needed.

The chase through the dense forest was proving to be tiring and Faolán could feel his legs and side begin to cramp up. The giant though, showed no signs of slowing down. His footfalls were heavy and his broad shoulders swayed with each step. The breeze that was able to slip through the tree tops playfully tossed his long, copper blond hair that came down just below his shoulders.

Suddenly the giant stopped and Faolán nearly tripped over himself to keep from running out into plain sight; he ducked behind a tree and watched. The giant slowly turned to the side and looked back over his shoulder. His dark copper eyes scanned the tree tops first, then down below on the ground to make sure he wasn’t being followed. His nostrils flared as he took deep breaths and sniffed the air. Faolán crouched down further behind the tree. After a few tense moments, the giant decided his surroundings were safe and he adjusted his hold on the deer tucked in his arm, turned and continued on his path. Faolán didn’t realize he had been holding his breath until he sighed and started breathing again.

“Alright,” he whispered, “I’m fine...” and he continued his pursuit.

Soon the trees began to part and thin out. The clear sky, with the sun now beginning to set, became visible for only a brief moment until an immense castle like structure blocked out the light and casted a shadow deep into the forest. With no trees to hide behind, Faolán had to get clever with his hiding. Rather than keep his distance from the giant, he darted forward and tried to stay as close to his heels as he could without accidently getting himself trampled.

Tufts of air and dust blew past Faolán with each step causing him to look away and close his eyes. This was dangerous as he had to keep his eyes on the giant to make sure he wouldn’t be stepped on, or spotted. As luck would have it, he was able to follow the giant safely up to the heavy wooden doors of the castle and he stayed close behind him. Wood dragged on stone as the door was pulled open and as the giant stepped inside, Faolán darted in between his feet to get inside the door but at the same time remain out of sight. Once he was inside and the door was pulled closed behind him, Faolán could relax. For a moment anyway.

He found himself in a large, open room with a blackened, dormant fireplace, a tall table and a wide chair with a shorter table set just beside it. There wasn’t a whole lot of places to hide so Faolán had one chance to find a good hiding spot.

The giant started towards the taller table beside the fireplace and dropped the three deer on top. While he was preoccupied with starting a fire in the fireplace, Faolán made a dash for the smaller table and hid behind one of the legs. Once the giant had his back to him, Faolán made another dash, this time for the couch beside him.

He knelt down, pulled his bow off from his shoulders and quickly strung it. He grabbed a handful of arrows, nocked one in the bow and sat. It was a waiting game now. He had to make sure that no only the giant was close enough, but also at the right angle. His long hair covered his neck and would easily entangle an arrow fired from too far away. Faolán wanted to get a shot directly in the front his throat. Despite his massive size, Faolán only needed one good shot to an artery to bring him down.

“Psst...”

The hiss beside his ear nearly made him jump out of his skin.

“You’re not takin’ my kill are ya?”

Faolán didn’t realize he wasn’t alone. Hiding under the couch with him was another man, several years his elder and armed himself with a long bow and large pike.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Who the hell are you?”

The two harshly stared at each other.

“Faolán Miron,” Faolán said.

“Grady,” The other man answered. He got himself closer to Faolán in an attempt to intimidate him. He was a tall, muscular man and certainly a threat physically to a boy as small as Faolán. “And ya never answered my first question. Are you trying to take my kill?”

“Who said he was your’s? You want him, you kill him before I do.”

“You better hope he kills ya before I do. He’ll be kinder about it.”

“Back off,” Faolán snapped and turned back to his target. He felt Grady’s hand clap heavily on his shoulder.

“Or what?”

“Will you knock it off? You’ll get us both killed.” Faolán was trying to get a read on the giant but couldn’t with this man distracting him. Hi didn’t reply, instead he simply knelt down next to Faolán, bow at the ready and doing his best to push Faolán aside and out of his way. After the two pushed back and forth a few times, Faolán moved to the side, away from Grady, and kept quiet. It wasn’t worth the fight.

After the fire was going he set the table for two and began skinning and gutting the deer, occasionally stealing a raw piece of viscera for himself and eating it.

Grady narrowed his eyes and sneered, “Look at that fat bastard... The beast of Forwyn, he’s worse than what I expected.”

“I’ve seen worse.”

Grady raised a brow at Faolán, “Oh have ya? And what do you know about killin’ giants, boy?”

“I’ve killed a few in my day,” he calmly responded, not taking his eyes away from his target.

“You?”

“Yes, me.”

“You barely look like you could kill a hare let alone a giant.”

“Size doesn’t matter when you know what you’re doing.”

A low growl from Grady was all the proof that Faolán needed to know that he closed that conversation.

The poor giant though had no idea of the intruders in his home and after the deer meat was cooked over the fire and he had poured a dark ale into a mug that looked like it had been carved from an entire tree, he turned down towards a hallway at the other side of the room.

“Eoin!” The Giant called out. Faolán wasn’t sure what caught him more off guard, the initial call or the response.

“Eoin!”

“Coming Papa!” The second voice sounded like a young boy. Faolán lowered his bow and watched as the giant’s young son, not older than 6 years came trotting down the hall. His golden blond curls bounced around his face and his hands and clothes were dirty and legs covered with bruises and scratches; a typical boy. Except for the fact this boy was about the same size as some of the full grown giants that Faolán had encountered in the past.

The giant raised an eyebrow and chuckled at the sight of his son, “Where have you been?”

Eoin tugged at the hem of his shirt and shrugged, “Out...”

“Out where?”

“The woods... Ooh, Papa, I found a human and...”

“You what?” The giant’s tone changed considerably. “Where?”

“In here!” I chased him out and tried to catch him but..”

“Eoin,” the giant softened his voice but still kept his tone sharp, “What have I told you...”

“But he was in here!”

The giant paused and Faolán felt himself suddenly tense.

“Where did he go?”

Eoin fell silent and shrugged. Judging by the look on his face one would think he was in trouble. After all, his father had taught him to stay away from humans.

The giant’s eyes scanned the room, there were times that Faolán could have sworn the two even made eye contact, especially when he saw the giant’s eyes narrow and his lips tense in a sneer, but he didn’t react. He simply sighed and rested his hand on his son’s head,

“Well, we’re both here, and that’s all that matters,” he said, “now come on, I have supper ready.”

Faolán and Grady both stayed hidden under the couch and watched the two giants. Grady was disgusted by the two, commenting on the sickeningly massive amounts of food they ate and how something like this could feed several families in Forwyn for days. Faolán however viewed everything through a different lens. His thoughts were more benevolent as he watched in fascination as the young boy told his father of his adventures that day out in the woods; of all the things he heard and saw, what he thought of the clouds and the tiny animals that skittered below on the forest floor. His father, though concerned about his adventures, couldn’t hide his proud smile which was accented by his silvery beard.

Young Eoin was amazed by it all like only a young child could be and Faolán couldn’t help but remember those days where everything was new and interesting to him. Watching Eoin going on with his stories and his father patiently listening made Faolán smile and wish that in some way he was able to join them.

“Disgusting creatures, aren’t they?” Grady asked, but Faolán rolled his eyes at the comment.

“Whatever you say...”

Eoin finished his meal faster than his father who was taking his time. There was a weariness in his eyes that Faolán could easily recognize. He remembered the look well on his mother’s face as she would listen to his own stories. It was that last bit of energy every parent saved for their children so that they would never miss a moment with them.

“Ooh! And guess what else I saw today!” Eoin was nearly jumping out of his seat,

“What did ya see?”

“Wolves! A whole bunch of them! They’re awfully small, I wanted one to bring home but I couldn’t catch one.”

“You can’t own a wolf, child,” the giant said, before taking a drink from his mug, ‘If one chooses you, then he can stay, but don’t take someone away from their family. You wouldn’t like that if someone did that to you.”

“I only wanted to pet one,” Eoin mumbled, “But they got scared and ran away.”

“I’m sure you meant them no harm but they don’t know that. We all know how fragile life is. I’m sure if they saw me they’d be scared too.”

Eoin giggled, “But you’re not scary!”

“I know plenty who would disagree...”

“No!”

“Ya don’t think so?”

“No! You’re my Papa!”

The giant softly chuckled, “Sometimes I can be scary.”

“Nuh uh! Can’t scare me!”

The giant waited a moment before he loudly smacked the table with his hand and jumped out of his chair. Eoin let out a squeal and nearly fell from his own chair until he saw the broad smile on his father’s face, then he started to laugh again.

“Papa!”

“I told ya I can be scary.”

“You didn’t scare me!”

The giant’s narrowed his eyes, “Oh, I didn’t now?”

Eoin, anticipating another jump, darted from the table and up onto the couch. Faolán and Grady both ducked back behind one of the legs when they saw the boy running towards them but he never noticed the two humans hiding under the couch.

“You can’t get me!” He called out, now jumping on the couch.

“You’re right, Eoin, I can’t.” The giant leaned back in his chair and rested a hand on his belly as he took another sip from his mug. He wanted to play but he just didn’t have the energy.

Eoin jumped down from the couch and started to run around on all fours and howl like a wolf.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m a wolf!” He said.

“A wolf?” the giant playfully shouted back, “I have no use for wolves here other than a quick snack!”

Eoin giggled and ‘changed’ again, this time he stood up and grabbed a pillow from the couch to hold as a shield.

“Now I’m a human and I’m gonna kill you because you’re a big, mean, giant that scares people!”

“A human!” His father roared. He heaved himself up from his chair, “Oh, you know what I do to humans that I find in my home?”

His steps were intentionally heavy and he leaned back, rubbing his round belly with his hand. Eoin giggled some more as he prepared himself for another ‘attack’.

“I eat them! Haha!” In a quick, fluid sweep, the giant scooped up his son in his arms and held him up tightly against his chest. Eoin screamed, laughed and flailed wildly until he was able to break free of his father’s hold and he tumbled to the floor below. Shocked for a moment, the giant reached down to pick up his son again but like any little boy, Eoin bounced back up on his feet and jumped up onto the couch again.

“Ha! I escaped!”

“Not for long!” The giant made another grab at his son but this time, Eoin’s wildly flailing legs kicked his father hard in the stomach and he fell down to his knees. Once down, Eoin, pushed him onto his back and jumped on top of him,

“Alright, you got me!” the giant said, in between heavy breaths and fits of laughter, “You got me!”

Eoin pressed his hands down on his father’s shoulders and jumped directly onto his stomach,

“Eoin!” he grabbed his son and pulled him up so that he was sitting on his chest, “I got too much food in my belly, don’t jump on me like that right now.”

Eoin leaned forward and touched his nose to his father’s,

“But I got you!”

“You did,” he responded it and lifted his head up to kiss his son on the cheek.

Faolán had become lost in the sight and had almost forgotten why he was even there. He had been hired to kill this creature but after seeing this, he how could he? As he watched the two play, for a moment, he tried to imagine himself there, to see the world through young Eoin’s eyes. His father’s body bore the scars of previous attempts on his life and Faolán knew that any attempt he made would be just that; an attempt. He couldn’t take this boy’s father away from him; it was a cycle he couldn’t repeat. Some things just weren’t worth the money.

“He’s mine,” Grady jumped to his feet and pushed Faolán to the side and out of his way.

“Wait, what are you doing?”

“Claiming my giant ya little brat!” He gave Faolán one last look over his shoulder, “And if I’m lucky, hell, I might even get two!”

The giant had turned his head to the side and his smile quickly faded once he saw Grady standing in front of him with an arrow aimed directly for his eye. He quickly rolled to the side, protecting his son with his arm. Grady shot his first arrow which landed in the giant’s arm and he yelped with pain. After he steadied himself onto his knees, he pulled the arrow from his arm and glared down at Grady who preparing for a second shot.

“Go!” He pulled his son to his feet and pushed him out of harm’s way.

“But Papa!”

“Go! Go to your room!”

Grady turned his attention to Eoin and fired his second shot but it missed, flying high over his shoulder and landing somewhere near their table. Young Eoin started to panic, his face turned red and he looked as if about to cry. Faolán had never seen a child look so terrified before.

At this, Faolán drew his bow and darted out from the couch as well.

Grady turned his attention back to the giant and aimed his third arrow for the giant, aiming for the base of his neck.

One shot was all he needed.

Faolán shot first.

His crescent shaped arrow head tore through Grady’s neck, first slicing through his spine then exiting out through the front of his throat. He clutched at his neck and gasped for air but with each breath, blood began to fill his lungs and pour from his neck and mouth. He fell to his hands and knees, coughing and retching but there was nothing he could do at this point.

“Don’t you dare touch my giant,” Faolán said and watched as Grady collapsed onto the floor and died.

Silence hung in the room. Faolán slowly shifted his eyes up at the giant who stared back down at him. With neither of them breaking eye contact, Faolán carefully placed his bow and handful of arrows down on the floor and took a step back. The room was still charged with excitement and Faolán tried to calm his heavy breathing, but to no avail. Everything happened so quickly, he didn’t have time to be scared, he just acted on instinct.

The two stared at each other, wanting to make sure that the other wasn’t a threat. Suddenly, Eoin started to cry, he had been so scared before he couldn’t even make a noise but now he screamed and tears streaked down his face.

“Oh, sweetheart, no,” The giant jumped up and hurried to his son at the other side of the room. He knelt beside him and threw his arms around him, holding him tightly and letting his son bury his face in his chest.

Faolán kept his distance as he watched them. The giant spoke softly to his son and smoothed his hair back with his hand in an effort to calm him; it was amazing how gentle he could be.

He glanced down at Grady’s lifeless body; a puddle of blood now pooled around his head and neck. Faolán wasn’t sure what it was, but something told him to shoot. He stepped forward to pick up his bow when he turned to look over at the giant who now had picked his son up in his arms and turned to look back down at Faolán.

He didn’t say anything. He just shook his head before softly hushing his crying son and walking off down the hallway.

Faolán didn’t know what the giant had planned for him and rather than take a risk and stay out in the open, he grabbed his bow and arrows and darted back under the couch again. He sat down beside the leg again, dropped his weapons beside him and pulling his knees up to his chin, closed his eyes and fought desperately to hold back tears. He had seen enough and just wanted to leave.

It wasn’t long before he heard the giant’s loud footsteps returning into the room and he growled,

“Where are you?”

Description
The cracking and crunching of tree branches created plenty of noise to mask Faolán’s footsteps. He kept his distance from the giant to stay out of sight; thankfully he was easy to keep an eye on. The forest was thick and jumping over the fallen trees was tiring for Faolán, but he wasn’t ready to give up the chase. He couldn’t, there was too much at stake here. Proof of this giant’s death would reward both him and Faye with enough money to live off of for months.

‘A home would be nice,’ Faolán thought. A little cottage all his own, something to start anew in. That was his driving thought. Yes, the death of this giant would mean the start to his new life. This was what he needed.

The chase through the dense forest was proving to be tiring and Faolán could feel his legs and side begin to cramp up. The giant though, showed no signs of slowing down. His footfalls were heavy and his broad shoulders swayed with each step. The breeze that was able to slip through the tree tops playfully tossed his long, copper blond hair that came down just below his shoulders.

Suddenly the giant stopped and Faolán nearly tripped over himself to keep from running out into plain sight; he ducked behind a tree and watched. The giant slowly turned to the side and looked back over his shoulder. His dark copper eyes scanned the tree tops first, then down below on the ground to make sure he wasn’t being followed. His nostrils flared as he took deep breaths and sniffed the air. Faolán crouched down further behind the tree. After a few tense moments, the giant decided his surroundings were safe and he adjusted his hold on the deer tucked in his arm, turned and continued on his path. Faolán didn’t realize he had been holding his breath until he sighed and started breathing again.

“Alright,” he whispered, “I’m fine...” and he continued his pursuit.

Soon the trees began to part and thin out. The clear sky, with the sun now beginning to set, became visible for only a brief moment until an immense castle like structure blocked out the light and casted a shadow deep into the forest. With no trees to hide behind, Faolán had to get clever with his hiding. Rather than keep his distance from the giant, he darted forward and tried to stay as close to his heels as he could without accidently getting himself trampled.

Tufts of air and dust blew past Faolán with each step causing him to look away and close his eyes. This was dangerous as he had to keep his eyes on the giant to make sure he wouldn’t be stepped on, or spotted. As luck would have it, he was able to follow the giant safely up to the heavy wooden doors of the castle and he stayed close behind him. Wood dragged on stone as the door was pulled open and as the giant stepped inside, Faolán darted in between his feet to get inside the door but at the same time remain out of sight. Once he was inside and the door was pulled closed behind him, Faolán could relax. For a moment anyway.

He found himself in a large, open room with a blackened, dormant fireplace, a tall table and a wide chair with a shorter table set just beside it. There wasn’t a whole lot of places to hide so Faolán had one chance to find a good hiding spot.

The giant started towards the taller table beside the fireplace and dropped the three deer on top. While he was preoccupied with starting a fire in the fireplace, Faolán made a dash for the smaller table and hid behind one of the legs. Once the giant had his back to him, Faolán made another dash, this time for the couch beside him.

He knelt down, pulled his bow off from his shoulders and quickly strung it. He grabbed a handful of arrows, nocked one in the bow and sat. It was a waiting game now. He had to make sure that no only the giant was close enough, but also at the right angle. His long hair covered his neck and would easily entangle an arrow fired from too far away. Faolán wanted to get a shot directly in the front his throat. Despite his massive size, Faolán only needed one good shot to an artery to bring him down.

“Psst...”

The hiss beside his ear nearly made him jump out of his skin.

“You’re not takin’ my kill are ya?”

Faolán didn’t realize he wasn’t alone. Hiding under the couch with him was another man, several years his elder and armed himself with a long bow and large pike.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Who the hell are you?”

The two harshly stared at each other.

“Faolán Miron,” Faolán said.

“Grady,” The other man answered. He got himself closer to Faolán in an attempt to intimidate him. He was a tall, muscular man and certainly a threat physically to a boy as small as Faolán. “And ya never answered my first question. Are you trying to take my kill?”

“Who said he was your’s? You want him, you kill him before I do.”

“You better hope he kills ya before I do. He’ll be kinder about it.”

“Back off,” Faolán snapped and turned back to his target. He felt Grady’s hand clap heavily on his shoulder.

“Or what?”

“Will you knock it off? You’ll get us both killed.” Faolán was trying to get a read on the giant but couldn’t with this man distracting him. Hi didn’t reply, instead he simply knelt down next to Faolán, bow at the ready and doing his best to push Faolán aside and out of his way. After the two pushed back and forth a few times, Faolán moved to the side, away from Grady, and kept quiet. It wasn’t worth the fight.

After the fire was going he set the table for two and began skinning and gutting the deer, occasionally stealing a raw piece of viscera for himself and eating it.

Grady narrowed his eyes and sneered, “Look at that fat bastard... The beast of Forwyn, he’s worse than what I expected.”

“I’ve seen worse.”

Grady raised a brow at Faolán, “Oh have ya? And what do you know about killin’ giants, boy?”

“I’ve killed a few in my day,” he calmly responded, not taking his eyes away from his target.

“You?”

“Yes, me.”

“You barely look like you could kill a hare let alone a giant.”

“Size doesn’t matter when you know what you’re doing.”

A low growl from Grady was all the proof that Faolán needed to know that he closed that conversation.

The poor giant though had no idea of the intruders in his home and after the deer meat was cooked over the fire and he had poured a dark ale into a mug that looked like it had been carved from an entire tree, he turned down towards a hallway at the other side of the room.

“Eoin!” The Giant called out. Faolán wasn’t sure what caught him more off guard, the initial call or the response.

“Eoin!”

“Coming Papa!” The second voice sounded like a young boy. Faolán lowered his bow and watched as the giant’s young son, not older than 6 years came trotting down the hall. His golden blond curls bounced around his face and his hands and clothes were dirty and legs covered with bruises and scratches; a typical boy. Except for the fact this boy was about the same size as some of the full grown giants that Faolán had encountered in the past.

The giant raised an eyebrow and chuckled at the sight of his son, “Where have you been?”

Eoin tugged at the hem of his shirt and shrugged, “Out...”

“Out where?”

“The woods... Ooh, Papa, I found a human and...”

“You what?” The giant’s tone changed considerably. “Where?”

“In here!” I chased him out and tried to catch him but..”

“Eoin,” the giant softened his voice but still kept his tone sharp, “What have I told you...”

“But he was in here!”

The giant paused and Faolán felt himself suddenly tense.

“Where did he go?”

Eoin fell silent and shrugged. Judging by the look on his face one would think he was in trouble. After all, his father had taught him to stay away from humans.

The giant’s eyes scanned the room, there were times that Faolán could have sworn the two even made eye contact, especially when he saw the giant’s eyes narrow and his lips tense in a sneer, but he didn’t react. He simply sighed and rested his hand on his son’s head,

“Well, we’re both here, and that’s all that matters,” he said, “now come on, I have supper ready.”

Faolán and Grady both stayed hidden under the couch and watched the two giants. Grady was disgusted by the two, commenting on the sickeningly massive amounts of food they ate and how something like this could feed several families in Forwyn for days. Faolán however viewed everything through a different lens. His thoughts were more benevolent as he watched in fascination as the young boy told his father of his adventures that day out in the woods; of all the things he heard and saw, what he thought of the clouds and the tiny animals that skittered below on the forest floor. His father, though concerned about his adventures, couldn’t hide his proud smile which was accented by his silvery beard.

Young Eoin was amazed by it all like only a young child could be and Faolán couldn’t help but remember those days where everything was new and interesting to him. Watching Eoin going on with his stories and his father patiently listening made Faolán smile and wish that in some way he was able to join them.

“Disgusting creatures, aren’t they?” Grady asked, but Faolán rolled his eyes at the comment.

“Whatever you say...”

Eoin finished his meal faster than his father who was taking his time. There was a weariness in his eyes that Faolán could easily recognize. He remembered the look well on his mother’s face as she would listen to his own stories. It was that last bit of energy every parent saved for their children so that they would never miss a moment with them.

“Ooh! And guess what else I saw today!” Eoin was nearly jumping out of his seat,

“What did ya see?”

“Wolves! A whole bunch of them! They’re awfully small, I wanted one to bring home but I couldn’t catch one.”

“You can’t own a wolf, child,” the giant said, before taking a drink from his mug, ‘If one chooses you, then he can stay, but don’t take someone away from their family. You wouldn’t like that if someone did that to you.”

“I only wanted to pet one,” Eoin mumbled, “But they got scared and ran away.”

“I’m sure you meant them no harm but they don’t know that. We all know how fragile life is. I’m sure if they saw me they’d be scared too.”

Eoin giggled, “But you’re not scary!”

“I know plenty who would disagree...”

“No!”

“Ya don’t think so?”

“No! You’re my Papa!”

The giant softly chuckled, “Sometimes I can be scary.”

“Nuh uh! Can’t scare me!”

The giant waited a moment before he loudly smacked the table with his hand and jumped out of his chair. Eoin let out a squeal and nearly fell from his own chair until he saw the broad smile on his father’s face, then he started to laugh again.

“Papa!”

“I told ya I can be scary.”

“You didn’t scare me!”

The giant’s narrowed his eyes, “Oh, I didn’t now?”

Eoin, anticipating another jump, darted from the table and up onto the couch. Faolán and Grady both ducked back behind one of the legs when they saw the boy running towards them but he never noticed the two humans hiding under the couch.

“You can’t get me!” He called out, now jumping on the couch.

“You’re right, Eoin, I can’t.” The giant leaned back in his chair and rested a hand on his belly as he took another sip from his mug. He wanted to play but he just didn’t have the energy.

Eoin jumped down from the couch and started to run around on all fours and howl like a wolf.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m a wolf!” He said.

“A wolf?” the giant playfully shouted back, “I have no use for wolves here other than a quick snack!”

Eoin giggled and ‘changed’ again, this time he stood up and grabbed a pillow from the couch to hold as a shield.

“Now I’m a human and I’m gonna kill you because you’re a big, mean, giant that scares people!”

“A human!” His father roared. He heaved himself up from his chair, “Oh, you know what I do to humans that I find in my home?”

His steps were intentionally heavy and he leaned back, rubbing his round belly with his hand. Eoin giggled some more as he prepared himself for another ‘attack’.

“I eat them! Haha!” In a quick, fluid sweep, the giant scooped up his son in his arms and held him up tightly against his chest. Eoin screamed, laughed and flailed wildly until he was able to break free of his father’s hold and he tumbled to the floor below. Shocked for a moment, the giant reached down to pick up his son again but like any little boy, Eoin bounced back up on his feet and jumped up onto the couch again.

“Ha! I escaped!”

“Not for long!” The giant made another grab at his son but this time, Eoin’s wildly flailing legs kicked his father hard in the stomach and he fell down to his knees. Once down, Eoin, pushed him onto his back and jumped on top of him,

“Alright, you got me!” the giant said, in between heavy breaths and fits of laughter, “You got me!”

Eoin pressed his hands down on his father’s shoulders and jumped directly onto his stomach,

“Eoin!” he grabbed his son and pulled him up so that he was sitting on his chest, “I got too much food in my belly, don’t jump on me like that right now.”

Eoin leaned forward and touched his nose to his father’s,

“But I got you!”

“You did,” he responded it and lifted his head up to kiss his son on the cheek.

Faolán had become lost in the sight and had almost forgotten why he was even there. He had been hired to kill this creature but after seeing this, he how could he? As he watched the two play, for a moment, he tried to imagine himself there, to see the world through young Eoin’s eyes. His father’s body bore the scars of previous attempts on his life and Faolán knew that any attempt he made would be just that; an attempt. He couldn’t take this boy’s father away from him; it was a cycle he couldn’t repeat. Some things just weren’t worth the money.

“He’s mine,” Grady jumped to his feet and pushed Faolán to the side and out of his way.

“Wait, what are you doing?”

“Claiming my giant ya little brat!” He gave Faolán one last look over his shoulder, “And if I’m lucky, hell, I might even get two!”

The giant had turned his head to the side and his smile quickly faded once he saw Grady standing in front of him with an arrow aimed directly for his eye. He quickly rolled to the side, protecting his son with his arm. Grady shot his first arrow which landed in the giant’s arm and he yelped with pain. After he steadied himself onto his knees, he pulled the arrow from his arm and glared down at Grady who preparing for a second shot.

“Go!” He pulled his son to his feet and pushed him out of harm’s way.

“But Papa!”

“Go! Go to your room!”

Grady turned his attention to Eoin and fired his second shot but it missed, flying high over his shoulder and landing somewhere near their table. Young Eoin started to panic, his face turned red and he looked as if about to cry. Faolán had never seen a child look so terrified before.

At this, Faolán drew his bow and darted out from the couch as well.

Grady turned his attention back to the giant and aimed his third arrow for the giant, aiming for the base of his neck.

One shot was all he needed.

Faolán shot first.

His crescent shaped arrow head tore through Grady’s neck, first slicing through his spine then exiting out through the front of his throat. He clutched at his neck and gasped for air but with each breath, blood began to fill his lungs and pour from his neck and mouth. He fell to his hands and knees, coughing and retching but there was nothing he could do at this point.

“Don’t you dare touch my giant,” Faolán said and watched as Grady collapsed onto the floor and died.

Silence hung in the room. Faolán slowly shifted his eyes up at the giant who stared back down at him. With neither of them breaking eye contact, Faolán carefully placed his bow and handful of arrows down on the floor and took a step back. The room was still charged with excitement and Faolán tried to calm his heavy breathing, but to no avail. Everything happened so quickly, he didn’t have time to be scared, he just acted on instinct.

The two stared at each other, wanting to make sure that the other wasn’t a threat. Suddenly, Eoin started to cry, he had been so scared before he couldn’t even make a noise but now he screamed and tears streaked down his face.

“Oh, sweetheart, no,” The giant jumped up and hurried to his son at the other side of the room. He knelt beside him and threw his arms around him, holding him tightly and letting his son bury his face in his chest.

Faolán kept his distance as he watched them. The giant spoke softly to his son and smoothed his hair back with his hand in an effort to calm him; it was amazing how gentle he could be.

He glanced down at Grady’s lifeless body; a puddle of blood now pooled around his head and neck. Faolán wasn’t sure what it was, but something told him to shoot. He stepped forward to pick up his bow when he turned to look over at the giant who now had picked his son up in his arms and turned to look back down at Faolán.

He didn’t say anything. He just shook his head before softly hushing his crying son and walking off down the hallway.

Faolán didn’t know what the giant had planned for him and rather than take a risk and stay out in the open, he grabbed his bow and arrows and darted back under the couch again. He sat down beside the leg again, dropped his weapons beside him and pulling his knees up to his chin, closed his eyes and fought desperately to hold back tears. He had seen enough and just wanted to leave.

It wasn’t long before he heard the giant’s loud footsteps returning into the room and he growled,

“Where are you?”