The Path of Giants

glanced at each other. “He’s probably never been offered a pipe before,” Whitley said. “He is just a common boy with a gift of sorcery.”
It was true, I hadn’t. There was nothing that grew in Bhode that could be smoked that I knew of, so sharing a pipe was not a common occurrence. Still, it hurt to hear Whitley speak of me this way, like I’d be nothing if I hadn’t lucked into a gift of sorcery. I figured that I had done more for this kingdom than Trevor had, and it would continue that way as the war raged on. But no matter what I did, I would never be good enough for Whitley or his family.
Kataleya was right to turn me down early. I couldn’t imagine coming here and listening to Whitley speak about me like this while I was in love with her. It would devastate me.
Endell offered the pipe again. “You will enjoy it. Don’t insult us by not accepting it.”
I took the pipe and decided to give it a go.
I started coughing the moment the smoke entered my lungs. The two of them laughed as Endell took the pipe back.
They passed it around to each other and eventually to me again. The second time, I inhaled smoother, though I still coughed a little. My lungs burned. I didn’t see the enjoyment.
Then I started to feel a little giggly. Time seemed to slow down. I was extremely aware that I was moving my head from side to side. It felt like it took an eternity to survey our surroundings and make sure no one was coming.
“I think this one’s already feeling it,” Endell said with a thumb in my direction.
Whitley laughed, then he wheezed and coughed.
I chuckled, though I didn’t find anything funny. I was even more worried than before. I didn’t know the smoke would affect me this much. Was that Endell’s purpose? It didn’t look as if he had been altered as much is Whitley and I had. He was probably much more used to it.
Wait. I didn’t catch what Whitley had said, but Endell was doubled over laughing.
I felt my shoulders drooping and a permanent smile twisting my lips. I wasn’t sure I had relaxed one time since my father had died. Perhaps it was time I did.
No, be on guard. Watch for signs of a trap.
I didn’t know how much time had passed, but Endell seemed to be in the middle of a story. I had missed the beginning.
“He was so cheap, I swear I’ve heard him complain about his neighbors using the light from his candles.”
Whitley was laughing quite hard, waving his hand as if to stop Endell because he couldn’t breathe. “I’ve heard that, too,” he wheezed out.
“Who?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Our grandfather,” Whitley answered. “I heard that he pretended to be dead for a day, because—” He couldn’t continue, his own laughter interrupting him. Endell joined in.
“Oh I heard that!” Endell said. “He thought his servants would be so distraught that they wouldn’t eat, and he could save money on paying them.”
Now Whitley was laughing so hard that he couldn’t speak at all.
“The man faked his own death for a day just so he could get away with one day of not paying for food, but—” Endell had to stop to laugh. “But his servants celebrated the news of his death by raiding his pantry!”
“Ahh ha ha ha!” Whitley was screaming with laughter.
I looked behind me to see Kataleya watching from one of the windows, a smile on her face. I reminded myself to be on guard.
How many times had I reminded myself already? Hundreds? How long had I been out here?
After their laughter started to die down, Endell gave a sigh, then said, “He could be quite the dolt sometimes.”
Whitley was barely chuckling now, but soon even that stopped. It was quiet for a few breaths.
Endell was still smiling when he said, “Can you believe he gave Livea to your father and left my mother with nothing?”
Whitley completely lost his grin.
“What?” Endell asked.
“You haven’t changed after all!” Whitley accused.
“What are you talking about? I thought we might finally be able to speak about this. You never let me.”
“Because there’s nothing to speak about. We always argue. Is that what you want?”
“Just a discussion. I want you to tell me you think it’s fair.”
Whitley shook his head. “I’m disappointed. I’ll give you one more chance to drop it.”
“I will once you admit it. More should’ve been given to my mother.”
“Come on, Jon. He can smoke on his own.”
Endell grabbed Whitley’s arm aggressively. “Hold on, Whitley.”
Alarm bells went off in my mind at Endell’s sudden change in demeanor. “Get inside now!” I yelled as I tackled Endell.
“Jon, you stupid—” Whitley paused.
As I pinned Endell to the ground, I looked over my shoulder at Whitley. “Get inside!” I repeated, but Whitley was staring at the sky.
“What the hell?” he muttered.
“Go! Get help!” I told Whitley as I pushed up off Endell, for I knew what was coming.
I felt him join us in the garden—Valinox. He landed somewhere behind me.
I steeled my mana and tensed my muscles, knowing just what was about to happen.
It did nothing to help as dteria enclosed me and hoisted me up off the ground. I struggled for just a moment before I realized there was no way out of this physically. All I’d managed to do was turn around in the air to face him.
Valinox showed no emotion, just a bit of strain as he lifted his hand up, hoisting me higher. Although he looked like a man, with his inconspicuous brown hair of medium length and few discernible features to his face, it was his eyes that showed he was a demigod. It wasn’t so much their color. He had the same brown irises I had seen in the eyes of many men. It was the message they conveyed. I had never seen confidence in this much abundance. It was almost sickening to be a