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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4877416" data-attributes="member: 3285">Castle Ambrose: Part 9b – The Green RoomVlad, Sebastian, and Beldin entered the room just in time to see the green giant dispatch the frost salamander.“If you’re tough enough to try out my game, come here quickly and claim the weapon!” exclaimed the giant. “I give up all rights; he will get it for keeps.”Beldin and Vlad looked at each other in disbelief."Hah! Where have your pride and your power gone, your bragging boasts, your big words? Your little invisible friend still tries to circumvent me, but it will do no good!” He let out a laugh so loud that Vlad winced with shame; the blood shot to his flushed face and churned with rage and raised a storm until his heart burned."Look here, have you lost your mind?” asked Vlad. “Hand me that axe -- I will grant you the gift you beg me to give!"Vlad lifted the axe from the giant’s hand.The giant advanced while Vlad held the axe, both hands on the haft, hefted it sternly, considered his stroke. That burly giant bulked big and tall, a head higher than Vlad. He stood there hard-faced, stroking his beard, impassively watching as he pulled off his coat, no more moved or dismayed by his mighty swings than anybody would be if somebody brought him a bottle of wine.Beldin put one hand out.  “Wait.  This is a giant.  He’s offering an axe.  Give it to me.”Vlad handed the axe to the dwarf.Beldin went to the giant, weapon in hand, not the least bit bashful, as bold as could be.Then the green giant said to Beldin, "We should go over our agreement before we begin. First, dwarf, I would know your name, told truly as one I can trust.""My name is Beldin Soulforge," he said, "I give it in good faith, as I will give you a blow and bear what comes after.""Beldin: good. I derive great pleasure from the stroke your hardy hands will drive. Take up the grim tool you need, and show me how you chop.""Gladly, sir," said Beldin, "Indeed,” and gave the axe a strop.The green giant drew a smaller sword and faced Beldin down.  With a roar, he swung at Beldin’s head.The dwarf rolled and blocked the blow with the axe.  He ducked and weaved, each shattering blow of the giant’s blade barely missing him.  Finally, Beldin waited until the giant, exhausted, overextended himself with a particularly forceful blow.His head low to the ground, Beldin held the axe high overhead, his left foot set before him on the floor, and swung swiftly at the soft flesh so the bit of the blade broke through the bones, crashed through the clear fat and cut it in two, and the brightly burnished edge bit into the earth.The handsome head fell, hit the ground, and rolled forward. The red blood burst bright from the green body.“That only took forever,” came Kham’s voice.  Then the door opened behind the giant’s headless body.</blockquote>

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