laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Gentle sloping hills soon gave way to rugged, deforested ground and as her host and his mount found the road, she realized the naked trunks along the pathway sported trophies along it's length in both directions. Heads of various beasts as well as a few human-like giants told of a populace that admired the hunt. She only hoped that his intentions were not to add her own to this list.
Over a rise, sunlight glinted off of a long wall of whitewashed horizon and she surmised their goal was closer than she had imagined. Though it made sense that the overlords not live too far from their slaves. The word made her choke as she continued running alongside and behind the mount.

"You'll not speak unless spoken to," he interrupted her thoughts. "Even though you've been fathered by one of us, you're still half human and will be treated as such. I'll assign you a slave to help with the daily tasks, but don't think to enter the great hall with me, or dine at my table unless invited. You will remain within the city walls until I can find a use for you."

Pleasant, she thought as her tired legs continued pumping down the well beaten road towards the main gate which slowly loomed in the distance. She assumed a reply wasn't necessary and decided not to honor him with one. This wasn't the first world she had visited like this. Those in power seemed to have a universal mindset and this race would be no different.
As they neared the tall, very ornately carved doors she heard another booming voice shout from the leftmost tower and looked to see another blonde haired man raising his spear in salute. One that was returned with a proud nod and wave from her charge.

Suddenly, the creaking from overburdened hinges announced the opening doors as he continued over the stone walled bridge and into the gatehouse. It didn't take long to notice the humans doing the manual labor as the armored giant overseeing their task smiled as he gazed up to the mounted warrior.

"Saniako, welcome back," he grinned and glanced to the dark haired female trailing behind. "I see you found one of them. Well done." Blue eyes rose and turned as the newly arrived hero continued into the narrow avenue. "How many demons did you have to kill to get her back?"

Saniako chuckled loudly. "Not enough."

As they continued on, she noted the slaves all bow as they passed as well as the beautifully adorned women in jewelry and silks smile and admire the bare chested giant. Determining the classes here would be easy, she mused. After several twists and turns she noticed another gate pushed open to receive them which opened to a large compound whose buildings of sandstone were amazingly decorated with painted scenes of valor. Battles with armies as well as creatures on plains, near majestic mountains as well as in dark caves gave her the impression that these giants sought out avenues for prestige every chance they got. And she was beginning to wonder how many of these stories became inflated once told.
He reined in the immense beast and she stopped finally, though her legs wanted to continue running as she had for the past few days. Blue eyes scanned the square and it's central fountain adorned with a beautifully carved statue of a winged man descending with a large amphora which the water poured from.
Beyond the fountain, at the head of the square stood an impressive building whose front sported columns that towered three stories and supported a roof. Shadowing a front panel adorned with carved figures that she couldn't make out from this distance, the painted scene was fairly obvious. A seated figure at the center surrounded by angelic beings to his right and left which seemed to motion to the outer wings of large, armed heroes.

"Anjelika, come," his booming voice called and shocked her awake as she turned and followed him towards a rising, wide stair onto part of a sweeping veranda that fronted a large section of the rightmost, two-story building. He pushed the door open and walked into a foyer of marble tiles and painted walls that supported an arched ceiling. Sconces held silent bowls and she noticed that the large windows to either side of the door lit the hallway perfectly. Rooms on the left and right held large sitting areas, an immense pool, and a courtyard full of workout and practise equipment. This dorm held quite a family of giants and their human female harems as well as their slaves. She only wondered how she would fit in this society while here.