* 35 * 2/25/13

The party reached the left side of the top of the mountain, where only one obvious path lay. It was narrow and awfully quiet, though, so they kept on their guard while passing through. Sure enough, after a bit of walking, the party found themselves spying on a camp of fire giants.

"Agh, more of these guys. Wonder if they've got the belt?" Khelgar espoused as quietly as he could.

"You just don't like them because they remind you of how insignificant you are," Qara jibed.

"What?! That's not it at all!" He laughed nervously. "I just don't like them claimin' this mountain as their own territory!"

"It doesn't matter. They won't be here much longer," Bishop asserted.

"What do we do, Leader?"

Lily considered for only a moment. "Let's attack them head on, no guile needed. Besides, I don't think Khelgar could handle being quiet and agile," she chirped. Khelgar groaned at his friends double-teaming him.

"Are you feeling up to being in the front ranks again, Casavir?" she asked.

"Yes, my lady; I feel I have fully healed with Zhjaeve's help." He nodded his agreement appreciatively. Lily grinned.

Bishop narrowed his eyes. "Then let's go," he demanded.

Khelgar blew their cover and rushed at the giants, Casavir at his side and the rest of the party immediately behind them. Expecting an immediate fight like those with the other giants, they were surprised when the one in the center – presumably the Fire Giant King – barely moved at all, or show any kind of aggression. Because of this, the confused party stopped right before him.

"Whoa, hey there, little ones. What's the rush?"

"Ya have the Belt of Ironfist, don't ya? Give it over," Khelgar commanded. The Fire Giant King grinned.

For the next few minutes, the King taunted Khelgar about the dwarven king Loudram simply having given the Belt of Ironfist away like a coward. As the conversation continued, Khelgar's mood and spirit grew more and more sour, and he looked to Lily, as if asking permission to starting lopping off heads.

Seeing the two exchange a glance, the Fire Giant King said, "Well, hold on, now. I'll give the Belt of Ironfist to you if you want it so badly. You'll have to do something for me, though." He explained about Tholapsyx, the dragon located on the other side of the top of the mountain. Khelgar sensed a trap, and so did Lily, but the dwarf still waited for her word to start attacking.

Lily looked the Fire Giant King in the eye. "I don't believe you." Khelgar gave her an appreciative look.

"My lady, shouldn't we at least give him the benefit of the doubt?" Casavir inquired, a bit surprised. He felt she was being too hasty in her decision.

But the dwarf remained suspicious. "The guy's clearly a traitor," he reasoned, pointing at the giant with his waraxe.

"I don't believe him either. He's been standing there putting Khelgar down for minutes now. I think he just likes to play with others' heads," Qara added.

"He's irritating as hell, that's for sure," Bishop agreed.

"Well, look at that: a majority vote. Looks like your head's on a stick tonight." Khelgar smiled widely at the King.

The Fire Giant King looked intrigued. "You're not as stupid as you look, little ones."

Lily didn't wait for more taunting; she began casting Isaac's Lesser Missile Storm, and at this cue, both Khelgar and Casavir rushed in to attack with Qara and Bishop in tow.