Clarva Mightenos: Warrior at LARGE

The group have left the guard house, and are now mulling around outside, waiting for Terra and Braxxas to return with this supposed replacement.

"Why are we waiting out here? It's getting colder." Virra asks as she pulls her cloak tight over her body.

"You can always go back inside. After all, we wouldn't want our precious princess to get the sniffles now, would we?" Amilia says, obviously taunting Virra which earns the cat a quick swat from the taunted elf.

Amilia then goes to give chase, ready to put just a bit extra into her swing. However, as she gets ready to slap some sense into Virra, the two then come to a complete swap as they see Braxxas, Terra, and the replacement.

"Uhh, Ky... I can't believe I'm saying this, but they found someone bigger than you."

Kyuala and the others all turn around to see what Amilia is talking about, and it takes them all about one singular second to see what Amilia is referring to.

"Holy hells. What the fuck do they feed that thing?" Virra asks.

"Every bit of meat they can find, and the table they serve on by the looks of it." Kyuala replies, almost sounding a little dejected.

A few seconds later, Terra, Braxxas and Clarva have made their way over to the group. Braxxas then says, "So, will this replacement do the trick? Because unfortunately, I don't have anything else in the storeroom."

"I can still strangle you, little man." Clarva jokingly threatens, at least, Braxxas thinks it's a joke.

Terra then decides to stop any more threats of **** for the time being by beginning introductions. "Everyone, this is our new guide, Clarva Mightenos. Clarva, these are my friends. On the far left is Kyuala, our resident muscle."

Kyuala doesn't vocally respond, instead, just offers a steely gaze.

Terra continues. "The two next to her is Lani and Kyuala's claimed husband, John." Both Lani and John offer a wave, trying to be friendly to the walking building standing before them.

Terra then moves on. "The cat next to him is our resident eccentric troublemaker and jester, Amilia."

"Sup, meat mountain." Amilia responds, offering a quick nod as well.

"Finally, the other elf you see is my little, less house-trained sister, Virra."

Virra is the most shocked out of the entire group as she merely comments. "How in the hells are you gonna fit on my cart? I don't think the supports will be able to hold you." Virra then begins muttering, seemingly trying to figure out a way to accommodate the new arrival.

"Don't worry, little 'un. I have a gift from a friend that can make giants lighter. Your cart'll be fine... probably."

The entire group freeze in place, wondering if they just heard Clarva correctly. Clarva soon notices the shared looks on all their faces and says, "What? Is there something in my teeth?"

"Clarva!" Braxxas scolds. "You can't just drop that on them! You heard what they're here to do!"

"What? It's not like I'm the one who cursed the other sister!" Clarva defensively retorts.

Just then, Clarva begins to smell something... strange. The scent is almost sweet yet it's mixed with a scent that she cannot place, almost like the musk of an animal.

Clarva then begins to follow the scent, realizing that the source is close by. Clarva turns her head, trying to find the correct direction, but she doesn't find it. That is... until she turns toward John.

Clarva then looks at John, who now has a concerned look, and begins to smell once again. Clarva confirms that this sudden scent is coming from him, and it's almost alluring. She then takes a few steps toward him, scaring the others as they're worried about what's about to happen.

Just as Clarva is about to walk right up to John, Kyuala stands in her way. "Not another step, giant."

Clarva looks down at the orc, and is almost amused. Even as she towers over Kyuala by three feet, Clarva can see that there isn't even an ounce of Kyuala that wishes to back down whatsoever. Clarva appreciates bravery such s that, but it's different this time.

"Listen, orc. I mean your mate no harm, but something is... different about him. He is... unfamiliar to this world, even as a drop-in."

"I don't care. You're still not taking another step closer." Kyuala sternly replies, making sure to burrow her fiery gaze into Clarva's eyes.

A few more seconds pass, and neither woman show any sign of giving up, almost like two furious rhinos ready to clash.

Eventually, Terra gets in-between the two large warriors. "Alright, both of you just take a breath. There's no need for us to clash, especially when we have to embark on a journey of such importance. Kyuala, let's huddle up and talk about this, alright?"

Kyuala doesn't vocally reply, instead, she just offers a *hmph* before walking over to the others. Terra then looks at Clarva. "We'll just be a few moments."

Clarva also doesn't respond with words. She just gives a slight nod before walking over to Braxxas.

As Terra joins her friends, she immediately begins. "Kyuala! What was that back there?!"

"I was protecting my beloved from that overgrown dirt-dragger! We have to be careful when it comes to John, especially when it involves a giant!"

"Yeah, what the fuck is up with that?" Amilia asks.

"I don't see an issue with it." Virra adds.

"You don't see an issue with the fact that we're taking a half-giant up to the mountains where there are other giants?" Kyuala asks, obviously perturbed by Virra's ease of mind.

Amilia then continues on. "Plus, she said he smelled weird, and I'm assuming it ain't cause he didn't wash. Hells, he and Ky practically bang in every bit of water they can find."

"Amilia!" Kyuala scolds.

"What? It's a fact."

"Back to our original point. Just because Clarva is a half-giant doesn't necessarily mean she likes giants." Lani interjects, trying to get the group back on topic.

"Exactly! Also, she almost seemed raring to fight them, and it didn't seem like a lie." Terra picks up.

"No offense, Terra, but you met her for what? All of five seconds? You can't exactly claim to know her based on you asking for her help." John says, finally speaking on the matter.

"With that logic, you can't offer an opinion of her as well after not really having a conversation with her." Virra counters.

"Touché." John replies.

Amilia is confused upon hearing that word. "Why'd you say tushy?"

"It's a word on my world. It's just means fair point."

"So, tushy means fair point? So, what does dingaling mean? I disagree?" Amilia then begins to chuckle at her own joke. She also makes John crack a smile at the ridiculousness of the word "dingaling."

Kyuala is then the one to try and wrangle the conversation back. "Can we get back to the point here? Are we actually considering taking a giant up with us?"

"Half-giant." Terra clarifies.

"Right, half-giant, whatever. The point is: Can we really trust her to be by our side?" Kyuala asks, posing the question to the group.

Before anyone can give an answer, Terra offers a solution. "Let's put to a vote. All those in favour, raise your hand. Those who don't, keep yours down."

As Terra finishes talking, she raises her hand. Her hand is quickly followed by Virra's. A moment later, Lani slowly puts her hand up, making it three votes for Clarva.

However, Kyuala, Amilia and John keep their hands down, making it three votes against Clarva.

"Why did we think that was a good idea with six people?" Virra asks.

The group then continue bickering amongst one another, trying to come up with a solution that they can all agree on.

Meanwhile, Clarva and Braxxas are a little bit away from the group, watching on as they squabble back-and-forth.

"I'm guessing they tried a vote, but forgot they've got six people." Braxxas says as he looks on.

"I don't understand why they're arguing. I'm willing to go with them, and even more willing to kill those damned giants. So, what's the freaking problem?!"

"The problem is your lineage." Braxxas answers.

Clarva is confused. "What's wrong with me being a half-Fuckion? It's not like I'm as weak as one of them!"

"It's not the half Fuckion part, Clarva. It's the fact that you're a half-giant, and they're heading up to deal with giants. If I was in their position, I'd be doing the exact same thing."

"Who fucking cares if I'm part giant? It's not like I live with them!" Clarva says, obviously getting more irritated with every word.

"Clarva, you of all people should know that folk will never understand. Hells, if you had been here during the attack, I'd have been worried that the townsfolk would've blamed you and tried to attack us."

Clarva scoffs, but Braxxas continues on. "Now, I know that you've got your own agenda against the giants, but they don't know that, and they might not understand. However, I know that you would've run up those damn mountains already and tried to get even if you could, but this may be your best, and potentially only, opportunity."

Braxxas then takes a breath before making sure Clarva is looking at him in the eyes. "When you accepted the offer, I knew that nothing was going to change your mind about this now, so you need to show them that."

Clarva doesn't say anything to Braxxas after his pep-talk. Instead, she just looks him in the eyes before nodding and starts walking toward the group.

"What about drawing straws? That always worked before." Amilia suggests.

"For doing chores, not deciding if we take someone along with us." Kyuala says, quickly shooting down the idea.

Just then, the group hear some literal giant footsteps moving toward them. Kyuala then readies herself for a potential battle by putting a hand on the hilt of her axe.

"Relax, orc. I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to tell you that not matter how you feel about me, I'm going up those damned mountains with you. Not only do you need me to guide you up there, but I have something that I need to do, and I'll be damned if I let you all stop me."

The group are stunned, as they're unsure of how to react.

Clarva then realizes she has one more subject left to cover. "If it makes you feel any better, orc. I promise not to smell your mate again."

Kyuala's hand remains on the hilt of her axe, but the tension is slightly cut as Amilia speaks. "Y'know what? I'm changing my vote. I like her."

Kyuala still doesn't budge nor does she take her eyes off of Clarva. She then feels a hand on her shoulder, and she hears John's voice. "Well, looks like we're outvoted. She comes with us. Plus, she did make a really good point about us needing her."

Finally, Kyuala's head turns toward John. "But..."

"I know, but we can't cross a bridge without getting to it first."

A few more silent seconds go by before Kyuala's hand slowly drops from the hilt of her axe. She then turns to Clarva and says, "You do anything suspicious-."

"And you'll cut my head off. No worries, I get it."

Kyuala then snorts, contempt with their understanding of one another before moving back to John's side.

Braxxas then heads over and looks at the group. "So, I assume everything is sorted then?"

"As best as they can be, yes." Terra replies.

"I'm glad to hear it. To be quite honest, even if I wasn't injured, I probably would've suggested Clarva anyway. There's just too much on the line here. Not only for you all, but for her as well, and being dragged down by a broken, old man would just hinder that."

"Well, we're grateful for your service, no matter the capacity."

Braxxas chuckles before slightly bowing his head. He then sees Terra digging into her coin pouch, and he puts his hand up. "There's no need for that."

Terra is confused. "Shouldn't I pay you for your service? Isn't that how it works?"

"It does." Braxxas replies. "But if I know your father, then I know that a successful job of this magnitude will earn a big payment for all those who help. I will happily accept whatever he gives as my reward for my part."

"I'll be sure to get him to bump it up when we get back." Terra jokes, making Braxxas chuckle as well.

Back over with the others, Virra and Amilia are standing just outside of the guard house as Clarva walks out with her massive rucksack.

"The hell you got in that thing? A house?" Amilia asks.

"I've got enough shit in here to build one." Clarva replies as she places said rucksack down before digging in and pulls out a pair of thick bracers before putting them onto her wrists.

The next question comes from Virra who asks, "Do you have any armour?"

Clarva then pulls out something that surprises the other two women. They assumed that Clarva would have armour similar to Kyuala's, but they couldn't be more wrong.

Clarva's armour is revealed to be nothing more than a large leather shoulder guard with tufts of black fur on the outside rim that fits onto her right shoulder. On the left shoulder is another guard, but it's very different from the other guard as it doesn't have any fur. Instead, a large bestial skull sits atop the leather with its lower jaw removed, making it look like the skull is biting into her shoulder.

Connecting the two shoulder guards is two straps that come across Clarva's sternum and fastens to her trousers by large buttons. However, she has nothing that covers her midriff, exposing her impressive abs for all to see.

On Clarva's legs are some thick pants that have a kilt of grey wolf fur that drapes over them. To match the pants are two large boots that stop below the knee. The boots also looked quintuple wrapped with brown cloth, and it's evident that they're made to survive the harshest of cold.

"Now, all the fur and stuff makes me think that you're preparing for the cold, but the lack of a shirt is confusing me." Virra says as she examines the groups new companion.

"Giants don't get cold nearly as easy as you small 'uns. Our blood is damn near boiling hot all the time. The fur and skull is to show my skill."

"What'd you kill to get the skull?"

Clarva chuckles at Amilia's question. "It was a Grykmun from the Network. It had these spikes running up its spine all the way down its tail. I tried to keep one as a souvenir, but they snapped after it fell onto its back after I struck the final blow."

Virra then asks, "What'd you hunt it with? I can't help but notice a lack of a weapon."

Clarva chuckles once again. "Innocent elf." Clarva then pats Virra on the head twice before continuing. "Follow me. It's only fair if I show the others as well."

Clarva then walks forward, stopping in-between where Kyuala, John and Lani stand, and where Terra and Braxxas are talking.

"All of you. Gather round. I have something to show you." Clarva says before the seven form a disjoined semi-circle around her. "Alright. The archer asked what weapons I use. Well, here they are."

Clarva then outstretches her hand into fists before putting them out in front of her. She then turns her hands, so the palms face one another. Clarva then takes a breath before saying the word, "Shøla!"

Just then, Clarva's eyes then flash orange before two large plumes of smoke appear at her hands.

Not even a heartbeat later, the smoke takes form, and two humongous grey shields appear in her hands, both being the size and shape of large doors. Each shield is easily bigger than John and is just smaller than Kyuala, but not by much. From the side, both doors are nearly as thick as two queen sized mattresses stacked on top of one another, but both shields look as sturdy as building.

"Woah. What type of magic is that?" John asks as his jaw has hit the ground.

"Usually, I would say that is conjuration, but it can't be. If it were, the shields would be glowing with magic." Lani answers as she is seemingly perplexed herself.

Clarva then takes the time to explain. "Now'd usually be the time I'd tell you how this shit works, but even I don't fucking know. It just kinda happened one day. I was chasing a wolf back when I was a tyke and eventually it led me to its friends. Of course, I shit myself, but that's when these showed up. I don't even remember saying Shøla at first. It was like something took over me for a second and once I woke up, I just knew that's how I summoned them. I managed to kill the wolves and was eating pretty good for a week. Since then, the shields have stayed with me and actually got bigger while I was growing."

"Interesting." Terra comments. "So, it's more summoning than conjuration. And they also seem bound to you in a sense. I've never heard of weapons growing in size with their users. What about you, Lani?"

"I have heard of cases like this, but there isn't much detail about the phenomenon to nail down a specific reason." Lani then starts tapping her index finger on her lips. "Maybe it's due to your giant blood. Giants are one of the more powerful races when it comes to magic, and even most giantlings have more innate magical ability than your average practiced mage. I wouldn't be surprised if you were born into a lineage of weapon summoners, or due to your half-giant nature, your magic has a different way of working than other giants."

"Doesn't matter to me. I'd kick arse regardless!" Clarva then chuckles as her shields disappear, whilst drawing a small laugh from Braxxas as well.

Kyuala then speaks to the group with a short tone. "We should get going. The more daylight we waste, the longer it'll take to travel up to the mountains, and I don't want to travel longer than needed."

"Kyuala's right. We should start moving. I don't want to rush wrecking a wheel over some ice in the dark." Virra says as she hops onto the bench of the cart, sitting down beside Kyuala.

"Alright then. Let's hope this teeny cart can hold me." Clarva says before digging into her bag as the others get onto the cart. A moment later, she pulls out an amulet and puts said amulet on before walking toward the back of the cart.

The group immediately notice that as she walks, Clarva's footsteps aren't as loud as they used to be. Even the foot prints are as deep as they were mere seconds ago.

Clarva then grabs the sides of the cart, preparing herself before placing a foot on the cart. The wood creaks more than usual, but it doesn't seem to warrant much concern at the moment.

Clarva then lifts herself up, and the whole cart creaks again, but once again, it seems to be holding a lot better than expected. Unfortunately for Clarva, the seats in the back are nowhere near big enough for her, so she carefully plants herself down in the middle, but makes sure to not crush Terra, Amilia and John's feet.

"Hope you're comfy back there. It's gonna get rocky the further we get up." Virra says.

"Ahh, I'll be fine. Believe it or not, this cart is like a bed o' feathers compared to that cell floor. It's warmer too." Clarva says as she gets into a seemingly comfortable position.

"Well, I wish you all good luck. You all have an unimaginable weight on your shoulders. The journey ahead is a rough one, but you all seem ready to meet it head on. I pray for the safe return of all of you. May the road ahead be kind."

The group then say goodbye to Braxxas as the cart moves forward, taking the group toward their objective.