Surprisingly

It would come as no surprise that Renee's newfound reputation, from a humiliated and frail young woman to a physically strong forger, resisting attempts to undress her and eating almost obscene amounts of chicken for lunch, aroused people's curiosity. Renee's club was officially named "Fellows of the Hammer" and attracted some curious glances, then some interested ones, and within a month it already had committed members. Most of the equipment and tools were made by the fellows themselves, Renee was a very good supervisor and instructor, and after a month no one in the club was surprised by her vast knowledge of the subject. Outside the club, some saw Renee strolling near the woods occasionally, mainly at twilight. It was actually Moradin, still searching, without much success, for clues to the Brutal Pick.

Meanwhile, Tracy spent some time waiting, she had to deal with some comments and jokes about Renee's turnaround. Some friends who had distanced themselves from Renee ended up getting closer again, and a sense of self-respect returned to the redhead's eyes, which deeply irritated Tracy. So naturally, the news that Renee would be crossing the woods near nightfall gave her an idea; she hoped that the redhead would be returning to her swimming habits and, on a particular Friday, she organized a whole plan with her friends. Renee would be humiliated again, and her whole new facade would crumble... The plan would be much easier if Renee were actually in a **** position.

It was a Friday when Tracy and her friends spotted Renee in the distance entering the forest. It was time to act; they hurried to follow her. Moradin was quite certain that his pickaxe would be near the woods. That's where he felt her most intensely. Unfortunately for him, things were about to get more complicated. The god of storms was venturing into a different part of the woods, near the lake, when he felt something strange, a frigid sensation. It seemed very distant, but to him it was unmistakable: an ice giant, probably in humanoid form, likely also after the Brutal Pick. Moradin's first instinct was to fully assume his divine form, keeping Renee's appearance and identity a secret. However, he realized that if any giant saw him and managed to communicate with others, news of Moradin's presence in Oakvalle would spread, putting not only Renee but the entire small town at risk (even though he himself felt disgust and revulsion for most of the townspeople because of how Renee had been treated). He had chosen Renee as his vessel and knew that remaining hidden was safer for the town. He decided to approach the giant's presence, still concealed by the trees and Renee's vessel. Meanwhile, Tracy and her friends followed her, their cell phones at the ready, so that as soon as they spotted Renee in a **** situation they would start broadcasting live. They followed what seemed to be Renee's trail with enough subtlety not to be noticed. Unfortunately for them, it wasn't Renee's trail. They followed footprints and the sound of footsteps to near the lake.

"The redhead must be around here, let's start the transmission with one of the cell phones, as soon as we find her we'll pass by here too, getting a nice panoramic view."

There, they positioned one of the cell phones, already broadcasting live, hidden behind a tree; it wouldn't capture the sound well, but the important thing was the image.

The friends adjusted the image, and Tracy was right behind, trying to locate the redhead, when she felt a strong grab from behind on her neck. A cold hand lifted her almost five feet off the ground.

Tracy's friends quickly looked back as Tracy screamed. A man, something frighteningly slender, with a pale face and hands and long blond hair, lifted Tracy off the ground with ease. His thin nose and jaw gave him an austere and pompous appearance in equal measure. The suit, a bluish-gray shade, seemed tailor-made for him.

"I see... I have little explorers on my trail. I don't believe they are oblivious to my purposes," said the man in a calm voice with what seemed to be an accent from some European region, penetrating enough to be audible despite Tracy's screams. She couldn't see him, only struggle and try to break free from the strong grip on her neck.

"Let me go! Let me go immediately!" Tracy screamed, trying to demand her release, but there was more fear than real conviction in her words. "You two! Do something!... Please..."

Tracy's friends, however, were frozen with fear. They literally felt an overwhelming cold, despite the day having been mild seconds before.

"Well... I don't intend to prolong the misfortune, miladies," said the man, "but you must admit that I can't let you stop me from obtaining the artifact."

"But... what... artifact?" Tracy murmured.