"Easy Apolita. They're not going to do anything to you so long as I'm around. Jayhawk, any idea who these people are?" asked Civis.
"I'm not exactly sure, Civis, because I'm not sure if we are even in the same time period. You know how sloppy Titanicus can be with time and travel spells. (Titanicus frowned a bit but couldn't think of anything to say in his own defense) These look like a people I heard of once in my travels. They call themselves "Norse." It means "north" in their language. They are a future people, nothing like any tribes Romans have met. Although they are similar to the barbarians on the Northeast border. Yes, I'd say they are Norse."
"Well, Norse or not, we have a real problem here," replied Civis.
Cian had moved closer to the Roman. "Talk to them Civis. I've conjured a spell to make them understand your words and you their words." Civis nodded his understanding.
"We are simple travellers trying to return home. We mean you no harm and wish to go our way in peace."
"Then why do you steal our treasure?" the gruff little man retorted.
Civis responded amiably, "We found the chest by accident and did not know its owner. We thought it abandoned. We did not know its content and so opened it to see what was inside. If you are its owner you may have your treasure, we will go on in peace just as I said.
"Civis, are you crazy?" hissed Titanicus. "We need the jewels!"
"Quiet, they won't do any of us any good wearing them for ornaments in our graves. Think of the women," said Civis.
The little barbarian leader snickered. "We will have the jewels, your skins and the women. That's what we'll have."
Civis changed his tone instantly. *Laughing* "You miserable excuse for a leader. You coward among midgets. How dare you threaten us. Does the rodent attack the cat? Who among you is great enough to take me. Or will it take your whole vermin army to defeat one warrior!"
"Civis, NO!!" screamed Apolita. The barbarian leader's face turned crimson.
Civis ignored her. "Here's my proposition. I meet your best warrior in single combat. I live, you get your treasure, except for 10 jewels we will keep; and you let us go in peace. I die, and you do what you will."
The barbarian said nothing but motioned behind him to someone. His men separated to make a path for...a 6 foot 3 inch giant of a man with a pockmarked face, long blond hair and a disposition well to the south of friendly. The giant carried a spear and a stone club. The barbarian leader generated a strained smile. "Agreed" was all he said.
Civis looked up at the human tower standing above him on the sand dune. "Jupiter!" he exclaimed under his breath as he pulled his sword from its sheath. "Good work, Civis. You're in for it now," he berated himself.
"Father! Do something!" Apolita tearfully pleaded, running to her father. Cian motioned to Apolita to be quiet and for the others to close around him and for all to move back on the beach towards the water. Cian whispered something to Jayhawk and Titanicus. They looked at him blankly at first, and then with quiet understanding.
The giant strode down the sand dune and without hesitation advanced on Civis. While big, he wasn't necessarily agile, and the much smaller Roman evaded the giant's first thrusts with his spear. Finally, another clumsy thrust with his spear gave Civis an opening. The Roman leapt sideways and brought his sword down on the spear's shaft severing the spear in two. Civis' elation at this small victory was short lived as the giant swung the wooden shaft in his hand to the right and struck Civis directly across the chest. The blow knocked Civis off his feet and sent his sword tumbling from his hand. Dazed, the Roman looked up to see the giant advancing on him, club raised. He pushed backwards in the sand reaching for the sword he sensed, more than knew, was behind him. He found it! Civis, rolled to his left, just in time to hear the club hit the sand where he had been with a resounding whump! Civis quickly scrambled to put distance between himself and the giant.
"Had enough yet!" Civis yelled at the giant. The irony of the words generated what little humor he had left and the hint of a laugh formed in his mind, then quickly vanished. The giant was on him again. Civis ducked as the club viciously passed over his head. Then Civis swung his sword at the giant's exposed shin. Civis swung his sword with all of his might and struck the giant with the FLAT side of his sword. The reaction was instantaneous. The giant's eyes bulged outwards, promptly teared and he bellowed in pain. A welt formed on the shin as the giant instinctively reached for the spot to ease the pain. Civis spun to the opposite side and swung his sword against the giant's other shin. The reaction was the same, but this time the giant dropped his club and sat hard on the ground.
The last thing the giant saw was the flat side of Civis's sword coming at him before it crashed into his forehead. Alive, but senseless, the giant toppled backwards from his sitting position and lay there, eyes closed, face to the sky.
The Norse on the dune stared in stunned silence at their fallen champion. Their leader looked from the giant to Civis and back again. "Is he dead?"
"No," said Civis. "He will live."
"Why didn't you finish him?" the leader asked.
"He is not my enemy, but an unfortunate. I only kill my enemies. I remind you of our agreement."
The little barbarian considered his options...