"There Lived Giants": Early Earth/Monger

By Lee Bell

THERE LIVED GIANTS SYNOPSIS

It's been three years since his little sister's kidnapping and the deadly slavery raid on Monger's northern village of Zii'na. After 2 years of captivity in the back-breaking limestone quarries of Stravida, Monger the barbarian escapes and heads south, with hopes of rescuing her.
Fate seems to be with Monger right away when he catches a break immediately upon entering the nation of Thraamanum. His fighting skills catch the ear of none other than the king and His Majesty agrees to use all his assets to scour the city for the barbarian's sister, Binny. Chakra is a huge, walled city vast in size and it will take some time to accomplish this. Turned down, the king sweetens the pot by offering to search the entire nation, an offer Monger cannot refuse. In return, the warrior agrees to escort the King and Queen's only child, her royal Princess Ursuleeta, south to the country of Kapur for her prearranged wedding; a union of convenience and politics which could unite four other smaller nations with Thraamanum and Kapur against Warthen, the strong, wicked empire to the east.

Warthen is all-powerful, evil and the enemy of all. The trek, however, must be done in secret and takes the party through the last stronghold of the dying race of giants; the land of Zamzummim. Monger gives his word he will see her safely there and married before returning to Kapur and word of his sister. But he must stay alive for his sister, HE MUST!

Will he abandon the young princess and his brothers-in-arms, if his own life is at stake?

This is a full-length story of adventure, action, swordplay, politics, spies, assassins, kings and queens, and fighting aplenty! What more do you want?

Book One of the Early Earth/Monger series.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Bell
• Release date: Jan 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393600930

Lee Bell

Lee A. Bell was born and raised in Iowa, United States of America in 1954. He attended Ottumwa High School and graduated in 1972. He is currently widowed. He has been a member of the FourSquare Church in Fairfield, Iowa, and more recently The Word of Life Church, in Garden City, Ks, and has been a Christian for nearly 40 years.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE: EOVALDAR, THE MASTER

The storyteller Eovaldar relaxed on a shaky wooden chair under an extremely faded and torn canvas awning, his feet propped up on a crate of figs. He had graced the presence of a store owner today, and the fellow quickly arrived with a tall, clay mug of fresh squeezed lemonade and a plateful of dates. He was eager to please his guest, for his yarn-spinning ability was well known for many leagues around.

The dawn had broken clear and warm just as it almost always did and the open market was beginning to fill in the town of Sturdivant in the southern nation of Tazbul. Tents were being hastily erected, outdoor tables set up, fruits and vegetables arranged; the usual thin layer of dust blown or snapped off coverings and thrown high into the dry morning air. A little girl in a coarse burlap dress herded a flock of geese toward a small wooden stall with a heavy hand using her favorite stick. Wings flapping and feathers flying, they filled the air with honking protest toward the abusive girl. Bartering and arguing over prices had already begun and the word thief was bandied about quite frequently. Baskets and wicker mats were bought and sold...and stolen. The unmistakable aroma of fresh bread filled the air as the peddling of various wares began. Down the way a father and daughter wove and braided long, thick strands of hemp together creating new, strong ropes. Sturdivant was a big town of nearly fifty thousand and competition for sales was fierce.

And it was now time for the tongue wagger to ply his trade. He was one of the few men in the world who could successfully talk for a living. Merchants would often fight over his personal appearances and issue invitations weeks in advance for him to speak in front of their particular location. His strong, booming voice carried well, which suited his trade perfectly. He had been known to comment that, They can hear me all the way across the ocean, whoever they might be. Payments and bribes of money, food, clothing and other wares and services compelled him to continue his odd but lucrative and very satisfying career. A chicken would pay for a month or three in advance. He had more feathers than he knew what to do with, eventually selling them to the military to be used in the making of arrows. You see where Eovaldar was, a crowd gathered. And where a crowd gathered merchandise sold. He was extremely good for business this young fellow.

He was an intelligent man of twenty-five years with a short, red, pointed beard and a long handlebar mustache of the same color. He often used candle wax to twist it up but when the hot sun baked it, one or both sides began to droop, bringing about uncontrollable laughter from his audiences. He didn’t mind and often would sport this look on purpose. He once said, Well, if I can’t laugh at myself... A very long pause followed as he waited for a listener to complete the phrase, to which two different offered, Who can you laugh at?

No, I was gonna say I’ll laugh at you! He wore his standard rags showing everyone how poor he was except for his fine multi-hued, silk vest. It was as colorful as his personality. He was small in stature but big in imagination.

As usual, within a few minutes word had spread of his whereabouts and an assembling of humanity gathered in front of him. The children were always the first to arrive. They tended to steal more than they ever bought if the opportunity presented itself but most was generally given to Eovaldar as payment anyway, so by and large it was overlooked by the businessmen. Some of these children had talents of their own and could pick the pocket of a rider on a tall horse at a full gallop. Once gathered, the citizens of Sturdivant would delay their morning shopping for an hour or so to take in a tall tale from the country's most famous liar.

Tell us of the people far to the east in the unknown lands, the first brother said. No, no! the second corrected, tell us of Monger the great warrior! Snip and Snurp their nicknames were. They were twins not yet seven years old and the yarn spinner's biggest fans, never missing a day. Though Eovaldar possessed a vast repertoire of stories and characters, the lad Snurp insisted daily on a Monger story. The barbarian was also far and away the crowd favorite.

Eovaldar would tell jokes or poke fun at those in attendance buying time until enough paying customers arrived. When sufficient were there he'd plop down an empty tin cup in front of himself with a noise loud enough to get the attention of all present and then wait for the first clink. Soon the crowd would swell to hear his fantastic tales of adventure and awe.

Come on folks, you know it's impossible for me to begin until I hear that cup sing, he'd say, then shoot them all a dirty look. His handsome face replete with dimpled cheeks and his limitless charm won them over without fail. On the rare days when no-one wanted to be the first to contribute, he'd tell the children to show the big people how and make them give something first, even if it was a toy or food. He accepted a handful of sand once just to get the ball rolling. Everything the children gave on their own he'd return of course. More often than not he'd give a child the first coin to drop loudly into the cup then have them chide the older people on his behalf. They'd whine and beg the old folks to give so he could start his tales. He was shameless in his manipulation of everyone and the crowd knew it. Many of them secretly wished they were he. Eovaldar loved to embarrass the crowd into giving and everyone knew how it worked as he'd been at this for nearly three years now. The destitute among the audience were exempt and could listen for free, for they were many.

Inevitably the level in the cup began to increase. Tell us of the lands to the hot south, someone insisted. This was met by a sour look from the boy Snurp at the thought of not getting his daily quantity of Monger.  Why there's not even enough given for my breakfast yet! he'd argue, all the while chomping down on the free food provided by the store owner. It was understood by now that breakfast was included. Smiling and looking up he offered, The sun is going to shine today and you know what that means. Ten people in the audience voiced the same rehearsed reply: You're going to work up a huge appetite! Then they'd all chuckle and pat each other on the back for successful participation.

On this early morning, one of the citizens of the large town came wandering by and objected, pointing out the obvious: The sun shines every day! Eovaldar countered with, And aren't you glad it does? Laughter broke out through the people. There was no point in trying to out talk or outwit him and most had given that up long ago.

Waiting patiently, he looked at the two boys, lifted his worn, light brown, triangular cap and scratched his head asking, Did I tell you about the time I was stranded on a small island in the middle of the ocean and forced to chew rocks for food? Their eyes opened wide and Snurp said, No, tell, tell!

Well, I was on board a strong ship sailing on the Edge of the World Ocean. We were a week out to sea and suddenly a great tempest arose and strong winds sank the ship, driving it into rocks that rose out of the ocean. They were so high they touched the bottom of the sky.

Golly! Snurp said in an astonished voice. The liar had barely gotten started when he was interrupted, not the for the first time. What was the name of the ship? Snip asked skeptically. He was a lad of detail, curious and intense and the less gullible of the brothers. The name of the ship? Eovaldar asked, his ability to improvise being put to the test early. Why it was the um, the um, the ‘Iron Anchor.’  A majestic ocean sailing vessel she was too I might add! She was long and tall with a hundred sails but the storm was stronger! Snurp the younger gasped at the visual picture Eovaldar painted. A hundred sails! he whispered, imagining such a sight. He had never seen a hundred of anything. Well, there I was shipwrecked, the only survivor while all the others on board were claimed by the icy waters!

There's no ice on the Western Ocean, Snip pointed out with a tilt of his head. It was winter! came the quick reply. We've never even seen ice, he argued. Trust me, the talker urged and continued with his yarn. Looking directly at the lad he said, It was far, far to the north of here. Anyway, I waited for a year for another ship to come by and rescue me but none came. I was so hungry and there was no food on the small island. Finally, I had to start eating rocks for lack of anything else. For days and days, weeks and weeks that's all I ate until my belly got big and round. In fact, I got so heavy I couldn't swim off the island! Snurp looked at him with wonder and then asked him, Really? Intentionally muted snickers and laughs ensued from the audience gathered there and the collection cup began to toll. They loved the boys also and didn’t want to spoil the story with the needless injection of truth into the matter. You’re only young once, a lady told the man next to her. He nodded silently with a smile, as if recalling some long, lost memory.  Why boy, you hurt my feelings when you don't believe me! Spotting a camel across the dusty dirt street he pointed it out. Is that a camel? he asked the lad. Turning, he replied, Yes, yes of course it is! More laughter followed as if they knew exactly what was coming. Then I'm telling you the truth my boy!

A young husband and wife looked at each other and he inquired of her, I wonder if that will work for us? He placed his hand on her protruding bump as she was due next month. She nodded and then the storyteller added, Parenting tips are extra! The man shook his head no, but Eovaldar nodded yes, a serious look on his face. Reluctantly, the man reached for a penny. Knowing they would need the money to raise a family Eovaldar smiled and said, This one is on the house! He waved his hand telling the man to keep the coin. The next one will cost you double however! he warned with a smile.

The crowd began to swell now. The more the level in the cup rose the more loudly and intensely Eovaldar spoke. He would often shout at people across the way to get their attention and beckon them over, staying in character all the while of course.

They were yearning for a story now to start their day and Eovaldar sensed it. He could always tell exactly when he had them in the palm of his hand. However, timing was of the utmost importance in his unique line of work. Human nature dictates that those arriving in the middle of a story get fonder of their coins and are less inclined to pass them forward. Making a quick exit from the joke he launched into his standard Monger story setup, hoping the boys would let him off the hook as to how he managed to escape the imaginary island. OK, OK, it’s time to start. Down in front please so all can hear and see...down in front. The lovable lad Snurp squealed with delight clapping his hands together rapidly as the crowd obliged. All eyes on him, the master craftsman now delivered:

Who I am is of no consequence, though if history remembers my name I won't complain, he said honestly. It was one of the few such statements he would make in the next hour or so. Just make sure I am spoken of in lesser stature than the warrior Monger. Of course, he hoped this would never happen and so made sure to include his name in the opening, contradicting himself: My name is Eovaldar and I alone in the entire world have the privilege of telling you of the adventures of the greatest warrior who ever swung a sword or loosed an arrow.

These true accounts of Monger of the warring clan of the north have been related to me personally by him or by eyewitnesses or survivors, though the latter were few and far in between. He was at the tender old age of forty-five when he told them to me over the course of a long, hot summer some few years ago. In fact, we were right here in this exact spot! he said, pointing straight down and lying through his teeth. It was beyond belief how many times he told a tale and it had occurred in the exact spot he happened to be in at the time. I reckon he had nothing better to do at the time. I can guarantee that each and every word I tell you is true, though I reserve the right to embellish here and there, he added with a wink of the eye.

What’s embellish mean? a young fellow asked.

Never you mind! As you know we live in the last days of the age of the dragons although few have been seen lately. Disease and sickness have taken their toll on them just as humankind has suffered and died at their hands also. But in truth, it was the giants who put an end to this fire-breathing plague. We owe them our existence.

A newcomer who didn't know that this was his standard beginning booed and hissed at the mention of the giants. Undaunted, Eovaldar took it in stride. He also was no fan of them but they certainly made for good storytelling. A new age is now come, that of the forging and shaping of liquid metals, specifically steel. Sensing most of the crowd didn't know the meaning of the word specifically or for that matter forging, he added, most notably the making and shaping of steel.

He had to be careful to keep his words down to the level of his audience, which was a chore ofttimes. Here then is a true story of the warrior Monger I call: There Lived Giants."

Oh good! a teenage boy said. He was supposed to be investigating a mule for possible purchase but had been sidetracked by the crowd of about twenty-five. At the telling of this tale, Monger is not yet sixteen years old.

Who’s Monger? a lady at the back who was just arriving late asked. Who's Monger? half of the crowd echoed in disbelief, a slight attitude inflected in their voices. Who said that? one wanted to know as he looked around. Sheepishly and half afraid of a mob, she started to back away. What'd I say, what'd I say? she asked defensively. The kindly man next to her smiled and touched her elbow gently to keep her from leaving. It's OK, he reassured her. Seeing that the lady was a stranger to Sturdivant they would excuse her. Her manner of dress suggested that she was, in fact, from Drine, a village to the Southwest. 

SNIP STEALS THE SHOW

Monger... Eovaldar started in, but was interrupted by Snip, the slightly elder of the two twin brothers. I got this! he said to the storyteller with a wave of his hand. The talker chuckled along with everyone else present and shook his head slightly. The lad turned to the new woman and proceeded to relay the relevant history of the barbarian up to the point where the story would take place, for he knew it by heart.

"At the age of thirteen, slave traders from Warthen struck Monger's tiny village of Zii'na in the northern nation of Brii'um. Though not unusual for raiding parties to come inside the boundaries of this cold country, it had been some several years since the last one. Monger had never witnessed an attack, only heard the stories. Even then it was a village far to the west and south of his own. However, the massive raids were always spoken of with dread even here amongst the fiercest warriors on the planet. Blonde haired, blue eyed slaves such as lived here were in high demand but the northern tribes were intense and violent warriors. Any slaves captured always came at a very high cost of lives- on both sides. Only in times of economic desperation would raiders dare travel this far north. Those who organized the raids had to pay absolutely top wage and in silver to the many mercenaries who made up the party as there was no guarantee they would return. Likely as not half of them wouldn't. No notes were issued, no promises of payments; it was coins up front. Needless to say, this often led to missing mercenaries so payment was never made until the war the party was one day beyond earning it.

In the attack on his small village the men were slaughtered, the women and children stolen to be sold like livestock. Among them was Binny, Monger's little sister and only living relative. She was ten years old with long, beautiful blonde hair. Slim with a boyish figure, she was a tough little flower only now beginning to bloom. During the raid, the young warrior Monger was struck with an incredibly hard blow to his unprotected head from behind by a stone war hammer which cracked his skull. Only young, strong bones kept him alive. He was left for dead by the raiders but pulled through. Dizzy and unable to ride or even walk, he is physically unable to follow them after the carnage they inflict; the wound taking well over five months to totally heal. Consequently, the slavers put many hundreds of leagues between him and his sister until the healed and determined young Monger is finally able to pursue them. But by now they have reached their destination.

"Following the Duharr Mountains Southwest, he tracks the unmistakable trail finally reaching the coast and the slaving city of Stravida in the country of Almetra. It is well known that this is the first stop of most northern raids. Barely inside the main gate, he is arrested and unfairly thrown into prison. He spends the next two years in chains laboring under the whip in the limestone quarries there, but builds up tremendous strength...and resolve. A rage has grown within him with the taking of his sister and now his own freedom. The young and impetuous warrior must daily resist the overwhelming urge to get revenge upon the guards who whip and torment him, for to do so would mean certain death. He realizes only he can find and rescue his sister.

Finally, after two years he escaped and gains back his freedom and his prized stallion Midnight. His first thoughts are to destroy all those who wronged him but the list is much too long. His thoughts turn to finding his sister. Only afterward can he return and show them barbarian justice."

Growing up in a warring clan, Monger possesses very keen senses, agility and willpower. Now, his muscular, rock hard body completes him as one of the greatest fighters in the history of man. These then are the chronicles of Monger the north-born to find and rescue his sister Binny.

Turning to Eovaldar and while the entire crowd cheered and applauded, the boy asked, How'd I do? Joining the rest in clapping, the yarn spinner said, Aside from stealing my thunder, exceptionally well master storyteller! In truth, he had quoted the introduction nearly word for word. Well, go on, finish it.

Grinning from ear to ear the young fellow continued enthusiastically. Turning to face the lady once again he carried on, He searches the huge city of Stravida for her, hoping she is still there, but after months and months of extensive looking has to conclude that she is not. During this time he meets the beautiful Wudari, a slave girl forced to marry the owner who purchased her. She wins the barbarian's heart but shortly after gaining her own freedom leaves to return to her native country of Uusello. He longs to be with her but must find his sister if she is still alive...somewhere in the known world. He has promised Wudari he will follow the coastline of the Dreja Sea south on his path to find her. It is now almost three years since her kidnapping. I now give you: There Lived Giants. The lad bowed low to the applause of the crowd. Oh, he’s a good one! one said. Another, He’s the next Eovaldar!"

All eyes back on him, the featured speaker spoke again, Um, excuse me, but would it be possible to resume now? The young lad smiled and nodded, yielding to the master.

CHAPTER TWO: THRAAMANUM

"The heart-breaking,