Bloodlines of the Ancient Pantheons

Chapter 425: CDXXV. The Bodyguards

The door took about 20 seconds to fully open, but when it happened, the spectacle was breathtaking.

A great city teeming with people appeared before their eyes, who could not help but be enchanted witnessing so much beauty.

Most of the buildings were light blue and white, adorned with icy decorations, which sometimes twisted around the monuments, giving the entire town a very peculiar and majestic appearance.

Few people were close to the gates, but those present could not fail to look at the three unknown men in front of their city, who at first sight, judging by their appearance, did not seem at all to belong to their Clan.

"It's like Hevnen or Skjegg! They have a base built inside a city where civilians live!" Kjell exclaimed, after witnessing that unexpected spectacle and noticing that even children ran through the streets, playing and laughing at each other.

"I don't know what Kjell is talking about, but I believe you on the word!" Orvar replied, slowly stepping back with his horse and sensing on his face the slight wind generated by the opening of the doors.

"I've never seen anything like it! I never imagined that the Giants Of Ymir would live in such a well-mantained place!" Terje added, who still had his mouth open to amazement.

The guard who was just inside the walls immediately broke those moments of magic, raising his hand and making a gesture towards the guards outside, as well as the visitors, who walked slowly forward, with circumspection.

"Commander Kranus has decided to meet you personally, don't move from here, otherwise things will get very bad for you" the enemy warrior said, who seemed at odds with his leader's decision and continued to look at Kjell and his comrades with contempt.

"All right, we'll wait here, without taking a step" Kjell said, who looked pleased at his teammates, believing that getting to Kranus had been much easier than expected.

The three companions approached each other and stood still on the edge of the big door, under the watchful eyes of the guards, who did not distract a single second and the most curious citizens.

"And now what do we do? What should we tell their leader?" Orvar asked in a low voice to his companions, not knowing how to behave.

"Have you forgotten? We have to ask him if he wants to meet privately Dag... once we get a response, both positive and negative, our mission can be considered over" Kjell replied, recalling the plan to the archer, who was caught up in the confusion of the moment and could not remember it.

As the two grown men continued to discuss the upcoming conversation with the Giants Of Ymir's leader, trying to guess his personality, Terje continued to study with interest the details of their city, focusing on his points of access and those of weakness.

Incredibly, Tungvek had no other entrances besides that huge stone door and the walls surrounded it in its entirety, although from that location, it was not possible to see the entire perimeter, partially covered by the buildings.

In his experience, that city was one of the largest he had ever seen, both for its number of palaces and monuments and for the density of its population. It was almost as big as Jernhest, whose appearance was much more majestic and regal, being the city of King Einar.

As the boy was immersed in his thoughts, other guards approached in that direction, asking the men in front of them for explanations.

When they learned that it was Okstorm's delegation on behalf of Master Dag, an expression of anger appeared on their faces, as if they felt a strong hatred towards them, representing one of their greatest enemies.

Kjell and Orvar avoided looking into the eyes of those guards, who were evidently looking for brawls and advised Terje to do the same, telling him to look down and wait in silence.

About 20 minutes passed, but nothing happened, except for a couple of carriages that returned to the city, coming from who knows where, and carrying food goods. 

Just as the attention of the three companions was beginning to wane, they began to hear an approaching sound.

The noise of the crowd's voices grew louder until a myriad of people popped out of one of the two main streets, topped by a kind of completely icy arch with runes engraved on it.

"Guys, order! I think the moment we've been waiting for has come" Kjell said, ordering his two subordinates to line up neatly behind him, holding the reins of the horses and preparing for the meeting with Kranus.

People near the door continued to increase so much in number, that some of the guards who were keeping an eye on Kjell and the others, were forced to leave, to prevent civilians from moving on.

Trying to focus on what all those people were saying, Kjell was able to understand that this was not a protest movement, in fact, they were cheering someone on.

People moved without looking where they were going, some of them even walked backward, not paying attention to obstacles on the road and risking falling.

They all looked in the same direction and talked, raising their hands and smiling, it looked like they were celebrating something.

At one point, that crowd opened up and three big giants in a row popped up from the back, walking menacingly toward the three adventurers.

"Fuck! They turned into Jotunns! It doesn't look good..." Orvar exclaimed, and he swallowed empty, fearing violent action by the giants.

Kjell did not answer, merely looking them in the eye, waiting for them to come any closer and making sure his right hand was near one of his chains.

*stomp*stomp*

The sound of their footsteps grew louder and the earth beneath their feet began to vibrate, until they stopped, about 5 meters from them.

The six guards split into two rows ordered by three units each, bowing their heads slightly out of respect.