Feeh's Story - The Shattering of the Ford

The broken ford opens onto the mountain road at last. Ahead, the stronghold gate yawns under cracked stone and splintered beams, with torchlight leaking through the ruin. The smell of baking bread and roasting meat drifts out, taunting and bright.

The Vanguard Captain is trapped in the churn of mud and shattered shields behind Feeh, his line gone to pieces. The Bell-Ringer staggers near the roadside wagon, staring at the open gate as if it might swallow them next.

Inside the gate, frightened figures retreat through the archway, dragging sacks and spilling grain across the stones. Their fear only makes the passage wider, clearer, waiting for the giantess to finish the breach.

Feeh stands at the threshold with her huge greatclub ready, the road to the hoard finally open before her. The last defenders flinch, the bells hush, and the stronghold holds its breath.

Feeh lumbers forward at last, and her broad hand snaps out with surprising speed. The Bell-Ringer squeaks in terror as she is caught by the shoulder and hauled off the wagon path.

The giantess keeps moving, dragging the trembling figure with her for a few strides toward the gate. Mud slaps her feet, and the Bell-Ringer's dropped cord swings wildly behind them.

The bell's iron rim strikes the wagon rail as the Bell-Ringer twists free of one sling and stumbles hard into Feeh's grip. The clash rings out across the court, and every watcher near the arch flinches.

Feeh's first shove carries them to the threshold. The cost lands with the noise, a sharp ring and a fresh spray of mud, but the road ahead stays open.

The bell rang once more against the broken wagon as Feeh crossed the threshold, unchallenged.

The hoard fell to Feeh, and the mountain giants bent their hunger to her rule. Behind her, the mud held the captain fast and the shattered defenses stayed silent. The stronghold was no longer a prize to be seized, but a place claimed.