Hoxley wasn’t sure what time in the morning it was when she awoke. Because of the sealed nature of the cave, there was no way to read the sky. But in the kitchen, high above her head where the smoke from the fire escaped, the sound of morning birds gave her some idea. The others still slumbered cozily in their spots, Siouxsie drooling and snoring with abandon as she lay sprawled on the floor. Bohga stirred.

  The cyclops joined her in the dining area and offered her another bowl of spiced fish which she gratefully accepted. He helped himself to a bowl and the pair ate in silence, neither one paying attention to anything besides the flavorful broth they enjoyed. The aroma must have wafted itself into the next room as sleepy eyes and yawning mouths followed it back to the dining table. Bohga got up and made them each a bowl and poured some fresh water into cups. No one spoke, but everyone ate. As soon as he finished his bowl, Bohga stood from his place and went into the adjacent chamber where he slept. More clutter and moving of objects could be heard. The five guests were almost done with their meals when the cyclops emerged, covered in handmade leather and iron armor that covered the majority of his body. He even had a handmade guard to cover most of his large eye save for a thin horizontal visor to see though. Clutched in one hand was a club made from the carved trunk of a fallen tree so large that if hollowed could easily fit one of his guests, to include Hoxley.

  “Bohga?” Siouxsie asked. “Why are you suited with armor?”

  “Because I fear the day is going to be filled with dangers.” He said as he left the room to enter the main chamber. “Finish your meals and take up your weapons. The time is upon us.”

  “Time?” Prince Damron and Morell said in surprise. Hurried slurps and upturned glasses finished the meal as a dozen feet, booted and shod ran to follow. Hands went to work strapping lyythium plates to legs and arms. Hoxley slipped her helm into place and took up her spear to stand next to Bohga. When the others were packed and ready to leave, he approached the boulder blocking the door.

  “Who’s out there? Robert asked.

  “I do not know.” Said Bohga.

  “His uncle’s men.” Hoxley told them as she twisted the spear in her hands. “The ones who followed us after the bridge. If anyone is following us, its them.”

  “I shall push the boulder aside to peer if the way is clear.” Eager hands clutched weapons and brooms. Bogha, hunched down and laid his hands upon the stone. With a massive shove the boulder outward. Once daylight could be seen in around the edges, he pushed again and ducked under the threshold. Hoxley and the others pressed together in an anxious clump and followed a few steps behind. When the cyclops was out, he stopped to lift his nose the air.

  “The smell of horses…” he said in a low tone. “That should not be here…and men, men who have not bathed… quickly, little ones, quickly.” He pointed to the right. “Stay silent and make your escape that way.”

  “Thank you, Bohga.” Hoxley said as she took the lead and the others followed close on her tail. The five hugged the round concave of the cyclops home and hadn’t gotten very far around when they came face to face with ten men in armor wearing royal insignias. Each group jumped in surprise at the sight of the other.

  “There he is, get him!” Said the man in the front as he pointed at Prince Damron. The large men with swords around him immediately began to advance upon them.

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  “Back!” Hoxley ordered as she panicked. “Back! Back to the cave!” The closest man rushed Hoxley with sword drawn and swung at her. She deflected the blow with the staff of her spear and spun the staff above her head in a wild twirl before swinging the tail end, bashing the man across the side of the helm.

  “Urk!” He grunted before falling to the ground in an unconscious clump.

  “Back!” She shouted again.

  “Bohga!” Morell called to the cyclops. “There are men waiting!” He pointed in time for the titan to see his guests retreating back to the cave.

  “Is that so?” He said. “A clever tactic to wait out of sight in the flanks.” Four more men were close on Hoxley’s tail before Bohga planted the end of his massive club against the wall of the cave to separate the fleeing from those who pursued.

  “I see you.” He growled as he raised to his full height to stand over the invaders. “I see you with your shined steel and ill intent. Begone from here. There is nothing you can have worth your lives.” Hoxley watched the cyclops. With a slow but deliberate sweeping motion, as one takes a broom to a floor, he pushed the men away all at once and sent them tumbling into the grass. He could have mashed them to jelly with a stomp or swing from his club, but here merely batted them away.

  “Is the way clear?” She asked. “Can you see the path to the woods beyond.”

  “No.” He replied as he leaned to look further behind his home before returning to stand with her at the boulder. “There are many more here blocking the way. I see them now, they are hiding out there peeking around the edges of boulders, lying in wait for you.”

  “What can we do?”

  “Perhaps they can be dissuaded. Observe.” Bohga put down his massive club and approached the stacked piles of stones around his home. With a single hand he lifted a rock off the top that was the size of an entire horse and hurled it hundreds of feet into the air. The round stone hit the sloped ground and went rolling at incredible speeds. Such power was behind the throw that smaller stones littered in its path were pulverized by its momentum. Men in the same vermillion uniforms as the others scattered from their hiding places to keep from being crushed. Bohga snatched up a second and hurled it and then a third. Each projectile bowled its way down the sloping fields like wagon wheels of death smashing and crushing anything in their path. More men came sprinting from their hiding spots like ants pouring out of a disturbed hill. Dozens upon dozens there were.

  “There you are!” Bohga said as he tossed one after another. “Come and have a catch if you dare!” Plenty of rocks were at the ready. It was then that Hoxley realized the stacks of stones were not decorative at all but ammunition piles! The cyclops peered around the far side of his home and chucked a pair of rocks which yielded the frightened shouts and hollers of men.

  “What can I do?!” She shouted up to him while keeping her eyes upon the rounded edge fo the cave

  “Ha Ha! Hoxley is eager to enter the fray!” He laughed. “Stand by, brave faun! It looks like we are in luck!”

  “In luck? How?”

  “Because we’re surrounded! Haw haw!” he laughed. “They won’t get away from us now!”

  “I hardly think being surrounded by dozens of armed men is a desirable situation!” she stomped. “How are we supposed to escape if they’re on every side of us?”

  “That is a good question.” He said as he hurled another rock that skipped dangerously across the landscape. “These soldiers are far too numerous to face head on. In fact I think that Hoxley, look out!”

  Before she could react or even know what the warning was for, Bohga was rushing to her side and putting her into his shadow. She thought of protesting but didn’t know the reason for his action until arrows began to strike everything around her, the ground, and the rock behind. When they’d momentarily stopped, he reached in and guided her past him before ushering her back to the opening of the cave where the others were watching.

  “There are too many of them. Get inside, hurry.” She did as she was told and he followed after her. Once the others were back far enough, Bohga grabbed the chain to the door of his home and pulled it in after him. The enormous stone slammed the entrance shut and he hung the last link on a steel spike embedded in the cave wall. When the cyclops turned around, the others gasped as his entire left side and back were riddled with arrows. Many were embedded in his makeshift armor, many in the grey hide itself.

  “Bohga!” You’re injured!” Siouxsie shouted. To this, Bohga twisted his body to see the dozens of wooden tines protruding out of the skin.

  “Ah, that would explain the pain.” He said calmly. With his large hands he reached over, yanking the arrows out of his skin he could see. He grunted and winced, wiping his palm across the skin, breaking off the excess that wasn’t buried deep enough to bother him. Each of the companions, cringed at the sight. Once done, he quickly sat down with his back to them. “Hoxley, if you would, please remove the remaining ones I cannot reach.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked. “The arrows may be barbed and would hurt you even more if I pull them.”

  “The damage is done and you must leave soon. Please do as I ask. There isn’t much time. Pull them out before I lose my nerve. My skin is thick and it will be painful, but I cannot remove them myself.”

  “Everyone,” Hoxley gestured as she set her spear upon the cave floor. “Quickly, grab one in each hand and wait for my signal.” When everyone had crowded in and done as they were told, she patted the cyclops on the back. “Here it comes, hold your breath. This is going to be like removing field burrs. Ready? Now!” Each hand yanked and came away with a bolt in it.