Pheoshan Chapter Nine The Giant's Battle

 The First Day

Pheoshan woke very early the following day after Engleman showed her what her duties would be, now that was was his slave. This would be her first official day that she would be working for the giant. She, as she was thinking, massaged her neck, relieving the soreness from having to wear the collar. 

She had hoped that the events of the past couple of days were nothing but a vivid fever dream. But she had had to become accustomed to those moments. She had hoped the events of the storm were nothing but a dream too, yet she was very rarely that fortunate, even when she was dreaming! Yet even in the Dream Hells were easier than most of the things that she had faced awake.

She, sleepily, looked at both Cimus and Egoso, both sleeping in each other's arms. Both were trembling as their faces were screwed with pain. She, knowing that they were having a nightmare, walked up to the pair and stroked their heads. This helped calm them and they relaxed. She kept doing this until they were fully resting.

Don't worry. I'll get you out of here.

This, she realised, would also be the first day she should try to find a way to escape the giant. However she knew that this would not be the best day to try. After all, she knew that she could not afford to make a mistake. She knew one wrong move would land her in greater trouble. So she knew she would have to butter Engleman up and do all that she could to gain his unwavering trust. Yet she had to be even more careful in this regard. After all, she did not want to look suspicious or come across as trying too hard to impress the giant.

She breathed in and out as she could feel her body shaking with fear and another emotion that she could not quite describe. She had to do this until she too had become calm. If she did not calm herself, then she knew that she would make a mistake. 

She knew that she would have to use all the skills that she learnt as Cinder Umbrella. Who knew that they would come in handy? Yet she knew that she would have to do better than she did back then. After all, she had a master to impress.

She looked back down at Cimus and Egoso. Whatever her plan was, she would have to think of a way to get them out of this place too. Yet she knew that there was only a slim chance of her actually doing that. After all, she knew that her escaping would be one thing but getting them out along with her would be another. However, she felt in her heart of hearts that she just could not allow herself to leave this place and leave them behind.

She then heard a key tuning. She looked over to see the giant at the bars. 

Here goes nothing! She thought, gently resting the sibling's heads down.

She climbed to her feet and then walked to the giant. He pulled her out and gave her the bottle. She took it and took one drink and grew. She was soon the size of a small giantess. He gave her a shovel.

"Here. Get out the gold and clean it."

She took it and nodded. 

"Yes master."

"No back chat."

She nodded.

She looked in and scooped up all of Egoso's gold dung. She was given a bucket and she put it all in. She was then taken to a room when it was filled with gold! He gave her a bucket of water and cloth. She then cleaned all the gold and ensured that it was squeaky clean. She then cleaned one after the other until they were all clean. She then gave the clean gold to the giant. He took it and put it in an oven where he melted them into gold bars.

"Good, thou cleaned well!"

"Thank you. What is next?"

"Breakfast!"

"What would you like?"

"Bacon, eggs and beans."

"So to the kitchen next?"

They soon arrived in the kitchen, where Engleman gave her another drink of the strange potion.

"Right, where is the bacon and where are the eggs and beans?"

"Wash thine hands while I get them out."

She nodded as she did. She then lit the hob and poured some oil. Soon the beacon and eggs were sisling and the beans were boiling. She became aware of Engleman watching her carefully. Yet she did what she could to keep herself calm and put a false smile on her lips. She had to resist the temptation of trying something. She knew that she also had to make sure that this food was the best that the giant had ever tasted. If the food was good, she knew that he would be won over a little.

She soon put it upon a plate and placed it right in front of him. He looked at it suspiciously and then the moment he tasted the bacon, his eyes lit up. He tasted the beans and the eggs.

"Wow! Thou can cook!" He exclaimed, through a mouthful of food.

He soon ate everything on the plate. He licked his lips and smiled as he leaned. 

"Girl! That was the best meal that I have ever had!" He shouted. "Quick! Bring Cimus! I want her golden music."

She nodded.

"Thank you sir!" 

She soon walked to the cell.

"Cimus, he wants you."

She looked down with sorrow in her eyes. She nodded. She walked into her hand. She carried her over to Engleman and placed her gently upon the table. He gave her a harp. The moment she touched it, it turned to gold. She let out a deep breath then started to play.

Pheoshan felt chills run down her spine and sorrow filled her heart. She had never heard such a beautiful melody. It sank deep into her. It cut like a knife, pricing into the hard shell and puncturing the real her. It also felt like the gentle notes embrace her, like a mother's embrace. Whispering in her ear that it was alright.

"Sing! Sing!"

She let out a sigh.

"One will soon thine victory bring,

One will free the three I sing,

The power of the dish,

Made from the fish,

Leads back to the royal,

Where one is very loyal!

"The Demon King's power grow,

From the seed from long ago,

Upon the moment of truth told,

Destiny be revealed by man old,

All the power will be known,

By then the seed will have grown!"

He bellowed out a laugh as he clapped.

"Why! That reminds me of a time when I killed a rival giant Gantara! She was a very beautiful giant. I wanted her, I had to have her. I did all to get her." He said, glancing at Pheoshan. "And I mean 'all'. When I finally had her, she tried to kill me and escape. Then to punish her, I tore her apart, slowly. I pulled limb from limb and then I ate yet alive."

He licked his lips.

"And I will do it again, if I get hungry." He said, resting his hand upon his chin. "Then there was her sister. I took a fancy to hear too. She too, I ate. Both tasted far too great, but nothing like the meal that thee hath cooked this morning. I should hath had thou cook them! I know how good it would had been."

"Have you killed more sir?" Pheoshan asked, trying not to vomit.

"Oh yes! I hath desperate many enemies and many many more families and none hath even proven to rival my power!" He laughed, banging his first upon the table. "Here, let me tell you all about them!"

For the rest of the day she served him while he told her of all his feats. All of them shocked and horrified her to the point, she started to tremble. She did nothing to challenge or interrupt him. She encouraged him to continue. Trying to keep her mask in place.

By the time she was back in her cell. She had a lot to think about as she fell asleep.

The Rival Giant

It was the second morning if being Engleman's slave. She knew that it was still too soon to make her move. This was going to have to play the long game. She also had to be very careful or she might end up being the food that she was cooking. She may have gained the giant's favour but she still did not have his trust. Not his complete trust. No, she needed to work on that. Which meant that she would not be able to make her move until a week at least. So she has to play the part of a dutiful slave wanting to win the heart of her master.

She looked up. Knowing that the best start was to follow his orders to the letter. No, she had to seek to do more.

Engleman came in and gave her the bottle once she was on the ground. She drank it. She grew and scooped up Egoso's gold dung, cleaned it and this time she melted the gold into bars. She cleaned her hands and cooked the breakfast.

Then she heard a bang that made her jump. She looked back to see where it came from. She noticed that Engleman did not make the noise. He then bellowed and waved at her to calm down. Yet he suddenly became nervous. He then gestured for her to continue coming as he left the room. She returned to cooking.

"Engleman!" Sang a giant.

She looked back to see a giant with short black hair and brought, reddened blue eyes with reddened cheeks. He wore a vest of chainmail that exposed his large well built muscles and black leather trousers and boots.

"Antway! Why art thee here?" He asked.

"Just got a visit." He said, taking a seat.

"Girl, make something for him too!"

"Right sir."

She put in more bacon and eggs and more beans. She tried to not draw too much attention to her. So she did all that she could to remain silent. Keeping her mind upon cooking and cooking alone. Yet despite all this she could not help but feel a pair of predatorial perverted eyes look at her.

"What is the name of the girl?"

"Alex Cinder."

He smiled and he licked his lips.

"Nice name. Yet I do not know if the name sutes the beautiful face such as yours."

Wait, what?

"Th-thank you?" She said, unsure if that was a good thing or not.

"I think that I would like to see more of you." He sang with a smirk.

Oh hell no! Something tells me that's the last thing I would want.

What should I do?

Don't comment. Just keep working. He might lose interest.

She then put the food upon the plate and then put them on the table. Keeping her head down. Yet the other giant gripped her chin. He pulled her head up, forcing her to look at him. His eyes narrowed for a moment. Then he smiled widely as his eyes widened.

"Yes, you are beautiful. More than an ordinary girl of your age." 

He pulled her closer and sniffed.

"And you smell better than most too! You know you also smell of the Demon King. I have to have you!"

He then looked at Engleman. There was a hungry look in his eyes.

"How much? How much for her?"

Oh! Oh no!

Her eyes moved to Engleman, her eyes wide with fear. He looked at her for a moment, he was afraid. She felt her heart sink. She could see that despite his boasting he was looking at someone he could not beat. Which meant that she would have to do something.

I have got to put an end to this. I have got to think. Think brain, think!

Her mind flicked through all that she had gathered. She remembered all that she had learnt about the giant all that he had told her. Thinking of a solution. She had to ensure that she did or she would bring to this Antway.

"Urm…"

"He doesn't need your gold." She felt her mouth say.

What am I doing? If I screw this up then I will not be there only one here that will be killed! Or worse boiled and eaten alive.

Quick, calm down.

"Oh? And why is that?"

She smiled.

"He has a secret behind his wealth, but as I am my master's slave I can not tell you. Yet I am disappointed. I thought that a giant who none could rival would be more protective of his belongings." She snapped.

That ought to rile him up!

He looked at her with a frown as he nodded.

"Get of my slave Antway! She is right. I should be more protective of my possessions."

"Alright! Then I shall have her via a duel! At twelve of the clock sharp!"

"No. Two o'clock. I would like to have time to do my duties and clean and polish my master's armour."

Antway bellowed a laugh.

"Fine! However, I will be arriving at twelve."

Before anyone could say anything he stormed out in a rage.

The Plan

Engleman became a nervous wreck throughout the morning. He muttered words that Pheoshan could not make out. She had noticed this in the early hours and yet she did nothing. This display was much to her delight, yet she knew better than to allow herself to show it once. She would have helped relieve him but she decided not to at the moment. No, she knew that he needed to continue in this before she did anything to help him. She also had a part of her that liked seeing the giant in this state. Yet he was not ready to be in her palm just yet.

Then noon came. She cooked the food and then rested it in front of him. He looked at the food yet he clearly was not interested in eating.

"What is it?" She asked, finally, with a perfect false compassion that it sent a chill down her spine.

"Thou know what it is! I hath to face Antway tomorrow! He is the most powerful of the giants! And I hath to face him tomorrow! And it is thine fault!"

She let out a sigh as sat opposite him. She had to suppress a smirk and put on a concerned and apologetic look on her face. She grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"I know, for that I am sorry. However I think that you are missing a vital thing."

His eyebrow was raised. He leaned back and put his hands out flat.

"Oh? And that is?" He asked with a mocking look in his eyes.

"He may be stronger than you, that does not mean he's smarter than you." She said with a smirk.

"No!" He snapped as he looked aside.

Then a smirk appeared on his lips.

"Noooo…. Thou art right."

He let out a chuckle.

"And I can tell that thou art smart too!"

She smirked.

I have him.

"All the better to serve you with!" She said with a curtsey.

His smile became wider.

"Yeah…I suppose that thou hath a plan?"

She turned as she thought for a moment.

What can I do to give him a victory but yet make a fool out of him?

Then the idea hit her.

"Tell me, how long ago did you kill Gantara?"

"Four years ago. Why?"

"Did she ever give you any children?"

"Yeah. I ate them all!"

What?!

Don't think about it, go on. Don't lose him.

She looked at the giant with shock and horror. She could feel that nauseous feeling rush over her. Yet despite her face becoming far too pale to a point that she looked ill, she had to continue. She forced a smile upon her face. To make him feel happy and cover up her fear and nausea.

What kind of monster is this? Why am I doing this? Why would I prefer to be with this evil creature?

Don't think about that. IfI don't do this then I'll never see them again!

"What?"

"I ate them. I don't want any children. So I ate them. I also ensured that Gantara had many miscarriages. I would even make her eat some too."

She pushed her hands to her mouth to stop her from vomiting.

No wonder she wanted to kill him!

"Right…urm…I would like time to process that." She said, feeling her heartbeat increase.

She had to calm herself before she made a mistake.

"Not until you tell me thine plan."

Oh, right. The plan.

"Well I was thinking, maybe you did have a child?"

His eyes narrowed.

"I'm listening."

"Well what if you pretend to be your own son?"

"And?"

"Once he arrives here you pose as your own son. And I will give you two a series of tests designed to make him fear you."

He smiled.

"I like the sound of that."

The Trick

It was noon the next day. Antway barged in to be greeted by Pheoshan. He looked at her with hunger in his eyes. He thought of a series of things that he would like to do to her once he had won her. He wanted to see all of her, every corner. He wanted to see her tears as she begged him not to do it, then begged him to stop. He smiled as he knew that he had his opportunity to take her right here and now, yet his pride steadied him. No, he wanted to win her, truly win her, then he would be able to do anything he looked to her. He could even make Engleman watch.

"Has your master abandoned you?" 

She smiled lightheartedly.

"No. He is out to warm up for your duel. He will be back in an hour and a half's time. So please, be patient."

"Alright! I will." He sang, nodding.

He then took a step closer to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. He licked his lips.

"Well, in that case! How about I show you a taste of what you should expect when I have you?" He said, gripping her chin.

"Please no!"

"Oh? Why not? Your master won't know."

"No but his child will! Speaking of which, I need to attend to him. Then I will attend to polishing his armour."

He let go of her.

"'Child'? I thought Engleman did not want children."

Don't remind me! She thought, feeling slightly nauseous.

"Well that's because of the curse that the Dark Lady placed upon his children after he beat her in battle."

"What curse?"

"That all his children will always be babies. That they would never, ever be stronger than him."

He smirked as he nodded. He chuckled slightly.

"Yes. He is right to. I hope that you will not be having weak children. No…I can tell that yours will be strong. Very strong indeed. In fact they will be unrivalled by any! Ah yes…I can see that!"

Where did that come from?

"What? What do you mean by that?"

"I can tell these things. I can tell that you will be a great mother and your children will be too. Engleman will never know, but that is why I want you. Because I want to be the father of those great children."

Oh! I have never thought about having children. Never mind that! How would what I am effect them? In that case should I even have them?

"And why are you saying these things?"

"Because I will make them great."

Thought so. Now keep acting innocent.

She then collected a spoon.

"Now, my master has entrusted me with little Engles. So please, do not tell him that I have let you see him?" She passed, grabbing his hands. "If he ever finds out he'll eat me alive on the spot!"

He then chuckled.

"I will, you can relax. However my lips will only be sealed, if you miss them. And I don't mean a peck. I mean the deep one." He said, taking a step closer to her.

You pig! You absolute pig! I will kill you for that!

What should I do?

Should I do it? Well he would get suspicious if I don't.

But I don't want to! The very thought makes me want to puke!

No. Do it, or tease him. But don't make it appear that you are.

"Maybe later. Right now, I need to give little Engles his soup. He'll be cross if I don't." Said she. "So, please let me do this first."

"Alright, but the moment that you are done, then you will miss me. Alright?"

"Alright."

Like that will ever happen!

"So what is in this soop?"

"Carrots, meat and a few different poisons. Apparently, both father and son are not only immune to them, but not just that, they just can not get enough of them!"

His eyes widened as he placed his fingers to his lips. His face suddenly became green.

She chuckled.

"Don't worry! My master never poisons his guests. One of the rules that I was taught on my first day. Bad manners." She commented.

She forced a smile off her face as she finished the soup. She then collected the bowl and opened the door.

They walked into a baby blue room with a baby blue cot made of dark wood.

She walked up to the cot.

"Good afternoon Engles!" She cooked.

She scooped up the soup and put it into his mouth. She had to bury her urge to laugh as she did. Yet she did all that she could to keep her mouth shut and fed him in silence. It took all her self control to stop herself from busting out in laughter. She also had to keep all the mockery from her face. She also had to keep her hand steady as she continued to feed him.

"He seems to be a very quiet baby."

"Well, he told me that because my master tried to keep Engles a secret. He beat him until he stopped talking. Still, he can sometimes throw a tantrum every now and again."

She smiled as stroked his head. She then took out a shortbread biscuit. Then he gave it to him.

"Why are you giving him one of those?"

"He hates carrots and this is the only biscuit that he likes. Don't worry, they are not poisoned."

At that he picked one up and went to bite the shortbread. However, his teeth could not even sink into the surface of the biscuit! He tried biting and biting, but he could not sink his teeth into it. He tried biting harder and harder, but again he could not sink his teeth into it! It was just too hard for his teeth.

"Careful, they're quite hard."

"What?"

"They like them hard."

He then put the biscuit down.

"Why?"

"It helps keep their teeth strong. Here, why don't you see?"

"Alright."

He put a finger into his mouth. The moment it was in Engles bit into the finger. His teeth sank deep into his flesh. Antway screamed out in pain as the teeth sank in deeper and into the bone. He ripped off the finger as he pulled it out the baby's mouth.

"Wh-what is this baby?"

"Hay! That's my master's cold you're talking about!"

He looked up in shock and horror then back at his hand.

"Th-then the father…"

"Had much sharper teeth. In fact, I saw him bite out the side of a rock. Just to show me what would happen if I disobeyed him! It really scared me."

"And he survived?"

Her eyes widened.

"That wasn't the scariest part! I heard that he ate some, just as a favour of the Demon King Wolfox himself!"

"H-he knows the Demon K-King?"

"Yes. He was the one that gave him a great secret to his wealth."

"And he believed him?"

"Not until he tried it."

"Now, here, let me get that. By the way, you won't tell my master about this will you?" She asked, speaking her shoulder forward.

"No. No I won't. In fact, I can tell you that you need not worry about me anymore! Tell Engleman that the duel is off. He wins! I will not be back here, ever!"

With that he ran far and far away. He ran faster and faster when he did not look where he was going. His foot slipped and he fell off the side of the island!

New Status

That night Engleman and Pheoshan both prepared a feast. He took out both Egoso and Cimus. He tested them, gently upon a table and this up a table and chairs. Even though the table was the size of two long single beds, in his hand it looked like a table from a doll's house. The chairs also looked that size in his hands, even though they were the size of a normal day of chairs. 

He chopped the vegetables and meat to their size. They put down the plates in front of them and then filled up a goblet of their size with wine. He then placed down his own plate in front of them and Pheoshan sat next to Egoso as Engleman gave her her portion, which was bigger.

"Thank you!"

"What's going on?" Asked Cimus.

Engleman bellowed out a laugh.

"I will tell thee Cimus!" He enthusiastically told them all that Pheoshan did. "And as she did that, I thought that a celebration was in order!"

"Oh.. Thank you!"

"Quick dog in. Don't worry girl, the meat's duck and chicken." He laughed.

"Right, thank you, my master." Said she.

She soon took and ate the meat. To her surprise, she found it the most delicious food that she had ever tasted. She has never tasted such juicy and tender chicken and duck. She tasted the vegetables only to find that they too tasted rich and well.

I should cook more often! She thought.

She then dug in completely. Yet as she did, she kept her magnets in mind. The Kin siblings did the same.

"So, Alex, I can see that you know your manners. Where did you learn them?"

"While I was travelling on the road."

"And where were you going?"

"To a kingdom great away. I don't really know where, but my friends have made it clear that I should go there."

"Doth thou think that they were lying."

"Well, it would not matter if they were, to be honest. After all, I really don't have anywhere else to go." She said, hoping to gain herself some false simpathey.

"Then why not here? I have already decided to put thee in charge of the other servant and slaves here."

At the sound of this, she almost choked on her food. She coughed and coughed. She felt Egoso hit her back, to help her. She reached out for the wine and drank it, helping her clear her throat. Soon her coughing fit was over, leaving her with a slightly sore throat.

"Are-are you sure l"

I did not expect to be here this soon!

"Yes. After all, thou have proved thineself. I also expect that thee do thine job and do it well. After all, let's face it we both know what happens if thou doth not." 

She smiled to cover up her disgust. She looked down at the meat.

"Yes, yes I do." Said she as she ate it.

She then looked back up at him.

"I hope that I do well in this regard." She said, trying to keep her fear from her voice.

"When do I start?"

"Tomorrow. So enjoy thine feast and get a good night's sleep. So all raise thine cup!"

They all did.

"To the servant Alex Cinder!"

"To Alex Cinder!" They repeated as they all drank.

They soon ate all their food and nothing was left!

"Right, are you all finished?"

"Yes."

"Then give me your plates."

She soon took them all.

"No! Hold on. I will doth the washing up."

"How about we both do the washing up. Maybe you could help me know what my new duties are while we do it?"

His eyes widened as he looked at her stunned and smiled.

"Alright, I wash, thee dry."

They were soon in the kitchen and she was soon in her mini giant form. He quickly washed and she dried all that he gave her.

"Well, all that I expect of thou is to ensure that the slaves and seventeen are all doing what they are supposed to. Then do everything on time. And once thou excel in all that I expect of thee to earn my full trust. Yet I expect that thou keep all my secrets. Should even one secret be uttered…well I am sure that thee already know."

"Yes I know. So I will do all my best."

"Good girl."

"Thank you master!"