The rudimentary refugee camp was quickly transforming into a defensive position as the workers from Gadobhra and Sedgewick got to work. Jon and Cham mowed through the trees around the camp, opening up the fields of fire and providing wood for the building projects. Like twin Paul Bunyans, they each cut down a foot thick tree in a fraction of a minute. Workers dragged the trees away to be trimmed. An hour later, new saplings were growing again, the effects of concentrated summer still boosting the growth rate.
Defenses to hold back a giant were difficult to make. A low wall would be stepped over or kicked down. Pits had to be wide enough to deter them from simply jumping or stepping across, and deep enough that they couldn't climb out. But difficult didn't mean impossible, especially when Tier Four Contract Workers set their minds to it. Instead of a long pit, they went with an upsized equivalent of punji sticks, digging smaller pits and lining them with sharpened stakes sticking out of the ground, four feet high. the extra small branches and leaves were spread across the pits and then dirt added to disguise them. It helped that the average giant didn't look at the ground, or care what it stepped on. Before each trap was covered up, Titania would be lowered into the pit to add a thick coating of a tarry, black substance. The witch could feel the potency of the poison and shuddered the first time she opened the black container marked with a skull and crossbones and added a few more layers of Poison Resistance to her aura. She rarely had to be this careful anymore around deadly substances. "By the nine hells, where does that Baron source this stuff. Raw poison essence distilled from something horrible, mixed with glue from rendered hooves, and tainted by Fae magic? What I could have done with this, back when I was trying to properly trap my castle."She made sure each stake had a good coating, put the lid securely back on the container, and yelled to be hauled back up. The pits were terrible deep, but her legs weren't built for leaping and a broom was useless in such tight places. Afterward, she walked to the wagon, stored then empty container securely, and went to find Suzette for her next job. Checking in with the barmaid had been odd at first, even after losing to her in a duel. Lately though, something had shifted, and either the girl had grown, or she was less than she was. Maybe a little of both? Or was it the silly white witch stuff? Either way, she didn't feel the resentment she would have expected having another witch in charge, even one with a light hand like the barmaid. Come to think of it, the deal they'd cut to keep her safe from the Inquisition should have bothered her a lot more. How many times had she gleefully made promised, fully intending to break them. This one, she was at least going to try and keep. Sedgewick and the College were a comfortable place to live and hone her witchery for a century or two. It would be inconvenient to have to pack up and skedaddle late one night. Dangerous, too. Little Suzette might look cute and harmless, but Titania knew just how hard the girl could hit. And that was saying nothing of the Butcher. Ozzy had swore to hunt her down and take her head off if she went back to being a villain. She'd have laughed at a Paladin making that oath, but not that Butcher. He was pretty easy going and she looked forward to going shopping with him for more kitchenware. Easy on the eyes, too. It had been quite some time since a man that dangerous had paid attention to her, even if it was a promise to kill her. Even her axe was careful around the Butcher. It would growl at a Paladin or Inquisitor, and scream in her head to charge. But the damn thing had had so much fun in that battle, fighting with him and cutting loose, that it considered him a partner in bloodshed.As she got to the great hall, she passed an angry Jarl arguing with one of the local shamans. Casting Erlenhoffer's less-than-obvious Spell of Eavesdropping was second nature to her. A few finger wiggles and a whispered word and she was ignored by everyone and could get close enough hear the argument and see their auras. The shaman was annoyed at the Jarl, but also embarrassed that he couldn't help him. His words might be calm, but the man was embarassed and a bit worried. Looking at the large warrior holding a huge rack of sharpened horns, she understood why. He was getting angrier and angrier, and she could see why, he had the remains of a spirit link inside of him, and what was left was all sorts of pissed off. He'd bound himself to something murderous and insane, and now it was dead. Some sort of deer or elk by the look of it. "You are a shaman! I've seen you bring back spirit animals before! This was my mount for decades, tamed by my own hand, and raised by me. Half the scars on my body are from it!"The shaman bowed low, "Jarl Redhoof, I have indeed brought back spirit animals. But I need more than a rack of antlers! Where is it's heart? It's brain? Something for my spells to work with? I cannot warp reality to create that which you can't provide. I need to bring the spirit back, bind it, and force it into a new body. It's spirit will take over from there, warping the old creature to fit the spirit.""Yeah, well, Jarl Benjamin's damned Snarlfang ate, hooves, heart, and all. This was all that's left. I want my Yak back. There's a battle coming and I want to ride into it on my mount one last time. What's it going to take, Stavios? Gold? You can have all of mine. Votes in the council? You have mine for seven years? Name your price!"The shaman hesitated, he was clearly tempted by the offer, but logic prevailed. He knew his limits. "I can't. I must obey the rules of magic. Summoning that spirit without the means to control it would let loose a murderous spirit that would kill me instantly. That is Black Magic, Necromancy, and a violation of my shamanic oath." He carefully walked away as Jarl Redhoof seethed. Titania was admiring that angry soul, impressive biceps, and beautifully scarred body. This boy was a disaster waiting to happen, a total trainwreck. And she wouldn't mind catching a ride on that train.She was only two foot away from the Jarl when she spoke, surprising him. "Just like a shaman, isn't it. Always looking at squirrel entrails and summoning spirits to comb out their beards. Half of them go dancing with dryads and druids on every solstice. But when you need real magic done, suddenly they squirm and quote obscure rules."Redhoof looked down at the woman barely over four foot tall. His own seven foot frame towered over her. She was smiling at him, and he'd seen that smile before, on two ex-wives. "I don't have time to dally with you woman, or play word games. I need a shaman of more power or less rules." He started to stride away."Or maybe you need a witch. Someone with real power."He stopped, and looked at her. Looked hard. She relaxed her spells enough for him to get a glimpse. What he saw made him take a step back. This woman was a monster. He saw scene after scene of her wading into battle with a screaming axe, or casting spells that set cities on fire. She was far more powerful than anyone of the shamans of his tribe.He held out the antlers, "I need a spirit summoned and reborn in a new body, bound to me as it once was. You can name your price."She spat in her hand and held it out, "Can do it, will need some prep work. I'm Titania, a White Witch of Sedgewick. Formerly on the Empire's most wanted list."He spat, then took her hand and squeezed hard. "I am Jarl Redhoof."She grinned evilly, squeezed back, and broke one of his fingers. "Nice to meet you. Come on, I need to find two people."Fifteen minutes later, Ozzy was standing by a reindeer pen, getting a crash course in some sort of spirit spell. "You need what?""I need the heart of some powerful creature you slew and butchered. The hide of a sedge beast, four murderously sharp hooves, and about two hundred pounds of raw meat. Don't give me that look, I've seen all the crap you pack around in that bag and dump into your grinder. I'm just looking for a few parts and pieces."Ozzy grunted, and began pulling things out of his bag. He really did need to clean it out. "Ok, some of this shit I was saving to sell at the mages guild in Wolfsburg. They pay pretty good for rare items, and most of the stuff from Gadobhra they pay high for."Titania tried to smile angelically, failing horribly. "I'm trying to do a good deed. You know, to make you and Susy look good. Can't be besmirching your reputation. Someone killed this poor man's Battle Yak and now he's on foot in a major battle. I'm just trying to help him out. You know, real White Witch stuff."Ozzy had heard the story from Ben. It probably did count as a good deed for Titania, and the Jarl would be damned happy, which would help Billy with negotiations. "Well, sure. In that case I'm glad to help out a fellow warrior." He started pulling stuff from the bag."I've got hooves off Razor Goats, a heart from the King of the Menagerie, a prime sedge bull hide, and plenty of meat, guts, and whatnot." He dumped it all on the ground as Rolly came walking up from the reindeer pen, walking with an older buck with a broken horn and pronounced limp."I explained what we want to do with this old guy. He's up for it. He can't keep up with the youngsters and with his limp he's probably scheduled as the centerpiece of the next feast. He's honored to volunteer as a spirit host and fight again."Redhoof stared at the shepherd, "What kind of shaman are you that can talk to animals?"Rolly grinned, "Just a simple shepherd, helping out where I can. If the witch can get the spirit's attention, I can help it settle in better. They spook easily when they get yanked away from where ever their roaming."Titania giggled, "Ooh, I can get his attention, all right. He left a chunk of himself in this bad boy and would like reconnect, I bet. Tie those antlers on our volunteers head and hold them steady. Ozzy, put the hide over his back, and the hooves and heart can go in this bag with the spell ingredients. Got anything else sharp and nasty in that bag?"Ozzy winked at Rolly, "Well, maybe." Then he pulled a handful of four inch shark teeth from the bag. "Took these off a little one, still have a little smoke magic in them." He tossed them in the bag. Redhoof was standing at the reindeer's head, holding the antlers so they didn't overbalance. Rolly had a hand on its shoulder. Ozzy stood by, ready for whatever.Titania looked at the Jarl, "Soon as it starts to transform, get chest to chest and hug it tight. If it get's loose, it will kill you and eat your soul to get the piece of itself back. Understood? If you aren't willing to take that chance, say so now.""I feel lost and angry. I want my deer back. Do it and damn the consequences." She nodded and began chanting. Redhoof's aura was ragged and it was child's play for her to grab hold of a tendril of the slain spirit and use it as a lure. She cast forth her spell, a black crow that flew upward and disappeared, trailing a thin line behind it. She held the line tight, waiting for a tug."Ooh, that was quick. I hooked it and I'm reeling it in. Hold tight for three seconds...." The bird returned to her, and was absorbed back into her magic. A glowing reindeer with sharp teeth and horns followed it down and slammed into the living host. The reindeer lifted its head and let out a murderous scream. Redhoof held tight and was lifted off the ground as it reared. The hide and spirit bag disappeared and the old reindeer doubled in size, turning a bright red with glowing eyes and smoking, sharp teeth. It tried to get at Redhoof with its murderously sharp hooves, but the Jarl had both arms and legs wrapped around it tightly. It pivoted to look at Ozzy. Titania had wisely got behind the Butcher. With casual ease, Ozzy slapped it hard across the muzzle, shocking it.Rolly put his hand on it's shoulder, "Settle down! Take the offering and renew the bond. Best thing for both of you." The murder deer paused for a moment, and Redhoof slid onto its back. The deer ignored him and began eating the pile of meat and guts from Ozzy's bag, putting on muscle and filling out as it did. Redhoof looked down at Titania. "I owe you, witch. You can name your price."She walked up to him and grinned, "We'll talk about that later. Right now, go get reacquainted. She slapped the deer on its hindquarters and it took off like a shot across a meadow, the Jarl holding on as best he could.Titania looked at the Butcher and the Shepherd, "That's one good deed for the day. Time to go do a few more. It's going to get busy soon here soon and i need to build up a little good karma."