Grendel

The Red Queen's messenger slowly guided his mount through a killing field of carnage and destruction on a scale beyond reckoning. The cold ground is wet with the blood of the dead and dying of both sides as their cries of pain and suffering go unanswered.

Ahead in the morning mist the messenger spies the remains of a smoldering town, seemingly the epicenter of the conflict which laid waste to the entire valley floor. As he rides closer the sounds of metal against metal ring out as figures in the fog move about in combat.

The messenger cautiously moves toward the figures until he sees a huge armored giant armed with only a great battle-axe fights six opponents, while a dozen more lay at his dead his feet. In minutes five more are slain by the giant as the sixth and last turns in panic to flee. The giant pulls knife from his belt and hurls it with deadly accuracy into the coward's spine sending him sprawling to the ground mortally injured.

His opponents now dead or dying the giant pulls off his helm shaking loose a long mane of raven black hair before he begins to slowly walk towards the fallen coward and bellows, "you disappoint me General, only a cowardly cur runs from battle. The praises the skalds sing to tell your deeds of courage lack substance I think. Perhaps once you were a great warrior but now you are a pathetic old man. King Mynith will be pleased your little rebellion has been crushed." The man on his belly can only whimper in reply as his arms and legs flail in a useless attempt to escape the giant.

The messenger watched the giant with eager anticipation up until the giant had tossed aside his helm and revealed his visage. It was then for the first time in his life that the messenger had felt his blood truly run cold in horror and disgust. So ghastly and inhuman is the giant's destroyed face that he even begins to whisper a prayer to his gods. Unable to endure the sight a moment longer the messenger slowly cast his eyes downward as he fought desperately to choke down the bile that had begin to rise in his throat.

The giant dropped his great-axe and picked the General up like a rag doll and began to tear away the straps holding the man's ornate amour breastplate. Then with his bare hand he thrust his fingers between the still breathing man's rips pushing his way into the chest to rip out his heart. The General screamed like a woman and then fell silent and unmoving. The giant allowed the now lifeless body to fall to the ground as his hand brought the bloody prize up to his face. Holding the steaming heart up to the sky the giant howled like a mad beast, an animalistic battle cry then fell silent as he began to eat the heart of his fallen enemy.

Upon consuming the heart the giant grabs up his helm and places it over his head then turns his attention to the Red Queen's messenger, "be ye King Mynith's man? My men and I still expect to be paid for leading the King's army against General Hogurr."

The messenger found his courage to speak, "it seems you are all that is left, both your men and the king's army along with your foes have all been destroyed."

The giant shakes his head, "I've yet nearly a dozen mercenaries left alive. They are about raping and pillaging what is left of this place. But you are correct both armies are destroyed but that is no concern of mine so tell me where I may collect our due."

The messenger shock slightly as the giant stepped forward, "are you the mercenary men call Grendel?"

The giant's red eyes meet the messenger's gaze, "if you were the king's man you would know my name. Speak your business with me fool, I am Grendel!"

The messenger nodded and pulled forth a scroll bearing the seal of the Red Queen and handed it to Grendel. "Lord Grendel, I bring you greetings from the Red Queen. Her Majesty commands you to visit her court."

Grendel shakes his head, "I have heard of your Red Queen, tell her I will come as soon as I've collected what is owed me by King Mynith."

The messenger swallows, "King Mynith is no more. He and his castle were destroyed nearly a week ago by the Red Queen's army. His kingdom is now hers. If you seek payment then it is her Majesty to whom you must speak."