Chapter 221 - Out Of Proportions
With two giants digging with picks, and four giants digging with shovels, it didn't take long for them to dig a tunnel ramp up to the surface, even at a 20 degree angle. When the first pick broke the surface, the other giants quickened their pace.
“Careful!” Ren said. “Brace up that top part, then dig back about 10 feet. It's the thinnest part of the tunnel roof, and we don't want it caving in.”
They followed his instructions, and then they dug out the rest of the ramp.
“It's nice to get out of that stinking pit!” One of the men said, and dropped the shovel he was using. “I was getting claustrophobia being all cooped up like that.”
Ren looked at the male giant with the inventory. “Can you gather up the shovels and picks? I'm sure we're going to need them again at the campsite.”
The male giant took the tools from the other giants, and stored them.
“Now what?” Laurelia asked.
“I'd like to get you all checked out by a healer, to make sure you're all okay.” Ren said. “I don't want anyone that's sick or hurt to stay that way.”
“You really do care about us.” Laurelia said.
“You shouldn't sound so surprised; but I can't blame you for it, either.” Ren said. “It's not like I've had lots of time to prove it to you.”
“You've made a great start.” Laurelia said. “Do you want me to put you down now?”
“Yes, thank you.” Ren said. “Can you cup your hands in front of your belly for me?”
“Sure.” Laurelia said, and cupped her hands like Ren asked. Since he was sitting on her shoulder, all he had to do now was stand up on her forearm and took two steps to her hands, then turned to face her.
“I can't thank you enough for helping me today.” Ren said, then leaned in and gave her a hug around the neck. “You made everything so much easier.”
“It was no trouble.” Laurelia said, a little embarrassed at Ren's show of affection; especially after they had joked about being a couple. Ren let the hug go and stood up straight.
“If you hadn't let me use you as a podium, I would have had a hard time getting people to just see me, let alone listen to what I had to say.”
“I'm sure someone else would have...”
“No. Don't downplay it.” Ren said. “Like I told you before; out of the 135 giants in the whole pit, you were the only one that waved back.” He smiled. “That makes you exceptional.”
Laurelia's face flushed red, and her cheeks turned a rosy color. “Are you sure you can't make yourself 20 feet taller?” She asked, her voice full of hope.
Ren chuckled. “I'm still engaged.”
“I know.” Laurelia said. “I just... I want to kiss you, but I don't want to hurt you, either.”
“Well...” Ren said. “...you can put me down now.”
“But...”
“Please.”
Laurelia sighed. “Okay.” She knelt down close to the ground, and Ren hopped out of her hands. She stood up straight, and looked at him sadly. Ren took out a Minor Healing wand and absorbed the charges from it, then filled it with the Enlarge Person Spell.
| Wand Of Engorgement | |||
| An Enlarge Person spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature’s size category to the next larger one. (Small becomes Normal, Normal becomes Large, etc.) The target gains a bonus to Strength (as it is now larger and stronger), a penalty to Dexterity (it is unused to this size and is clumsy), and a penalty on attacks and armor due to its increased size. A humanoid creature whose size increases to Large has a space of 5 to 8 feet and a natural reach of 10 feet. This spell does not change the target’s speed. All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell. Enlarge Person can be made permanent with a Permanency (Level 5) spell. Warning: Multiple Enlarge Person spells do not stack. The first must expire before another will work. Cast Distance: Within 25 feet (Short). Area of Effect: One humanoid within cast distance. Time Limit: 2 minutes (Level 1)
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