Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga)

by Laszlo,Jeremy

It was over an hour before his tent flap was pulled back and Bota peeked inside. Waving him in, Gnak watched as Orcs filed in behind him, each a face he recognized, but knew no names to assign to them. They were obviously the lesser amongst the Orcs, each of them smaller than he in both height and mass, but even so he did not look down upon them. For in this group that now stood within his tent, could be the man to save his life one day, or save the lives of many through an idea or plan. Gnak eyed them all as his equals, for he would rely on them in the days to come to not only keep himself safe, but also to keep each other safe and help him to guide the clan.

  Once they were all comfortably inside the tent he stood and looked upon them all, nodding to each with respect before he began to talk.

  “Gnak now chief,” he stated simply, to many a replied nod. “Gnak want make Orcs better. Make stronger. Make smarter. This why Gnak call you. You smart Orcs.”

  For a moment Gnak trailed off, letting his words sink in. It had been apparent at first that several were concerned for their safety, but now some of the Orcs’ eyes widened, realization appearing upon their faces.

  “Old chief have six captains. Chief before old chief have six. Chief before him have six. Gnak have twelve.” He watched as more of the Orcs realized what he was saying.

  “Old captains, Gnak make mad. Take captain away. They want kill Gnak, want kill new captains. No more fight for captain. We work, all one. All captain have partner. Six partner. Any old captain want fight, have fight two new captain. Have fight all new captain. You serve Gnak. You serve Ishanya. Gnak make new captains,” Gnak stated, watching as chests began to puff out and heads began being held higher.

  It was several hours later when he released them from his tent. He had explained to them the importance of working together, and paired them up into teams. If any one of them was attacked they had another to watch their back and lend aid. It was up to them to protect each other and Gnak. Two teams were assigned to watch Gnak’s tent. With their newfound positions, each of the captains would defend him to the death. They would defend each other. They would follow him blindly, having been given proud positions, allowing them to be the Orcs all of them had dreamt of being. In return they swore to worship Ishanya, carry out Gnak’s new beliefs, and answer to only him. They were to be the example he would set for the rest of his people.

  As for Bota, Gnak had not made of him a captain, choosing instead to make for the Orc a new position, his own loyalty having already been proven. Bota was Gnak’s new second in command. He was not the most fierce warrior but he was intelligent, and the captains too were sworn to protect and obey him. In the span of only a few hours he had completely altered the way his clan was run. Now it was time to inform the clan.

  Stepping out from his tent he watched as his new captains strode away, each pair moving into positions only a short way from their new chief. His father, the previous chief, had been removed from the front of his tent, likely carried off and burned in one of the many fires outside the camp.

  With naught to do but proceed, he nodded to Bota who roared loudly, gaining the attention of all. Looking across the nearly open expanse, he could see where a great shrine of bones was being erected at the command of the prior chief’s captains. He could not help but appreciate that they had done a fairly good job at overseeing the project.

  “You captains no more!” Gnak shouted across the expanse of what had been their camp. “Gnak make new captains. No can kill captains to take captain. No more work. Gnak make captains only. Attack them, you die. These new captains.”

  With that, his new captains all raised their fists to be known to the clan. It became apparent quickly that at least one of the old captains doubted Gnak’s words.

  Charging across the camp, the large Orc first hurled his spear in Gnak’s direction, though it was knocked from the air by a new captain well before reaching its target. On the Orc came. Drawing its sword, the beast of a man raised the weapon and made to lay down the new captain who had thwarted his spear throw. He was nearly in range to launch his attack when, as if of a single command, more than six spears lanced from different directions, each impaling the once captain and driving him to the ground in a heap of shafts and limbs. His screams did not stop for more than a dozen minutes, yet still none moved.

  Deciding he could speak once more without interruption, Gnak continued.

  “New chief. New captains. New high captain,” Gnak said, gesturing to Bota at his side. “We make you new clan. Better clan. Make more strong. That all. Do work.”

  Gnak again turned and strode within his tent, Bota on his heels.

  CHAPTER THREE

  It was a clear night when Gnak again emerged from his tent. Looking to the sky he saw no signs of clouds, and took that as a good sign. The nearest camp belonging to their kind lay several days to the east. This, he discovered, was where they were supposed to join with the big chief, and many of the Orc clans. With a summons to come and aid in a war, it was again Orcish pride that led them to do as they were blindly told. To not come would be seen as fear or weakness. But there was nothing Gnak could do. Not yet. It would take time to slowly change the way his clan acted and reacted to the world around them. It would take subtle changes and influences to make them see better ways of doing that which they had been doing wrong all along. No. Gnak could not simply order them to stay. He and Bota had discussed it at length. They would heed the call of the big chief. It was up to Gnak to keep as many of them alive as possible, in order to carry out his plan after whatever war they were being dragged into.

  Bota had helped him plan as best they were able. Gnak was surprised to find that the Orc seemed receptive of his newfound ideals, and even had a few of his own to add. Together they had decided that they needed a more disciplined clan. Not that the clan was out of control, but when Gnak had seen the goblin troops maneuver nearly a month ago, he had been impressed. His description of the goblin troops impressed Bota as well. Both wanted to replicate what the goblins had done, only with more precision and conformity. Gnak wanted his clan to stand out among all the clans. To stand proud. He wanted them to be the best prepared. The best equipped. He wanted them to be envied by the other clans and make them want to be more like his Gathos clan. But their biggest plans would have to wait until after the battle. Then they could really make a difference.

  Turning his attention back to his clan, he looked at the many loaded handcarts as his own tent began being disassembled behind him. Around a great shrine of bone in the middle of the clearing where their camp had been, stood nearly every Orc of his clan. Not knowing what to do with the shrine, or how to pray to a human god, the Orcs simply stood staring at the thing. Gnak needed to guide them.

  Striding among his people, he felt more than watched as a pair of his captains fell into step behind and off to each side of him. Bota already awaited from among their people. Nearing the shrine Gnak raised his hands, and all mumbles and grunts fell silent, all eyes falling upon him.

  “Great Gathos clan. We mighty. We strong. We proud. But there more. Ishanya mightier. She stronger. She prouder. For her power we serve. I chief. I serve Ishanya. You serve too. Ishanya make Gathos clan stronger than all clan. Go say Orcs to Ishanya, we want her strength. We want her power. We serve Ishanya and teach other Orcs serve Ishanya. You pray Ishanya, make deal. Tell Goddess you serve you want power. Not just for self, but for clan, for Orc. Make Orc better.” Gnak said and watched as his Orcs began mumbling random phrases in the general direction of the shrine.

  It was new to them. Prayer was not an odd concept, but even so, there was no words taught for prayer. Orcs asked for power and gave blood. It had always been so. Now Gnak needed them to do more. Not only pray, but share the name of Ishanya and tell of her to others. But it was already apparent that his clan would need more structure.

  “Gathos clan. Hear chief words. Say words to Ishanya;” he paused as the vast majority seemed to understand. “Mighty Ishanya. Gnak pray you give power. Gnak pray you make
Orc better. For this Gnak serve. For this Gnak proud. For this Gnak tell more Orc of you power. This Gnak swear.”

  When he finished his simple prayer he listened as his tribe began to repeat it back, substituting their own names, first in a jumble, and then all together as a single voice. The power behind so many voices had a staggering effect when working together, and many an Orc opened its eyes wide at hearing all of their voices combined. Gnak took advantage.

  “You see Gathos clan. We mighty. We work together, we more mighty. Gods hear Gathos clan like they hear Gnak when he call them. Come, Orcs. We go war.”

  With that, the congregation of Orcs turned and began collecting their carts and litters of supplies. Gnak rushed ahead to the front of his tribe in time to witness a pair of his new captains leading four other Orcs with empty carts away from the main group. Gnak hoped the goblins had not been too greedy, and watched his men leave to carry out his orders.

  But it was Gnak’s other captains that became the immediate centers of attention as they began grunting and barking orders at the clan members, instructing them to fall into specific positions and maintain them as they traveled. It was slow going at first, with Orcs wanting to move at random, each choosing their own pace. Each of them wanting to be the fastest and strongest Orc, the first to arrive to battle. But with his many captains, that very first night, the Gathos clan began to move as one unit, with one purpose, and one destination. For the whole of the night Gnak lead his people across the sand in silence. There was a great deal of unknown awaiting him in the days to come. He had no way to prepare for things he did not know. And for the first time in his entire life, Gnak was afraid. Not for himself, but for his people and his plans. He did not want to fail them as he had failed Jen.

  Morning came, and with it Gnak called a halt to his procession. Though they had traveled at a steady pace the entire night, he had purposely slowed them, buying time. Giving his orders, they were quickly relayed and immediately carts began being unpacked. Though the Orcs would only be raising temporary dwellings to spend the day within, it was apparent that again he would need to intervene.

  As carts were unloaded, they were shoved aside with no thought as to care or placement. Tents were beginning to be erected at random, and Gnak thought that perhaps this was another opportunity for improvement.

  Shouting and grunting, he brought the camp being erected around him to a halt. His captains, whose names he had not yet learned, rushed to his side. Bending to the sand beneath him, he drew a circle in the sand.

  “This for fire. This for Ishanya,” he stated

  Then, around the circle he drew several boxes, creating a square-like pattern with rounded corners and spaces between them.

  “My tent. You tents,” Gnak said, pointing to the boxes and then his captains.

  Putting his finger to the sand again, he created another ring of boxes in yet a larger square around the first and then another around that followed by yet another.

  “These clan.”

  Then he rose, his captains nodding their understanding and approval before they each turned and began shouting orders. Gnak watched as tents in various states of erection were summarily torn down once more and relocated. It was a process that would normally have taken only minutes, setting tents at random, but on this day Gnak watched the sun rising into the sky for three hours as his captains pushed his clan into order. When finally the camp was suitably erected, Gnak stood outside the camp, admiring their work.

  It was not an unbelievable feat. It was not a magnificent creation. But it was an accomplishment, and one that he was proud of. Deciding to admire the camp from all sides, Gnak began to walk the outer perimeter as Bota and his captains came to join him. Together they trudged through the soft sand, appraising what they had done.

  From outside the camp, one could see through and through the camp to the other side from between the rings of tents. At the camp center was a space reserved for a fire or shrine that would be visible from all angles of approach. Better yet, from the center of the camp, a single guard could see out in all directions simply by turning around. The implications were astounding. Simple organization could free up dozens of Orcs for other tasks, who would normally be needed as guards. Even a weak or old Orc, one who would normally be killed lest they become a burden on the clan, could stand watch and sound the alarm if needed.

  For many to live, some would have to die. Gnak knew it to be true. Jen had even told him so. But now, he could also see that it was true that only a few could save the many. If, and only if, the few could usher the many into a new life of organization and cooperation. Gnak grinned a tusky grin and stomped through the sand into the center ring of camp, where a tent had been erected for him. Giving his orders for a single pair of captains to serve as watch, the rest, including himself, retired for the day to get some rest, but he did not yet plan to sleep.

  Instead, giving in to the craving he was forced to deny for the whole of the march, Gnak reached inward and began to caress the power within him that was Jen. Many times it would take long minutes or even hours to summon her voice, but this time Gnak was surprised when her voice came so suddenly.

  “Hello, Gnak. Or should I call you Chief?”

  “Gnak good. But Chief good too.”

  “Does your new title suit you?” Jen’s voice asked.

  “Chief good. Teach Orcs. Make better.”

  “Is it working?”

  “Yes, Gnak think. Make new captains. Make new ways. Is better.”

  “Good, Gnak. I’m glad your progress is going well. How are your preparations for war coming?”

  Gnak found the question a bit disturbing. He and Jen had not discussed the war. He had not managed to speak to her since claiming the position of chief, yet somehow she knew.

  “How know Jen of war?” Gnak asked.

  “I’m dead, Gnak, but I still know things and hear things. It’s different now, and things get confused, but I am still here.”

  For a long moment Gnak thought over her response. It made sense, he supposed. She had not technically left. He figured, in the end, that it was probably a good thing if she could still experience the world around them. She would have more useful input as well.

  “Have you learned to use your power?” Jen asked.

  “No yet. Need time.”

  “Do you think Ishanya wants you to delay? I doubt the gods have much patience when they tell us to do something.”

  “Gnak not want fail. Need learn magic.”

  “If you are going to war it might be better you learn before you get there.”

  “Jen right. Gnak need learn. Not know how learn.”

  “I didn’t know how either, Gnak. I just tried over and over again.”

  “Jen magic different. Gnak magic different.”

  “Yes, but like my dad always said about raking hay, practice makes perfect.”

  “Gnak try learn.”

  “That’s good, Gnak, I hope you get t….”

  Again she was gone. Gnak gnashed his teeth. She was right, of course. But beyond that, perhaps if he did learn to use his magic he would be able to better communicate with her as well. Determined to experiment as soon as he was able, he laid down upon the bundle of furs making up his bed and thought a while about how to perform such experiments without putting his clan in danger. Eventually, decided upon a plan, he slept throughout most of the heat of the day until he awoke suddenly, his eyes popping open as a blade was pressed firmly to his throat.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Though panic threatened to take him, Gnak focused on the Orc towering above him. The blade at his throat was a crude Orc blade, designed for basic stabbing and slashing, its thick steel blackened by heat and animal fat. His eyes finally focusing, he recognized Daku, a former captain to his father, and could see light coming in from what should have been the back of the tent. The Orc had obviously cut his way in from the side opposite those captains standing guard. Gnak tried to think how best to react, but was at a los
s. The Orc above him held his head down with one massive hand and held the blade against his throat with the other. If he shouted, he would die. If he moved he would die. The only thing Gnak did not know, was why the Orc had not yet killed him. But he did not wait long for the answer.

  “Gnak no chief. Gnak demon. Daku kill demon. Bring much honor. Make chief. Daku better chief, Gnak. Gnak want change Orc. Orc mighty. No change Orc.”

  Gnak knew the Orc’s rant would not last long, but nonetheless he was forced to endure the ramblings of the Orc who feared change and mourned the loss of his position. Fortunately he did not have to wait long for the Orc to run out of things to say. But when he did, things turned immediately for the worse.

  Gnak felt as the Orc first pressed the blade against his neck roughly as warm wetness dribbled down and around his neck, and just as the Orc began to drag the rough blade across his throat to finish the job, Gnak panicked and reacted by instinct. In an effort to strike his assailant, he smashed his hand into the chest of the Orc leaning over him. Though his open-palmed strike was not sufficient to cause damage, such was the blow that Daku was driven up, relieving the pressure upon the blade, and back, causing him to become off balance. But that was not what caused Gnak to gasp.

  In the instant his hand touched the bare chest of his enemy, something wondrous happened. It was as if a veil had been yanked from before his eyes, and not only could he see the inner light of his attacker, but he could feel it upon his fingertips as he struck Daku. He grasped at it with a growl of rage and felt as the warm light gave way, tearing from his attacker as he wrapped his fingers around it.

  Instead of retaliating, Daku froze, a blank expression upon his face as all the light in his eyes faded. From the front of the tent, both of Gnak’s captains on guard duty burst through the flaps. Though Gnak should have been focused on his captains and Daku, as the two Orcs sworn to him hacked the would-be assassin to the ground viciously, regardless of the fact that Daku made no move to defend himself, instead he looked first into the palm of his hand and then to his captains.