Breath of the Titans: The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy

by Riley Westbrook

  In the distance, Nord could see the trees of the elven forest. They stood a silent vigilance to the tomb within their midst now. The tall elf wanted to avoid Elvenhom, but knew they would need to pass through the forest to reach the Orc Lands. At least they'll be leaving the desert behind, and heading into a land of plenty. He would be able to take the army off of half rations within the day. Nord shook off his negative thoughts, and went about his duties. He knew that soon he would have no option but to cope with his inner demons, he just hoped he could stave them off until after they had found Lov.

  As they passed through the elven forest, Nord's childhood playground, he couldn't help but see the ghosts of his past. He looked up longingly towards the branches of the trees high over head, daydreaming about running across them with Amon. They had played hide and seek and other games there all through their childhood. Now memories of that time were all he had left.

  They skirted the outer edge of Elvenhom, passing close to the streets that led into the city. Trees now sprang from the compacted dirt and pine needles littered the ground. Nothing was as Nord remembered it. He could see some of the living trees had collapsed, taking the rooms that used to house the elves with them. Even if he could find his people, they would have to start from scratch all over again. Nord couldn't imagine living in this graveyard of a city.

  The Anuunaki were very efficient at combing the forest for food, finding numerous types of fungus, roots, and tubers to eat. Hunting was also plentiful now, since the elves had been driven from the land. They set up camp in the shadow of Elvenhom, staying to the outskirts. The scouts went deep into the city in search of resources to recycle and use. They came back with an assortment of weapons and armor. Nord knew if they had found the armory, there was more than enough to arm every Anuunaki warrior with steel. Nord knew they would avoid the heavy metal though. Anuunaki found leather to be less binding and allowed them to use their natural speed to better effect.

  At night, the camp quieted down, and Nord watched as fog rolled along the streets of Elvenhom, heading towards the army. An eerie silence pervaded the forest, becoming deafening in its magnitude as the night wore on.

  Jaxon stopped by Nord's tent, bringing a new game he had learned from the Anuunaki with him. It involved a checkerboard with many different looking pieces. It was called Chess, and taught strategy and how to plan moves ahead. Nord took to it instantly, losing the first game before beating Jaxon soundly for three games in a row.

  They didn't talk much that night. There wasn't much to converse about. Jaxon knew Nord needed all his help to maintain his facade of a level headed leader in front of the Anuunaki. So the halfling didn't talk about recent events. He didn't bring up the signs and portents of Nord's hold on reality slipping. He did what a good friend does, and sat, showing Nord that no matter what, the tall elf had people who care about him.

  That night, Nord slept like a baby. Over the course of the next week, the elf came to terms with being in charge of the army. He settled into a routine and changed things to run the way he liked instead of Sanche's way. Soon, the already efficient Anuunaki were a humming machine marching through the dense evergreens of the elven forest. They seemed to pick up speed as they traveled, and soon Nord was looking from a cliff down into the heart of the Orc lands. Nord sensed his nephew in there somewhere, and he decided then and there, nothing would stop him from reaching Lov.

  Chapter Eleven

  A large ravine spread out before Lovonian. A narrow channel that passed through two cliff faces. From above, Lov had seen how it opened behind it, like a horn. That's where The Horn's name came from. The four brothers had placed their city right in the heart of this spot. It was heavily fortified with stakes and pits from the open side. A killing ground that Lov couldn’t believe spread out. At the end of the traps, a large wall twenty feet wide and sixty feet tall, surrounded the town. The settlement houses were plain looking with flat even roofs. There were few tall buildings anywhere except in the center of the city. The buildings were old, made of stone crafted by masters. The streets were twisting and tight fitting, set up more for defense than for commerce. This was a city of warriors, ready to defend itself from anything.

  The party arrived to where the cliff faces came together in their narrow path. A large stone door set across it. Strange runes covered the boulders that made up the wall. They were in a language Lov didn't recognize. He walked up and touched one, filled with a sense of happiness and a love of life. Strength also radiated from the stones.

  Lov pointed the rune out to The'oak asking, “What does that say? Is it a spell?”

  The'oak shrugged his shoulders, tired from the long trek from their camp. “I don't know, it doesn't look like any of my people's symbols.”

  Lov was waved through the gate by a medium sized orc, armed with a large cleaver, the blade a foot wide. There weren't many marks on the guard's pink skin. He could tell this was a trusted warrior by the lack of branding scars. They came out into a narrow path of stone, ten feet separating the two cliff faces. Lov wasn't claustrophobic, but feeling two cliff faces pressing down on you was unnerving.

  They passed into the dark city streets, spreading from the narrow path and splitting into smaller and smaller ones. The'oak kept them upon the main road, keeping to the wide path no matter which way it turned. Eventually they came to a broad square before a large complex of five small pyramids which shot into the sky. In the heart of the pyramid complex was a large training ground, filled with multilevel poles. Platforms were spread at different levels through the poles. At the tallest point, the posts stuck up twenty feet into the air. At their lowest, they stuck up five feet. Lov shook his head at the complexity of their training grounds, hoping that the fight wouldn't be held there. In the square, slowly a crowd began to form. Large, well-fed orcs, some fat but all muscular, began to fill the square.

  An orc climbed from the temple complex, the skin of a kegaroth on his back. The teeth of the skulls passed by his eyes. The strange orc wore a robe that covered his chest, so Lov couldn't begin to guess his ranking in the society. The'oak had no such problem. He barked at the orc, sending him scurrying back into the pyramid and opening a path for Lov's party into the cool stone.

  As they walked, Lov would make a point to stretch out and touch any runes in his reach. Some filled him with happiness and a sense of fun and dancing. Others filled him with a sense of protection and safety. Lov raised his eyebrow to The'oak, and the orc shrugged again.

  They passed deeper into the pyramid. The ceiling above them arched overhead with beautiful murals displayed on them. They depicted a small people, happy and drinking from mugs, thick beards covering their faces. Lov could see places where gems had been plucked from the walls. Over the uncolored murals, other scenes were depicted, Lov could tell these were made by orc hands. They were crude and simple, but got the point across. Some depicted beheadings and other punishments, others showed sacrifices to Gruumnsh. Everything from animals to orcs were slaughtered, including the other hominid races of the world.

  Lov and his party came into a room where four thrones were set at equal height upon a dais. Stools were brought for the party to rest themselves while the four brother chieftains were found. Paxtal was the first brother to arrive. He was of a size with Lov, and approached their party with contempt. The orc sniffed and wrinkled his nose at Lov as if smelling something foul. Lov himself had to fight not to cover his nose at the stench that wafted from Paxtal. He was covered in scars, and as Lov stared at him, he began to suspect that he knew this orc. His hair was short, as if recently shorn, and the scar was still healing.

  Lov pointed his finger at Paxtal and said, “You, you're the one who was staked out by the ocean. You begged me for water, and I shared my meager supply. Do you remember me?”

  Paxtal eyeballed Lov, then stepped close to him. “Yes, I remember you. Pity I will have to kill you.” The orc glared at this young upstart, sizing him up and finding him physically lacking.

  L
ov shook his head at Paxtal, glad to put a name to the face that had haunted him. “I won't allow you and your brothers to kill me. And I don't want to lead your tribe, I'd rather just lead you.” Lov reached a hand out, as if in friendship, and smiled.

  The'oak rolled his eyes to the heavens, smacking Lov upside the back of the head. “Idiot, any hope of getting their cooperation peacefully was just lost.”

  Paxtal puffed his chest out and stood up tall. “You talk about domination. No one dominates me or my brothers.”

  Poit chose this moment to walk in. He was a smaller orc, wearing an armor of plate metal sheets. Bones were tied onto it with leather straps for decoration. “This the upstart child trying to take our place?” He asked striding up to his brother. Paxtal nodded and Poit spit in Lov's direction. The'oak needed to take a deep breath to control his temper. That was the worst insult an orc could offer.

  Lov chose to ignore it. “Yes, this is the upstart that's going to command your tribes one way or the other. I need your people to right a wrong in the world.”

  “You think I give a shit about your wrong?” Poit asked, raising his voice to be heard from across the room. The fat brother, Makarak rushed into the room carrying a large metal club. He shook his head disappointedly and went to sit lazily on his throne, one leg up over an arm of the stone seat. Poit continued, “Your kind had the Titans wipe my kind's leaders from the face of the world.” The orc said contemptuously.

  Taking a deep breath, Lov strode close to the thrones, stepping up onto the dais. Guards from around the room began to move in menacingly, but Makarak waved them back, sitting up eagerly from his seat. Lov walked up to Poit and spit at his feet. “What you don't understand is your enemy is my enemy right now. The elves were killed by the Titans also.”

  “We know.” Called a deep voice. The voice came from an orc that seemed too small to utter it. Manatua, an undersized orc with no real definition of muscle, walked to the seat next to Makarak and sat down. “We know because we have seen the slaves at the Greatmother complex.” Manatua sat back, steepling his hands in front of his face. “Still, we will not give into you willingly. If you want to lead our tribes, you must kill us.”

  Lov still couldn't believe that was the only way. “Is there no way to end this without death? Bloodshed I don't mind, but I'd rather not kill you all. I'd rather have you lead your people, and just follow me.”

  Manatua looked to each of his brothers, reading the unspoken communication. “Not happening, young elf. We will meet you in the field of battle. Now we decide battleground and weapons.”

  Lov waved them away, “I leave the options of battle to you. Where you want to die is fine with me.” He strode back down the long hall, out of the pyramid and passed back into the city. Soon he lost himself in it, taking food when he wanted it. He was a visiting chief, no one would question his authority.

  Lov climbed the side of a building, ascending to the rooftops. He lay on one staring up at the stars, wondering what tomorrow would bring for him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lov awoke the next morning on the same rooftop. He'd fallen asleep looking up at the stars last night. He knew that even if he died today, he would become one with the stars again. Lov carefully climbed down the building, heading back towards the pyramid complex. He walked the silent streets, the roads dark with shadows from the barely risen sun. Lov found a large set of tents set up in the square before the pyramids. He approached, seeing several tables laden with food and drink inside. Choice bits of meat and fruits were placed haphazardly on a large stone table. On others, crocks of different drinks were arranged in no particular order. In other tents, Lov could hear his companions snoring.

  He chose a light breakfast of fruit, foregoing the heavy protein of the meat. If he survived, he'd enjoy a nice juicy hunk of ham or goat. He went and sat in the light of the rising sun, absorbing the energy it fed him while he waited.

  The'oak stepped groggily from one of the tents. He scratched his testicles before seeing Lov. He showed no shame when he wiped his hand on his tunic.

  “You stupid boy.” The old orc told Lov as he approached. “You signed your death warrant yesterday. You've let them use magic. You've let them use their own weapons. You seem like someone who wants to die. Are you trying to kill us, young man?” The'oak sat carefully in front of Lov.

  “No, I'm not.” Lov replied, eyes closed soaking in the light. “I don't want them to have any reason to complain about fair play. I let them choose everything, so the deck is stacked in their favor...but I'm still going to win.”

  The'oak shook his head disappointedly. “Well, you start at the training ground, but there is no boundary for the fight. I suggest you get off those poles as quickly as you can. They have a lot of experience training together on them.” The'oak went into the tent, grabbing a large chunk of red meat, dripping with blood. “I guess I should get good and roaring drunk. If I'm going to die today, I better enjoy it! Need to find myself a woman while you're fighting.”

  Lov laughed heartily, “You're not going to watch me fight?”

  “Why would I?” The'oak asked, his mouth full from taking a bite of his food. Little chunks of meat flew from his mouth as he talked. “I have no way to affect the outcome. And if I'm going to die, I want it to happen while I'm doing something I want to do, not watching a young idiot get me in trouble.” The'oak tossed the remains of his meat aside and it splattered on the wall of a building before falling to the ground. He stood and walked behind Lov, placing his hands on the young elf's shoulders. “I want to bless you, my young friend. Can I do a sacrifice of blood for you?”

  Lov nodded, not sure what was entailed, but knowing it would help his friend relax. The'oak thanked the young half-elf, then walked into the city in search of a proper sacrifice. The sun continued to climb into the sky and Lov's other companions began to come out of their tents. They all looked at Lov as if he were insane, none understanding the power that he had.

  The young half-dragon's hunger growled at him as the brothers came out from the pyramid in front of them. Paxtal walked up to him and shook his hand. “Good luck, my friend. May Gruumnsh take you for his army for the end of days.” The brothers walked into the city, leaving Lov and his companions to sit and mull.

  The'oak came back from inside the city, carrying a fat pig. “Damn chotas don't even have bulls. All they have is pigs. Bah, I hope that you are truly favored by Gruumnsh. The omens point to you, but a pig is not an animal of strength.” He set the pig down, taking the rope around its neck in his hands. “We will have to hope the blood will be enough for our god.”

  Lov muttered under his breath, “He's not my god. I feel awe for him, but not worship.”

  The'oak glared at the young elf. “You watch what you say about him. He will take away your favor.”

  “I plan to bring his chosen ones to power, make you equal with any power in the world. Why would he stop me even if I am not his?” Lov jumped to his feet, walking into his tent and sitting to meditate. He sent his soul out in search of those he loved, touching his grandfather for a moment before moving on from the crazy Wyrm. He felt his mother looking upon him and greeted her, though she didn't notice him. Lov watched as the Anuunaki army approached Elvenhom on their way towards the Orc Lands. He could feel it all coming to fruition. Soon he would be able to save his mother.

  Lov stood on top of the poles, the four brothers on a lower level near him, surrounding him. Blood dripped down his back, where The'oak had slaughtered the pig. He had slit its throat and let the blood drip down Lov's shoulders. The fluid made the young half-dragon feel sticky and dirty.

  The battle was to start at the blow of a war horn, which should be heard at any moment. Lov twisted his grip on his ax as his dragonhunger growled from within him. It was eager for the battle to begin.

  The horn blasted and the brothers were instantly in motion, closing in quickly on Lov. The young half-elf jumped from his position down two levels of platforms and began running
along the boards. He dodged poles left and right as he passed through the arena.

  Poit landed in front of him, slashing at Lov with a thin whip like blade. Lov dodged around a pole, and the sword passed through where he was. Paxtal rushed in from the side, swinging a mighty hammer at Lov's head. The half-elf ducked under the savage blow that cracked the pole it hit at head level.

  Lov attempted going up to escape without looking, and felt the wind whistle past his head as Makarak swung his metal club from above. Manatua stood where he had started the fight still, chanting down towards the battle. Lov swung around a pole as Makarak and Paxtal swung at him. They both missed, their weapons smacking into the pole, sending a long crack all the way up it. Manatua lost his footing as the wood split underneath him, sending him off balance. He fell, smacking his head on a platform as he landed. He sat up, shaking his head before he assumed a seated position and began to chant again.

  Lov saw a weakness and tried to attack. The brothers were good at working together though, and a wall of orc muscle appeared before the little shaman. Lov turned, running away from the brothers, taking off across the obstacle course, dropping to the ground as he reached the edge and running for the city.

  He scrambled up the side of a pyramid, climbing for the top before any of the brothers had reached the edge of the platform. He reached the pinnacle as they reached the base, and waited as they climbed towards him. They approached from three sides, leaving an escape towards the city. Lov refused to retreat anymore though. He watched as Makarak climbed to be just a stone below Lov. The young half-elf took off, jumping onto the large orc's shoulders, slamming the hammer head of his ax into the back of Makarak's skull. The large orc fell as Lov jumped from his shoulders, and Makarak slammed face first into the stone of the pyramid. He fell to the ground unconscious.

  Lov continued down the pyramid, the two other brothers stunned that he had taken their larger brother out. The young half-elf charged along the platform, running for the brother who sat chanting still. He took a swing for Manatua's head, smacking it cleanly, and knocking the small orc out. The other two remaining brothers approached cautiously now. They hadn't expected Lov to be such a capable fighter. They circled him, trying to overwhelm him where he stood. They charged through the poles, swinging for Lov with all their might. But they both went high, and Lov ducked under their blows as they smashed each other in the sides of their heads. The hilt of Poit's sword nailed Paxtal right in his temple, and Paxtal's hammer hit Poit square between the eyes. They both fell unconscious, and Lov heaved a deep sigh of relief.