Jaxon walked through the city, back to his rooms, wondering what to make of this young orc. He was so unlike any of the others that the halfling had met.
The next day Jaxon hurried to the building he had met Fiksu on, armed from a burst session of orcish with Missy. He rushed through the now full building past stunned orcs who just stared after him, and shoved the stone trap door out of the way, striding out onto the roof. The young orc was hard at work on something, building a frame from wood.
Jaxon shook his head at the shoddiness of the craftsmanship. Fiksu was no builder. “Let me show you a trick.” The halfling said in halting and rough orcish. Fiksu nodded, not even questioning this little man who could suddenly talk his language. Jaxon approached the frame, looking at how the joints were glued together. It was shoddy and lacked the finesse of true woodwork. Slowly, the halfling went over what Fiksu had already done, smoothing the joints with the orc's tools. Fiksu gave a soft, “Ahh.” From behind Jaxon, excited to see a technique new to him.
As Fiksu began building the rest of the frame, Jaxon reassessed the young orc. He was a builder who was unlearned. Already he was picking up the technique Jaxon used to fashion the wooden pieces together. It wasn't long before he was improving it.
When the frame was finished, Fiksu handed Jaxon a water pouch, saying, “Drink and understand!”
Jaxon poured some of the liquid onto his hand. It smelled like vinegar. He steeled himself for the taste, and took a large swig from the skin. It tasted of fish and fermented berries. As he was preparing to pull away, Fiksu reached out to take the skin from him. The young orc squeezed it intentionally, spraying another mouthful into Jaxon's mouth. The halfling choked on the liquid, resisting the urge to spit the disgusting taste from his mouth before settling on the rooftop next to Fiksu.
“That was gross, fishy and alcoholic.” Jaxon told the young orc. “What was it, anyways?”
“It's my grandmother's concoction. It's goat blood mixed with herbs and spices, then fermented underground for two years.” Fiksu took two large swallows from the skin before capping it and putting it away. “I boil it and catch the clear liquid that comes off. My grandmother taught me the recipe. It connects me to the gods, let's me see how to do things that we earthly beings shouldn't be able to do. Like this.” The young orc said, pointing to his frame, a hint of madness in his eyes. “This is going to enable us to fly. We'll be able to stay in the air next to the birds.”
Jaxon shook his head, unable to wrap his mind around flying. He knew dragons and other winged creatures flew. He even knew fairies flew without wings. But for some reason, he couldn't picture himself flying. “You're a little crazy, you know that?” The halfling asked Fiksu.
The orc smiled a toothy grin at Jaxon. “Maybe, but at least I dare to dream.”
When the glue had dried on the frame, Fiksu began to spread a cloth soaked in a thick liquid across the wood. The young one lovingly smoothed bubbles and matched seams, going over his work carefully. Jaxon could tell Fiksu demanded perfection of himself.
The orc was just starting to cover the second half of the frame when Jaxon's vision twisted. He closed his eyes, hoping to stop the warping that he saw. Instead, on the back of his eyelids, he saw a large circle. Lines filled it and began to twist, spiraling in towards a single point. Jaxon had the sense of falling, and opened his eyes. The world seemed to be brighter and the harsh light reflecting from the buildings half blinded him. He closed his eyes again, and watched amazed as he spotted himself in the air, on the frame being built in front of him. He watched as he dropped a hand sized rock towards a large tower on the ground, hitting it and causing it to tumble.
Jaxon smiled at his power, then opened his eyes again. He turned to Fiksu, and the orc nodded to him. “Now you know what I plan.” Fiksu gestured to his contraption. “This will change everything.”
Jaxon watched as the young orc set the frame on the ground behind the stretched out rope. They had to wait two days for the resin that coated the cloth to fully dry, and now they were ready for a test launch. The frame rested on a platform that waited to be shoved through the channel. Jaxon could see the Anuunaki slime that lined the narrow pit. The idea to use the slippery goo had come to him yesterday as they were waiting for the cloth to dry, and he had acted on it right away. Now the launch piece would slide smoothly across the stone, slicked by the goo.
Fiksu closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer, then pulled the lever. The rope whipped the platform forward at a high speed, and the craft took off into the air, gliding smoothly, even climbing a little as the wind blew into their faces. The launch platform shot out into the street below, and Jaxon hoped the guards had kept the streets clear. Slowly, the glider swung around, heading deep into the city. They watched as it crashed into the side of a building, knocking over a statue. Jaxon winced, turning to Fiksu.
Triumph lit the young orc's eyes, and he turned to Jaxon. “Now we refine it, and make it something we can fly!” Fiksu began to laugh. The sound was infectious, and soon Jaxon was laughing too.
Chapter Twenty Four
Lov had spent the past several nights going in a circle. He knew Sanche's grave was around here somewhere, but he couldn't find the stone that marked it. It was supposed to be marked by a large boulder that didn't look as if it belonged in the desert. The moonlight lit the sandy expanse in front of him. The silvery light worked it's way into the distance, where he saw the skeleton of a great Wyrm melt into the dunes.
He had been out of water for two days, and his mouth was dry. The taste of water sounded so delicious to him. Lov had attempted warping reality, trying to make it rain here in the desert, but hadn't been successful.
The sun began its daily climb, and Lov could see it lighten the sky. He looked around, not sure what to do for shelter. He hadn't been paying attention to time, and the sunrise had caught him unaware. He began marching towards the shade of the great Wyrm in the distance, hoping to make it before the noonday sun began to beat down.
The sun slowly made its way across the sky, heating the sand beneath Lov's feet. At first the sunlight energized him, and he charged across the sandy expanse heedless to what his body was telling him. As time passed, the sun began to dry Lov out. His scales began to itch and burn, as if he had to shed again.
Lov continued towards the skeleton, his steps becoming more and more uncoordinated. He stumbled and fell in the sand, the dirt was soft and cushiony. It conformed to his skin, getting under his scales, making him itch more. He forced himself onward, stumbling as he walked, knowing he didn't want to pass out in the high heat of the day.
His foot sunk deep into the sand, and became stuck. He struggled to pull it out, planting and shoving with the opposite foot. Soon his other foot was stuck fast too. Lov continued to struggle, the sand sucking him deeper into it. He panicked, unable to stop the flight mode of his instincts, and was sucked under the surface by the quick sliding motion of the fine granules. As his face was covered, Lov lost consciousness, thankful he wouldn't have to die aware of his inability to breathe.
Lov came to several hours later, his body had slid into a narrow, tunnel-like structure. Sand beat down on his chest from the ceiling, and he was half buried beneath it. Carefully, he slid out from the dirt fall, trying not to hit the walls of the sand cave. As he looked around Lov noticed the place didn't appear to be supported by anything. He moved slowly, careful not to hit the sandy walls. He didn't want to trigger a cave in as he moved around. With just a bit of work, he managed to get his head to face forward. He crawled on all fours down the tunnel, wanting to know what was at the end.
Lov found a cloth wrapped bundle. Herbs and spices had been placed next to the bundle in a ritualistic fashion. The young man was stunned by the jewels and little artifacts that had been placed in the small space. It appeared the Anuunaki respected Sanche even more than the young half-dragon had believed.
Carefully, Lov worked the body free of the piled offerings. He drug it back down the tunnel,
towards where he had entered the cave. Slowly, and cautiously, he began the tedious process of tunneling a way out of the sand. He had started at the weak entry point, but had learned the mistake of that action quickly. The sand seemed to pour finely at the slightest move, and soon Lov was fighting to keep his head above the sand.
He shifted his tunnel to the side more, and soon hit a moist patch of sand. Slowly but surely, Lov worked his way to the surface, coming out to an afternoon sun, the star still high in the sky. He finished dragging Sanche's body out of the ground, and began walking towards the far skeleton again. He would need to rest until Missy checked in to give him water. Until then, he needed to conserve as best he could.
When Lov hit the shade, he collapsed gratefully within its cool embrace. The sand was almost frigid beneath Lov compared to the sun warmed sand he had walked on half of the day. Lov rested while the burning ball of fire in the sky finished setting, then let the sand cool before attempting to burrow a better crevice for tomorrow.
He shoved piles of dirt out from under the bones, being careful not to disturb the huge calcium deposits. The cloth Sanche had been buried in made a perfect carry sack, and all the herbs and spices had kept the body from smelling putrid as it rotted. Lov couldn't bring himself to open the sack, choosing to leave it under a different bone than the one he had made his hidey hole under.
The next day, Lov was cool deep under the bones above him. The tops absorbed the heat well, but didn't pass it through to where Lov was. He hardly sweated the entire day, and slept comfortably if thirstily.
Missy passed through her little hole in reality to where she felt Lov's presence, and looked around, stunned. The moon and stars shone brightly on the sandy desert, and she could see for miles around her. But she couldn't see Lovonian. Her sense of him said he should be right below her, easily in sight. She zipped around the sand calling, “Lov! Come out, come out, where ever you are!” As she patrolled the area she spotted a patch of white that stood out from the brown sand. She shot down inspecting it for clues as to Lov's whereabouts.
A short search showed here where the half-dragon had carefully dug himself a little cubby hole in the sand. He was a smart one. She landed on his shoulder softly calling into his ear, “Lov. Time to wake up. You really look like you could use some water.”
“Mmmm...water…” Lov said weakly. Missy thought for a minute, not wanting to wake the half-elf up violently. He tended to thrash, and in this small space, Missy could get hurt. She flew back and forth, pacing in the air. On her third pass, it hit her. She would stab Lov in his big toe. That should get him to wake up and leave her room to escape.
She flew to his feet and pulled her knife out. “Here goes nothing.” She said softly, preparing herself to fly back as soon as she had stabbed the young chief. Missy jabbed her little sword deep into Lov's big toe.
The young half-dragon slammed his head against the bone ceiling of his sleeping spot, and knocked himself unconscious again.
“This is going to be a long night.” Missy said softly. She pulled the skin of water she had packed in her pouch out. Carefully she worked the top off the bottle that was twice as large as she was. Half of the water poured out onto the sand before she could position the skin to not spill.
She filled a small thimble sized cup with water, taking it up to Lov's mouth and slowly pouring it into the opening. She flew back to the skin for more and splashed a bit across the half-elf's forehead and cheeks.
Slowly Lov opened his eyes, looking about him carefully. He felt his cracked lips before croaking out to Missy, “More water, please.” She brought him the skin, and he drained the entire thing in seconds. Lov huddled tightly against himself as stomach cramps set in.
Missy shook her head at him. “Didn't even let me get out a warning about drinking too much too quickly. Still, I suppose you needed it. Just keep it down.” She tore a hole in the air and took Lov's water skin through it, closing it behind her. She returned the same way a few moments later, barely able to keep the bursting skin in the air.
Lov reached out, taking it gratefully, and drank deeply. It cramped his belly, but tasted so delicious. He tucked the skin on his belt, half empty, and said, “Thank you. How are things going with the orcs?”
Missy took a second to get her thoughts in order before replying. “Nord is slowly getting them to realize that as he teaches them tactics, they are becoming a more and more formidable force. They quit challenging him for supremacy after he killed the tenth champion. I think it shocked them that he was an even better fighter than you.”
Lov chuckled glad to hear his uncle had it all in order. “How's my mother?”
“She's slowly making the Greatmothers realize that you're not there to change everything. Just refine the systems they have. They don't like it, but they also know that they have to listen. They fear what havoc you'll cause when you come back. Kahia still has a few hardliners that refuse to switch sides though. Your mother thinks she's found a way around that.
“Jaxon thinks he's found the next big thing in war. He's helping some young orc build what they call a glider, since it glides on the air. I think it's just a sham, though. It will never work.
“Oh, and the Anuunaki warriors still aren't allowed in the city. Mostly because they refuse to surrender their weapons, and the orcs won't let an armed army into their midst. I can hardly blame them, truth to tell. I think that about covers it. Everything should be falling into place nicely by the time you return.”
“Thank the makers at least that part of my plan is going right.” Lov said with sincere appreciation for his luck there. “It's amazing what happens when you have good strong personalities on your side.” He crawled from under the Wyrm's skeleton, stretching in the moonlight. “One more day of rest, and I'll be on my way.”
“You want me to try to cheat you there?” Missy asked, willing to teleport this young inexperienced half-elf to his destination on a moment's notice.
“I would, in a second. But I don't know exactly where I need to go. I feel a slight tug in the direction of the salt flats, but whatever is pulling me could stop halfway there.” Lov threw a knife from his belt, spearing a medium sized lizard that had been crawling across the sand. Lov picked it up and gutted it as he continued. “I know I'm running out of time, but I also get the feeling if I hurry this, it will backfire. So I'm going to take my time, and see where I end up.”
“How about bringing you back to the Complex for just tonight? Sanche will still be here in the morning.” Missy prepared to rip a larger hole, but stopped when Lov held out his hand.
“I think I like the peace and solitude I've had. It's given me time to think about what we're doing, and what we need to do to finish it.” He lay back on the sand, staring up at the stars. “I do know that I'm ready for this to all be over already.”
The meat sat on the sand next to Lov, roasting as the young half-dragon used his magic to cook it before eating.
Chapter Twenty Five
Weeks had passed since Lov had recovered Sanche's body. It had been a dry and hot journey, and he had to rely on Missy for water. But he easily found plenty of prey to survive on, hunting as he walked in the night. Birds and lizards were bountiful in the deep desert, and he was lethally proficient with his bow.
Now he marched out of the salt flats and onto the flatland that led to Gobekli Tempe. Food had been scarce here. Missy did what she could to feed him, but orcs were notoriously protective of their food. When you had to fight to keep it, you liked to start with an equal amount.
The young half-elf wanted to skirt past the Anuunaki city if he could, not wanting to waste time stopping there. So he used every skill he had to move past them silently. Patrols came close to spotting him a few times, but he always managed to escape. An animal would draw their attention away, or they would just not see him, hidden amongst the rocks.
Working his way past the city wasn't too difficult. He was just a singular person. A few nights' travel later, he heard the soun
d of the ocean coming from ahead. He walked over a ridge and saw a vast beach spreading in front of him. The sand was white as the moonlight, glittering like the stars in the heavens, melting into the twinkling of the silvery light off of the sea.
Lov spotted a town at the edge of the coast line, the buildings were lit with some kind of lantern. He approached, cautiously, his bow in the open, but no arrow drawn. Out in the water he saw a man fishing, throwing a spear. The tanned man was successful on his first throw, pulling the line in quickly before climbing onto the beach. Lov stood stunned as he looked at the fisherman. His legs were like the tail of a fish, joined together as he waddled across the beach. As he went, slowly the man's tail transformed into legs and he began to stride confidently towards one of the houses.
Lov approached one of the huts, hands held up peacefully in front of him. “Hello.” He called in a mild voice. “Can you hear me?”
A flurry of action surrounded him, and Lov found himself looking down the spear points of a dozen men. “Uhh...” Slowly Lov looked for the leader. He found himself staring at an old man, his beard long and clumped together like dreadlocks. A large white afro stood from his head. Lov stepped towards him cautiously. The circle tightened on him threateningly, and Lov stepped back. “There's some sort of misunderstanding.” He said in his gentlest tone.
The old man cocked his head and asked, “What do you want?” A soft twang filled his accent. He talked as if he had a lazy tongue.
“I just want to know if you have food and water.” He strode towards the shape shifters. “And if you've ever heard of the Rainbow Island.”
The white haired man stiffened slightly. “What business do you have there?” He asked gravely.
Breath of the Titans: The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy Page 27
