The halfling dragged Nord through the empty streets of the city, bringing him to the building they launch the glider from. “I'm not flying on that damned contraption at night.” Nord protested as they neared the building.
The halfling turned back to Nord, “You think I'm that stupid? No, this is something different. Something that could change the whole course of all wars!” Jaxon turned back to the building, rushing inside.
The tall elf sighed, and took off after his friend. As they climbed out onto the top of the building Nord stopped. “Alright, I'm not going another step until you tell me what the hell is going on.”
Jaxon pointed to the building next to them. “Notice anything out of the ordinary?” He asked his tall friend.
“I don't know…” Nord stopped when he saw the gaping hole in the side of the solid rock wall. “Gods above…what did that?” He exclaimed, looking back to Jaxon.
Jaxon laughed, a touch of madness there that Nord had never noticed before. “These blue bulbs, watch.” With that, the halfling chucked one at the same building. It struck, and a blinding light filled the air. When it dissipated, Nord looked to where his friend had thrown the bulb. A large gaping hole was in the rock where it had hit.
“It's amazing!” Jaxon said, turning to his tall friend. “It has all the power of an explosion, but none of the sound or debris, we could conquer the world with just this!”
Nord grabbed his small friend who was all but jumping out of his own skin. “Jaxon, you need to keep this to yourself. You're right, this could change war in this world. But I don't think for the better. You have bottled magic there, my friend, and magic is dangerous. I want you to promise me you won't use your bulbs unless it's a dire situation.”
Jaxon hung his head, his enthusiasm muted by his tall friend. “Alright, I'll try to keep it under wraps. But I think you and I could take Heart with just a couple hundred of these things and one glider.”
Nord shook his head at his friend. “You're probably right, Jaxon. But what kind of devastation would that cause to the people? The trees? The buildings even? You need to consider these things before you suggest using the bulbs as weapons.”
“I suppose you're right. Still, it is pretty awesome, isn't it?” The halfling asked, a laughing light entering his eyes.
“It's amazing. I just fear what it could mean.” Nord pushed the worry about this new weapon away, turning to his friend. “Come on, let's go see if we can find some quality grog. You and I haven't been drunk together in entirely too long.”
Jaxon smiled up at his friend. “Sounds good to me. I'll let you try some of this dragonweed Fiksu gave me. It grows in the strangest places here.”
Chapter Thirty
Annika caught Tyrosh on the outskirts of the Greatmothers’ Council Chambers, dragging her a few floors down and into a walled off partition. The buzz around them helped to mask their conversation from prying ears.
“How dare you!” The young orc woman demanded. “Buying me like I'm some chattel to give to your son as a pet! How can you live with such a weak child, needing to buy his bride instead of taking her!”
Tyrosh took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself. “I didn't buy you, young lady. I used the elven traditions to secure a bride. We offer a dowry to the girl's family. We're only replacing a valued member with tangible wealth. I gave your mother several thousand pieces of gold. I could have bought a small kingdom for that much.” Tyrosh sat, patting a chair next to her. “If you'd like to talk about what I did, you can come and sit, and we'll talk.”
“I don't care about your elvish ways!” Annika stormed around the room, her feet slapping the stone audibly. “How dare you insult someone destined to be a Greatmother by buying her! After your son just freed all of our slaves? What kind of hypocrisy is that?”
“Now listen here, you stupid little cunt!” Tyrosh's eyes flashed with fire, and the young woman took a step back. She could feel the power emanating from this small elven woman. “I'm offering you a chance to actually join royalty. My son is the great grandson of Dalanar. His father, Amon, was the Wise of the elven people. You really think you're going to do better from the rabble your kind makes?” Tyrosh took another deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. “But my son sees something in you, in your people. I don't know what it is, but I know he has gifts, and that he trusts those gifts. And I, as his mother, will do everything in my power to see that his way is less burdened.” Tyrosh pointed to the chessboard on the table between the chairs. “I know I treated you like a chess piece, I used to hate it when my father used me in such ways, too. But I do know one thing, you are a very important piece.” Tyrosh held the queen up, “You can make or break what my son accomplishes here in your lands. That's why I bought you. That's why I made a deal for the most powerful bride I could find.”
As Annika walked over, Tyrosh took her hand, pulling her into the seat diagonally across from her own. “You aren't some piece of chattel. I know my son will see your strengths and weaknesses, and place you where he needs you accordingly. Who knows, maybe one day love will spring from such seeds.”
Tyrosh pulled a skin from her belt offering some to Annika. The young woman refused, still trying to conquer her own anxieties and frustration. As Tyrosh took a drink from her skin, Annika spoke. “I understand what you're saying. You're telling me that I will have power. That it will be handed to me. But that's not my people's way. And if you or your son ever tries to change that, it will fail.”
Tyrosh gave a soft laugh, “You obviously don't know how stubborn my son is. Or the power he wields.” She closed her water skin before heading from the room. “Just remember that my son is just and fair before you treat him like your typical orc man.”
Lov felt pity for Sanche, the elder elf had spent most of their time at sea on the rails. The fish were well fed along their path, and they'd seen many strange animals in their journey. Lov had even spotted a sea serpent far off in the distant waters. It was twenty feet long and a meter wide. He had watched from the crow's nest with one of the crew as a shark tore into the serpent's belly, turning the sea red with blood. Scavengers had appeared out of the deep to pick and chew at the carcass as they could.
The salted fish and hard flat bread they had from the galley was difficult to keep down, but it was nutritious. Lov could officially say that he never wanted more of that kind of meal. They had watered down wine to drink, since it kept better for a journey across the sea. Lov needed to be careful, even little amounts of alcohol could affect him.
Primara had been sad to see them go. The youthful looking queen had tried to talk them into staying, but she knew they needed to take care of their own homeland. She had put them to sea with some mermen, John and his family weren't among them. They sailed the seas, a wind weaver behind them, bringing the winds to blow them speedily across the open ocean. Lov asked the captain, and was told they were traveling along the trade routes to the Ogier ports. It turns out that the Ogier had been trading with the Rainbow Island for hundreds of years, they just didn't broadcast it. Primara had asked Lov to see if they'd colluded with the seals to take over the island, and make it accessible to outside influence.
So now they were headed to one of the many fishing villages that lined the coast. Lov couldn't wait to see the great sea kelp beds and the corals that the mermen talked about. Already, he could see great green seaweed patches in the distant waters.
As they drew closer to it, dolphins began to jump and play along the bow of the ship. Soon Lov could see the giant Ogier swimming amongst the kelp beds, which had turned the usually clear blue water a dark rich green. His dragonhunger wanted him to dive in and swim with them, but he managed to restrain himself. The water was deep, and Lov really didn't know how the Ogier would react.
As the ship drew closer to shore, large deposits of coral, sunset orange and blood red, spread like a barrier to the bay. The pilot guided the ship expertly through it, finding the hole that led into the harbor. They pulled up at a dock t
hat was perfectly sized for their vessel. An Ogier strode down the wooden planks, and it made the wide avenue appear sized for just one person. He was broad enough to take all but a quarter of the path, and the boat he climbed aboard was a beautiful longboat.
The captain was the first from the ship, approaching the giant man who walked down the dock. Lov could see he had pointy ears, like an elf, and hairy feet, like a halfling. He had a luxurious mane of hair that hung to the middle of his back, and a long thick beard. A small sea star worked its way amongst the beard, and the Ogier reached up to pet it.
Lov climbed down the sails quickly, landing nimbly on the deck next to Sanche, who waited to rush to the docks. The young half-elf could tell that Sanche couldn't wait to touch dry land. The old elf was all but jumping with anticipation and anxiousness. When the gangplank was connected, Sanche sprang down it on to the dock and sprinted to solid ground. As Lov climbed down the wide board, Sanche was already in the dirt, bent over kissing the ground.
Lov drank in the little town. The buildings were beautiful. They appeared grown from root to roof, like the elven parliament had been. They all sprang from the ground, made whole from one plant. Some were trees, others were bushes, a few even appeared made of flowers. Ogier went about their days on the farm, singing and humming, and everywhere they went, life sprang. Lov watched as a woman sang to a seed in her hands, and before his eyes a seedling sprouted. She placed it lovingly in the dirt, patting the soil on top of its roots before continuing in her garden.
Sanche stood as Lov approached. “I suppose we should find an inn for the night. Do you still have the coins Primara gave us?” The old elf asked the younger.
“Of course I do, we'll find somewhere nice, and figure out how we're going to get back to the army tomorrow.” They walked to the nearest inn, the Sleeping Bard. The sign was a man dressed in green resting his head on a pillow.
“If you want to get your soul to heaven, trust in me girl, don't you judge or question.” Lov looked to the bard in the corner. The man was wearing the robes of one of Heart's priests. Sanche didn't even hesitate, as Lov did at the door, heading straight for the innkeeper behind the bar. Lov shook his head and followed.
“Two rooms, please.” The old elf said, slapping a gold piece onto the counter. “My friend and I have been traveling for awhile and all we want to do is rest.”
The Ogier's ears lay flat, like a cat's. “Well met. We have plenty of rooms if you don't mind Ogier sized furniture. Unfortunately all of our smaller rooms are taken at this time.”
“Well then, just one room will work.” Sanche replied. The Ogier bowed low, then led them to stairs in the back of the inn. The steps were taller than normal stairs, but only slightly. The Ogier cleared them three at a time, leaving the older elf and Lov behind.
The innkeeper led them to a room at the back of the inn, opening the large wooden door and stepping aside. “There you are, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to keep an eye on the day room.”
“Thank the gods! A steady bed.” Sanche had to pull himself up into the giant sized mattress and frame, happy to not feel the straw below him sway with the motion of the ocean. The old elf fell into the blessed oblivion of blackness before long.
Not having anything better to do, Lov decided to lay down in the bed next to him.
The next morning, Lov awoke to the sounds of popping in the air. He went out of the inn, passing through an empty common room. Outside, the noises were much louder. He ran in the direction he heard it coming from, loping easily across the great fields of plants. He ran through corn fields and pumpkin patches, the plants Ogier sized. All the while, the sounds grew louder and more violent sounding. As he was crossing an immense lettuce patch, Lov saw a Titan.
It was carrying two large crates bursting with vegetables. Around him, the field had been cleared and nothing but dirt showed. Slowly little beings began to appear and run around the empty suit of armor. Some tossed small sticks at the Titan that exploded on the armor of the construct, and filled the air with a slight ring, but the Titan ignored the small creatures otherwise. The little men began to swarm the Titan, more and more of them appearing from inside of some of the plants. Lov shook his head watching the foot tall men stream from the harvest, before realizing that they were just wood painted to look like a large head of lettuce. The little beings began to drag out long rope vines, attempting to trip up the Titan.
Lov had heard all his life that the metallic constructs didn't possess emotions, but he would argue against that. He watched as the Titan attempted time and time again to stomp on the pesky undersized beings. The little guys were quick though, and Lov didn't see any get caught under the metal construct's stomping feet.
Slowly, the Titan made its way across the field, trailing several lines of little people struggling to stop it. Lov felt his dragonhunger stir, feeling for some reason that this was the Titan who had killed his father.
At first, Lov attempted to rationalize with his dragonhunger. He had no proof, and though it wasn't for lack of trying, no one had gotten hurt yet. But as he watched the Titan continue to try and smash the gnomes that were just protecting their homes, an overwhelming sense of rage filled the young half-elf. He let out a war cry, charging for the Titan, unarmed. The empty suit wasn't ready for the attack, and Lov knocked it over when he bowled into it.
The young half-dragon snatched the Titan's sword from its back, as it struggled to push itself from the ground. Lov lifted the sword high, point down, and plunged it into the helm. The sword passed through it like butter. Lov ripped it free, and hacked and chopped at the body over and over again, cutting it into smaller and smaller pieces.
Eventually, he stopped, his rage spent. He turned to survey the area around him. The little beings that had been defending their homelands had run away in fear, and Lov could hardly blame them. He looked at the chopped up bits of the Titan on the ground surrounding him, before dropping the sword and heading back to the inn.
Sanche was sleeping peacefully, but Lov felt he needed to know what had happened. As the young half-dragon filled the elder elf in, rage slowly lit across Sanche's face. “You brought me back from peace and nirvana to help you, and you go and do something this stupid. I don't even have words for you right now, we need to move, preferably away from Heart.” Sanche jumped from the bed, gathering his things. “I'll be back, I'm going to go look for some horses.” He glared at Lov, who was laying back on his bed. “Don't... Move!”
Lov closed his eyes, at peace with what he had done. The popping had been annoying him.
Chapter Thirty one
Sanche and Lov had left the port town behind days ago, spending the time crossing large farmlands. There wasn't a lack of food, and soon they were having vegetable stews every night. Now Sanche leaned his back against a large pear tree, eating a nice, ripe yellow fruit from its branches.
He started to climb to his feet as a beautiful woman in purples strode up to their camp. “Hold on a second there, who do you…” Sanche trailed off and his whole demeanor changed. His body seemed to shrink in upon itself, and his face took on more drooping qualities. A strange voice left his mouth. “No, my friend, you must let her pass. This must be.” Sanche returned to normal, and shook what had happened off. “Who do you think you are?” He demanded as if nothing had happened.
Draka waved a hand towards him, and Sanche slumped to the ground, enveloped in a deep sleep. His eyes moved as he dreamed. Quietly, Draka approached her grandson. She stepped softly, careful to not disturb a single grain of sand on the ground. She wished to test her young progeny. Slowly, she made her way around him. She shook her head in disappointment, the boy hadn't even stirred at her approach. It would be a pity to kill him. She walked into his view, and found his eyes glued to her, assessing her every move. Lov felt a tingling sensation course down his neck, and his dragonhunger growled in warning. She reconsidered her choice of action before making a hasty move and killing what could be a commanding piece.
“I see you're awake, young man. I have to say, I was impressed with how you handled that Titan.” She sauntered over to him, a chair materializing behind her as she sat down. Draka looked to the sky and made a few flicking motions with her hands. Lov watched as streaks took off across the blackness, like a meteor shower. “You're working perfectly towards bringing Martell down. I even like how you've manipulated the orcs to be under your control. I love how you're bending the societies of this world to your will, it's a beautiful sight to behold.” She turned her eyes back to the young half-dragon, and Lov felt heat rise where her eyes hit him. “Still, this insistence on not killing. Do you really believe you can win a war without killing people?”
“I didn't say I wouldn't kill to win. I don't want to kill innocent people in order to win.” Lov sat up, looking around. “What did you do to Sanche? I hope you didn't kill him. I just worked so hard to bring him back.”
“No, I didn't kill him. Your pet is right over there.” Draka pointed to the elder elf who lay, snoring underneath the large pear tree. She flicked her finger, and a large fruit dropped, splattering against Sanche's head. “And just to show you that he won't be waking up.” She said as she turned back to Lov. “Now, you realize that war has innocent deaths. There's nothing you can do to stop them.”
“I know that, I know I can't control the opposition. But I can control my own armies, and refuse to kill those that stand in my way to defend themselves.” He glared at her, remembering who and what she was. “Besides, I could never give into the darkest parts of my heart that call for me to kill those less than me. None of them are less than me.”
“But think of how much easier things would be. How much smoother would the world run if humans were wiped from it?” She pointed north towards Heart. “Think of the death and destruction this one human has rained down upon everyone. How could you not want to stop it?”
Breath of the Titans: The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy Page 30
