She traveled with her hood drawn up. Hakim and Jacob rode beside her, holding precariously onto their Anuunaki mounts. They were good men. Both were fighting for a better world for their families. A food train followed behind the marching soldiers, each ant-like being with an orc upon their back. They were using the kegaroth to pull the wagons, but the lizards didn't seem to like it.
Nord rode in the van with Sanche and Manatua. The Anuunaki set a ground eating pace, not sprinting, but easily covering more terrain than horses would. They scaled up a cliff side separating the orc lands from the elven forest. The orcs cheered their mounts onwards, setting up bets as to whose would reach the top first.
As Tyrosh's ride reached the top, she saw that her son stood off to the side. He watched as his army rode past, his eyes hard and cold. She was tempted to stop and talk to him, but thought it might undermine his authority in front of the orcs.
The army passed through the forest quickly, the orcs loved the feel of shade over their heads. They laughed and joked, tossing cloth balls back and forth in a game. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, though they had far outpaced their supply train. The kegaroth were proving more temperamental than they had planned for.
The army spent that night under the stars. Lov had talked to Missy and Sherman about using their teleporting abilities to supply the army, but the fairies said they didn't have the power to move that many people.
Tyrosh huddled in a heap with Hakim and Jacob. The large man supplied most of their heat. The next morning, a fog covered the ground and a chill filled the air. Tyrosh shuddered as she rose from the sitting position she had slept in. Hakim and Jacob slumped back against each other as she walked off, both mumbling a small protest without waking.
Tyrosh loved the feel of the air in her lungs. She couldn't resist the temptation, stretching her dragon wings while staying in her hominid form. It felt wonderful, and she heard her wing joints creak as the membrane stretched out. She heard someone walking through the forest, hurriedly forcing her wings back into her form.
Lov stepped out from the trees, carrying a deer already gutted and bled. An Anuunaki helped him carry it into the camp. “Got some backstraps for breakfast today, Mother.” her son said casually, all the anger from the day before seemed to have evaporated away. “I needed something to supplement the mushrooms these Anuunaki love. I love that fungus among us, but they eat way too much of it.”
“That sounds lovely, dear.” Tyrosh replied, debating whether or not to tell her son about the necklace. She decided against it. “I'll be in the camp in a little bit, I need to go take care of business.”
“Business? What business?” Lov asked her suspiciously.
“Do I really have to spell it out for you?” Tyrosh blushed a little, “Just give me a few moments, I'll be right behind you.”
“Alright, but don't be late! Uncle Nord likes the backstraps as much as you do.” Lov and the Anuunaki jogged into the camp, leaving Tyrosh alone in the forest.
“I wish I'd had a chance to meet you, Grandfather. Your advice would really help right about now.” She continued deeper into the forest, and as she opened the separation between herself and the camp, she began to transform.
Her body stretched, and a tail spread out from her spine. Soon the ground thundered beneath her feet, her orange and golden scales reflecting the sunlight in sweeping patterns across the forest. She lept up a tree, climbing it in long bounding body strides. When she reached the top she shot from the treetop, spreading her wings and catching the wind. It felt wonderful to feel the air rushing past her cheeks. She went exploring as she hadn't been able to in a long time.
She flew out over the Great Wyrm Desert, clouds and dust devils of sand littered the landscape. Her scales glowed in the sunlight, filling her with warmth and energy. Tyrosh could see caravans that dotted the dunes, heading towards towns at the edge of the desert. And the great Wyrms' skeletons made a maze pattern from overhead.
As she flew across the salt flats, she saw the sky reflected in the white water below. The clouds reflected back up at her, and she could admire what a beautiful sight she was in the mirror of the water. The golden dragon headed out over the ocean, searching for a dragon island, hoping to find an elder for advice. She couldn't bring herself to approach her father, even after he set her free. She flew back over the continent, flying over the forests of the wilderness. She could see small settlements spread out in the trees. Tyrosh flew down, snatching a cow from a clearing in the forest and ripping into it as she continued to fly. Gorging herself, she continued her journey. She reached the sea again, and Tyrosh was filled with sadness. She hadn't found a single sense of another dragon in all of her traveling. They used to litter the lands, but now there was no one to be found.
She flew north, to the Mouth of Truths. She glided over the icy plateaus, hoping that Lov had been wrong, that Portho had tricked her son, but as she flew she felt no sense of him. The people still littered the icy desert, huddled in igloos that lead to the mountain at the polar cap. Tyrosh saw the totems and temples that men had built to her people over the years, relics from before the Dragon Wars. The temples stood bare and abandoned, most of the statues had faded into entropy.
A low moan escaped Tyrosh's soft throat, a cry of anguish for the lost souls. Tyrosh wondered what had happened to them, then thought of the team her mother and father made. Tryton and Draka were formidable opponents.
Tyrosh flew back over the ocean, heading towards the volcano her parents called home. She crossed the ocean, spotting the island chain the mountain was a part of. In the distance she spotted smoke rising into the sky. She flew over the city, not believing how the people here lived.
Tyrosh spiraled down, landing on the outskirts of the outer island. She walked the city, drinking in the sights of the land. The Tuthan people on the outer island were poor and ill kept. They reminded her of Lov, their skin was scaly like his and they had no hair. But there the similarities ended. Their faces were elongated like an alligator's and they had large membrane-like frills at their neck that spread like a peacock's tail. Small from malnourishment, they fought each other savagely for the little food there was. On the inner island, magicians and priests controlled the people. These Tuthan were larger, well nourished. They worked their magic to beguile and cast an illusion over the lesser ones, keeping themselves in power while the common people fought each other. Everywhere she looked, she saw symbols that reminded her of Heart. The serpent eating its own tail littered every wall, every statue, everything. The dragons that usually filled the center were missing though. Tyrosh could see where they had been chipped out. It seemed their religion focused on the great Wyrms. The volcano formed an island in a lake that was on the island in the sea. A large cavern had been cut into the side of the cone shaped volcano rising from the water. Tyrosh could sense her parents inside.
I need to talk to someone! She thought. She decided that talking to Tryton was better than talking to no one. She started to swim to the volcano in the lake, transforming into her elven form as she entered the cavern.
Chapter Ten
Jaxon had taken the deer from Lov when he arrived, butchering it quickly. He skinned and boned it in no time, then passed meat out to the Anuunaki, after taking choice bits for the family. The young chief thanked the Anuunaki who helped him to carry the carcass, handing it a quarter of the meat. It bowed low in appreciation before shooting off across the camp.
Jaxon seasoned the meat with spices and herbs before shoving the steaks onto their makeshift grill. The meat sizzled and popped, the smell filling the area around the campfire. Lov hardly waited for his piece to finish cooking before snatching it from the flames and wolfing it down. He was hungry.
He grabbed three large backstrap steaks from the grill, shoving them onto a plate. Lov left the fireside, going to search for his mother. He wanted her to get some of the backstraps from his deer before Nord ate them all.
Lov smiled when he spotted Hakim and Jacob, knowi
ng his mother wouldn't be far. The two men seemed lost, with Hakim truly dejected and heartbroken. “What's wrong?” Lov asked them, thrusting meat under each of their noses.
Jacob, the one that was usually quiet, replied bitterly, “Your mother left us behind. Don't know where she went. We haven't seen her since last night when she went to sleep.” Jacob turned to Lov, his eyes red with tears and anger. “Why didn't she take us with her? We've traveled with her from the start, why wouldn't she take us?”
Lov shrugged his shoulders, placing a hand on each of the men's shoulders. “I don't make an excuse for anything my mother and I do, but sometimes we just need to be alone. Sometimes we become so full of rage, as dragons, that all thought of justice and rightness are chased from our mind.” Lov pointed to himself, “Like how I was yesterday, and the day before. I just didn't want to be bothered, didn't want to talk to anyone. I knew I had to, but I didn't like it. We get mean, surly, almost childish.” Lov grabbed the last steak from the plate, taking a bite from it before continuing. “So I think she just needed alone time. I was a little angry with her when I figured out what she had done to the orcs. Knowing it was her filled me with nothing but anger, and I didn't hide it.”
Hakim pulled a pipe and a plug of opium from his pouch. Jacob protested, “I thought you gave that shit up!” He said, reaching over to take the black chunk from his little brown friend. Hakim put both of them back in his pouch, shaking his head, and hanging his head low. He was ashamed that he had considered giving in to his addiction as he hadn't since that beautiful elven woman had entered his life.
Hakim raised his eyes to Lov, “No, I think there's something more. I think Tyrosh is hiding something. She's become quiet, hiding in her rooms and tent since you chided her. I think you struck a nerve, young one, and she's afraid to face it.”
“What makes you say that?” Lov asked the soft brown eyed man.
“Personal experience with demons.” He smiled shyly, handing the plug of opium to Jacob. “Thank you for watching out for me, brother.” He turned back to Lov. “Your mother helped me past them. I think something happened when you returned.” Hakim shook his head, “What happened, I don't know. But your mother is hiding something.”
Lov chewed his mouthful of food thoughtfully. Jacob and Hakim continued discussing how they were going to get back home. “Wait, aren't you the one with family near Heart?” Lov asked, pointing to the large man.
“Yes, I have family there. I haven't seen them in months, and I think Hakim would find a new home there.” Jacob leaned forward, his demeanor changing and hanging over the table like a mountain over a valley. “Why?”
“I want you to warn your families not to fight us.” Lov gestured to the army around them. “I know the people there are proud and loving of their lands, but my army is coming through. I ask you to find a way to convince the people to let us pass.” Lov shook his head before continuing. “I made a mistake and killed one of my captain's ability to show mercy. Without that, I don't know how he'll lead men in battle. It could turn out badly.”
Jacob sniffed, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms. “When I get home, we'll discuss it as a family, and decide what's best from there.”
Lov nodded to the large man, “I understand completely. I'd do the same in your shoes, Jacob. I can have you two at your family's farm today if you want.” Lov gestured to the Anuunaki around them. “Just ask any of the ants where I am, they'll point me out to you.” Lov rose from the chair, bowing to the two men. “I can never thank you two enough for keeping my mother safe. Remember, anything you need from me, you only have to ask.”
Hakim and Jacob rose from their seats, shaking Lov's hand before the young chief disappeared into the army around them. The large man snorted turning to Hakim. “That guy's not half bad.”
Lov stormed through the camp, the Anuunaki wisely gave him a wide berth. The young half-dragon had become so used to his honor guard, he hardly noticed the Talons swarming around him. No one came within ten feet that the women didn't want. They trusted the Anuunaki, but the ant beings could read Lov's moods.
He was searching for his mother, wanting to know where she had disappeared to, and why she had left two good men behind. Lov looked at the women who orbited around him, and knew why she would want to escape. She had taught him better though, he expected the same from her!
Once the army was moving, they made good time, and Lov lost all chance to find his mother. He signaled Tinkle, and had the glowing, blue fairy zipping among the ranks searching for her. Lov hopped onto an open Anuunaki, using her as a mount.
Lov had the Anuunaki move up the line looking for Nord. Maybe his uncle would know where Tyrosh had disappeared to. Periodically, Tinkle would zip back and forth overhead as she searched the army for the beautiful elven woman.
“....the kegaroth don't get along. They turned on each other last night after climbing up the cliff side. Poit says it may be days before they get replacements for all of them.” Sherman turned to Lov riding up on his Anuunaki “Ahh, there you are. Where's Tyrosh?”
“I don't know, she seems to have disappeared last night.” Lov shifted for a tighter grip on the ant he rode. “Not even her followers know where she went. They say she never returned after doing a bear's business in the woods yesterday morning.”
Nord rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. “Maybe we left her behind?”
“I was by her tent with Hakim and Jacob, there was no sign of her.” Lov spoke to the Anuunaki he had been riding. “Will you ask someone to scout behind us for my mother?” The Anuunaki signaled affirmation.
“At any rate, we need to keep moving. Once you start the machine it's best to keep it going.” Nord gestured ahead of them, “The sooner we get to Heart, the sooner we can put all this army nonsense behind us.” He looked to Lov riding silently next to him. “Don't worry, Lov, she'll turn up.”
Chapter Eleven
Tyrosh snuck back into her tent, wondering if anyone had missed her the past few days. She curled into a ball on her cot and meditated, feeling the souls that surrounded her. Here in her rooms, she practiced changing her shape. She had missed the freedom her powers afforded her. She switched from an elf to an Ogier. Her ears brushed the top of the tent, and she had to stifle a booming laugh. She felt so free! She changed into a deer, then to a lizard, then back into her elven form. There were so many things Tyrosh had all but forgotten she could do. Now it all came flooding back, as if by instinct.
The light coming through the flap of her tent began to brighten as the sun rose in the sky. She stepped outside, her sight full of shifting shapes and shadows as people moved about the camp. She went to Hakim's tent, pushing open the flap.
Instead of the wonderful friend who had healed her, a giant orc was stretched out on the cot, snoring away loudly. Tyrosh's eyes narrowed, and she walked over, slapping the man on his hairy forehead. “Hey! This was my friend's tent, where did he go?” She demanded, glaring down at the mean looking warrior.
He sat up, glaring down at her. “What was that for?” He demanded, reaching for his spiked club leaning against the cot's side.
Tyrosh planted her foot on the knotted wood, refusing to let him lift it from where it rested, then slapped him across the face with a thunderous open palm. “I'll ask again, what happened to my friend?”
“I don't know, lady, but you're really starting to piss me off!” The orc reached out to grab her, and Tyrosh twisted away from his grip.
She could see he wasn't going to cooperate, and already others were stirring outside the tent. The little elven woman reached out, grabbing onto the warrior's balls. “If I find out that you've done anything to Hakim or Jacob, I'm coming back to chop these off.” She strode from the tent, and went in search of her son. He would know where her friends were.
The female guards around Lov's tent gave a start when Tyrosh stepped from the tent line. She had been using an old trick of camouflage, blending into the darkness. She would have to w
ork to stop her instincts from making her blend into shadows. “Is my son awake yet?” She asked, stepping towards the Talons.
“No, he was up late looking for you.” One of them replied, “We were told to wake him when you turned up, so wait here.” The guard who didn't speak went into the tent, stepping out a moment later. “He'll be out in a second, he sleeps naked as a babe.”
Tyrosh shook her head. “He's always been that way.” She started to walk back amongst the tents. “Tell him I'm headed to the nearest kitchen, I'm hungry.”
Tyrosh entered the empty galley tent, taking a large helping of the mushroom stew that was always available. She sat at a table towards the center of the room, eating heartily. Her son came in, pulling on a loose shirt and still wearing the boots her father had given him. For a second, Tyrosh considered telling her son the truth, but she wouldn't be able to bear the pain if he turned away from her.
Lov walked into the tent, empty save for his mother. She sat, a sad look on her face. Lov felt the atmosphere of the room, and sensed what Hakim had been talking about. His mother, usually so open and loving, seemed closed off. As if a wall separated her from her son.
“Where were you?” Lov demanded, taking a seat across from Tyrosh.
“I needed to think. I know you've been gone for so long, but when you came back it changed the power landscape.” She reached out, taking her son's hand. “I needed time to assess the situation.”
“I had Missy and Tinkle flying all over looking for you, but you never turned up.” Lov managed to restrain himself from slamming his hand down on the table. “Hakim and Jacob left yesterday. They went to Jacob's family farm. You didn't even tell them you were leaving. They felt abandoned.”
Lov sat back in his chair, taking a deep breath and calming himself before continuing. “Still, maybe it was a good thing. I have someone with the farmers, telling them to let us through.”
Breath of the Titans: The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy Page 37
