Fallen Crown (Orc Destiny Volume II) (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga)

by Jeremy Laszlo

  Of course he would have to make it look like a challenge. Perhaps he would insult those he planned to kill just as he touched them. It was the simplest solution in the world. He knew there had to be more to his power than just this, but it was enough to do as Ishanya wished. It was enough to unite his people and possibly save them from themselves. Excited, Gnak strode through the sand the remainder of the night, only half alert to what he was doing. To share his excitement with her, knowing now that she at least had some connection with the world, Gnak reached inward and stroked the essence that was Jen within him. They were finally a step closer.

  The third night after his experiments, the last of his test foxes died after it had bloated so far that its belly had ruptured during the day. After that it did not last long. Sending out a pair of his captains to scout ahead, Gnak waited impatiently for their return. He knew that their destination grew near. The Orc camp they were supposed to join with the gathering Orc army could not be much farther. It was only four hours before his captains returned.

  Gnak watched them come rushing over the dune ahead, and halted his clan’s march as they raced to meet him. The looks upon their faces told him much about what lay ahead, but even so, he listened patiently after asking them what they had found.

  “Gathos clan march, next night reach big chief,” the first captain stated.

  “No many miles to camp,” the second added.

  Gnak realized that he really needed to learn their names. He owed them as much.

  “Big chief, many clans. Have scouts. Scouts find Gathos,” the first added.

  So that was it. Time was up. Just miles ahead lay their destination, and with it the big chief and many clans of Orcs. Not only were they less than one night’s travel away, but there were scouts out and about who would surely note their approach. Gnak needed time to think. Time to plan. With nothing better in mind, he gave the order to set camp and strode off into the night, waving off his captains who sought to follow in case he needed a guard.

  Nervous, he sought out Jen and began caressing her, hoping to rouse her. It had been days since he last heard her voice and he felt alone, even knowing that her presence was still with him. He wanted to discuss his predicament with her, and see what she would suggest. Jen always knew the smart thing to do. He was too new to her ways to fully understand, but she could help him and he knew it.

  Over and over he called out to her in the night, whispering her name into the wind. All the while he summoned her power to his hand and held it there, stroking it lightly. He watched as the night grew brighter and finally the sun broke the horizon ahead. Still he tried to summon her.

  It was a full two hours into the day when he again pleaded into the air for her to answer him when she finally responded.

  “Jen, Gnak need help,” Gnak begged.

  “Well hello, Gnak. What seems to be your trouble?”

  “Jen! Thank gods, you come!”

  “Not gods, Gnak. Ishanya. I couldn’t be here talking to you if it hadn’t been for her.”

  “Yes. Yes. Thank Ishanya,” Gnak agreed.

  “Why are you so anxious, Gnak?” Jen asked inside his head.

  “Big chief close. No time finish plan.”

  “Close enough to see you?”

  “Much close. Scouts see.

  “Have they seen you yet?”

  “Not know.”

  “Why not just turn around and go back until you have had enough time?”

  “No run. Is no honor. Clan no…” Gnak paused, seeking a word to convey his thought.

  “Understand?” Jen suggested.

  “Yes. Clan no understand run.”

  “Then stay where you are. What will the big chief do? Will he come to you?”

  “Not know. Maybe send captain. Maybe no.”

  “Then what do you have to lose? Wait and see what happens. Sometimes the best plan is to do nothing at all.”

  “Jen smart.”

  “Why thank you, Gnak. You’re not too bad yourself,” she replied with a giggle.

  Gnak realized he had not heard her laugh since she was alive. Really alive. The sound made him feel lighter, as if his problem was already diminished.

  For hours Jen remained with him this time, and Gnak spent more than half the day sitting atop a dune speaking with her. He described the plan he had made to collect the armor from the mountain pass, along with the gold he had stashed in the crack up on the wall of the pass. He explained how his men would then take both the armor and the gold to the goblin king that he had dealt with when capturing the giant. Using the gold as payment, his men would have the armor altered to suit as many of his Orcs as possible. That of course was if the goblins did not simply kill the Orcs and take both the gold and the armor.

  He told her of his experiments with the foxes, and his discoveries that were a result of those experiments. Though to his disappointment, she did not sound overly excited when he told her that he one day hoped to find her a suitable body and restore her to life yet again. Perhaps the two deaths she had already experienced were yet too fresh in her memory. Gnak had no way of knowing, and did not wish to upset her by asking.

  They discussed his ability to easily dispatch other chiefs in order to claim their clans and unite the Orcs, and this she took interest in, though warned him to be cautious when choosing the moment to strike. Such an attack could trigger a larger battle and many could die.

  Jen made several suggestions, and warned Gnak about several ideas he had and what future implications they might bring if he did not think his actions through. She encouraged him to continue to test his abilities, and maybe even use them to infiltrate the big chief’s own clan. It was devious. Every bit of it. But she showed him that every path she spoke of would save lives in the end. Lives he could then teach and guide to Ishanya. It was the end she told him to focus on. Plan ahead, she reminded him, but also told him that a plan did not always involve action or force. Gnak weighed her every word carefully, and when he finally decided that it was time for him to return to his people he told her goodbye in his own way, and promised he would talk to her again soon.

  Returning to camp, Gnak found the place in a commotion. Where he had expected to find most in their tents resting for the day, instead there was a surging mob. Below he could make out a small group of unfamiliar looking Orcs surrounded by his own clan, and it appeared as if things were on the verge of violence. As of yet, only his captains and Bota knew of his desire to kill as few Orcs as was possible. The rest of his people had yet to subscribe to such beliefs.

  Feeling as the sand gave way beneath him with each powerful stride, Gnak rushed to the edge of his camp, the midday sun hot on his neck and shoulders. Nearing the crowd of Orcs, they noted his approach and made way for him, as he walked straight up to the first Orc who did not belong to his people. Poking the brute in the chest with one large finger, he scowled at the man, gnashing his teeth menacingly. The Orc, who had been right in the middle of an insult, froze, his words caught in his mouth. Gnak leaned towards the Orc and, pressing both of his huge hands to the man’s chest, he shoved with all his might, throwing the Orc backwards as its two fellows watched on in shock. The Orc landed without so much as a grunt, its limbs still positioned as if it stood, making it appear even more frightful than Gnak had intended. Even so, he puffed out his chest and jutted out his jaw as he turned to face the remaining two.

  “More Orc talk bad Gathos clan?” Gnak demanded.

  “What Gathos chief do?” the bigger of the remaining Orcs demanded in return, gesturing to his fallen clan member.

  “Gnak take puny Orc’s life. Give back if Gnak want. No for now. You talk. Tell Gnak why come!”

  Gnak felt more than saw as the whole crowd around him leaned forward, listening intently. His clan had done well not to harm the Orcs. Gnak knew well already what their reason for coming was. But he was playing safe. Being smart. Gathering information.

  “Big chief send us talk. Tell Gathos come,” the remaining O
rc that until now had been silent said.

  “Gathos does come. We no hurry. Have much carry. Is heavy,” Gnak sneered.

  “Then Gathos weak. Big chief no ask. Is order. Gathos come now,” the larger Orc grunted, then spat in the sand at Gnak’s feet.

  It was all Gnak could do to restrain himself at the insult. His life as an Orc, and Orc mentality, told him to draw his blades and kill the Orc, but he knew it was not the way. He did, however, intend to teach the Orc a lesson.

  In one swift movement, Gnak lunged forward and dropped into a roll as he swept his leg out, tearing his opponent’s legs from beneath him. As the Orc’s legs shot out from under it, it flipped backwards in the air as Gnak regained his feet just in time to punch the Orc full in the face, driving it forcefully to the ground upon its back. Without sound or motion the Orc lay, seemingly lifeless in the loose desert sand. Grunting and rising to his full height, Gnak tucked away the orb that was the Orc’s essence.

  Turning, he strode the two paces to the third emissary of the big chief and stood only inches away from the man. Leaning in even closer, he brought his face within an inch of the other Orc’s, and glaring, he gave his final warning.

  “Talk bad Gathos clan, Gnak lay Orc beside others.”

  With an angry sneer, the Orc grunted his understanding. Gnak waited a moment, letting his hot breath blast the Orc in the face, before finally taking a step back and looking down upon the slightly smaller Orc.

  “Gnak let you take Orcs. Gnak give back life. You go. We come. Gathos no hurry, yes?”

  Turning once more, Gnak nodded to his captains and striding forward he bent briefly and touched both of the Orcs. He had thought to swap them, giving each the other’s body, but thought it best not to reveal all of his tricks just yet.

  As the Orcs came to, they began clamoring to their feet in an attempt to spring back into the fight but before they could even complete the thought, Gnak’s captains were upon them, grabbing them from behind and holding them firm. Tilting his head back to look down at them, he waved them away with a disgusted gesture as his men took their cue and led the outsiders away from the camp before releasing them. Still the Gathos tribe did not stir.

  Gnak realized that none but a select few had known of his ability to simply stop another man in his tracks. Now all knew. He could see the pride swelling within them. Gathos, though proud, was not strong among the clans of their own kind. They did not have any warriors blessed by the Orc gods. Had not had any for many generations. Now, however, they had a chief that was not only powerful, but also blessed by a god. Gnak had even gone so far as to defy the big chief, and he knew that all of them understood what that meant.

  Though it had not been an open challenge, Gnak had not simply submitted to the big chief. The blessed warrior who ruled over all the clans could take Gnak’s actions as an insult and come to put Gnak and the Gathos clan back in check. Numerous times he was known to kill much of a clan for retribution for such an insult. After having dealt his punishment, he would simply place one of his own captains in the dead chief’s place. But Gnak was not afraid. He had just proven himself to the clan. They would now work hard to do as he wished. They now had faith in him, even if his ideas were new. Gnak felt secure in their newfound pride, and felt he needed to use it to his benefit while it was fresh in their hearts.

  “Pray mighty Ishanya give Gathos strength,” Gnak began, and the unified voice of his clan picked up the prayer. He watched as the three retreating Orcs stopped and turned to look back over their shoulders at what they could plainly hear. Seeing their pause, Gnak grinned a tusky grin, before returning his attention to those around him.

  Turning, he slapped Bota on the back as the prayer was finished and gave an order to his clan.

  “Now big chief know Gathos. Now he know Gnak. We no break camp. We go when Gnak say. No when big chief say. Let clans come. Let Orcs challenge Gathos. All fall who not stand for Ishanya.”

  It was a bold statement and one he was not certain was entirely true, but it fed into their belief in him, and he was assured of its effectiveness when the clan replied. Grunting together as one, many shouted and rattled their weapons, raising them into the air in defiance. Pleased, he and Bota strode through the camp as his captains began barking orders to set up a patrol and various lookout posts around the camp. All Orcs were familiar with war, and the Gathos clan was no different. If any came to challenge them, they would be ready.

  Entering his tent with Bota, he could tell by the other Orc’s face that the man thought him mad. At least to some degree. He was beginning to like Bota. He could trust him to speak his mind. The Orc was useful.

  “Bota talk,” Gnak invited.

  “Gnak challenge big chief. What if big chief come?” Bota asked.

  “Big chief come, Gnak fight, take clan.”

  “Big chief clan, many god warriors. Big chief come, many die.”

  It was true, and Gnak knew it. Bota was pissing on his mood. If the big chief did come he would bring his clan, and Gnak knew it was the most impressive force the Orcs could muster. Each member of the chief’s clan was hand-plucked from the other tribes of Orcs, and many of them were blessed by the gods. If they came, they would slaughter no less than all of Gnak’s captains, and likely most of the men in general, before the big chief even came to stand before Gnak. Opposition to the big chief was not taken lightly, and was punished severely.

  His emboldened pride effectively pissed away, Gnak could only hope that his defiance was not seen as a direct challenge, but with it effectively out of his control at this point, all he could do was simply take Jen’s advice and wait.

  “Bota smart. Big chief come, no go good. Gnak no think come. We wait. We see.”

  “Wait for armor?”

  “Armor, yes.”

  “What plan armor come?” Bota asked.

  “No know yet. Need see more. Need know more. Send scouts. Armor come, we go meet big chief. Then Gnak make plan.”

  Gnak wished he knew what they were marching into. He wished he knew why so many Orcs were gathering and what force they would be facing. He wished he knew if he would be able to unite the clans now or if he would be forced to wait until later. There were so many things that he did not know, it was astounding. But with his newly acquired and still maturing understanding of the world, at least he had learned to wait and see what it was he was facing before rushing in to bolster his personal pride. Waiting was not the most exciting thing to do, but for now it was the best option.

  “Gnak no sleep much, many day. Need rest if fight big chief. Bota go. Bota rest. Night come soon.”

  With that he dismissed Bota and, settling upon his bed of furs, he stared up at the ceiling and offered his own prayer to Ishanya before closing his eyes to rest. It was not long before sleep took him and when it did he faced a vision, the like of which he had never seen before.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Lightning bristled down out of the skies as swollen thunderheads pooled about the mountaintops. Rain fell in sheets in the coming darkness, the sky all black but for a streak of blood upon the horizon. With every roll of thunder the world seemed to roar as Gnak peered out over the landscape before him. Another blast, and blinding light pierced through the slits in his helm as the ground shook beneath him.

  Standing atop an immense platform, he looked out beneath him as his world was remade to fulfill his desires. For it was his destiny to see fulfilled the wishes of the goddess Ishanya, and before his very eyes those wishes were being brought to reality. Below, in the rocky face of the mountain, an immense city was being constructed. Even in the pounding rain of the darkest night he could recall, the masses toiled to create for him a new beginning for his realm.

  Goblins climbed here and there, chisels and hammers in their hands, chipping away at the stone face of the mountain. They carved endlessly, day and night, making the paths and roads and buildings. Flake by flake and stone by stone, they refined the rough edges left by those who swung mightier blows b
efore them, for the goblins were not alone in their efforts.

  With another shot of lightning, Gnak watched as both Orc and troll pounded the mountainside with immense hammers and picks. Here they leveled a rise, and there they widened a chasm. Some shoveled bits of dust and stone, clearing the way for others to work. Carts were shoved and pulled up and down the mountain by men of all the races he commanded by the hundreds, hauling away the waste created down a singular treacherous path to the base of the mountain. Though he could not see if from this vantage, he knew that once emptied at the mountain’s feet, those carts would then be loaded with building stones carved further down the mountain.

  Out around the city a great wall was being erected from massive stones, enclosing the giant stone fortress, as giants wearing harnesses hauled the huge slabs of rock up the face of the wall with chains and pulleys. Lifting the immense blocks, the giants slowly lumbered down the wall, placing them in position before they were coated with a dark thick substance.

  On and on the storm raged, as the thousands of fires amongst the rising towers and walls fought the rain to survive. Caves were able to be seen with the flashes of lightning, peppered all across the face of the mountains, but were lost again when the darkness returned.

  Gnak looked upon it all from his perch high above the fortress. He knew it was the most impressive thing ever built. Never before had there ever been a city of multiple races that climbed up the mountains to touch the clouds above, and delved deep into the ground beneath the mountains, where stone and metal were melded together naturally in a swirling river of molten death. Even now, he could smell the sulfur rising up through the chimneys carved through the mountain to heat the stone and remove the natural moisture that clung there. Down there, in the depths, toiled blacksmiths from all his races, sharing their knowledge and skills to create for him better designed and stronger armor and weapons than he had ever imagined. Were it not for the raging storm he would have been able to hear the clangs of their thousands of hammers ringing up through the stone, to be joined by the percussion of the hammers pounding stone to dust on the surface. It was like music, the building of his great city.