Breath of the Titans: The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy

by Riley Westbrook

“I need to talk to the unicorn. I have a grave matter that concerns the world.” Lov tried to step forward again. “And seriously, I haven't had water in two days, my supply is late. She'll help explain everything.”

  The old man glared grumpily at the young man before him. “Fine, we'll give you shelter for the night, but we expect explanations later.”

  Lov bowed, deeply grateful, before the spears were lowered and the old man lead him into a hut. Inside, a simple grass rug covered the floor. Baskets were everywhere, full of fruit and dried fish. Salt was also stacked along the wall, filling round tall barrel baskets.

  They gave him a shell plate with a few fish fillets and some seaweed wrapped in rice. It all tasted delicious, though the seaweed tasted a tad too much of the ocean for Lov's taste.

  The men and women of the tribes converged around a large bonfire, waiting for the old man to tell a story. He stepped forward, raising his hands for silence. As it settled he said, “Usually it is our story time. But tonight, we hear the tale of the young one who guests among us. It is fair to ask him to speak, for the food and shelter we've given him for the night.”

  Lov stepped forward confidently, standing where the old man had stood. “I've had a long journey over the last two years.” He proceeded to tell it all, doing his best not to embellish as he went. Slowly the elders coaxed answers from him that he didn't even realize he knew. The questions they asked made him think about the situations in a new light.

  The old man nodded, looking to the young half-dragon as he finished. “I mean no offense, young one, but do you mind going for a swim? My people and I must confer about what you have told us.”

  Lov's dragonhunger screamed, wanting him to curse them and press his case. But Lov thought that would just drive these people away from helping him. He bowed graciously, striding to the sand and stripping clothes. Soon he was waist high in the ocean, going deeper. He had a lot of experience in the wavy water from his time spent alone on an island. Slowly he worked his way out far enough that he could just make out the shoreline. He lay back in the moonlight, feeling the waves carry his body back towards shore.

  Lov lost himself there. Time and space becoming a concept farther and farther away from him. The sun shone on his face, and Lov sat up looking around for land. All he saw was water in every direction. He didn't even feel the pull that had led him to the village before. Lov took a few deep breaths, calming the panic that was rising in him. He spotted the sun, but it was hard to get a fix with the waves tossing him about. He concentrated, feeling which way was the right current to follow. Lov trusted his instinct and started to swim. As he swam, a dark spot appeared on the horizon. The young elf swam for the dot as hard as he could, crying out. Missy soon flew in the air above him yelling, “Here he is!” as loud as she could. The boat turned towards him. Soon a hand scooped down, plucking him from the water and hauling him aboard. Missy called out, “And thanks for taking care of him, old man. Make sure he makes it there in one piece, he can be a handful, as you see.” A silver shimmery hole appeared in the air, and she stepped through.

  “It's a good thing we decided to help you, eh?” The old man said, sitting back in the sun to dry his clothes. “We'll be headed that way now. Your stuff is there in the back. Just remember, the Rainbow Isles are a strange place. You're going to stand out in a strange place, but then again, it seems you always have.” He pointed to the young half-dragon before him, “You are the one who can change, aren't you? I advise you not to do anything that upsets people in the Red City. The seals are vicious in the defense of their realm.”

  “Thank you.” Lov told the man, then asked, “I never did catch your name, what should I call you?”

  The old man smiled. “My name is John Doe. Just call me John.”

  Lov watched as a group of these mermen pushed the ship along in the ocean. No sail was needed and they made quick time. They also carried baskets full of salt and dried fish. The journey was long and Lov saw numerous interesting creatures he had never seen.

  Large tuna schools swam below the boat for awhile, and a pod of dolphins jumped and played with the mermen another day. John even introduced Lov to his pet octopus.

  Soon they approached a new coast, and all life scattered. Even the octopus refused to follow John farther. Lov watched as a large black dorsal fin crested the water. It sank, only to rise again, white spots standing stark from the uniform black. The old man sighed deeply. “I hope the orcas aren't offended by your presence.” He then signaled one of his men. The man began to slap the water rhythmically, and the whales all parted to let the mermen through. “Today must be your lucky day. They tend to eat outsiders.”

  They pulled up to a large port, a gigantic red stone castle rising from the land. The streets were all the same rich red of the castle, but the buildings were poor mud brick structures. “This is as far as we go, my friend.” John told Lov as they walked the dock towards the city. “As I said, watch out for the seals. They are vicious…and you are going to be stepping on long held traditions.”

  “Something tells me I shouldn't ask this, but why are you helping me?” Lov asked, carrying his things up the dock towards the red streets.

  “Because, my friend. I like wild cards. And you are the torch I'm throwing on the hay pile.” John smiled deeply. “Yours isn't the only people looking for a change in regime.”

  “Well, thank you, and I hope you're successful in your endeavors.” Lov walked off into the city, passing through wide squares with fountains made of a deep purple stone. Some red streets had deep purple lines down the middle of them. He saw that they were more open than the red only streets, and so he began to stride along following the purple stripe purposefully.

  People stared at him, pointing and whispering behind their hands, but Lov was oblivious to it. After a time, a soft whistling filled the air from behind Lov, and he turned to see what was happening. A large man was charging up the purple stripe towards him, and eating vast swaths of the distance quickly. The whistling got louder as the man rushed up the street. Lov stood fascinated by how quickly and efficiently this man approached him. He ducked and weaved and side stepped through traffic as if it wasn't even there.

  Lov finally realized the man was chasing him and he raised his hands, pulling his bow from off his back. “I don't know what I've done wrong.” He called out loudly and clearly in common. The man appeared to ignore him, shoving his shoulder into Lov's gut and knocking him to the stone. Lov's head slammed into the ground hard, causing stars to fill his vision before he shook it to clear it. He looked to his bow to make sure it was okay before the man on his chest slammed his head into the ground again, knocking him unconscious.

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Lov heard laughter in the darkness. It was rich and high pitched, and when he saw who was making it, he couldn't believe his eyes. Kahia sat making a high pitched giggle as Lov's mother sat talking with her. Tyrosh continued on, “At any rate, don't worry about my son. He'll see the rightness of this in time. Even if he doesn't like it.”

  Kahia smiled deeply. “No offense lady, but anything that annoys your son, I'm for. I can't directly oppose him. He's got the power of the Greatmothers behind his voice. But I can make life a living hell for him.” She laughed again. “My daughter will not take well to a man who bought her.”

  “Lov didn't buy her though.” Tyrosh protested. “We paid a bridal price, typical in the traditions of elven marriages.”

  “Yes, but in orc eyes, you bought her like some kegaroth. She'll despise him for being sold to him as a wife. We don't like being treated as property.” Kahia laughed again as Lov watched his mother's eyes narrow.

  Tyrosh protested, “But I didn't buy your daughter, I gave you a bridal price. It's a tradition as old as the elves. You and I negotiated on the principals of using your traditions as well as Lov's.”

  “Yes, yes.” Kahia said waving the notion away. “But they will be getting married in our lands, and in the old ways. She will become his prop
erty, as no woman has been since Greatmother Nika rose from the ashes of Jarltal's death.”

  His mother sat back, a flat featureless look on her face as she considered.

  Resist the temptation, Mother, he thought towards her. He struggled against what his own dragonhunger wished say to that.

  His mother smiled a sweet smile. “Yes, well, I have to be off to bed. ‘Early bird gets the worm,’ as they say.” His mother strode from the room, and Lov was happy to see she had contained her temper before it all slipped back into darkness.

  Lov came to, pain filling his head. Spots still dotted his vision as he sat up slowly. He looked around himself, not shocked to see he was in a large jail cell. Pillars supported the ceiling above them, and Lov could see skeletons chained to the stone columns.

  An old man lay against one, taking short, light breaths. He appeared asleep. The walls were stone, and the door was a solid piece of iron. The only light came from a small grate in the door. Lov pushed himself from the ground and took his feet, determined to explore the rest of his prison.

  He searched along the floor covered in a thin line of dust. Lots of insects were prevalent, but no items that could help him escape.

  A loud hacking cough filled the air before a large loogey splattered at Lov's feet. The young half-elf turned to look at the old man against the pillar, about ten feet away. “Welcome to the dungeon, my friend. My name is Farraj.” The old man said softly. “Haven't had company down here in years. What did you do to get put down here?”

  Lov shrugged his shoulders. “You know, I'm not really sure. I arrived in the city with a friend from a distant land. As I was walking towards the keep, a large man came and bowled me to the ground, then knocked me unconscious.” Lov considered the man before him. “Why are you here? You don't look dangerous at all.”

  Farraj gave a hearty chuckle. “As young as you are, it's no surprise to me that you haven't learned that looks can be deceiving. I may look all nice and jovial, but I'm a danger to the rulers of this city, and they know it.” The old man pointed to the chain that ran into the wall. “Why else do you think they locked me up? I mean, yes I designed these cells and I know...” The old man was interrupted as the door was yanked open. “Oh good, food is here.” Farraj said, holding his hands out expectantly. The guard gave him a roll and a small bowl of some thick, gray gruel. Lov took his and watched as the guard walked from the cell.

  He considered throwing the bowl of gruel to the floor, then handed it to the old man. “You look like you could use this.” Lov lay back against the pillar, blocking out the world. He stretched out his senses reaching for his loved ones, and found the connections easily. Yet no matter how much he sent along the path, no one answered back. It was as if they were always just out of sight. He couldn't fathom what that meant, and he struggled for hours before falling asleep. The pillar was uncomfortable against his back as he sat there, but soon Lov was asleep.

  “Hey.” The old man called softly as Lov peeled his eyes open. “They're going to bring breakfast soon if you're hungry. Same old glop, but it does fill the hole in your stomach for an hour or two.” He winked at Lov, “I can't lie, I'm half hoping you'll pass on breakfast in the morning and give yours to me as well.”

  Lov smiled at the old man, “You can have it, my friend. I think I'd rather eat the excrement of a kegaroth.”

  The old man shook his head, “You may say that now, but in a couple days, that gruel is going to taste like the fruit of the gods.”

  Lov laughed, “You do realize they probably piss in it before they bring it to you.”

  “How else would I get my salt content?” Farraj asked before bursting into loud, slightly mad sounding laughter.

  The door rang as it hit the doorjamb, and the guard came in carrying food. He served the old man first, then moved to Lov before heading out the door. The young half-elf walked to Farraj, and handed the old man his gruel. “Enjoy.”

  “Thank you, my boy!” The old man said happily between mouthfuls of his gruel. “Now, if you'll just pry the links of my chain open, we can get out of here.”

  “You know a way out?” Lov asked excitedly, then remembered that these people had his things. What was the point of reaching the unicorn if he couldn't save Sanche? Sadness welled up within him, and Lov felt on the edge of giving up. His dragonhunger however, refused to surrender, bugging him until he chose instead to pry the old man's chains open and leave with him.

  The old man walked to an old decayed skeleton on the wall and tapped out a pattern on the stones behind it. A strange symbol etched itself into the stone before a door glided out of the way. “Follow me.” Farraj told Lov before stepping through.

  Lov followed, seeing that the dungeons stretched far below them. Stairs and paths were built from stone, leading to other levels throughout the honeycombed ground. Farraj pulled on Lov's arm, forcing him to duck. “You don't want to be spotted, my friend. These seals aren't nice to their prisoners.”

  “What do you mean seals? Is that their sigil or something?” Lov asked.

  “You mean you don't know?” The old man pointed towards a pool of water at the edge of the dungeon. “Watch.”

  After a few minutes, two seals climbed from the pool. They ran around the water for a moment, as if at play, before they stepped from their skins. The change was as simple as Lov changing his clothes. Where two seals had been, two men now stood. The seal skins lay on the ground next to the opening, and the men turned from them. They climbed a set of stairs heading out of the underground.

  Lov was stunned by what he had seen. He knew shape shifters. Technically, dragons were shape shifters. But what he had seen flabbergasted him.

  “Come with me.” Farraj told Lov, heading towards the pool. “This is the thing with these seals, you can steal their skin. We'll be out of here in no time, and two seals will be deposed from the royal family. All in all, not a bad day's work, young man. I can just imagine what other changes you and I are going to bring.” Farraj's mad cackle filled the air as he stepped into the seal skin and dove beneath the surface of the pool.

  Lov pulled the other skin on and followed, not sure what he had just unleashed. They swam through an underwater tunnel. The young half-dragon saw several crabs as they went. They continued on for hours, before he saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Farraj shot out of the opening first, coming to the surface in the harbor. Lov followed for a breath. He was starting to feel the need for air.

  His head burst from the water and he sucked in big gulping gasps before diving, searching for his new friend. Lov spotted Farraj as the old man swam down the shore. Lov took off after him, hurrying to catch up. When the Red City was far behind them, Farraj walked onto the beach, pulling the seal skin from him. Lov followed suit, folding the seal skin up to carry with him.

  They began to walk inland, the old man taking measured and careful steps. They made a cold dark camp, huddling together for warmth. The next morning, Lov was determined to make more progress than they had the night before. He carried Farraj to quicken their pace, since the old man was light.

  As they moved inland, Lov noticed that everything, the animals and plants seemed to be taking on a faint shade of red. Even the sky seemed to reflect it.

  Farraj grumbled and complained from Lov's back. “I can't believe the seals have let it come to this. This used to be orange land! But the seals have pushed their damned red domain to the very edge of the rainbow.” Farraj caused Lov to stumble unsteadily as he waved his arms wildly. He swung his walking stick about saying, “And the only reason they stopped is they're afraid of the unicorn, and what she'll do if she finds out.”

  “Wait, what do you mean orange land?” Lov asked.

  “You see this faint red sheen?” Farraj asked. Lov nodded. “This is the natural light of the seals. Whatever land they control, their color spreads throughout it.” He gestured to the land around them. “All this used to be the land of my people, we were the oranges. We had many flowers, like the gumdr
op nectar daisy, that will have to fight back from extinction. And all because those damn seals don't know when enough is enough!”

  Lov shook his head, still not really sure what was going on, and continued their march. They traveled two more days like this, Farraj complaining about the red color of the land from time to time. He explained to Lov how Rainbow Island was the end of the rainbow. But with the seals in control, and red being the dominant color, the island was easy to reach. It wasn't meant to be an actual island, and would disappear if the lands still followed the normal rainbow spectrum.

  They finally reached a point at which the red sheen began to fade. It melded into a light purple that covered everything. Here, even the flowers were different. Farraj went to one of them, plucking it and blowing on the fluff that comprised the head of it. The flower scattered in that breath, the different pieces flying in the wind. “See how much different this land is than the red there?” The old man asked, “That's how the entire island used to be. And now that we're almost to the unicorn, she'll put this all to right.”

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  That next morning when Lov woke up, Farraj was sitting, meditating in the rising sun's light. Lov approached carefully, sitting next to the old man. He closed himself down, sinking deeper and deeper into meditation. The young half-elf focused upon what he wanted, removing Martell from power. Restoring the elves as a people. Creating balance in a world that seemed in disharmony. Lov felt his mind settle as the possibilities for the future spread out before him.

  Farraj tapped Lov on the shoulder gently, then gestured for the young man to follow him. He stood, following the old man towards an empty field. As they drew close, Lov saw it wasn't empty. Waist high grass passed him by as he walked. It took him a moment to realize that the violet light that had been on everything was now gone. In its place, the light shone off the grass like sunlight on morning dew. Rainbows filled the air. Birds and insects filled the sky with swirling, bright, scintillating colors.