Breath of the Titans: The False Titanbringer: Complete Trilogy

by Riley Westbrook

  “I didn't learn it until last night.” He shifted, becoming the Lov that Sanche had always known. “There are higher powers on our side still, my friend.”

  Chapter Thirty Four

  It was early in the morning as Tyrosh and her retinue returned to the orc city. Annika rode a kegaroth next to her, Hakim holding tight around Tyrosh's waist. The young orc woman glared at the world around her, upset at the elven lady. Annika felt they were sneaking back into the city, late at night, instead of waiting for the dawn. She never considered that Tyrosh did it for her companions, both of whom were eager to leave the wind blown rocky landscape behind.

  A guard waved them in lazily. It appeared they weren't even trying to keep the scarred from the city anymore. Tyrosh frowned at that, then smiled. While it showed Kahia and the other Greatmothers attempting to work behind Lov's back, it also worked into his hands. Her son wanted the scarred integrated back into society. He had told her bits about The'oak, and after spending time with the orc shaman, Tyrosh agreed with Lov. Some of these scarred were wasted resources, only needing guidance to find the right path.

  The streets were empty, the only people present were sleeping on benches or in doorways. Tyrosh shook her head, watching some of them shiver in coldness. Others appeared dead. She would have to have another discussion with Kahia.

  Annika let out a soft growl. “I can't believe our streets are filled with such filth.” She said coldly, her eyes fixed to the people sleeping in the streets. They appeared disheveled and dirty, a few of the men had mats in their fur.

  “You say that from your place of honor.” Tyrosh rebuked her, stopping her lizard mount and approaching a group that huddled together against a wall. She began pulling the very clothes from her back, knowing she had more as soon as they reached her rooms. She stood in her undergarments, having handed out her shawl and robes, even giving up the gloves she wore to keep her hands warm. The people thanked her deeply, one of the males among them rising to his feet to help her onto her mount. He was scarred from chest to shin, but showed such deference and respect to Tyrosh. He never even said a word as he lifted the small elven woman to her saddle. He returned to the wall, hugging the group there.

  Annika shuddered. “I don't understand how you can let that man touch you.”

  “You judge him by sight alone. I've seen you have compassion. I know you are one of the few orcs on the upper echelons of your society that saw the brilliance in Fiksu.” Tyrosh turned her emerald eyes on Annika, “How can you condemn a man who still loves his family?”

  “Family. You mean people to keep you down, or for you to step on as you ascend to power.” Annika said cynically.

  “Now I know you don't believe that. I've seen how you play with the children of the camps.” Tyrosh smiled at the young woman. “I know it all seems so confusing, but soon I know you'll show the compassion in your heart.”

  “We shall see. With you buying me, my own tribe wouldn't accept me back anyways.” She glared a little harder at the elven woman, turning her mount away from the group.

  “Stay out of trouble!” Tyrosh shouted after her, watching her soon to be daughter in law disappear around a corner. She turned her own mount deeper into the city, Hakim and Jacob following behind her.

  Nord had to restrain himself from cheering and jumping when he saw Tyrosh climb the stairs into the council chamber the next morning. He had managed to keep the different factions within the Greatmothers from splitting, but he was at his limits. These women only respected a man's word so much.

  Kahia sat forward, steepling her hands before her face. She interrupted Shara who was giving a report on the little farmlands the orcs had. “So, the mother returns. Where is the boy?” Kahia's voice dripped with malcontent.

  Nord leaned against a pillar, eager to see how his hot headed sister in law would handle this. She ignored Kahia, stepping in front of the Greatmothers and talking directly to the people in the room. “I want you all to follow me outside. Too many of your decisions are hidden from low born in your society.” She walked from the room, and slowly, orcs began to stream after her until only the Greatmothers were left in the room with Nord.

  “Shall we?” He asked, gesturing after Tyrosh.

  Kahia snorted, then led the group after the rest of the people. Outside a veritable army stood, listening to Tyrosh talking in front of the Greatmothers' Complex.

  “...so as you see, we both as societies need to move and grow.” Tyrosh's voice seemed to boom in the square, easily carrying to all corners. “Neither of us will survive without the help of the other. You know that as soon as we elves are gone, the Titans will eventually come for you. Wouldn't you rather face that with us at your side? Helping to replace what was stolen from you? The experience, the teaching, the power that comes from knowledge. All we want is to survive, the same as you. I know my son, Lovonian, has shown you all the power that other races can have. Even as he could have killed the shaman...” She pointed to Manatua, watching from a window in a building. “...instead he saved him.”

  Contempt entered her voice now. “Remember that as your Greatmothers try to steer you back to the orc ways. Remember how you live in the camps, compared to how the city lives. Sometimes authority does know best, but sometimes you need to decide for yourselves.” Tyrosh stepped down the stairs of the complex, heading through the crowd and into the city. The orcs parted for her, leaving her with ample room. Hakim and Jacob were hot on her trail as she walked from the square.

  Kahia stepped forward, letting out a loud war cry. Rage and fury filled the sound. “She thinks she knows us! She thinks she knows the orc ways! What would Gruumnsh say to hear her speak so!”

  The'oak stepped out from the crowd, climbing the stairs to stand next to Kahia. “What had Gruumnsh said about her son? All the signs point to him.”

  “Blasphemy!” Kahia stepped forward, slapping the elder shaman. “You will earn a scar speaking so!”

  The'oak thrust his chest forward. “A mark I would wear with honor compared to the one I received for a pittance! Stealing food to feed family is a crime!” He spat out mockingly. “Mark me! Shave me! I will gladly walk bald behind a friend who leads us to greatness.”

  Guards stepped forward seizing the old shaman, but a voice rang out hard with command. “Stop!” Annika climbed over the crowd, walking on heads and shoulders to reach the front.

  “You know how this will anger my husband?” She demanded of her mother. “To mark one of his advisers so... When he has encouraged everyone to speak their minds. You do this Mother, and you lose the last hold over the people. Look at their faces!”

  Annika pointed to the crowd. Anger lit many of the faces, waiting to see what the Greatmothers would do. “Should we feed that fire, Mother? Let the old man go!” She shoved one of the guards who held The'oak, and he dropped his hands, letting the old shaman go. “You too!” She demanded of the other one.

  He released his hold, and The'oak ran into the crowd, looking to blend in. “You are the past and the now, Mother. But I am the future. Remember that as you make these sweeping decisions that affect everyone.” Annika also walked off into the crowd, fading from sight.

  Nord chuckled. “Well, I guess that makes my job a little easier.” He turned to Kahia, hoping her demeanor had changed. When he saw the look on her face, he decided now would be a bad time to bug her. He left in search of Jaxon and Fiksu. Tonight would be a good night for fun. Maybe drink some mushroom ale and go for a glide.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Sanche entered the room, heading towards the bed. The Ogier sure had learned to make some good beers and ales. He stumbled to the bedside, reaching out a hand to catch himself before taking a seat. Sanche pulled his boots off, swaying drunkenly before lying on his side. He rolled over, looking to ask Lov what he had done today. Sanche shook his head, passing out with thoughts of disappointment on his mind. Lov wasn't in the room.

  Lov walked through the farmlands, loving the life that filled the area
around him. He smiled, reaching out and touching the plants as he walked. Anyone who saw him would only see an Ogier, striding through a garden. He stooped to smell of the plants around him, drinking in the scent. It was rich and earthy, filling Lov with peace. He continued on his way, feeling the plants as he went.

  He stepped from a field of corn into a wide open area in the tall stalks. Two Titans were working the field. One was chopping it down, the other stuffing the stalks in boxes. Anger filled Lov and his dragonhunger tried to take control of him. Lov pushed it away, watching as the constructs worked. He remembered what the innkeeper had told him.

  An Ogier walked out from the opposite side of the clearing, stepping up to the Titans. These were large Titans, just a little shorter than the tall farmer. “What are you doing to my fields? You go and leave my corn alone! Quit chopping down my stalks!”

  The Titan chopping the corn down stopped, turning to the farmer, “You are interfering with our duty. We will stop you if you attempt to stop us.”

  The Ogier waved their way, “I understand. I can get you the corn without killing the plants. Please, let me.” The Ogier began to hum, and the ears of corn began to fall from the stalks. Soon all of the plants were bare, the stalks standing tall still. “See, I can regrow on these stalks. Bringing more life into this world.” The farmer smiled at the Titans.

  “Thank you for your help. But you have seen us, and we can't leave witnesses behind.” The Titan stabbed the Ogier in the back, as he stooped to help gather the corn.

  A scream of horror escaped Lov's mouth, and he ran at the Titan that had killed the farmer. “You son of a bitch!” He yelled, as the other Titan tripped him. Lov fell on his face, his head ringing from the blow. The Titan punched him and he lost consciousness.

  He woke up a little later, his arms tied behind his back with leather cord. “This elf tried to hurt us. We should cut off his ears, send him back to where he came from, let him spread the terror.” Lov's illusion was partially broken from the touch. It appeared they saw him as an elf. The Titan yanked the young half-dragon's head up by the chin, softly caressing his long pointy ears. The other Titan ignored what was happening. A different voice seemed to come from its helm, “This will be fun!”

  Lov screamed when the knife sliced his first ear off, and lost consciousness again. The Titan tossed the ear in the dirt, turning to help his companion until the young half-elf came to.

  When Lov regained consciousness, the Titan stopped picking up corn and turned to approach him. The sun was just starting to come up, turning the edge of the sky blue. “Now I can enjoy finishing the job!” A giggle seemed to escape the Titan as it reached to grab Lov.

  Lov cringed from its touch as a sword swept down, severing the hand off. Another deft cut sliced through the bonds restraining the half-dragon. Sanche stepped forward, two large cleavers in his hands. “I've been waiting for this. Bring it, you fucking bucket!” The elder elf screamed, charging the Titans.

  He drove the unarmed one back, splitting through its forearms when it tried to block his weapons. It stomped at Sanche's feet, and the elf swiped for its legs. He took one out above the knee, leaving the Titan hopping about on one leg. It slipped on a corn husk, the husk rolling under its foot. It slammed to the ground with a resounding crash.

  The other Titan pulled its sword from its back as Sanche turned to face it. Lightning quick, it placed Sanche on his heels with savage two handed swings. But the elder elf was quick as he was old, and he dodged all of the attacks, trying to avoid blocking with his weapons. Any one of those strikes would cut through his own cleavers.

  Lov climbed to his feet, reaching up to feel his missing ear. Rage filled him, and his dragonhunger took control. He looked to the sky releasing his rage. The illusion dropped, and Lov stood in his natural form. His normally stormy skin was black with anger as he channeled his magic. Dark clouds filled the sky, and the air rumbled with thunder.

  Sanche continued to duck and dodge the Titan, but he was beginning to tire. The old soldier thought of the sword practice he would need to get his muscles back in shape. The Titan was relentless, each swing as savage and quick as the last. Sanche took a cut to the thigh, then another to the shoulder. Adrenaline surged through the elf, and he picked up speed dodging and weaving the thrusts.

  Lov channeled his energy into a bolt, directing it to the Titan. A purple flash lit the world, turning everything but the Titan white. The empty armor stood stark black in the flash. Lightning crackled along the Titan as it fought now, and Sanche wasn't quick enough to dodge a slash. He received a burn across his other leg, the metal just missing his calf, but the lightning burned a line across his skin. “You can quit helping him!” Sanche yelled to the youngster.

  Lov channeled his energy again, and lighting flashed, striking the Titan over and over. Four blinding strikes lit the world, disorienting Sanche. He looked to Lov, seeing that the young half-dragon's eyes were white. A low growl filled the youngster's throat, and Sanche tried to call his young friend back from where ever he was. “Lov. Come back, we need you to lead the orcs.”

  Lov looked around himself, seeing the beautiful scaled woman from the other night. “I see you tried to press your luck and got burned. Be glad you managed to control yourself long enough to keep them thinking you were an elf. If they had learned you were a dragon, you would be dead.” She stepped closer to the stormy young man. “Still, I'm glad you didn't die. I've brought you here for one last piece of advice before your grandmother kills me tonight. Get the Ogier on your side. Convince them to block an escape from Heart. You won't even need them to fight, just ask them to grow a wall of vegetation. Ask them to feed the people of Heart who have no part of the war. They could never leave people to starve, and I'm surprised they haven't returned already. Talk to your innkeeper about it. He'll hate you for what just happened, but he will help. That's the thing with Ogier, they love to help.” She turned away from him, pushing him away without touching him. “Be safe, young one. Watch your back.”

  Sanche watched Lov come back to himself, his eyes regaining their color slowly. Lov swayed on his feet where he stood. “We have more work to do, Sanche.” He said, before stumbling back towards the inn. The old general shook his head and followed behind this young fool.

  Koan looked up from the table he was wiping down as Lov entered the empty common room. The blood from the mangled remnants of his ear trailed down his arm and dripped onto the floor. The young Ogier stepped forward, looking to help a guest. His father had other plans. The elder Ogier jumped over the bar, picking Lov up off the ground and slamming him into the wall of the building. The wall creaked from the force, and lights swam in Lov's eyes. “What did you do?!” The innkeeper snarled in Lov's face.

  Koan ran forward, grabbing one of his father's arms. “Let him go, Da!” The young Ogier pulled on his father's arm, “Think of what Elder Hama would say!”

  A low growl escaped the innkeeper before he let Lov go. “Why couldn't you stay out of trouble? What did you do?” He demanded of the young half-elf again, his body quivering with restrained rage.

  “I lost myself when I saw the Titans kill an Ogier.” Lov snapped back. “He was helping them, trying to save the plants of his field, and the Titans stabbed him in the back!” Lov stepped up to the innkeeper, stepping onto the arm of a chair to look him in the eyes. “Don't ever touch me again! Everything I do, I do to help this world. You may not like it, but I know your people haven't always liked what dragons have done. I only do what my heart compels me to do, out of love!”

  “The Titans are getting worse, Da. I told you they would.” Koan said.

  “Shut up, boy.” The innkeeper told his son, stepping back around the bar and tossing Lov a cloth. “Stop your blood, you're staining my floor.” He left the room, polishing down the bar mindlessly.

  Lov shook his head and went up the stairs to his room. Sanche walked into the building as he reached the top of the stairs. Lov ignored him, going into their room, and lockin
g the door.

  Sanche looked to Koan, “Are we being kicked out? That's what happened at the last inn.”

  “No, or if you are, I'm going with you.” Koan wiped the blood from the floor, stopping the wood from being stained.

  “I told you to be quiet, Koan.” the innkeeper set the glass he was cleaning down, reaching for the next one. “You need to give me time to think before you start spouting off nonsense.”

  “When are you going to realize I'm growing, Da?” Koan stepped up to the bar, taking the dirty rags into the back to put with the other laundry. When he came back out, he continued as if he had never left. “I was almost accepted as a Priest of Dalanar, and you're insulting a dragon in front of me. Think of your family’s beliefs. Think of what the dragons have done to help us!”

  “We'll talk later, in private, about this, Koan. Get back on your chores.” The elder Ogier continued to wipe the bar down.

  Sanche shook his head, sitting on a stool at the bar and calling for an ale. He knew Lov needed some alone time after what had happened. But Sanche was looking forward to the lecture he'd be able to give the young man later. Lov needed to learn more patience, and realize he was still young.

  Koan turned to his father, closing the door to the private area of the inn. “So what are we doing, Da? We're not abandoning them are we?”

  The elder Ogier rubbed his head, smoothing back his hair. “Of course we're not. But I know what that boy wants, and I don't want to pay for it.”

  “What do you mean?” Koan asked.

  “I mean he's going to want the Ogier to go and block an escape from Heart. He wants us to fight.” The innkeeper set his face in his hands. “He wants our people to go and risk our lives, but he doesn't know what he asks of us.”