Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (164 page)

Though he knew it went against what was natural, and bordered on evil, he needed to send a message to those who spied upon him. Because pride would make them tell him, Gnak simply asked and discovered what clans the Orcs belonged to. Two belonged to the big chief, as he already knew. The others belonged to various tribes of lesser stature, those laying between the big chief’s clan and his own. He knew he needed to challenge the lesser chiefs, and could do so easily by simply insulting them now, before their spies, and claiming that their ruling of their clans was false. Then he could simply release and send their men back. Likely that would be enough to bring the other clans to him, but first he wanted information.

“Why watch Gathos clan? No honor, hide… watch.” Gnak said, not actually stating an insult.

He watched as many formed responses, yet only one of them broke the silence.

“Potho clan go with big chief. All clan go war. No watch Gathos clan. Come tell Gathos march,” one of the Orcs stated.

Though the news brought him nothing but frustration, Gnak knew his words to be true, at least partially. A direct lie would not be honorable. Though they were all obviously not sent to tell the Gathos clan of the big chief’s intention to march, it was still good information. Now Gnak knew that the big chief was on the move, which meant all the clans would be moving with him. The only way Gnak could get close enough to challenge any would be to join them. Then, perhaps, he could learn what he wanted and find the opportunity he needed to begin uniting the clans. But that would have to wait. Now he needed to decide what to do with the prisoners. If he simply let them go it could be seen as a sign of weakness. Yet he could not challenge their masters, either. At least not now. He wished Jen were able to help him, but the option was simply not possible at the moment.

Looking to the goblin king, it was he, not Gnak, that had the answer he sought.

“If big Orcsie moves, then we shoulds be taking his men backs to him.”

It was simple and clever. Take the Orcs back to the masters they served. Such an action would tell them that Gnak and Gathos were not afraid of them, and tell them that Gnak was aware of their spying. Gnak was liking his alliance with the goblin king already.

Turning to the captains that were always his shadow, Gnak gave a simple order.

“Make all ready. Leave next night.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

It had only taken the better part of a single night of traveling when the goblin king’s riders found the trail of the army they intended to follow. Turning north, Gnak led his Orc and goblin force in pursuit of the trail to find that several miles later, when nearing the mountains, it again turned west… back the way they had been traveling for days. There was only one reason to follow the mountain range back to the west. The big chief was taking his army north through the pass in the mountains. Only two things were beyond the pass, to Gnak’s knowledge. Trolls and humans. It was unlikely that the big chief would attack the trolls.

Again, Gnak found him himself in a dilemma. Though he owed no allegiance to the humans, he was no longer ignorant to their ways. He did not want to kill them if he didn’t have to, but led by the big chief he would be forced to, lest he and his clan appear weak. Orc logic was making him frustrated beyond measure. It seemed that no matter what he did, he was always struggling with the nature of Orc society.

As much as he wanted to turn his clan and the goblins around and go home, he simply could not do it. There was a chance that he could spare lives at this battle. There was also a chance he would find the opportunity to claim other clans for his own. Perhaps the big chief would even get himself killed, and those waiting to take his place with him. One could only hope.

Before long the signs of the army ahead where everywhere. All the scrubby grasses and shrubs had been pounded to dust beneath the feet of the army, and the ground was packed hard beneath Gnak’s feet. Discarded items lay strewn about, trampled into the ground, and looking about as they marched he was surprised to find a goblin blade amongst the discarded items he could identify. Did the big chief bring goblins with him too?

For the whole of the night and following day, Gnak led his people, including the goblins, in pursuit of the main force. When nightfall came once again they met the tail end of the Orcish army ahead. It was only due to the natural choke point of the mountain pass that the main army had been slowed, and trailing them, he led his troops through the pass at a slow and agonizing pace.

It was morning again when he finally stepped out of the pass. Peering around, he realized quickly that nothing was the same as it had been little over a month ago. Where trees and shrubs had grown along the mouth of the pass, now the broken remnants of stumps remained. All around and to either side, the path had been cleared and all trees stripped away. Though it was day, ahead, on the slopes of the valley that stretched out before them, great fires blazed. Gnak knew where the trees had went.

Guiding those that followed him out and away from the pass, he looked over the scene below with mixed emotions. The big chief had managed to rally an impressive force. At least thirty thousand Orcs had come at his call, but Gnak supposed that it was to be expected. What he had guessed at, but not known, was the fact that other goblins had come too. Likely to raid and pick clean the dead. What surprised him more, however, was the contingent of trolls he could see ahead. What purpose had they seen to side with the big chief, Gnak might never know.

All across their side of the valley lay scorched earth where everything had been cleared away and nothing but ash, mud, and charcoal remained. Several tents in Orc fashions stood in the distance, appearing to have been present for weeks as all the furs that comprised them were stained gray from soot, ash, and smoke. The fact that none of the slope smoldered was yet more proof that this plan had been weeks in the making. Across the valley, Gnak could see a small contingent of the steel-clad human warriors atop their great white beasts. Though after several moments they turned and sped away. Gnak knew where they were going. He had been to the giant black castle to the north. He wondered what kind of army the humans could muster.

Finding a suitable location, if it could be called that, he ordered camp set and stood overlooking the valley as both the Orcs and goblins at his command worked together in erecting their camp. It took several hours, fighting against the hard-packed ground, to raise the tents and stake the many boars the goblins had brought, but all the while Gnak watched and pondered.

He realized that the big chief did not intend to attack the castle. If he had, then why prepare the southern slope of the valley for a large force to camp? They could have just as easily crossed the valley and camped in the hilly fields beyond. No. The big chief intended to fight here. But who? There was no other army on the field. If they had to come through the pass only to find no enemy, then what wrong had been done to the big chief that he needed to retaliate against? None of it made sense. Or did it?

The big chief had not had a war in many years. There were battles against other races that thrived near the Orcs. The goblins had more than their share of run-ins with Orcs, but these were minor skirmishes. Perhaps the big chief was failing, growing old and feared a rival rising to challenge him. Perhaps he wanted to expand the Orc territory. Or maybe someone had simply told the big chief he was not strong enough to fight the humans or whatever other force they intended to encounter. Damned Orc pride. Gnak doubted it was about territory. If the big chief had wanted more land he would have taken it from the goblins. No. There was no good reason for this war. Many would die, from both sides, no matter who they faced. All Gnak could do was wait until their opposition arrived and try and save as many of his people as possible.

Thirteen days and nights came and went as more goblins and Orcs bolstered their numbers, but no enemy arrived. Yet still, all along the side of the valley the camps remained of the Orcs, goblins, and trolls. Scouting parties had gone out and returned. Raids were underway. Yet here they remained, awaiting an enemy that did not come out to meet them. Gnak was both annoyed and elated. Bored, he had gone so far as to return his prisoners to their clans, but so engrossed in a war that was as of yet not happening, the various chiefs all but ignored the act.

Without anyone to fight, he was wasting time on unifying the clans, yet no one was dying either. He needed to start claiming clans while they waited. Seeking a plan, it was not until he heard that food was running short that a plan began to form in his head.

It seemed the supply lines had hit a snag, with the beasts that pulled the carts getting set loose and several fights breaking out among the guards who guided the supplies along, and as such many were growing hungry. With so many men on the slopes, all the game had seemingly gone missing from the mountain forests behind them. There was nothing to hunt, nothing to eat, and no supplies replenishing that which was needed.

Two more nights and days passed, and food was all but gone. Fights had broken out amongst some of the clans over the scarce rations that remained, and Gnak knew that it was the sign he had been waiting for. Ordering that the center of camp be deconstructed, he had several cooking fires lit. Then, with the permission of his greedy little ally, he ordered the slaughter of fifty of the goblin king’s boars. The rest of the beasts were brought into the camp and put under guard.

As the night progressed, Gnak ordered that the meat be cooked slowly, its scent carried upon the swirling breezes caught up in the slopes around them. Within an hour the nearest camps began to take notice. It was still another hour before Gnak received word that one of their neighbors was demanding that they share their food. He of course declined, saying that any chief with half a brain would have brought enough food for their own camp. It was only minutes later when the charge came, but Gnak had left an open path from the edge of camp all the way to the food. He alone stood between the enemy and the meal.

Just as he expected. Orc pride meant that the strongest Orc had to lead the charge. He was large, just as large as Gnak, with nearly black skin and long thick tusks that jutted from his mouth like twin ivory spear tips. He was thickly muscled, though his skin was not tight, showing the obvious signs of starvation. But even deprived of nourishment, the Orc was not about to give up.

On the opposing chief came, with his captains behind him. Fools. Gnak watched them come and, stepping aside, he dodged the spear that could have impaled him had the chief running towards him been more accurate. Perhaps it was his hunger that slowed him and caused his aim to fail. Regardless, Gnak waited until the last second, pulling forth his blades and clashing with the enemy chief, shouting a challenge to the chief he struggled with. Then the reality of the situation was revealed.

Bursting forth from both between the tents and within them, Gnak’s Orcs and goblins penned in the invading clan. From behind the charging Orcs, more goblins closed in on them. They had the enemy surrounded. Had it not been for Gnak’s challenge, the Orcs would have fought to the death simply because pride told them to do so. But challenging their leader for his title, they were suddenly remiss to follow an order that might not be withstanding in the moments to come.

Clashing with his foe, Gnak was driven back by its momentum alone, and ducking low, he used the same momentum to his advantage. Grabbing the Orc’s thighs, the opposing chief tripped bodily over him, going headfirst into the soil behind Gnak. Recovering quickly, Gnak turned and sprang at the starved chief, punching him in the face, dislodging one great tusk as the large man’s lights went out. Literally.

Backing away from the Orc, its essence in his grasp, he kicked the man, who was frozen upon all fours. His foot connecting under the chin of his foe, it drove his head back with a crack that reminded Gnak of stepping on a dry twig. The Orc crumpled, and Gnak roared. It would have been a flawless victory, but unfortunately three of the Orc’s captains immediately sprang forward, looking to claim the title for themselves. Two fell nearly immediately to members of his clan, but still one managed to slip past the defenders.

Gnak, staring the approaching Orc in the face, dropped his weapons, daring the attacker to do the same. Orc pride did have its uses. On the Orc came, dropping its own blade, roaring as it leapt through the air in an attempt to land atop Gnak and drive him to the ground. Instead, Gnak dove forward into a roll, his assailant careening above him. Spinning, he rose again as his opponent charged anew. Dodging a blow the Orc threw with his fist, Gnak did not see as the Orc’s leg lashed out, kicking the side of his knee, causing it to buckle. Gnak fell to the ground before his opponent. The fight was over.

Looking up as a blow was cast down from above, Gnak instinctively reached up and caught the Orc’s fist in his hand. The attack ceased. Growling, Gnak rose, careful to disguise the pain shooting up his leg lest another take it for weakness. His opponent remained unmoving.

“Know this,” Gnak shouted. “Chief Gnak warrior of Goddess Ishanya. Have magic. Take life.”

Looking out over the crowd, he could see a few that appeared as if they could spring at him any second. He reached down and retrieved one of his blades. Turning, he thrust it into the chest of the Orc he had removed the will from, and hurriedly cut a hole in the still living Orc’s chest. Ripping away the flesh, he showed those who watched the still-beating heart within the cavity he had created. Reaching in, he tore out the pulsing muscle as blood poured from the wound like a crimson waterfall. In that same instant, he returned the will to the now dead Orc and held its heart out to offer it back to him. The Orc registered the still beating heart and looked to the gaping hole in its chest. Its mouth falling open, it screamed a terrible scream, blood pouring from its lips, and Gnak turned again to face the Orcs gathered, though only for a moment.

“Gnak give life too,” he told them. “Have much power. Gnak now you chief. You now Gathos clan. Fight Gnak… Gnak make you this,” he said pointing to the now gurgling Orc who refused to die.

After he had decided that none would try to challenge him, at least not immediately, he ordered the Orc be bound and staked where he now stood, as a reminder to those who he had just become the chief of. He ordered the newcomers counted, and the smartest among them armored with the few pieces of armor Gnak had in excess. Beyond that, he ordered that the newly acquired clan-mates be fed first, claiming that no real chief would let their people starve. If nothing else, the newcomers wholly agreed with his final sentiments.

Over the next week Gnak and all of his troops, both Orc and goblin, gathered in the center of their now expanded camp every night, and prayed to Ishanya over the heartless and rotting Orc who as of yet still clung to his mock life. Gnak told his people that Orcs needed to change and adapt if they were to survive. He tried to show them that there was more to life than just pride and honor, though explained that both were good and right, in moderation. Beyond that, he supposed that word of his abilities spread amongst the clans nearest his, for no other attackers came in that week.

He spent time each night learning the names of his captains, and speaking to both the goblin king and Bota about the battle to come. During the day, when he was alone in his tent he spoke to Jen, telling her about the happenings in the camp, but she did not speak back. Though her absence saddened him, it seemed that those closest to him in camp were beginning to come around. Their daily talks became more and more about how to spare lives instead of ending them.

Two full cycles of the moons had passed when, without warning, the chief of another clan and two of his captains strode into the Gathos camp. As instructed, the trio were put under guard and brought to face Gnak before the makeshift altar to Ishanya that had been erected over the previous months. Gnak watched them approach and was appalled at what he saw.