Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (211 page)

“Yes, your Majesty,” Jake grated.

Without another word, Garret spun on his heel, signaling for the wraiths to follow him with a wave of his hand.

* * * * *

Whether it had been minutes or months, Seth could not be certain. In this new realm, this place of pure power, there was no time. There was no day or night, no sun or moons. It was vast, and it was miniscule. He could feel the world here more than see it, and he was not alone upon it. The gods were here, in a sense. He could feel their power, their will. But it was as if they remained behind some sort of veil. He could feel them, but not reach them. It was perhaps simply beyond his abilities or understanding. Even so, he was learning much about this realm, his own abilities, and the power that was life and creation.

Not only was this world one in its own, but so too was it connected to Thurr. Though he could not see Thurr, so to speak, he could feel it… All of it. He could feel the mountains and the seas. He could feel the ants and great beasts in the depths of the oceans. He could feel Borrik, and Sara, and even Garret. Everything was there. Everything was related. Every single piece upon Thurr fit into a greater puzzle that was life. It was an immense aura that pulsed with radiant lights that he could feel.

With a thought he sought out Sara and felt her winging through the hot air currents above the vast desert beyond the Rancoor mountains. Though her mortal flesh was bound to the physical world, here he could feel her aura, and it was as if she were right beside him. He could see the goblins, the trolls, the orcs, and even the elves from here. He could intervene and guide Sara and Borrik to those they sought, but they were already on the right path, and Seth still had much to learn.

Turning his attention to Valdadore, he felt the city and the people, and the beasts his brother was breeding. There were many now… So many. They would march soon. His time was limited. He needed to discover what it was that was drawing him to this place. He could feel it in his gut. There was something more he needed to discover.

Turning his attention away from those he loved, he began seeking anew what it was that he needed.

Chapter 12

Going over the final list one last time, Anna couldn’t help but eye Digo like he were a piece of candy. It was the same with Jasmine. Her two new servants looked absolutely delicious, but she had managed to restrain herself for over a month. The anticipation was like foreplay. She couldn’t even walk into a room with them without getting excited in every imaginable way.

Even so, they had already served a great purpose. They ran here and there gathering supplies for the wedding. They delivered all the invitations, hired the local businesses to cater and deliver wine and ale. It really was much simpler to write a list and make them do everything. But the list was running out, and Anna could feel herself getting moist just thinking about it. Oh, how she wanted to taste them, experience them, and devour them. But she could not. Not yet at least.

“M…my lady, could you please refrain from your list a moment and lower your arms so I can take your measurements?” the dress designer stuttered.

She supposed it was because she had decided to toy with the man, and discarded all of her clothing prior to their meeting. Digo and Jasmine were rather used to her nudity by now, and rather fond as well, if she judged them correctly. They were even taking pleasure in the man’s squirming… it becoming something of a game.

“Did you see that, Jasmine? The man just fondled my breasts!” Anna exclaimed as Jasmine put a hand over her open mouth in feigned surprise.

“No… No! My lady, I would never!” The dressmaker stepped back, holding up his hands.

“I suppose it isn’t every day you get to put your clammy paws on soon-to-be queens… Carry on, would you?” Anna harassed.

“Y..Yes, m’lady.”

Anna looked at the man’s flushed face, smelling the heated blood of his embarrassment as it filled his plump cheeks. It was rather obvious that she was not his type. Not at all. He showed zero signs of arousal whatsoever. She supposed he would rather be fondling Digo, but Digo was not in need of a dress. Poor boy wouldn’t even be at the wedding.

Sighing rather loudly, Anna shifted, much to the dressmaker’s chagrin as his hand slipped from the tape he was measuring her waist with. He started anew with the measurement and twisted slightly to make him drop it once more. His annoyance was evident, but the smile on Jasmine’s face proved that she knew exactly what was going on. The girl was smart, sassy, and sexy beyond measure for her age. Anna had pondered turning her as she’d be a fun companion to keep around, but she didn’t want her secret life being discovered either. Two of her kind meant twice the feeding and twice the evidence. It was a shame, she really was kind of lonely here.

Grinning back at Jasmine, Anna decided to taunt Digo a bit.

“Digo, have you washed my undergarments yet?”

“Yes, m’lady”

“And did you sniff them?”

“Wha… m’lady, no. Of course not.” He fell for her trap as Jasmine grinned again. He wasn’t too bright, but what he lacked in intelligence, he made up for in a girthy package she could almost taste.

“Then how would you know if they were clean or not?” Anna asked.

“Um… m’lady?” he asked, confused.

“For now on you will sniff anything that comes off of here,” Anna said, sliding her fingers between her legs, and both Digo and the dressmaker flushed red. “Understand?”

“Yes, m’lady.”

Jasmine giggled loudly, startling the dressmaker who dropped his tape again. Anna could not resist smiling at the girl. Maybe she could keep her for at least a while.

* * * * *

Hearing the clamor as messengers ran up the many steps to his throne room, Gnak walked into an adjoining chamber wearing the troll king’s body. Shifting back to the throne, he rejoined his orc body, tilting his head to the side as his neck cracked loudly.

“Do you think they bring important news?” Jen asked from somewhere inside his head.

“I don’t know. We’ll discover what they bring together.”

He wondered what message the goblins bore as they raced up the stairs, and wondered more why they always came in pairs. It was uselessly redundant.

Drumming the bone of his burned fingertips upon the arm of his immense throne, he waited impatiently. The city was near completion. It was unlike anything ever seen before. The forges rang out around the clock and the vaults were filled with gold, silver and jewels from the mines they had delved deep into the heart of the mountains. They had everything they needed and it was nearly time to march out and defeat Ishanya’s enemies.

There had been setbacks, of course. Those who would try and defy him and those who refused him, but none were his equal. Watching as the goblins skittered to a stop before him, dropping to their knees, he eyed the will they contained within them and smirked… looking forward to the battle that lay ahead.

“Your Majestyness,” the first goblin began, “there are things at the gate requesting an audience with you.”

“Things?” Gnak asked. “Elaborate.”

“A human has led fifty wolf men like those we fought against more than a year ago.”

“Is it the death mage?” Gnak asked, excitedly.

“It looks like a human soldier,” the second goblin explained.

“And they want to talk?” It was odd, Gnak thought. Why would the very people they fought just a year before wish to speak to him? It didn’t make sense, but he was curious. As it turned out, with his army nearly ready to march, Gnak could use as much information about the humans as he could muster. What a perfect opportunity.

“Bring them to me,” he ordered.

“All of them?” the first goblin asked.

“Every last one.”

Bowing their heads until they touched the floor, the goblin messengers departed as quickly as they had come. It had taken some time to assure the other races that he spoke for both the troll and the Goblin kings, but now that it was understood, he was able to rule quite easily. Access to the memories of both the other kings helped as well. Gnak grinned. Soon he’d know all he needed about the humans, their cities, and their armies.

It was a full two hours before the human and his beast troops made it to Gnak’s keep, escorted by more than a thousand of his own troops. It was a small show of force to keep them in their place. His commanders had done well. Watching the human mount the stairs with his troops behind him, Gnak sat patiently upon his throne waiting for the man to speak.

“Your Highness, I am captain Greggory Heiss. I have come on behalf of King Garret Derringer of Valdadore, seeking truce. My king bids me to ask you to join him in battle against his brother, the unholy Seth Derringer, the Death Mage and king of Drakenhurst.”

Gnak pretended to mull it over. It was already his duty to Ishanya to rid the world of the abomination known as Seth Derringer, but what if he could have more?

“And in return for helping your king, what do I get? What will your king bestow upon my people for their sacrifices?” Gnak asked, enjoying the taste of the difficult human words.

“We’ve brought for you a gift of treasure, to show our king’s gratitude for your assistance in this matter,” the human said, gesturing back to a pair of large chests the wolf men carried. They were peculiar creatures who bobbed up and down as they breathed. The looked formidable enough, but seemed awkward in their movements. They were unnatural beings.

“Treasure?” Gnak questioned. “I have treasures beyond your comprehension, human. What more does your king offer in return for my aid in completing a task he is unable to do without my help?”

The human sneered at his insult, but kept his bearing.

“He will offer you all the loot, plunder, armor, and weapons off the deceased after the battle is over.”

“If I wanted trinkets, I’d take yours,” Gnak said, reaching out and stripping one of the wolf soldiers of his will, shifting himself into the body of the wolf man. “You see?” the wolf man spoke, turning to the human, “If I want something, it is mine,” he said, crossing the floor, walking towards his lifeless, frozen body upon the throne.

Quickly Gnak sifted through the memories of the wolf man, that he now knew was called a Lycan. They were a breed of soldiers spawned by this human king and bred through magical means to create a massive army. The creature was only a few months old, but had been aged through magic. He didn’t know much, had not even seen much of the world, but through his mental link to the other Lycans, Gnak had seen enough. Shifting back to his orc body upon the throne he watched the terrified look on the human’s face fade into the firm resolve that had been there before. Then he gave the Lycan back his will and watched as the beast looked around, confused. After a moment the Lycan returned to the ranks behind the human. All of the Lycans watched him warily now. Good, they should fear him.

“And what else would your Majesty wish?” Captain Heiss asked, his thick black eyebrows furrowed.

“Half a million Lycan at the conclusion of the battle,” Gnak stated simply. “I’ll take these fifty as a sign of good will from your king,” Gnak added. He watched the man squirm in his armor. He hadn’t been prepared for such a demand, and had no way of refusing. Even the good human captain realized all too quickly that if he even ordered the Lycans to attack, Gnak could simply possess his body and order them to submit to his will. There would be no bargaining, no threats, no further deal.

“And should I be beset upon on my return journey?” Heiss asked.

“No fear, puny human. I do not wish you any harm. I rather like your race, it has taught me much. I will send you back to Valdadore with a contingent of my own troops. They will defend you as they would me.”

“Will that be all then, your Majesty?” Heiss asked. “I’d like to return home with all haste.”

“When your king meets me upon the field of battle, I want him to give to me a young human girl. Old enough to care for herself, but not so old as to have begun bleeding.” The knight’s discomfort was painted clearly upon his face, but Gnak did not care. He had made a promise to Jen that one day he’d restore her, and here was his chance. He’d find a way. “Your Lycans will remain with me in the keep as my personal guards. Give them this order.”

“Lycans, you are to defend the orc king with your lives, and allow no harm to come to him,” Captain Heiss ordered.

Without delay, the Lycans split into two columns and parted around Captain Heiss, creating a ring around the room. Having taken their positions, each Lycan rested the butt of his spear upon the floor and stood silently.

“Good,” Gnak said with a grin. He was really beginning to like this day. With a shout he summoned a messenger from down the stairs, waiting patiently as the goblin appeared over the stone steps.

“Bring Captain Heiss to Bomdor, send him off with one hundred riders and his own mount. They will protect the human and accompany him back to Valdadore. When they are in sight of the castle, ten will return with word to me that they have arrived. When this king of Valdadore agrees to my demands, then the rest may return as well.”

“Yes, good king,” the messenger nodded before turning to the human man. “You come.”

After the human had left, Gnak decided to do some exploring. Taking turns, he pulled the will from Lycan after Lycan, shifting into their minds to see what other secrets they held. He was rather intrigued with this Lady Anna, and even more curious having seen an old acquaintance as the man behind the breeding of the Lycans. One they called Ashton.

* * * * *

Reaching the training grounds with his wraiths in tow, Garret paused and turned to face them. “You go ahead to the barracks over there,” he pointed. “Choose a room for yourself, and if you see any of the servants, inform them that from here forward there will be near thirty of you residing in the halls.”

With a garble of spoken replies from his young troops, he simply nodded and watched as they headed off on their own. They were young, but their blessings still put them above the average man. Give them a few weeks’ training and he’d pit them against Lycans without hesitation.

Saluting the guard at the gate, Garret gained entry to the training grounds which he immediately noticed had changed significantly. Gone were the racks of weapons and armor for sparring. Gone were the sparring Lycans. In their place, more birthing chambers, cages, and coordination machines stood. Hundreds of children wearing messy aprons rushed this way and that, hardly paying him any mind. Looking about, Garret noted the blond bowl cut that was unmistakable, even if it was messy and caked to Ashton’s scalp.

“Ashton!” Garret boomed. Immediately Ashton turned from what he was doing and quickly instructed a child with a few words before jogging across the expanse between Garret and the healer.

“By the gods, your Majesty, it’s been weeks!”

“Indeed it has, Ashton. So where are we?”

“We’re making great progress with the addition of your two healers,” Ashton nodded with a smile.

“Numbers, Ashton. I want numbers.”

“This is already litter five. Originally we estimated around a quarter of a million Lycans once this litter is whelped, but we’ve exceeded those figures through selective breeding.”

“Numbers, Ashton.”

“Right now I can only estimate, as we’ve only began delivering the pups, but at this rate, I’d say you’ll have six hundred thousand troops ready for battle in nine months if we let them age naturally and continue our concentrated efforts on breeding and birthing.”