Gathering of the Titans: The Tol Chronicles Book 2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

Tol said, “You heard that from how far away?”
    “Me personally? Only about fifty kilometers, in the north- central Masrons—but some of our kin from as far away as the Tudmash Marsh are expected to answer the summons.
    “Wow. That’s about as far as you can get from here and still be in Tragacanth.”
    “Indeed. It is quite feasible that titans from other continents could even hear the alarm, but they will wait for those of us who live here to send out invitations once the city has been reclaimed. It is our way.”
    “You mean this sort of thing has happened before?”
    “Yes. Twice, according to our records, has an ULF-pulse been employed in summons. Not from this location, however.”
    “Begging forgiveness for my inexcusable ignorance, but what it the normal lifespan of a titan?”
    Tartag seemed pleased at Tol’s humility. “Ignorance is inexcusable only when no efforts are made to correct it. We live on the order of 150-200 turnings of the seasons, normally, although a few of the great elders claim to be over 300. Without verifiable records we cannot be certain. I am recently turned 112; of that I am certain.”
    “Titans are longer-lived than goblins, then. That is interesting, given that the scholars say we came from the same stock.”
    “Indeed, our wise also say that we are all cousins. Titan folk belief is that our longevity is due to the fact that we eat meat only on rare occasion. This is not so much for religious or ethical reasons, but more due to the difficulty in obtaining enough meat for our large appetites. However, there is no scholarly evidence to support this; only anecdotal.”
    “Titans sure don’t seem to want to mingle with the rest of society. Why is that?” Tol asked.
    Tartag hesitated before answering. “As you have already alluded to, Titans are rather different from the other races. We have found that these differences seem to cause anxiety amongst non-titans. We don’t wish to be the source of anxiety, nor deal with its negative consequences. As a result, we’ve found that isolation is the most comfortable course; the path of least resistance, if you like.”
    “You seem to be highly civilized and cultured. I’m certain any distrust or dislike would dissolve rather quickly once contact was made. We are not barbarians or brutes, at least for the most part.”
    “Alas, isolationism is now so deeply rooted in titan society that removing it would be a significant undertaking.”
    “I would certainly be willing to help titans reintegrate into society if they decide to do so. In the meantime, let’s see what we can negotiate regarding your claim.”
    “I find you a most reasonable person, Tol-u-ol. I can see why your king dispatched you specifically to handle this situation. He must know you well and trust you.”
    “Yeah, I suppose he does, although there are times when I don’t understand why.”
    “Sometimes the wise see in us that which we cannot see in ourselves.”
    “I can’t argue with you there.”
    “So, while we understand the titans’ desire to reclaim this magnificent city, the law is very clearly on RSCA’s side here,” said Bosk Belbomit. “Allow me to quote: ‘Places of habitation which have been declared abandoned by dint of no occupation and no registered claim to ownership within the last thirty diurnal cycles are subject to review by the Royal Society for Cultural Antiquities, who are charged with discovering and preserving such artifacts as have historic value prior to releasing the site for new ownership. If the site itself shall be considered historically important, that site and sufficient right-of-way to provide access to it shall become the property of the Tragacanthan government, subject to RSCA management.’”
    “Yes,” countered Tartag, “But under the ‘exceptions’ clause later in the edict it states: ‘Nothing in this Edict shall be construed to interfere with or supersede the Ancestors’ Graveyard Edict, wherein any site