by A L Issett
Tanner awoke before the sun and got his horse ready along with Stephen and continued along on their journey. All of the small towns reported seeing an official Magister coming through, he would change horses and hired two drivers who were all too happy to help out the new Regent. This meant the man never had to rest his horses or worry about being tired since he had people to drive for him. Tanner knew he couldn’t catch the man before he got to Ketol and could see Stephen did too as they rode along. After four days of this pace Tanner could see Ketol coming into view.
“We need to get our supplies before meeting whoever this new king is,” Stephen said breaking the silence.
“You are right,” Tanner said as they rode into town. “I have been thinking about how to talk to this wanker without throwing a wobbler and getting myself killed. I am going to put on my armor and I want you to stay put.”
“What do you mean stay put?” Stephen asked. “This is all my fault, if they hadn’t…”
“If they hadn’t got the best of us hunting then they would have done so in the city with a lot more men. Don’t worry about me, there is something I need you to do.”
“Name it, I will see to it that it is carried out,” Stephen replied seriously.
“I have a lot of gold hidden in a strong box under my bed,” Tanner began. “I want you to take that strong box and meet me in Daum. It is a city down near my hometown and big enough to get lost in. I want you to set us up a small place there, preferably in a poorer section of town where there aren’t that many busy bodies with nothing to do but waffle on about business that doesn’t concern them.”
“I will do this, is it marked on your map?” Stephen asked.
“There is a map in the strongbox and it is mapped on that,” Tanner replied.
The pair made their way deep into town, their destination was a small estate near the Sun Palace, which was probably where his Mary was being held. The sun had just fell out of the sky when Tanner saw his home with four heavily armed men wearing colors he had not seen before outside of his home. Two in the front, followed by two more at the door. Tanner got off his horse fifty paces away and held the sword of ages as he went closer to the men.
“Get out from in front my house” Tanner said as he walked right in the bigger of the two at his gates face.
“Ah you must be the boy the Regent wants to see,” The man said with a smile as Tanner looked down at him. “Run along to the palace, we’ll make sure your things are safe.”
“You must got cock in your ears,” Tanner said in a growling voice. “I said get from in front of my house or your entrails are going to be decorating my walkway.”
“I don’t know who the fu-” the man never got a chance to finish his statement as Tanner headbutted him, feeling the soft cartilage in the man’s nose give way as Tanner jumped back. The man beside him had drawn his sword and the two at his door were running up. Tanner swung the Sword of Ages hard, cleaving through armor, skin and bone as the magical weapon took off the man who had drew his sword, arm off at the shoulder. Tanner spun away with a backhand swipe, disemboweling the one armed man through the armor. The one with the broken nose was ready now but looked in shock as Tanner twirled his sword and started towards him.
“We were just told to tell you the Regent wanted you,” the man with the broken nose said shakily.
“I don’t care what that tosser told you, I said to get from in front of my house or you are dead men.” Tanner said as he prepared to strike again.
“Wait, we are leaving!” the man with the broken nose said as he along with the other two gave Tanner a wide birth. Tanner stared them down as they ran towards the palace, leaving their dead friend where he lay. Tanner walked into his house and could see nothing had been moved and walked over to where he kept his armor. It had been a gift from the Royal couple when he returned from Tavor in honor of saving their daughter and eliminating many of the Tavorian battle magess. It was made by a master, using the best technique possible. Tanner started putting this armor on while Stephen grabbed everything out of the lock box. Tanner and Stephen did not speak as the half man mage quickly left the house knowing guards would soon be surrounding it. Tanner could hear the sound of armed men approaching as he slowly put on his armor, making sure each piece was tied smartly. The armor was made of over lapping scales like that of a lizard and left little open spots. It was heavy and likely to impede his movement but it would turn aside all but the most powerful of blows or cross bow bolts. Tanner could hear them in his house now as he placed his helm on his head and walked out of his bedroom.
“Tanner,” said a voice Tanner recognized instantly.
“Is that you Blessed One?” Tanner replied. “I am happy to see you, they took Mary.”
“I know Tanner, she is safe,” Golden replied as Tanner walked up to him.
“I am about to go kill the tosser that took her, you fancy joining me?”
“Tanner a lot has happened and the Regent has many men” Golden began. “A lot of them are outside ready to kill you.”
“Well let those wankers try,” Tanner replied. “I have already killed one of them and will kill many more, with you here next to me we can carve this lot up and get back my Mary.”
“Tanner I am here to take you to the Regent, I came before it got too violent,” Golden replied. “They still have Mary.”
“You mean to tell me you are his little lapdog, bowing and scraping while your own sister lays tortured or worse?” Tanner replied. “You have spent too much time in this city, ready to give your sister up to a mad man. You’re a coward Golden, no better than Todd Greenley.”
“Tanner what would you have me do?” Golden replied. “They have my sister and could possibly kill her not to mention the Princess who I have grown fond of. The Regent approves our match, King Tavor did not. Mary is not in any danger right now, I assure you the man only wants to talk.”
“You are a coward Blessed One” Tanner said coldly. “Whenever you needed me I was there for you always, no matter who the enemy was. Now I need you to stand by me you take a different side. Stay out of my house Golden, if I see you here again I’ll kill you.”
“Tanner I am here for you!” Golden screamed. “It’s just the two of us against an entire nation. Whatever the Regent wants you is not worth Mary’s or your life. You will go in there and get yourself killed and where does that leave Mary? A widow at 19 summers?”
“I fought my way through Tavor,” Tanner replied as he started to walk outside. “I will at least give Mary one person who is willing to die for her safety since her brother will not.” Tanner walked outside and could see men arrayed outside of his gate, many with crossbows. The sword was telling him there were two more who had climbed on nearby roof tops, each of them poised to strike. There were around thirty guards, each wearing the same colors the one he had killed had on.
“Tanner of Kol,” a voice said from the assembled guards. “You are here by ordered to present yourself to the Regent. Failure to do so could result in some unpleasantness.”
“The only thing that is about to get unpleasant is when I ram my sword up your arse,” Tanner replied as he let his power increase and to his disappointment there was not one mage in the group. Tanner steeled himself and was about to attack when he was hit hard over the head with something and fell down. Tanner shook himself trying to stay conscious as he was hit again then darkness enveloped him.
CHAPTER 2
Tanner awoke with a start as events started playing back to him. He jumped out of bed where a woman was patting his head with a cold towel and grabbed her arm before throwing her to the ground. The woman screamed as Tanner looked at his surroundings. He was in the infirmary in the Sun Palace and had on only his small clothes. Tanner walked over to a chair and broke it to use one of the legs as a weapon as a guard came into the room. It was Grodd along with his brother Herod.
“Calm down boy,” Grodd said as he held his hands up. “You are with friends.”
“
Don’t tell me he has gotten to you too old man,” Tanner replied as he held up his chair leg.
“Tanner I serve the Queen, she makes the decisions and I follow them. A lot of things are going on you don’t know about it. Princess Caroline herself sent me down here to make sure you were taken care of. The girl you just frightened half to death is the daughter of the Regent’s best healer. He too wants to see to your safety.”
“They took my Mary,” Tanner replied.
“I know they took Mary and right now she is safe with Golden and the princess. We are just here until you wake up and to take you to the Queen and her Regent,” Herod replied also using a calming tone.
“You know that is exactly who I want to see, this Regent.” Tanner said as he dropped his chair leg and went towards the door.
“I am asking you to keep your cool boy, they have your woman and you are unarmed.” Grodd said as he held up a hand to stop him before he went to the door. “Behind you are some clothes to put on, your weapons and armor will be given back to you later.”
Tanner turned around and could see the girl he had thrown down was shakily handing him some clothes that looked like they were made of a combination of silk and fine cotton.
“I am sorry, I don’t make a point out of scaring the daylights out of women,” Tanner said as he held the clothes up and frowned. They were no doubt made of fine materials but were in the colors of grey and black, the exact same the guards had been wearing complete with a small insignia which Tanner knew was from the old royal house since their coins were still in circulation. Tanner threw the clothes down in disgust.
“Where are the clothes I was wearing when I was brought here?” Tanner asked.
“We don’t know boy,” Grodd replied.
“Well I will just stay in my small clothes then, lead the way to this Regent.” Tanner said as he walked out of the door. Tanner knew his way around the palace, he also knew where this so called Regent would be. He had taken three steps outside when Maude came walking up holding a tray of food.
“Tanner it’s not civilized to be seen about like that,” The old woman said as she gave him a cross look. Maude had been the head cook in the palace for over twenty years and had a figure that said she liked trying whatever she made. Maude was also one of the few people who befriended Tanner right away when he was first brought to the palace.
“It was either this or the clothes the so called Regent gave me,” Tanner replied.
“What do you mean so called Regent?” Maude said sternly. “Earl Tox is a good man he is. It is about time we got a real Ketian on the throne, no disrespect to King Tazor.”
“How did the old man kick?” Tanner asked.
“It was a heart attack Tanner, natural causes,” Maude replied then put on a smile. “But Earl Tox is from the old royal family, I know he has our best interest at heart.”
“He kidnapped my Mary and sent men to kill me Maude,” Tanner replied. “Fuck him and the horse he rode in here on. When I finally meet this nutter I am going to see to it that he is properly sorted out.”
“Our Regent does not want to kill you Tanner,” Maude said shocked. “He personally sent me here with this tray to hand to you when you wake up and the clothes he gave you were made especially for you using measurements from your old clothes. It is the uniform of his personal guard, it is an honor. You should be thankful.”
“Well if he is the one that sent you, keep your food Maude,” Tanner said as he walked past her. Tanner walked until he got to the throne room, it was likely where this Regent was especially since he saw guardsmen in front of the closed door. The men saw him coming and tensed noticeably, the old man sitting off to the side stood up and gasped when he saw Tanner.
“Young man you cannot see the Earl, I mean your Regent looking like this,” the old man blustered.
“Get out of my face you old windbag” Tanner said threateningly. “I am not above killing an old man. I will twist your head off like a spoiled child picking the legs off a bug.”
Tanner pushed opened the door and walked inside. He could see they had tables out but whatever meal they were enjoying had been finished. The Queen sat at the head of the table, off to the side sat an older man with a smart gray beard. He looked fit and carried less fat around his face than King Tazor had. He was wearing a black and gray outfit trimmed in purple, around him sat Princess Caroline, Golden and more importantly Mary.
“Ah this must be your husband Mary,” the Regent said joyfully.
“And you must the twat who is about to die,” Tanner said as he walked over to the table.
“You can’t talk to the Regent like that,” a man in a guard’s uniform said and held up a sword. It was the same man who had kidnapped Mary.
“And you are the one who is going to show me my manners?” Tanner said as he grabbed an eating knife from the table and was about to charge as Mary got up and stood in his way.
“Have they hurt you Mary?” Tanner asked still looking at the man with the sword.
“They have but only on the trip here,” Mary replied.
“Then on my uncle that will be the last time anyone puts their hand on you,” Tanner said as he looked at his wife. “This idiot with the sword doesn’t know he is house cat trying to stare down a wolf.”
“I apologize about the trip,” the Regent said still smiling as he motioned for his guard to put his sword away. “I was not sure if I could meet with you any other way. Did you not get the clothing I brought?”
“I won’t wear that crap as long as I have breath in my body,” Tanner replied. “Come on Mary we are leaving.”
“I apologize but I must insist your wife stays as my guest,” the Regent replied.
“Sit down Tanner, starting anything here would most likely result in Mary getting hurt,” Golden replied.
“Get stuffed traitor,” Tanner replied. “My back isn’t to you anymore.You want to have another go now that I am facing you?”
“Tanner you would have died if you had gone out there with swords swinging,” Golden replied.
“Better to die a man than to eat at a table with your master,” Tanner replied.
“Listen Tanner, I want us to be friends. Perhaps I did not go about it the correct way,” The Regent said smiling. “I need your help and was unsure if you would give it. I listened to my advisors who may have given me bad advice, can we start over?”
“There is no starting over,” Tanner said angrily.
“Well let us talk without any pretenses,” the Regent replied as his smile slipped a little. “Everyone our meal is just about over, guards would you mind escorting my new family and friends back to their rooms? I have heard assassins had been found in the castle once and I want to make sure they get there safely. Tanner watched as the man who had kidnapped Mary went to help the Queen up. Queen Aundrea shot him a glance that told him to stand down. Golden helped Princess Caroline out of her seat and thought about walking towards Tanner but decided to go the long way. A guard made his way towards Mary as Tanner smiled at the man who wisely decided to stay put. Everyone walked out except for the Regent, Mary, Tanner and eight guards, all of which had their crossbows out.
“You think I am scared of you old man?” Tanner said as he eyed the Regent.
“I would hope you aren’t scared of men holding weapons. But none of them are pointed at you, they are focusing on your bride sadly,” The Regent said with a confidence that made Tanner sick. “Now won’t you sit down and let your lovely wife go to her room, men need to talk and focusing on her would divide your attention. You have my word as Regent that nothing would befall her and she will be treated with all the care in the world.”
Tanner looked at Mary and she nodded as she walked towards the door with two guards in tow.
“You are quite a fighter young Tanner,” the Regent said as he took a sip out of his cup. “The Black Hand has been around this kingdom for generations and truly are the best at what they do. I know your little secret about cancelling ou
t magic and having some kind of magic sword but I had no idea you were such a fighter. I heard from Jennifer that you killed three of her men and that was before you killed poor Chance. Imagine our surprise when we tried to retrieve your things, one of my guards picked up your sword and went insane and started hacking into the men next to him. He had to be put down sadly but another picked up the sword and killed two more before he was put down and we decided not to touch it. It was quite tricky getting it here using shovels but your weapon is safe.”
“How do you know all of this?” Tanner said coldly. “Who in this palace has been running their mouth about my business?”
“Oh Tanner don’t see it that way,” the Regent said smiling. “I have spies everywhere, they couldn’t wait to sing the praises of the Ketian who single handedly killed an assassin before walking into Tavor and taking their most prized possession before killing a hundred of their best battlemages then fleeing. You made them proud like you make me proud. It was a dark time when we were ruled by Tavorians. Now that I have a chance to right past wrongs we can move forward. Tavor is amassing for an attack and has been ever since you cleaned out the majority of their mages. They have quickly begun building up their mage forces again but these are all young and not seasoned. Tavor has heard that Tazor has died and now they are going to send troops back over the border. This general of theirs that you were supposed to kill is behind it all. Tavor has a new ruler on the throne; he is young and open to suggestion. He wants our lands for his own. I want you to join a team to strike out at his mage school, the elite one where you were kept. It has been moved someplace different from when you were there. You can spare the children, the only thing I care about is their written materials and the teachers. I want all of their schools destroyed but you are taking the harder target. Do this and I will triple, no I will give you four times the amount Tazor was giving you and give you your own title. It is about time the noble houses of Ket were restored.”
