by A L Issett
“I stuck those bastards like pigs to slaughter,” Tanner said with a smile. “But now I am sure I have mucked things up and probably won’t get my relief.” As soon as Tanner said it information started popping into his head like a librarian searching through his ledgers trying to find something. Tanner thought about the symptoms of the poison and a plant called idolbane popped into his head. It was a green plant made by some ancient kingdom called Dwarves. It had the same effects of the Green and only grew in one place, the Shatter Mountains. That was a name he did recognize. The Shatter Mountains was on the south end of Ket, it would make sense that is where the poison came from. With knowledge of the poison came knowledge of the cure, mint leaves. The knowledge in his head told him that a pound of leaves needed to be shredded then seeped in a cup hot water. This tea would counteract and flush the poison from his system. To stifle the effects of Idolbane, a combination of wortroot, mushrooms and crab weed could be mixed together in equal parts with water and could be ingested or injected for a day of relief.
“Are you okay Tanner, you blanked out there for a minute,” Dannon said as he was staring nervously.
“I just need a minute, can you let the others know I am up?” Tanner replied as he tried to wrap his head around what was happening and remembered passing out. Tanner understood the Sword of Ages now, it was a thing used for combat but it was much more. On every kill it took the life force of the fallen and transferred it to the wielder provided the wielder had the ability to receive it. It also transferred skills which confirmed what Tanner already knew. If regular people held the sword the sword could possess their minds and take over their bodies if it had enough magical energy stored. The biggest thing Tanner found out was that the sword was used for enchanting, many different recipes and poultices came to his mind for all types of illnesses. The helm he had stole had just two abilities, each of which was scarier than the sword. The helm stored all the knowledge of anyone who had worn it before, Tanner now had the memories of thousands of people and their experiences which left his head somewhat jumbled but he was still able to separate who he was. The second ability the helm had was that it could transfer the information to those with the ability to receive it. Tanner finally snapped out of his trance and saw the team assembled in front of him.
“That helmet is like the sword?” Jennifer asked as Tanner took it off of his head. “When you fell unconscious we were afraid to remove it.”
“It is like the sword,” Tanner said as he head started to clear up. “There are other pieces out there but none of it matters right now. We got into this city pretending to be hunters but none of you have ever hunted animals before.”
“You could teach us” Jennifer said then laughed. “But why would a group of hunters need access to a mage school. We all have some kind of skills; we need to start using them.”
“I can see about getting a job as a member of the watch,” Nance said as he rubbed his chin. I know enough to be passable as a man from one of the small towns near the border. There can’t be too many people looking for a job to take care of mages who normally look down at normal people.
“I can play the lute and sing a bit,” Ransom replied. “I planned on going undercover as a bard whenever I got to go into the field alone.”
“Me and Ashley can get jobs as maids, hopefully if not I am sure we can find some way to get inside,” Jennifer said as she spread open a paper of some kind that looked to be a blueprint of the school.
~
It had been three months since the team entered the city and they finally had a regular way in and out of the Magerium, the name of the mage school. This place was an elite finishing school for gifted mages, once they graduated they would be called Black Mages. Jennifer had been successful in getting a job as a maid, because of this she had really mapped the place out and had even snuck out some of their books for reading. Nance had risen quickly through the ranks of the city watch, currently he and Dannon were two of a group of four who regularly took watch around the Magerium in addition of course the Magerium’s own staff. Tanner himself had become so successful in hunting that he ended up opening his own restaurant to get rid of the meat. With the knowledge he gained from both the sword and the helm he was adapt enough at how to run his restaurant and was a far better cook since his knowledge of spices and herbs had grown considerably. He still took the relief when it was offered, rather he took it and kept secret his immunity to the Green now. Ashley, Ransom and Gerty had quit whatever jobs they were doing and helped him out in the small restaurant. Ashley was good at trapping and providing eye candy for the patrons. Gerty was the barkeep and the face of the business while Ransom was the bard. Tanner mostly stayed in the back, the official story was that he was somewhat addled and lost the ability to speak. His restaurant, since it was close to the Magerium was frequented by the mages and city guard alike. Tanner had so many customers he had to expand a bit and hired two other girls to assist Ashley.
“So you are the chef of this place?” A hard looking mage with black robes and hair to match said.
“Aye Milord. Oscar is a childhood friend. He is a bit addle brained but a good worker,” Gerty said as he pointed to Tanner who was going by the name Oscar.
“He looks to be built more like a sword swinger than a cook,” the Mage replied as he gazed into Tanner’s eyes. “We are having a graduation for the mages, the ones leaving are kids really but they know enough to be dangerous. Others in the Magerium want you to host the dinner and do the cooking but your head chef doesn’t look up to the task.”
“Aye Milord we are up to any task. With your endorsement I can expand significantly, maybe even take over the food business in your school,” Gerty replied. “I know you recently lost your head cook and I am sure he was making a good wage. If we are to your satisfaction would you be willing to put in a good word for me?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” the mage said dismissively. “Your food is passable but that doesn’t mean I will let in any rabble.”
Tanner stood there as the mage finished up his business then left. The graduation was over a week away but Tanner was sure he could wing it. This would directly put all of the team inside the Magerium at one time, a chance they could really use to come up with a plan of attack. So far they had none although they were able to inform the Regent that it would take longer to attack this target. He had gotten back to them and let them know team one had been successful in their attack but suffered almost one hundred percent casualties. Their target was for people just learning magic but was backed by many soldiers. The remnants of the other teams eventually met up and formed a new team. Tanner was on his way back inside the kitchen when the mage Falosha showed up.
For weeks since she had first met him she had been dropping hints that he should come visit her. Falosha was about 25 summers and was a junior instructor at the Magerium who regularly came to the restaurant and left with various others. Once she even left with Ransom which definitely put him on the outs with Ashley. Falosha hadn’t even let the story about Tanner being scatter brained scare her away and instead saw it as a challenge.
“Well if it isn’t my favorite over muscled cook,” Falosha said as she pressed her breasts up against his chest. “You know as the husband of a mage you wouldn’t have to work in a kitchen anymore.”
“Excuse me Milady but that is my betrothed you are talking to,” Ashley spoke up. “If he is warming any beds it is going to be mine.”
“I am sure we can come to some type of agreement,” Falosha said as she took out her coin purse. “I know you can’t make much in this place, let me borrow him for a day and I promise when I return him you will thank me for that trick he will learn with his mouth.”
“Excuse me Milady we are going to close up early for today, discuss our strategy to take on the big tasks we have ahead of us,” Gerty said as he paid off the other two workers so they could go home early.
“Well now, think about my offer,” Falosha said with a smile then
walked suggestively out the door.
The next couple of days went by fast as it was decided they would bring their weapons but not attack unless the perfect opportunity presented itself. Tanner and the group left early the day of the graduation to set up. Food would be prepared and cooked there and it gave the rest of them the time to look around the place. As the graduation came and went followed by the feast afterwards, two mages walked into the kitchen where Tanner was preparing food.
“They have the Mage Breaker with them, I can feel the drain on my magic!” Zavor said as he stood up. Tanner was in the other room and was trying to drain the three most powerful mages but it was hard work. Cutting off magic altogether was easy, draining powerful mages made him jumpy, gave him a headache and has made him pass out before.
“I can still do magic,” Tanner heard another mage say from just outside the kitchen door. “Are you sure you are feeling a mage breaker?”
“I know a mage breaker when I feel one,” Zavor finished as a loud bang was heard followed by the casting of spells. Tanner's anti-magic field erupted from his body as the sound of spells fizzling out was soon replaced by sword play followed by grunts and yells. Tanner hurried and put on the helm and grabbed the sword as he entered the fray. The Black Hand was outnumbered but fought well as Tanner could see their superior training in close quarters combat paid off in the absence of magic. Tanner attacked from behind and struck a mage down just as the item he was carrying fell to the floor. Tanner looked and saw it was a small crossbow, when he looked up he could see most of the mages around him had them with them and decided to make a decision. He would drain instead of using his field, hopefully the Hand could attack fast, most of their training was based on speed and silence. Tanner focused all of his draining on Zavor, the diminutive mage looked around and saw Tanner with the sword. Before he could speak Tanner kicked him hard in the groin, sending the half man clean out of the window. Tanner kept his drain on Zavor but had to split it with the other two powerful mages in the room. One looked young, around 14 summers Tanner guessed the boy was before he took his head off at the shoulder. The sword sang to him then, its power had somewhat grown as he was told when to dodge and when to duck. Tanner was a whirlwind until mages from both sides realized they could cast again. It was then Tanner cut the magic off again but needed to get rid of his excess energy from draining the mages. The more he exerted himself, the better he felt. The energy needed an outlet he thought as the sword was practically doing the work without him. That is when Tanner had an idea, he found the closest mage to him and thrust the Sword of Ages into his hands. The mage’s eyes went white and he began to hack into his countrymen while Tanner dropped the anti-magic field and continued to drain. He immediately found Zavor with his power and although the mage was not moving he was still alive as Tanner drained him and the other powerful mage. The other mage was an older male and although he was powerful, he did not have the same magical stores Zavor did. Tanner had drained him practically dry but continued on, curious of the outcome. Tanner could feel the mage’s well was empty, suddenly it began to close in on itself as the mage groaned and hit the floor. Tanner drew more and could feel the magical well rupture inside the man, he would never be able to use magic again, this Tanner knew. Soon the fight was over, Tanner was covered in blood and his unlikely ally had slit his own throat. Tanner picked up the sword and it was bursting with power, all of which it gave to him practically knocking him down. Tanner stumbled over to the window, he knew he was ready to faint but needed to find Zavor, he needed to place the helm on his head and know what he knew. Tanner sheathed his sword as he stumbled over to the window he kicked the half man through and fell out of the broken window and landed next to the unmoving mage. The half man was breathing shallowly as Tanner took off his helm and put it on the half man. When Tanner thought he could take no more he took the helm back and put it on as his world went into darkness.
Tanner awoke in a cart of some kind, he was naked and pressed up against him was something soft and warm. Tanner looked over and saw Jennifer, she was naked also and had her leg draped around him which started to make him aroused. There was a blanket over them, for that Tanner was grateful as he tried to untangle himself. Jennifer grabbed him and pressed herself harder up against him and spoke.
“You saved a lot of lives, namely mine Tanner of Kol,” Jennifer said seductively. “In return I would like to give you something. I know it has been a while since you received the gift I want to give.”
“Is it over?” Tanner asked as he rolled over.
“For now it is, I do not see any way they could come back from that,” Jennifer said with a laugh. “We burned the place down to the ground, only the younger students were able to get out unscathed. We are the only group not to lose anyone. The other makeshift group was found out and only Team One’s leader Enzo is alive, we did not lose anyone thanks to you. Right now we are riding back to Ket, we have been on the road for two days now. You had to be cleaned up from all the blood. No one wanted to do it because your sword is pretty scary and we don’t know about the helm. What does it do anyway now this is over?”
“It allows me to better understand the sword,” Tanner lied. “Now you must have me confused for some buggered toff if you think I’m going to fall arse over tit for you when my Mary is so close to me. Maybe if I were single I would be happy to give you a go but nowt woman except Mary is going to bed me.”
“You sure?” Jennifer said as she reached out and grabbed his manhood. “Parts of you are happy to see me and it’s a long month to get back to Ket.”
CHAPTER 8
Mary
It had been so long since she had seen Tanner that Mary had stopped counting the months. When the Regent said Tanner finished his mission and would be home soon Mary began feeling nervous, then sad. As long as she and Tanner were married, people in power would use her against him, use her to get him to risk his life. Mary loved Tanner and knew that was not the life she would have for him, no matter how big the Regent’s rewards were. Mary had gone quietly into the night, doing whatever the Regent wanted in return for so called niceties. Mary wanted none of it, from the dresses to the food or the jewelry, it was all bought with Tanner’s blood. During the times she didn’t obey Todd would visit her, sometimes he tortured her just because he could. Today though was a day Todd would be by, that Mary knew.
Tanner was expected to be home today and the Regent wanted everything perfect for his return. He made her pick out furniture and decorations for the estate in Tox, the Regent planned on giving Tanner his formal title. It was the only time she had ever left the Sun Palace and even then it took her not getting the relief along with visits from Todd to make her compliant. Mary would ignore the Regent this day though and tell him exactly what she thought of him. Tanner’s homecoming would be nothing like what he wanted. Because of it he would be forced to call Todd, which Mary knew he did not want to do.
The Regent had to have known Todd and Tanner hated each other to their very core and when treatment of her got around that Tanner would kill him. It was likely the Regent wanted his pet kept under wraps until Tanner departed for Tox. The Regent thought he could stay on somewhat friendly terms with Tanner and see him every so often until the wounds healed. Mary could see that was what was happening with the Queen and even the Princess did not seem so broken up about her mother being with another man not even a year after her father’s death. Golden was enamored with the girl and probably thought like the Regent, that Tanner would be angry for a while then eventually forgive him for siding with the Regent. Mary could not bear Tanner having people like that in his life, people who looked out for themselves and others, just not her husband. They would use him and not care if he lived or died. Mary would rectify that today though, after today she wouldn’t have to worry about the Regent’s scheming or Todd Greenley or even her brother, they would all get their comeuppance today. Mary steeled herself for action as the Regent came into her room and frowned.
&nbs
p; “Why aren’t you dressed in the clothes I gave you,” The Regent said looking her over as he held a goblet of some kind. “You look like one of servants, you better hurry and look presentable, Tanner will be here by noon. Here I have something for you,” the Regent said as he extended a goblet to her. Mary took the offering and threw it back in the Regent’s face, it was a cup of some kind of hot liquid and leaves, it smelled almost minty Mary thought.
“Why did you…” the Regent screamed through gritted teeth before composing himself. “That was not very nice Mary,” the Regent said as he wiped his eyes free of the liquid. “That was the cure, not the relief but the actual cure. Now I have to go back and fix up another cup. You haven’t had your relief today Mary, do you want to see the man you love while undergoing the pain of the Green? Now fix yourself up while I get you another cup, I know you and Tanner are going to want some alone time together, you must look your very best for him.”
“I am not putting on anything you want and I want Tanner to see me while undergoing the Green,” Mary spat. “Me telling him what I have been through is different than him seeing it first-hand. You are an evil man and just because everyone else thinks you walk on air doesn’t mean I do. You and your plan can sod off.”
“Mary I thought we moved past this,” The Regent said with a sigh. “I cannot let your husband come home and find you in such a state. I promised to take care of you even though you have fought me every step of the way and refused to be happy or content for the great works your husband has done. When he gets back he needs to be welcomed with opened arms, not coming home to you laid out while it comes out of both ends. You will drink the cure and be happy about it, then you will give our hero the welcome he deserves.”
