The Helm of Time

by A L Issett

  The horde was happy with the land they were on, they were free and paid no taxes to anyone. The top ranking generals, nobles and officers though always wanted more. When Tanner had offered the captured important people their own nation most of them jumped on the idea. Torrenor would be divided and five small kingdoms were being made. A treaty was to be signed saying they would not war with each other for a period of fifty years or encroach on the free lands or charge any of its merchant’s taxes. The treaty also mandated that each small nation come together as one to fight off any future Ketian attacks. Once word of this spread high ranking officers and minor nobles started abandoning the Ket army like wildfire, willingly giving themselves up as a hostage for a chance to be a big bull in a small pen. All they had to do in return was get their nations started and stay out of the war unless the horde needed supplies. Many of these officers and nobles took their entire companies with them as a fight force for their newly acquired lands. Tanner thought he would also split up a small part of Ket if he had any more nobles who was tired of rule under King Edward Tox, but the old man had apparently been treating his people as fair as can be expected. Only his lust for more power is what led him to this downfall.

  “Brother, I do not think the enemy will be able to attack much longer but only defend,” Gelrix said as he grasped Tanner by the forearm as is their custom. Gelrix was the greatest warrior in the Bone clan, at least Tanner allowed him to believe so and would never attack the man. Gelrix was 10 years younger than Tanner but anyone would be hard pressed to tell. Tanner had stopped aging twenty years ago and looked no more than twenty. Gelrix was a big man, he was a little taller than Tanner and weighed a little more too. Tanner though was covered in shredded lean muscle and had definition that Gelrix would never be able to achieve. Gelrix was fast for his size but Tanner was multitudes faster, a trait he always kept hidden unless he was challenged for his position as second. Only the second could earn the honor of fighting for chieftain, since Tanner had no plans to ever fight Gelrix and killed all who challenged him for second, contenders stopped trying four summers ago. Tanner liked Gelrix, he was brash and outspoken but cared for his people and never threw his power around even for the greater good.

  “You seem troubled brother,” Tanner said.

  “I want to end this war and go home brother,” Gelrix said as he looked over the battlefield from a ridge and could see the horde picking off stragglers as they retreated. “I have little ones at home and my wives are not friendly when I stay gone too long. Sometimes I envy you brother, you have never taken any wives, let alone had any children.”

  “I had a wife once,” Tanner said as he still remembered Mary’s face.

  “You have never told me that before brother or any part of your life before you came to us,” Gelrix said as he turned around to learn more about the man he called brother.

  “I was a great warrior when I was younger, but I refused to fight,” Tanner said as a single tear fell from his face. “The lord of this land kidnapped my wife and forced to me to fight, when I came back she killed herself in response to the torture they inflicted on her. What is worse, a man I once called brother stood by and watched it all happen. They gave me praise and rewards for my service but I wanted my Mary. I did not kill the lord of this land, to do so would have plunged this land into even more war which would have killed more people as the grab for power began. I have another friend here though, one I would also call brother. I look forward to meeting him again.”

  “I am saddened to finally hear your tale brother,” Gelrix said and bowed his head. “Many a young female had asked why you had not chosen from among them, why you go without wives. I had figured something happened to you in the past which changed you, made you not age right and now I know most of it. I can continue this war and see to it you get the revenge you need.”

  “No,” Tanner said shaking his head. “That will feel good but it would be for nowt, my Mary is cold in the grave now and has been for a while. Killing any of those tossers would do me no great boon. If you are tired of all this hacking and slashing then I say we press for peace and allow this army to retreat to the capital city. From there we will give them a good talking to and be on our way provided a treaty is signed and tribute delivered to help out the smaller nations we created. Splitting up the power would chafe their asses worse than wiping your backside with poison leaf.”

  “Are you sure?” Gelrix asked.

  “I am brother, I will personally see to it that a messenger goes over there and tell them how it’s going to go. If they tell us to get stuffed, then we will stick em all.”

  Tanner could see the relief on Gelrix’s face as he found a messenger and sent him over. The Ketians readily agreed, they had no choice as it was doubtful they could have reached Ketol and been in any type of fighting shape. The horde waited for them to form up and traveled behind them for three weeks, stopping to rest whenever they did. Tanner could see the relief in the faces of the horde. They did not like this land or its customs and wanted to get back home and yet knew there was a possibility they would have to fight again and siege a city more fortified than any they had ever encountered. Tanner watched as the Ket army marched inside the city gates and had his troops spread out in case there were any catapults inside. During this time, while waiting on an answer from King Edward, Tanner made a special trip to an unmarked grave. Tanner was happy to see Stephen had kept his word and never let it get in disrepair. He had offered Stephen a chance to join him but the half man had found a lady who saw past his height. Although Stephen was doing great in the business he set up in Daum, he left it. Currently he was the steward in Tox, ruling in Tanner’s stead. Tanner had never visited Tox, truth be told he wanted nothing to do with it but thought Stephen could really make a life for himself there. Tanner looked down on the grave and dropped to his knees then began to sob silently until he felt he was not alone.

  “Is this her?” Gelrix said as he kneeled alongside his brother.

  “This is the greatest woman who ever walked these lands, my Mary,” Tanner said as he tried to pull himself together.

  “I thought the people in this land built grand stones and homes honoring the dead,” Gelrix said as he looked around at the grave.

  “If I had done that, then those who did not appreciate her in life would have sought for forgiveness in death, they deserve none.”

  “If we are meeting the chieftain or king as he calls himself should we be dressed different?” Gelrix asked.

  Tanner looked at Gelrix who was dressed as he was. Heavy furred boots that went to the mid-calf along with a heavy furred loin cloth. All of the horde wore a helm similar to the Helm of Time, they were based on it and Gelrix was no exception. On top of the helm though sat skins from each tribes token animal, Tribe Bone’s token animal was the great plains cat. The top half of both of their helms contained the top half of the head of a great plains cat, its nose mouth and eyes looking like a second head although the lower jaw was gone. Finishing the ensemble was a strap which went across the chest and back which held a scabbard for their weapons and a cape made out of fur.

  “If he or the fuck around gang has anything testy to say I’ll shove my sword right up his ass,” Tanner said as he stood up. “I have seen my Mary for long enough, lets hurry up and get this thing over so we can all go back home.”

  By the time Tanner and Gelrix walked back to their army, three official messengers were waiting for them in Ketian colors. They were younger men, around Gelrix’s thirty summers if Tanner had to judge. Tanner eyed the men and saw that they seemed nervous.

  “Why are you all jumpy like you got the rotten crotch from a tavern whore?” Tanner asked as he walked over to the men.

  “Y-You’re Ketian?” the blond haired messenger said on the right.

  “I am putting the question to you lot, not the other way around,” Tanner said as he got closer to the shaking men. “Now answer my question before me brother gets gutted and deals with you.”

>   “M-Milord” the man in the middle stammered. “The Royal Consort, the Princess Caroline’s husband has had a lost in the family, his father Milord. The services are supposed to be h-h-happening today. I am supposed to tell you that your people may visit our city but he would like it if only the guards of your commander be armed until he can properly meet with you.”

  “Where are these services, are they at the grand chapel, a spit away from the Sun Palace?” Tanner asked and could see the men were confused by his accent.

  “Y-Y-yes Milord, in about two hours’ time,” the blond messenger stammered.

  “I knew the chap that kicked brother,” Tanner said as he faced Gelrix. “I want to go pay my respects but I don’t trust a Ketian any further than a half man could toss a mountain goat.”

  “I will go with you brother and take ten of our finest warriors with us,” Gelrix replied. “Logain will be in charge until we return.”

  Tanner walked through the gates of the city amazed the guards slid to the side and let them pass. Their style of dress instantly stuck out among the Ketians, some of the public spit at them or called them names until Hallax threatened to stab one. After that it was mostly curious stares, a lot of them coming from women who probably never had the chance to see a bunch of bare chested well-muscled men before. Gelrix acted as part tourist and part honor guard, neither of which were his duties. He had put Tanner in the center but stopped as he came towards the middle of town. Larger than life there stood a statue of a man dressed in Ketian finery wielding a sword against five faceless opponents who obviously were supposed to be Tavorians while a woman behind him prayed on her knees with a sword sticking out of her chest. The resemblance was so uncanny the barbarians with Tanner noticed the likeness immediately and could figure out who the mortally wounded woman was. If not by the scene depicted, then certainly by the way Tanner shot out from the group and caressed the statue’s face.

  “Hello love,” Tanner said as he smiled a bit. “Haven’t seen your mug in a bit, you are still as lovely as I remember.”

  “This woman was important to you, Tan of the Bone Clan?” Hallax said as he looked at the whole scene. “These men who slew her, I hope you sent them to the great beyond, for if you did not, I, Hallax of the Fire clan, will.”

  “She was my wife Hallax,” Tanner said as he wiped eyes. “I am from these lands.”

  “Tanner of the Bone clan, how is this possible? This could have been made in the last moon. Other than your hair being longer, it looks just like you,” Hallax said as he examined the sword wielding statue.

  “It is a story I will not share,” Tanner replied as he read the inscription.

  The Earl of Tox, Tanner the Fierce bravely went into Tavor and killed many powerful mages which enabled our nation to eventually overcome our enemies. During his time away, his wife thought him dead and in her grief took her own life, a wound as terrible as if the Tavorians did it themselves. This statue depicts the Earl bravely fighting while his beloved Mary prayed for his safety.

  “What a load of bollocks,” Tanner said as he pulled out his dagger and pulled the placard from the statue before bending it up. The Ketol city guard looked like they wanted to interfere but most likely did not place the barbarian as the heroic figure. The guard stayed quiet as Tanner continued on his walk until they finally reached the Grand Chapel of Solare, the Deity of the Ketians. Inside people were streaming in, all seemed to be nobles and were probably trying to win favor with the King or their future Queen whenever Caroline came into power. Tanner and his group walked over to the chapel which frightened many nobles and had them stop in their tracks as Tanner passed them and attempted to go inside. A youth of about twenty came forward and drew his sword. The boy was tall, not overly so and resembled a shorter version of the man Tanner was sure was his father. By his side stood a girl that looked of equal age except she had the red hair of Caroline, the girl was desperately tugging at her brother as Tanner confronted him.

  “Can’t you give us one day of peace you barbarians, my grandfather lies dead and you disrespect his memory!” the boy said as he held his blade out in front of him.

  “Unless you want me to feed that to you like a babe his mum’s bosoms you better listen to your sissy and run along like a good boy,” Tanner said as he drew his as well.

  “Y-You’re a Ketian,” the girl said in amazement.

  “No need of talking down and being disrespectful, now I am only going to ask one more time for you to stop pretending to be a doorman. You could get all of these tossers killed.”

  “I-I don’t care you will not dishonor my gr…” the boy never finished as Tanner connected a solid right to the boy’s chin, knocking him cold. The Ketian palace guards around him at that point pulled out their weapons followed by Tanner’s barbarians mirroring the motion.

  “Y-You struck our future king!” a burly man said angrily as he held his sword at the ready.

  “That was a little love tap since Caroline had never done me wrong. But you fancy dan and all of these nutters with you are about to die if you don’t lower them swords and let me in,” Tanner said as he eyed the man until he dropped his blade. “I won’t be long brother, you can find seating in the back row while I pay my respects to the old man.”

  “You knew my grandfather?” the girl asked.

  “He was a good sort, never raised a fuss about me even when I took his little girl away.” Tanner said as he smiled in remembrance. “But that was a long time ago and I haven’t set eyes on him since before you were born.”

  “What do you mean before I was born, even with that bravado you couldn’t have been too old and my grandfather doesn’t have a daughter,” the girl replied.

  “He don’t no more, ever since your poor excuse for Da got a stiffy for that twat parading around as the king and saw to it my Mary was no more. You should ask him about it, he will probably lie as I put nothing past him,” Tanner said as he left the girl dumfounded.

  As Tanner walked into the chapel, eyes turned from the priest who was at the front near the body to Tanner as he and the rest of the barbarians walked inside. Tanner ignored them and went straight towards the front where he could see Golden jump out of his seat. Golden was older now, over 40 summers and had streaks of gray in his once blond hair. He still had his amazing physique, although he now had a little extra padding in the middle as most men did of that age. Golden stood in the aisle way blocking Tanner’s approach and went to say something as Tanner put his all into a punch and hit Golden square in mouth, dropping him on his arse.

  “I told you if I ever saw you again I would kill you traitor,” Tanner said as he spat on top of Golden’s blond gray head. “My respect for Mary’s old man is the only reason you are not dead right now.”

  Tanner turned towards the open casket to the shocks and gasps of all present. The guards at the front immediately formed around two frail figures who were no doubt the King and Queen if Tanner had to guess but he was not here for any of them. He was here for the old man. Diamond looked somewhat peaceful laying there dead. He was older than Tanner ever remembered him, this white haired old man looked like a pale imitator to the man he once knew. Tanner took off the cape of fur he had on and laid it across Diamond’s body then pulled off his helm so he could see the old man one last time. Tanner then turned as Amelia, Mary’s mother came forward.

  “T-T-Tanner?” Amelia said with eyes full of tears.

  “It’s me Amelia, sorry I never got around to visiting again. After I told you about Mary I needed to go,” Tanner said as he gave the woman a hug.

  “I missed you Tanner, Diamond missed you. He considered you a second son,”

  “I know Amelia, I considered him and you a second set of parents,” Tanner said as he broke the embrace.

  “You look like you haven’t aged a day,” Ameila said as she took a step back.

  “It’s from eating all that barbarian chow, I would love for you to visit our camp and meet my blood brother,” Tanner replied.
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  “Are you ever going to forgive my son Tanner?” Amelia asked. “Diamond eventually did and Mary was his baby, it has been so long since my baby died.”

  “It was only yesterday to me mum, but enough of this talk. I won’t disturb all these fine people any longer,” Tanner said as he turned to go but Amelia stopped him.

  “I don’t even know half these people, they only showed because the King and Queen and everyone else in the line of succession is here. Won’t you sit next to me?”

  Tanner nodded and sat down as someone helped Golden to his feet. Tanner could see the shock in his eyes as it dawned on him who had knocked him on his bottom. Golden sat down next to Caroline as they both stared over at him and were soon joined by their children as the service went on. Once it ended, Diamond was to be set into a mausoleum then a great feast was to be had at the Sun Palace, which Amelia insisted he go to and to bring along some of his friends. He liked the way Amelia never asked how he wound up as one of the barbarians, but she probably already knew. After Mary’s death Tanner had dressed the body the best he could and found notes she had written and hid on her body detailing all that happened to her. She ultimately took her life because she felt it was Tanner’s only weakness and did not wish to see him killed trying to save her. Tanner had told all of this to Golden’s parents along with how Golden did nothing to help Tanner out. Tanner gave Amelia one last hug and went towards the door until he heard a welcomed but familiar voice.

  “Boss is that you?” Stephen said as he walked up using a stick, his wife, Rose, Tanner thought her name was walked beside him.

  “Unless you know of another pissed off wanker with the stones to slap around two royals in the capital in full eyesight of Solare,” Tanner said with a grin. Stephen also had grown gray and had taken to using a staff although now it looked more like a cane.

  “If I had known the Earl of Tox himself would show up to this thing I would have stayed home,” Stephen said before gesturing to the barbarians. “I am guessing those guys are with you, are you after the throne?”