by A L Issett
“You sound pleased with yourself” Minka spoke as she glared at Tara. “I suppose you are quite proud with yourself showing up on the arm of an Earl.”
“I am quite proud of myself for showing up with Tanner” Tara said and let out a small laugh which let Tanner know she was goading the knight’s daughter on. “Look at him, are you telling me you would rather be with whoever is out there instead of the Earl? The king is big and handsome sure but he is also an older man while Earl Tox is as chiseled as a mountain.”
“The Earl should be with his own kind and not a commoner” Minka said angrily.
“Minka that is enough, apologize” Zeke growled.
“It's true grandfather” Minka replied. “Nobles court nobles, the only exception is those of extraordinary magical powers. This girl is neither and she is trying to get her hooks in to get a taste of the good life.”
“My lady I don't need a taste of the good life” Tara began. “My family already has money, we work for Earl Tox.”
“Minka enough of this, I can take you out of here” Zeke replied as another knight sat down, this one with a woman his age.
“I’m sorry” Minka said quickly then turned her head away.
“Milord this is Dale Kernhart, Knight of Ket” Zeke began. “Dale this is the mythical Earl of Tox.”
“Milord it is a pleasure to meet you, I wish I had the chance to meet your father” Dale said as he shook Tanner’s hand. “Songs have been sang about his bravery ever since I was in the second Tavorian war. I never knew though he had a son or family.”
“Neither did I” Tanner replied seeing that the knight figured he was too young to be the Earl of Tox and just figured Tanner must have been the son. “And who is this lovely lady you bring with you?”
“This is my wife Rachel, Milord” Dale said as he put his arm around the woman. Before she could reply Tanner followed their eyes to a spot just above his head. Tanner looked around and saw a man there, he was around 22 to 25 summers and looked down his nose at him. At his side was a thin sword normally used by nobles, a dueling sword. Tanner had never liked those swords because of the weight and because in a real fight those thin blades were useless against heavy shield and armor.
“Are you Earl Tox” the man said as he stared down at Tanner.
“You better show me some respect boy” Tanner said as he stood up and towered above the man. “The title is Milord, now piss off.”
The man stumbled back a little, Tanner was both taller, wider and far more muscled than whoever it was. The man for his part regained his composure and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. His blond hair falling briefly over his eyes.
“Are you threatening me with that pig sticker?” Tanner asked as he looked down at the weapon. “Well skin it, skin that pig sticker and see what happens.”
“Is there a problem here?” an older man asked dressed in blue. Tanner briefly looked over to the older man and could see the resemblance in the man with the thin sword. This had to be Duke Wayne, of that Tanner was sure of when he noticed the man had three lightning bolts on the hilt of his sword indicating his proficiency.
“Your Grace does this boy belong to you?” Tanner asked with a bow.
“Excuse me who are you and why do you address my son so freely?” the Duke asked.
“I am Earl Tox and this boy came over here looking for a fight” Tanner replied as he turned his attention to the Duke.
“You are Earl Tox?” the Duke replied.
“That I am” Tanner replied.
“Well my son Perry is the finest swordsman in decades” Duke Wayne said as Tanner could tell he was proud. “He wouldn't pick a fight with an Earl though, although it has been said numerous times by the king himself that you are a fair hand with the blade yourself. Although you can’t believe everything you hear.”
“That is sound advice Your Grace” Tanner replied. “Perhaps this was some type of misunderstanding” Tanner then turned to sit down and went back to eating. A little while later Tara spoke.
“This is nothing like I thought it would be Tanner” Tara said as she looked around. “You must be some kind of big deal here for no one to see you in years and yet word of your presence must have spread quickly.”
“You know that boy Perry is the best I have ever seen with a sword” Zeke replied. “He is going places, I had thought to try to make a match between him and my Minka but something about him isn't right.”
“It could be the fact he is a giant tosser” Tanner replied. Dinner was soon finished as musicians started playing instruments and the middle of the floor was cleared out. Tanner watched Jessica dance with her father then other couples started filing on the floor.
“You mind if I take this young lady for a dance Earl Tox?” Tanner stood up quickly once he recognized the voice, it was Golden the King of Ket.
“Your Majesty” Tanner bowed but kept his voice flat.
“I don't think I have ever met you before young lady” King Golden said to Tara and put on a smile that made Tanner want to punch him in the face. “I’ll bring you right back to the Earl, safe and sound.”
Tanner watched Golden lead Tara away and figured it was a good time to leave. He still couldn't stand being in the same room with the man although Mary had died years ago. Tanner grabbed a glass from a passing servant and downed it in one gulp. He took a deep breath as Meredith, one of Queen Caroline’s old handmaidens came up to him. He had not seen her in ages, Meredith was a stuck up noble when they were younger yet she gave him his first experience with a woman. Tanner knew she had two daughters of her own now, her husband having been killed by the rot lung.
“You don't look a day over 20” Meredith said as she stared up at Tanner.
“Neither do you” Tanner grinned. “I am honored one as great as yourself would talk to some old country bumpkin.”
“If I had known that country bumpkin would grow up to protect the entire kingdom and earn an Earldom in the process I would have never called you a bumpkin” Meredith laughed.
“Hi Meredith” Tanner said and stuck out his hand.
“Hi Tanner” Meredith replied and gave him a hug. “How have you been, you know Caroline worries about you still.”
“I have been keeping to myself like normal” Tanner replied. “I’m not really close with the Queen anymore, her children yes but the Queen herself not quite.”
“Well while the King is waltzing around with that young lady you brought, why don't you ask Caroline for a dance” Meredith said as she glanced towards the Queen. “She has been glancing this way frequently and frankly it wouldn't be right or proper for her to ask you. With her new reign she has far too many enemies and not enough friends.”
Tanner was leaving anyway and figured he did not have to see her again for another four or so years. Tanner nodded and gave Meredith a hug and made his way to the Queen who was surrounded by various noble women vying for her attention. “Would you do me the honor Your Majesty” Tanner said and extended his hand. Caroline nodded and took his hand as the women she was talking to gave Tanner the once over. Tanner was no dancer by far but he was proficient enough not to embarrass himself or his partner.
“Hello Tanner, I am happy to see you out again” Caroline said as Tanner swung her around.
“I will be leaving soon your Majesty” Tanner replied.
“Well why would you do that?” Queen Caroline exclaimed. “This thing hasn't really started yet and your date looks so lovely. Why don't you stick around, we haven't talked in ages and I do miss your company.”
“I don't think that would be wise Your Majesty” Tanner replied. “Tara does look nice and she deserves to go someplace where we can both be ourselves and have good fun, here ain't the place.”
“Tanner, call me Caroline, where is all of this Your Majesty stuff coming from?” Caroline asked. “You have called me by name ever since we were still in our teens. The man who saved my life multiple times doesn't need to use any honorifics.”
&n
bsp; “That was a long time ago Your Majesty” Tanner said with a laugh. “We are different people now and I respect your title. It looks like this song is about to end, it was nice chatting with you.”
“Well hold on now” Queen Caroline said as she stopped dancing. “We used to talk all the time about all sorts of things, now all I get is this?”
“I find the less you let people in, the less it hurts when they are not who you expect them to be” Tanner replied. “It was a hard lesson learned but it has served me well over twenty years now. Besides I’m no noble and I want nothing to do with this life. I would have given up this damn title long ago and went back where I was at if Stephen didn't show me all the good he did and how folks in Tox would suffer if another took over.”
“Well it was a nice dance Tanner” Caroline said with a smile. “Don't be a stranger, you have an open invitation to my house.”
Tanner nodded and saw Golden had left Tara alone, Duke Haggerty had his attention and Tanner went over to grab Tara as Duke Wayne’s son Perry came strolling up.
“I hear you are some type of swordmaster” Perry said as two other men joined him. “You care to spar with the best in the land?”
“No” Tanner replied as he motioned for Tara it was time to leave.
“Why not, are you scared you will lose boy?” Perry replied.
“Who you calling a boy, whelp” Tanner replied.
“Are you guys going to duel?” King Golden asked turning around.
“No your Majesty, I was just leaving” Tanner replied.
“Nonsense Tanner” King Golden replied and Tanner could tell he had been drinking a little. “Since when does a man from Kol turn down a challenge? Besides I want to talk to this lady friend of yours a bit more, see what you have been up to since we no longer talk.”
“I have nothing to prove to this boy Your Majesty” Tanner began. “And it is getting a little late for me, Tara let's go.”
“But Tanner I want to stay” Tara replied hesitantly. “I am having fun here.”
“See Tanner, your lady friend is having fun and there are plenty of people to introduce her to here” King Golden replied. “You can give us all a show and duel this upstart. Perry is the only person living to reach his third bolt as a swordmaster.”
“No thank you Your Majesty, I don't have my sword and if I draw it the fight is to the death” Tanner replied. “Tara I am leaving now.”
“Give the girl a break” Perry said as he got closer. “The girl said she doesn't want to go anywhere with you, now are you going to fight or not?”
“Have a pleasant night Your Majesty” Tanner said and bowed before turning away.
“Just what I thought” Perry said loudly. “People of Ket, I Perry, first born of Duke Wayne issue a challenge to any here who wants to see what it is like to face a three bolt swordmaster. The Earl of Tox has turned me down and is in such a hurry to leave he is abandoning his date. Is there any who would face me and at least try their luck?”
Tanner heard the man boasting and stopped in his track as all eyes were upon him. He took a deep breath then walked back towards Perry.
“I don't fight idiots holding little swords” Tanner exclaimed. “I fight with no weapons, this first born of the Duke would be snapped like a twig and lay broken at my feet. I, Earl Tox asks if anyone here will face me in unarmed combat? Perry is scared to death to do so”.
“Alright then” Perry said loudly. “Let us spar unarmed for a few moments then pick up the blade. I am no coward and it would be good entertainment.”
Tanner was amazed the fool agreed and nodded. Tanner took off his shirt and undershirt and let his muscles bulge, he rarely took his shirt all the way off because he knew his physique was eye catching, even in Golden’s better days he did not have the same kind of definition. Tanner waited as Perry stood at the other side with a smile. Someone signaled it was time to go and Tanner let out a sharp jab. It snapped Perry’s head back violently and put the boy on the floor. Tanner could see Perry was dazed and tried not to hit him too hard as the boy suddenly cleared up and stood back up. Tanner shook his head and gave the boy a strong blow to the stomach, it felt like hitting stone as the boy delivered a kick to Tanner’s side. The blow almost buckled his knees as Tanner put a lot of his weight into a blow aimed for Perry’s chin. Perry somehow dodged it, closed the distance and gave Tanner a right hook to the body followed by a right uppercut which took Tanner off of his feet. Tanner landed hard on his back and was slow to get up as Perry laughed. Tanner did not know how someone that size could possibly outmuscle him but it was happening. What’s worse, Tanner had never went up against someone faster than he was before, at least not since he had found the Sword of Ages and embraced his gift as a mage breaker. Tanner waited as the boy came back closer and changed his game plan. The boy was either his speed or slightly faster but Tanner had a lot of reach on the boy. Tanner’s punches were fast and made to keep Perry on the outside. Whenever Perry was too far Tanner would give him a kick to the thigh, if Perry got too close he would either throw an elbow or pick up and toss the man backwards. His punches did not have a lot of pop of them but he kept Perry from getting closer and soon was landing the majority of the punches as his body began acting normal again.
“Okay that is time” Perry said and stepped back. Tanner had thrown a lot of punches that landed on his face and wondered why the boy didn't have a mark on him. Tanner saw Perry grab his dueling sword as another sword was given to Tanner. It looked like a toy in his hand as the battle began. Tanner was a great swordsman, with the Sword of Ages he was almost unbeatable. The sword gave him precognition, he knew when and where to block and attack and the sword also taught him all the skills of its former wielders. Tanner had learned what he could from it and the helm he had and had been practicing without using any of them. Perry charged at him and gave him a simple three strike maneuver. His cuts were quick and precise and Tanner just barely blocked them all. He hated this noble way of dueling, it would never work in a war holding one hand behind your back or out to the side while you flicked your blade. An armored opponent would go right through you. Tanner gave a riposte and stood back. Perry had a lot of skill as his cuts were quick and precise, but the speed and power in which he fought was amazing. Back and forth they went, Tanner was mostly on defense and found himself backing away from Perry. Despite their size and Tanner’s experience, the swordmaster was the better fighter. If Tanner drew power from a mage he could definitely even this up but that would be cheating, something he wouldn't do against a normal opponent. Perry moved in and out with ease and switched forms on the fly. Tanner had been doing a little more than stumbling back and blocking everything only attacking when he knew he could recover. Tanner looked at Perry and could tell the boy was getting frustrated despite the fact he had scored several small hits on Tanner. Tanner had great endurance and wondered when the boy would get tired as the pace he was attacking was even starting to get Tanner tired. This went on a few moments when Tanner saw Perry stagger for a moment, then return to normal. The change happened so fast and fixed itself so quickly Tanner was worried if he somehow was imagining things. As Perry got through his guard and scored a minor hit on his chest as Tanner grabbed him by the collar and spun him around things started falling into place. There was no way someone like Perry could be so tough, he had to be enhanced somehow. Tanner let his anti-magic field expand across the room and could see Perry visibly sag. Tanner held his sword out and went to attack when Perry held his sword straight up in a sign of the duel ending.
“The Earl is a worthy opponent” Perry said as Tanner could tell he was out of breath. “Judging on his skill I would rank him as a one bolt master although he did let in too many hits. Your skill is well deserved.”
Tanner looked around and could see mages were all around the room, at least one had collapsed and the others looked no better. They were using some kind of magic to sustain him, when Tanner cut it off briefly he broke the bond that Perry had. If they
ever fought again Tanner had no doubt he would defeat him. Perry did in fact have plenty of skill but he had a lot of help also. Tanner turned around and saw Tara laughing and chatting with King Golden, Queen Caroline, their children and other nobles he did not recognize.
“I thought he had you there for a moment old friend” King Golden said as he took a drink of wine. “He is a lot stronger than you thought isn't he? We have been here hearing all about how you and Tara here met and the big reason you want to hurry home is for Loquats. I’ll have some sent over from my garden and we will compare, please sit down.”
Tanner sat down and glared at Tara who was oblivious. She looked like she was in her element laughing and joking, it was then Tanner knew she was not the woman for him. She had went out and blabbed everything she knew and despite knowing he was not comfortable she wanted to stay anyway. He would give her this night but they were all but done.
“Tanner the Queen has invited me to see the palace” Tara said with a smile.
“You should go and have fun” Tanner replied dryly.
“What do you mean I should go, you have to come also” Tara replied.
“It is not the place for me” Tanner replied.
“Well the King said he has the finest fields in the land to hunt snow hare. Didn't you say you were looking for one?” Tara asked.
“Snow Hare isn't that important to me, there are other animals to hunt” Tanner replied.
“Come now Tanner let's bury this between us” Queen Caroline said and touched his hand. “I think it is great you have found someone and she is such a lovely girl, can't we put the past behind us?”
“Your Majesty people who forget the past are doomed to repeat it” Tanner replied. “Besides I have found no one.”
“What do you mean?” Queen Caroline asked.
“I am still single and I doubt that will change” Tanner replied.
“Nonsense Uncle, Tara already let everything be in the open, all at this table know you have a budding romance” Princess Carolina replied.
