by A L Issett
“You know about the braces?” Perry asked.
“Braces?” Tanner asked. “I don't know anything about any braces, but I am guessing it's what helps you do what you do.”
Tanner looked at Perry as he became silent, the type of look one gets when they have said too much. Tanner saw all the men exchange glances at each other and decided to talk some more. “Listen, I have a sword that grants me my abilities, it was made long ago by King Xander of legend. My people are bringing it to me even as we speak, now tell me about these braces.”
“They are of a family design and no you can’t have one” Perry began. “And if you tell the king we will just deny it.”
“The king can sod off for all I care” Tanner replied. “Besides, if I am right about the way they work someone would have to be daft to rely on a swordsman even if he is a master instead of a full fledged mage.”
“It's not like that” Perry replied. “Well not exactly anyway. When you get this sword, can we take a look at it?”
“And what would you be needing to do that for” Tanner replied. “What do I get out of it exactly?”
“You said your sword gives you the ability to hold in power and you don't have to be continuously around mages?” Perry asked. Tanner knew the boy had read in too much to what he was saying. Tanner was a mage breaker; his ability was enhanced by the sword but it definitely was not because of it. Tanner could cancel out magic anywhere near him if he wanted, the other part of his power let him latch on and drain magical energy out of mages. This energy felt euphoric to him and gave him speed and power on a whole other level. When he had taken in too much power his body could not handle the stress and grew to better accommodate the energy. Tanner had gotten stronger and his muscles had developed beyond what anyone thought was possible. He could sprint faster than the fastest man, he could lift more than the strongest of men and his reflexes were better than any he had known. When he was actively draining a mage those abilities became even more superior to what the average man could do. His sword though was a weapon of instinct, when Tanner had it, it showed him when to block and when to attack. It contained the abilities of all the swordmasters before him that had owned the sword. Tanner learned much about fighting just from handling the Sword of Ages but it had other uses. The sword became stronger with each mage it had killed and had gained the ability to either be used as a magical implement which Tanner hardly ever used, and it also granted long life. Every mage Tanner had ever killed added on to his life, it was because of this he had stopped aging entirely and healed much faster than a normal man could. His sword was overshadowed by his helm, the Helm of Time. Tanner’s headpiece instantly imprinted knowledge into his head, anyone who had ever tried on the helm whether or not it was their intention gave the helm a copy of their knowledge. When Tanner put it on it imparted that knowledge to him, the fact Tanner had not remembered hearing about any braces at all is what bothered him. But he wouldn’t let Perry know any of that.
“Yes my sword does that” Tanner replied. “But you ain't getting nowt until you come clean”.
“I am very good at dueling” Perry began. “Dueling does not need anyone of great size, just of great mind and ability. My brace though is what makes me even faster and better than you and your sword. “This brace” Perry said as he rolled up one of his sleeves “is special, I don't know how it is made exactly but we have come close. This brace allows for up to ten mages to feed me their power but unlike your sword whenever they stop my power goes away. Not just any mage can feed me power, only those who have undergone a special ceremony. Unfortunately they are no longer able to produce normal magic after that. No fireballs, lightning or shields, their magic takes on a different understanding. They can imbue certain things into metal, with their power combined they have made poor copies of my brace. Only one mage at a time can connect to it though, many mages would not like the trade off to do what my men can. All of the mages you see here have been taught how to duel with a sword. In combat though their main goal is to protect me while I kill the enemy with their power.”
“If they focus on shield work then you could be very formidable indeed” Tanner admitted. “You said they can make a brace similar to yours. You hope to copy my sword, copy its attributes but I think it would be impossible. Anyone other than me who touches it goes mad and kills themselves and others around them and the sword is made from a rare metal. But I will let your people take a look at it on two conditions, the first being you telling me how the braces were made, the second being you give me three copies of the sword you attempt to make that mimics mine.”
“Then it is a deal” Perry replied quickly. “I joined you, but what is your plan exactly?”
“Well I have had time to wrap my head around this” Tanner began. “Chances are whoever grabbed Carolina is going to keep her and the other girl far away from the fighting. We will not be able to get to her so some blood may have to be shed. I plan on fighting until I find out exactly where she is at and then killing my way not only to her but out of Quet. I don't give a fat man’s outhouse about who wins whatever war they have going on. But I will fight on the kidnappers behalf until they slip up. I first thought to disguise myself as a peasant but have changed my mind. I am just going to be Tanner who answered a summon for help from King Golden to go into Quet. You are just going to be exactly who you say you are, the first son of a Duke and the best duelist in Ket. But if the men we ride with are not really mages in that sense, then they should dress like common foot soldiers or an honor guard.”
“They have regular clothes on under their robes” Perry replied. “They are wearing robes simply because people are afraid of mages and just want them gone. Many do not ask too many questions when they are around. So I take it we are going right into the fight?”
“That's the only place I know of to get this thing over with” Tanner replied.
Tanner and his companions rode on into Quet as something was bothering Tanner. Perry had not been entirely truthful with him. As Tanner dug into the memories given to him by the Helm of Time, there was only one item that could craft magical items like his sword or the brace Perry wore and Tanner was sure none of the mages knew how to use it well. He doubted it but it was theoretically possible that these people had control of the Hammer of Champions. It was created to help enchant items but one had to have the ability to enchant and that was lost centuries ago. More than likely they had figured out some way around having an enchanter. Whatever process they used if they were telling the truth, is what stripped the mages of their normal power. Tanner looked at the mages as he was riding, they had to be low in power to begin with, no real mage would give up their power in order to aid another. This could be the reason the items crafted like the braces were not as strong as the original. But then again the helm gave Tanner no knowledge of the original, but that was a worry for another time. What was important now was the implication surrounding the mages. Tanner would not be surprised if Duke Wayne had taken to trying to collect mages with no real power and use them as some kind of attack force. Mages who could bring fire, wind, water and the like were really useful but rare. However there were a lot of people who had some magical ability, just not enough to become useful in battle or almost anything else concerning magic really. These people could help make a solid swordsman great, in a fight endurance helps but initial speed is what separates the victor from a corpse. As Tanner rode on he could tell he was getting closer to whatever was going to be, the horse tracks he had been following met up with a lot more tracks and all headed out in the same general area. One of Perry’s mages took the lead as Tanner could see the man had discarded his robe and was in shining plate armor and carried a shield. All those around Tanner looked like warriors, mages were mostly soft. The only mage he had known outside of those from the Black Hand assassins that kept in that shape had been King Golden and his son. Tanner became lost in thought as he looked up and could see at least twenty riders coming towards them.
“An
y of you ever scrapped from horseback?” Tanner asked as he grabbed the hilt of his sword.
“No, but it shouldn't be too hard to attack the horse instead of the man on top of it” Perry replied and pulled out a crossbow. Tanner eyed the crossbow and could tell right away it had not gotten much use. It still had hard edges instead of the smoothness time would give it and it looked much too clean. The ten other men just looked on as the riders got closer.
“State your business” a man wearing a helm with a red crest. The men around him all had heavy spears which were lowered but looked like they could be brought up in a hurry if need be. They were all armored and looked very nervous, far too nervous than an enemy should when they had superior numbers and weapons.
“We are Ketians and I am sure you know why we are here” Perry said snobbily. “I am the firstborn of Duke Wayne along with my honor guard. We will assist you in whatever way we can and the rest of our troops are a couple of days behind us and will start trickling in.”
“Where are the women” Tanner said as he eyed the man with the red crest and more importantly his horse. The animal looked almost like a plowhorse, all of the enemy rode horses that were similar. Tanner’s knowledge of horse flesh let him know these horses were only good for lugging heavy things or trampling over people. The riders couldn't have rode far on these animals so the command post had to be near.
“We have two special guests but I am not able to say more” the man with the red crest replied. “Please follow me.”
Tanner watched the man turn and went to follow, the enemy let them pass and formed a loose circle around them as they rode on. They did not ride long before Tanner could see small pockets of men all around. Those turned into a larger army and small tents were set up everywhere. Tanner could see eyes were on his party as he rode by, those eyes contained hope. These were broken men who had probably seen too much war. The man with the red crest stopped in front of a large tent, it looked to be able to fit twenty comfortably. When Tanner saw him get off his horse, Tanner mimicked him and looked around at his surroundings as the other men climbed down. The man with the red crest motioned for Tanner and his party to follow, when Tanner attempted to set foot through the tent two guards crossed their spears in front of him.
“Give up your weapon” the guard on the left said, a man of about thirty summers with reddish brown hair and a grim look on his face.
“Why don't you come take it from me” Tanner replied as he bent down to look in the man’s eyes. Tanner was a large powerfully built man and knew sometimes just his size often made people back down. The man for his part looked a little nervous but tried to keep it together, as Tanner first eyed him then the guard next to him.
“Milord perhaps you could hand me your weapon?” Tanner heard a voice say as he turned around and looked into the eyes of one of the mages Perry had brought with him. Tanner drew his sword and handed it to the man all the while keeping his eyes locked on the first guard. If Tanner had an older looking more rugged face the intimidation would be complete, as is he had to scowl deeply to make his baby face work for him.
“When this is over I am going to come looking for you and I’m going to shove that that stick you're holding far up your ass until I see the pointy bit protruding from your mouth” Tanner said as he walked by and made sure to shoulder check the armored man hard enough he fell into the tent. Tanner walked past him and eyed the man, daring him to do anything and turned his head to look around the inside of the tent. The man with the red crest was there along with at least five mages all carrying staves and serious looking expressions. Centered amongst the groups was a girl, she was about 19 or 20 and was wearing clothing better suited for a slightly breezy walk through a garden instead of being at war. She had long raven hair that she kept in a single braid over her left shoulder. She was fair skinned with a proud chin that she attempted to stick up but Tanner could tell she was scared as hell. She looked at Tanner and he could tell it took all her nerves to maintain eye contact with him as he stormed over.
“Where is the girl” Tanner said bluntly as he stared at the girl.
“You will show her Majesty some respect” A mage said as he stepped forward and pointed his staff at Tanner. Tanner grabbed the staff, pulled the man towards him and hit him square on the chin with his right hand knocking the man silly. Another mage started whispering a spell as Tanner still holding the first mage’s staff brought it around and connected to the spell casting mage’s head sending him out instantly. Tanner turned around and found a small sword under his chin, held by the girl. Tanner dropped the staff and repeated his question, “Where is the girl?”
“They are safe” the woman replied.
“Safe where?” Tanner replied.
“They are safe and I will show you proof that they are unharmed tomorrow” the woman said meeting his gaze.
“When tomorrow?” Tanner asked as he could see all eyes were on the conversation.
“At sunset” the woman replied before finishing. “Who are you?”
“Her Uncle” Tanner replied.
“King Golden has a brother?” a voice said from behind and made Tanner whip around to face the man, the sharpness of the sword left a shallow gash across the underside of his chin.
“If you want to keep your teeth, if I were you I wouldn't say that again” Tanner said as he eyed an old man walking up, obviously some kind of adviser. Tanner then turned back to the woman who looked a little pale at drawing Tanner’s blood. “I admit you got me by the cobblers” Tanner said as he stared at the girl. “However if one hair on her pretty little head is damaged I am going to make whatever this war is of yours look like a regular tavern brawl compared to what I’ll bring on your ass.”
“I don’t think we have had the pleasure of meeting you” the older man said as he stood next to the girl who was holding the sword shakily with Tanner’s blood still dripping off of it. “I would like to keep my teeth if you don't mind so I really don't want to offend you again. What do we call you?”
“It don’t matter just not that” Tanner replied then looked back at the girl. “You are shaking a virgin on her wedding night, if you are going to hold a weapon you should be prepared to draw blood. We will call it even for me knocking out these fools, you better tell your men if anyone one of them think they can get their jollies up by picking a fight with me I am always ready.”
“What the Earl is trying to say” Perry said as he finally spoke up. “Is that we are here on the behalf of the king of Ket and expect to be dealt with in good faith. You have people very important to the kingdom and we want them back, we will of course uphold our half of whatever this is to ensure their safe return Milady.”
“I’m sorry and you are?” the woman asked looking at Perry.
“That is the greatest swordsman in Ket” Tanner replied pumping the boy up a little. “If I scare the mush out of you knobbers then you ain't seen nothing yet.”
“You are the best fighter in Ket?” the man with the red crest said as he looked back and forth between Tanner and Perry. “And you are an Earl?”
“Earl Tox is correct on both accounts” Perry said with a smoothness that even left Tanner surprised. “I am the future Duke of Wayne and the best duelist in Ket which is why I am here. Judging by the way the Earl just sparked out two mages, you have probably guessed who in my estimation is the second best duelist. Would it be too much ask to have a healer see to Earl Tox? That gash under his chin hasn't really stopped flowing.”
“Leave it” Tanner replied. “It reminds me that I am not amongst friends only enemies, I will get it seen to when I am back home. Now I don't have all day to have a chin wag, I am guessing your war plan or whatever the hell you call it went arse over elbows and you are getting your asses handed to you. What can we do about it right now until the majority of our troops get here. We are only twelve men but we handle business.”
“Their catapults are tearing us to pieces” the older advisor said as he pulled out a map. “We
can't really set our troops up for a force on force encounter because of the huge stones being hurled in our midst. When we scatter they charge, it has been all we can do to just retreat properly. Soon though we would have been forced into Ket so our hand was forced.”
“How many of these so called catapults are out there and what efforts have you made to cripple them?” Tanner asked.
“Of course we have tried to disable the catapults” the man with the red crest said as he joined into the conversation. Each is being protected by a mage, we have gotten close to the weapons before. Our fighters have been doing their best but we are going against former generals and professional soldiers with only the palace guard, city watchmen and various nobles and peasants.”
“That was before we got here, I am decent at tactics and I doubt anyone on either side can take him” Tanner said pointing at Perry. “Now when is their next attack?”
“Milord with all respect how are you a brilliant military mind at such a young age?” the older advisor asked.
“Before today you would have doubted some lout could storm in here and beat up two mages using their own staves as a weapon” Tanner replied. “But the shit happened and now you doubt I know what I’m doing, do you think it's luck?”
“No I didn’t say that” the advisor replied. “Tell me this much, what is going to be your plan if you get near the catapults? You caught the Queen’s mages by surprise but I am sure if you try something like that again they would be ready for you. The mages guarding the catapults are ready for anything.”
“I just need enough armor and a better weapon than what I have” Tanner replied. “I need to experience the battlefield, after that is done I can tell you more. Who do you have here that is worth a shit and will follow me into battle?”
“We have only the place guard that is trained enough to get through a mass of men, but why would they follow you?” the man with the red crest replied. “They only respect power and I am not going to send some of them on a suicide mission to protect someone who may have had a combination of brashness and luck to get this far.”
