by A L Issett
“But you found a semblance of peace” Caroline said. “You had two beautiful children and you married the woman you wanted. That is why you are able to enjoy little things without the need to threaten everyone around you.”
“Tanner wanted my sister” Golden replied. “Growing up I never saw it but suddenly it was there. I doubt there is another woman anywhere that he wants like he wanted her. Although at this point I think he is in love with a perfect ghost instead of who my sister was. Every year she gets more perfect and beautiful in his eyes. If he wanted another woman I think he would have had one. I don’t think too many girls would turn down a rich Earl. Even if he found a nice woman, who would want to live with the spectre of my dead sister hanging over their heads? I wish though he would have at least tried to make a go of it with this Quetian Queen. Despite what he told us about when she placed the helm on her head, having her as an ally would have been nice.”
“Well don’t tease him about that Quetian Queen” Caroline said. “Your daughter tried to tease him a little and let's just say Tanner is clear about his feelings regarding her. At least when it comes to someone teasing a romance. He wants nothing to do with her.”
“Well do we have a plan to smooth over hard feelings from Baron Cohenny?” Golden asked. “Tanner struck him hard when Cohenny insulted him. I know he claims to be over it but I would like it if I was sure.”
“Not yet but something will come up” Caroline said. “So what is our ultimate plan with the bracers? We could be looking at having an elite squad of killer warriors right at our fingertips. There are many poor mages around the kingdom who feel they do not get any respect.”
“They want the respect of stronger mages” Golden replied. “Many of them want to be put on a pedestal. Perhaps it is time for me to start enforcing the laws, the more mages that are turned then the more items we can make. Maybe I will only give Haggerty one of the bracers until I have a way to make more. I doubt Tanner is going to walk in here and hand over others.”
“Well now you know what I know” Caroline said. “And mother’s plan to give him peace of mind is by having him start going to different events and start dating. He may not be all smiles at the end of it but at least he had some happiness. That barbarian he used to hang around with told me Tanner used to have a bit of fun at their gatherings, he just never took a woman home. But enough of that, has our grandchild been born yet?”
“Not yet” Golden replied. “Our son was broken up about not being able to ride into Quet after his sister. But the babe should come soon.”
CHAPTER 10
Tanner had been traveling with Claudia and her group of servants and guards for almost a day, normally he rode on the two horses he brought but decided to give both animals some rest and would ride the rest of the way inside of the carriage with the girl. Claudia reminded Tanner more of her father instead of her mother, she was quiet and only really spoke when something needed said. At least that is what Tanner thought but he could be wrong, the girl had seen that he didn't care about fancy titles and flirting wouldn't do anything for her. Tanner knew other than his size he wasn't anything to look at, he had a plain face and his hair was nothing to write home about either. A good number of women he had met were put off by his size, he was too tall for most and he had a lot of weight on them. They would look more like father and daughter instead of two people trying to make a go of it.
“Your Lordship” Claudia began.
“Don't you start with that shit girl” Tanner replied. “I already told you my name.”
“I was told you knew my father” Claudia said as Tanner thought about Nance, one of the men who made his life hell during his Black Hand training and the man who helped kidnap Mary.
“A perfect tosser if there ever was one” Tanner said.
“I heard all about your story” Claudia said as the carriage they were riding in went over a bump.
“Then you know why me and your Da would never see eye to eye” Tanner replied.
“My mother says you were the one that got away” Claudia said and blushed. “Once that horrible man killed your wife she wanted to seek you out but thought you would have rejected her.”
“She was right, I would have ran her through and any man she came with for protection” Tanner said. “She mucked it up when they grabbed my Mary, no coming back from that.”
“Well she was excited to see you again” Claudia said laughing. “She said you were a perfect brute and that you would not be out of place in any tavern located in any slum in Ket.”
“Is that cause I don't jabber on like you proper folks?” Tanner laughed.
“You sound like a commoner, a commoner that is not particularly bright” Claudia said. “It's hard to believe that you are an Earl, most nobles are a lot different than you are.”
“All quiet and meek like” Tanner laughed. “Maybe around people I don't know enough to like or hate I can act like a stuffy shirt. My problem is that I don't give a fat hog’s tenders about what anyone thinks of me. It has served me well for over twenty years, I don't see any reason to change.”
“Well I am happy you are here” Claudia replied. “So is it true you used to be one of the Black Hand?”
“Not really” Tanner replied. “We just worked together a few times. If I could go back I would have slaughtered most of them on sight. Knowing my Mary wasn't going to make it no matter what I did would have ended whatever plan they had for me. I would have ran inside the palace and laid waste to the lot of them, weird being surrounded by them now.”
“How do you know?” Claudia asked.
“Your servants don't look as scared as they should be with a big loudmouth like me stomping about” Tanner said. “Rich men normally make sport of trying to lay down any old servant girl they can find and I am sure it is common knowledge I had a commoner girlfriend once. None of these people around me has even given me a second glance. I know your mother would never let you go anywhere without her people watching you. Now tell me about this man you are supposed to be meeting.”
“Daniel is a Baron” Claudia replied. “And he is a full mage.”
“Then why is he marrying you?” Tanner asked. “The boy could have his pick of mage women all around Tavor.”
“Daniel is not a boy” Claudia said. “He is as old as I hear you are and he has already had three children. His wife died ten years ago to a heart attack.”
“Her heart was it?” Tanner said. “You still didn't answer my question on why he would marry a Ketian noble. I know you are going to be Duchess such and such but why should he give rat’s behind about any of it?”
“Because I am rich and his Barony is hurting” Claudia replied. “He has three daughters but only one of them has the gift, the oldest. The other two will find it difficult to marry someone they think is of their station since no mage would want anything to do with them and their dowry wouldn't be all that great. Daniel is hoping maybe with my connections that his daughters could meet someone that doesn't care about their lack of magic.”
“You don't sound too hopeful” Tanner said.
“Who knows if they can or can't” Claudia said. “What I do know is that Daniel is a powerful mage in his own right and was a force to be feared during the war. He is very soft spoken and tries to avoid conflict, he is the perfect husband for me.”
“Then why am I here” Tanner asked. “If he is as meek as a field mouse you don't need me and the Hand here.”
“Because there are others around him that are not” Claudia said. “None really know of our courtship, once they find out it is sure to be a scandal. I want to convince one of his daughters to come along with me back to Soves so I can show her around. Like my mother said, if there are any problems she is sure having you around couldn't hurt.”
“I halfway expected all of you to butt into my life” Tanner replied. “You looked like a bunch of vultures ready to pick some bones clean.”
“The rest were talking about how angry you always were
” Claudia said. “My mother was halfway expecting you to fly across the room when the Queen asked you to come with me. Especially when my mother asked you instead.”
“I don't hate your mother, at least not any more” Tanner said. “She was a woman doing a job and with her I could see it was nothing personal. She lived a dangerous life and never sent anyone to do her dirty work. She also never pretended to be anything other than she was, at the end of the day I can respect that. Aundrea and I both went through hell but she came out of it, she always treated me fair and nothing that happened to me was her fault. Caroline was a stupid girl who lost her father and didn't know how to mourn, she found comfort in the arms of that big blonde lout Golden and even if she didn't she couldn't do anything anyway and she was oblivious to what was happening. Carolina looks like a carbon copy of my Mary, a tiny copy but a copy nonetheless. The girl has wanted to get to know me and being around her and her brother makes me happy. I didn't know you well enough to hate you or like you. Trust me there could have been other people around that table and I would have been angry enough to draw steel.”
“You left so you can be happy?” Claudia asked.
“None who owned my sword or my helm were ever happy” Tanner began. “They were angry until their dying day. I suppose even when I left Ket and stayed gone for twenty years I was still angry. The sword can never be voluntarily left at least not for some long period of time. I would always go back to it and I feel horrible whenever I am not near it. The sword keeps you angry, every time I pick it up I relive what happened to me. I don't see it in my head but I can remember the feeling. If I am wearing the helm I can see everything like it happened yesterday.”
“Then just stop wearing them both” Claudia said.
“Then I could never see her face again” Tanner said. “That is something I have never told anyone, don't really know why I am telling you.”
“Well at least you are making this trip” Claudia said. “Have you ever been to this part of the kingdom as a tourist?”
“No” Tanner replied. “I was only sent here to kill people. People whose faces I remember whenever I have both of my items on, people who didn't do anything wrong other than be in the path when someone else poked the bear.”
“That is a lot to carry around” Claudia said.
“I feel like one of those ants trying to carry a dead grasshopper” Tanner said. “A grasshopper they can never put down. So you see I don't have anything to lose, at least while I am out here I don't have to worry about various busybodies.”
“No you won't” Claudia said. “I am a bit excited and nervous, me and Daniel have never really met, only corresponded. I have seen drawings and paintings of him of course, my mother has a far reach and her people have studied him. Physically I think I could do better and if we are attacked I will not be dead weight. My mother and father always insisted I knew how to fight and carry myself. After what happened to poor Carolina and Jessica I am glad I learned, they were brought back unharmed but things could have went horribly.”
“Which is the reason I need to stay in the capital for a few years when I get back” Tanner said. “I don't trust no one to train her except me, anyone else would muck it up and there is going to come a time when she has to put her all into it and someone could get hurt.”
“I wish I could have been there to see you and Perry duel” Claudia said. “I have seen him duel twice and he is faster than anyone I have ever met. The second opponent he beat was one picked out by my mother. Don't tell her I said so, but your duel was not exactly spontaneous. Perry has been hearing about how he was almost as good as you and how he could never be a real hero of the land. When you were in the same room together he couldn't help himself but to challenge you. Many women I know have thought about making a match with him, he is handsome and without knowing his secret he is above all others in dueling. A future Duke who is a three bolt swordmaster when there are only a handful of one bolt swordmasters and only one two bolt swordmaster in the entire kingdom. I even wanted him until I met the man, just something about him makes me and a lot of others stay away.”
“He can charm when he wants to but I don't feel comfortable gossiping about anyone and this chinwag looks like it is going that way” Tanner said.
“Why don't you go try out for swordmaster?” Claudia asked. “I heard even Perry himself said you could possibly be a one bolt.”
“And compete in their little tournaments?” Tanner laughed. “What do I look like dressing up all fancy and poking folks with those little swords? The first time I even held one was when I sparred with him, those little things can't do anything when your opponent is wearing plate. I don't need any bolts on my hilt, I already know where my skill level is.”
“Well it looks like we are done for the night” Claudia said. “Just three more days and we will be in Tavor, then the real fun can begin.”
“Well this look like a proper high-priced place” Tanner said. “Most likely filled with people who look like someone blowed off in their faces. Well let’s not fanny around and hurry up and get in there, I’m hungry and sleepy.”
~
“Alright girl we are here” Tanner said looking around. “This New Haven place is an odd one, to be so small it looks far too grand.”
“This is where the rich go to relax” Claudia said. “Almost everyone has an estate or some other home and the small inn is normally booked solid. It was made to keep outsiders away, it is not by coincidence the other towns surrounding it are nothing more than poor villages and the ride here was plenty rough.”
“I like their pluck” Tanner laughed. “There are no roads leading here and carriages cannot make the trip. It has to be done on foot or by horseback, I wish I had something like it back home. How did all of these pretty buildings go up then?”
“There are a lot of mages in New Haven and there was once a road” Claudia said as she rode on Tanner’s other horse. “Trees were planted in the middle of it and it was purposely destroyed, if New Haven needs anything it is brought in at great cost by men who make their living doing such work. Things here are a lot more expensive than anywhere else in the kingdom.”
“So then where in the pit are we going to stay?” Tanner asked. “Is it with your little man?”
“I have a home here” Claudia said. “Well the Hand has a home here. It is not much of a home but it is comfortable and well stocked.”
“Too grand and people would wonder who you are” Tanner said shaking his head. “Someone is going to throw a wobbler once they find out who we are, this ought to be good.”
“Well I still need to get dressed and so do you” Claudia said. “We already have a small carriage here that was built on sight so that shouldn't be an issue.”
“Well now that you are here, when are you going to see your man?” Tanner asked.
“I am going to meet him for dinner” Claudia replied. “He still doesn't know I am up here yet despite the invitations being given to all nobility and mages. You and I both already have a change of clothes in our rooms, getting the fit right was a bit tricky but my mother liked the cut.”
“I don't have a change of clothes in there” Tanner said then frowned. “Of course I have a change of clothes in there, they knew I would leave before I did. How did they get the fit right?”
“It was as easy as taking one of your outfits you have been seen in and going from there” Claudia replied. “Don't be too angry at her, Tara let us have access. We told her she would meet the Queen and neither of you could be dressed the way you normally do.”
“I am not angry at her and she won't ever know that I know unless you tell her” Tanner said. “Where do all of the regular folks here sleep? Even for a town this size there has to be someone cleaning the streets and doing all of that other stuff.”
“Either with their employer or they go home” Claudia replied. “My house is just around this corner.”
Tanner watched as Claudia stopped in front of a modest two-story ho
me. It was painted white and had a small but well kept yard and nothing about it stood out. It reminded Tanner of a house that either looked like the owners moved out and took their things or someone just moved in and hadn’t the chance to buy anything yet. Tanner wasn't amazed to see there was already someone inside or that there was already a meal in his room. Tanner hurried and took a bath, it was in a separate room outside. He had dust, dirt and grime on him from the tough trail to get to New Haven and felt good to have it washed away. As soon as he finished he noticed a fresh pair of clothes were already laid out and got himself dressed. The outfit was a bit a tight around the chest but the pants fit well. He noticed the symbol for House Tox was embroidered on one of the lapels and frowned. Tanner had done away with the symbol long ago and had it scoured from his lands and wherever he saw it displayed. Tanner sighed and figured no one would know who he was without it which suited him fine, he had no idea who any of these people were anyway and didn't see the need for them to know him. Tanner put on the boots that went with the outfit and could feel there was a dagger hidden inside. Tanner smiled at this and started searching his clothes, he found a few lock picks, some thin steel rope and his belt also hid a dagger. The sword belt they gave him was also nice, it was made of hardened leather and was the same dark brown color as the rest of his outfit. Tanner thought the entire thing matched his hair and eyes perfectly and left with his sword on his hip. Tanner could see Claudia was already dressed by the time he finished and figured there had to be another tub somewhere in the house.
“You look nice Tanner” Claudia said. “I already sent a messenger to Baron Collier asking him and his family to join us for a meal. They just got in yesterday and the party isn't until tomorrow.”
“Who in the pit is Baron Collier?” Tanner asked.
“That is Daniel’s official name” Claudia replied. “Just like I am Lady Soves and you are Earl Tox.”
