Mighty Hammer Down

by David J Guyton

Tannis arrived at the Inn on Pike's Row after he sent guards to search all the nearby streets. Another attack from an assassin was not what he needed, and he intended to make sure he was safe so that he could organize the campaign against Vindyrion. Armed guards escorted him to the door of the Inn where they stopped and stood watch. Tannis entered the Inn, which was called The Noble Inn, since it was a favorite of the Nobles that lived there on Pike's Row. It was made of wood and plaster, not marble like most of Brinn. The original owner had probably wanted a warm and inviting place instead of a cold stone building, and most likely paid a tiny percent of what a stone building would have cost. Rough-cut lumber supported the ceilings, held up by more of the irregular wood that lined the hallways. Guards stood all over, and when he approached the innkeeper to ask which room the man was in, he was too frightened to speak, and simply pointed to the closed door at the end of a long hallway. Tannis nodded and made his way down the corridor, his eyes fixed on the plain wooden door.

  A guard at the door saluted and moved aside, and Tannis entered without knocking. A man sat in a chair with his hands folded in his lap. He had long, wavy blonde hair, which Tannis always found strange. It was a peculiar custom they held in Vindyrion, and he could not understand why any man in his right mind would want anything but short hair. He thought it must be dreadful in battle, flinging this way and that, perpetually blocking the view of one's attackers. A lot of their army, however, had learned that keeping their hair short was the best idea. The man sat in the chair quietly and looked up at the towering Tannis.

  "Do you know who I am?" Tannis asked.

  "No, I am sorry sir, I do not. You wear black, yet you are not Vindyri."

  "No I am Medoran, but I have not come to you to talk about my choice of attire."

  "Then what have you come for? I am Andrew, by the way," the man said as he started to stand.

  "Remain seated," Tannis snapped, "I am Commanding General of the Medoran Legions. What business have you here in Medora?"

  "I must say sir, the hospitality in Medora is quite lacking."

  "You will answer my questions as soon as I ask them," Tannis said as he took a threatening step toward Andrew.

  The man recoiled in fear, holding his arms up between his face and Tannis. "Please sir, I mean no disrespect. I am unarmed, and you are such a large man. I can do you no harm."

  Tannis relaxed a little but made sure the man could see that he was resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Your answer then?"

  "I am here on an errand from the King himself. He has instructed me to deliver a message to the Emperor."

  "You will not be speaking with the Emperor. You will speak to me."

  "But sir, I have very specific instructions. I must speak to the Emperor, and the matter is urgent."

  In an instant Tannis pulled the man out of the chair and held him in the air, his arms grabbing and legs flailing "I will ask you once more, and that will be the last time," Tannis said through gritted teeth. "What business have you in Medora?"

  "Please sir, let me down. I'm sorry I don't mean to offend." The man stumbled back when Tannis released him, and he nearly fell over the chair. "I have come to ask for assistance. Our army?"

  "Your army moves. I have seen them advancing westward," Tannis interrupted.

  "No sir, you are mistaken. The army moves to the west, yes, but it does not advance, it retreats."

  "Retreats? From your eastern border with Bhoor-Rahn? I have heard no word of any war between your people. I thought that the Vindyri were quite accepting of the Bhoors."

  "Our nation welcomes them, yes, but not all Vindyri are fond of the idea. They live among us, and we do our best to live alongside them and accept their ways, but I fear that we have allowed them too much freedom in our land, and their army has stung us at our eastern border while we were relaxed and content in our ways. We have been manipulated and tricked, and although we are not certain, we feel that the Bhoors living in Vindyrion have orchestrated a rebellion to coincide with the war from the east. Our army rushed to the front, but we were unprepared and we lost many thousands of men. They retreated in waves, leaving some to face the enemy as the others made their way to their home soil. Many brave men died so that their fellow soldiers could live."

  "And what of the Bhoors living among you? Has your King found it necessary to punish or banish them from your lands?"

  "No. As you mentioned before, we are an accepting people. They are free to live among us just as many Medorans do. I live near several Bhoors, and they are peaceful, friendly people that would never harm a soul."

  "Yes it seems that they are only interested in your safety," Tannis remarked with unhidden sarcasm. "What makes you think that Medora will ride to war to engage an enemy that Vindyrion alone seems to have angered?"

  "We come as neighbors and friends. Peace has held between us for nearly half of my life. The King is willing to offer 20 percent of the spoils of war to Medora."

  Tannis laughed loudly. "Have you been to Bhoor-Rahn, Ambassador? Have you seen the land and all its riches? There is nothing there. There is not enough gold or jewels to line the pockets of ten men here in Medora. And if we were to go to war with you, we would demand 80 percent of the spoils. You obviously are in no position to bargain with anyone."

  "Again, sir, you are mistaken. Of course we have very little to go on, but we are aware of a great treasure kept by the Bhoors. There are other lands beyond Bhoor-Rahn where they could have acquired such things as gold and jewels. Just because those lands are not on our maps does not mean they are not there to plunder."

  Tannis stood silently as he thought. He believed the man was being honest with him, but a clever King might send an uninformed fool with a false message in order to lull his enemy into a feeling of security. This man's words would not change the plan to prepare for war, but in the end it might change who would feel the bite from the Medoran Legions. There were still pieces that didn't fit well, like the assassination attempts and the missing scouts. He would need time to think on the matter.

  "If what you say is true, Andrew, then I owe you an apology. I hope you understand that you will not have it until I find the truth. I will need to discuss these matters with the Emperor, and if he sees fit, I will bring you before him to speak with him. You will remain here in Medora until further notice, not as a prisoner, but as a guest."

  "I thank you?" Andrew paused, "You never told me your name sir."

  "You may call me General Tirinius."

  The man looked shocked. "Tirinius? Like in the Book of Oderion?"

  "What are you talking about? There is no mention of that name in that book. I have read it countless times."

  Andrew looked confused and stared off at a wall in thought. "Perhaps I am mistaken sir. I am not very familiar with the book, but I thought I remembered the name."

  "Perhaps you confuse it with Terinopus, god of life. The one holding the pair of balances."

  "Yes, maybe that's it. It has been a long time since I have heard the stories from that book. Anyway, I thank you, General Tirinius, for your time and these accommodations. I hope to be able to speak with your Emperor soon, and I hope that you find it in your hearts to help us." He reached out his hand to shake hands with the giant man that stood in front of him.

  Tannis turned on a heel and left.