The Hammer of Champions Read online

  “You say it like they are the goddess herself” Tanner laughed. “They are just Golden’s whelps, good people but hardly the type I would be afraid of speaking to.”

  “You say king Golden’s name so plainly, if anyone were to hear you” Tara said as she let the statement hang in the air.

  “If anyone wanted to make it their business I would tell them to sod off quicker than a high-priced whore to a bum” Tanner said quickly. “Besides, I didn't have to tell them nowt, those buggers figured it out on their own and told me to take you to some ball that is being thrown.”

  “We are going to a ball?” Tara asked.

  “I suppose so,” Tanner replied. “Many of the types there are going to try to root around in my business. Just don't tell them anything about me, no matter who the speaker is or how they try to make you feel like you are talking to your mum. I don't really like anyone there other than the two idiots sleeping in the next couple of rooms over. And by anything, I mean don't tell them anything. I haven't told you a lot but know me and the King don't really get on. While I am polite to the Queen she is his wife and I want her out of my business as well. I just want to make an appearance, stomp around a bit and leave. My loquats should be ready any day now and I want to be the first to eat them as soon as they are ripe before the cutthroats here decide to fill their bellies before me.”

  “Oh how grand, we will be before the King and Queen and countless other nobles” Tara replied excited.

  “That we will be, nobles who want to pry in my business” Tanner reminded her. “I’m a very private man and I don't want anything slipping out about me, not even my favorite color or which rum I like to drink with deer.”

  “I need a dress!” Tara exclaimed. “I can’t go like this, we can’t go like this! The women there will be finely dressed and I’ll look like an old maid. That's what I’ll look like, an old maid with a brute the size of a doorway. I need to get a gown, no three gowns and shoes and countless other things.”

  “Calm down Tara” Tanner replied. “Stephen and his wife has been going on about how I should make my intentions towards you clear and take you out somewhere to show you off as a way to let the stuffy shirt nobles know I am courting you and that you are not some mistress. They left a whole closet full of stuff in Stephen’s room for you complete with all that other nonsense. You can stay in there for tonight and try all that stuff on, I am supposed to bring a small number of servants and the like with me to this thing. You might want to bring someone to do your hair, I really don't need anybody and I see dressing up as pointless to hang out with that lot.”

  “You can’t go like that, you have to be presentable” Tara cried out. “I have seen your clothes in your wardrobe, they absolutely have to be brought with us.”

  ~

  The next day Tanner awoke early and started making breakfast. While he had people for that sort of thing he enjoyed doing it himself, as a way of not forgetting where he came from. As he finished, his cook Farald opened up the door then started screaming at him to get out and started calling for his other helpers. Farald was an old man, nearly seventy summers and he cooked less and less but instead directed his helpers to do the work. Farald had never dreamed of using Tanner’s title deciding Tanner was too young for such a great honor. Tanner liked Farald and knew the old man liked him, although he would get angry when he decided Tanner was sticking his nose in Farald’s business and trying to put him out of a job. Tanner walked into his dining hall, most of the heavy cooking had already been done, the only thing left was the squeezing of juice and other such things. Tanner sat at his table and could see Tara peeking into the room and motioned for her to join him.

  “Are you sure, you just gave me a big speech just last night about keeping people out of your business” Tara asked shyly.

  “This lot aren’t people” Tanner replied. “The jinx flinger and the royal brats are the only family I have besides Stephen and his bunch. Take a seat, speak freely around these people. In fact, go tell the rest of them to come on down and have breakfast with me. If my family objects they can go eat outside.”

  Tara nodded and left, moments later Farald walked in and took a seat. Tanner could tell the old man’s knee was acting up on him again. Plates were brought out and set up as the other servants in his house came, careful to leave four seats near Tanner. Tanner watched as Tara came and sat down next to him, a little while later Carolina, Prince Tanner and Edmonson sat down looking very nervous.

  “This is my people” Tanner explained. “We always eat together and if you want something you can get up and get it yourself. You may be big names outside of this house, but in it you are just my younger family members. Now try the biscuits, they are spread with a jelly that none here will let you know what it is made out of.”

  “Thank the holy one” Edmonson said as he rolled up his sleeves unbuttoned his top button and started eating with his hands. “You are my kind of guy Uncle” Edmonson said with a mouthful of bacon. “No offense to my lady wife but I hate eating foods with a knife and fork when my hands are perfectly capable.”

  “Edmonson!” Carolina said shocked.

  “Leave the Jinx Flinger alone girl” Tanner said with a full mouth. “You were brought up in fancy britches drinking with your pinky all stuck out like a spoiled child’s fat lip. He feels comfortable here and I’ll not let you change that, at least not until you pop out some babies to run around here.”

  “Pop out babies?” Carolina said and blushed. “Uncle your mouth is legendary.”

  “That it is, but it still rings true” Tanner replied.

  “So Uncle, speaking of popping out babies” Prince Tanner said and cleared his throat. “Are you ever going to find someone to at least try with?”

  “Don’t be getting fancy with me boy” Tanner replied as he eyed his nephew. “I know you all of you here have at least heard rumors about Tara and me. We are just two people who enjoy spending time with each other and it may get to be something more. Now that don't mean for you to go tell all you know to your Mum and Da, I don't want them in my business under no circumstances.”

  “Hello Tara, I am Carolina” the Princess said with a grin that looked like it was ready to explode off of her face.

  “Hello Your Highness, I am-” Tara began before Tanner spoke up.

  “Nobody uses fancy titles in my house, Carolina this is Tara, Tara this everyone else” Tanner said as he gestured to the people sitting. “Away from here do all that bowing and scraping, here we are just normal people having a meal.”

  “You can just call me Ed, Tara” Edmonson said and nodded towards her. “Only the mages and nobles call me Edmonson, it's too much of a mouthful for a farm boy.”

  “And you can call me Tanner” Prince Tanner added. “In fact you can call me Tanner no matter where we are, if anyone doesn't like it they can take their grievances up with me.”

  “So Tara, how did you guys meet?” Carolina asked.

  “Your Uncle often goes into the mines himself and helps out” Tara explained. “After he was done for the day he pulled out a wooden sword and started teaching some of the boys how to use it. I didn't know he was the Earl then and I’m sure I wasn't alone when I asked him who the hell he thought he was, some kind of master swordsman? He nodded and I laughed at him a bit, but trust me every girl had their eye on him, all tall with muscles bulging out. I challenged him to duel, I didn't know anything about the sword but wanted to find out more about him. He accepted until my father came out and told me to get lost and stop bothering the Earl. Everyone gasped at this and I was mortified, he looked around my age. I told him he was lucky someone saved him from embarrassment and two months later here we are, whatever we are.”

  “You challenged Uncle Tanner to a duel?” Prince Tanner said unbelievingly. “You do know although he has never been tested as a swordmaster he did cut a path through Tavor.”

  “None of that mattered Tanner” Tara replied. “I am sure you had girls acting silly wishing
to get your attention.”

  “That's because I’m the crown Prince though” Prince Tanner replied.

  “Of course it is boy, it has nothing to do with you being built like a soldier with the long golden locks of the blessed one?” Tanner replied as he looked at his nephew.

  “The blessed one?” Prince Tanner replied confused.

  “It was someone I once knew, but that still holds true, people act all crazy around people they think are as cute as puppy in a blanket” Tanner said as he finished off his juice. “When I saw Tara there I hadn’t even looked at a woman in years, yet I found myself back at the very same mine digging through rock and dueling others when I normally only did things like that once a month. I’ll say Tara was bold and eventually she got a job through that old cuss Farald and started working here.”

  “Hey I’m still here at the table boy” Farald said as he gave Tanner a side eye.

  “So this thing is about some noble trying to get some poor fool to marry his little girl?” Tanner asked.

  “Yes, Jessica is his only daughter and she is very picky” Carolina said as she looked at her Uncle. “I was just happy I was permitted to marry for love and not get saddled with some old man over forty something summers.”

  “I think you have been insulted Tara” Tanner laughed.

  “Not you Uncle” Carolina clarified. “You haven't let yourself go like many noblemen, they want something nice looking but refuse to put in the work themselves. You are always out doing something for your physique.”

  “The physique came with that blasted gift of mine” Tanner replied. “I was about as narrow as the Jinx Flinger but I was always handy with my sword. In my old town, only your Da could best me and that’s only because we both learned from my Uncle. I wanted to be a fat round man when I was growing up in a house filled with kids with more energy than sense, hopefully with something worth looking at.”

  “Well I for one will be glad you are there” Edmonson said as he joined the conversation. “There aren't many mages as part of the nobility anymore unless you are on the Tavorian side of Ket. Even if some of them will make the trip we have nothing to talk about. Almost everyone there were born noble and talk about noble things like money and power. I’m more at home talking about what is best to plant to replenish the soil. So I just nod like an idiot until some prat decides to try his luck and talk about how I’m not a noble.”

  “Well you can always stay home, I always do” Tanner replied.

  “Well this one ought to be a headache” Edmonson replied. “Duke Wayne’s eldest son just made it to being a three rank swordmaster, something unheard of but it has been said he has passed every test and even beat his mentor Saul Jacobson. I am going to have to put up with how great he thinks he is since he is bound to challenge almost everyone there.”

  “I don't think I have heard of this Duke Wayne but then again I don't involve myself in any of that garbage” Tanner replied.

  “You haven’t heard of Duke Wayne Uncle?” Prince Tanner asked. “Right now, he along with Duke Haggerty are no doubt leading the charge to replace my father. His lands aren't very rich but he does have a lot of mages and people who know combat. They have been itching at the opportunity to take on the five kingdoms and Wayne himself has been angry ever since Carolina chose Edmonson over his son Perry.”

  “Well why don't he fix up this Perry with this Jessica and call it a day” Tanner replied. “You say they are as thick as a nasty woman’s discharge, I would think the match would have already been made.”

  “Perry is a brute, I never could see myself with him and I doubt Jessica could either” Carolina spoke up. “Perry has grand ambitions to be the next great hero of the land and leave a ton of uncared for children in his wake by various women. Any girl with a title to her name or family would pass him by. The only ones who put up with him are those from far lesser households.”

  “Well enough about that prat then” Tanner said as he stood up from the table. “I know you all better be heading back soon and if I’m going to this thing I have some arrangements to make as well to make sure I have everything.”

  CHAPTER 3

  “So here we are” Tanner replied as his carriage pulled up to the estate of Duke Haggerty. He had known many nobles arrived days before to seek the Duke’s audience but Tanner was not one of them. Tanner had a lot more money and almost as many people in his lands as the Duke.

  “I know, keep your business your business” Tara said as took Tanner’s hand and climbed out of the carriage.

  “Excuse me Milord” Tanner looked and saw a thin man with balding hair and glasses say. “Who are you? I don't think I have seen you around before. I need to know your name to make sure we announce you properly. Are you one of the Tavor?”

  “Hell no” Tanner said as he looked down on the little man. “Do I look like a damn Tavorian to you?”

  “Milord?” the man replied nervously.

  “I am the Earl of Tox” Tanner replied. “You don't have to go out of your way to announce me, I ain't nobody special.”

  “I, it’s my job Milord” the man stammered. “What should I call the young lady?”

  “A special guest and let’s leave it at that” Tanner said as he followed the man into the estate. Tanner had to admit it was nice in an old kind of way. Tanner had torn down anything that reminded him of the former Earl of Tox and had his entire home updated. Duke Haggerty though had priceless antiques almost everywhere. The man led him to a room which Tanner figured was some kind of banquet hall, it was much bigger than the one he had at home. At the door greeting guests was who he assumed was Duke Haggerty and this Jessica lady. The Duke looked to be about Tanner’s age, well maybe a little older since his hair had as much gray in it as it had brown. The Duke was of average size and although far from the physique of a soldier, he kept himself in shape. His daughter looked the noble type, pale white skin and brown hair so decorated and put up Tanner guessed it had to take at least half a day. She was shorter than the Duke, about Tara’s height Tanner thought which would put her right below the center of his chest. Tanner knew he stuck out in this crowd, he was a head taller than most of the people here if not more and had broad shoulders. His blade, the Sword of Ages was at home along with his helm under heavy guard.

  “Your Grace may I present to you, Earl Tox and his lady friend” the man said with a bow. Tanner watched the Duke’s eyes go wide and look up at him. He quickly dismissed his bewildered look as Tanner bowed to the man and elbowed Tara to do the same.

  “Your Grace” Tanner replied.

  “Lord Tox” the Duke replied. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it, you normally don't show to these kinds of things. It's a pleasure to have you, may I present my daughter Jessica.”

  Tanner gave her a smile and kissed the hand she offered before walking inside. There were a lot of little tables in this room instead of one grand one and each had little cards on them establishing who sat where. Tanner found his and saw he sat at a table with two knights and whoever their guests were. Tanner took a seat after holding out Tara’s chair. The girl looked excited to be here, especially when a servant called her milady and asked if she would like something to drink. Tanner only went for water and watched as the room started filling up. The last guests came in, it was the royal family and Tanner motioned for Tara to stand until they reached their table which had a place of honor. Tanner then sat back down as his table mates joined him.

  “You are the Earl of Tox Milord?” an older man said as he took a seat. The knight was older than Tanner by about ten years and had a woman with him no older than Tara was at 20 summers. “I figured you to be a far older man.”

  “I’m that bloke” Tanner replied. “There won't be any of this Milord shit at my table, save that for someone who is too self important to care about stuff like that. Call me Tanner” Tanner finished as he stuck out a hand to shake.

  “I am Zeke, Tanner” the knight said as he shook Tanner hand. “And this he
re is my granddaughter Minka.”

  “Nice to meet you both, the lovely lady I have with me is Tara” Tanner replied.

  “Tara, what is your family name” Zeke asked.

  “Tara is a commoner” Tanner replied to save Tara the embarrassment of answering. “But then again I was born a commoner too so we get along alright.”

  “You brought a commoner to a place like this Milord?” Minka gasped. “Does she know any magic or something?”

  “Tara is directly in front of you girl” Tanner began. “You can ask her questions directly but no, she doesn't have a magical bone in her body.”

  “And you are together?” Minka quickly replied.

  “That sounds about right” Tanner replied.

  “The king, he gave his blessing for this match?” Minka said as she looked to Tara then back at Tanner.

  “No but I didn't ask for it either” Tanner replied. “I am happy with Tara and I doubt any here could change my mind. Too many stuffy noble types for me, I need a girl who doesn't mind getting her hands a little dirty, not a pampered Princess complete with a staff of lady servants.”

  “You know you have been the talk of the town recently Milord, I mean Tanner” Zeke replied. “It is rumored you are giving away chunks of land and the majority of your peasants and serfs are wealthy. Many without a title have been talking about trying to reach you for audience.”

  “That ain't no rumor” Tanner began. “I got more money than I know what to do with, that's why I’m all jeweled up like a favorite pleasure girl of a rich merchant. You can tell whoever you heard it right from the horse’s mouth.”

  “Tanner well I think you look nice” Tara said as she squeezed his hand. “I don't think any man in here wouldn’t kill to have a body like yours and your outfit fits you handsomely. I am the luckiest girl here by far, the rest have to be content with whatever leftovers are around.”