novelxo Chapter Chapter Seven
Emerging into the light of the throne room Tanis blinked his eyes clear as the other two stood dumbfounded. The room was twice the size they had expected from the view through the chink. Tanis moved forward calling his friend and his wife to follow. He led with the Holy Avenger still clasped tightly in his hands.
The lord looked up at hearing Tanis and his laughter halted. He looked down at the young party and a laugh escaped his lips. “What is this?” the lord called, “Entertainment?” At that all in the room roared with laughter. Coldly Tanis looked into the face of the one who had fathered him and told him, “Father, I am the child that you sought to destroy so many years ago. It was my mother that you raped on Beltane so many years ago. I have come to avenge her death and put an end to the tyranny you have rained on these good people!” He held his head high as he spoke these words and kept close watch on the guards who stood fingering weapons. “Any who do not wish to perish with this dictator should leave now or share his fate.” Tanis said in a voice just loud enough to reach every person in that room’s ears. There was sudden motion as all the minor lords and ladies of conquered territories ran for the doors. It was obvious that though they would move to support the Lord McCryden none wished to die for him.
Standing alone with three guards before him, Lord McCryden sneered and snickered. “Lads, this boy knows not whom he deals with. Let me have some fun with him before we begin tearing apart his friends and sharing out their possessions.” With that he drew the great claymore that stood next to his throne in a gilded stand. Turning the blade once he charged into the attack with Tanis. Trees falling in the wind met the boar’s charge through the brush met parting the silk met the heron flies met by the dragon strikes. Form after form flew from the hands, feet, and weapons of the two combatants until it turned into a match of traded blows. Both men bled from gashes made by his opponent. Slowly the younger man gained the upper hand and he stopped and sighed a breath of relief seeing the weakened Lord McCryden on all fours in the middle of the room. His guards long since had sheathed their weapons in respect for the skill of the young man that faced their sovereign lord.
Tanis stood before the man that had given him life and picked up his head so he could look into the man’s eyes. Solid blue death met blue ice, the men locked eyes for just a moment and then Tanis asked “Why should I spare your life? You who had asked for my death when I was no more than a babe at my mother’s breast. You who had raped my mother and disgraced her to no end. You who killed that woman to try and cover your own crimes. You have earned death more than once, yet I am not without mercy. Ask for your life and I will grant it. Death is too good for you!” The lord begged for his life and Tanis turned from him and walked toward his now waiting friends. As he approached Perrick, Perrick drew a blade and threw it toward Tanis. Tanis dived to the floor and growled his hate and disgust at Perrick until he looked where Perrick pointed. Tanis saw his father dead with Perrick’s knife in his throat. In his hand he held another dagger that he had been meant for Tanis. Perrick had saved his life and he had charged him falsely. Taking Perrick’s hand Tanis begged forgiveness. Instead of acknowledging his friend’s pleads he called out in a loud voice to all that had gathered to see the fight, “All Hail, The new Lord of McCryden, Tanis Thalin.” At that he kneeled before his friend and gave the amazed Tanis his oath of loyalty. After Perrick came the conquered lords and ladies and the local merchants all swearing before the new ruler of their lands.