Hammer the Exalter by Anthony Payne
Chapter 4
‘Arad the Generous,’ announced the Aeserian to the sentry at the main gates of Salnikovia. ‘Returned from the Shores with a bounty Hammer will be very interested in.’
Isaac heard the gates creak open but had no view other than some clouds and fading blue sky peaking in from the top of his cage as they bounced past the sentry.
He bumped along with the giant for close to two days with the sun now setting for a second time since his capture. The giant said nothing to him during the trip. Isaac tried to get his attention on several occasions, but the giant completely ignored him seemingly obsessed with getting to the city without delay.
Isaac marvelled at the giant’s resilience. He did not break stride the whole journey and jogged steadily, covering an enormous distance very quickly. Isaac however struggled to keep himself balanced regularly crashing against walls of the box accumulating a large array of bumps and bruises across most of his body. The solitude did however give him time to think. Arad dropped morsels of food through the roof as he ran, which alleviated Isaac’s immediate hunger and with that satisfied he became more concerned about any meeting he would have with this ‘Hammer the Exalter.’
From the little Arad had said, Isaac concluded there existed a race of people called ‘Invaders’ who Arad certainly did not like. It took Isaac only short steps in logic to realise at some stage in history, the giants had been bested by the Invaders, who seemingly were of Isaac’s own stature, and to this day the giants did not seem happy about it. As such, he saw his position becoming even more untenable unless he could find some way to escape or he might not see another day to its end.
Isaac tried once again to gain Arad’s attention.
‘You know Arad,’ he yelled. ‘You don’t seem the Generous type to me. I mean surely the generous thing to do would be to release me because it looks like Hammer will make my life a little uncomfortable.’
Arad stopped for the first time since the campsite and spoke directly to Isaac.
‘How dare you question my Generosity Invader, consider rather I am generous in keeping you alive this long rather than kill you immediately you trespassed on our lands which is my right.’
Round one to the giant thought Isaac.
‘Perhaps so, but if generosity is the measure of your honorific, then shouldn't you be overtly more generous than the average of your race.’
‘I am,’ said Arad. ‘Because the average would have killed you already and presented your carcass to Hammer.’
Round two to Arad thought Isaac who knew he struggled for parity in this relationship.
‘OK so you are generous, you win, but as the epitome of generosity aren’t you almost required to instill some of that generous spirit in others and thereby increasing the sum generosity of your people and if that is so then wouldn’t it be almost negligent of you to hand me over to someone who will be manifestly ungenerous towards me?’
This time Arad did not answer and stood silently, considering the question carefully. Isaac’s strategy relied on the integrity of this being he had little knowledge of. He guessed honour defined Arad the Generous, and hopefully this may be enough.
‘You’re argument is compelling,’ said Arad after a time. ‘And now you have left me in a dilemma. My loyalty to my race versus the generosity I must show towards all things. It is a difficult conundrum. Do you realise what will become of me if I let you free. High treason Invader, abetting the enemy and thereby making me an enemy also. Banishment and ridicule and all so I can protect my name. Do you think it worth it Invader, or more importantly, do you think that I think it worth it?’
Arad fell silent and Isaac thought himself no better off. Why would someone risk banishment to protect him. Arad kept still for a long moment. The sun dropped below the mountains and a twilight descended, making his cage now bleak and dark. Isaac could not think how to progress from here.
Arad struggled. The debate he conducted with himself tore at his moral fibre. He could not aid the escape of an enemy of the state, and he knew all to well Hammer would make an example of this Isaac and kill him in as public a domain as possible once he stripped him of all knowledge. His own folly at listening to the creature in the box became evident to him.
‘Very well,’ he said. ‘You are free.’ Isaac felt himself being lowered to the ground and the roof of the cage being removed. Two enormous hands reached in and lifted him effortlessly out of the box and placed him gently on the ground. Isaac stood looking around him and trying to fathom the world he now escaped into. In an instant he felt the magnitude of the city. Buildings of smooth rock shooting thousands of meters into the sky looking as if they had been carved out of the natural rock of the region. Sleek and elegant, as flawless as glass. Roads made of stones the size of a bus, reflecting light from a multitude of lamps shining from nearly every window.
Initially Isaac thought the spires looked like mere minarets, more for adornment and decoration than practical use but he now saw each one teemed with life as hundreds of giants busily travelled up and down the many stairs he could spy through the oblong and oval windows. As he scanned the street he saw many other giants sitting in quite conversation no as yet noticing his presence. Behind the spires, the majestic mountain range he saw from the campsite stretched straight and high, snow covered ragged peaks and a necklace of dark clouds masking their true height. Lightening burst across the sky and for moments the city would shine with a flash of brilliance.
Carts as large as houses dragged by teams of hybrid horses slightly larger than the horses Isaac knew but still not large enough for even a jockey sized giant trundled along the many carriageways exuding smells of both foods and bulging with wares.
‘What are you waiting for?’ said Arad. ‘I have granted you liberty but now you appear reluctant to accept it.’ He smiled ruefully as he glared at Isaac.
‘No hurry,’ said Isaac. ‘Before I go, can you at least tell me what the name of this city is?’
‘You are an odd little man Invader, you claim to know some things about us however in even the most rudimentary of issues you claim ignorance. I will play one last game with you as it is likely to be the last for both of us. Some call this place The City as we have only one, your people saw to that. It has the official name of Salnikovia.’
‘How do I get out of here?’
‘That is not my problem Invader, I have now several more pressing ones I need to deal with as a result of this action.’
‘I’m sorry Arad but I don’t follow you.’
‘Then listen carefully because my patience with you is almost exhausted.’ Arad looked around the City with a twinkle in his eye absorbing the scenery as if it were the last thing he would see.
‘You questioned my Generosity little man and whether I wear the term rightly. Well, I have released you. You may be crushed a thousand times by either man or beast or indeed be recaptured by one of my less generous brethren. Whether this is so or not, my obligation to you has ceased. You are now left to your own devices and use it well because any other Aeserian who captures you will surely present you to Hammer.’
Isaac immediately crouched down low and searched for somewhere to hide, feeling far too exposed out in the open. Although released he knew if discovered his position would worsen quickly. He needed to escape the city and try to conjure some sort of strategy to remain alive. He took a few steps when Arad’s booming voice stopped him.
‘Your race is to be despised,’ bellowed Arad. ‘So self absorbed, so ignorant of others. Do you know the full importance of what is to become of your benefactor?’
An angry Arad did not wait for a reply.
‘I mentioned banishment but this is only the half of it. You may not care little man but I will extol to you the virtue and integrity of the Aeserian race. I will now go to find The Hammer whom is by now expecting me to supply him with great news. He is in the middle of a banquet, a forum of our people and he will think this gr
‘Surely they won’t kill you?’ said Isaac, suddenly stunned he may be responsible for Arad’s death. Although understanding nothing of their legal system Isaac could not help but like the big giant and certainly respected his ethos.
The giant laughed coldly.
‘We do not have Judgements resulting in death although I am sure you do. We do not kill each other. It has only ever happened once. It is our greatest law and so entrenched in our life the mere suggestion is offensive. No, I will not be killed. I will be exiled which I can accept. They will however strip me of my title which I cannot accept. My life as it has been to this moment will cease. All matters relating to me will be expunged from the City archives and it will be as if I never existed. My only hope lies in my people not allowing this Judgement to be made. That has never happened with such a charge. The irony does not escape me. By demonstrating an act of supreme generosity to you, I lose my title of being most generous and at a time when the Aeserian people are about to reclaim their ancient lands, ah it is tragic to me.’
A tear the size of a bucket load of water ran down Arad’s cheek and splashed on the stones as he turned and walked towards the largest of the spires. A very large part of Isaac wanted to go with the giant and voluntarily throw himself on the mercy of the court. Another part however considered this as good as suicide and still a third part part of him thought it best to forget everything about Salnikovia and escape as soon as possible. He took a fourth alternative. He would follow Arad and see if he could help the giant without getting himself killed in the process.
Without the giant noticing, Isaac followed him up the steep and winding stones leading to the premier spire, the largest and most ornate of the cones sating majestically in the middle of the city. He made certain he remained hidden from sight behind the many pots, alcoves and crates lining the streets.
At times he saw giants speak to Arad, however he appeared to ignore them and continued trudging towards the spires, leaving a trail of quizzical faces behind him. Isaac found difficulty keeping pace with the giant’s and would have certainly lost Arad had he not been travelling at such a mournful speed.
On several occasions he hid behind some large wooden vats encased in metal rings lining the streets, and when the giants were not in sight, he sidled along the smooth walls of the many single story buildings running like a skirting board around the larger of the spires. The craftsmanship of the structures amazed him. Each of the smaller buildings were made out of millions of tiny stones, all of the same dimension and perfectly aligned. Isaac could run his hand across the surface and it felt as smooth as glass and the glow from hundreds of lamps glistened off the shiny surfaces leaving a shower of light making the city incredibly beautiful.
‘The City’ as Arad called it, seemed at first glance to be enormous and randomly designed, however as he moved through it, he now saw purpose in the construction and while it certainly covered a vast horizontal space, it was its vertical nature he found intriguing with the spires scaling to heights unheard of in his experience. Isaac could not even guess what type of material could support such mass. It looked like polished granite, with no supporting metals of any sort and as stable as anything he found in his own world. Whole communities existed in each of the spires. Shopkeepers and assorted traders and vendors, taverns, meeting houses, all in a symmetrical and ordered fashion
As far as cities went he thought this one to be undoubtedly the neatest he had ever seen. Not a scrap of litter could be seen, no vagabonds or idlers, each person hurriedly engaging in their business. Although organised, the city did appear to be a trifle vanilla and cold with little greenery to break up the monotony of the granite. At least a bit of litter meant the occupants were not some automatons so constrained by rules they feared to break them. Or maybe they were conscious of the need for order and cleanliness.
Arad reached the entrance of the central spire and Isaac guessed this spire held the giant’s equivalent of a government. Sentries stood posted around a high fence with an arched gate leading to a path through to the main entrance. The guards although dressed in battle regalia appeared more ceremonial than actually guarding the entrance, barely acknowledging Arad’s passing as they continued in conversation to the side of the door. In the dimming light, Isaac felt confident the two big men would not notice him, especially if he timed his movement for when they both had their backs to the door. His heart started racing and a cold sweat beaded on his forehead as he saw Arad disappearing in the distance. He stopped himself from following when he heard the ramblings of a cart approaching.
The guards became sufficiently interested to saunter over and question the team leader. The cart was full of foods, the smells wafting tantalisingly in the air and the guards began lifting flaps and poking fingers into baskets, much to the consternation of the owner.
‘Hey Hey. Git your fingers out,’ protested the driver who appeared old but moved quickly. ‘These are for Hammer’s banquet, not for slugs like you.’
The guards smiled to each other and continued their picking when a large and evidently heavy cane came crashing down across their wrists causing yelps and crumbs, to spill from their mouths.
‘There is plenty more where that came from now git, go on git,’ shouted the old giant.
The many passers by laughed as the guards sheepishly retreated to their posts as the old man brought his cart through the entrance.
‘Indolence,’ he said. ‘The city is full of paid sloths and you are supposed to protect me. Well I’ll protect myself thank you very much.; The old giant snorted at the guards as he passed them causing another burst of laughter from those around him.
Without thinking Isaac darted out from his hiding space and under the rear axle of the cart using the wheels as cover. When the cart approached the spire it turned and headed to a smaller cluster of buildings that appeared to be a kitchen area with a great many giants frantically pushing trolleys and carrying platters of food to the banquet. Isaac waited until he found a darker part of the road and ran out from under the cart taking refuge in a dim recess trying to judge his next move. The courtyard he was in emptied into a path to the main doors of the premier spire and the whole area was teeming with giants.
Isaac lost sight of Arad in the throng although he knew he must have entered the Spire. The entrance was a short way ahead and he guessed and was lined with pennons of bright ensigns each flapping noisily in the evening breeze designating it to be a place of some importance.
Isaac started creepting along the edge of a wide corridor to the side of the path, hidden by deep rows of flowers in clay pots on either side as a steady flow of giants moved in the same direction, all heading for the banquet. The air was heavy despite the cool breeze and the mood sombre as if a storm was gathering and threatened to break right above him.
The oppression around him made Isaac more cautious. He ensured each time he needed to travel any short distance not covered by the planter boxes, he waited until he felt certain he could not be spied.
The crowd slowed as it approached a bottle neck at the entrance to what Isaac now saw was a large hall. Long lines of giants descended and ascended the many steps inside trying to find a seat until they converged in a cacophony of baritone voices complimenting the morose air around them. The crowd were patient and calm, each waiting their turn to enter the hall. Isaac smiled to himself when he thought of the many crowds he had been in at concerts or football matches where one always kept one hand free to push others and the other held tightly onto your wallet so you could get to your reserved seat eight seconds before the next person. Not for the first time he felt somewhat barbaric in this world.
The traffic of giants became so heavy he was forced to seek some refuge and wait until the crowd thinned. He retreated into a thick se
He woke suddenly not knowing for a few moments where he was. A deafening roar from the auditorium rippled through his clothes.
He poked his head out of the flower beds and saw the entrance now empty and the path deserted, the city appearing vacanl as giant crammed into the hall. Isaac crept towards the doorway and hugged the walls until he found some curtains he could hide behind. He peered out of a crack and through some giant legs and was surprised at how good the view was.
The room was shaped like a concert hall and he stood perched on the lip of what looked like an enormous salad bowl. Most of the giants sat in an orderly fashion in long pews with the remainder standing across the back wall. He was never very good at guessing numbers in large crowds but he estimated there were approximately five thousand giants, all focused on two figures on a stage area below, one who was definitely Arad and the other Isaac supposed was Hammer.
Hammer stood a head taller than Arad and was considerably broader across the shoulders. He was literally a giant among giants. He stood in full battle regalia of heavy boots, leather pants and a jerkin embroided by ring mail. His wrists were covered by large thick bangles with protruding spikes and his head covered by a horned skull cap. Across his back he wore a broadsword, but his defining feature was the giant sledge hammer leaning against his leg.
‘What started as a celebration banquet has been supplanted by the most serious of gatherings,’ boomed Hammer’s voice across the hall.
The leader of the Aeserians stood with hands on hips, staring at a cowering and penitent Arad. The room became quiet as each giant listened to Hammer who moved to the front of the stage to exhibit his full magnificence, while behind him Arad sunk to his knees.
‘Refugees of Salnikovia, I ask you to pass a Judgement!’
A collective gasp escaped the mouths of all the giants and a murmur began reverberating across the room as each giant conveyed his shock to those around him. Isaac listened carefully and picked up some of the comments out of the din.
A red headed giant just in front of him grabbed a companion by his shirt front.
‘A Judgement. My father told me of a Judgement when he was a lad. There was only ever one in his lifetime and now we have one. What could Arad have done? He is a most respectable creature. I cannot believe he is so disgraced. What should we do?’
His companion merely shook his head slowly as if in shock and tried to calm the first giant with a pat on the shoulder as he strained to hear Hammer.
‘It has been one hundred and seventy years since a Judgement has been made against one of our people and today I charge you all with this onerous duty. Once you hear the facts, as they have been reported to me by Arad the Generous, you will decide on his guilt.’ Again the room rumbled with noise.
Arad remained on his knees with his head bowed, willing to accept the punishment ordained by his peers with resignation. Isaac felt his heart thumping. Arad spoke of exile and being stripped of his title and it appeared this decision lay first with his people.
Hammer stuck out a huge hand and all talk in the room ceased.
‘The charges you are about to hear are so grave, I have decided to bypass the Judiciary and leave the decision in your hands, the people of Salnikovia.’
Again the crowd bubbled like a kettle drum with the red headed giant again grabbing his companion.
‘What will happen? Arad the Generous is like a brother to me. He cannot have done wrong, I will not believe it, I cannot hear this.’ He shook his head along with many of the other Aeserians, the noise quickly abating as Hammer spoke again.
‘Soon my people, a day of reckoning will arrive. We have waited a thousand years and we have not been idle. We have rebuilt our strength and etched our harbours out of the stone. We have nursed and nurtured our families and restored ourselves to a place of strength and pride so as to eventually seek justice. To return to our forbear’s ancestral homes and drive out the Invader.’
Hammer looked out over the crowd happy all the eyes and ears focused exclusively on him.
‘All our plans could be in ruin due to the treasonous and treacherous acts of one of our own. Arad the Generous.’
‘No,’ cried many in the crowd including the red head. ‘He is innocent,’ cried others as they screamed their support, but Hammer would have none of it.
‘Quiet,’ he bellowed in a voice so powerful the walls rocked.’It will never be said Hammer the Exalter is not also Hammer the Source of Justice. I will lay down the charge and Arad the Generous can defend them with whatever vigour he can muster and then you will pass the Judgement. But let me be very clear. The security of the Empire is a stake and none of us, myself included, is above the collective needs of the people. Hear now and listen to the allocution from the mouth of he who committed the crime.’
Hammer commanded Arad to his feet and the giant stood facing the jury of his peers, his hair hanging wet and dank down his neck, the giant who wore his name so proudly reduced to a spectre of his former self in minutes.
Isaac waited to hear him speak with as much anticipation as all the giants. Isaac knew a confession from Arad equated to treason. Arad could pretend nothing happened, that he and Isaac never met, but such is the extraordinary virtue Isaac sensed in these people, such deception would never be considered. Isaac felt humbled as he listened to the giant.
‘My people,’ said Arad eventually. ‘I do not ask for mercy only understanding, as what I have done I did with complete understanding of the repercussions. I was left, as you will see, with no choice. Two nights ago as I returned from visiting a brother at the Shores, I stumbled upon a creature. One I have only ever heard of in stories and never seen in person. A creature we have been schooled to despise. A tiny man. An Invader.’
The crowd erupted with an anger forcing Isaac to cower further behind the curtain. The red giant again grabbed the jerkin of his companion but this time in fury.
‘They come again Minar the Loyal. They have crossed the desert. I will crush them on my own, I will rend them apart limb from limb. They come, they come.’
‘ Be calm Orlock the Subtle,’ said Minar. ‘We need to hear Arad’s case.’ But a long chant gained momentum from the crowd. ‘They come, they come,’ reverberating off the walls and rang so loud Isaac had to cover his ears.
‘They come, They come.’ The giants began stomping their feet and slapping their fists into wide hands with increasing violence until Hammer bellowed to calm them.
‘Hear, Aeserians of Salnikovia. Hear, there is more.’
The Aeserians calmed as quickly as they roused and once again each strained to hear Arad’s every word.
‘I found only one and to me not a particularly striking example. He seemed alone and somewhat surprised at our existence. I caged him with the intention of bringing him to Hammer the Exalter to be dealt with by his wisdom and counsel and to perhaps find out more about our enemies. It is here in this very city where I committed my crime. Inside the gates of Salnikovia I realised the Invader to be free. I will say no more.’
‘No,’ came the collective reply as giants started looking down and around themselves expecting to find an Invader under their feet, which Isaac chuckled coldly he almost was.
Hammer again calmed the almost rioting crowd with three hefty blows of his sledge into the ground in front of him, the last sending a wide wedge across half the hall and causing two of the Aeserians closest to jump out of the way in case they fell in.
The crowd became as quiet and still as an impending storm, the rumblings just under the surface of a brooding silence.
‘Continue Arad the Generous,’ said Hammer. ‘Defend yourself further, we are not in the habit of making frivolous and inaccura
Arad looked up at the crowd. ‘The Invader goes by the name of Isaac. He bewitched me somewhat with clever speech but ultimately I and no other choice than to release him. It was a generous act.’
‘A Generous act to be sure,’ sneered Hammer ‘and equally a treasonous one perhaps compromising all our plans so long in the construction. Allow me to add the seasoning to this meal of deceit. Consider the consequences of the actions you have heard. He knowingly released a spy in the city who will no doubt glean some intelligence easily used against us in battle. How many lives will be lost because of Arad the Generous and his stupidity. No forgive me, not stupidity, this infers one does something by accident. No, this is planned foolishness. Pride filled ignorance. If you worried about fulfilling your title’s obligations, you should have passed the creature immediately to me and allowed me the opportunity to reinforce this generous act. You however took your own counsel for what it is worth and perhaps doomed us all. This is unforgivable and your fate is by the Judgement of your peers.’ Hammer turned slowly to the crowd. “Judge,’ he said.
The giants remained silent as the burden to be both fair and adequately punish a crime now occupied their minds. All in the room had family who perished in the first battle of the exiles and none forgot the terror, even though the story was passed down through lineage rather than first hand. They knew Arad the Generous could become the first causality of the new war.
‘Again I say, Judge, bellowed Hammer to the deathly quiet. One by one the giants stood and turned their backs on Arad. A few wavered then they too turned their backs until after a few minutes only one body faced the stage.
‘It seems you have an ally,’ said Hammer as he scowled towards the lone giant facing him. ‘Perhaps such an ally in the city is equally as dangerous as one of the Invaders. The Judgement has been made but I question you Minar the Loyal. Your loyalty is admirable as would be expected by your title but your title also has claims to be loyal with discernity which here it is not.’
‘Do as you will Hammer the Exalter,’ challenged Minar with a bravado shocking those near him most of whom carefully began distancing themselves from their rogue brother. ‘You know as well as I that Arad the Generous is the soundest of all creatures. He is no more a traitor than you yourself.’
Hammer exploded in an anger rarely seen before. He smashed his hammer with all his strength against the wall behind him bringing it down in a heap of dust and rubble dangerously missing his own head by inches as he faced an unflinching Minar.
‘You dare to challenge me Minar the Loyal. You who have demonstrated such cold lack of concern for your fellows you would side with a traitor. You dare to match your feeble skills against mine?’
Outwardly Hammer appeared seething but inwardly he calculated the effect the punishment of two very popular members would have on his popularity, particularly two who in their own way held considerable power over public opinion. Minar’s support could be the beginning of planned opposition against him and he could not afford a political battle at this stage. He knew he must quickly and decisively squash this public impertinence and with a finesse showing him to be both wise and fair. He called the meeting to order again with a blow of his hammer and all the Aeserians turned to face him.
‘I will pronounce my penalty. Your peers have found you guilty Arad the Generous and your fate is one customary for these most despicable crimes. From this moment on you are banished from the city and its surrounds to a distance of one thousand leagues. You can swim east if you prefer or walk through the Great Desert but you are forthwith exiled from these lands never to set foot again on this soil unless by decree and I can assure you that will be most unlikely. Make what you can of your life but from now until eternity you are no longer Arad the Generous but Arad of no name and rank, fugitive of the city. Go join the one who we know as ‘Kolin’ who before you, nearly a thousand years ago, was expelled and embrace his bones and wither in the wild.’
The crowd moaned at the punishment. The red giant stood straight a tear rolling down his oval face, while others also wept openly as they watched Arad shuffle from the stage.
‘But wait,’ cried Hammer in one last moment of theatre. ‘I would not have my people think ME ungenerous. I would not have you leave alone Arad. You must take Minar the Loyal with you. You will be his companion on the road Minar, as by your support for Arad you have declared yourself a sympathiser and co-conspirator. Loyal indeed, then show your loyalty on the road with your ally. A lovely companion you would make, a duology of traitors. Be gone by morning or my justice will be more severe.’
Without waiting Hammer left the hall, the rising noise of protest fading behind him. He disregarded it immediately. They will all obey as they have no choice. He had created a type of co dependency between himself and the populace. He needed their manpower and they needed his leadership and direction to realise their dream of revenge and recompense for the atrocities of the past. He cultivated this mood over many years. He shook his head in disbelief at how the people had forgiven and almost forgotten the desolation of Mesania. He rekindled the past hatreds and now rode it like a wave inevitably crashing on the Invaders, destroying them all.
A smile perched on his face as he thought of the power he would soon have as the entire island of Salnikov fell under his dominion. He retunred to his quarters and stared out of the top most room of the Premier Spire the city sprawling below him.
‘You would be happy with that result,’ said a voice in the shadows.
‘Of course,’ said Hammer turning back to the room and searching the darkeness for the source. ‘I rid myself of two trouble makers and potential adversaries and in the process accord myself a little more control and power. I never liked Arad, or Minar for that fact. Let them wander in the desert, they might even find Kolin if they try hard enough, although after about a thousand years he may be a little rank. They are all moralistic and I dislike that intensely. Let them see what good it does them when they need water in the desert. They cannot drink from the well of kindness.’ He laughed at his own poetry however the grunt returning from the shadows was hollow with undisguised contempt.
‘Are your plans in order Hammer, time passes quickly?’
‘We will be ready. The assault cannot be rushed, we do not want a siege Le Frag, we want absolute victory. The hatred I have cultivated in my people is fleeting once the battle rush has passed, its pulse will only sustain a soldier for minutes. For hours you need discipline and commitment. Spilt blood and screams of pain have a tendency to make some question their commitment. Victory is a strong panacea and can evaporate thoughts of exhaustion and fear.’
A much smaller figure stepped out from the shadows and Hammer knelt down so as to be on eye level, glaring with unreserved hatred.
‘I need you now Le Frag and you know this and know too you will be richly rewarded for your services. Remember though, need you or not, I will not hesitate to crush you if I find duplicity. Be warned.’
Hammer stormed off, his footsteps shaking Le Frag’s bones as he watched the hulk disappear down the hall. Le Frag, while wary of Hammer’s threats, knew his own value lay in the advantage he held strategically when the battle begins. Hammer will reply on his knowledge when the invasion starts. Being one of the enemy had its advantages. He would win the war for Hammer and Hammer knew it, however the giant is so absorbed with victory he can not see further than the end of his sizable nose, thought Le Frag. Hammer and the giants would give Le Frag his own revenge on the people who wronged him. He craved revenge like a drug, a sweet pleasure that would sustain him for the rest of his life.
Le Frag looked carefully around him now he stood in the open. Although having free range of Hammer’s quarters, he constantly needed to ensure his presence was kept a secret. If discovered, Hammer would doubtless claim no knowledge of him and probably step on him himself, so he had to be careful. He was relegated to the shadows at nigh
He needed to find out. The intruder could be an accomplice, which he might need, or an adversary which he would have to kill. Either way it meant a worthy diversion. Travel throughout the city was easy due to his advantage of size. He could move in the same tiny alleyways and gutters his countryman would have to travel in and as such he felt he had a reasonable chance of finding him or at least finding rumour of his passing. In time he would find the intruder if he remained in the city and if he had left then he had no problem.
He decided to chase Hammer and see what priority he placed on the capture of this ‘Isaac’. He followed the corridor until he reached one of the many stair wells in the city. He always chose the less frequented passages and tonight all the giants would be discussing the current events for hours in the various taverns and drinking houses in the city so he had little chance of discovery.
He ascended the mountainous stairs which exhausted him, each riser a climb rather than a step, which made the whole journey perilously slow. He eventually found Hammer hovering over a well worn and notated map of the entire island of Salnikov.
‘The trade winds will be our ally Le Frag,’ said Hammer without looking up. ‘North we will send the fleet and avoid the bergs to the south. We will lose some wind advantage for a time as we cross into the northern currents and drift across the top of the continent until the ancient Easterlies take us at great speed to the Landings. This is of course if these old manuscripts are correct. They cost me many tons of gold commas and quite a few vessels but they are as accurate as we can hope for. We have never made such a journey on ships Le Frag, my people are infantry and unused to sea travel, and our landings must be swift. Only surprise and speed will win the day. I do not want to have a protracted campaign where my supply lines will travel half way around the world. We will have only enough provisions for a few weeks after we land. We will travel light and fight hard but only if we make speed.’
‘How long Hammer?’ asked Le Frag as he climbed the nearest chair to look at the map noticing also Hammer had no intention of assisting him.
‘Until we leave? Perhaps a month once we have raised the army and the trade winds to old Dessan are ripe, then two weeks at full sail and one weeks march and a week to engage and defeat the foe. There are many variables and this is when the gambler lays his stake. If the journey is interrupted or stalled in any way we could miss our time. The Jharnell speaks of the Gathering and we must be there for this event. The myth tells of the gods gathering to witness the changing of the world and while I am sceptical such an event will occur, what better portent for the Aeserians to return home.’ He paced the room with his hands linked behind his back. ‘It also signifys concurrently, a thousand years since our defeat and the Invaders will gather to celebrate, not guarding against an attack. They do not realise we also have kept this vile date in our history and we will commemorate their destruction.’
‘And you are sure you read the Jharnell correctly?’ asked Le Frag.
‘My readings are without fault. Utter destruction is our intent and once achieved we will fortify our ancient home and remain vigilant forever to ensure we are never ousted again. Oh pity those taking arms against us for surely they will fall and I will be Lord of all the lands and people will cringe before me and beg for my clemency. I will link our homes in the East with those in the West and they will be the twin peaks of civilisation and I will be Hammer the Restorer and Proctor a title never before bestowed.’
‘And certainly never to oneself,’ said Le Frag impudently which won him a glare from Hammer.
‘Well may you be clever now Le Frag,’ said Hammer. ‘You have aligned yourself with the side of might and you may yet be the difference between victory and defeat but to me you are nothing but the lowest of scum. You willingly betray your people and sentence them to death knowing I will give you only moderate favour in return. This has always been a curiosity to me.’ He locked eyes with Le Frag trying to peer beyond the emotionless aspect on the little man’s face. ‘Tell me Le Frag, what was been done to you to create such malice? Did someone catch you thieving or something a little more exotic, an adulterous act maybe or simply a cur seeking revenge?’
Le Frag ignored the insults and continued to study the map.
‘Perhaps it is a little of all these things Hammer, or maybe I am merely greedy and wish to perhaps own my own minor duchy somewhere after the war.’ Hammer chuckled. ‘It seems my little friend is desirous of power. How fascinating. Well I think for once you and I tread on common ground. I have no goodwill towards any Invader but perhaps here we have struck a conciliatory note for I too understand the unquenchable thirst of power. Power liberates Le Frag and it imprisons. Its excesses enhance the soul and often diminishes the body. You achieve impunity, have any woman you desire, have several if that is your taste, sentence a recalcitrant to a thousand years in prison and no one will challenge. It is a great aphrodisiac and once tasted it is bitter to relinquish even in small portions.’
Hammer sat down wearily, again at eye level with Le Frag but this time he spoke in a melancholy fashion.
‘A duchy is a small reward for such a treachery. You must desire more than you are voicing. Are there additional demands in that minuscule brain of yours to be sprung at a time I am most dependent on you? I am no ones fool Invader and treat me such at your peril.’
Le Frag thought this seemed the most opportune time to list all his requests, because at this moment, Hammer seemed the most amiable he had ever been with him and he thought may never get such an opportunity again. He is a difficult man to read, his renowned reclusiveness accords him power but has also left him with few, if any, allies among the Aeserians whom he rules more out of fear than any loyalty. Hammer crafts support from rekindling old hatreds and promising revenge and repatriation to their homelands where he intends to drive the Invader before him like cattle and eventually pushing them into the ocean or killing them all.
‘Well since you mention it there is one small additional request I would make of you, so small as to be hardly worth mentioning, a trifling thing really a lord so great as yourself would be quite dismissive of.’
‘Speak Le Frag, you endanger yourself by patronising me. What do you want and before you answer think carefully because it is the last request I will consider?’
‘My request is simple. There is a woman I wish to be spared from the carnage and I would have permission to seek her out and secret her away prior to the battle, or at the least be able to claim her once victory is assured.’
‘A woman, yes, I suppose you would like women Le Frag although I admit to being surprised one such as you could be a romanticist. I am no judge of Invader looks but it seems you would be a singularly unattractive creature.’
‘I have been called worse Hammer it worries me not. It is the woman I desire but she is more so than any woman in creation and she carries a secret to me more valuable than gold. You speak of power Hammer, and I speak of knowledge as being the most powerful of weapons. The knowledge I have of this woman is a princely prize.’ Le Frag could read Hammer’s next thoughts.
‘She is a comely wench then?’ asked Hammer.
‘The most beautiful ever made, striking, breathtaking. A woman to start wars or kindle desire in the most pious of men. The most precious gem in all of Mesania and she knows only a little of her stock and lineage. She knew her father but she is unsure of her peerage. She knows she is special but rejects herself as a superior.’
‘If she stood slightly taller I would take her for myself Le Frag but you can have her, I have little need for a five foot wench no matter how comely and her lineage is of no import to me as it is about to cease. She could be the last queen of
Le Frag flinched as Hammer’s extremely perceptive mind came very close to the truth. A half queen hidden in the Lesser Ships for twenty years. She would have no knowledge of her circumstances. A bastard child has little claim on the throne but if all others were killed and the government gone then the people who remain will cling to anything that resembles leadership. A thirsty man will take a drink from any hand. Of course should she then wed the husband would have power and position by marriage. He will ascend the heights of leadership in his own right after which he can plan for the destruction of the giants. King Le Frag consort to the High Queen, Destroyer of the giants and leader absolute.
Le Frag knew patience is his primary weapon, a character trait only some people ever have mastery over. He could wait a year or five so long as he achieved the ultimate goal. But even someone with his patience needs some short term goals and he just achieved an important milestone.
Hammer just gave him the woman and now it was imperative he helped Hammer to victory and keep the girl alive in the process. He could see the finish line and within a year he would have the woman, the crown and the giants again exiled to the wilderness. He drifted into a dream world of possibilities when Hammer’s booming voice jolted him back to reality.
‘I am afraid Le Frag it will be impossible for you to enter the city before the assault. You may sift through the remains for the woman after I have been through them myself. You are an entirely deceitful creature and I do not believe you have any loyalty to me. I do not have time for your forked dealings so you will remain by my side until I otherwise order it. You can show me the byways of Mesania yourself for our memories have dimmed and I am sure the Invader have butchered and altered the canals therein, curse them.’
Le Frag and Hammer studied the maps and ocean currents, regularly stopping to discuss some finer point of detail especially regarding the western interior of the island. They scheduled the attack for the dryer months. They would leave Salnikovia during the wet season which would allow them to arrive when the weather would be kinder.
‘Assaults held in the wet weather inevitably fail because the advantage of camouflage and surprise never compensate for the disadvantage of immobility,’ coached Hammer.
‘It is here the landing must take place,’ said Le Frag as he pointed to a spur of land jutting off the west coast,’ and we must ensure there are no witnesses left alive or rumour will spread before us quickly. It is the ancient landings of my people and allows rapid access to the interior. My readings of our ancient Jharnell shows treks and hardships my people endured but at the time we were unprepared whereas your army will know the terrain. Scouts, trackers and a van guard will all be necessary. A breach in the Western Range takes us past the base of the Ice Mountain. It is here we will encounter our first resistance so we must be wary.’
Hammer laughed and leant closer to Le Frag, ‘Resistance?’ he said, ‘we are still many days journey from Mesania what resistance could there possibly be? Some lonely farming rubes or the odd vagabond. We will not even need to break stride Le Frag. Me thinks you give too much credit to the fighting abilities of your people.’
‘These are the same people, are they not, who took Mesania from you in the beginning?’
Le Frag regretted the words even as they passed his lips and tensed for Hammer’s retort but incredibly the Aeserian leader merely chuckled hollowly.
‘You are right Le Frag, but this time the victory will be ours and woe to the Invader for he knows not what tide of hatred is about to crash around him.’
Hammer moved his finger across the map, past the Ice Mountain and traced the many veined roads leading into the forest. Le Frag finally spoke, wary of Hammer’s unpredictable mood swings.
‘I have to be quite careful here Hammer the Exalter,’ began Le Frag formally. ‘You are a great leader and tactician and I do not wish to offend these quite legitimate titles with my amateur observations so one question before I begin?’
‘Ask away little man, I am for some reason feeling quite favourably disposed to you at present perhaps because you do challenge my authority.’
‘Well if I disagree with you in a tactical sense, will you step on me?’
Hammer grinned at him slyly. ‘Perhaps I will Le Frag. It is a chance you must take. What are you saying?’
‘I am saying we will find resistance at the Ice Mountain and if my advice is ignored not a single one of your people will survive the journey.’
Hammer absorbed the statement without humour and motioned for Le Frag to continue.
‘I asked you my question because in this matter I have superior knowledge to any of your people and pride can sometimes be the undoing of any tactician.’
Le Frag expected Hammer to rage at the insult but the answer surprised him.
‘You know nothing of politics Le Frag, so I will share with you some insights before you share yours with me as I am confident you will be unable to relay any of this conversation to my enemies, as they are also your enemies. My persona in public is not my normal face. The delicate balance I have created between of wise conqueror and dangerous madman is a difficult skill to maintain. If one of my people said what you just have, then they would have been clasped in chains and thrown in the dungeon immediately and I would not be releasing them. However when in my chambers alone, I need to know all you know Le Frag and I am not so proud as to ignore the insights of one who has been in the region. Tell me then of the Ice Mountain. We have children’s stories from ancient memory and I have always thought these fantasy only?’
‘Then your children are likely wiser than all your generals because the stories are tenfold more deadly than you can imagine. Have you heard of the Aeponysis? Or perhaps Ratite? These are the formal names of what you call the Winged Ones. You cannot imagine what terrors they are. They destroyed half of the first pilgrims within a day and we had no power to stop them. They fly Hammer, huge beasts with wings we call birds but are much more. Nearly as tall as yourselves with hair instead of feathers and heads like broad spears and just as deadly. Every part of their body is designed to kill. Poisons tip their taloned claws and their mouths house razor teeth. Each end of each hair on their massive bodies is as sharp as the finest of your swords and one brush with them will shred the flesh into a thousand strips.
They are carnivores. Living off game they stalk from the skies. They search the ground from above until they find their food, then swoop and carry their prey away. Do not dismiss them because of your size. They are extraordinarily strong and if a target is too big they will work tactics to subdue it. They will look upon your army as a banquet and they will not be daunted by your numbers or your stature. They will think it a blessing. But even more important to our plans is these creatures think. They are not mere beasts living only to kill, eat, procreate and then die. They have made a city out of their eyries and they house many thousands. The odd stray Ratite we could dismiss, however they work in concert to destroy all intruders. Our problem is they stand between us and Mesania. We cannot skirt around them as the alternative mountain passes are too small and narrow for our army. No Hammer, we must engage them and defeat them or we will be the ones defeated.’
Hammer absorbed the information calmly and began pacing the room.
‘Archers Le Frag, is this what you think will help our cause. I do not want to lose one of my people to these horrors but I do not have archers in great numbers. I did not think it necessary to have them when we plan to attack a monolith from within. Now I see we need them. What are your thoughts?’
‘I think that we need to organise your army such as none before have been organised. We cannot wander into the lands of the Ratite in long convoys and expect to survive. My preference is for your people to be clustered in small groups of perhaps a dozen. What we once called ‘Crosiers’, an organism in itself. They will not be responsible for the other groups, only their
‘This is the first step. The next is how to defend the full attack force of the Ratite. They attack when we are at our most vulnerable. They will study us in detail the moment we reach the northern realms and every Ratite on the mountain will be launching into us. They will expect no resistance, they have had little in the past, and this is our weapon. We will slaughter hundreds in their first dive and this will give them something to think about. They will re stratagise and try again. Iit is the nature of predators not to allow prey to escape and we will kill many more. I believe at this stage they will reassess the taste they have for Aeserian.’
‘You interest me Le Frag, I notice that you use ‘we’ often. Are you helping us or are you one of us. The distinction is important,’ said Hammer suspiciously.
‘I use the collective ‘we’ because our goals are the same. We must clear Mesania of my people and if this means we have to kill every living thing between us and the mountain or level Mesania to dust in the process, then so be it.’
Hammer laughed and clasped Le Frag on the shoulder with a huge hand nearly crushing him but Le Frag accepted the gesture for its intent, a sign of an initial goodwill between the two.
‘So be it then. I will call a counsel of generals and advise them of my new structure and they will implement it immediately. We will crush the Ratite and leave their rotting carcasses in the sun as a message to all other adversaries that the Aeserians are returned.’
Le Frag moved from under Hammer’s hand. ‘I am sorry Hammer. I do not think this the wisest course of action. We must make our war against the Ratite and have it ended in the space of a few hours and then we must cover all trace of conflict from the fields. No carcasses must be left in the open. If this means we spend a whole day burying the dead then this must be so. The Ratite have never been defeated. If we leave their corpses in the open then prying eyes will see and word will arrive at Mesania well before us telling of a powerful presence abroad. We must not let that happen. It is another reason why we must have forward scouts in all directions to find any spies. As you have said on many occasions Hammer, secrecy and surprise will win the day. We cannot reach Mesania and have them prepared for us, as they will fortify their entrances and we will never win a siege. Oh and one other thing, I forgot to mention the snow bears.’
‘Continue,’ said Hammer wearily, ‘And try not to leave out any other foes.’
‘Their name describes who they are. Great bears living around the base of the Ice Mountain. They live in an unsteady peace with the Ratite who leave them well enough alone. Their numbers are similar to those of the Ratite and neither wishes to conduct a protracted battle. The bears are very strong and Ratites do not often win if they try to eat them and so they do not bother. There is plenty of other less stressful game in the region. But for us it is a concern as the bears will attack when the Ratite are occupied. This is our advantage. The bears are large compared to me but no so to yourselves. Your stature may be enough to waylay them and discourage them. It is however a variable I cannot guarantee. They indeed may attack and if so the Ratite will swoop. We do not want a two front war.’
Hammer smiled. ‘I find myself in unchartered territory Le Frag. I have never deferred to anyone, on any matter before now. You have made me look at our strategies through new eyes and I can see the value in all you have said. I will of course claim the credit for myself, it would only be proper. It will further strengthen my leadership role to have such prescience of issues so far from our borders. You have acquitted yourself well here tonight Le Frag, you may live for another day.’
Hammer laughed loudly and in such an insane manner Le Frag’s flesh crawled with goose bumps. He must not be over confident with Hammer’s changed attitude. He knew Hammer had loyalty to only one being, and that is Hammer.
He left Hammer and ss the night was still young and he decided to take a stroll around the safest corridors and hide outs to see if he could find any trace of the Isaac creature. He was certain Isaac would need to quit the city as soon as possible but it did not pay to take chances. Hammer’s estimation of him would be further enhanced if he could produce the spy, and that could only be a good thing.
He scouted the corridors immediately around Hammer’s chambers and found nothing and continued out in concentric circles covering every inch of skirting board and recesses around the entire floor of the spire.
It was uncommonly quiet tonight, he thought, with very few commuters, the shock of Arad’s banishment still fresh in the air. As the hours ticked by there would be even fewer folk about and it would be even easier to move freely. He wandered down his favourite stair case to the ground level and instantly the smell of new rain hit his nostrils. A sprinkle of soft rain fell even though the black clouds and lightning over the peaks of the Protectorate Mountains signalled some larger storms closing in.
He tightened his cloak about his neck and trod carefully towards the entry gates which he thought the creature would still need to pass if he were to leave the city. Hammer’s speech in the chambers earlier placed the guards on extreme alert and they patrolled the gate area and surrounds with a gusto he had not seen before. The whole city seemed to have a heightened sense of security and all the Aeserians kept watch for the Invader Arad had released.
He knew some little used paths in and out of the city, but was certain Isaac would know nothing of them and so he decided if he were this Isaac, then he would most certainly have escaped the city as soon as he was released. He could think of no sensible reason for him to remain among a people he knew would kill him, so he reasoned by now this Isaac would be many leagues away.
With the matter firmly settled in his mind Le Frag decided to retire to his sleeping hole and consider the upcoming events that will change the shape of his island. He could smell his victory and taste the delights of being an absolute ruler however many vital stepping stones remained to be crossed and through treacherous rivers before he could lay his claims down. He guessed the two exiled giants would be leaving the city soon and he decided to secrete himself before the populace turned out to watch their expulsion.
He smiled and sauntered back to the Premier Spire as the black clouds closed in around Salnikovia.
“Truth is often flawed by lust. A man‘s
life is a lie if he only lives to covet”
Jharnell 86/123-5