Soul Under the Mountain

By David J Guyton

The machine of war is oiled with the blood of free men and their oppressors. The nations of the east have come to destroy the men of the west, ripping down their cities and their culture. The light of liberty grows dim, and to reignite that fragile flame, Rommus must confront the most ancient being still living in his realm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David J Guyton
• Release date: Jan 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301750986

David J Guyton

See the Mighty Hammer Down book trailer on youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIWyr_h-Baw I am an author and artist living in the eastern United States. My work is fantasy, but it is an allegory for the modern political struggles in the United States.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The knife sunk deep into his chest several times before he understood what was happening. There was no pain; just the ghostly feeling of a blade slipping through him. Metal bit into his face where the gauntlet gripped his jaw. He twisted his head to free himself, but the grasp proved to be too strong.

He wondered how long it would take his attacker to realize that his efforts were futile. While he did feel a small amount of pain from the clutch of the gauntlet, the knife was causing him no damage at all. Like many times before, the robes of Inshae protected him from any physical harm.

Uritus finally grabbed his assailant's wrist. How many times do you think you have stabbed me?

The man behind him froze, shocked to hear such calm words coming from a man who should have been dead. Suddenly the man loosened his grip and took a step backwards. The knife clattered to the floor as the frightened man turned and ran to the doorway.

Uritus remained seated and spoke calmly. I know who you are.

The frightened footfalls stopped. Who am I?

You're the one who killed some of my men. You fought the man with the scar in my halls underground. You stole the book from the Mages, and the golden sword from that brat Rommus Tirinius. You're that little thorn sticking in everyone's side.

There was a long silence but Uritus could feel the presence still there in the room. He could almost hear the breath whirling through the young man's lungs as he fought to decide what to do. Certainly his mind was screaming for him to run, but Uritus had succeeded in instilling a fear in this man that kept him from making a move. Any move he made might be the wrong one, and he didn't know what to do.

Uritus stood, but did not turn around to face the frightened man. I'm not going to kill you.

No? And why not? the man asked.

Because you have a rare talent. You have caused a lot of trouble for me and my men. It seems you have caused some trouble for Rommus as well. I am a man who takes pride in my level of awareness. I am always aware of what is happening around me. I am extremely cautious and alert, and yet you surprised me. How did you do it?

There was a long silence while the young man thought. First you tell me how you survived me stabbing you.

Uritus slowly turned around to face the doorway. I am protected by magic. Is that a suitable enough explanation?

If you want a real answer from me, then I expect more than that.

Uritus grinned at the dark figure in the doorway. "Alright. Some time ago I discovered a few of the artifacts of the gods. These artifacts grant the user some of the powers of the gods. You yourself have even held at least one of these artifacts. That gold sword you stole was no ordinary sword. It was Archenarius; the actual sword of Arius himself.

Another artifact was these robes you see here. While they appear to be like any other set of Mage's robes, they are the sole artifact connected to the god of death. Wearing these robes enhances my power, and also grants me protection from any harm. Even Archenarius cannot harm me.

The man in the shadows took a small step backwards. There's always a weakness. No matter how strong armor is made, a sword can be made to pierce it.

Uritus chuckled. Indeed, my boy. All things have their weakness. We all fall to something one day. Why don't you come into the light where I can see you?

Because I am afraid you will kill me.

Is that right? Then why haven't you run away?

For the same reason. I am afraid you will strike me down no matter what I try to do.

Uritus smiled a wide smile. I suppose I can understand that. It is true that I could strike you down with ease, whether you ran or not. But what should be a glaring fact to you is that I have not done so. If I wanted you to die, you would have been dead as soon as I knew you were in this room with me.

Then why have you not killed me?

We're getting ahead of ourselves, Uritus said as he bent over to pick up the knife that was dropped on the floor. I asked you to explain how you were able to sneak up on me like you did.

I don't know.

"Surely you must know. Tell me. Tell me at least something about your method."

He scratched his head with his bronze gauntlet. I saw the candles. They were still, so I knew there was no draft or breeze. I knew that you could not smell me, even if your senses were as keen as a wolf's.

Yes, go on. What else?

"The wall in front of you is rough granite. The surface is not polished so there can be no reflections in it. There are no metal vases or other objects that can reflect. I knew you couldn't see me.

"The carpet muffled my footfalls, and I was careful not to move the gauntlet and alert you with its sound. I drew my knife long ago in another room in this maze so I knew you couldn't hear me.

The only other senses are taste and touch, and neither was of any concern to me. I was certain that once you felt my blade, it would be too late.

Ah but you thought wrong, didn't you? Uritus said as he examined the knife in his hand."

Apparently I did.

Uritus took a few steps and held the knife out, handle first. Here, come get your knife back. I'm sure it is special to you in some way. Come take it.

You are only trying to get me into the light so that you can see my face.

Uritus turned a palm towards the ceiling and called forth a boiling ball of energy. The room was lit in a ghastly green light and all shadows fled like frightened rats under doors. After taking a quick look at his cowering attacker in the doorway, he flicked his wrist and sent the churning ball of light into the stone wall next to the man. It melted a hole right through the stone, and glowing drips of melted rock began to solidify as they oozed down the stone wall.

Now I have seen your face and proven that I could have killed you at any time. Come get your knife.

The man slowly stepped forward and cautiously reached for the handle. I don't understand why you aren't angry.

"Oh I am angry, my friend. Regardless of the outcome, you did intend to kill me. I am not at all happy about that. But I am angrier at myself. You see, you were able to do something that I didn't think was possible. I cannot feel your presence and you were able to surprise me. I am still learning the extent of my powers, and if there is a weakness I need to know why. Or, if there is some hidden power in you that allows you to avoid detection, I need to know about it."

What makes you think I will help you? I just tried to kill you.

Uritus threw his head back and laughed. You will help me because if you don't, I will kill you. It's that simple. Now, what is your name?

He hesitated but then cleared his throat and answered. Song is my name.

Song? That is an odd name. Is that really your name or some sort of nickname?

"My real name is Erratus, but no one calls me that. My name is Song. I had a mother who liked to sing.

I see. Those are both very intriguing names indeed. Tell me, Song, did Rommus put you up to this?

A look of surprise flashed on Song's face. Rommus? No. He doesn't know anything about it.

But you do have ties with this man, yes?

I stole his sword.

But his sword is once again in his possession. I saw it with my own eyes at the battle at Taburdum. How did he get it back? Did you give it to him?

Song's eyes flitted about as he seemed to search for answers. He tricked me. I wanted the sword for myself.

He tricked you, did he? I wouldn't assume that you were someone who is easily tricked. You look to me like a man who is much wiser than his years suggest. Am I right?

I don't see what this has to—

That Rommus is a clever one. You have to be careful when speaking to him. Did he tell you that he has become a god? I bet he did.

Song's eyes narrowed some. He mentioned that, yes.

Uritus nodded. He's been spreading that rumor since autumn. He has half of Medora tricked. It's really a shame, don't you think?

It's really none of my business what he tells people. It doesn't affect me.

Uritus took a step closer. Oh, my boy, it matters. It matters a lot. You see, Rommus has plans to destroy Medora, and pretending to be a god is part of his grand scheme. We have been trying to stop him for some time now.

You mean you have been trying to kill him.

Uritus tossed his hand in the air dismissively. "Of course not. I'm not a murderer; I'm an Emperor. I could have killed you and I didn't. All I want to do is find him and question him. As a ruler I cannot allow people to rise up and overthrow the entire country. It's bad enough that I have to deal with the war with Bhoor-Rahn and Vindyrion, but to have an uprising right here within these borders too is too much to handle. I just wish I could find Rommus and talk to him. Do you know where he is?"

Song slowly backed up another step. Look, I don't know what kind of trouble you have with Rommus, but I won't let you trick me into delivering him to you. I'm not stupid.

Okay, you're right. I apologize. I shouldn't lay such a burden on you like that. My problems are my own. However, I would like to offer you a deal.

Song's chin rose slightly. What kind of deal?

Chapter 2

The acrid smoke from the torches choked Tannis's lungs and burned his eyes. The walls around him were made of earth, supported in places with makeshift wooden beams. The walls stunk, filling his nostrils with the pungent stench of fresh dirt and clay.

The torches did little to warm him and his men. They only provided enough dancing orange glow to light the immediate area and pull some of the icy moisture from the walls, making the area a cold, dank, soggy mess. Melt water trickled and dripped all around them, sapping their bodies of warmth and energy.

This doesn't fit. It's stabbing me in the neck, Rommus said as he struggled to adjust the stolen Vindyri armor.

Tannis reached over and twisted the black armor where the two pieces of the cuirass met over his son's shoulder. It wasn't a great fix, but it would have to do. None of the armor that they took from the fallen Vindyri was large enough for Rommus, and certainly not for him. Tannis stood a full head taller than the tallest men in Medora, so clothing and armor not fitting was quite normal to him.

But his son was quite large as well. There was no doubt that the two of them were father and son, and Rommus even looked like Tannis did when he was twenty years younger. Tannis still looked fairly young, but he had noticed a few gray hairs over his ears, and he was becoming a bit slower to heal. He would never admit it, but the wound from the arrow on his shoulder was really bothering him.

How's the shoulder? Rommus asked.

Tannis snapped out of his thoughts, surprised that Rommus could know what he was thinking. It's fine. Why?

I saw you look at it several times. I thought it might be bothering you.

I have only one thing bothering me right now, and that is the armies in Taburdum and out across the plains. My shoulder will be fine. I'm afraid I don't have such optimism for Medora."

Rommus laid a hand on his father's good shoulder. This will work.

This is just a tiny step, Rommus. I don't think you realize just how much has to fall into place in order to regain control of the situation here. I can come up with strategies to overcome the enemy here, but our real struggle hasn't even begun. We have to rid this land of the oppressive rule of Uritus Tecadelion.

Rommus grinned. I thought you only had one thing on your mind. Sounds like there are at several things bothering you.

Tannis ran a hand down his face. It's all the same. It doesn’t matter where the enemy is. He is either outside the walls, trying to get in, or inside the walls, trying to fire his arrows at our backs. Both enemies are equally as dangerous and I see it as the same problem.

Tannis had gathered 15 Medoran soldiers to attempt to infiltrate the city of Taburdum. Before the enemy had arrived and fortified the city, a tremendous effort had been made to dig tunnels under the city so that an eventual attack could be made. Rommus had insisted that he go with the men, and they clearly wanted him to go as well. Contrary to his son's apparent views about himself, a lot of men respected and admired him.

At first Tannis had suggested that Rommus use the magical portals between the columns of temples to sneak into Taburdum, but it proved to be impossible. The Bhoors and Vindyri who had infiltrated the city had apparently torn down the temples inside Taburdum to use the marble for other fortifications. With no standing temples, there was no longer a way for Rommus and the others to use the artifacts of the gods to enter the city.

The tunnels were not as complete as Tannis would have hoped. Most of them were only wide enough for a single man to pass at a time, but they were sitting in a clearing that had been dug out in order to stage men and supplies. This small room was large enough for all the men and their weapons, but they had to constantly move out of the way as other soldiers hauled away the soil that was being removed to finish the tunnel. At first the team of 15 men wanted to dig the rest of the tunnel themselves, but Tannis forbid it, informing the men that they would need to be well-rested for when the breach was finally made. Other soldiers who were not burdened with ill-fitting armor carved into the earth instead, clearing the way for the elite group of Medoran killers waiting to take back their city.

Rommus leaned over and whispered to his father. I still don't know what to do when we get in there. I know these men expect me to lead them but I don't know what to do in there.

"Your ultimate goal is to take back the city, but this can't be done by just these men. You will need to get into Taburdum undetected, so we'll wait until nightfall to finally make the breach. Try not to talk to any Vindyri, as they will most certainly discover that you are Medoran. Keep your helmets on to hide your dark hair, and try to speak only to the Bhoors. Most of them are probably unfamiliar with the people this far west and won't know that you are imposters.

"Find the officers' quarters as soon as possible. They will be the places with the most guards. Almost all of the officers will be sleeping at least until sunrise. There's probably only one or two officers awake keeping an eye on the soldiers inside. It's important not to draw the attention of those officers. Make sure you act the same way the rest of the Vindyri are acting. Medorans soldiers are more refined and proper, whereas the Vindyri are a more erratic lot. However they are behaving themselves in there, make sure you do the same.

"Once you have verified the position of the officers keeping watch, you need to get inside the officers' quarters and kill them. It has to be absolutely silent too. I have no idea how many officers you will have to kill, but there's going to be at least ten of them. Kill them all, and in the same manner if you can help it. When the bodies are found, it needs to be clear that we were sending a message.

"If you can accomplish this before the sun rises, then you will need to gather all the information you can about their defenses. Keep in mind that they are going to realize you were in there, and they will change everything they can once you are gone. They will expect you to report what you saw to your commanders, so with that in mind, take note of all the things that they are unable to change. For instance, the location of stairs that lead to a guard tower. Something like that is difficult to change quickly and they probably will see no need to do so, however it can end up being valuable information that we can use when we send in our main forces.

"Before you leave in the morning, set fire to anything you can. If they use wood for towers, walkways, or anything that is part of some kind of structure, burn it. Don't bother hacking it with an axe because you can't do enough damage to make it beyond repair. Do this only on your way out, as it is going to alert the men in there in a hurry.

Send one of your men back through the tunnel before you set anything on fire. He will need to report everything he can to me in the moments before you leave. We will be waiting a few hundred yards from the front gate at the forest edge, and once you get the front gate open, we will charge in.

Rommus scratched his chin. How many men are you going to send in when you charge?

About a thousand. But I don't want you and the rest of these guys joining us in the battle. I want you to run to safety. You're going to be exhausted from the ordeal and I want you all out of harm's way when we come in.

Only a thousand men? Are you crazy? There has to be half a million men in there ready to kill you.

Tannis shook his head. Not even close. Many of the men moved back out onto the plains after they fortified the city. They must have figured out by now that we poisoned the water, so they are surviving on water that they brought in themselves. There's simply not enough water for half a million men to survive on in there—not without the aqueduct providing clean water. We are guarding the aqueduct and the enemy has made no attempt to repair it yet. I estimate there to be about 25,000 to 35,000 soldiers still within the city walls—all of them probably thirsty.

That's still terrible odds. Each of your men has at least 25 men to kill. That's a lot to ask of a soldier.

"We're not going to kill them all. All we need to accomplish is terrifying them and killing several hundred. We want to drive them out of the city, and when they see that their defenses have been breached over here on the western side, the few remaining officers inside will opt to retreat across the plains. The officers stuck with night watch duty are probably not the best and brightest, nor are they very well-liked. They will be the runts of the litter when it comes to military matters, and when they realize that the other officers have been killed, they will run out the eastern side. The rest of the army will run behind them.

Now, on the east side of the city, opposite the front gate, I will have a full Legion of men waiting. When the cowards inside run to the eastern exit, they will run right into the jaws of the Medoran army. The thousand men I send in there will seal the gate after the enemy exits. We will crush them and not only retake our city, but send a message to the rest of their army out on the plains.

Rommus nodded. It's risky, but I get it. And when they flee to the east they will be looking into the morning sun so we will have the advantage there. I would like to add one thing though.

What's that?

I don't want to take any prisoners, and I don't want to release any of these animals to tell the rest of their army what happened. These people came into our land and attacked us for no reason. I want them all killed, without exception.

Rommus I think that's a little extreme. A lot of those men are just following orders and don't understand the complexities of warfare. Besides, we need to capture some of them to question afterwards. The information they have is just far too valuable when it comes to the full scheme of the war. I cannot allow all of the men inside to be murdered in cold blood.

Cold blood? These men know why they are here. Yes, many are just following orders, but they know what the orders are. They know that they have been sent here to murder, and they forfeited their right to fairness the moment they stepped on Medoran soil holding a weapon. We know their plan. We don't need to interrogate men we capture. They all deserve to die.

Tannis sighed. Look, son, I hear your words. I even agree that most of those men know what they are doing, and from our perspective, they probably deserve to die. But war is not judgment. It is not our duty to judge those men for what they have done. War is simply the tool we are forced to use to protect our land and our freedom. When swords are raised, we must raise swords against them. But when swords are lowered, we cannot slaughter essentially innocent men.

How can you say that, Tannis?

The sound of his own name stung him. His son had never called him Tannis before. He had wondered for a long time what it would be like when Rommus finally called him by his name. When Tannis was a young man, and finally called his own father by his name, it was a sign of respectful growth. A young man who becomes his father's equal eventually earns the right to stand next to his father instead of behind him.

But this was different. Rommus was not respectfully stepping up next to his father. He had made a statement with a single word that meant he no longer respected his father's views the way he always had. It was a slap in the face; although a somewhat gentle one.

Rommus, I know that you are angry at those men in Taburdum. I know that the stress of all that is happening is weighing on you. I can't even imagine what it must be like for you to have to bare the things you do. But I have been in this world much longer than you, and as a military leader I must accomplish certain goals. One of those goals is to gather all the information I can on our enemy so that it can be used against him. I cannot ask a corpse questions and expect answers. I forbid you to slay any men who have dropped their weapons after a battle.

Rommus ran a hand through his hair and grunted in frustration. Don't you see the flaw in that? When the enemy realizes that they won't be harmed, they will take advantage of us. They will lull us into a state lacking vigilance, and strike us all down. We must send a message to the rest of the army out there on the plains. They must know that entering this land is a death sentence.

Tannis cracked a few knuckles as he considered what to say. Rommus, I will weigh your words. I ask you to do the same with mine. I really want you to consider what I have said to you. But for right now, we have a job to do. This whole thing has been carefully planned and it is going to go how I say it's going to go. We can discuss the next operation after we get through this one. Is that suitable to you?

I trust that you know what you're doing, Rommus said shortly.

A soldier carrying several burlap bags full of soil walked by. That should be it, General Tirinius. We have dug all the way up to ground level. There's only another two or three feet to dig and the tunnel will break through to the surface under the fortification. We can punch through after the sun sets. It should take no more than a half hour.

Very good, soldier. Where will the tunnel break the surface?

It's difficult to say exactly, but somewhere west of the museum, off in the gardens there where there's no stone street to deal with overhead. Assuming they have not moved anything into that area, all should go as planned.

West of the museum at the gardens. Very good. You're dismissed.

The man couldn't snap a salute without dropping the bags of soil, but he nodded before making his way passed the men and back up the dark tunnel to the outside. Somewhere off beyond that tunnel was an ever-growing pile of excavated Medoran soil. Tannis couldn't help but think about how Medora was changing from within—in more ways than one.

Rommus, get your men ready. The sun should be setting in about an hour, and we'll break through the surface not long after that. Have some of the dried meats and make sure you drink some water. You don't know when you'll have the chance to eat or drink again.

Yes sir, Rommus said as he stood.

I have to get back out there to assemble the rest of the men for the battle in the morning. Give me your sword.

Rommus cocked his head in confusion. Why?

Tannis unsheathed his own sword, which was entirely black from tip to pommel except for the sharpened edge. That edge caught the firelight and sent little shards of light bouncing all over the earthen room. He held it across both hands; handle in one, and blade in the other. After examining it a moment, he presented it to his son."

I know you had to leave your golden sword behind, but it would mean a lot to your father if you took this sword instead of that one at your hip. Hopefully I don't have to explain why. It would just feel more appropriate for you to take my sword into this battle.

Rommus looked him in the eyes for a moment, and then to the sword at his hip. He pulled it free and handed it over, taking the black sword in return. After sheathing it, Rommus cleared his throat before he began to speak.

Father—

Suddenly there was yelling farther up the tunnel toward Taburdum. At first it was muffled by the wet walls, but there was no mistaking its urgency. It was an alarm. Something was wrong.

Breach! someone yelled. They're coming!

Chapter 3

The tight tunnel was suddenly a boiling cauldron of flesh and steel. The elite group of 15 soldiers was joined by another 20 or so who were returning from the breached tunnel opening. The narrow halls were swarming with men; some trying to advance, and some trying to retreat. It was total chaos.

What do we do? Rommus yelled over the roar of soldiers.

Medorans! Tannis yelled. Let the men returning from the dig pass! Get out of the tunnel! The rest of you stay right where you are.

Rommus looked over to his father. He appeared calm and commanding, but it was obvious to Rommus that he was nervous about what to do. A genuine look of worry crossed his face and his eyes darted about, searching for some kind of answer about what to do.

Do we retreat? Rommus asked.

Tannis shook his head. There's still a chance this will work. There were 25 men up that tunnel, and only 21 have returned.

So you think they were killed? What do you mean?

It's possible, but if I know my soldiers, anyone who came through that hole met a sword in a hurry. With any luck, the four missing men are aboveground chasing down anyone who saw the hole. If they can kill them before they can report back to the enemy, then we can still move forward as planned.

Rommus drew his sword. Okay, so if we don't see any slain Medorans, then we can assume they are inside the city trying to keep the mission a secret. We have to go now.

The sun is still up. You need to be very careful, Rommus.

Rommus nodded and waited for the last returning Medoran soldier to pass before heading into the dark tunnel. He didn't bother to check if his elite companions were following; he knew they were. The walls and ground were slick with sticky mud, so he could not run, but he jogged up the tunnel as fast as he could in the darkness. Clicks of armor and creaks of leather could be heard behind him.

Not far ahead, the darkness was split by a shaft of cool blue evening light. The light came down through the ceiling of the tunnel, and the outside world could finally be seen. There were hand and boot prints in the mud all around the hole where soldiers had climbed to the surface, but there was no sign of any of them. Rommus also noticed that there was no blood or dropped weapons as far as he could tell.

When he got to the opening he motioned for the soldier behind him to give him a boost, as he didn't want to risk slipping on the walls trying it by himself. Two men came to his aid, and standing on their clasped hands, he cautiously peeked through the hole above him.

He didn't see a soul. It was darker than he imagined it would be, but only because clouds had moved in to block the rays of the setting sun. The garden was empty of any human being, with only marble statues to play the role. The flowers of spring and summer were long gone, but rows of carefully pruned bushes and decoratively-cut evergreens brought a little life to the cold garden.

Anything? a soldier quietly asked.

Nothing. There's no one here. Push me up.

The men pushed him upwards to help him out of the hole. He took another look around and reached in to clasp an arm and help one of them up. In a matter of moments, all of the soldiers were out of the hole and crouching behind the low-cut bushes. All of them searched the horizon for the enemy, but none of them saw any.

A man named Herrus leaned over to Rommus. They said that the enemy was coming. I don't see any evidence of that. It looks like our men got out, but no one got in the tunnel.

You're right. I saw the footprints in the mud down in the hole. They were all heading this way, not down into the tunnel. This must mean my father was right. There are four Medorans in here with us, trying to silence anyone who saw them before they alert the others.

Four? Are you sure?"

"Tannis was