Eternal Forge

By David J Guyton

Nations rise and fall at the feet of tyrants and heroes. The shifting powers have ripped Medora apart, and the once-great nation has finally crumbled to dust.The greater men of the west establish new law, hoping to weather the coming storm, and the roots of freedom find more fertile ground. New powers rise up to battle the old, but both liberty and tyranny are quenched by tears of dying men, and the soils blacken with the blood of the fallen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David J Guyton
• Release date: Apr 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781370398836

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

Henma flipped her raven hair over her shoulder silently. Her cold blue eyes flitted from mark to mark, sizing up each one and determining weaknesses. Blue eyes were so uncommon in Medorans that she had never seen or heard of another Medoran having them in her whole life. Her parents had told her that she had Vindyri blood in her veins, and that was the reason her eye color was so odd. But her skin was not the alabaster shade common to the Vindyri, and her hair was the black hair of the Medorans. She was a rare a hybrid—and she was proud of her unique heritage.

She was from Etorum in Northern Medora. It was something between a city and a town; not quite large enough to be a city, but not as small as Peorum or other smaller towns that never seemed to make it onto the maps. Etorum was secluded enough that the people there developed a reputation for reclusiveness and self-reliance. They were generally skeptical of outsiders, and did not travel far from their homes very often. While she was proud of her customs and upbringing, she did not share the same views about travel that others in Etorum had. She was certainly skeptical of others, but she wanted to see the world—or at least the rest of Medora.

She was stronger than the average Medoran woman. In fact, she was certain she was stronger than even the average Medoran man. Her muscles did not protrude in such a way that she lacked femininity, but she hid great strength under her clothing. During the day she wore the lighter colors common in Medora, but at night she wore black—the color Vindyri prefer.

She had crafted the outfit herself. It was made of smooth leather in a matte finish so as not to reflect moonlight or candlelight in the darkness. It clung tightly to her form, accentuating her shape and preventing unnecessary noise from the movement of excessive material. She thought it was a shame that no one ever really saw her in her outfit. It seemed such a waste to have something so beautiful go unnoticed.

But the suit was not just her attire. The entire thing was a weapon of sorts. There were hidden pockets that held small knives or poisonous powders or vials. Her forearms were sheathed in tight leather, with long blades fastened to it. Each arm had three slender blades running from wrist to elbow. If she ever missed with a punch, she could rake the blades across her target’s face. Similar blades lined her shins, and while she had never had the opportunity to kick anyone before, there was always a chance a chance might arise, and she wanted to be prepared for it.

Tiny throwing knives were sheathed horizontally up her entire spine; each handle alternating left and right. From any position she could reach back and pull a blade free. They were small, but they were long enough to get her out of trouble if she found herself backed into a corner.

Her gloves had even smaller blades fastened to the top of the knuckles, running along the bones on the back of her hands. They were almost too small to even be seen, and did not stick out beyond her knuckles when she made a fist. She crafted the razor gloves in such a way that the blades could not get caught on flesh or clothing as she punched. Instead the exposed razors would slip easily through skin or cloth, doing less damage, perhaps, but allowing her to maintain speed and agility.

She became as still as possible in the underbrush as the men approached. The first of the three men carried a torch, and lit the group well enough for her to make out some detail. Crimson capes snapped in the breeze, but she could see no golden chevron on them. Their breastplates had the Medoran wreath in gold, but instead of the gold sword insignia in the center of the wreath she was hoping to see, there was only the ordinary four-pointed star. These were not members of the Elite Guard or the members of Legion Archenarius that she was hoping to encounter. Once again she would have to settle for ordinary troops.

The soldiers joked quietly as they meandered up the path. The one at the rear would check behind him on occasion, but other than that, they seemed unconcerned with their surroundings. They had probably come from the city of Otorum and were on their way to Brinn or Taburdum. Wherever they were planning to go, none of them were going to arrive there.

Once they passed her, she slipped quietly from the brush and fell in line behind them. She fell into their cadence as they stomped along, masking her footsteps in the sound of theirs. It would be easy to just hurry up and kill them, but toying with her prey was part of the fun. She followed them for some time, listening in on their conversation. Whenever the guard at the rear would check behind him, she would casually step to the other side of the path, just beyond his vision. Her black outfit blended into the darkness, making her essentially invisible to him.

The soldier with the torch spoke as they walked. I knew him when he was a Captain in the Moon Legion. He’s not fit to be any sort of leader.

But what about the armor and the sword? People have said that they have seen him pull lightning down from the heavens, just like Arius. You don’t believe he is really the new god of war?

Ha! No. He is a maker of weapons. He made that sword and armor himself. What you hear about any power he has is just myth. Arius is the god of war, and no ridiculous stories are going to change that.

But how do you explain what people have seen him do? He killed those beasts in the battle at Taburdum. He called lightning down from the skies to do it.

Trickery. Mages have used trickery for years to get us to believe they can use magic. Rommus has probably learned their tricks and he’s using them to make people think he is the god of war. It’s blasphemy and I find it disgusting.

You really think Rommus is working with the Mages? Something just doesn’t seem right about that.

The other soldier threw his head back and laughed. But Rommus becoming the god of war seems right to you? Come on, Entrillius, use your head.

Entrillius cleared his throat. Thousands are leaving the Legions to join his new Legion. His own father-our General—sides with him. Are they all fools? Or are we?

General Tirinius only sides with Rommus because he is his son, not because he believes him to be a god. There is turmoil in the ranks, as some of us are rebelling against Emperor Tecadelion and taking a stand against him. Legion Archenarius stands for the old ways of Medora, and Emperor Tecadelion and his army stands for the new vision he has for Medora. It’s not any more complicated than that. Rommus simply uses trickery to convince people to join his side.

Since only the first two soldiers were doing any of the talking, Henma decided to kill the one at the rear. She reached up under his helmet and covered his mouth and nose with her left hand, and pulled her right forearm across his throat. The soldier tensed up in confusion and surprise. His body began to convulse; either from panic or blood leaving his body. Either way she didn’t care. She just needed to feel the release. The other two soldiers walked on, unaware that their companion was dying behind them.

Henma guided the limp soldier to the ground, careful to keep his armor as silent as possible. She kept her hand over his mouth as she removed his helmet and looked into his eyes. It was dark, but she could see his soul in them; struggling to stay in his body. His muscles eventually slackened, and his eyes went flat and still.

Release washed over her and she drank it in, turning her face up to the sky. Her eyes were closed, but she was hyperaware of her surroundings. She felt complete in every way, and for a moment she felt the feeling she craved. It was as if she was flying through the clouds at great speed. It was exhilaration beyond even her own comprehension.

Before the feeling completely passed, she opened the oval locket she had on her necklace. Even in the pale blue light of the moon she could see the dried blood caked on the inside. She quickly removed a glove and touched the man’s fresh wound with a finger. Then she touched the drop of blood to the inside of her locket, and cleaned the remaining blood from her finger with her tongue.

After completing her ceremony, she paused only briefly to relish her accomplishment. She had to hurry up the path if she wanted to collect her other two victims.

Chapter 2

The light burned her eyes when she opened them. The room around her was blurry, and at first she couldn't tell if anyone was in the room with her or not. Slowly a figure appeared in her vision beside her bed. She turned to face him but it caused searing pains to ripple though her body.

Rommus turned when she cried out. Alana! Try not to move, you were badly hurt.

Her voice came out in hoarse jerks. What happened? Where am I?

You're at the Emperor's Villa, a few miles northwest of Brinn in the Medoran countryside. It's where the Emperor goes to get away from the stress of managing things in Brinn.

Alana closed her eyes as she tried to process what was going on. Why does my stomach hurt? Why am I so sore?

You mean you don't remember? You were stabbed many times when we went to release the Vindyri Zeke from his cell. The Dirujen in the cell next to him distracted me, and when you opened the door he grabbed your knife and attacked you.

She suddenly remembered brief flashes of memories of the event. She couldn't recall a lot of detail, but the terror she had felt was crisp and clear in her mind. She remembered the cold feel of the metal blade inside her for the first few stabs, and how she saw drops of blood spraying through the air. It seemed like forever until the pain registered. It was only after that that she realized that the blood she saw was her own.

How long have I been here? she asked.

Six days now.

Have you been here next to me all this time, Rommus?

No, not the whole time. Vohl has been here a lot, and my father comes from time to time. But you're safe here. The entire building is surrounded by soldiers from Legion Archenarius.

What about Uritus? Isn't there a chance he will find us here?

Rommus let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Uritus knows we're here. It was his idea to come here.

His idea? What do you mean? Don't tell me that in less than a week you have formed an alliance with that madman.

"I don't know if I would call it an alliance."

Alana ignored her pain and sat up a little. By the gods, Rommus, what have you done?

I did what I had to do. You were dying. For all I know, you were already dead when we reached him.

Rommus, what did you do?

Uritus and his Mages have learned to heal with magic. They used magic to heal his arm when Song brought down the statue on top of him. The only thought I had after you had been stabbed was that I had to find Uritus. I had to find him if there was any chance of saving you. I couldn't do anything on my own to help.

At what cost, Rommus? What deal did you make with him to save my life?

Rommus bit his lip. "He demanded the sword and the armor. I refused. I simply could not risk handing over all of my power and protection, endangering all of our men and our cause. At first he didn't believe that I would not give them up for you. He thought I was bluffing. Several minutes were wasted before he realized I was serious.

The next thing he wanted was the hammer of Maeris. I found this more acceptable and I swore I would give it to him if he would keep you from dying. He did hold up his end of the bargain, but he refused to heal you completely. He only did enough to keep you alive. A lot of the healing you have been going through is natural, and not magical. That's why you are still in pain and still in bed.

Alana was shocked. Uritus has the hammer? Rommus, how could you be that stupid? My life isn't worth the trouble he will cause with that thing.

Rommus lowered his head a little as he stared at her, marking a more serious tone. Alana Irith, you are worth far more than that silly hammer. You are worth far more than any artifact of the gods—even all of them together. I did not choose to keep the armor and the sword because they are more important to me than you are. I chose to keep them because as a leader, I am not granted a choice. If I knew it would save your life, I would give anything in this world, but the reality is that giving up those artifacts endangers our mission, and the freedom of mankind. I do not get to choose between you and the artifacts; I did what was necessary.

"If that's your logic, Rommus, then why did you hand over the hammer—my hammer?"

Because the armies that Uritus faces are the same armies that we face. If he is granted the power to overtake those armies, it is no different than us wielding the hammer ourselves. I am sorry that I had to give him the hammer that was given to you, but in this instance I had no choice.

She shook her head. "Rommus, have you gone insane? How can you say that Uritus faces the same armies we do? Did it occur to you at all that we have an army he wishes to annihilate?"

Rommus stared blankly for a moment before he spoke quietly. I suppose I overlooked that part. I mean, I didn't forget that we are enemies; I just thought that the great war we have been fighting overshadowed that.

After a long silence she reached out to touch his arm. Rommus, I do appreciate you saving me. I know what this fight for freedom means to you, and for you to weigh my life against that fight means a lot to me. I am glad that I am alive, but you shouldn't have traded my life for the hammer. That trade might be what turns the tide against us.

Alana, I had no time. I could barely think straight. I had to do something. I couldn't just stand there and let the most important person in my—

She stared at him when he stopped himself. Was he going to say the most important person in his life? Or perhaps the most important person in his army? Maybe he was thinking something else entirely, and she was just reading him wrong.

But even if she didn't have a clear window into his mind at the moment, she certainly had access to her own. She was immediately wondering what she wanted him to say. Did she want to be the most important person in his life? Would that be fair to Vohl?

His eyes did not betray his thoughts. She could only see that he was very tired and a little distraught. Certainly the war and the internal conflicts within Medora were weighing on him. And with her being so gravely injured, it surely must have taken a great toll on him emotionally.

Rommus I—

There's something you should know, Alana, he interrupted.

What is it, Rommus?

Vohl quietly cleared his throat in the doorway, alerting them to his presence. Alana, it is good to see you awake. How do you feel?

He took a few steps into the room but didn't come to the edge of the bed where Rommus sat. Golden sunlight beamed in from the windows, illuminating both men from one side, and cloaking them in shadow on the other. For a moment she stared at the two most meaningful men in her life. Each had his virtues. Each had his secrets. These two men, so different and yet so similar, tugged at her emotions so unknowingly, and yet so powerfully and often. She felt so vulnerable and bare in their presence. Her feelings for the both of them were not any secret to them at all, and yet their feelings for her were shrouded in perpetual mystery. They never seemed to intend to confuse her, but nonetheless it always seemed to end up that way.

She had gotten to the point where she would never think to betray Vohl by pursuing something with Rommus, but thinking of Rommus in that light was unavoidable. She was afraid of both men, in a sense, because she knew that both of them could see deep into her soul and she was unable to hide anything from them. Vohl used a magical power to decipher her thoughts and intentions, but Rommus showed similar-though far more ordinary—skills of his own.

Vohl cleared his throat again. Alana?

She realized that she had not answered his question. I don't feel all that good, Vohl. I think I'm okay, but I am in a lot of pain. My stomach hurts and I am sore all over. I feel like I fell off a very tall bridge or something.

Well, I am very glad that you are awake, Alana. It has been far too long since I have looked upon your shining face.

Alana smiled. And I am glad to see your face too, Vohl. Thank you for being here when I was asleep, and for being here now.

Vohl let out a breath. I must apologize. Even though I am thrilled to see you, I must admit that I did not come here for that. I came to see Master Rommus.

Me? Rommus said. What is it?

It is time, Master Rommus. He is here.

Chapter 3

The Emperor sat at the end of a long table. Two guards stood behind him with their arms crossed. Usually Uritus surrounded himself with Mages as his protectors, but he had been using soldiers of the Elite Guard more and more.

however he certainly didn't exclude his Mages. Around the entire perimeter of the large dining hall stood 30 or more of them. All had their faces hidden from view under their heavy cloaks, threatening in their silent manner. Each had his hands tucked inside his opposite sleeves, showing a sort of reverence for their master, and displaying their ranks by showing off the colors of their hem.

Uritus took an apple from a bowl in front of him and took a bite. Thank you for joining us, Rommus. How is the Vindyri?

She is awake now.

Ah, good. I must admit that I had my doubts that you would uphold your end of our bargain. I have become accustomed to your trickery when it comes to following my orders. Why don't you have a seat so that we can talk?

I'll stand, Rommus said flatly.

Always the rebel, he grinned. Have it your way, Rommus. Have you been told why I have come here?

No, I have only been told that you were on your way here a few hours ago. What is it you want?

"I don't want anything. For now things between your side and mine are unmoving, and I prefer it that way. The truce that your father and I had no longer holds as far as I am concerned, but we all know how difficult it is to constantly war with each other—especially with the whole world trying to do us in.

I am not here to fight. I have examined the hammer of Maeris and determined that it is not some elaborate forgery of yours. I see it as a sign of respect that you offer to me and my cause.

Rommus chuckled as he folded his arms. Any respect for your cause that you sense from me is a wild misinterpretation on your part. If you aren't here to fight, and you don't want anything from me, then why on earth would you come here?

First of all, Rommus, this is my private Villa. I have allowed you to stay here as a token of my appreciation for your willingness to work with me instead of against me. Secondly, I do not come here without purpose. I have a reason and this matter concerns you as much as it concerns me.

Rommus unfolded his arms and rested his hands on the back of the chair in front of him. Well what is it, Uritus? What matter other than the war against Medora concerns the both of us?

Erratus Ridoria.

Rommus shot him a puzzled glance. What about him?

Well I'm sure by now that you have come to realize that that brat Song is somehow a former Emperor of Medora. I don't know how he pulled it off, but it seems that he has. I knew his name was familiar when he told it to me, and after exhaustive research my Mages have tracked him down through history. We know who he is and what he has done.

So what? What does that have to do with me?

Well, Rommus, somewhere in the past this Song magically crafted a great doorway underground. Do you know the doorway I speak of?

Rommus paused a second before he answered. No, I don't know what you're talking about.

Uritus rolled his eyes and took another bite of his apple. Rommus, you should know better than that. Intelligent people sometimes ask questions that they already know the answers to in order to test the person they are questioning.

Rommus sighed. Go on with your story, Emperor.

Well, this great gateway was meant to remain sealed. As it turns out, I opened it accidentally. After a conversation with Inshae, I discovered that I was not the first person to open it.

You mean Song?

"You know that I mean both you and Song, Rommus. I am aware of what you have done. It takes a god and a man to open the gateway."

Rommus tapped his knuckles on the table. Okay then, if my powers as a god-limited as they are—allowed Song and I to open the doorway, then how did you open it? Did Inshae help you open it?

Not Inshae; Maeris.

Maeris? Impossible.

Uritus waved his apple around dismissively. "Rommus, look at the world we are living in. Does anything really seem impossible these days?"

It's impossible because we destroyed him. Maeris is dead.

Dead and sent to the void, Rommus. The same void that used to be protected by the guardian Demeos. You killed him too, didn't you?

Rommus suddenly felt chills go up his spine. No, I didn't kill Demeos. Song captured him and transported him to another time. Are you telling me that the ghost of Maeris has been unleashed upon the world? The ghost of a god?

Yes, Rommus, that is basically what I have come here to tell you. But it is not the fallen god of darkness that concerns me. If you recall, before the war officially started, we had a problem with creatures escaping the void and tearing apart our soldiers.

The Triultti brought them here. Of course I remember.

Yes well it took both of our powers combined to put a stop to that onslaught. Although I have not seen similar beasts slipping out from the gateway, I know that there is nothing stopping them from doing so. Just like the Thrahks venturing beyond the southern barrier when it fell, it is only a matter of time before the ghosts of all dead beings find their way to the gateway and enter our world.

And you want me to help you to keep that from happening, I assume?

Yes Rommus, I need your help. It is difficult enough to control the living; let alone the dead. I am not asking you to do anything you wouldn't do yourself anyway. All I am doing is extending a truce between us so that we can deal with this mess when it arises.

Rommus scratched the back of his head as he thought. What about Maeris? Did you see him with your own eyes?

Uritus stared blankly for a moment. I saw him. He was no longer in human form. He was a vile specter. He was hatred and anger personified in a formless being.

Well where did he go? Where is he now?

He tore through my men as they stood there helpless. Some of them survived his touch but others did not. That touch was enough to kill them immediately, just as your sword seems to do. After he killed several of my men, he ascended to the ceiling under the mountain, where he exited through one of the small holes that allow sunlight into the grand chamber.

Rommus nodded and folded his arms. And you want to work together to capture and destroy this wraith of a god?

Uritus rolled his eyes ever so slightly. Yes, Rommus. That is why I am here.

It's hot today.

What?

I said it's hot today. Even with the evening approaching, it's still pretty hot. Don't you agree?

What are you saying, Rommus? This is a serious matter. I am not here to discuss the weather.

"Neither am I, really. I just noticed that it's pretty warm in here. All of these Mages are probably very uncomfortable standing here in the