Swords with Souls
fantasy fiction
By Dan Watt
Cover by Darren Joy
(Warning: Adult content)
The Sword Maker
Within a rectangular and shallow box filled with damp clay, he places a wooden sword and presses down. Four specially attached boards, no longer than his thumb. make sure the sword is in the proper position. The wooden sword is complete with a globe-shaped pommel, threaded grip, disc shaped guard, and double-edged blade. The entire sword is coated in linseed oil. As he waits for the clay to dry, he reads over a letter from a potential customer.
Dear Master of Sword Making,
I wish to commission you.
This is very important work and highly sensitive—
Thus, it is paramount that you never tell another soul.
You will be paid handsomely.
In three weeks, I will be arriving with my entourage.
All the necessary ingredients will be made available
at that time.
- Lady Некромансер
A tiny man with a long bulbous nose and quarter moon ears had brought the letter to him during the night. The tiny man wore a dark brown archer’s hat and was dressed in a fine dark green jerkin, blue trousers, and leather boots. Hanging on either side of a wide black belt were ornately pommeled bronze daggers. The first pommel was in the shape of a skull. The second of clinched finger bones. At first, the bladesmith thought the pommels were made of silver but after a second glance realized they were too dull. When the bladesmith glanced up he noticed that the narrow face of the tiny man made his dark, piercing eyes appear too large.
That’s when the bladesmith glanced towards the open door where a vast figure stood silently. The top of the bronze breastplate the man wore reached the lintel and glimmered from the forge’s embers.
No words were spoken only courteous nods given as the letter was handed over.
He checks on the clay. It is dry enough for him to gently pull the wooden sword free. He dampens the clay in an identically sized box and presses the wooden sword into it.
Caedar Writing & Artwork 