Swords with Souls
A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story
(Adult Content)
By Dan Watt
(Author of BARD series)
(Author of the Plagueborn series)
Peering Into The Giant’s Maw
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Sir Oliver holds the brass grip of the new sword in his hand. Using a black feather from a carrion crow he brushes on the heated sap of a spruce tree onto the grip. Next, he begins winding on the leather thong the Sword Maker gave him. Occasionally, he tests the thickness. When he’s satisfied, he cuts the leftover thong off and coats the leather. He can’t touch it again for a while so he places it carefully on a flat rock with the handle hanging over the edge. Then he leans back against the trunk of an oak tree and stares into the early morning air across the river. When the grip is no longer tacky, he wants to test the new sword—against the giant Jedreck.
As he goes into the woods to relieve himself. The dwarf Ellis follows him. When he stops, Ellis says in hushed tones, “The dwarves and giants are interested in trading for your secret products. Lady Swan told me, secretively. But there is something else you need to be aware of.”
“What?” he asks as he laces up his pants and reaches for a leaf still covered in dew to wipe his hands on. He turns and looks down at Ellis when there’s no reply. The dwarf’s lips move against each other as if he’s not sure what to say.
“Few care for this new king, and none care for Sir Olaf,” Ellis says as he clenches his hands.
“Aye,” he agrees. “Well, if we rat on each other, we’ll both lose our heads.”
“Almost all like your uncle, which by association means the same for you.” Ellis turns and looks up at him. “Shortly, I will retire. You have until then to let me know.”
“Know what?” he asks.
“If you’ll be king of the–propers.”
“I think Sir Olaf would hinder that.”
“Like the girl who always wears her hood up—Endellion—Sir Olaf is not from here. But the quarter-moon ears, giants—and dwarves will soon have their own leaders. It would be good if the propers had a proper king to keep the peace.”
He never asked her where she came from and Olaf was part of the king’s army before he was. “What do you mean they’re not from here?”
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