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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“I don’t know where she comes from but it isn’t here,” Ellis says while peering all around. “And Sir Olaf was a prince in the far north who tried to usurp his older brother’s claim to their elderly father’s kingdom.”
Is that Sir Olaf’s plan? To take over Damp Wind then return home with an army? Sir Olaf has only shown contempt towards quarter moons, dwarves, and giants. Worse, he has no respect for the land and believes the faie are a hoax. He needs to get back to his fiefdom and discuss the possibility with his father and brothers, and Sir Afamefuna. But first he wants to find out how many rows of teeth Jedreck has.
As they walk back to the Sword Maker’s workshop, they keep their talk civil and discuss what kind of fish might be caught in the river.
On their return he sees the hunchback pulling in a fish from a pole he must have borrowed from the Sword Maker. The smell of cooking fish makes him salivate. Just up from the rock shore he sees the bearded lady cooking some skinned fish on a brass grill over a makeshift firepit. The others are sitting on a washed-up log.
He walks away from Ellis to check on the sword handle. His hand sticks for a moment but the thong is hardened enough not to come off. “Undefeated, Undefeated, Undefeated,” he whispers to the sword as Lara instructed him the night before. He swings the sword and tries different attack and parlaying movements. It’s a wonder to wield! He slides it through his belt and eats with the others as they wait for Lara, the Sword Maker, Haashir, and Jedreck to finish the second sword. It would seem Endellion is also a part of the sword making group, though he didn’t think she had a task.
When he finally sees them approaching, Lara looks drained, as does Haashir and Jedreck. Endellion’s expression is very different. It’s thoughtful.
He waits for Jedreck to eat and look more energized before asking, “What say we spar so I can test the mettle of this sword?” He twirls the sword as he speaks.
“If you mean to try it against the newest sword, it isn’t ready, nor is it meant for me,” the giant says standing up. “You’ll have to spar against Laura to test its mettle. But–,” Jedreck unsheathes his own sword. “Let’s see if your new sword is worth all the trouble to craft it.”
This close, the giant is truly daunting. Nearly twice his own height. And the sword he draws out isn’t from here. At first, he thinks it silver from its colour but it has a duller sheen. “Flat edge only,” he says standing up and stepping back. With an arrogant grin he bows without taking his eyes off Jedreck.
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