Swords with Souls
A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story
(Adult Content)
By Dan Watt
(Author of the BARD series)
(Author of the Plagueborn series)
King of the Giants and Dwarves
caedar-writig-artwork.com
Lara just wants to return home. Helping to craft not one but two swords with souls has drained her, especially the one with her grandfather’s soul, the one that now hangs on her left side. She named the sword Stian after her grandfather. Every time she grasps the handle of the sword, she can hear her grandfather’s voice commenting on the surroundings. She hasn’t tried to ask any questions because hearing his voice answer her might break her heart. She rests her head against Aminah’s neck and sobs. Sniffing and wiping the tears away she climbs onto Aminah’s back. Nearby, Jedreck is waiting on Angus, a massive shire horse that looks more like a pony with Jedreck sitting on his back.
She swats a mosquito away. “I’d like to go now,” she says to the giant. He had told her he would guard her on her way back home. She told him she didn’t need a guardian, but he had insisted. Now he’s moving in front of her and Aminah, cutting them off from traveling down the path. Lara grabs onto the handle of her soul sword. This time her grandfather voice is silent.
Jederick is looking down at her with a conflicted expression. “I ask you to go on a side trip with me. To make another soul sword.”
She wonders how powerful the soul sword in her hand is. She had seen how well Sir Oliver’s had performed against Jederick. There is a determined but gentle glow emitting from the giant’s unblinking stare. With a sigh, she asks, “What is this for?”
“The king of the giants and dwarves is dying,” he blurts out.
“King Leopold is dying?” she asks, confused. He seemed very much alive last she knew.
“No, the king of the giants and dwarves,” Jederick repeats.
“There is another king?” Lara asks.
“Yes, but his existence is unknown to the Propers, as your people call themselves.”
“You want me to make a soul sword using the soul of this dying king?” She wonders if that is a good idea. She still isn’t sure how powerful these swords are. “Do I have a choice?”
Jederick bows his head. “I—I would rather it was your choice.”
“But if I refuse, you’ll try to force me?”
Now he’s looking at her with a wan smile. His lips quiver for a moment. “Yes.”
“You can’t make me do this, Jederick,” she says glaring up at him while clenching tighter onto the handle of the soul sword.
“Haashir has ways to,” he replies.
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Darren created the cover of Swords with Souls. The semi-transparent faces you see are my concept art of the different characters. Darren is an exceptional writer of epic and dark fantasy. Over the holiday season I highly recommend you read his dark epic Plagueborn series (see above).
*Except for a possible video, this will be my last post until the New Year.
Caedar Writing & Artwork 