Day 25 (3rd day together):
By now, we were getting into a routine of sorts, getting up, having breakfast, talking, discussing what we should do, etc. As we were getting dressed to go out into the city again, Mara, our servant, returned to get the dishes. She seemed very pale and withdrawn today. She shook as she picked up the plates. I touched her hands and made her put them down. I locked eyes with her. She fell into my arms and began weeping. We huddled around her as I sat her in a chair.
"Mara, what is it? I see many emotions at war within you. Fear, sadness, a lot of pain, and hopelessness fight in you. Please explain. You are among friends."
She regained some composure and poured out her story.
"I came here from a country on the other side of Cassabla. For as long as history has been written, the Baalocs have terrorized us and my people. They wear armor to make themselves look like demons. Few have encountered them and lived. My country began to prosper when we built walls around our cities and wizards of the elves grew massive forests across what was open plains. The Baalocs are horsemen. They need open space to charge and fire arrows and other launching weapons. In close quarters, they are easily matched. Unfortunately, few get close enough to find that out. When I saw that drawing last night, my old nightmares returned. I knew the Baalocs would gain strength enough one day to be bold enough to march on great cities and whole countries. My only hope was I was far enough away that I would never see them again. I nearly died when they attacked my home. One of their arrows pinned me to the wall and I stayed that way for many hours. Somehow, I managed to pull free and escape as they looted my home and killed anyone they saw. I was still a child, barely ten years old, when I left. I have not seen or heard of any of my family since and I came to the conclusion that they were all dead. By charity and hard work, I made my way here and Lord Carmon took me in as a servant to attend his baby girl when his wife passed away."
We comforted her as she broke into sobs again. I do not know how long we stayed with her as she told of the horrors she had witnessed. She even showed us the scar from the arrow that pinned her arm to the wall. It was not until she had been quiet for a while that we noticed Lord Carmon and the historian just inside the door. The historian was finishing was I could only guess was Mara's last few words. When she saw them, she jumped up and began gathering the dishes. Lord Carmon, in a very touching move, made her put them down. In a low voice, he told her to have Tess do this, that she had the day off, and he thanked her for her hard work. Mara shyly nodded and left. Alice was close to tears at the kindness her father displayed towards someone she thought he never paid any attention. Lord Carmon cleared his throat and addressed us.
"Since you know their name, I don't have to tell you that. The historian has uncovered some history of our own with the Baalocs. You may read it at you leisure. However, it is not history we are concerned about but present and future. My messengers returned this hour with accounts of the boldness of the Baalocs and, importantly, their leader, Maalicus."
Our swords vibrated at that name. We heard them whisper to each other. Finally, I asked, "Do you know how long Maalicus has been their leader?"
"Our information says for a number of years, why?"
"Maalicus is the name of one of the first missionaries of the new faith. He was the most militant. He forced many conversions by the point of a sword. The Baalocs may be a corruption of that faith, killing those who will not submit. It is hard to know more," Vanity informed them from my lips.
"If he has taken that name, they may see this as holy war, a renewal of that faith but corrupted over the centuries. What can we do so Vanity and the others can find out more?"
More humming, vibrating, and whispering commenced. After a while, we answered.
"We need a place of power, where old magic is very strong."
"A place undisturbed, natural, with very little human activity."
"Preferably a hill, ridge, or some natural rise in the terrain."
"A place with no history of conflict, bloodshed, or destructive activity."
"The fey, fairies, and all like creatures must give us permission to be there. We cannot go against them."
"All of the elements must be there. Fire, water, earth, and air must be present in that place."
"And if we can do this on the full moon, it will be complete."
The historian took down our instructions. He said he would search and left. Tess arrived to take the dishes. We told Lord Carmon we were going into town. He agreed. He said he would find us if they found out more that we needed to know. We finished getting ready and went out, letting Tess know we would not be in for lunch.
We had a hard time enjoying ourselves in the city. With so much on our minds, we just wandered aimlessly. We did accomplish a few things. Lisa diagnosed a man outside a clinic with lead poisoning. Sarah identified the illnesses of everyone else at the same clinic and helped the physicians with the appropriate cures. Gretta helped shut down a con who was peddling fake amulets and talismans. Callie told a group of engineers where to shore us a new house to keep it from leaning over the years. Alice stopped an argument between a couple about to get married by letting them know that they had no relatives in common for the past three hundred years, even though many had the same names. They were elated and invited us to attend. We had a nice time and were able to put the Baalocs out of our minds for a while. While there, we were able to see other rituals in weddings that we hadn't seen in our home villages and that the swords told us dated back thousands of years.
Our enjoyment was cut short when Lord Carmon's men entered and told us we were needed at once. We returned to the castle with our escort.
Back inside the palace, we were taken to a meeting room instead of our suite. As we entered, five men rose. Lord Carmon was at the head of the table. To his right were a cleric and a wizard, both of whom had tested us yesterday. To his left, two men in military dress, neither of which were the colors Lord Carmon's men wore. Seven empty chairs waited for us. We arranged ourselves and Alice ended up at the foot, directly facing her father.
Lord Carmon began, "Ladies, I introduce Father Cedric, the wizard Thoric, whom you briefly met yesterday. Over here are Major Kendar of Cassabla and Commander Lehand of Raval, the country on the other side of Cassabla. Gentlemen, as two of you know, these are the Seven Sisters of the Swords."
Before another word was said, Commander Lehand jumped up, sword drawn, and pointed at Lisa, who was immediately on his left.
"The swords are evil abominations! How dare you girls claim such? This is not a thing to play around about!"
Lisa's military training kicked in. Before he knew it, she kicked his feet out from under him, taken his sword, and tossed it to a far corner of the room. Placing a foot on his throat, she politely asked that he not draw his blade against them again if he valued his life. She removed her foot and offered a hand to help him up. He took it and got to his feet. As he sat down, his sword floated and settled on the table in front of him.
Gretta said, "It is a nice blade, please keep it sheathed."
Commander Lehand replaced his sword and settled down. Major Kendar took this all in silently. I could see the whirl of emotions below his stoic exterior.
Knowing we would be dancing around it all day, I started, "You are here because of the Baalocs and what our swords have shown us. A friend told us that another country, I'm guessing Raval, has a long history with them. That is why the commander is here. The major is here because his realm was the one being torched in our viewing. So, why else are we assembled?"
"You are straight forward," the Major began, "I appreciate that. What seers still live in Cassabla have also seen the Baalocs' burning our country. They claim no power short of the divine can stop them."
"We know from many sources that their leader, Maalicus, is obsessed with those swords. He has sent troop after troop to find them. The tales his men have told of their locations are nothing short of ridiculous," Commander Lehand stated firmly.
"Like being impaled in a dragon's leg? Or being frozen in ice that never melts? How about above an altar in a church of carnality?" I asked sarcastically.
All of the men blanched. It was obvious they had discussed these tales before our arrival. They leaned together and whispered. Mentally, all of us laughed at how easily these worldly men could be confused by the truth.
"Every man that returned with a story like that was killed for lying. He, as we, refused to accept them for the sheer strangeness of the idea. You are saying it is all true?" Major Kendar asked rather stiffly.
"Yes," I replied, "all are true. Vanity was frozen in dragon's ice, Sloth was embedded in a monolith, Wrath was impaled in a living dragon's leg, Greed was imprisoned by an obsessed wizard, Lust was chained in a church, Gluttony was entombed under enchanted rubble, and Envy was still in the hands of her last guardian who had been turned to stone."
Again, they huddled together. Through my sight, I could see all of the emotions and attitudes shifting between them, a melding of colors and shadows. It was almost too dizzying to watch.
Finally, I interrupted, "What does he believe about the swords? Do you know that, sirs?"
Major Kendar looked up at me, he armor thoroughly broken. He decided to be honest.
"He believes they hold great power. He is convinced they are evil. He believes that Andros and Barcabas were not wizards, but gods. He believes the original Seven Sisters were goddesses, divine offspring of Andros. He believes that the entities of the swords were minor gods who displeased Andros, Barcabas, and /or the Seven Sisters. He has been quoted as calling the swords the 'seven lost lovers' of the Sisters. He gathers young girls together, looking for anything that might mark them as guardians, for some texts claim that they are 'marked from birth for their special duties.' He claimed to have found three, but all died before claiming their swords."
"By mark, " Callie asked, " do you mean like this?"
She stood and revealed her right shoulder. On it was the birthmark I had known all of my life, a compass-like sun about the size of a gold coin. The men stared. Lord Carmon raced around the table to Alice. Lifting her hair, he revealed the wave-like pattern at the nape of her neck. It was as dark and distinct as Callie's sun. He looked back and forth at the rest of us. One at a time, we revealed our marks.
I, triple moons on my left shoulder.
Anna, a mountain with a snow-capped peak above her left ankle.
Gretta, a wind-blown leaf with whirls to show the wind on her right shoulder blade.
Sarah, a scalloped-edged heart above where her real heart resided.
Lisa, a flame inside of a circle on her right thigh.
The five men examined them thoroughly, each making sure they were not temporary, man-made, or otherwise artificial. Many of us still had scars from frightened parents' attempts at removing them. Only Sarah and Lisa bore no scars. Sarah said the nuns saw it as a blessed sign. Lisa said her commander, whom she now knew as her father, called it a warrior's mark and left it alone. The scars Callie and I had were old enough to be almost unseen, while Gretta had a fresh one and a few old ones. Anna's scar gave her mountain a slight foothill. Alice's merely rippled a part of her wave.
The men sat down after their examinations. We all noticed it was getting late and none of us had eaten in many hours. We all retired to our respective rooms. Tess had an ample supper waiting on us. We thanked her, inquired as to Mara's health, ate, talked, then went to bed.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Day 24,(2nd day together)
Day 24, 2nd day together:
As we woke up and discussed what to do today, Lord Carmon entered with the same historian and several clergy from different faiths as well as two wizards. We stood together and waited for an explanation. Lord Carmon nodded a signal to the clergy. They began chanting in an old tongue. We listened to it. They were performing an exorcism! We all started laughing. Our swords also laughed. We watched these men concentrating so hard that some were sweating. They came to the end of the chant and looked at us. In response, Sloth and Anna led us in a chant of an even older tongue. They all paled, except Lord Carmon who didn't understand a word. By the time we finished, some of them had this black puddle underneath them. They stepped away from them and stared. Lisa took Gluttony and touched the puddles. Each shuddered and dissolved before them. Lisa explained that the puddles were stains on their souls, spiritual poison. The clerics begged for that secret chant. Anna waved a hand at the historian. His papers shuffled and a piece popped out with the whole chant and ritual transcribed. The clerics left with it, assuring Lord Carmon our swords were not evil and we were not possessed. He signaled to the wizards. They pulled out an assortment of talismans, amulets, orbs, and other items. They attempted to use them. Gretta pulled out Greed and pointed. Every item that was fake shattered. The few real ones became etched with their true use on the back. Not a single one was a banishing or dispel magic amulet. The wizards concurred that they were outmatched by our swords and, through them, by us. They, too, left. Lord Carmon was alone with us once more.
As one, we asked "Anything else, my lord?"
He was startled that we spoke in unison. He shook his head and left.
Alice gave us the idea of exploring Thantos. She had been a near prisoner for two years and ached to see the city. We agreed.
Out in the city, no one even suspected the power we carried. Of course, people recognized Alice and conveyed their pleasure at seeing her well and about. Remembering that everyone thought she had been sick for the past two years, Alice graciously accepted their good tidings. Fortunately, little had changed in Thantos during that time and Alice found her way easily through the streets. We followed her lead about the busy city. During our outing, Callie though to ask how Alice and Envy came to be together. Under a canopy, she told her tale.
"As a child, I was always wandering, usually towards the west. Finally, Father allowed me to wander as far as I needed to go, with escort of course. I went where I was led. By a spring, I saw a strange rock formation. Getting closer, I realized it was a person, turned to stone. Clutched in her hands was this beautiful weapon. My escorts began to fight each other for it. They ended up knocking each other out cold. Alone, I grabbed the bit of handle above the stony fingers. I wasn't sure why at the time, but I remember saying, 'If this sword is mine to hold, then release your hold, my sister.' The words just came to me. I pulled and it slid out with a sound half between a sigh and a groan of pain. Then the stone woman fell apart. I got home alone, but everyone around me acted weird. Father, finally, concluded that it was one of the swords of legend and isolated me from all but a few servants. He told me to try to connect with it. Until the other day, I had been unsuccessful for two years."
"I tried to reach out to her, but she was not receiving me. When Kayla showed up and explained, it made sense. She was unprepared for what I hold and cutting her finger was the only way to connect until her moon time."
"How did you get trapped?" Lisa asked.
"I'm sure you realize that the stone woman was my previous guardian. The spring was the home of some member of the fey. She was angry that my guardian had drunk from it without a gift in return. Of course, I was the gift she wanted. When Sharon refused, the fey muttered some words and splashed Sharon. She began to stiffen and turn grey. Unfortunately for me, her hands stiffened first and she was unable to let me go. I had to witness the horror of her becoming stone. For eighty years, I was in her grasp, unable to go because of the magic and having to watch time and weather erode her features until there was nothing to identify her as my friend."
We all felt her heartbreak and understood her sadness. We left the canopy to walk off the melancholy mood. We returned to the castle just as it was getting dark. The same servant as before followed us to our suite with food and drink. Lord Carmon was nowhere to be seen. We ate and talked about the city.
After eating, we began to wonder at why we were all together. Recalling the last reason all seven were assembled, we worried that such was now the case. The swords buzzed and hummed. Instructions pulsed through our minds. Our suite had a balcony. We took a mirror off the wall and placed it on the small table that was out there. We found a glass bowl, filled it with water, and placed it in the center of the mirror. Standing around the table, we drew the swords. They balanced themselves on point on the edge of the mirror. No sound, mental or vocal, was made. Lines of light started at the points of each sword and met at the bowl of water. The water sparkled and began to glow. The bowl rose above the mirror. The light lines widened and completely covered the mirror. After a few seconds, an image formed cone-shaped with the bowl at the apex and the mirror as its base. We saw a place none of us recognized.
As we pondered, a male voice said, "That is the plains of Cassabla, the country to the northeast. We are allies of a sort, barely speaking but not hostile to one another."
Lord Carmon walked fully out onto the balcony. He studied the image closer.
"That is summer, high summer actually. It is barely spring. You are not only looking at another country but into the future as well?"
"We were wondering about why we were assembled. This is for finding the answer, Father, " Alice explained.
He nodded then looked back at the image. We all watched. Suddenly, the scene erupted in flame. Behind the fire, a fearsome sight emerged. Riders in black armor fashioned like demons rode over the burnt plains, kicking up ash, dust, and bits of burned grass. Behind them, huge animals that Lord Carmon recognized as elephants pulled massive carts carrying more men in black demon armor. We counted fifty men a cart and two hundred carts. After these, smaller carts drawn by horses followed. Lord Carmon said they were supply carts; food, medicine, cooking items, etc. At the rear were cages being pulled by horses. Lord Carmon gasped.
"I know those people. They are leaders in Cassabla. This hoard will kidnap them. I must send word to them. There is still a season to stop this."
As soon as the words were spoken, the scene changed slightly. The plains still burned, the army still proceeded, but the cages were different. Instead of a couple dozen live captives, it was piled with bodies. The same who had been living were now stacked like firewood, limbs sticking out at odd angles, flies swarming over and around them. Lord Carmon collapsed into a chair.
"If I warn them, they are surely dead. I will hold my news."
The cages were again filled with living captives. Lord Carmon's sigh was half relief and half defeat. We watched them progress as they crossed over Cassabla into this country. Their evil countenance scared most into giving up without a fight. Those that did were mercilessly slaughtered. More leaders were added to the cages. Apparently, captives were not fed as dead ones were tossed out and left as they moved on.
Lord Carmon approached and asked, "Will I jeopardize anyone to ask if others have seen these warriors before?"
The scene did not change. A piece of parchment floated from inside to land at his feet. On it was a drawing of the leader and a note asking for information on this man and his people. Lord Carmon went inside and rang the servant bell. As soon as she was in the door, he gave her quick instructions to get a messenger to Cassabla to get information on this man and anything else they knew about this army. She took the parchment and ran. He returned to us to see the army outside the walls of Thantos. At that point, the image faded, the now empty bowl returned to the surface of the mirror and only the night sky could be seen. Lord Carmon started wiping at the mirror as we collected our swords.
"Do you defeat them? How much damage do they cause? Show me something!" he ordered.
"My lord, " I gently responded, "from that point, there are too many options to clearly show. Our swords could only show the most likely course of events. We have done all we could."
He sat as we returned the bowl and mirror to their proper places. He was still sitting when we got ready for bed. When he finally realized the time, he got up, bid us goodnight, and left. We settled into exhausted sleep.
As we woke up and discussed what to do today, Lord Carmon entered with the same historian and several clergy from different faiths as well as two wizards. We stood together and waited for an explanation. Lord Carmon nodded a signal to the clergy. They began chanting in an old tongue. We listened to it. They were performing an exorcism! We all started laughing. Our swords also laughed. We watched these men concentrating so hard that some were sweating. They came to the end of the chant and looked at us. In response, Sloth and Anna led us in a chant of an even older tongue. They all paled, except Lord Carmon who didn't understand a word. By the time we finished, some of them had this black puddle underneath them. They stepped away from them and stared. Lisa took Gluttony and touched the puddles. Each shuddered and dissolved before them. Lisa explained that the puddles were stains on their souls, spiritual poison. The clerics begged for that secret chant. Anna waved a hand at the historian. His papers shuffled and a piece popped out with the whole chant and ritual transcribed. The clerics left with it, assuring Lord Carmon our swords were not evil and we were not possessed. He signaled to the wizards. They pulled out an assortment of talismans, amulets, orbs, and other items. They attempted to use them. Gretta pulled out Greed and pointed. Every item that was fake shattered. The few real ones became etched with their true use on the back. Not a single one was a banishing or dispel magic amulet. The wizards concurred that they were outmatched by our swords and, through them, by us. They, too, left. Lord Carmon was alone with us once more.
As one, we asked "Anything else, my lord?"
He was startled that we spoke in unison. He shook his head and left.
Alice gave us the idea of exploring Thantos. She had been a near prisoner for two years and ached to see the city. We agreed.
Out in the city, no one even suspected the power we carried. Of course, people recognized Alice and conveyed their pleasure at seeing her well and about. Remembering that everyone thought she had been sick for the past two years, Alice graciously accepted their good tidings. Fortunately, little had changed in Thantos during that time and Alice found her way easily through the streets. We followed her lead about the busy city. During our outing, Callie though to ask how Alice and Envy came to be together. Under a canopy, she told her tale.
"As a child, I was always wandering, usually towards the west. Finally, Father allowed me to wander as far as I needed to go, with escort of course. I went where I was led. By a spring, I saw a strange rock formation. Getting closer, I realized it was a person, turned to stone. Clutched in her hands was this beautiful weapon. My escorts began to fight each other for it. They ended up knocking each other out cold. Alone, I grabbed the bit of handle above the stony fingers. I wasn't sure why at the time, but I remember saying, 'If this sword is mine to hold, then release your hold, my sister.' The words just came to me. I pulled and it slid out with a sound half between a sigh and a groan of pain. Then the stone woman fell apart. I got home alone, but everyone around me acted weird. Father, finally, concluded that it was one of the swords of legend and isolated me from all but a few servants. He told me to try to connect with it. Until the other day, I had been unsuccessful for two years."
"I tried to reach out to her, but she was not receiving me. When Kayla showed up and explained, it made sense. She was unprepared for what I hold and cutting her finger was the only way to connect until her moon time."
"How did you get trapped?" Lisa asked.
"I'm sure you realize that the stone woman was my previous guardian. The spring was the home of some member of the fey. She was angry that my guardian had drunk from it without a gift in return. Of course, I was the gift she wanted. When Sharon refused, the fey muttered some words and splashed Sharon. She began to stiffen and turn grey. Unfortunately for me, her hands stiffened first and she was unable to let me go. I had to witness the horror of her becoming stone. For eighty years, I was in her grasp, unable to go because of the magic and having to watch time and weather erode her features until there was nothing to identify her as my friend."
We all felt her heartbreak and understood her sadness. We left the canopy to walk off the melancholy mood. We returned to the castle just as it was getting dark. The same servant as before followed us to our suite with food and drink. Lord Carmon was nowhere to be seen. We ate and talked about the city.
After eating, we began to wonder at why we were all together. Recalling the last reason all seven were assembled, we worried that such was now the case. The swords buzzed and hummed. Instructions pulsed through our minds. Our suite had a balcony. We took a mirror off the wall and placed it on the small table that was out there. We found a glass bowl, filled it with water, and placed it in the center of the mirror. Standing around the table, we drew the swords. They balanced themselves on point on the edge of the mirror. No sound, mental or vocal, was made. Lines of light started at the points of each sword and met at the bowl of water. The water sparkled and began to glow. The bowl rose above the mirror. The light lines widened and completely covered the mirror. After a few seconds, an image formed cone-shaped with the bowl at the apex and the mirror as its base. We saw a place none of us recognized.
As we pondered, a male voice said, "That is the plains of Cassabla, the country to the northeast. We are allies of a sort, barely speaking but not hostile to one another."
Lord Carmon walked fully out onto the balcony. He studied the image closer.
"That is summer, high summer actually. It is barely spring. You are not only looking at another country but into the future as well?"
"We were wondering about why we were assembled. This is for finding the answer, Father, " Alice explained.
He nodded then looked back at the image. We all watched. Suddenly, the scene erupted in flame. Behind the fire, a fearsome sight emerged. Riders in black armor fashioned like demons rode over the burnt plains, kicking up ash, dust, and bits of burned grass. Behind them, huge animals that Lord Carmon recognized as elephants pulled massive carts carrying more men in black demon armor. We counted fifty men a cart and two hundred carts. After these, smaller carts drawn by horses followed. Lord Carmon said they were supply carts; food, medicine, cooking items, etc. At the rear were cages being pulled by horses. Lord Carmon gasped.
"I know those people. They are leaders in Cassabla. This hoard will kidnap them. I must send word to them. There is still a season to stop this."
As soon as the words were spoken, the scene changed slightly. The plains still burned, the army still proceeded, but the cages were different. Instead of a couple dozen live captives, it was piled with bodies. The same who had been living were now stacked like firewood, limbs sticking out at odd angles, flies swarming over and around them. Lord Carmon collapsed into a chair.
"If I warn them, they are surely dead. I will hold my news."
The cages were again filled with living captives. Lord Carmon's sigh was half relief and half defeat. We watched them progress as they crossed over Cassabla into this country. Their evil countenance scared most into giving up without a fight. Those that did were mercilessly slaughtered. More leaders were added to the cages. Apparently, captives were not fed as dead ones were tossed out and left as they moved on.
Lord Carmon approached and asked, "Will I jeopardize anyone to ask if others have seen these warriors before?"
The scene did not change. A piece of parchment floated from inside to land at his feet. On it was a drawing of the leader and a note asking for information on this man and his people. Lord Carmon went inside and rang the servant bell. As soon as she was in the door, he gave her quick instructions to get a messenger to Cassabla to get information on this man and anything else they knew about this army. She took the parchment and ran. He returned to us to see the army outside the walls of Thantos. At that point, the image faded, the now empty bowl returned to the surface of the mirror and only the night sky could be seen. Lord Carmon started wiping at the mirror as we collected our swords.
"Do you defeat them? How much damage do they cause? Show me something!" he ordered.
"My lord, " I gently responded, "from that point, there are too many options to clearly show. Our swords could only show the most likely course of events. We have done all we could."
He sat as we returned the bowl and mirror to their proper places. He was still sitting when we got ready for bed. When he finally realized the time, he got up, bid us goodnight, and left. We settled into exhausted sleep.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Day 23 (1st day together): True History of the Swords
Day 23, 1st day together:In the morning, we stayed in our suite to talk with Alice. While we can share our lifetimes mentally via the swords, talking out loud expresses more emotion and seems to convey much more than the compressed information we send to each other and the swords send to us. A servant was sent to give us breakfast, retrieve the dishes, and bring us lunch. As we were expecting her to return, Lord Carmon entered. He was nervous. His whole being radiated it. We smiled at him, but that did not ease him any. After a few seconds of awkward silence, we invited him to sit with us. He chose a chair and sat down. More silence. Finally, I spoke.
"You want to ask us questions, but you are afraid to anger or upset us. We are more than simple girls who cry at any small thing. Ask."
Lord Carmon shifted in his seat, cleared his throat a few times, paused, sighed, and said...nothing. We giggled a little at the discomfort of a leader in front of us. Lord Carmon attempted a few more times to speak before he gave up. We looked at each other as, mentally, the rest told me to talk to him.
"Lord Carmon, we got off on the wrong foot last night. Because of past incidents the guardians of these swords have endured, we were overly cautious about a troop of armed guards confronting us. Think, sir, if every lord of this land had been murdered. Would you not be overly cautious as well?"
He nodded in understanding. It settled him a bit. He faced me, "Are you the leader of this group?"
"No, we are all equal. I have been bonded the longest even though Alice has had Envy with her for the longest of all of us. They were not bonded until the other day. We each speak for the group depending upon what group we are addressing."
Lisa spoke, "I talk with military, police, and other like groups as that is my background."
Sarah, "And I with church leaders and officials as it is my history."
Alice, "Nobles, royals, and their ilk are my area."
Callie, "While I don't have a set area, I can take the role of speaker for Kayla as we come from the same village and she's tired of talking, but with the gift from Wrath, I also can aid Lisa with the military plus builders, designers, and engineers."
Gretta, "Due to my history, I address farmers, lower laborers, and tradesmen. With Greed, I can converse with highly skilled members of many crafts."
Anna, "My time working in a tavern has taught me the ways of merchants, traders, and their like. With Sloth, I can also converse with scholars, bards, and wizard folk."
Lord Carmon was amazed at how it seemed as if a single person had spoken from seven mouths to the point he commented on it.
"Actually, my lord, there are fourteen of us," I corrected, "The swords are entities unto themselves and speak their thoughts readily."
He rocked back in the chair in shock. His eyes shot to Alice and Envy, "That...that thing is alive?"
"Yes, Father, she is very much alive," Alice replied as if he had asked if the sun was bright.
He stood up and began pacing. I could see the emotions as they played across his features. I mentally conveyed this to the others.
"Anger: for not noticing this and for potentially harming Alice. Fear: of an unknown 'person' being so close to his daughter, of what is being passed between us. Curiosity: he knows they have gender and wonders about what else they have and about the gifts we have alluded to and he has witnessed."
Finally, Lord Carmon interrupted my commentary by returning to his seat.
"What are these gifts you spoke about?"
"Each sword imparts a gift to his/her guardian. Together, we are able to see and know much," I told him.
He nodded and indicated for me to go on.
"Vanity has given me the gift of true sight. I can see what people keep hidden; emotions, true personalities, intentions, almost their souls, if you will."
Callie, "Wrath has given me the gift to see the strengths and weaknesses of buildings, people, animals, weapons, armor, nearly any object made or living."
Anna, "Sloth gives me knowledge both modern and ancient, lost and chronicled, obscure and common, about wherever we are at the time or where we have been. He also holds the spells of the wizards who made them."
Gretta, " Greed has given me the ability to know the real value of any object, the quality and purpose of it, and if it is truly worth the price another has place upon it. Without a jeweler's glass, I can tell a priceless diamond from an excellent fake. I can also shatter any fakes with a mere point of Greed's blade."
Sarah, "Lust has endowed me with the ability to see the illness of any living thing be it person, animal, plant, spring, or area of ground. She has also given me the knowledge of how to cure it, if it can be cured, and the possible causes of the illness."
Lisa, "Similar to Lust, Gluttony has granted me the ability and knowledge to detect poison, ascertain its source, and to remedy said poison, whether very rare or common place."
Alice, "Similar to Sloth, Envy's knowledge that she grants me is of the person's history of any one we focus on, back many generations, both hidden and known."
Lord Carmon struggled to take this all in. After a moment of silence, he asked, "The entities of the swords, are they... human?"
We all laughed. He looked at us crossly. I held up my hand and said, "We are not laughing at you, sir. It is just that we know our swords and their entities so well that it struck us as funny that anyone would ask if they are human. Would you like to talk to them directly?"
"You can do that? How?" he asked, on the edge of his chair.
"Like this," I said as we all closed our eyes. The shift was almost visible.
"Hello, my lord. I am Vanity."
He fell over, backwards, as my change overwhelmed him. We got up to pick him up.
"Do not fear, we will not harm you." Sloth's deep voice assured him from Anna's small body. We helped him to his feet.
"We defend ourselves as is needed." Wrath's commanding voice echoed in the stone room. Lord Carmon looked at Callie's face as she/he spoke."Our power is for preserving peace and harmony." Greed assured him, a matter-of-fact male voice with little hint of humor."Our maker forged us to protect the Old Ways from the new faith that was causing so much pain and strife. By the way, I am Lust," an older, sexy female voice told him through Sarah's innocent face.Lord Carmon returned to his seat. He looked at who he thought was Alice."Fear not, my lord, your daughter as well as the other girls are safe," Envy told him in an almost scholarly tone.
He looked at the girl he knew as Lisa, "And you, you are?""Gluttony, my lord," a male voice who seemed a little weary responded from Lisa's disciplined face.
Lord Carmon leaned forward in his chair, head in his hands, and his elbows resting on his knees. We returned to our seats. It was so bizarre to feel my body move without my control. After a few moments of contemplation, Lord Carmon sat up straight and address us.
"I have read many versions of the legend of the swords. Some claim you are all demons in sword form."
We looked at each other but did not interrupt him.
"Others say you are the last of the Old Gods, rendered to the purest form, and entombed in these pieces of steel. One obscure tome claims you were beings who embodied the sins for which you are named and being trapped and forced to serve young girls is you penance. Please, once and for all, what are you?"
"Whom do you wish to tell you, my lord?" Vanity asked sincerely.
"Whomever can give me the clearest answer, " he replied, a bit testy.
"Then I will tell you," Sloth replied. Lord Carmon summoned an historian to write down this correct history. When the historian was ready, Sloth began the True Tale of the Swords.
Year fifteen of the reign of King Alfonso the Last, missionaries of the new faith, plus an army of soldiers, came over the mountains and started converting followers of the Old Ways whether or not they were willing to be converted. Many of the Old Ways were lost and many followers murdered in the name of their gods. The wizard Andros, fearing for his family and his people, sought a way to fight back. Under the pretense of wanting conversion, he learned about the new faith. When he learned of their "seven deadly sins" that can condemn a person's soul to the blackest abyss, he had an idea. A friend, fellow wizard and blacksmith, worked with Andros to construct seven magical swords that would be enchanted, each with one of the sins of the new faith. As they forged, enchanted, and worked each, they realized that they needed something else. They needed balance, someone to wield the sword and someone else to control the power. Since two people holding one sword was silly, they hit on the idea to have the swords be living entities. Merely enchanting them with the semblance of life was not enough. They thought long and hard on how best to do this. A necromancer, of all people, gave them the answer. Watching one channel a lost soul into a gem and use that to empower spells was the inspiration. By various means, both wizards sent out messages to anyone who would be willing to be forever bonded with one of these swords. Three women answered first. They explained that their current lives were horrible. One was blind. One needed help just moving. The last was an abused prostitute who's injuries made any beauty she once had a faint memory. They had come together out of the need to survive. The blind one was a seer, a descendant of the Faerie Queen, her visions now her only sight. The crippled one was part elf and had been a talented seamstress, founder of a sewing guild, until an illness contracted from one of the soldiers of the new faith crippled her. The prostitute had been the best of the harem, with fey blood thick in her veins, until her master took up the new faith and turned her and the other two who had worked for him into slaves, letting common soldiers use and abuse them, beating them for anything he thought they had done. All three were slaves, forced to the worst conditions because of what they were and their bloodlines. They each said that being a sword forever was far better than their current life and even the afterlife that the new faith said they were destined to receive. Moved by their plights, Andros and Barcabas, the blacksmith wizard, set about housing them in the swords. Choosing Vanity for the seer, Envy for the seamstress, and Lust for the prostitute, and asking for the women's approval, they cast the spells and wove the magic. When done, the women's bodies were ash and they were inside, and one with, the swords. Andros and Barcabas could hear them speak. The newly sentient swords tested their powers and found they could infect others with their particular "sin". Just when they wondered who would hold the swords, Andros' seven daughters entered the shop. Breanne picked up Vanity and they connected instantly, as if two halves of a whole. Winifred clicked with Envy and Charis with Lust. The other four asked if they had swords as well. Andros explained his work to his daughters. They said they would help find entities for the other swords, being skilled sorceresses and witches in their own rites. With all of them sending a call, they reached to others of unexpected races. A young male dwarf entered the workshop. He explained that his people were being slaughtered and enslaved by those of the new faith, who claimed that non-humans were evil spawn of demons and devils, useful only as forced labor or fertilizer. He had escaped by passing for a human child. The wizards asked which sword he wished to become. Looking at the finished and unfinished swords, he picked up the thorniest one.
"This is me," he said, "this is how I feel, all points and edges."
The wizards told him that was Wrath. The dwarf accepted it and, by the same process as the women, was fused with the sword. The next surprise visitor was of the small sort. A leprechaun appeared in the workshop. He told the tale of his people being forced to give up all of their gold and worldly goods to the missionaries who then claimed that "angels" and "cherubs" had "blessed" them with such gifts. Any who challenged their word was never seen again. He was the only entity who had a hand in the design of his sword and sheath, encrusting both with precious gems and gilding each with pure gold. When it was to his liking, he submitted to the process and became Greed. Not long after the gluttony sword was completed, a male elf arrived at the workshop. He told of an area of forest he had been tending for years, choosing and shaping seedlings into grand mature trees, watching and nursing patches of medicinal herbs that were used to treat the gravest of diseases, and keeping crystal springs pure and clean. He reported that his area was decimated and all of his work raped and pillaged by the army of the new faith. His trees reduced to stumps, splinters, and ash. His herb patches ripped clean or burned as "poison". Finally, the last of his crystal springs was fouled by the waste of these people. He had heard the call and wished to be one of the swords as his life's work was gone and he had nothing left. Seeing the finished gluttony sword, he said it was sound and that sin he could use very well against others. He, then, was fused with the sword and became Gluttony. Barcabas was working on the last sword, sloth, when Andros' daughters ran into the workshop, very frightened. They said Andros' true intentions had been discovered. They were coming for him, them, the swords, and Barcabas. Without forethought, Annabelle grabbed Wrath, Susanna took Greed, and Marrissa seized Gluttony. Barcabas told the girls to go find their father and do what they could to protect him, themselves, and the swords. Sophia stayed with Barcabas, insisting she could help finish sloth. The two were interrupted by the missionaries and soldiers. Lying, they both insisted they knew no one named Andros and that all of these swords were just swords. Believing them, the missionaries instructed the soldiers to take every sword,except the ugly one that lay unfinished on Barcabas' work table. They gathered every blade from the smallest knife to the largest pole arm. They left an empty shop. Only the unfinished sloth remained. Furious, Barcabas pounded on sloth, working it to is current state. He intentionally left it to appear incomplete. Sophia asked him about the entity going into the sword. He responded,"I will be Sloth."
Barcabas quickly instructed Sophia about how to fuse him with the sword. Doing as he said, she performed the magic and Barcabas became Sloth. She took Sloth and ran to find her family. Finding all of them, they used the powers of the swords and their own magic to force out the missionaries and their army. The powers of the swords, fully focused, caused the army to turn on itself. Disorganized, the army left the town and the people alone. The locals praised Andros, his daughters, and Barcabas, whom they assumed had been killed by the army. Their town and region became a safe haven for followers of the Old Ways. While not officially rulers, Andros and his daughters were consulted on many issues in the area. Andros died of old age in that region. His daughters continued to protect and serve the area. When the first one was near death, they wondered about the sword. With the passing of her last breath, the sword vanished. The six remaining searched but could not locate it. Soon, an eighteen year old girl came to their door. To their wonder and shock, she was carrying the lost sword. She explained how she had found it and it had told her to go to this place. The six welcomed their new sister, as she felt as much like a sister as the one who had passed. They were now unafraid of what would happen to the swords upon their deaths. This was repeated as each sister died and continued for five generations.
As the sixth generation of sister were attending the duties of their station, word came of a king, a haphazard follower of the new faith, seeking the swords for his personal gain. The sisters prepared for his arrival, but were taken off guard by a troop of powerful wizards. They were captured and taken to the king's palace. There, the wizards had made a mound-like holder that the girls were forced to stab their swords into for "safe keeping". When the last one was in, all the girls were executed. The king was pleased with himself as he could now conquer the land they had protected. A few years passed before anyone really noticed the growing effect of the swords. It would take the king's son going away to school and returning for the change to be noticed and documented. He begged his father to get rid of them. The king refused, then accused his son of jealousy and told him to stay in his wing and not see his father unless absolutely necessary. A fortnight later, the son murdered the king in his bed. He, then, took a large hammer and pounded at the mound holding the swords. He had every intention of melting them down, destroying them completely. When the mound finally cracked open, the swords vanished. His shout of outrage rang through the castle.
The next four generations would not see the swords together again. They passed through each guardian's hands as they lived and died.
During the fifth generation, a two-fold plague swept through the land. One plague was a ruthless army wiping out everything and everyone in their path. The second plague was a draught that dried up even swamps and some springs. Weakened by the draught, the people were no match for the army. One by one, the new holders of the swords found each other. They gathered upon a hill and used their swords' magic to call down rain to revive both land and people. Then, like in days of old, they turned the powers of the swords upon the great army. Infected with those "sins", this army turned upon themselves and fought each other until few were left and they were too weak to go on. They were driven off. The girls were heroes and given a manor to live in as long as they lived. During this time, the area once again prospered and harmony reigned.
However, a king nearby riled at a handful of girls doing what his army could not do. He plotted and planned. Finally, he hit upon a dastardly plan. He had seven sons. He told them to woo the girls, gain their trust, and then kill them and take the swords. The sons followed his orders. Yet each had to report the swords vanishing upon the deaths of the guardians. Each son was killed for his failure.
From that time until this, the swords has bounced around, guardian to guardian, prison to trap, always seeking the balance that was forged when Andros' daughters first touched them.
Sloth reclined back to rest Anna's body and allow Lord Carmon and the historian he had summoned to take in all the information. We had all listened intently, for the first of us had not known the shaping of the later ones.
Lord Carmon broke the silence, "So Sloth is the knowledge of the co-creator of the swords."
Sloth interrupted, "While I have not gone by Barcabas in nearly a millenia, I am all that I was in physical form. Each of my fellow swords are complete entities as they were in their flesh bodies. Only our physical form and names have changed."
We all nodded, indicating that he spoke for all of us. Lord Carmon looked at the historian who indicated that he had made a note of that. The servant from before returned with dinner while Sloth told the story. We all spent some time in silence as we ate. Lord Carmon and the historian left after we returned to ourselves and said good-night. I told the others that he had mixed feelings about whether Sloth lied or told the story to make the swords look good. Fortunately, the historian was truly unbiased and had recorded it accurately. We went to our beds to sleep.
"You want to ask us questions, but you are afraid to anger or upset us. We are more than simple girls who cry at any small thing. Ask."
Lord Carmon shifted in his seat, cleared his throat a few times, paused, sighed, and said...nothing. We giggled a little at the discomfort of a leader in front of us. Lord Carmon attempted a few more times to speak before he gave up. We looked at each other as, mentally, the rest told me to talk to him.
"Lord Carmon, we got off on the wrong foot last night. Because of past incidents the guardians of these swords have endured, we were overly cautious about a troop of armed guards confronting us. Think, sir, if every lord of this land had been murdered. Would you not be overly cautious as well?"
He nodded in understanding. It settled him a bit. He faced me, "Are you the leader of this group?"
"No, we are all equal. I have been bonded the longest even though Alice has had Envy with her for the longest of all of us. They were not bonded until the other day. We each speak for the group depending upon what group we are addressing."
Lisa spoke, "I talk with military, police, and other like groups as that is my background."
Sarah, "And I with church leaders and officials as it is my history."
Alice, "Nobles, royals, and their ilk are my area."
Callie, "While I don't have a set area, I can take the role of speaker for Kayla as we come from the same village and she's tired of talking, but with the gift from Wrath, I also can aid Lisa with the military plus builders, designers, and engineers."
Gretta, "Due to my history, I address farmers, lower laborers, and tradesmen. With Greed, I can converse with highly skilled members of many crafts."
Anna, "My time working in a tavern has taught me the ways of merchants, traders, and their like. With Sloth, I can also converse with scholars, bards, and wizard folk."
Lord Carmon was amazed at how it seemed as if a single person had spoken from seven mouths to the point he commented on it.
"Actually, my lord, there are fourteen of us," I corrected, "The swords are entities unto themselves and speak their thoughts readily."
He rocked back in the chair in shock. His eyes shot to Alice and Envy, "That...that thing is alive?"
"Yes, Father, she is very much alive," Alice replied as if he had asked if the sun was bright.
He stood up and began pacing. I could see the emotions as they played across his features. I mentally conveyed this to the others.
"Anger: for not noticing this and for potentially harming Alice. Fear: of an unknown 'person' being so close to his daughter, of what is being passed between us. Curiosity: he knows they have gender and wonders about what else they have and about the gifts we have alluded to and he has witnessed."
Finally, Lord Carmon interrupted my commentary by returning to his seat.
"What are these gifts you spoke about?"
"Each sword imparts a gift to his/her guardian. Together, we are able to see and know much," I told him.
He nodded and indicated for me to go on.
"Vanity has given me the gift of true sight. I can see what people keep hidden; emotions, true personalities, intentions, almost their souls, if you will."
Callie, "Wrath has given me the gift to see the strengths and weaknesses of buildings, people, animals, weapons, armor, nearly any object made or living."
Anna, "Sloth gives me knowledge both modern and ancient, lost and chronicled, obscure and common, about wherever we are at the time or where we have been. He also holds the spells of the wizards who made them."
Gretta, " Greed has given me the ability to know the real value of any object, the quality and purpose of it, and if it is truly worth the price another has place upon it. Without a jeweler's glass, I can tell a priceless diamond from an excellent fake. I can also shatter any fakes with a mere point of Greed's blade."
Sarah, "Lust has endowed me with the ability to see the illness of any living thing be it person, animal, plant, spring, or area of ground. She has also given me the knowledge of how to cure it, if it can be cured, and the possible causes of the illness."
Lisa, "Similar to Lust, Gluttony has granted me the ability and knowledge to detect poison, ascertain its source, and to remedy said poison, whether very rare or common place."
Alice, "Similar to Sloth, Envy's knowledge that she grants me is of the person's history of any one we focus on, back many generations, both hidden and known."
Lord Carmon struggled to take this all in. After a moment of silence, he asked, "The entities of the swords, are they... human?"
We all laughed. He looked at us crossly. I held up my hand and said, "We are not laughing at you, sir. It is just that we know our swords and their entities so well that it struck us as funny that anyone would ask if they are human. Would you like to talk to them directly?"
"You can do that? How?" he asked, on the edge of his chair.
"Like this," I said as we all closed our eyes. The shift was almost visible.
"Hello, my lord. I am Vanity."
He fell over, backwards, as my change overwhelmed him. We got up to pick him up.
"Do not fear, we will not harm you." Sloth's deep voice assured him from Anna's small body. We helped him to his feet.
"We defend ourselves as is needed." Wrath's commanding voice echoed in the stone room. Lord Carmon looked at Callie's face as she/he spoke."Our power is for preserving peace and harmony." Greed assured him, a matter-of-fact male voice with little hint of humor."Our maker forged us to protect the Old Ways from the new faith that was causing so much pain and strife. By the way, I am Lust," an older, sexy female voice told him through Sarah's innocent face.Lord Carmon returned to his seat. He looked at who he thought was Alice."Fear not, my lord, your daughter as well as the other girls are safe," Envy told him in an almost scholarly tone.
He looked at the girl he knew as Lisa, "And you, you are?""Gluttony, my lord," a male voice who seemed a little weary responded from Lisa's disciplined face.
Lord Carmon leaned forward in his chair, head in his hands, and his elbows resting on his knees. We returned to our seats. It was so bizarre to feel my body move without my control. After a few moments of contemplation, Lord Carmon sat up straight and address us.
"I have read many versions of the legend of the swords. Some claim you are all demons in sword form."
We looked at each other but did not interrupt him.
"Others say you are the last of the Old Gods, rendered to the purest form, and entombed in these pieces of steel. One obscure tome claims you were beings who embodied the sins for which you are named and being trapped and forced to serve young girls is you penance. Please, once and for all, what are you?"
"Whom do you wish to tell you, my lord?" Vanity asked sincerely.
"Whomever can give me the clearest answer, " he replied, a bit testy.
"Then I will tell you," Sloth replied. Lord Carmon summoned an historian to write down this correct history. When the historian was ready, Sloth began the True Tale of the Swords.
Year fifteen of the reign of King Alfonso the Last, missionaries of the new faith, plus an army of soldiers, came over the mountains and started converting followers of the Old Ways whether or not they were willing to be converted. Many of the Old Ways were lost and many followers murdered in the name of their gods. The wizard Andros, fearing for his family and his people, sought a way to fight back. Under the pretense of wanting conversion, he learned about the new faith. When he learned of their "seven deadly sins" that can condemn a person's soul to the blackest abyss, he had an idea. A friend, fellow wizard and blacksmith, worked with Andros to construct seven magical swords that would be enchanted, each with one of the sins of the new faith. As they forged, enchanted, and worked each, they realized that they needed something else. They needed balance, someone to wield the sword and someone else to control the power. Since two people holding one sword was silly, they hit on the idea to have the swords be living entities. Merely enchanting them with the semblance of life was not enough. They thought long and hard on how best to do this. A necromancer, of all people, gave them the answer. Watching one channel a lost soul into a gem and use that to empower spells was the inspiration. By various means, both wizards sent out messages to anyone who would be willing to be forever bonded with one of these swords. Three women answered first. They explained that their current lives were horrible. One was blind. One needed help just moving. The last was an abused prostitute who's injuries made any beauty she once had a faint memory. They had come together out of the need to survive. The blind one was a seer, a descendant of the Faerie Queen, her visions now her only sight. The crippled one was part elf and had been a talented seamstress, founder of a sewing guild, until an illness contracted from one of the soldiers of the new faith crippled her. The prostitute had been the best of the harem, with fey blood thick in her veins, until her master took up the new faith and turned her and the other two who had worked for him into slaves, letting common soldiers use and abuse them, beating them for anything he thought they had done. All three were slaves, forced to the worst conditions because of what they were and their bloodlines. They each said that being a sword forever was far better than their current life and even the afterlife that the new faith said they were destined to receive. Moved by their plights, Andros and Barcabas, the blacksmith wizard, set about housing them in the swords. Choosing Vanity for the seer, Envy for the seamstress, and Lust for the prostitute, and asking for the women's approval, they cast the spells and wove the magic. When done, the women's bodies were ash and they were inside, and one with, the swords. Andros and Barcabas could hear them speak. The newly sentient swords tested their powers and found they could infect others with their particular "sin". Just when they wondered who would hold the swords, Andros' seven daughters entered the shop. Breanne picked up Vanity and they connected instantly, as if two halves of a whole. Winifred clicked with Envy and Charis with Lust. The other four asked if they had swords as well. Andros explained his work to his daughters. They said they would help find entities for the other swords, being skilled sorceresses and witches in their own rites. With all of them sending a call, they reached to others of unexpected races. A young male dwarf entered the workshop. He explained that his people were being slaughtered and enslaved by those of the new faith, who claimed that non-humans were evil spawn of demons and devils, useful only as forced labor or fertilizer. He had escaped by passing for a human child. The wizards asked which sword he wished to become. Looking at the finished and unfinished swords, he picked up the thorniest one.
"This is me," he said, "this is how I feel, all points and edges."
The wizards told him that was Wrath. The dwarf accepted it and, by the same process as the women, was fused with the sword. The next surprise visitor was of the small sort. A leprechaun appeared in the workshop. He told the tale of his people being forced to give up all of their gold and worldly goods to the missionaries who then claimed that "angels" and "cherubs" had "blessed" them with such gifts. Any who challenged their word was never seen again. He was the only entity who had a hand in the design of his sword and sheath, encrusting both with precious gems and gilding each with pure gold. When it was to his liking, he submitted to the process and became Greed. Not long after the gluttony sword was completed, a male elf arrived at the workshop. He told of an area of forest he had been tending for years, choosing and shaping seedlings into grand mature trees, watching and nursing patches of medicinal herbs that were used to treat the gravest of diseases, and keeping crystal springs pure and clean. He reported that his area was decimated and all of his work raped and pillaged by the army of the new faith. His trees reduced to stumps, splinters, and ash. His herb patches ripped clean or burned as "poison". Finally, the last of his crystal springs was fouled by the waste of these people. He had heard the call and wished to be one of the swords as his life's work was gone and he had nothing left. Seeing the finished gluttony sword, he said it was sound and that sin he could use very well against others. He, then, was fused with the sword and became Gluttony. Barcabas was working on the last sword, sloth, when Andros' daughters ran into the workshop, very frightened. They said Andros' true intentions had been discovered. They were coming for him, them, the swords, and Barcabas. Without forethought, Annabelle grabbed Wrath, Susanna took Greed, and Marrissa seized Gluttony. Barcabas told the girls to go find their father and do what they could to protect him, themselves, and the swords. Sophia stayed with Barcabas, insisting she could help finish sloth. The two were interrupted by the missionaries and soldiers. Lying, they both insisted they knew no one named Andros and that all of these swords were just swords. Believing them, the missionaries instructed the soldiers to take every sword,except the ugly one that lay unfinished on Barcabas' work table. They gathered every blade from the smallest knife to the largest pole arm. They left an empty shop. Only the unfinished sloth remained. Furious, Barcabas pounded on sloth, working it to is current state. He intentionally left it to appear incomplete. Sophia asked him about the entity going into the sword. He responded,"I will be Sloth."
Barcabas quickly instructed Sophia about how to fuse him with the sword. Doing as he said, she performed the magic and Barcabas became Sloth. She took Sloth and ran to find her family. Finding all of them, they used the powers of the swords and their own magic to force out the missionaries and their army. The powers of the swords, fully focused, caused the army to turn on itself. Disorganized, the army left the town and the people alone. The locals praised Andros, his daughters, and Barcabas, whom they assumed had been killed by the army. Their town and region became a safe haven for followers of the Old Ways. While not officially rulers, Andros and his daughters were consulted on many issues in the area. Andros died of old age in that region. His daughters continued to protect and serve the area. When the first one was near death, they wondered about the sword. With the passing of her last breath, the sword vanished. The six remaining searched but could not locate it. Soon, an eighteen year old girl came to their door. To their wonder and shock, she was carrying the lost sword. She explained how she had found it and it had told her to go to this place. The six welcomed their new sister, as she felt as much like a sister as the one who had passed. They were now unafraid of what would happen to the swords upon their deaths. This was repeated as each sister died and continued for five generations.
As the sixth generation of sister were attending the duties of their station, word came of a king, a haphazard follower of the new faith, seeking the swords for his personal gain. The sisters prepared for his arrival, but were taken off guard by a troop of powerful wizards. They were captured and taken to the king's palace. There, the wizards had made a mound-like holder that the girls were forced to stab their swords into for "safe keeping". When the last one was in, all the girls were executed. The king was pleased with himself as he could now conquer the land they had protected. A few years passed before anyone really noticed the growing effect of the swords. It would take the king's son going away to school and returning for the change to be noticed and documented. He begged his father to get rid of them. The king refused, then accused his son of jealousy and told him to stay in his wing and not see his father unless absolutely necessary. A fortnight later, the son murdered the king in his bed. He, then, took a large hammer and pounded at the mound holding the swords. He had every intention of melting them down, destroying them completely. When the mound finally cracked open, the swords vanished. His shout of outrage rang through the castle.
The next four generations would not see the swords together again. They passed through each guardian's hands as they lived and died.
During the fifth generation, a two-fold plague swept through the land. One plague was a ruthless army wiping out everything and everyone in their path. The second plague was a draught that dried up even swamps and some springs. Weakened by the draught, the people were no match for the army. One by one, the new holders of the swords found each other. They gathered upon a hill and used their swords' magic to call down rain to revive both land and people. Then, like in days of old, they turned the powers of the swords upon the great army. Infected with those "sins", this army turned upon themselves and fought each other until few were left and they were too weak to go on. They were driven off. The girls were heroes and given a manor to live in as long as they lived. During this time, the area once again prospered and harmony reigned.
However, a king nearby riled at a handful of girls doing what his army could not do. He plotted and planned. Finally, he hit upon a dastardly plan. He had seven sons. He told them to woo the girls, gain their trust, and then kill them and take the swords. The sons followed his orders. Yet each had to report the swords vanishing upon the deaths of the guardians. Each son was killed for his failure.
From that time until this, the swords has bounced around, guardian to guardian, prison to trap, always seeking the balance that was forged when Andros' daughters first touched them.
Sloth reclined back to rest Anna's body and allow Lord Carmon and the historian he had summoned to take in all the information. We had all listened intently, for the first of us had not known the shaping of the later ones.
Lord Carmon broke the silence, "So Sloth is the knowledge of the co-creator of the swords."
Sloth interrupted, "While I have not gone by Barcabas in nearly a millenia, I am all that I was in physical form. Each of my fellow swords are complete entities as they were in their flesh bodies. Only our physical form and names have changed."
We all nodded, indicating that he spoke for all of us. Lord Carmon looked at the historian who indicated that he had made a note of that. The servant from before returned with dinner while Sloth told the story. We all spent some time in silence as we ate. Lord Carmon and the historian left after we returned to ourselves and said good-night. I told the others that he had mixed feelings about whether Sloth lied or told the story to make the swords look good. Fortunately, the historian was truly unbiased and had recorded it accurately. We went to our beds to sleep.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Days 21 thru 22
Day 21:
We awoke to a pleasant day and a beautiful sunrise. With all of us having swords, we found ourselves speaking more mentally than verbally. We had entire conversations without one word uttered aloud.
We arrived in a town a little after mid-day. The swords pulled in their influences as much as they could, which was far more than they had previously, but their effects were still visible on the people and animals we passed. We were able to get directions to Thantos and made innocent inquires as to Lord Carmon's leadership and personality. We received honest answers that he was just but a bit cold and interacted with his people only rarely. Lisa was still convinced of a trap. I told them that one more day's travel would get us close enough to project an image to her so we could talk.
We did see someone unexpected in this town. While walking by the shops, Mattis walked out of one, turned towards us, and smiled when he saw us.
"Hello, girls. One more than the last time I saw you. My wizard's sight shows such strength from all of you. You are each...paired?" he asked in a secretive way.
I smiled, "We are close to a full family reunion," I informed him.
"Oh, my, that is wonderful. So, where to now?"
"Thantos, although there is doubt in our minds as to the safety of that place for us and our swords."
"Come with me and explain these doubts."
We followed Mattis to a small cottage off the main street. Lisa was informed as to where and how we met Mattis. She was on her guard, but understood why we trusted him. Inside, we told Mattis of our encounter with Lord Carmon's men. We also told him of the image we had seen of our last sister. He listened intently, then offered his opinion.
"Lord Carmon has been secretive for a few years now. People say his daughter is ill. She has been secluded for about the same time. The nature of her illness is unknown as he allows only a couple of selected servants to tend her and has refused all medical and magical aid."
The six of us just sat there in shocked silence. It had not occurred to us that our last sister could be Lord Carmon's own daughter. But, as the holder of Envy, a lord's daughter, who has everything anyone could want, would be the best choice. I broke the silence to let Mattis know what was on our minds.
"His daughter is not ill. She has the sword Envy. He is keeping her away from others to prevent Envy from influencing the rest of his household. I still wonder at her sadness. If she's been with her sword for this long, why is she so lonely? Envy is her constant companion. Even without other people, she still has her."
We all wondered on that point. I looked at Sarah and an idea hit me. I heard Vanity laugh when my thought hit her as well.
"Is Lord Carmin's daughter still a maiden? Do you know how old she is?" I blurted out.
The others got the idea, too. Mattis, still in the dark, looked at us, puzzled. We explained how Sarah was pulled before her moon time as compared to after. Mattis finally caught on.
"She may be physically with Envy, but the two are not mentally and spiritually connected like you six. She's not hearing Envy at all or at least not very well. How do we get her to connect with her sword?" Mattis asked us, hopefully.
"Can you boost our magic?" I asked him.
He lit up and began scrambling around, gathering items and muttering to himself.
In silence, we mentally discussed what needed to be done and how to do it. Once Mattis had everything together, we began. Mattis began drawing a circle. We formed up inside it. The others circled around me. Their swords formed another circle between me and them. With Vanity before me, Mattis closed the circle. We reached for our last sister.
My vision shifted. I saw a very elegant room with expensive furnishings. In it was the girl from the image. I could feel her sadness and loneliness.
I spoke, "Greetings, Sister of the Sword."
Startled, she looked at me. She made a move as if to run, then stopped. Slowly, she turned back to look at me.
"You said 'sister'. You have a sword?"
"Yes, I am bonded with Vanity. The rest are here as well, you just can't see them as I am the only one being projected at this moment. You are the last to be with us, but the first of us to be with her sword."
She sighed, "I have it here, but I'm not with it or a part of it. While I feel we need to be together, we as still apart."
"Have you had your first moon time yet, sister?"
She blushed, "No, I am late to receive my first. Sixteen years old and I am still a child."
"That is why you are separated. Guardians usually are pass their first and well close to womanhood. Have you cut yourself and shared your blood with her?"
"Wait, 'Cut'? 'Blood'? 'Her'? Are you saying I need to give blood to it and 'it' is female?"
"Yes, it is what the rest of us have done to complete the connection to our swords and yes, Envy is female."
"Envy! That explains it! As soon as I returned with it, her, people began acting weird, even my father. Fights broke out in my wake over the smallest of things and about each others skill and what all. Will this, this blood thing solve this?"
"It will lessen it until the rest of us get there. When we arrive, the power of us together can suppress their effects. When we are all together, no one will suspect they are anything but common swords."
She picked up Envy and tentatively pricked her finger and cautiously pressed it to the blade. Even through a magical sending and distance, I felt the click of their connection. Envy started talking to Alice so fast that we were all getting a headache. Calming her down, she started again, slowly.
"Alice, finally, I tried so hard to get you to hear me. I didn't know about... well, your womanhood. I am so glad that we are together now, finally. We have so much to talk about. Our connection will strengthen when you receive your first. Kayla, can you and the others leave us to get truly acquainted?"
"Of course, Envy, we understand. We will see you in flesh and steel very soon."
We severed the connection and my image faded. When I could focus, I saw my sisters crying. I was confused at first, but then I realized they were tears of joy. Sarah was sobbing the hardest of all. Lust explained to us that Sarah realized that someone else was just as lost about "womanhood" as she. Mattis, literally on the outside, looked at us completely lost. As the only one not crying, I told him what had happened.
"You are still a more than a week from Thantos. How are you going to get there 'soon'?"
The swords murmured and hummed. "In the morning, Mattis. That answer will come in the morning. That is when it will all be figured out," I said with a weary smile.
We made camp in this cottage that was part shop and part Mattis' new home. The feeling of completion and the humming of the swords carried us to sleep.
Day 22:
We were startled awake by screams from outside Mattis' house/shop. We ran outside to see Mars-in-Leo splashing in the fountain of the square. We assured everyone that we knew him and he was civilized. Leo puffed a few smoke rings and went back to bathing. Those there explained to the new arrivals and Leo was unharmed. Mattis was in awe at our ease around Leo. Even though only three of us had previously physically met Leo, we all knew him through the sharing we gained from the swords. We went back to the shop to get our gear. We returned to the fountain to find Mattis and Leo in a deep discussion over some magical theory. Seeing us, Leo told Mattis he would return to talk more about his subject. Mattis was confused. I explained.
"You asked how we would get to Alice 'soon'. He is the answer," indicating Leo.
Understanding dawned on Mattis' face. He wished us a safe journey. From the ledge of the fountain, we climbed Leo's wing like a ladder and took our places between the ridges on his back and between his wings. We held on as he beat his massive wings and began ascending above the square. Sarah, Anna, and Callie squealed in terror and hid their faces. Lisa and Gretta showed their previous riding experience in their posture and behavior. I felt no fear. I held on, but I was calm. It was as if this was the most natural thing in the world to me. Vanity laughed in my mind and showed me at least three previous guardians on dragon back. I guess, with her, I did have dragon riding experience even though I had, physically, only ridden a very slow mule.
We shortened the week's journey to mere hours. As soon as we could touch Alice and Envy, we let them know of our arrival time and method. She said her father would make a place for us.
We saw the city come into view just before sunset. Sarah, Anna, and Callie had gotten over their fright a few hours prior and were actually enjoying the landscapes rushing under us. On the roof of the castle, a ring of torches burst into flames. Alice said she was up there and that her father would see to our safety.
Leo settled onto the roof, making the torches dance with the wind from his wings. We climbed down in the same manner we had climbed up. Alice held herself back until the last of us was off Leo and he was aloft. She rushed and hugged us together and separately with a strength that spoke volumes of her loneliness and isolation. With all the hugging and talking, we did not notice Lord Carmon and a troop of soldiers arrive on the roof. The swords alerted us. We faced them, united. Alice addressed her father.
"Father, you promised us safety. What is all of this? Is 'safety' being imprisoned?" she asked.
He cleared his throat, "We merely seek to escort you to the suite we have prepared. We are no threat."
He and the dozen with him stood before us. I drew Vanity, point down, so the mirror disks were facing them. I commanded, "Reveal."
Lord Carmin and about eight of those behind him stood still, unaffected. Two of the others began weeping and begging us not to hurt them. The other two brandished their weapons and demanded we surrender our weapons to them or be killed. Lord Carmon ordered four of his eight to take the other four back inside. When they left, I sheathed Vanity.
"Sir, we trust that you are honest. Those who stood with you are also honest. Only these will we allow to escort us anywhere. Know this, we are strong. We can handle ourselves. We have learned from the mistakes of our past guardians. We will not be easily convinced or swayed."
Lord Carmon nodded at my words. Two of the remaining soldiers began marching back inside. We followed them. He and the other two took up the rear.
To Alice's delight, we were given the suite adjacent to her room. We each picked a bed, settled on where to keep our gear, and went to sleep.
We awoke to a pleasant day and a beautiful sunrise. With all of us having swords, we found ourselves speaking more mentally than verbally. We had entire conversations without one word uttered aloud.
We arrived in a town a little after mid-day. The swords pulled in their influences as much as they could, which was far more than they had previously, but their effects were still visible on the people and animals we passed. We were able to get directions to Thantos and made innocent inquires as to Lord Carmon's leadership and personality. We received honest answers that he was just but a bit cold and interacted with his people only rarely. Lisa was still convinced of a trap. I told them that one more day's travel would get us close enough to project an image to her so we could talk.
We did see someone unexpected in this town. While walking by the shops, Mattis walked out of one, turned towards us, and smiled when he saw us.
"Hello, girls. One more than the last time I saw you. My wizard's sight shows such strength from all of you. You are each...paired?" he asked in a secretive way.
I smiled, "We are close to a full family reunion," I informed him.
"Oh, my, that is wonderful. So, where to now?"
"Thantos, although there is doubt in our minds as to the safety of that place for us and our swords."
"Come with me and explain these doubts."
We followed Mattis to a small cottage off the main street. Lisa was informed as to where and how we met Mattis. She was on her guard, but understood why we trusted him. Inside, we told Mattis of our encounter with Lord Carmon's men. We also told him of the image we had seen of our last sister. He listened intently, then offered his opinion.
"Lord Carmon has been secretive for a few years now. People say his daughter is ill. She has been secluded for about the same time. The nature of her illness is unknown as he allows only a couple of selected servants to tend her and has refused all medical and magical aid."
The six of us just sat there in shocked silence. It had not occurred to us that our last sister could be Lord Carmon's own daughter. But, as the holder of Envy, a lord's daughter, who has everything anyone could want, would be the best choice. I broke the silence to let Mattis know what was on our minds.
"His daughter is not ill. She has the sword Envy. He is keeping her away from others to prevent Envy from influencing the rest of his household. I still wonder at her sadness. If she's been with her sword for this long, why is she so lonely? Envy is her constant companion. Even without other people, she still has her."
We all wondered on that point. I looked at Sarah and an idea hit me. I heard Vanity laugh when my thought hit her as well.
"Is Lord Carmin's daughter still a maiden? Do you know how old she is?" I blurted out.
The others got the idea, too. Mattis, still in the dark, looked at us, puzzled. We explained how Sarah was pulled before her moon time as compared to after. Mattis finally caught on.
"She may be physically with Envy, but the two are not mentally and spiritually connected like you six. She's not hearing Envy at all or at least not very well. How do we get her to connect with her sword?" Mattis asked us, hopefully.
"Can you boost our magic?" I asked him.
He lit up and began scrambling around, gathering items and muttering to himself.
In silence, we mentally discussed what needed to be done and how to do it. Once Mattis had everything together, we began. Mattis began drawing a circle. We formed up inside it. The others circled around me. Their swords formed another circle between me and them. With Vanity before me, Mattis closed the circle. We reached for our last sister.
My vision shifted. I saw a very elegant room with expensive furnishings. In it was the girl from the image. I could feel her sadness and loneliness.
I spoke, "Greetings, Sister of the Sword."
Startled, she looked at me. She made a move as if to run, then stopped. Slowly, she turned back to look at me.
"You said 'sister'. You have a sword?"
"Yes, I am bonded with Vanity. The rest are here as well, you just can't see them as I am the only one being projected at this moment. You are the last to be with us, but the first of us to be with her sword."
She sighed, "I have it here, but I'm not with it or a part of it. While I feel we need to be together, we as still apart."
"Have you had your first moon time yet, sister?"
She blushed, "No, I am late to receive my first. Sixteen years old and I am still a child."
"That is why you are separated. Guardians usually are pass their first and well close to womanhood. Have you cut yourself and shared your blood with her?"
"Wait, 'Cut'? 'Blood'? 'Her'? Are you saying I need to give blood to it and 'it' is female?"
"Yes, it is what the rest of us have done to complete the connection to our swords and yes, Envy is female."
"Envy! That explains it! As soon as I returned with it, her, people began acting weird, even my father. Fights broke out in my wake over the smallest of things and about each others skill and what all. Will this, this blood thing solve this?"
"It will lessen it until the rest of us get there. When we arrive, the power of us together can suppress their effects. When we are all together, no one will suspect they are anything but common swords."
She picked up Envy and tentatively pricked her finger and cautiously pressed it to the blade. Even through a magical sending and distance, I felt the click of their connection. Envy started talking to Alice so fast that we were all getting a headache. Calming her down, she started again, slowly.
"Alice, finally, I tried so hard to get you to hear me. I didn't know about... well, your womanhood. I am so glad that we are together now, finally. We have so much to talk about. Our connection will strengthen when you receive your first. Kayla, can you and the others leave us to get truly acquainted?"
"Of course, Envy, we understand. We will see you in flesh and steel very soon."
We severed the connection and my image faded. When I could focus, I saw my sisters crying. I was confused at first, but then I realized they were tears of joy. Sarah was sobbing the hardest of all. Lust explained to us that Sarah realized that someone else was just as lost about "womanhood" as she. Mattis, literally on the outside, looked at us completely lost. As the only one not crying, I told him what had happened.
"You are still a more than a week from Thantos. How are you going to get there 'soon'?"
The swords murmured and hummed. "In the morning, Mattis. That answer will come in the morning. That is when it will all be figured out," I said with a weary smile.
We made camp in this cottage that was part shop and part Mattis' new home. The feeling of completion and the humming of the swords carried us to sleep.
Day 22:
We were startled awake by screams from outside Mattis' house/shop. We ran outside to see Mars-in-Leo splashing in the fountain of the square. We assured everyone that we knew him and he was civilized. Leo puffed a few smoke rings and went back to bathing. Those there explained to the new arrivals and Leo was unharmed. Mattis was in awe at our ease around Leo. Even though only three of us had previously physically met Leo, we all knew him through the sharing we gained from the swords. We went back to the shop to get our gear. We returned to the fountain to find Mattis and Leo in a deep discussion over some magical theory. Seeing us, Leo told Mattis he would return to talk more about his subject. Mattis was confused. I explained.
"You asked how we would get to Alice 'soon'. He is the answer," indicating Leo.
Understanding dawned on Mattis' face. He wished us a safe journey. From the ledge of the fountain, we climbed Leo's wing like a ladder and took our places between the ridges on his back and between his wings. We held on as he beat his massive wings and began ascending above the square. Sarah, Anna, and Callie squealed in terror and hid their faces. Lisa and Gretta showed their previous riding experience in their posture and behavior. I felt no fear. I held on, but I was calm. It was as if this was the most natural thing in the world to me. Vanity laughed in my mind and showed me at least three previous guardians on dragon back. I guess, with her, I did have dragon riding experience even though I had, physically, only ridden a very slow mule.
We shortened the week's journey to mere hours. As soon as we could touch Alice and Envy, we let them know of our arrival time and method. She said her father would make a place for us.
We saw the city come into view just before sunset. Sarah, Anna, and Callie had gotten over their fright a few hours prior and were actually enjoying the landscapes rushing under us. On the roof of the castle, a ring of torches burst into flames. Alice said she was up there and that her father would see to our safety.
Leo settled onto the roof, making the torches dance with the wind from his wings. We climbed down in the same manner we had climbed up. Alice held herself back until the last of us was off Leo and he was aloft. She rushed and hugged us together and separately with a strength that spoke volumes of her loneliness and isolation. With all the hugging and talking, we did not notice Lord Carmon and a troop of soldiers arrive on the roof. The swords alerted us. We faced them, united. Alice addressed her father.
"Father, you promised us safety. What is all of this? Is 'safety' being imprisoned?" she asked.
He cleared his throat, "We merely seek to escort you to the suite we have prepared. We are no threat."
He and the dozen with him stood before us. I drew Vanity, point down, so the mirror disks were facing them. I commanded, "Reveal."
Lord Carmin and about eight of those behind him stood still, unaffected. Two of the others began weeping and begging us not to hurt them. The other two brandished their weapons and demanded we surrender our weapons to them or be killed. Lord Carmon ordered four of his eight to take the other four back inside. When they left, I sheathed Vanity.
"Sir, we trust that you are honest. Those who stood with you are also honest. Only these will we allow to escort us anywhere. Know this, we are strong. We can handle ourselves. We have learned from the mistakes of our past guardians. We will not be easily convinced or swayed."
Lord Carmon nodded at my words. Two of the remaining soldiers began marching back inside. We followed them. He and the other two took up the rear.
To Alice's delight, we were given the suite adjacent to her room. We each picked a bed, settled on where to keep our gear, and went to sleep.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Days 19 thru 20
Day 19:
Before dawn, Vanity woke me up.
"Many men are riding this way, fast. I can't tell their intentions, but they are looking for all of you."
Holding her, she extended my senses to reach the riders. With me awake, both of us could sense more than she alone. Three of the riders were the ones we saved from the bandits, but the rest were unknown and of mixed emotions. A lot of them were simply curious about the girls with swords. A few of them were wondering about the swords' values and how to get us to give them up. One had the darkest of intentions and wanted us dead. Vanity and I calculated how far they were and how much time we had before they reached us. The other swords were listening but did not wake anyone else. Fixing a point ahead of the riders but far from us, the swords encircled me and projected an image of me at that point. I held Vanity before me and was able to see them in her mirror-like disks that resembled eyes.
The party skidded to a halt before my image. The three from before identified me as one of their rescuers. I told them it was nice to see them again. Someone from the back interrupted.
"Enough idle chatter. Hearing these three describe your swords, our lord surmised their identities. He has sent us to bring you to him so he may be sure that they are the fabled swords."
I looked at him. He was not the dark one but he was one that wanted us parted from the swords. He seemed agitated.
"Sorry, " I replied, "but we cannot do that. We are not willing to go with you to some unknown lord who's true intentions we know not. I do know that you and a few others seek to separate us from our swords while that one with the blond hair on the spotted horse wants us all dead."
The others turned to the one I indicated. He did not even deny it, but charged at, and through, my image. He was quickly subdued. The others looked at me. One come forward.
"I understand your caution. When you are ready, Lord Carmon of Thantos wants to speak with you. He is a just man. Please, see him soon."
I nodded and my image vanished. I returned my awareness back to myself and and saw the other girls awake and looking at this strange scene: four swords rotating around me as I stared at Vanity and spoke with no one. The swords returned to their partners and they were instantly filled in on my activities. We verbally explained to Lisa. We agreed that finding both Lisa's sword and the last guardian were of utmost importance.
We set off to the north. Lisa's military background was evident as she settled into an easy march. Around sunset, she didn't want to stop, but we assured her that continuing in the dark was unsafe. We made camp and ate. Lisa fidgeted and kept looking to the north. We assured her that we understood what she was feeling and how she ached for her sword. We promised her we would set out as soon as it was light.
Day 20:
Before dawn, we broke camp as soon as there was enough light to safely travel. At times, we has to physically hold Lisa to keep her from running towards her sword. Finally, she reached that point where the feeling seemed to come from everywhere. It took Callie, Gretta, and myself to hold her as we tried to get her to focus.
"Lisa, running around won't get it found. Stop, breathe, regain yourself. Call for you sword to guide you," We told her, shouted to her, right in her face.
She regained her composure and called out, "Sword of Power! Gluttony or Envy, I am here! Show me where you are!" She looked towards a group of trees, "Over there, that way."
We all took off that way. After working through the trees, we stopped at a truly bizarre sight. We looked upon a field covered in all matter of stuff. An area of about ten acres was between chest and head deep in all kinds of items: swords, armor, helmets, furniture, chests, wagons, harnesses, and clothing of all sizes and styles.
Lisa nearly collapsed, "Where can it be?" she said, almost weeping.
The other five of us gathered around her. We felt something stir in us. Instinctively, we drew our swords. I instructed Lisa.
"Stand before us. By our swords, through you, we will summon Gluttony to you."
Lisa nodded and stood facing the field. We touched the sword tips together and placed them on her head. In my sight, I saw the power pulse through Lisa's body. She raised her arms to the mess before her.
With a magically enhanced voice, she called, "Gluttony! Partner! Rise from this rubbish and come to me!"
We saw the heap shutter and items fly off. A sword almost as large as Sloth rose from the heap. He was suspended for a few seconds then flew to Lisa's outstretched hands. She held it with awe on her face. I took one of her hands and gently cut her finger on Gluttony's large blade. She gasped until she remembered Sarah's action. She pressed her bloody finger to the place where it was cut. We all saw the blood vanish and felt the click of connection. Finally, Gluttony spoke.
"This trash was my prison. Many of these items have magic, however small. Together, they were enough to bind me to this place. Ogres view this place as the holy site of their deity. My influence made them believe that their god wanted this stuff. My previous guardian was brough here to be sacrificed to their god. At the time, only a tenth of this was here. A strongly magical chest was near and they placed me in it. They, then, covered it with a cloak infused with strong magic. I would not see her death, but I would feel it. Over time, all of this was piled and the magic intensified. I have been in darkness and silence ever since."
Lisa was crying as she felt his pain the most. The rest of us found it hard to speak for a while. Sloth broke the silence.
"There is an orb close by that will aid our search for the last sister."
Following his lead, we located a bluish orb about the size of a large apple. We also found a cloak more suitable to Sarah's size than the huge one she was wearing. It only had a keep dry spell on it so we took it. Gluttony also recovered his old sheath and belt which Lisa strapped on with the ease of practice. We found a better fitting sheath for Lust. We also found some coins.
With our finds, we left the heap. I made a note of it on our map, in case we needed something to sell on our journey.
Lisa was so happy and smiling more than we has seen her since our meeting. We walked away from the heap and back towards the road. Before we got there, we stopped in a clearing to use the orb Sloth told us to get. We sat in a circle, swords before us, touching tip to pommel, and the orb in the center. Anna placed our finding stone on top of it. We began a chant for our last sister to be known to us. Our energy built and built until we, the swords, and both stones were glowing with it. In the air above us, an image formed. A girl in a regal pink gown materialized before us. She was very pretty, but seemed sad. We changed the chant to show us where she was. Our map floated to the image. A dot appeared on a spot near the coast of a river. We did not stop the chant, but I noticed that it marked the city state of Thantos, where that lord who wanted us lived. We changed again to ask for Envy's location. To our amazement, the girl's image changed to show her holding Envy. A couple of us faltered in the chant, but the image held. Together, we dismissed the image. As we stood and sheathed our swords, Lisa began fuming.
"I knew it! Lord Carmon means to trap us! He has Envy and her guardian and want the rest of us too. Damn him! We're going to have to deal with him to get them free."
I piped in, "While she seemed sad, I don't think she is a prisoner. I did feel that she is lonely, but nothing to indicate she is a captive. It is hard to get more so far away."
Lisa seemed to calm some, but she still clenched her hands like she wanted to punch or strangle something. As it was getting dark, we made camp where we were. Callie whispered if I could do that projection thing I did earlier with the soldiers to let our last sister know we were coming. Vanity and the other swords hummed. An answer popped into my head.
"Too far away, we can try in a day or two."
Callie accepted that answer. We made a fire, ate, and went to sleep.
Before dawn, Vanity woke me up.
"Many men are riding this way, fast. I can't tell their intentions, but they are looking for all of you."
Holding her, she extended my senses to reach the riders. With me awake, both of us could sense more than she alone. Three of the riders were the ones we saved from the bandits, but the rest were unknown and of mixed emotions. A lot of them were simply curious about the girls with swords. A few of them were wondering about the swords' values and how to get us to give them up. One had the darkest of intentions and wanted us dead. Vanity and I calculated how far they were and how much time we had before they reached us. The other swords were listening but did not wake anyone else. Fixing a point ahead of the riders but far from us, the swords encircled me and projected an image of me at that point. I held Vanity before me and was able to see them in her mirror-like disks that resembled eyes.
The party skidded to a halt before my image. The three from before identified me as one of their rescuers. I told them it was nice to see them again. Someone from the back interrupted.
"Enough idle chatter. Hearing these three describe your swords, our lord surmised their identities. He has sent us to bring you to him so he may be sure that they are the fabled swords."
I looked at him. He was not the dark one but he was one that wanted us parted from the swords. He seemed agitated.
"Sorry, " I replied, "but we cannot do that. We are not willing to go with you to some unknown lord who's true intentions we know not. I do know that you and a few others seek to separate us from our swords while that one with the blond hair on the spotted horse wants us all dead."
The others turned to the one I indicated. He did not even deny it, but charged at, and through, my image. He was quickly subdued. The others looked at me. One come forward.
"I understand your caution. When you are ready, Lord Carmon of Thantos wants to speak with you. He is a just man. Please, see him soon."
I nodded and my image vanished. I returned my awareness back to myself and and saw the other girls awake and looking at this strange scene: four swords rotating around me as I stared at Vanity and spoke with no one. The swords returned to their partners and they were instantly filled in on my activities. We verbally explained to Lisa. We agreed that finding both Lisa's sword and the last guardian were of utmost importance.
We set off to the north. Lisa's military background was evident as she settled into an easy march. Around sunset, she didn't want to stop, but we assured her that continuing in the dark was unsafe. We made camp and ate. Lisa fidgeted and kept looking to the north. We assured her that we understood what she was feeling and how she ached for her sword. We promised her we would set out as soon as it was light.
Day 20:
Before dawn, we broke camp as soon as there was enough light to safely travel. At times, we has to physically hold Lisa to keep her from running towards her sword. Finally, she reached that point where the feeling seemed to come from everywhere. It took Callie, Gretta, and myself to hold her as we tried to get her to focus.
"Lisa, running around won't get it found. Stop, breathe, regain yourself. Call for you sword to guide you," We told her, shouted to her, right in her face.
She regained her composure and called out, "Sword of Power! Gluttony or Envy, I am here! Show me where you are!" She looked towards a group of trees, "Over there, that way."
We all took off that way. After working through the trees, we stopped at a truly bizarre sight. We looked upon a field covered in all matter of stuff. An area of about ten acres was between chest and head deep in all kinds of items: swords, armor, helmets, furniture, chests, wagons, harnesses, and clothing of all sizes and styles.
Lisa nearly collapsed, "Where can it be?" she said, almost weeping.
The other five of us gathered around her. We felt something stir in us. Instinctively, we drew our swords. I instructed Lisa.
"Stand before us. By our swords, through you, we will summon Gluttony to you."
Lisa nodded and stood facing the field. We touched the sword tips together and placed them on her head. In my sight, I saw the power pulse through Lisa's body. She raised her arms to the mess before her.
With a magically enhanced voice, she called, "Gluttony! Partner! Rise from this rubbish and come to me!"
We saw the heap shutter and items fly off. A sword almost as large as Sloth rose from the heap. He was suspended for a few seconds then flew to Lisa's outstretched hands. She held it with awe on her face. I took one of her hands and gently cut her finger on Gluttony's large blade. She gasped until she remembered Sarah's action. She pressed her bloody finger to the place where it was cut. We all saw the blood vanish and felt the click of connection. Finally, Gluttony spoke.
"This trash was my prison. Many of these items have magic, however small. Together, they were enough to bind me to this place. Ogres view this place as the holy site of their deity. My influence made them believe that their god wanted this stuff. My previous guardian was brough here to be sacrificed to their god. At the time, only a tenth of this was here. A strongly magical chest was near and they placed me in it. They, then, covered it with a cloak infused with strong magic. I would not see her death, but I would feel it. Over time, all of this was piled and the magic intensified. I have been in darkness and silence ever since."
Lisa was crying as she felt his pain the most. The rest of us found it hard to speak for a while. Sloth broke the silence.
"There is an orb close by that will aid our search for the last sister."
Following his lead, we located a bluish orb about the size of a large apple. We also found a cloak more suitable to Sarah's size than the huge one she was wearing. It only had a keep dry spell on it so we took it. Gluttony also recovered his old sheath and belt which Lisa strapped on with the ease of practice. We found a better fitting sheath for Lust. We also found some coins.
With our finds, we left the heap. I made a note of it on our map, in case we needed something to sell on our journey.
Lisa was so happy and smiling more than we has seen her since our meeting. We walked away from the heap and back towards the road. Before we got there, we stopped in a clearing to use the orb Sloth told us to get. We sat in a circle, swords before us, touching tip to pommel, and the orb in the center. Anna placed our finding stone on top of it. We began a chant for our last sister to be known to us. Our energy built and built until we, the swords, and both stones were glowing with it. In the air above us, an image formed. A girl in a regal pink gown materialized before us. She was very pretty, but seemed sad. We changed the chant to show us where she was. Our map floated to the image. A dot appeared on a spot near the coast of a river. We did not stop the chant, but I noticed that it marked the city state of Thantos, where that lord who wanted us lived. We changed again to ask for Envy's location. To our amazement, the girl's image changed to show her holding Envy. A couple of us faltered in the chant, but the image held. Together, we dismissed the image. As we stood and sheathed our swords, Lisa began fuming.
"I knew it! Lord Carmon means to trap us! He has Envy and her guardian and want the rest of us too. Damn him! We're going to have to deal with him to get them free."
I piped in, "While she seemed sad, I don't think she is a prisoner. I did feel that she is lonely, but nothing to indicate she is a captive. It is hard to get more so far away."
Lisa seemed to calm some, but she still clenched her hands like she wanted to punch or strangle something. As it was getting dark, we made camp where we were. Callie whispered if I could do that projection thing I did earlier with the soldiers to let our last sister know we were coming. Vanity and the other swords hummed. An answer popped into my head.
"Too far away, we can try in a day or two."
Callie accepted that answer. We made a fire, ate, and went to sleep.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Days 17 thru 18
Day 17:We awoke, dressed, ate, gathered our gear, and left in near silence. Once outside, we asked Sarah and Lisa which way and how strong were the pulls of their swords. Sarah indicated it was pulling from the east and it was strong but far away. Lisa, finally comfortable enough to speak freely, said her's was northeast, strong, and kind of far away. By consensus, we headed east. We let them know that whoever pull got strongest would take the lead.
As we walked, we spoke of many things: Lisa's training, Sarah's routine at the convent, each of us of our home villages. We stopped around mid-day for food and rest. While resting, Sarah and Lisa re-evaluated the pulls of their swords. It was determined that neither was stronger than the other, but that we were on the right track. So, we continued east.
A few hours later, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, and Vanity told us to stop. They said to get off the road and hide. We found an area large enough to conceal us all. Once hidden, the explanation came.
"I sense pain and anger approaching."
"There is a trap just ahead."
"This place is favored by bandits."
"Much gold has been lost and stolen around here."
We relayed this information. Lisa wanted to charge in and take them out, but we advised her against it. As we hid, discussing our next move, three riders galloped down the road. They triggered the trap Wrath had warned us about and the bandits Sloth mentioned converged upon the trio.
"Can't we do anything?" Lisa asked, almost ready to dive into the thick of it.
Words, ideas, plans, and spells rattled in our heads as the swords discussed the situation. Finally, all of them, and us, agreed on a course of action.
The four of us with swords left our hiding place and went into the middle of the road. Lisa and Sarah crept through the brush at the side of the road to get behind them. Wrath, having the most commanding voice, spoke through Callie.
"Unhand those riders!" Wrath's voice boomed, echoing off the trees lining the road.
The bandits and riders looked around until they saw us. The bandits sneered at us. Ignoring the riders, the half dozen bandits slowly advanced on us. Anna vocally and Sloth mentally began chanting a spell. The bandits grunted and growled as they made their way to us. On cue from Sloth and Anna, we pointed our swords at the ground they were walking on. The normally solid road turned into sludge under their feet. Before they knew it, they were sunk to their waists. With a flick, the ground hardened and held them fast. Lisa and Sara were beside the riders, explaining that we were there to help. Lisa's knowledge of military protocol eased the riders' nervousness. Not long after, a small band of soldiers came upon the scene. Lisa and the riders were able to explain what had happened. The leader of the soldiers asked us to release the bandits so they could arrest them. The four of us, again, pointed our swords at the ground around the bandits. The ground again turned to sludge. The soldiers and riders pulled them out with a slick sucking sound. As soon as they were out, shackles snapped around their wrists. The soldiers thanked us for capturing these men. They tossed Lisa a pouch and said it was the reward for aiding in the arrest of the bandits. The riders also thanked us for saving them and their lord's property. We were asked where we were headed. Looking at each other, we simply answered, "East" in unison. The soldiers and riders just looked at us and each other. They parted, soldiers going back west with the bandits and the riders continuing east. We recovered our gear and also continued east.
With the next town in sight, Sarah began the agitation four of us knew all too well. However, this pull came from inside the town. We were curious as to how a power sword was hidden inside a busy town with no one knowing. That question was answered when we were guided to a church. Sarah relaxed slightly to be in familiar territory, but the closeness of her sword was gnawing at her. Around the church was a barrier that, we guessed, kept the sword's influence out of the town and contained solely inside the building. We entered the church to witness a sight I never thought to see in a church. Instead of singing and praying, the people were in various stages of undress, groping, kissing, fondling, and other acts my eyes had never seen. Above the altar where the statue of their god usually resides, a delicate sword with fine details was suspended by thin chains that, to my eyes, radiated strong magic. The people did not notice us as we stepped over, around, and through the copulating congregation. We reached the altar. I was able to hear her speak to Sarah.
"I am Lust. A priest of this church imprisoned my guardian a century ago. He hung me here as a trophy of the success of his faith over our's. With magic from another, he charged these chains to keep me as he burned my guardian at the stake. My influence has produced the effects you see here."
Sarah was nervous about removing Lust in front of so many people. Callie and Anna stepped forward, one on each side, raised Wrath and Sloth, and chopped through the magical chains. Sarah caught Lust, slicing her hand as the fine blade slid across her flesh. She gasped in fright, but I held her bloody hand to Lust. Sarah and Lisa watched in fascination as the blood disappeared into the metal. Sarah's fear and nervousness visibly vanished as Lust made the connection. The rest of us with swords sighed at the mental click. We turned back to the congregation, but no one seemed to notice the loss of the sword.
Back outside, we made our way through the dimly lit streets to the nearest inn. Lust was such a delicate sword that Sarah easily slid her under her belt and she rode without problems. We chose to take the food to our room so we could lay out the swords and get Sarah use to the idea that she could now have nine voices in her head at once. Sarah slept with Lust in her arms like a strange toy. Lisa told me that she wanted to find her sword now more than ever. She also said it was now almost due north.
Day 18:
While gathering our gear, Callie found an abandoned sheath under one of the beds. A little cutting provided Lust with not a secure holder, but better than hanging out in the open. It was a good thing we had her hid. The members of the church were hunting for their "sacred relic". When pressed, however, they never explained what it was or why they wanted it. They walked pass us without a second look. The other wondered why until I winked at them and pointed to Vanity. Out of earshot, I explained.
"Vanity convinced them that a gaggle of girls could not successfully enter their church and take their most prized possession literally from under their noses. She also convinced them that they could spot Lust no matter how well anyone hid her."
We all laughed, even Lisa. We left the town as the members of the church continued to turn it upside down, vainly searching for a sword we were now carrying.
We went north, following Lisa's guidance. Sarah's face showed a variety of emotions as Lust instructed her on her guardian gift. We, with swords, barely listened but offered help when it seemed they had trouble getting an idea across.
Lisa began speculating on which of the two remaining swords was pulling her.
"Envy and Gluttony are left. I will admit to being guilty of envy, even now as the only one without a partner. We are trained to exist on the barest of supplies so we can make them last longer. So, I really have no experience with gluttony, just as Sarah, being just short of a nun, was unfamiliar with lust until we walked into that church. As I travel with the rest of you, I can see why you were paired as you are. Kayla, I have never seen someone like you, willing to risk everything for another with no thought of how it will inconvenience you. You are willing to be last at everything, yet you take the forefront when we meet new people. You are also the picture of patience, guiding all of us through this strange and wonderful time without showing off or bragging about yourself. Callie, don't you ever get mad? Even in the couple of days we've been together, there have been times I would have flown into a rage if it was I being spoken to in such a manner. Yet, you smile and take it without so much as a twitch of anger. Anna, for someone so slight, you are the busiest little bee I've ever seen. The rooms we have stayed in you kept them so tidy and kept our gear easily reachable so we could get on our way quickly. You probably left them cleaner than they have been in some time. Gretta, you would give your last coin to anyone who asked without a second thought. You act as if everything is only precious if it helps someone else. I wonder of past guardians were this way."
I faltered in my step then Vanity addressed Lisa.
"Yes, our previous guardians were much like you and these others. Our first ones, the original seven sisters, were just like all of you. Breanne, my first partner, was a beautiful girl, yet would always insist that another was far more attractive. She always found a way to compliment even the homeliest, most awkward individual to let them know they had worth in the world. Claire, my last guardian, tried to reason with the queen who wanted me, but Claire's kind words were mistaken for insults by that self-absorbed woman who thought I would increase her beauty. Over that, Claire was pursued by soldiers and killed by an ice dragon over one hundred years ago."
Anna was counting on her fingers as Vanity returned control of my body to me.
"Vanity has been alone for over one hundred years, Greed was trapped for fifty. How long was Wrath stuck in Leo?"
"Seventy-five years," came the male voice from Callie's gentle face. "Leo had attempted to scratch, claw, and bite me out of his leg for that long. Five guardians lived and died during that time that I could have been partnered. " Callie shook as she returned to herself.
"Alright, one hundred, fifty, seventy-five. Sloth says he was last paired about sixty years ago. Lust was in that church for one hundred years as well. So, other than Leo, Mattis, and the people of that church, no one living has seen even one of these swords. Now we have five out of seven in our possession. When Lisa gets hers, probably in the next day or so, we will have all but one. I do not wish to be negative, but that could be a dangerous time, " Anna finished gravely.
"I agree," I said, "we will start attracting attention but not be complete to stop it. We really need to find the last guardian and complete the set."
The swords hummed and murmured just below our ability to hear them. Finally, Sloth informed us that we would "call" the last guardian to see if she could come to us. With nods all around, the subject was dropped. We spent the rest of the day walking, talking, and learning old songs from the swords. As villages were wider spaced, we camped under a canopy of willows just off the road.
As we walked, we spoke of many things: Lisa's training, Sarah's routine at the convent, each of us of our home villages. We stopped around mid-day for food and rest. While resting, Sarah and Lisa re-evaluated the pulls of their swords. It was determined that neither was stronger than the other, but that we were on the right track. So, we continued east.
A few hours later, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, and Vanity told us to stop. They said to get off the road and hide. We found an area large enough to conceal us all. Once hidden, the explanation came.
"I sense pain and anger approaching."
"There is a trap just ahead."
"This place is favored by bandits."
"Much gold has been lost and stolen around here."
We relayed this information. Lisa wanted to charge in and take them out, but we advised her against it. As we hid, discussing our next move, three riders galloped down the road. They triggered the trap Wrath had warned us about and the bandits Sloth mentioned converged upon the trio.
"Can't we do anything?" Lisa asked, almost ready to dive into the thick of it.
Words, ideas, plans, and spells rattled in our heads as the swords discussed the situation. Finally, all of them, and us, agreed on a course of action.
The four of us with swords left our hiding place and went into the middle of the road. Lisa and Sarah crept through the brush at the side of the road to get behind them. Wrath, having the most commanding voice, spoke through Callie.
"Unhand those riders!" Wrath's voice boomed, echoing off the trees lining the road.
The bandits and riders looked around until they saw us. The bandits sneered at us. Ignoring the riders, the half dozen bandits slowly advanced on us. Anna vocally and Sloth mentally began chanting a spell. The bandits grunted and growled as they made their way to us. On cue from Sloth and Anna, we pointed our swords at the ground they were walking on. The normally solid road turned into sludge under their feet. Before they knew it, they were sunk to their waists. With a flick, the ground hardened and held them fast. Lisa and Sara were beside the riders, explaining that we were there to help. Lisa's knowledge of military protocol eased the riders' nervousness. Not long after, a small band of soldiers came upon the scene. Lisa and the riders were able to explain what had happened. The leader of the soldiers asked us to release the bandits so they could arrest them. The four of us, again, pointed our swords at the ground around the bandits. The ground again turned to sludge. The soldiers and riders pulled them out with a slick sucking sound. As soon as they were out, shackles snapped around their wrists. The soldiers thanked us for capturing these men. They tossed Lisa a pouch and said it was the reward for aiding in the arrest of the bandits. The riders also thanked us for saving them and their lord's property. We were asked where we were headed. Looking at each other, we simply answered, "East" in unison. The soldiers and riders just looked at us and each other. They parted, soldiers going back west with the bandits and the riders continuing east. We recovered our gear and also continued east.
With the next town in sight, Sarah began the agitation four of us knew all too well. However, this pull came from inside the town. We were curious as to how a power sword was hidden inside a busy town with no one knowing. That question was answered when we were guided to a church. Sarah relaxed slightly to be in familiar territory, but the closeness of her sword was gnawing at her. Around the church was a barrier that, we guessed, kept the sword's influence out of the town and contained solely inside the building. We entered the church to witness a sight I never thought to see in a church. Instead of singing and praying, the people were in various stages of undress, groping, kissing, fondling, and other acts my eyes had never seen. Above the altar where the statue of their god usually resides, a delicate sword with fine details was suspended by thin chains that, to my eyes, radiated strong magic. The people did not notice us as we stepped over, around, and through the copulating congregation. We reached the altar. I was able to hear her speak to Sarah.
"I am Lust. A priest of this church imprisoned my guardian a century ago. He hung me here as a trophy of the success of his faith over our's. With magic from another, he charged these chains to keep me as he burned my guardian at the stake. My influence has produced the effects you see here."
Sarah was nervous about removing Lust in front of so many people. Callie and Anna stepped forward, one on each side, raised Wrath and Sloth, and chopped through the magical chains. Sarah caught Lust, slicing her hand as the fine blade slid across her flesh. She gasped in fright, but I held her bloody hand to Lust. Sarah and Lisa watched in fascination as the blood disappeared into the metal. Sarah's fear and nervousness visibly vanished as Lust made the connection. The rest of us with swords sighed at the mental click. We turned back to the congregation, but no one seemed to notice the loss of the sword.
Back outside, we made our way through the dimly lit streets to the nearest inn. Lust was such a delicate sword that Sarah easily slid her under her belt and she rode without problems. We chose to take the food to our room so we could lay out the swords and get Sarah use to the idea that she could now have nine voices in her head at once. Sarah slept with Lust in her arms like a strange toy. Lisa told me that she wanted to find her sword now more than ever. She also said it was now almost due north.
Day 18:
While gathering our gear, Callie found an abandoned sheath under one of the beds. A little cutting provided Lust with not a secure holder, but better than hanging out in the open. It was a good thing we had her hid. The members of the church were hunting for their "sacred relic". When pressed, however, they never explained what it was or why they wanted it. They walked pass us without a second look. The other wondered why until I winked at them and pointed to Vanity. Out of earshot, I explained.
"Vanity convinced them that a gaggle of girls could not successfully enter their church and take their most prized possession literally from under their noses. She also convinced them that they could spot Lust no matter how well anyone hid her."
We all laughed, even Lisa. We left the town as the members of the church continued to turn it upside down, vainly searching for a sword we were now carrying.
We went north, following Lisa's guidance. Sarah's face showed a variety of emotions as Lust instructed her on her guardian gift. We, with swords, barely listened but offered help when it seemed they had trouble getting an idea across.
Lisa began speculating on which of the two remaining swords was pulling her.
"Envy and Gluttony are left. I will admit to being guilty of envy, even now as the only one without a partner. We are trained to exist on the barest of supplies so we can make them last longer. So, I really have no experience with gluttony, just as Sarah, being just short of a nun, was unfamiliar with lust until we walked into that church. As I travel with the rest of you, I can see why you were paired as you are. Kayla, I have never seen someone like you, willing to risk everything for another with no thought of how it will inconvenience you. You are willing to be last at everything, yet you take the forefront when we meet new people. You are also the picture of patience, guiding all of us through this strange and wonderful time without showing off or bragging about yourself. Callie, don't you ever get mad? Even in the couple of days we've been together, there have been times I would have flown into a rage if it was I being spoken to in such a manner. Yet, you smile and take it without so much as a twitch of anger. Anna, for someone so slight, you are the busiest little bee I've ever seen. The rooms we have stayed in you kept them so tidy and kept our gear easily reachable so we could get on our way quickly. You probably left them cleaner than they have been in some time. Gretta, you would give your last coin to anyone who asked without a second thought. You act as if everything is only precious if it helps someone else. I wonder of past guardians were this way."
I faltered in my step then Vanity addressed Lisa.
"Yes, our previous guardians were much like you and these others. Our first ones, the original seven sisters, were just like all of you. Breanne, my first partner, was a beautiful girl, yet would always insist that another was far more attractive. She always found a way to compliment even the homeliest, most awkward individual to let them know they had worth in the world. Claire, my last guardian, tried to reason with the queen who wanted me, but Claire's kind words were mistaken for insults by that self-absorbed woman who thought I would increase her beauty. Over that, Claire was pursued by soldiers and killed by an ice dragon over one hundred years ago."
Anna was counting on her fingers as Vanity returned control of my body to me.
"Vanity has been alone for over one hundred years, Greed was trapped for fifty. How long was Wrath stuck in Leo?"
"Seventy-five years," came the male voice from Callie's gentle face. "Leo had attempted to scratch, claw, and bite me out of his leg for that long. Five guardians lived and died during that time that I could have been partnered. " Callie shook as she returned to herself.
"Alright, one hundred, fifty, seventy-five. Sloth says he was last paired about sixty years ago. Lust was in that church for one hundred years as well. So, other than Leo, Mattis, and the people of that church, no one living has seen even one of these swords. Now we have five out of seven in our possession. When Lisa gets hers, probably in the next day or so, we will have all but one. I do not wish to be negative, but that could be a dangerous time, " Anna finished gravely.
"I agree," I said, "we will start attracting attention but not be complete to stop it. We really need to find the last guardian and complete the set."
The swords hummed and murmured just below our ability to hear them. Finally, Sloth informed us that we would "call" the last guardian to see if she could come to us. With nods all around, the subject was dropped. We spent the rest of the day walking, talking, and learning old songs from the swords. As villages were wider spaced, we camped under a canopy of willows just off the road.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Day 16
Day 16:
We arose at dawn and had a simple breakfast. We went outside to get a sense of where to go. Anna had the stone this day. We had walked away from the inn when Anna commented that the stone was hot. She pulled it off and held it by its string. The familiar light was spinning, as if searching. Callie and I stood between it and Sarah to help it focus better. Apparently it helped as a beam of light lanced through the morning air, headed to the south of town. We followed the light right to the edge of town. It went up the wall of a tower into the lookout post.
"Hello, up there! May we speak with you a moment! " I called.
I called twice more before I received an answer.
"What do you want? I am on duty here, protecting the town from raiders, " came back a voice that did not seem right.
"Are you alone? Is there only one up there?" I asked.
"Yes, just me. If it is an emergency, go to the red building on the corner. My commander is in there. I can't leave my post unless he orders it," the voice replied, wavering in pitch and volume.
"Is there a red beam of light touching you but not harming you, positioned over your heart?"
Silence.
"We are the source of that light. It is a way to find our lost sisters. We already know you must be a girl if the light is upon you. Female soldiers are not unfamiliar to us.
Silence.
The five of us stood at the base, looking at each other, not sure what to do next. Above us, we heard hinges creak and saw a door open. A soldier and the beam of light descended the ladder. At the bottom, the soldier's helm was removed to show a girl about our ages yet hardened by her service. The light faded and the stone went cold. She looked at us in shock.
"This is a dream. I have had this dream before. Five sisters claiming I am one of them, taking me to a fantastic place where we are treated like queens. I must be dreaming."
The four of us with swords drew them and saluted her. She fainted. One of her fellow soldiers saw the sight and called for others. We were surrounded, she was picked up, and all of us went to the red building on the corner she had indicated earlier.
Inside, she was placed on a cot and we were marched to another room. An impressively dressed officer sat at a desk. He looked up when we all entered.
"Lieutenant, explain, " his deep voice ordered.
The officer approached him and told him what he had witnessed. The man sitting scowled at us as he listened. Sarah was shaking, but the rest of us met his gaze unwaveringly. The officer finished his tale and returned to his place behind us. The man excused them with a wave of his hand. They left quickly and shut the door behind them.
"What do you want with Lisa?" he said sternly.
We looked at each other, then I began, "Sir, we are the guardians of the Swords of Ancient Power. By their power, we have identified Lisa as one of us, a lost sister. We did not mean for her to faint. We were just introducing ourselves."
I paused for breath, but he held up his hand to stop me. He stood up and came closer to us, towering above all of us and mentally appraising both us and my story.
"Are you telling me that five young girls hold the legendary swords of power?" he asked almost in a condescending tone.
"Actually, we have only four. Sarah has yet to find her's," I replied casually, meeting his gaze and not feeling any fear.
"Show me, " he ordered.
We drew them and held them for his to see. With a warrior's gaze, he appraised each one. After looking at them, he began to talk to us like a father scolding his children.
"You stand before me with these things, claiming they are the Swords of Power? I don't know who sold you these shoddy pieces of junk or from what waste pile you retrieved them , but they have no power whatsoever."
The swords raised from our hands to float between us and him. He seemed unimpressed. We watched them come together and form four sides of an empty space. The commander looked into the space framed by the swords. He pose dropped. An expression of fear formed on his face. He began to physically shake. Callie, Gretta, and Sarah moved as if to see what he was seeing. Anna and I stopped them. We shook our heads and, as we held them, told them that this was for him alone. After a while, the swords separated and returned to our hands. The commander tried to regain his composure, but just fell into his chair.
"I believe you," his commanding voice now shaking as much as his body, " for only those ancient swords could know and show such as I have witnessed. Stay in town today. I will talk with Lisa and prepare her for this new duty. Return here by evening and I will have her ready."
We nodded and sheathed our swords. As we left, the commander stopped me alone. He drew me back into his office.
"I have one request: watch over Lisa. I have not told anyone this, but she is my daughter. I have let her believe that she is an orphan so no one would think I favored her. I have probably been harder on her for that. You seem to be strong in mind and character. Guard and guide her well."
I assured him I would and he let me join the others. We walked pass a still unconscious Lisa, being tended by a nurse.
We spent the day just looking around the town, checking out shops and the like. We did notice that we were being followed. A quick glance revealed that soldiers where keeping a guarded distance, but always in sight of us. We decided not to pay too much attention to them or try to hide from them and let them do their job.
As evening approached, our shadows surrounded us and escorted us back to the command building. Inside, we saw Lisa awake, packed, and ready to go. The commander informed us that rooms and food were waiting for us at a nearby inn. Our guards escorted all of us to that inn, a different one than we stayed at last night.
The food was decent, but the place felt cold and hard. Vanity said it was mainly used by the military and held their energy within its walls. Lisa said nothing through the meal. Most of our conversation was mentally conveyed, since talking aloud caused the other patrons to give us nasty looks. Sarah, unfortunately, was left out of our conversation, but she seemed too preoccupied to notice. It wasn't until we got to our rooms that we could talk openly. Lisa still seemed a little afraid of us while Sarah seemed lost in her thoughts. Callie and I approached Sarah.
"Are you alright, Sarah? You seem a little preoccupied or distracted. What's wrong?" Callie asked gently.
"I think I'm sick, " Sarah quietly replied.
"What makes you think that?" I asked.
"My stomach hurts and there... there is blood on my inner thighs." she whispered the last part.
We did not laugh. We asked her if the nuns ever explained moon time to her. She went very pale. She took a step back from us, slowly shaking her head. When she regained her voice, she began loudly shouting reasons and excuses as to why this could not be happening to her. Anna, Gretta, and Lisa ran in from their room to see what all the noise was about. We informed them and told them how freaked Sarah was about it. Sarah finally ran out of breath and slumped onto the bed, sobbing. The rest of us huddled around her to give her comfort. Even Lisa expressed her sympathy. Sarah allowed me to take her to the privy and get her set up. This was when she informed me that the pull of her sword was stronger even though it still felt far away. Vanity confirmed that most guardians were pass their first moon time when bonded with a sword. It was to keep young children from bonding too early. I told this to Sarah. She seemed to understand.
After this minor crisis, we all went to bed.
We arose at dawn and had a simple breakfast. We went outside to get a sense of where to go. Anna had the stone this day. We had walked away from the inn when Anna commented that the stone was hot. She pulled it off and held it by its string. The familiar light was spinning, as if searching. Callie and I stood between it and Sarah to help it focus better. Apparently it helped as a beam of light lanced through the morning air, headed to the south of town. We followed the light right to the edge of town. It went up the wall of a tower into the lookout post.
"Hello, up there! May we speak with you a moment! " I called.
I called twice more before I received an answer.
"What do you want? I am on duty here, protecting the town from raiders, " came back a voice that did not seem right.
"Are you alone? Is there only one up there?" I asked.
"Yes, just me. If it is an emergency, go to the red building on the corner. My commander is in there. I can't leave my post unless he orders it," the voice replied, wavering in pitch and volume.
"Is there a red beam of light touching you but not harming you, positioned over your heart?"
Silence.
"We are the source of that light. It is a way to find our lost sisters. We already know you must be a girl if the light is upon you. Female soldiers are not unfamiliar to us.
Silence.
The five of us stood at the base, looking at each other, not sure what to do next. Above us, we heard hinges creak and saw a door open. A soldier and the beam of light descended the ladder. At the bottom, the soldier's helm was removed to show a girl about our ages yet hardened by her service. The light faded and the stone went cold. She looked at us in shock.
"This is a dream. I have had this dream before. Five sisters claiming I am one of them, taking me to a fantastic place where we are treated like queens. I must be dreaming."
The four of us with swords drew them and saluted her. She fainted. One of her fellow soldiers saw the sight and called for others. We were surrounded, she was picked up, and all of us went to the red building on the corner she had indicated earlier.
Inside, she was placed on a cot and we were marched to another room. An impressively dressed officer sat at a desk. He looked up when we all entered.
"Lieutenant, explain, " his deep voice ordered.
The officer approached him and told him what he had witnessed. The man sitting scowled at us as he listened. Sarah was shaking, but the rest of us met his gaze unwaveringly. The officer finished his tale and returned to his place behind us. The man excused them with a wave of his hand. They left quickly and shut the door behind them.
"What do you want with Lisa?" he said sternly.
We looked at each other, then I began, "Sir, we are the guardians of the Swords of Ancient Power. By their power, we have identified Lisa as one of us, a lost sister. We did not mean for her to faint. We were just introducing ourselves."
I paused for breath, but he held up his hand to stop me. He stood up and came closer to us, towering above all of us and mentally appraising both us and my story.
"Are you telling me that five young girls hold the legendary swords of power?" he asked almost in a condescending tone.
"Actually, we have only four. Sarah has yet to find her's," I replied casually, meeting his gaze and not feeling any fear.
"Show me, " he ordered.
We drew them and held them for his to see. With a warrior's gaze, he appraised each one. After looking at them, he began to talk to us like a father scolding his children.
"You stand before me with these things, claiming they are the Swords of Power? I don't know who sold you these shoddy pieces of junk or from what waste pile you retrieved them , but they have no power whatsoever."
The swords raised from our hands to float between us and him. He seemed unimpressed. We watched them come together and form four sides of an empty space. The commander looked into the space framed by the swords. He pose dropped. An expression of fear formed on his face. He began to physically shake. Callie, Gretta, and Sarah moved as if to see what he was seeing. Anna and I stopped them. We shook our heads and, as we held them, told them that this was for him alone. After a while, the swords separated and returned to our hands. The commander tried to regain his composure, but just fell into his chair.
"I believe you," his commanding voice now shaking as much as his body, " for only those ancient swords could know and show such as I have witnessed. Stay in town today. I will talk with Lisa and prepare her for this new duty. Return here by evening and I will have her ready."
We nodded and sheathed our swords. As we left, the commander stopped me alone. He drew me back into his office.
"I have one request: watch over Lisa. I have not told anyone this, but she is my daughter. I have let her believe that she is an orphan so no one would think I favored her. I have probably been harder on her for that. You seem to be strong in mind and character. Guard and guide her well."
I assured him I would and he let me join the others. We walked pass a still unconscious Lisa, being tended by a nurse.
We spent the day just looking around the town, checking out shops and the like. We did notice that we were being followed. A quick glance revealed that soldiers where keeping a guarded distance, but always in sight of us. We decided not to pay too much attention to them or try to hide from them and let them do their job.
As evening approached, our shadows surrounded us and escorted us back to the command building. Inside, we saw Lisa awake, packed, and ready to go. The commander informed us that rooms and food were waiting for us at a nearby inn. Our guards escorted all of us to that inn, a different one than we stayed at last night.
The food was decent, but the place felt cold and hard. Vanity said it was mainly used by the military and held their energy within its walls. Lisa said nothing through the meal. Most of our conversation was mentally conveyed, since talking aloud caused the other patrons to give us nasty looks. Sarah, unfortunately, was left out of our conversation, but she seemed too preoccupied to notice. It wasn't until we got to our rooms that we could talk openly. Lisa still seemed a little afraid of us while Sarah seemed lost in her thoughts. Callie and I approached Sarah.
"Are you alright, Sarah? You seem a little preoccupied or distracted. What's wrong?" Callie asked gently.
"I think I'm sick, " Sarah quietly replied.
"What makes you think that?" I asked.
"My stomach hurts and there... there is blood on my inner thighs." she whispered the last part.
We did not laugh. We asked her if the nuns ever explained moon time to her. She went very pale. She took a step back from us, slowly shaking her head. When she regained her voice, she began loudly shouting reasons and excuses as to why this could not be happening to her. Anna, Gretta, and Lisa ran in from their room to see what all the noise was about. We informed them and told them how freaked Sarah was about it. Sarah finally ran out of breath and slumped onto the bed, sobbing. The rest of us huddled around her to give her comfort. Even Lisa expressed her sympathy. Sarah allowed me to take her to the privy and get her set up. This was when she informed me that the pull of her sword was stronger even though it still felt far away. Vanity confirmed that most guardians were pass their first moon time when bonded with a sword. It was to keep young children from bonding too early. I told this to Sarah. She seemed to understand.
After this minor crisis, we all went to bed.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Days 14 thru 15
Day 14:
Before dawn, we packed our things and walked Gretta to the eastern edge of town. There stood Uncle, the lady from the inn, a couple of shopkeepers, the tanner, and the constable. Gretta shrank from them a little, knowing that these people had seen her father mistreat her and was afraid they would do the same. The three of us walked away to let Gretta be sent off in traditional style. The shopkeepers provided her with a cloak, two changes of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, a bedroll, lantern, and a small skinning knife. The lady from the inn gave her some travel food and things a woman needs on the road. Uncle and the constable handed her the away money she would need. Just as the tanner started to speak, Gretta's father stumbled around a house.
"There you are, you stupid bitch! Where the hell is my breakfast? You didn't make us dinner last night and your brother cut his hand in the attempt, which would not have happened if you were in your place where you belong. Get you sorry ass back to the house, now!"
The constable stepped between him and Gretta, "She's eighteen, Van. She's been eighteen for five months now. Let her take her journey time."
"Stupid tradition! Didn't do me any good, ended up same place I started. I just saved her sorry hide from doing something stupid, like she is now. Get to the house, bitch, now!"
Vanity was vibrating so hard, I though she would pop out of the sheath. I could see Anna and Callie holding on to Sloth and Wrath as they, too, were vibrating. Gretta looked around at us, her father, the constable, and the others assembled.
She looked back at us and silently mouthed, "What do I do?"
That was all the cue our swords needed. Without us touching them, they shot out of their holders, flew through the air, and stopped inches from Gretta's father. It took a moment for his addled brain to register his predicament. He swatted at the swords, but they did not budge. He looked at the others for an explanation. Finally, his eyes found us. He started barking orders at us.
"Call off your witchery, you little whores. Any bitch who would protect her stupid hide is just as stupid and worthless as she."
I stepped forward, "Let her go on her journey and all will be well. Do not force our hands."
He went to take a step towards me, but Vanity touched her sharp point to his chest. He thought a moment then his eyes rested on Gretta's gifts.
"Pay me for her. Give me that stuff and I will let her go. I should be compensated for the loss of what little work she does around the house."
I guess Gretta finally had enough. She took the skinning knife and slashed at her father. Red stained his shirt collar from the cut near his neck. He looked at her in horror.
"There is your compensation. A small repayment of my pain from your hands, a small token of all the harm you have inflicted upon me. I am going on my journey time, with them and this stuff, and you will not stop me. Do you understand?" Gretta told him with the knife firmly in her hand and pointed at him, a bit of his blood clinging to the edge.
He put his hand to the cut, turned on his heel, and ran for his house. The swords returned to us. We walked over to Gretta and gently pulled the knife from her rigid hand. She let a single silent tear fall before returning to where her new things were lying. The tanner, who had been interrupted, stepped forward.
"I do not know what kind or size of sword you will receive. However, this should hold all but the smallest or largest of swords."
He handed her a belt with a metal ring secured to it. When she took it, he turned to Callie.
"You have nothing but a loop of old leather to hold you sword. This is more fitting."
He gave Callie a sheath and and belt for Wrath. At the open end of the sheath was a flap of leather to guard from the many points on both pommel and hilt. Wrath slid in perfectly. Callie thanked him for the gift.
A little after sunrise, the four of us girls head eastward out of town. We passed within sight of Gretta's old house, but none of us spared a glance in that direction or spoke of that place again.
We traveled easily, chatting and getting acquainted. By nightfall, we were as close as true sisters. While we camped, Gretta wondered about listening to the swords. She waffled between wanting to and not. Finally, she decided not, that she needed a little more time to get use to the idea of talking swords with minds of their own. We settled down to sleep.
Sometime in the night, Vanity woke me up.
"Act as if you are still asleep. There is someone else here."
I lay still and watched a shadow moving around the edge of camp. When it was opposite me, I rolled softly, picked up Vanity, and lay on my stomach. When the shadow came beside me, I lashed out a hand and grabbed an ankle. Whoever it was fell with a thud. I brought Vanity to bear. Apparently, the other swords awoke my sisters and all of us converged on the intruder.
"State your business if you wish to see sunrise." I said forcefully.
From under a much-too-large cloak, a girl about Anna's size peered through the hood.
"D...do not h...hurt me. I am starving. I smelled your food. I meant no harm."
It was Gretta who noticed the stone glowing through the material of Callie's shirt. Pulling it out, a line of light struck the new girl in the chest. She jerked but then realized that it was not hurting her. The rest of us just stood there in wonder at meeting another guardian out in the wilds. I let her go and we re-lit the fire. We gave her some food and asked how she came to be here.
"I have been at a convent all of my life. A week ago, raiders burned it to the ground and took off with some of the nuns and killed the rest. I was out finding berries and bark to make dyes and medicine when I saw the smoke. I found one nun not yet dead. She told me what happened and said to get to our fellow monastery down the road. When I got there, it was burning. I found this cloak and ran. I've been wandering ever since." the girl, Sarah, told us between bites.
We, in turn, explained the swords and our mission. She confirmed the pull from somewhere, but was unsure of the direction, as it felt weak.
Day 15:
Dawn broke as we talked. We broke camp and continued east. Sarah was marginally knowledgeable about medicinal plants, but knew very few for actual food. Our map showed a town not too far. Sarah confirmed that the convent and monastery were half a day's ride from a town. She had avoided it until now out of fear that the raiders were using the town as a base. Gretta's guidance took us pass both burned buildings. Sarah quietly walked by them, a flood of emotions playing across her face. We walked on and off the road as it wound around but we followed Gretta's direct path.
About an hour after mid-day, we turned south towards a thick area of forest. Gretta began the now familiar agitation as her sword was drawing closer and closer. Through the trees, we saw a structure ahead. In a clearing stood a modest cottage. The three of us with swords stopped the other two. They looked at us questioningly.
"Sloth feels magic in this area. We need to be careful," Anna informed them.
We stood outside the barrier and looked at the clearing. Sarah noticed the lack of any leaves, twigs, nuts, stones, or any other piece of debris. The whole area appeared to have been swept clean. As we observed this, someone exited the cottage. We watched this person meticulously examining the ground around the cottage. As this person got closer, we saw it was a man. He jumped when he saw us. He relaxed a bit when he realized we were outside of his barrier.
"Who are you? Why are you here? What do you want?" he quickly asked.
Gretta was the first to answer, "I have come for my sword. It called me to this place," she responded with confidence.
"Sword, sword, sword, my sword, my sword, MY SWORD!" he said rapidly and increasingly louder. He pounded his chest with each word.
"No it isn't," all five of us said in unison.
"My sword! My magic keeps it here. It's mine, mine, MINE!!" he shrieked.
He pulled out a wand and began to cast a spell.
Our swords shot out of their sheaths to point at him.
"I suggest you stop your casting," I said casually.
He looked from sword to sword, not in fear, but with a greedy look in his eyes.
"More, more, more. More swords, my swords, mine, MINE!"
He reached for them and sliced both hands in the attempt. Even with bloody hands and in obvious pain, he still grabbed for them. They moved out of reach but still kept him circled and away from us.
"Go get our brother," Vanity told us.
Grabbing the other two, the three of us headed for the cottage. Other than an unpleasant buzz, we crossed the barrier with no problem. The clean clearing was easily and quickly crossed. The door was not locked. Inside was a shock. Stuff was piled, in some places to the ceiling. Everything was sorted by type; leaves here, twigs over there, nuts along one wall, animal bones piled in a corner. A narrow path worked its way through the house. Gretta looked confused as to which way to go.
"Call to him," I said.
"He will lead you to him," Callie added.
"Trust his lead. He wants to be with you as badly as you want to be with him," Anna told her.
Nodding, she called out, "Sword! Partner! I can't find you! Show me where you are!"
Her head whipped toward our left. Winding our way through the piles of stuff, we found the sword suspended in a cage of light. Gretta nearly cried at the sight. She tried to touch him, but she burned her hands on the cage.
"How do we get him out?" she sobbed.
Even from outside, the swords gave us the knowledge to free their brother. Callie's unique sight let us find the weakest spot on the cage. Grabbing a long bone from a pile, we wedged it into that spot. Anna began a spell drawing the light into the bone. I was able to see the energy fluctuate and told Gretta when to reach for her sword. She quickly grabbed it at my instruction. She grabbed it so fast, she scratched herself on one of its many gems. I held the bloody finger to the sword. Gretta looked at me strangely until the connection clicked. She smiled so broadly that anyone else would have wondered about her sanity.
"Free! Finally, I am free! He tricked my last guardian. He claimed both she and I would be safe here. After putting me in there, he killed her. That cage kept me from sensing anything after her death. Your voice is the only sound I have heard in over fifty years."
The other swords floated in and we took them in hand. The man ran in after them, sweating heavily and hands still bleeding. He saw the empty cage and screamed. He saw Gretta holding it and lunged for her. He stopped when four swords came to bear on him. He tried to speak but could not find the words. Instructions flashed through our minds. As one, four swords touched his head. A brief light washed over him. We saw the sanity return to his eyes. He looked at his home.
"What have I done? All for a sword I killed to get and more craziness to keep it. I am sorry for what I did to your other guardian. I do not know how to make amends."
Words batted around our heads. Finally, I said, "Your years of torture, we conclude, is adequate punishment for your crime. We will take our leave now, with Greed."
"That is Greed? The Greed? No wonder I was so obsessed! Here, something I can give you," he went into another room. He returned with a sheath as gem encrusted as Greed.
"This was his former guardian's. It is only fair that you should have it, too."
Gretta slid Greed into his sheath and worked her belt into it. He rode easily on her hip.
"Thank you. That showed a lot of character. I appreciate this very much," Gretta replied.
In about an hour, we left Mattis' house with Greed, his sheath, and a bag of coins for Sarah. Mattis pointed us in the quickest way to the nearest town. He expressed his sorrow over the loss of the convent and monastery.
We made it to town before nightfall. Inns were plentiful and we chose one that sounded safe. I and Sarah separated from the others to get her some gear. With my sight, I was able to find honest shops with good supplies. One shopkeeper recognized Sarah from the convent and relayed his sympathy for that awful event. He threw in some extra for her.
We met up with the others. Callie and Gretta both appraised and approved of our purchases. Gretta was revelling in her new ability and the loving presence of Greed and the other swords. She said she was glad for waiting to be joined and felt she would have been uncomfortable hearing the swords without being connected.
Sarah said her's must still be far away as the pull was barely there. She wondered as to which was her's.
"Vanity, Sloth, Wrath, and now Greed. That leaves Envy, Lust, and Gluttony. What do you know about them?"
"Envy and Lust are female and Gluttony is the last male," Vanity informed us. We told Sarah.
"Hm, I'm worried. I do not know if I am ready for this. I am only fifteen, not ready for my journey time."
"The stone pointed to you . You have four sisters to aid you. We are here as well." Sloth assured her through Anna.
Sarah nodded and seemed a bit more relaxed. We finished our meal, got a room, and slept very well.
Before dawn, we packed our things and walked Gretta to the eastern edge of town. There stood Uncle, the lady from the inn, a couple of shopkeepers, the tanner, and the constable. Gretta shrank from them a little, knowing that these people had seen her father mistreat her and was afraid they would do the same. The three of us walked away to let Gretta be sent off in traditional style. The shopkeepers provided her with a cloak, two changes of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, a bedroll, lantern, and a small skinning knife. The lady from the inn gave her some travel food and things a woman needs on the road. Uncle and the constable handed her the away money she would need. Just as the tanner started to speak, Gretta's father stumbled around a house.
"There you are, you stupid bitch! Where the hell is my breakfast? You didn't make us dinner last night and your brother cut his hand in the attempt, which would not have happened if you were in your place where you belong. Get you sorry ass back to the house, now!"
The constable stepped between him and Gretta, "She's eighteen, Van. She's been eighteen for five months now. Let her take her journey time."
"Stupid tradition! Didn't do me any good, ended up same place I started. I just saved her sorry hide from doing something stupid, like she is now. Get to the house, bitch, now!"
Vanity was vibrating so hard, I though she would pop out of the sheath. I could see Anna and Callie holding on to Sloth and Wrath as they, too, were vibrating. Gretta looked around at us, her father, the constable, and the others assembled.
She looked back at us and silently mouthed, "What do I do?"
That was all the cue our swords needed. Without us touching them, they shot out of their holders, flew through the air, and stopped inches from Gretta's father. It took a moment for his addled brain to register his predicament. He swatted at the swords, but they did not budge. He looked at the others for an explanation. Finally, his eyes found us. He started barking orders at us.
"Call off your witchery, you little whores. Any bitch who would protect her stupid hide is just as stupid and worthless as she."
I stepped forward, "Let her go on her journey and all will be well. Do not force our hands."
He went to take a step towards me, but Vanity touched her sharp point to his chest. He thought a moment then his eyes rested on Gretta's gifts.
"Pay me for her. Give me that stuff and I will let her go. I should be compensated for the loss of what little work she does around the house."
I guess Gretta finally had enough. She took the skinning knife and slashed at her father. Red stained his shirt collar from the cut near his neck. He looked at her in horror.
"There is your compensation. A small repayment of my pain from your hands, a small token of all the harm you have inflicted upon me. I am going on my journey time, with them and this stuff, and you will not stop me. Do you understand?" Gretta told him with the knife firmly in her hand and pointed at him, a bit of his blood clinging to the edge.
He put his hand to the cut, turned on his heel, and ran for his house. The swords returned to us. We walked over to Gretta and gently pulled the knife from her rigid hand. She let a single silent tear fall before returning to where her new things were lying. The tanner, who had been interrupted, stepped forward.
"I do not know what kind or size of sword you will receive. However, this should hold all but the smallest or largest of swords."
He handed her a belt with a metal ring secured to it. When she took it, he turned to Callie.
"You have nothing but a loop of old leather to hold you sword. This is more fitting."
He gave Callie a sheath and and belt for Wrath. At the open end of the sheath was a flap of leather to guard from the many points on both pommel and hilt. Wrath slid in perfectly. Callie thanked him for the gift.
A little after sunrise, the four of us girls head eastward out of town. We passed within sight of Gretta's old house, but none of us spared a glance in that direction or spoke of that place again.
We traveled easily, chatting and getting acquainted. By nightfall, we were as close as true sisters. While we camped, Gretta wondered about listening to the swords. She waffled between wanting to and not. Finally, she decided not, that she needed a little more time to get use to the idea of talking swords with minds of their own. We settled down to sleep.
Sometime in the night, Vanity woke me up.
"Act as if you are still asleep. There is someone else here."
I lay still and watched a shadow moving around the edge of camp. When it was opposite me, I rolled softly, picked up Vanity, and lay on my stomach. When the shadow came beside me, I lashed out a hand and grabbed an ankle. Whoever it was fell with a thud. I brought Vanity to bear. Apparently, the other swords awoke my sisters and all of us converged on the intruder.
"State your business if you wish to see sunrise." I said forcefully.
From under a much-too-large cloak, a girl about Anna's size peered through the hood.
"D...do not h...hurt me. I am starving. I smelled your food. I meant no harm."
It was Gretta who noticed the stone glowing through the material of Callie's shirt. Pulling it out, a line of light struck the new girl in the chest. She jerked but then realized that it was not hurting her. The rest of us just stood there in wonder at meeting another guardian out in the wilds. I let her go and we re-lit the fire. We gave her some food and asked how she came to be here.
"I have been at a convent all of my life. A week ago, raiders burned it to the ground and took off with some of the nuns and killed the rest. I was out finding berries and bark to make dyes and medicine when I saw the smoke. I found one nun not yet dead. She told me what happened and said to get to our fellow monastery down the road. When I got there, it was burning. I found this cloak and ran. I've been wandering ever since." the girl, Sarah, told us between bites.
We, in turn, explained the swords and our mission. She confirmed the pull from somewhere, but was unsure of the direction, as it felt weak.
Day 15:
Dawn broke as we talked. We broke camp and continued east. Sarah was marginally knowledgeable about medicinal plants, but knew very few for actual food. Our map showed a town not too far. Sarah confirmed that the convent and monastery were half a day's ride from a town. She had avoided it until now out of fear that the raiders were using the town as a base. Gretta's guidance took us pass both burned buildings. Sarah quietly walked by them, a flood of emotions playing across her face. We walked on and off the road as it wound around but we followed Gretta's direct path.
About an hour after mid-day, we turned south towards a thick area of forest. Gretta began the now familiar agitation as her sword was drawing closer and closer. Through the trees, we saw a structure ahead. In a clearing stood a modest cottage. The three of us with swords stopped the other two. They looked at us questioningly.
"Sloth feels magic in this area. We need to be careful," Anna informed them.
We stood outside the barrier and looked at the clearing. Sarah noticed the lack of any leaves, twigs, nuts, stones, or any other piece of debris. The whole area appeared to have been swept clean. As we observed this, someone exited the cottage. We watched this person meticulously examining the ground around the cottage. As this person got closer, we saw it was a man. He jumped when he saw us. He relaxed a bit when he realized we were outside of his barrier.
"Who are you? Why are you here? What do you want?" he quickly asked.
Gretta was the first to answer, "I have come for my sword. It called me to this place," she responded with confidence.
"Sword, sword, sword, my sword, my sword, MY SWORD!" he said rapidly and increasingly louder. He pounded his chest with each word.
"No it isn't," all five of us said in unison.
"My sword! My magic keeps it here. It's mine, mine, MINE!!" he shrieked.
He pulled out a wand and began to cast a spell.
Our swords shot out of their sheaths to point at him.
"I suggest you stop your casting," I said casually.
He looked from sword to sword, not in fear, but with a greedy look in his eyes.
"More, more, more. More swords, my swords, mine, MINE!"
He reached for them and sliced both hands in the attempt. Even with bloody hands and in obvious pain, he still grabbed for them. They moved out of reach but still kept him circled and away from us.
"Go get our brother," Vanity told us.
Grabbing the other two, the three of us headed for the cottage. Other than an unpleasant buzz, we crossed the barrier with no problem. The clean clearing was easily and quickly crossed. The door was not locked. Inside was a shock. Stuff was piled, in some places to the ceiling. Everything was sorted by type; leaves here, twigs over there, nuts along one wall, animal bones piled in a corner. A narrow path worked its way through the house. Gretta looked confused as to which way to go.
"Call to him," I said.
"He will lead you to him," Callie added.
"Trust his lead. He wants to be with you as badly as you want to be with him," Anna told her.
Nodding, she called out, "Sword! Partner! I can't find you! Show me where you are!"
Her head whipped toward our left. Winding our way through the piles of stuff, we found the sword suspended in a cage of light. Gretta nearly cried at the sight. She tried to touch him, but she burned her hands on the cage.
"How do we get him out?" she sobbed.
Even from outside, the swords gave us the knowledge to free their brother. Callie's unique sight let us find the weakest spot on the cage. Grabbing a long bone from a pile, we wedged it into that spot. Anna began a spell drawing the light into the bone. I was able to see the energy fluctuate and told Gretta when to reach for her sword. She quickly grabbed it at my instruction. She grabbed it so fast, she scratched herself on one of its many gems. I held the bloody finger to the sword. Gretta looked at me strangely until the connection clicked. She smiled so broadly that anyone else would have wondered about her sanity.
"Free! Finally, I am free! He tricked my last guardian. He claimed both she and I would be safe here. After putting me in there, he killed her. That cage kept me from sensing anything after her death. Your voice is the only sound I have heard in over fifty years."
The other swords floated in and we took them in hand. The man ran in after them, sweating heavily and hands still bleeding. He saw the empty cage and screamed. He saw Gretta holding it and lunged for her. He stopped when four swords came to bear on him. He tried to speak but could not find the words. Instructions flashed through our minds. As one, four swords touched his head. A brief light washed over him. We saw the sanity return to his eyes. He looked at his home.
"What have I done? All for a sword I killed to get and more craziness to keep it. I am sorry for what I did to your other guardian. I do not know how to make amends."
Words batted around our heads. Finally, I said, "Your years of torture, we conclude, is adequate punishment for your crime. We will take our leave now, with Greed."
"That is Greed? The Greed? No wonder I was so obsessed! Here, something I can give you," he went into another room. He returned with a sheath as gem encrusted as Greed.
"This was his former guardian's. It is only fair that you should have it, too."
Gretta slid Greed into his sheath and worked her belt into it. He rode easily on her hip.
"Thank you. That showed a lot of character. I appreciate this very much," Gretta replied.
In about an hour, we left Mattis' house with Greed, his sheath, and a bag of coins for Sarah. Mattis pointed us in the quickest way to the nearest town. He expressed his sorrow over the loss of the convent and monastery.
We made it to town before nightfall. Inns were plentiful and we chose one that sounded safe. I and Sarah separated from the others to get her some gear. With my sight, I was able to find honest shops with good supplies. One shopkeeper recognized Sarah from the convent and relayed his sympathy for that awful event. He threw in some extra for her.
We met up with the others. Callie and Gretta both appraised and approved of our purchases. Gretta was revelling in her new ability and the loving presence of Greed and the other swords. She said she was glad for waiting to be joined and felt she would have been uncomfortable hearing the swords without being connected.
Sarah said her's must still be far away as the pull was barely there. She wondered as to which was her's.
"Vanity, Sloth, Wrath, and now Greed. That leaves Envy, Lust, and Gluttony. What do you know about them?"
"Envy and Lust are female and Gluttony is the last male," Vanity informed us. We told Sarah.
"Hm, I'm worried. I do not know if I am ready for this. I am only fifteen, not ready for my journey time."
"The stone pointed to you . You have four sisters to aid you. We are here as well." Sloth assured her through Anna.
Sarah nodded and seemed a bit more relaxed. We finished our meal, got a room, and slept very well.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Days 11 thru 13
Day 11:In the morning, we were treated to a large breakfast and two unusual gifts. A local weapons smith had seen Sloth and Vanity in their make-shift slings and decided that they would not do. While I was singing, he mentally measured both swords and us and made two sheaths, a belt and a baldric to hold them. He had a good eye. Sloth and Vanity slid snugly into the sheaths while the belt fit me perfectly and Anna strapped into the baldric with little difficulty considering she had never worn such a thing before. Callie said, when we found her sword, we may have to come back to get her's fitted.
We left town heading west. Apparently, Callie's sword was still aways off as she seemed calm and did not run or get far ahead of us. We continued on the road until it turned back north. Without pausing, Callie walked off the road and continued west. Looking at the map, we saw a valley directly ahead. The road we had followed went into the valley, but it would have added a day or two to our search.
About three hours before sunset, we were standing on a hill overlooking the valley. Callie went from calm to agitated as soon as we topped the hill. Sloth commented that there was a barrier around this place that had suppressed the sword's magic and made it feel far away. We continued over the hill and into the valley. The village lay almost dead center of this area, but that was not our destination. Callie led us west of the town towards a waterfall. At sunset, we were standing at its base. Callie was so worked up, we had to hold her to keep her from blindly walking around in the dark. We built a fire and lit our lanterns. Callie was turning this way and that, trying to find her sword. I took her by the shoulders, looked right in her face, and told her it was time to call for it. It took a moment for her to register my words. Finally, she nodded. I let go and she called for it.
"Ancient sword! Power sword! I am here! Lead me to you!"
Her head snapped towards the waterfall. With care, we found a way behind the water into a cave. We gingerly stepped around and over rocks, broken objects, and a few skeletons, I think. We reached the back of the cave and saw both the sword and why it was still here.
A dragon lay sleeping but Callie's sword was stuck in its leg. With care, we eased up to it. Callie grasped the handle of the sword and slowly drew it out. Just as the tip cleared hide, the dragon awoke. Frightened, the three of us scurried to the wall of the cave. We watched the dragon inspect the place where the sword had been, lick it a few times, then turned its massive head to look at us. Seeing Callie with the sword, it directed its question to her.
"You are the guardian of that sword?" it rumbled.
"Y...yes," Callie stammered, the sword shaking in her hands.
Looking at all of us, it asked, "You are all guardians, each with a sword?"
We nodded and confirmed that was so.
The dragon laid back down and sighed, "That sword has been an irritation for a long time. I could not remove it no matter how I tried. I suspected that, since a guardian put it there, only a guardian could remove it. The barrier you crossed was to keep any guardians from finding it, placed there by the last one's enemy. She impaled me with it to keep him from getting it, a desperate act before she died. So, may I know which one was a literal thorn in my side?"In unison, we replied, "Wrath."
The dragon nodded, "Makes sense, with it burning and shaking every so often."
"I was responding to the lives and deaths of my would-be guardians," Wrath said in our minds.
"He was reacting to his far away guardians," Callie informed the dragon.
"Even so far, still sensing those to whom he should have been paired, interesting," the dragon settled as if to return to sleep, "You can stay the night in here or return to your camp. I do not have anything to offer humans other than a secure place to sleep."
Callie looked around, "This would be better than outside, less chance of unwanted company."
Anna and I went back to get our things and put out the fire while Callie and Wrath got acquainted. Anna asked me if I was surprised.
"Not really, Callie hardly gets mad. Even when she does, it is short-lived. She has always been a very easy-going person."
Anna nodded and we returned.
While we were out, Callie had cut herself on one of Wrath's many points. We felt the click of connection even half-way in the cave. She told us she didn't do it on purpose. We all laughed at the sheer emotion of her denial, even the dragon, who introduced himself as Mars-in-Leo, but we could just call him Leo. All of us, Wrath included, assured her that it was fine. Now all three humans could clearly hear all three swords. Leo found Wrath's old sheath and belt, but they were too deteriorated to be of any use. A search among the newer items of the cave revealed a belt still in decent shape. After a bit of fumbling and cutting, it worked well enough.
Before going to sleep, Anna reminded us that her uncle wanted to see the swords. We plotted the best route to get there then went to sleep.
Day 12:We awoke to a light breeze pulling at our hair. After a moment, we realized we were not in the cave anymore. All of our stuff was with us, but we were not where we had slept. Leo stood aways from us with a strange smile on his face.
"I saw where you were headed. I cast a spell to deepen your slumber, gathered you and your things, and flew you here. The village you were going to is a mile east. Consider it repayment for freeing me of that sword."
We thanked him and watched him fly off. Gathering our gear, we made out way back to Anna's uncle.
As we made our way through town, we watched the muted effects of our swords; small squabbles over who was best that simply quit for lack of energy. We reached Anna's uncle's house and was very warmly received.
"Girls! You're back so soon! Inside, please, we have much to talk about."
He ushered us inside. Once we got settled, he began questioning us. We laid Vanity, Sloth, and Wrath on the table for him to see. He tried to move them so as to look at all sides, but they behaved as if secured to the table. He tries several times before we started laughing.
"Something amusing here?" he asked, annoyed.
"Uncle, " Anna began as she easily picked up Sloth, "these swords belong to us in more ways than you can imagine. No one else can use them. If we didn't trust you, you couldn't even touch them."
Uncle nodded his head, then asked, "Is it true about the spirits? Does each sword have an entity?"
A quick mental conversation went between the six of us. We picked up our swords an motioned for Uncle to sit with us. We closed our eyes. That's when something amazing happened. We opened our eyes and spoke.
"Hello, Uncle, I am Vanity." she said out of my mouth.
"I am Sloth," a deep male voice sounded out of Anna's small frame.
"I am Wrath," a commanding male voice spoke through Callie's cheerful face.
Uncle was taken back. At first he thought we were joking around. Once he realized we were not, he launched into a barrage of questions. Most of them were misunderstandings of their abilities and their guardian gifts. We showed him the stone we had made to find others. The conversation continued until the house started getting dark. When it was evident that night was falling, our swords returned to themselves and we to ourselves. We informed Uncle that we had heard the entire conversation.
Uncle made a quick supper and, afterward, we all went to bed.
Day 13:
We sat around the table having breakfast and wondering where to go next. Since finding a sword without a guardian would be pointless, we discussed how to go about finding another guardian. We laid the stone in the center of the table. We made a triangle around it with the swords and laid our hands where each touched the other. Sloth and Anna began a chant. The rest of us joined in after they had repeated it a few times. The stone lifted off the table to eye level. It began to spin, gaining speed. A light formed inside it. All at once, it stopped and this light shot out from it. We saw it pass through the wall. Outside, it continued arrow-straight towards the eastern edge of town. Swords and stone in hand, we followed the light to a lone house outside of the town on the east. It pointed right at the plain wood door of a poor-looking house. Before we could wonder, a girl was pushed out of the door. An older man came charging behind her.
"Get out of here, you crazy bitch! I'm tired of this 'I have a destiny' crap. Get out of my sight before I kill you!"
He stormed back inside and slammed the simple door.
The stone glowed and pulsed, brighter and harder each step we took towards her. As she sat where she had landed, I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She jumped and tried to crawl away until she looked at me.
"You! I know you!" She looked at the other two, "And you two! I've seen you in my dreams. Have... have you...?"
"Yes," I began, "we have come for you to find your sword of power. You are a guardian and our sister. Get out of the dirt so we can get this task underway."
She scrambled to her feet and dusted herself off, "My name is Gretta."
We introduced ourselves and the swords. Gretta was ecstatic. She rambled about how she always felt drawn to something, but didn't know what and how it hurt to walk in the opposite direction. We let her talk, as it seemed she needed to express all these penned up emotions. We returned to Uncle's house.
He had just started looking for us since we left all of our gear. Looking at our things, Gretta's mood fell. She almost shrank into herself.
"What's wrong, Gretta?" Callie asked in concern.
We all looked at her curiously.
"I have nothing, " she began to cry, "My father just kicked me out with no away money, no change of clothes, not even a cloak for cold weather. Compared to me, you three are rich." Her voice broke into sobs.
As Gretta cried, the three of us huddled together with Uncle. We counted out our money and asked Uncle about the cost to get Gretta marginally outfitted. He told us to keep our money for now. He had friends who would follow tradition and see that she had things for her journey time. We consoled Gretta while he went out.
Gretta poured out her life story. Her mother died when Gretta was young, leaving her to take over the woman's duties of the house. She told how her father had been mean to her all of her life, taking anything she was given for himself or her three brothers, two older and one younger. By this time, her older brothers were married and moved away. Her youngest brother spent a lot of time away from the house. This left her to face her father alone. This was not the first time he had told her to never come back. Before, she would hide in the barn or shed until he sent her brother to find her. They would reconcile, live peacefully for a while, but it would always start up again at some small infraction on her part.
Uncle was gone for most of the day. He returned with a big smile on his face.
"Gretta, tomorrow morning we will send you off in traditional fashion. I have a spare mattress for you tonight."
Gretta launched into a fresh round of weeping, but these were tears of happiness. A lady from the inn brought over a sending off meal for us that night. We ate and discussed the route to take. Gretta said she felt she was being pulled east. We let Uncle know that we would be taking the eastern road out of town. Gretta shifted in her bed, still worried that she might be kicked out in the middle of the night. We assured her that we were now together for as long as we all still lived. She sighed deeply and settled into sleep.
We left town heading west. Apparently, Callie's sword was still aways off as she seemed calm and did not run or get far ahead of us. We continued on the road until it turned back north. Without pausing, Callie walked off the road and continued west. Looking at the map, we saw a valley directly ahead. The road we had followed went into the valley, but it would have added a day or two to our search.
About three hours before sunset, we were standing on a hill overlooking the valley. Callie went from calm to agitated as soon as we topped the hill. Sloth commented that there was a barrier around this place that had suppressed the sword's magic and made it feel far away. We continued over the hill and into the valley. The village lay almost dead center of this area, but that was not our destination. Callie led us west of the town towards a waterfall. At sunset, we were standing at its base. Callie was so worked up, we had to hold her to keep her from blindly walking around in the dark. We built a fire and lit our lanterns. Callie was turning this way and that, trying to find her sword. I took her by the shoulders, looked right in her face, and told her it was time to call for it. It took a moment for her to register my words. Finally, she nodded. I let go and she called for it.
"Ancient sword! Power sword! I am here! Lead me to you!"
Her head snapped towards the waterfall. With care, we found a way behind the water into a cave. We gingerly stepped around and over rocks, broken objects, and a few skeletons, I think. We reached the back of the cave and saw both the sword and why it was still here.
A dragon lay sleeping but Callie's sword was stuck in its leg. With care, we eased up to it. Callie grasped the handle of the sword and slowly drew it out. Just as the tip cleared hide, the dragon awoke. Frightened, the three of us scurried to the wall of the cave. We watched the dragon inspect the place where the sword had been, lick it a few times, then turned its massive head to look at us. Seeing Callie with the sword, it directed its question to her.
"You are the guardian of that sword?" it rumbled.
"Y...yes," Callie stammered, the sword shaking in her hands.
Looking at all of us, it asked, "You are all guardians, each with a sword?"
We nodded and confirmed that was so.
The dragon laid back down and sighed, "That sword has been an irritation for a long time. I could not remove it no matter how I tried. I suspected that, since a guardian put it there, only a guardian could remove it. The barrier you crossed was to keep any guardians from finding it, placed there by the last one's enemy. She impaled me with it to keep him from getting it, a desperate act before she died. So, may I know which one was a literal thorn in my side?"In unison, we replied, "Wrath."
The dragon nodded, "Makes sense, with it burning and shaking every so often."
"I was responding to the lives and deaths of my would-be guardians," Wrath said in our minds.
"He was reacting to his far away guardians," Callie informed the dragon.
"Even so far, still sensing those to whom he should have been paired, interesting," the dragon settled as if to return to sleep, "You can stay the night in here or return to your camp. I do not have anything to offer humans other than a secure place to sleep."
Callie looked around, "This would be better than outside, less chance of unwanted company."
Anna and I went back to get our things and put out the fire while Callie and Wrath got acquainted. Anna asked me if I was surprised.
"Not really, Callie hardly gets mad. Even when she does, it is short-lived. She has always been a very easy-going person."
Anna nodded and we returned.
While we were out, Callie had cut herself on one of Wrath's many points. We felt the click of connection even half-way in the cave. She told us she didn't do it on purpose. We all laughed at the sheer emotion of her denial, even the dragon, who introduced himself as Mars-in-Leo, but we could just call him Leo. All of us, Wrath included, assured her that it was fine. Now all three humans could clearly hear all three swords. Leo found Wrath's old sheath and belt, but they were too deteriorated to be of any use. A search among the newer items of the cave revealed a belt still in decent shape. After a bit of fumbling and cutting, it worked well enough.
Before going to sleep, Anna reminded us that her uncle wanted to see the swords. We plotted the best route to get there then went to sleep.
Day 12:We awoke to a light breeze pulling at our hair. After a moment, we realized we were not in the cave anymore. All of our stuff was with us, but we were not where we had slept. Leo stood aways from us with a strange smile on his face.
"I saw where you were headed. I cast a spell to deepen your slumber, gathered you and your things, and flew you here. The village you were going to is a mile east. Consider it repayment for freeing me of that sword."
We thanked him and watched him fly off. Gathering our gear, we made out way back to Anna's uncle.
As we made our way through town, we watched the muted effects of our swords; small squabbles over who was best that simply quit for lack of energy. We reached Anna's uncle's house and was very warmly received.
"Girls! You're back so soon! Inside, please, we have much to talk about."
He ushered us inside. Once we got settled, he began questioning us. We laid Vanity, Sloth, and Wrath on the table for him to see. He tried to move them so as to look at all sides, but they behaved as if secured to the table. He tries several times before we started laughing.
"Something amusing here?" he asked, annoyed.
"Uncle, " Anna began as she easily picked up Sloth, "these swords belong to us in more ways than you can imagine. No one else can use them. If we didn't trust you, you couldn't even touch them."
Uncle nodded his head, then asked, "Is it true about the spirits? Does each sword have an entity?"
A quick mental conversation went between the six of us. We picked up our swords an motioned for Uncle to sit with us. We closed our eyes. That's when something amazing happened. We opened our eyes and spoke.
"Hello, Uncle, I am Vanity." she said out of my mouth.
"I am Sloth," a deep male voice sounded out of Anna's small frame.
"I am Wrath," a commanding male voice spoke through Callie's cheerful face.
Uncle was taken back. At first he thought we were joking around. Once he realized we were not, he launched into a barrage of questions. Most of them were misunderstandings of their abilities and their guardian gifts. We showed him the stone we had made to find others. The conversation continued until the house started getting dark. When it was evident that night was falling, our swords returned to themselves and we to ourselves. We informed Uncle that we had heard the entire conversation.
Uncle made a quick supper and, afterward, we all went to bed.
Day 13:
We sat around the table having breakfast and wondering where to go next. Since finding a sword without a guardian would be pointless, we discussed how to go about finding another guardian. We laid the stone in the center of the table. We made a triangle around it with the swords and laid our hands where each touched the other. Sloth and Anna began a chant. The rest of us joined in after they had repeated it a few times. The stone lifted off the table to eye level. It began to spin, gaining speed. A light formed inside it. All at once, it stopped and this light shot out from it. We saw it pass through the wall. Outside, it continued arrow-straight towards the eastern edge of town. Swords and stone in hand, we followed the light to a lone house outside of the town on the east. It pointed right at the plain wood door of a poor-looking house. Before we could wonder, a girl was pushed out of the door. An older man came charging behind her.
"Get out of here, you crazy bitch! I'm tired of this 'I have a destiny' crap. Get out of my sight before I kill you!"
He stormed back inside and slammed the simple door.
The stone glowed and pulsed, brighter and harder each step we took towards her. As she sat where she had landed, I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She jumped and tried to crawl away until she looked at me.
"You! I know you!" She looked at the other two, "And you two! I've seen you in my dreams. Have... have you...?"
"Yes," I began, "we have come for you to find your sword of power. You are a guardian and our sister. Get out of the dirt so we can get this task underway."
She scrambled to her feet and dusted herself off, "My name is Gretta."
We introduced ourselves and the swords. Gretta was ecstatic. She rambled about how she always felt drawn to something, but didn't know what and how it hurt to walk in the opposite direction. We let her talk, as it seemed she needed to express all these penned up emotions. We returned to Uncle's house.
He had just started looking for us since we left all of our gear. Looking at our things, Gretta's mood fell. She almost shrank into herself.
"What's wrong, Gretta?" Callie asked in concern.
We all looked at her curiously.
"I have nothing, " she began to cry, "My father just kicked me out with no away money, no change of clothes, not even a cloak for cold weather. Compared to me, you three are rich." Her voice broke into sobs.
As Gretta cried, the three of us huddled together with Uncle. We counted out our money and asked Uncle about the cost to get Gretta marginally outfitted. He told us to keep our money for now. He had friends who would follow tradition and see that she had things for her journey time. We consoled Gretta while he went out.
Gretta poured out her life story. Her mother died when Gretta was young, leaving her to take over the woman's duties of the house. She told how her father had been mean to her all of her life, taking anything she was given for himself or her three brothers, two older and one younger. By this time, her older brothers were married and moved away. Her youngest brother spent a lot of time away from the house. This left her to face her father alone. This was not the first time he had told her to never come back. Before, she would hide in the barn or shed until he sent her brother to find her. They would reconcile, live peacefully for a while, but it would always start up again at some small infraction on her part.
Uncle was gone for most of the day. He returned with a big smile on his face.
"Gretta, tomorrow morning we will send you off in traditional fashion. I have a spare mattress for you tonight."
Gretta launched into a fresh round of weeping, but these were tears of happiness. A lady from the inn brought over a sending off meal for us that night. We ate and discussed the route to take. Gretta said she felt she was being pulled east. We let Uncle know that we would be taking the eastern road out of town. Gretta shifted in her bed, still worried that she might be kicked out in the middle of the night. We assured her that we were now together for as long as we all still lived. She sighed deeply and settled into sleep.
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