A Legendary Blade

After we disengaged, I went back to the stone table to collect my batons and to examine the extra blade that lay there.

Once the batons were securely in place in their special drop down holsters strapped on the inside of each forearm, I turned my attention to this curious, long sword.

I placed one hand on the hilt and the other on the sheath near the base of the blade. Unsure of the origin of the blade, I opened my Spirit sight to see what I could glean from that. Nothing of interest.

Shifting back to normal sight, I picked it up, still sheathed and brought the hilt close for a quick visual inspection. The hilt was long enough for two hands, but the blade was easily light enough to be wielded with one hand. The crossguard and the pommel were of plain, unadorned silvered steel, while the hilt was wrapped in plain brown leather. Nothing spectacular, but plainly meant to be a very serviceable weapon.

I then drew the blade in one smooth motion, which made a very satisfying, almost singing sound as it emerged into the light. At first the blade seemed rather plain, absent of any ornamentation or etchings, but light seemed to gather around the blade, causing it to glow slightly. The whole blade seemed to hum in my hand, like it was very glad to be free from its own prison.

In my head, I heard the familiar voice of the elven woman, her voice piercing through my very being again as it had not so long ago.

*This blade is my final gift to you. It was given to me for safekeeping by your vanquished foe, in another place, a long time ago as you mortals deem it.*

“Drake had this blade and gave it to you?”

*Yes, he was afraid of this weapon but could not destroy it, so he brought it to a place where he knew it would be kept hidden.*

“It seems familiar. I feel like I should know its name.”

*It has many names, but one more is well known than the others.*

“Excalibur...?”

*Yes, that is one of its names. It is time for this blade to be of use again, but not in the same way it did in the past. You should beware, this blade knows no equal, but it will not allow itself to shed to the blood of innocents. Any attempts to do so will be at your own peril.*

“I would never...”

*You may not intend to shed the blood of an innocent, but it will make its own judgement of your foe. You will not be warned, for this blade does not communicate with its bearer like your last weapon. This sword answers only to a Higher Power. Use it wisely, or not at all. I must take my leave.*

“Wait, what else can you tell me of this weapon?”

Silence.

I looked from the glowing blade to see the three women staring at me with varying looks of awe, consternation and amusement on their faces.

The Frau, as usual, was the first to break the uncomfortable silence, chuckling as she spoke. “It would seem, Rusty my boy, that the Lady is fond of you.”

I looked from the Frau to Cerrydwen, confused. “Wait a minute, did you hear her also as she spoke to me?”

Cerrydwen nodded.

The Frau chuckled again. “I don’t know, but if the Lady feels that you need that weapon, then I have a feeling that things are going to get pretty rough again.”

I looked at the still glowing blade in my hand. “Wow, who would have thought that Excalibur was actually real?”

Cerrydwen shook her head and replied. “Who would’ve thought that it was Drake who had taken Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake in the first place? There are so many questions that we don’t have answers to. Let’s hope we can find the answers to some of them before its too late.”

Feeling almost sorry to have to do it, I sheathed the blade. “We should get going soon. I don’t think your Lady wants us hanging around here much longer. Naomi, can you walk?”

Nodding her head, she began to stand up with the Frau lending some assistance. “Yeah, I think so.”

Once she was up, she was able to walk on her own after a few shaky steps.

The Frau gathered up her cane, grabbed the two sticks with the cooked hare on them, muttering under her breath as she toddled off toward the beach. “Waste not, want not.”