Chronicles of a Sword (Chapter IV – Unexpected twists)

I ran for hours. I know the surroundings here like few do, yet I wanted to put some distance to the settlement and silence my yelling contradictory thoughts. Most probably no one will find me unless I chose to allow it. I look critic to the path behind me and no, I did no mistake.

“What am I to do with you??”

I look at the shining steel in my hand. I would need a sheath for this beauty. It was not the best moment to ask Teremonth for the sheath too. It happened so fast. Teremonth’s obstinate and arrogant decision he would destroy the sword and my own not to allow this. I accepted him as a guardian of it not as its judge. And Reiven’s attempts to calm us both.

Reiven says, 'We will meet Lord Cirdamir.. and Lord Anglachelm..'

And then he braved, all-knowing and arrogant: 'It seems that the one who tries to help someone is considered a betrayer and a fool. Then take it and strike me with it if.. ' and I did not hear what he continued to say, nor I cared.. for he was unsheathing the sword and giving it to me, hilt forward. I was not going to have another occasion like this! And I wanted time to decide! I took the sword without hesitation. They both froze as expecting some disaster to happen as my fingers griped the silvery hilt tightly and got hold of the weapon. Teremonth must have instinctively let go the blade, a well learned gesture any weapon wielder comes to earn. I turned and walked out, in disbelief it is so simple, my step calm as a still water, my heart beating loud in my ears and each second looking to be an hour.

None of them tried to stop me. But it was not going to last. I started to ran the moment the door closed behind me, taking the longest and least probable path and changing it randomly at each choice, only aim towards the outside of the settlement. Never take the best road. For it is the most obvious. Never leave a mark, for someone might still by chance follow your road. Never stop before you are sure. And then check twice.

I smiled. I was good at this. It was once a child’s game and a later a trained skill. I was not to be less vigilant but I was far enough. I looked again at the sword, it was easy in my hand and beautiful. It crossed my mind I never liked swords and found them too heavy. I thrust the air testing it. It was heavy. But I had no intention of using it to fight. Actually what do I intend to do with it? I have no idea. I just could not see it destroyed, not like this, not by someone who had no right to judge it.

I avoided betraying a memory yet I did betray something. I promised Cirdamir once I will not run away again to any danger denying him any possibility to join me. But I am in no danger. And I will make a decision soon. I run my fingers along the blade curious and watch it again, searching something... A simple, sharp, well kept longsword. Nothing blood-thirsty and evil about it. I imagine the forge of another age, the fire, Darnur working at it and Daelith waiting nearby. I wish It were that simple! I shake my head in refusal to imagine also what I know it did evil, causing pain and despair. No, not today. I am too tired..

“What am I to do with you?? I never even knew your name..”

I’ll need to improvise it some sheath and belt to keep my hands free. For I need to take care of inherent needs in the wilds. It might take a while to come up with a plan. The sounds of the forest around were welcoming me and bringing peace to my mind. Let’s find ourselves a good shelter for the night..