Obstacle 26. Sword
I was cleaning the blood off the blade when it occurred to me that I had struck it in such a way it might have skewered both crocodile and Brent. So the fact that I had managed to cut only the creature through without harming my friend had my heart beating incredibly fast.
It is in those moments one divines inspiration. I might allow myself to scry my consciousness into the void and feel myself Steeled enough to take the answer. Under its right arm. Into the pit. Straight through to its vitals. Cold metal. Steel? No.
This sword thrown to me by the captain of the guard was made of Aether. A material magical in origin. It cut through the beast as if it were butter. Zero resistance and beyond that it felt as though more had happened. Feelings of power quaked through my body. An alarming compulsory charge shot through me.
If I was not so much of a master of myself I might have fallen over from shock and convulsing. As if electrocuted, my muscles screamed demanding to twitch with a violence I was unaware was possible. I’m afraid of this weapon and what it does and can do to me. It is more than just a thing. It has more than just the material with who’s weight I hold clenched tight in hand. I hold more in hand than I anticipated and it holds more of me than I feel comfortable relenting. The thought comes back again. Bouncing in repeat.
Somehow I’ve missed only the parts of Brent. My hands are still shaking…
Locke adjusts his glasses for a third time and flips his bangs. This way and that. Everyone is in celebration of this triumphant victory. However, Locke finds himself standing above this corpse of a living creature he’s just slain. Its eyes black and empty and dead. Sword in hand and blood dripping with Brent’s echoing guttural bellow still echoing before him.
The sword burns my hand. It's so hot but I can’t let it go. I couldn’t. My heart is racing.
“Locke!” Corin cries out. “Are you okay?”
She trudges towards me disheveled as the crowd gathers around us. They seem intent on pulling in the animal for butchering. A celebratory affair.
“I… I…” Locke mutters to himself.
With a chuckle:“Hey, you did it. Brent is okay. Are you okay?” Corin asks as she falls upon Locke.
“That was freaking awesome!” Tye screams running into me, me into the drink. The barbarian. I don’t care how much her outfit cost Fivethousand, ten thousand dollar shirts mean nothing when I’m drowning. This idiot doesn’t Know how to be thankful..
“Tye!” I shout underwater trying to bring us back for air. This idiot wide eyed happy to be alive is killing us all the same. Thankfully he’s a woman at the moment, smaller and slightly easier to handle. Lighter noticeably. Interesting.. Matter can’t be destroyed so where does it go? Maybe?.. No that doesn’t make sense… Because, yet… maybe…
“Oh man, that was hot.” Tye says I pull us out from under the water. .
“Settle down!” Corin chides yanking Tye’s arm. Thanks. That’s all the space I needed to recollect myself. This idiot I’ve got swords in my hands I coulda stabbed them.
“I mean he slayed the dragon! Well crocodile but whatever. You saved my life. The both of you.” Tye says beaming.
Corin, Locke, and Brent simultaneously roll their eyes at this and exhale. An action that's been burned into their core through repeated experience. Except this time instead of a wide eyed Tye Lancaster man it’s this obnoxiously beautiful creature. She’s bouncing about kicking and punching the air and swearing and shouting and laughing. So strange.
“Guys. I freakin love you.” Tye finishes.
Corin chuckles as she bumps Locke’s shoulder with her first. Nora and her clan and retinue are now all about them congratulating them for this unexpected victory.
This creature frozen from the curse was a curse in itself upon existence I imagine. More honestly a predator native to these lands preying on the prey. As alien as this world seemed to me it felt reassuring.
“Let’s get out of here and back to the estate. There will be a celebration of our new warriors prowess and a trophy on display.” Nora called out to everyone within earshot. The cheers range loud.
“I’ll have my sword back if you please.” The Captain of the Guard said as he came to me. “It is a treasure of my house and I would appreciate its return.”
Locke looks him up and down. Six foot six. Decked in armor and helmet and shield. From every instance fur protrudes to betray the animal that it tries to hide. It’s eyes are yellow and focused with intention. Locke gulps, happy to let go of this thing. This unasked burden that seemingly singed his hand. Upon release of it a weight is removed from him. A drowsiness ensues but Locke is too strong, too proud, too aware and in control to be made to relay to anyone outside himself.
“Thank you.” Is all I mustered in reply to the captain of the guard. Who returns a nod of recognition. A smirk lingering on his face as he sheeths the sword into its holster.
“I risked a lot throwing you this treasure. Without a thought I did it too. Now he knows the measure of you creatures.” He states as he motions to his sword. “And I will come to know it too.”
Whatever. Jerk. I hate that sword. I don’t care for killing even when it’s necessary. I get grumpy.
“Hey look! Locke’s mad, he’s like a robot.” Tye calls out laughing.
“I am not a robot!” I scream.
Corin is laughing at me as well as Brent waddles away out of the water.
I follow the goliath out of the water. I’m not so afraid of any more predators. They tend to disperse when you’ve killed one of their kin. Animals are like that. Culture brings hate and vengeance I imagine. None of that from a crocodile. Right?