The Awakening (The Stones of Revenge) by Justin Sargeant Page B

remember the line?”
    “Aye, I do; food, life; water, death.”
    “It’s a curious line indeed. I greatly wonder what he meant by it.”
    “As do I. Your father always did have a mysterious way about him. Perhaps he intended to teach you a great lesson one day or perhaps it is meant to remain a family secret. Either way, I know not and could not bear the burden of completing his request without knowing how to guide you to an answer.”
    Landon sat a long while in the candlelight gazing down at the bundle in his hands. His mind raced trying to solve the riddle his father had left for him. He dared not wear the ring for fear that he might betray the memory of his father. He vowed never to wear the ring until ascertaining the answer to the riddle. Godfrey sat across from the young man unsure of how to encourage the lad. Finally, it occurred to him.
    “Landon, your twentieth birthday is approaching this week, yes?” he inquired.
    “Aye,” came the soft reply from the young man his head still slumped towards his chest.
    “Then, I believe you are in need of a present.”
    “You have already given–”
    “Ah, that is a gift from your father,” he said interrupting him. “I offer you another gift. Achieving twenty years means achieving manhood. No self respecting man should walk around without a sword.”
    “Mordecai does not,” Landon said.
    “Forgive me, but I find your uncle to be a fool in this respect. A sword is a symbol of status, or authority, not to mention a weapon with which to defend yourself. I offer you a choice of any in my shop.”
    Stunned Landon was hesitant to accept. He knew the lecture he would receive from his uncle, but he was also becoming a man. This was his decision whether his uncle liked it or not. He perused the room with his eyes noticing the myriad weapons hanging all about. He stopped on an assortment hanging near the rear of the shop. Wrapping the ring in the cloth, he set it in his pocket and strode over to the collection.
    “Ah, that is my most valued collection,” Godfrey explained noticing Landon’s object of fascination. Turning aside Landon said, “Oh, I apologize.”
    “No, no,” laughed the smith. “I said from any, and I do mean that.”
    With a smile on his face, Landon returned his attention to the assortment. Picking up a sword he saw that it had a very straight edge, long and thin, with a hilt that wrapped itself intricately around the hand. It was exquisite, but seemed too delicate for Landon. He replaced it and retrieved another sword. This one’s blade was thicker than the first and flatter. The hilt splayed wings which wrapped towards the blade. He held it out to feel the weight and balance of the weapon. Landon had never really held a sword before, but he had heard stories from travelers that taught him both elements were essential in a fight. He could tell the sword was heavy and it used a lot of energy simply to r aise it. He decided against it.
    Replacing it, he knocked over the sword next to it, and it fell to the ground producing a soft thud. Bending over, Landon noticed that it was not made of steel as the others were. Instead, this sword carried a soft reddish glow. The blade , which boasted a broad edge and curved to form a sharp point, appeared black. The edge of the blade closer to the hilt was narrower, but it curved up towards the broad end creating a sharp point on the front. The hilt was simple without any adornments.
    Landon reached down and picking it up immediately noticed how light it felt. The grip was soft to touch. Landon wielded it back and forth trying to become comfortable with it. As he moved it across his body, the light from the candles transformed the black blade into a dark crimson in flashes of streaking light.
    “Ah, excellent choice, a blade fashioned from taafeite found in the far reaches of the realm outside Seyleon. It has no equal and is as strong as the Castle of Bodam itself, minus the faulty foundation of