Meric the Storyman: Rega and the Dragonstones

In his dreams he saw a sword being forged by an elf. A large gathering of men were present. The first impression he got from the men was one of power. Although they did not wear armor or have any weapons, they were powerful. Some were studying books. Others were doing things with their hands. The rest were just observing. He finally realized that these men were wizards.

As the sword was forged, he saw times when the wizards would stop the elf. Each time the elf stopped, a different wizard would start a spell. Sometimes the wizard would just chant, other times he would use components and gesture with his hands. Once the spell was complete, the wizard would drop from exhaustion. The elf would continue his work forging the blade.

The dream skipped to where there were only two wizards left. One was busy studying his spell book. The other was holding the sword and inspecting it carefully. Periodically, he would hand it to the elf for minor touch-ups. When the sword was finally ready, the other wizard was summoned.

He saw the wizard perform the spell and drop from exhaustion. The last remaining wizard, the one who had been inspecting the sword, came forward. He grabbed the sword at the hilt, raised it up and said, “Awake, Akrun. Awake, Sword of the Warrior.”

Dexir woke up. It was dark. Everyone else was asleep except for one of the halflings, and it was too dark to see which one it was.

* Sleep, Warrior *

Dexir went back to sleep.

Dexir once again dreamed of the sword. He saw Akrun being placed into a crystal case in the High-Wizard’s room. He felt Akrun’s anger at being placed there. The proper place for him was in a scabbard at a warrior’s side.

Akrun enjoyed being free, even when he was being used on condemned prisoners for testing. He really enjoyed the one time he was used against an overly-vicious griffin. He hated being locked back up in the crystal case once the threat was over.

The one thing the High-Wizard feared came true. Word got out about the mighty sword. Once they had several ales in their system, guards that were used to test the sword let the information flow freely.

Even the King had heard. When he asked for a way to defeat a small group of Hill Giants attacking people on their way into Makloran, his answer was Akrun. Akrun did his job very well.

Uli also heard about the sword. He could use a sword like that. He had heard stories about a treasure. This treasure was so large he could buy his own kingdom. The only problem was that this treasure was guarded by a young red dragon. The sword would take care of that.

So, after many weeks of planning and preparation, Uli got in to the High-Wizard’s room, took Akrun from the case, and left the city seeking his fortune.

Luck was with Uli. He got out of the city with no problems. He traveled across the country without any events. Eventually, he made it to the dragon’s lair.

This is where his luck ran out.

The one thing that Uli didn’t know, in fact, the wizards didn’t even know, was that Akrun had been created too well. He really was the Sword of the Warrior. Only a true warrior could wield him and get the full benefit of its powers. If anyone else were to use him, they would soon find out he was no more than an extra sharp sword for them.

Uli found out very fast. Pyrdon emptied Uli’s coin purse into his ever-growing pile. The dragon could sense that the sword was magic, but didn’t know to what extent. It would still make a good prize to add to his treasure.

This is how Akrun started his long stay in the lair. Many had tried to recover him, some even wizards. Pyrdon would either run them off or kill them, most of the time it would be the latter.

The Wizard’s Guild finally gave up. Word of the magical sword also disappeared. Akrun was left there with the dragon.

It wasn’t until those many, many years later, one very lost warrior would show up to save him.

Another member of the party also dreamed during the night. He had dreams of deer running through the forest. There were prairie dogs popping their heads up and down many times. Bears, hawks, rabbits, raccoons, and many other animals filled his head that night.

He also dreamed about his mother, Latala. This time, she was singing to him, just like she did when he was a little boy. She was stroking his hair with her hand. The soothing, peaceful feeling went through his body, even while dreaming.

Doman did not wake up that night. He had a very good sleep. It was the best night’s sleep he had in a long while.

The next morning, Dexir woke. The dreams about the Sword were still fresh in his mind.

* Good morning, warrior *

Dexir jumped, and then remembered about how Akrun communicated. “Good morning, Akrun” he thought, hoping the Sword of the Warrior could hear him.

* I thank you for rescuing me *

“I’m glad I did.” thought Dexir. “Without you, the dragon would have killed us all.”

* That is true. Regardless, I need to tell you about my powers. *

Dexir walked over to some bushes to relieve himself. It was then he noticed that he was back by the wagon. Apparently, they must have carried him here while he was sleeping. “Go ahead.” he thought to Akrun.

* As you may remember from yesterday, I can make my wielder grow to the size of a giant. I can also give him or her giant strength. I can make one invisible. I am also able to make an area totally silent, within a fifteen-degree radius. Finally, I am able to cure some wounds. *

Dexir just stood there stunned. How could a sword do all this?

* There are only two restrictions. First, these powers can only be brought out when I am wielded by a true warrior, like yourself. Second, I am able to use each power only once a day. *

Dexir finally started walking back to the campsite. “Consider myself warned, Akrun.” thought the warrior.

The rest of the party was already awake and eating. They looked up at Dexir as he came toward them. Doman brought him a plate with food.

“How are you feeling, Dex?” asked Rega.

“Fine.” said Dexir. “I feel very rested.”

“So then, when are you going to tell us about what happened yesterday?” asked Stice.

Dexir laughed. “Don’t worry.” he replied. “I’ll have the whole story for you right after I eat. I’m starving!”

Dexir then sent a thought to Akrun. “Is it all right to tell them?”

* You may *

As he ate, Dexir told them the story of how this wondrous sword was forged and how it came to Pyrdon’s lair.