Roswell returned with a longsword. The dwarfish swordsmith said, “The odd piece of grayish red ore from which this weapon was forged was found deep in the earth by miners. The ore was discovered precisely at a point of impact of a visitor from deep space that produced the cataclysm that forever changed Sagain and heralded the Dawn of Magick. The miners and alchemists were unable to determine the nature of the ore and brought it under heavy guard to Gnome-town and the care of the burgomaster. Gnomish and dwarfish gem masters extensively studied the irregular rock, which periodically gave off gray auras. Rarely thick red liquid oozed from the odd stone. By all accounts the ore was unique on Sagain. Burgomaster Altus Twenty-names Big Boy Stillwater Darktop presented the bizarre object to Mayard Klarje at dinner in appreciation for Mayard’s help in subduing the highwaymen Big Boy and Tiny. Mayard, you carried the stone for many years before you brought it to me. The ore differed from when I last saw it. You said the stone found its heart and you brought her home. I’m not one for riddles and sorcerer talk, but I know my way around a forge. Here’s Exeter.”
Madam Darktop said, “Exeter?”
p-Mayard said, “Yes, her name is Exeter.”
Exeter appeared as a well-made longsword, with a hilt formed of a reddish black material and a golden blade. The hilt of the weapon retained the reddish color. No runes appeared upon the weapon and no gems adorned the hilt. Exeter’s beauty was in her simplicity.
Cecelia Darktop said, “She?”
Roswell Kirkey replied, “The bladed has a feminine nature. She’s high-spirited. I could not scratch the blade with a red diamond.”
Cecelia marveled, “There’s nothing harder in the world.”
Longbeard asked, “May I hold the blade?”
Roswell said, “It’s Mayard’s call, but you’ll find it difficult to let her go once you’ve held her close.”
Cecelia said, “Brother, you sound like you are writing folk music.”
benjamintowe 