Short story series by Redwing Raven. Keep up the good work!

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An Alliance Forms

A merchant selling daggers and swords sits in a dingy wooden stall in a dark corner between stone buildings. Her wares would be considered odd if they weren’t so incredibly plain. The curves of the swords she sells are reminiscent of ancient rare swords sold for exorbitant prices. But, of course, these swords are not rare at all.

“The shine is all wrong,” a blond young lady states as she critically eyes the collection. She picks up a short sword to inspect it.

“That’s exactly what your enemy is going to say when you slice him with it,” the merchant replies in a bored voice.

“You never know. This is Lawless after all. I can think of one or two who might say it,” the young lady says honestly. She holds the sword in her hand properly and executes a downcut. “The balance is exquisite! How much?”

The merchant considers her customer carefully. “How much is it worth to you?”

The young lady holds the sword in front of her. “I have a good feeling about this one. Two hundred.”

The merchant smiles. “Done.”

With her purchase successful, the young lady makes her way on foot through the streets to a modest mansion in a rich part of town. The doors open as she approaches, and an old familiar servant greets her.

“Miss Lucy! If you insist on traversing Lawless alone, at least use a carriage.”

Lucy laughs. “Esudyyl, a carriage takes all the fun out of walking. Everyone knows who I am; I’m safe enough. No one in their right mind wants Yelueisha coming after them.” She hands the servant her coat. “Is my brother in his study?”

“Yes, miss.”

“Good. I have another sword to show him.” Lucy makes her way up the stairs to the double doors of her brother’s study. She pushes her way in without hesitation. “Tereizu Yyshan, I found another weapon for Yelueisha to try out.”

Tereizu motions to Yelueisha, his butler, from behind his desk. Yelueisha bows and accepts the sword from Lucy while Tereizu looks on.

“Odd looking, isn’t it?” Tereizu comments.

“It is a Gathyran blade,” Yelueisha explains, “crafted to combat certain reptiles. That accounts for its shape.” Yelueisha turns the blade around. “The shine, though is odd indeed.”

“Go ahead. Break the enchantment.”

Yelueisha nods. A burst comes from the sword. The blade stretches and lengthens. The hilt becomes beautifully ornate, and script appears down the length of the blade.

“Good work, Lucy. Another legendary find,” Tereizu praises.

Yelueisha’s expression does not change. He swings the sword in wide arcs. “Perfect in every way. And yet… this sword is quite odd. Enchanted blades of this quality ought to have a considerable personality of its own, yet I sense none from this one.”

“Has the enchantment waned?” Tereizu asks.

“Not at all. It is as if the sword is newly forged.”

“Forged? That’s not possible,” Lucy declares. “We need to speak with that merchant.”

“Set up the meeting,” Tereizu agrees. “The sooner, the better.”

__________________________________________________________________________

“Are enchanted swords really so rare? I thought a country so enamored with them would have discovered the secret by now.”

The merchant sits in lavish living room with Lucy, Tereizu, and the butler Yelueisha. Lucy nods at her question. “We are quite proficient at summoncraft. We also have some skilled individuals who wield legendary enchanted blades. But enchanted forging is akin to crafting gold from lead.”

“And yet, that is exactly what this blade is, is it not?” Tereizu motions to the sword purchased the day before.

The merchant smiles. “If it is, what is your intent? Such a secret can shake countries.”

“Your craftsmanship is so fine, not many in Lawless would be able to tell between the new and the old. But such fancy swords take time to forge. Can you put out a more basic model, in greater numbers?”

“The answer of a master is always yes, provided I do not get bored in the process. Yet I do not think that will be the case if I lend my skill to you.”

“I wish to make one thing clear,” Lucy interrupts. “Our goal is only to destroy those who seek it.”

“Oh? Is such a thing possible?”

“As you said, the answer of a master is always yes.” Tereizu answers.

The merchant nods. “Yes indeed. As for me, I don’t fancy being chased all over Greyworld for my knowledge, and working with you should prove more interesting than hermiting deep in some forest. My forge is yours.”

Yelueisha bows. “Welcome to Lawless, Lady Djarai Gryphn. We look forward to working with you.”