Fragment 2.19 - The Truth Sword

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Next: Fragment 2.20 - The First Death

Deep in the desert of Prax Berra wandered
Seeking the Truth of a question within her
Was Hero-worship of Eril permitted
Worthy of Humakt and great in his honour

Not for herself asked the Dagger of Boldhome
Seeking no glory she asked for her Captain
Could be be worshipped in life as a Hero
Given the magic of those who were serving

First at her fire Berra sat drawing Truth-shapes
Death for protection and keeping her path safe
Truth laid on Truth for the knowing of answers
Truth laid on Death for the Captain of Boldhome

Then she drew blades and she danced for the sword-god
Fighting his foes in the dance of the ages
Keeping the fire for the Blacksmith who answered
Seeing his face with his eyes wide and burning

In Berra's circle of bladework he hammered
Model of Humakt in sword-making he was
Took from her dreaming the shape of her pommel
Straight-edged he made it in praise of the Wyter

She knelt before him in reverent worship
Gave of her soul to lord Eril of Boldhome
Feeding the sword that no living eyes looked on
Giving herself to the Wyter and Eril¹

When she awoke she held Truth in her fastness
Clasped in her hand was the sword she had dreamed of
Hilted with Truth and with Death deep within it
Seen by no eyes but the Dagger of Boldhome

Straight to the Temple of Humakt she took it
This was her burden and this was her treasure
Up to the altar she walked with her sword then
Teaching it Death as it lay there beside her²

What Really Happened

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When attempting to perform a divination³ to find out if Eril was worthy of worship as a Hero, Berra found that the Iron Lord of Boldhome answered, and he answered by listening, nodding in interest, and then making her sword. He at least had found her worthy of Iron. However, it was an unenchanted blade, and had never been used or even seen by anyone but her. It therefore represented the unknown Secret that Humakt found in Hell. She took it with her, unable to tell anyone, lest they look at it.

On reaching the city of Prax, they were told not to wear metal armour. Berra was fine in her leathers. Rajar managed to persuade the guards that he too was a White Bull and allowed to walk around tooled up, and he even knew the name of the captain. Varanis took off her armour with bad grace, and Xenofos and Nala were fine following instructions. Suuraki took them to the Temple of Zola Fel.

On the way, they began to spot Ducks and many, many newtlings. Berra noticed Xenofos was reaching for his javelin and seemed to be panicking, and she rode next to him, keeping him occupied.⁴ She was lovely to him and managed to keep his attention on her and off his fear until they reached the Temple, where there was fewer crowds. Nala told the tale of the finding of Huljeem the Priest, and they were all given hospitality. Berra noticed that they were being watched by a LOT of newtlings, and mentioned this to everyone but Xenofos.

Varanis went out to look for armour, refusing to wait for others, but taking Suuraki as a guide. Berra and Rajar escorted Xenofos to the library then went out for a drink. Rajar took her to a Storm Bull bar, where there was a Zorak Zoran troll, but nobody caused trouble, and Berra and Rajar made friends with an Uroxi by the name of Vishi. There was a lot of singing of sagas and then late in the afternoon they collected Xenofos. They were both tipsy, but not drunk. Nevertheless there were brows raised and beards waggling at the Temple.

When they returned to the temple, there were a lot of newtlings in attendance. Varanis had returned and told them she had been attacked by people who were of the Black Fang Brotherhood, according to the Waha shaman they had asked about their Runes. Berra determined to go to the Temple of Humakt and ask if she could be initiated into the secret of sensing assassins. However, she also had to teach her Sword what Death was, which she could not mention to her friends.

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