The rest of the day had passed rather uneventfully other than for the busy preparation of the city, which had gone according to plan. I sat with my back propped up against a quiet area of the wall, keenly grateful to be away from the pressure of the public's eye if for only a few moments.
The sword I had been given lay across my lap and I examined it with interest, especially the little symbols that would flash up and then be gone. When they flashed again they were in different orientations and numbers than the previous set. I was pretty certain that the symbols represented a language. Whose language and what was it saying?
Something else was of curious interest to me as well, the sword had changed ever so slightly in its shape and size. At first I had thought I was seeing things, but not now. It was slightly longer by at least three inches. The double blade was not as wide and while it was still double edged it had taken a slight saber curve to it along one cutting edge.
The handle was also longer and some of the inset gems had completely changed in color. It was as if the sword was personalizing itself to me. I liked all the changes, it was more me somehow. It no longer flashed and glowed in a myriad of different colors, but rather only a select few. Colors that I found appealing, even soothing, as I sat there in the dark against the wall.
Some technology of the past was clearly at play here I was sure of it. Tadias, from what I had heard, had no place for enchantments or dark magic, which relaxed me as to the source of the sword's uniqueness, but still it didn't answer the questions that it posed. Was it right for me to have such a sword as this?
Could it do more to win a fight than just parry a blow or deliver a killing strike? Was it just a pretty sword or did it have a bigger purpose? So many questions and no one to answer them.
"Perhaps I can be of some help?" Came a voice from a short distance away in a section of darker shadows near the wall ramparts.
I leaped to my feet the sword gripped in my hand in startlement at the sounding of a voice so near to me, as I had heard no one approach. A robed figure separated out from the shadows.
"Peace Roric I mean you no harm."
Still holding the blade of the sword outward ready to strike I asked somewhat belligerently, "Who are you and where did you come from?" I asked my question harshly to cover up how unsettled I felt at the robed figures sudden appearance out of nowhere.