Sword Bearer (Return of the Dragons) (15 page)

And my father? Why didn’t you serve him?

Your father was special. The moment he held me in his
hand I knew he would never willingly kill. He had a respect for life, of
friends or enemies, that was too great to overcome. He knew it too, and refused
me, choosing to swing a cane instead. It was hard, for I would have served him
well, and been proud to. His uncle was just the opposite; he had no respect for
life, human or animal. Those two brothers were opposites in almost every way.
So I refused one brother, and the other brother refused me, and Giancarlo kept
me hidden and safe while the one forgot me and the other did not even realize
my existence.

And my grandfather?

He died before he could see which of his sons would
inherit the sword, or how it would be forgotten. He was a man of peace, too,
but he at least wore the sword in his peacekeeping duties. Your grandfather did
manage to give instructions though, to a young apprentice of his blademaster,
who would soon take over his master’s role.

Giancarlo.

Yes, and that is why you bear me now, and why I am not a
prisoner of the dark lord or one of his minions, unlike some of my kin.

He has swords like mine?

A few lesser blades, with lesser kin, but yes, he does.
They are imprisoned and unhappy. And he has many goblins, imps and other evil
faery folk who do his bidding, many of their own choice. But know too that
Woltan and Jona also have blades, as do others of this city, and there are
others among the merpeople and the Kriek. And there are many spirits and fair
folk here in faerie who will go to battle, if that is what is necessary to
protect the world. When the time comes, I will help you to see them and seek
their help, and help you to lead them.

Thank you.

Are all your questions now answered? If so, you should go
to seek out Woltan. I think he is waiting for you, and you have much to do.

No.

You wish to speak of your mother and your uncle, do you?

I just want to know what happened.

I can give you tiny bits and pieces. I can only help you
make sense of what you saw yourself. I was kept in a weapons room while all
that you saw went on, and you were but a boy. I have as many questions as you
do, perhaps. I wonder if your uncle left because your mother spurned him, for
example. Or perhaps it had nothing to do with that.

Do you think he became evil because she rejected him?

He was surely evil before, or I would have accepted him.
When he put me in his palm I saw the evil in his present and his future. I saw
a little bit of the same type of thing that Marga would see reading your palm.
As far as what went on between your mother and your uncle, I think you must try
to forget about that for now. The truth is sometimes elusive anyway. Try to
prepare yourself for this battle. Strengthen your body, your blade skills and
your magic. Only with a strong mind and body can you hope to help this city
survive, and defeat the wizards who have enslaved your parents’ minds and
bodies.

I know… I just wish I could talk to them.

Carolina smiled at me one last time.
Go now to Woltan; he
is waiting for you, and I think he has something to show you as well.

And then she was gone.

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