Brian Anderson - The Sword of Truth

“By the time I caught up to him he had made it out the back entrance and was headed across the street to a nearby house. I reached out to grab for him when I felt a pain shoot through my left shoulder. It took a second for me to realize I’d been struck by an arrow. Three more men-one carrying a bow-jumped out from around the side of the house. I was unarmed, wounded, and out-numbered, and all I could think was that the bloody Oracle was wrong after all.

“I thought I was about to die right there in the street, but suddenly, out of nowhere, your father stepped in front of me, swinging his sword wildly. I think it was the sheer ferocity of his attack that saved us, being that his skills with a blade were crude at best. Later, he told me his father had served the King as a soldier and had taught him basic sword fighting when he was a boy, but he had never learned much beyond that. The men turned and ran, and your father, being a much wiser man than I, did not chase after them. Instead, he helped me back to the inn where he and Millet tended my wounds. The innkeeper warned us about the raiders, saying that they would definitely return and that we should leave as soon possible. Millet fussed and complained about me traveling wounded, but there was no choice. Your father came with us, and I hired him as a bodyguard. I introduced myself to him as Lee Starfinder-not Nal’Thain. In those days I never traveled under the name of my crest.

“I decided not to return to Hazrah, and headed west to seek out the sword master. As it turned out, the attack did me some good. The wound took only two weeks to heal. I kept this from your father, of course, but it was more proof of my heritage.

“I eventually found the sword master and studied under him for a year. When my studies were done, your father told me he wanted to go home. He had saved enough money to buy a small farm and take his bride. He feared if he waited any longer that she might marry another. I’m sure your father told you, but she was quite beautiful; even so, I don’t think she would have married anyone else even if he’d stayed away ten years. She truly loved him. I was sorry to see him go, but I knew from the look in his eyes that he was determined. I didn’t see him again for many years.

“I eventually returned home for good, or so I thought. I continued training myself, as there were no more masters left to teach me. Life went on as normal, and I found myself becoming forgetful of what the oracle had told me.

“It was the night of a massive blizzard when Millet woke me and told me a messenger from the Oracle was waiting in my study to see me. I went downstairs and, to my surprise, found the young girl who had once led me to the pavilion all those years ago. Though she was no longer a young girl, I recognized her right away. She looked frightened and was shivering from the cold. In her arms, she held a baby wrapped in linen.

“‘It’s time,’ she said.

“‘What do you mean?’ I asked, knowing perfectly well what she meant.

“She didn’t say another word. She just walked up, placed you in my arms, and ran out, disappearing into the storm.”

Gewey’s jaw tightened. “Let me get this straight,” he said. “I was dumped off in a storm in the middle of the night, and you decided I was the treasure, just like that. You then left me with my father, and moved hundreds of miles to Sharpstone to watch over me. And now, for whatever bizarre reason, some evil being is on our trail. Have I missed anything?”

“Don’t make light of this,” Lee scolded. “I have sacrificed much, and you will listen to what I have to say.”

“Fine,” said Gewey, raising no objection.

Lee continued. “Like I said, when the girl handed you to me I had no idea what was happening. I looked down at you sleeping in my arms, and remembered what the Oracle said: when the time came, I would know what to do. Well, I didn’t, at least not until I pulled back the blanket you were wrapped in and touched your face with my finger. It was then that I understood why you are so important. The second I touched your skin, I knew what you really are.” Lee paused and leaned in, “You are a god , Gewey,” he said, “In fact, you are the only child ever born from the union of two gods.”

Gewey burst into laughter. “You’re crazy,” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “And to think I was starting to believe you! I actually left my farm trusting that you might know something.”

Lee frowned. “There is one way to show you,” he said. He walked over to Gewey, and reached out his hand.

“What’s this?” asked Gewey, clearly amused.

“Take my hand,” said Lee.

Gewey hesitated.

“Just do it,” said Lee. “If this doesn’t make you believe me, you can go home and forget everything I’ve said.”

Gewey shrugged. “Fine,” he said, taking Lee’s hand.

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck him. Time stood still, and Gewey felt as if the whole universe had opened up. He could see straight into Lee’s mind, and in that moment he knew everything Lee had told him was true. He let go of Lee’s hand, shaking from the experience.

“The first time is the worst,” Lee said. “After a while, you’ll learn to control it. It’s how those of us carrying the blood of a god can recognize one another. There are others like me-half man, half god. I’ve met a few of them. But you’re different. You’re full blooded. One of a kind.”

Gewey still couldn’t speak. The idea was more than he could handle, and he fell to the ground, unconscious. He awoke with Lee kneeling over him, smiling broadly.

“Boy, if you’re going to be any kind of god, we can’t have you passing out,” said Lee, and he began laughing uncontrollably.

Gewey managed to sit up, still feeling lightheaded and a bit embarrassed.

“How can this be?” asked Gewey. “I haven’t got the power of a god. I bleed, I sleep, and I eat; what kind of god does all that?”

“One who’s bound to the earth,” answered Lee. “I don’t have all the answers, but I have learned much. I’ve searched books all across the land, looking for answers to the very questions you ask. Some I’ve found, but others are still a mystery. Like me, you’re stronger and faster than normal men; and like me, you can see and hear better. But I’m only half god. Some things I can teach you, but discovering your true power is something you’re going to have to do on your own.”

Gewey got to his feet. “Let’s say I believe you,” he said. “Why are we running? The voice in my dream…if I’m a god, why should I fear it?”

Lee’s eyes narrowed. “What do you know about the Dark Knight of Angraal?” he asked in an ominous tone.

Gewey shrugged and said, “Rumors mostly. I’ve heard he’s a thousand years old, that he slays children in the night. To be honest, I’ve always ignored them. I figured they were just stories meant to frighten children.”

“As far as being a thousand years old, I doubt it,” said Lee. “As far as killing children, I daresay he would without hesitation. Whatever you’ve heard, remember this: he is real. He’s the reason we’ve been brought together.” Lee looked at the sky. It was two

hours past sunrise. “We need to rest. I’ll tell you more once we set out this evening. In the meantime, sleep close to me. I should be able to stop the Dark Knight from entering your dreams.”

With that, Lee lay on his blanket and closed his eyes. Gewey’s head was buzzing with questions, but he tried to follow Lee’s example. He began to feel fatigue seeping into his bones, and- God or no God-he needed rest like anyone else. He was about to ask Lee one final question, but heard him breathing deeply and steadily. Gewey couldn’t imagine how he could fall asleep so fast, especially with all this excitement. It took him more than two hours before sleep came, and thankfully, the dream didn’t return.