"Very well, young lady, I shall tell you what I know of the Soul Edge," spoke the head monk. His bald head reflected the golden light of the numerous oil lamps that brightened the monastery's temple and shimmered on the polished wood floor. From the twenty-five radial alcoves set into the five symmetrical walls, twenty-five tall, bronze statues of Buddha listened on in still serenity and composure. For a moment, all the "boy" could do was to roil in sudden fury, her face flushing to match her red hair. How did he know? She swallowed her anger, however, and turned her concentration to the wise monk's words.
"Nine years ago, a man passed through the Sang-Mu Monastery on a quest to dispose of the Soul Edge, for he recognized it for the Evil it was. He had been traveling for an entire year and had yet to find a place that satisfied him as a safe dumping ground for the evil sword. When he came to the monastery, I saw that his own soul struggled with that of the sword, each battling for possession of his body. Weary of the constant warring within him, he wished to leave the sword in the hands of the Sang-Mu Monastery. I denied his request, but told him of a barren, secluded gulch further into the mountains that might provide a resting ground for the sword. Then he went on his way." The temple fell into silence.
"This man—he was named Siegfried Schtauffen? Tell me when this gulch is," Amy Sorel demanded. The monk shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you. He never gave me his name, and I would never reveal the location of the gulch. If you seek the evil sword, then you must find it on your own. I promised you no more than what I have already told you; I cannot help a selfish girl on a quest for a destructive weapon," he replied. Amy clenched her jaw. What did he know about her or her quest? She could not care less about how dangerous the monk thought the weapon was. She needed it for one purpose only, and that was to make happiness return to her adopted father. Could not the "evil" weapon bring joy as well as destruction? Once she had succeeded in her quest that Raphael has failed nine years ago, she knew he would not exploit the power of the sword. She remembered when she was a little girl, only seven years of age, that he had said he needed the sword in order to make the city of Toulouse safe again—safe from the war-mongering lords who trampled the citizens under the boots and had made an orphan of her. Well. If the monk could offer her no more information, then her work here was done.
"I will go now. Thank you for your help," she said politely before striding away across the gleaming floor of the temple, ignoring the stony stares of the many Buddha statues she passed. Father, I will bring you Soul Edge, she promised silently.
Raphael lounged in his private study. At least, his body was draped easily across the plush velvet chair that faced the fireplace. His jaw was locked in a hard grimace and his fingers clenched a piece of paper so tightly that his knuckles went white. He had read the writing on that paper at least a hundred times since he received it over three months ago, and would continue to read it every day until his daughter returned to him.
This is how you must have felt, Amy, when I left you for almost a year. I went in search of the Soul Edge nine years ago so that I could make this world a better place for you but, in doing so, I abandoned you it. Now you face an even harsher world as you chase after the miracle I failed to bring. I taught you everything I knew so that you could survive this world, but I fear it is not enough. Not enough to make the dream of the Soul Edge a reality. He cursed himself for a fool, then unwrinkled the worn letter and read it again.
Dear Father,
You cannot hide the disappointment in your eyes. When you lock yourself in your study, I know you are crying. If you just had that sword, I know you will be happy again. Like the way we were before. When I return, I will bring the Soul Edge with me.
Love, Amy,
And it was true. Raphael did cry when he locked himself in the seclusion of his study. Only now, he cried because the only thing precious to him was gone. She was more important to him than the Soul Edge had ever been, he knew that now.
Amy, if only I could tell you this and bring you home….
