Chapter 2: Sword of Spirits

A small shrine lies on the outskirts of Bulgar. This ancient temple, sacred to the people of Sacae, has long been known for its powerful bond to the world of spirits. Before starting our journey to meet Lyn's grandfather, Lyn thought it would be useful to pray for our well-being.

The sun was hot and the breeze substantial in that it provided us with some sort of cool weather as we made our way from our earlier battlefield to the temple. Lyn and I led the way with the Lycians behind. Lyn was smiling and talking, "There is a sacred sword enshrined in an altar east of here. The people of Sacae go there to pray for safety at the onset of a long journey."

Sain's horse sniffed as he moved it closer to the teen, "Oh! How quaint!"

Kent smiled, "The teachings of Elimine have the most followers in Elibe. It is nice to see that, here at least, the ancient customs are still observed."

"Look, there it is," I pointed as a long wall appeared in site, just over the barrier was a rounded church. Sain whistled, Lyn gasped, Kent stared. Some tiny huts were littered around the entrance, it must be a good omen to live by something as holy as this.

As we approached the worn gates a small woman came running from the confines of the shrine. "I beg your pardon, milady. Are you headed east? To the altar?" she asked of Lyn.

"Yes, we are indeed," Lyn nodded politely.

The woman grabbed at her arm, "Then you must hurry and help the priest there! I saw a band of local ruffians head in there not long ago. Their leader, Glass, seemed very intent on stealing the altar's sacred sword!"

Lyn was taken aback, "The Mani Katti... They're going to steal it?" The woman nodded furiously and ran from the soon-to-be battlegrounds. "I cannot allow this to happen!"

"Lyndis, what are you planning?" Sain asked while pushing a hand through his hair. "If you hope to go to the priest's aid, you'll need to prepare," Kent wisely advised.

"You're right. There are some homes to the south of us. Perhaps we should go there and question the residents," I recommended. "Lyn, you'll take the lead this time. Head to the first hut."

Once there, Lyn found the woman from earlier, "Say, aren't you the... Oh! You're going to help the priest! Well, perhaps you could benefit from what I saw earlier... The bandits may have the main entrance guarded. However, one of the altar's walls is cracked and in poor repair. You might be able to create another entrance by hitting that section with your weapons. We're all counting on you!"

Lyn exited and Sain was next, "It's my turn to speak with the locals, is it not? That's right!"

A heavy man answered the door to the second house, "My help? Sure, sure. On the other side of this here gate lies a group of mountains. Mountains make it hard to hit an opponent and also to traverse. For you boy, riding on horseback, you won't be able to cross them at all. Careful."

"I'm next to move, am I not?" Kent appeared by my side. "Yes, the last one awaits you."

"Do you know much about the sword held at the altar?" A young girl asked Kent once he arrived at her home, "It's called the Mani Katti, blessed by spirits. According to the head priest, the sword is waiting for its rightful owner. Its so odd, don't you think? The idea that a sword can chose who will wield it?" Kent seemed not to think so as he departed from her.

A gate separates the entrance of the shrine from the three villages. The altar entrance itself is blocked by hills that will limit the horses' movement, so the knights will need to find another way in. On the side of the shrine there is a weak spot, that is how they can enter. Two forts lie to the north of our fighters. Forts provide a unit with the advantage in battle.

One opponent is in sight, an axe wielder who can be brought down by a sword. He is our target. I directed my troops, "Lyn and Kent, you'll need to move close to the man and hide in the forests. Sain, move into one of the forts."

The bandit caught sight of everyone but went for Lyn, he missed due to the trees and Lyn brought him down with three quick strokes of her sword. "Sain and Kent, move closer to the shrine wall."

As the two knights moved stealthily through the high branches of a nearby oak two axe wielding adversaries appeared out of nowhere. The first aimed his attack at Kent, but the experienced knight grabbed his sword and with a loud clang, defended himself from the oncoming attack. Three more hits and the second attacker was taken out. Sain moved to the broken wall as Kent fought the third. By now Lyn has caught up, "I'll take the main entrance." With my nod she moves forth.

Sain's sword comes down hard against the decaying stone of the altar wall and breaks through its weak defenses allowing Kent to come forth into the holy palace and attack a bandit guarding the leader, Glass. Sain follows Kent and gets ready to attack him.

"Who do you think you are? What chance do you think you have against me?" Sain smirks and runs forth at the swordsman with his lance, "More than you do against us!" The lance sinks deeply into the boss's stomach and Sain yells as he holds him down, "Kent, finish him!"

"You'll pay for your dishonor to the Gods!" The last hit proves effective as the defeated man sinks to the floor, "You... You.. Urr..urgh..."

"Wow! Great job guys," a smiling and slightly winded Lyn runs forth as the two men lower themselves from their horses. She embraced the two just as the head priest peaks his head out from a doorway located behind the now dead Glass. The man's eyes catch on Lyn, "Ah, your clothing... Are you of the Lorca tribe?"

She released her companions and walked forth to the hunched priest, "I'm Lyn, the chieftain's daughter. Are you hurt, sir?"

"Thanks to you, I am unscathed. You have my gratitude."

"And the sword? Is it safe?" Sain asked as he leaned on Kent's shoulder to get a better view of the head monk. "Yes, I have sealed the sword away. Until I remove my spell, the sword cannot be drawn." He turned back to Lyn, "Now, as a token of my gratitude. I shall allow you to lay hands upon the Mani Katti. Touch the blade's pattern, and pray for a safe journey."

Lyn blushed, "Oh thank you so much!" The priest held the scabbard out to Lyn as if she would draw the sword. Her fingers ran up and down the decorated holder and it seemed to flash. "Hm?" the priest watched and Lyn drew the sword out and held it lightly in her hands, "It came out...effortlessly."

The priest gasped and stepped back from the now glowing sword, "I never dared to hope that I'd meet the wielder of the Mani Katti in my lifetime. I am indeed fortunate to see you with your sword."

Lyn looked from the shining blade to the older man's face, "My sword?"

"It is time for you to go, Lyn you face great many ordeals. Grip this sword, and meet your destiny head-on."

"Yes... Yes, sir!" Lyn gasped and held the Mani Katti to her chest. We left the altar with the ultimate blessing, the Mani Katti now belonged to Lyn through her ability to override the man's spell and draw the sword herself.

"So this is the Mani Katti... A blade with no equal." Sain commented as we rested outside the shrine. He was holding the sword as if it were a great honor to do so.

Lyn, who was sitting across from him, shook her head and just stared as he handed it back and it began to glow again, "This is all so unbelievable. Perhaps the most famous sword in all of Sacae...in my hand."

"It's not that strange," Kent, our resident know-it-all, spoke up. "In fact, many legends tell similar tales.. Special blades all over the land call out to their proper owners. And yet, when I saw you draw that blade, Lyndis... I felt something extraordinary."

"We all did bud," Sain pointed out. But Kent shook his head, "The sword was waiting for you. You were meant to draw it."

"Stop it!" Lyn yelled and stood quickly, "I...I'm nothing special!"

Sain frowned and then motioned with his hands, "Think of it this way: Some weapons feel more comfortable in your hand, right?" Lyn nodded slowly. "Well, the Mani Katti itself feels very comfortable with you. Does this make it any easier for you to accept? It doesn't appear that either of us can use it."

He motioned to himself and Kent as Lyn sat back down, "It...does feel right in my hand. A blade that only I can wield. That seems reasonable enough, I can understand that." Lyn turned and gave me an astonished look, "Look at it, Touya. This is the Mani Katti. This is...my sword. I must care for it well." She seemed to be talking more to herself then to anyone else but I still nodded and smiled at her. I knew that with this magnificent sword in her hands our journey's burden would be greatly alleviated.

Authors Note------

Thanks for reading. I hope that you are enjoying the story so far!