As dawn broke, the sun started to illuminate the small camp in the ruins, stirring the kobold in her sleep. Surrounding her were several ripped open bags, which prior were filled with her provisions. With a mixture of drool and berry juice also coloring her mouth, you could tell that it had been a long night.
After exiting the Catacombs, the Kobold had managed to return back to her camp. Arriving, she ripped her provision bags open trying to fill the growing hole in her stomach. Managing to do so after tearing into about 2 pounds of her food in under 5 minutes, she downed berries, dried meat, and rather stale bread in a gruesome yet transfixing display. Shortly after she flopped to the ground, letting go of the sword that she had taken from the catacombs and falling into a dreamless sleep seconds later.
A sleep that the sun was now trying to break her out of. Its bright light warming yet disturbing the muddy red lizard, causing her to move to try and block it out. Yet despite her best efforts, the kobold started to blink out of sleep and soon after sat up. Yawning and then licking her lips as she started to stretch her arms.
A bed of grass wasn’t the most comfortable sleeping option but it wasn’t terrible. As the Kobold continued to stretch out, the sound of her joints popping painted the silent ruins. Standing up shortly after, she began to process what had happened last night. Expecting the sword to talk to them again as they remembered. More so berate if they were honest but, nonetheless the sword was silent. Seeming to be an ordinary yet runed blade.
With some trepidation the kobold touched the sword that lay by her side, expecting it to glow once again. When nothing happened she picked it up. Scowling as it continued its silence. As she held it she could feel the near ethereal balance it had. The sword seemed to be perfect for her hands and sang as she experimented swinging it around. If it wasn’t for the healing scabs and dried blood on her snout she would have thought the last night was only a bad dream. With them, she was a little worried the sword had somehow died.
So, with some care she impaled the sword into the ground and began cleaning up her mess. “If the demon inside the sword was dead, I could still sell it for a good price,” she thought to herself. Continuing with, "At the worst it could rouse some wealthy historian’s interest."
After she finished cleaning her mess the kobold checked her waterskin, seeing it to be empty. Frowning, she said “I guess I needed to go to the stream anyways,” while looking at the sword for some sort of response. Her remark drew nothing but silence as the sword continued sinking into the soil. The kobold then shrugged and placed the waterskin in her now refilled backpack. Walking over to also slide the sword into her pack to hold it while she made the short trek to the stream.
10 or so minutes of walking later she arrived. The gurgling and trickling guiding her as she got closer. She was now a little more awake than she was before, but somehow still tired. She then placed her backpack and sword by a tree next to the stream, retrieving her waterskin after. As she bent down next to the stream she yawned. After quickly getting over it she began filling her canteen in the water. Pulling it out and capping it as she finished. Then taking a quick drink for the waterway, splashing some water on her face to try and wake up a bit quicker.
It didn’t work. She was still as tired as she was when she first got there.
What did work was the screaming and blue light that began cracking from the sword. Startling the kobold to fall headfirst into the stream.
Spurting and spitting both water and mud, she managed to pick herself up. As she did, the sword stopped screaming and transitioned to snickering, its glow also dimming. Annoyed and angry the kobold fired back at the sword. “What so funny arschloch?” she said, stopping to spit out a bit more mud, “You find this crap funny, huh?”
The sword continued to laugh only managing to say “Oh gods, yes” between it all. Petering out after about a minute of the Kobold scowling at it. However as she continued to wipe off her face it only seemed to egg on the sword’s amusement.
Chuckling as he spoke the sword continued on saying, “That was one of the best things to wake up to in a while little lizard, have you considered becoming a court jester?” drawing a glare from the Kobold. The sword continued with “Ohh I can just imagine the way you would look in a wittle jester outfit, bells and everything just clinging around." The sword paused as he absorbed the now glowing anger coming from the kobold. Continuing saying, “I know I’m a usewess wittle scab on the world my king but pwease don’t kill me fow being such a waste of wesouwces.”
At this point the Kobold had lost her patience, walking over to the sword and picking it up while it continued. “I'm such a piece of shit thawt uwu cawn du whatevew,” said the sword as he continued. His speech becoming more mocking and simplified as he went on. Hefting the sword in her hands the kobold swung the flat edge into the tree her bag rested on with all her might. Damaging the bark in the process and causing a ripple to emanate from the sword into her palm. Wincing in pain she tried again while the sword continued talking, enlarging the damage to the oak.
By the 5th swing it seemed the impacts had finally managed to jar him out of his mocking tirade. Each blow interrupting his concentration a little more and the 5th one making him lose it all together. As the sword stopped so did the kobold, panting a bit as she did.
The sword then squinting at the kobold asked, “You, do know that I’m close to indestructible, right?” The kobold wiped the sweat off her brow and replied with, “It did shut you up eventually, now didn't it?” throwing the sword to the ground and walking back over to the stream before he could respond. As she started to clean herself the sword fell silent eventually saying, “You know... there is a way to break the bond that occurred between us two.”
Hearing the sword the kobold paused for a second then returned back to cleaning herself. Seeing her interest the sword continued, “All we would need to do is find a weave writer to put together a potion.” Continuing to say, “The link between us two should be broken with the proper process.”
As she finished cleaning herself off the kobold got up from the stream. She walked back to her sword and then sighed. Picking up her backpack she said brow furrowed, “So a wizard of sorts right?” The sword responded with, “Uh huh,” then continuing to say “Or warlock, sorcerer, witch, you get the idea.” Pausing as she picked him up then adding, “Anyone with actual magical capabilities and not some half baked illusionist that makes their livin on parties.”
The kobold greater furrowed her brow in thought then replied with, “Wait a second, from what I saw this is more of a till death do us part bit.” Then pointing at the sword with her off hand as she continued, “We aren't going to show up to a wizard and ask him to brew us a poison so that I croak and you get off scot free are we?” The sword laughed in response saying, “Oh gods, no lizard, from my recollections the twins Aldrmith told me is that it would be something rubbed on me to do it.” Continuing on to say, “Besides, I can just kill you when I find one who is actually worthy of my hilt, and not just some undergrown reptile,” he said shrugging afterwards.
The kobold frowned in response, putting the sword in her backpack. She then began to stretch again until the light crackling of bone faded away, the sword waiting for her to finish.
As she began walking away from the stream the sword asked, “I’m going to assume that you know where we can find a wizard, right?” The kobold nodded in response. The sword continued on with, “And we are going to see them right away right?” The kobold nodded once again.
“Oh thank the gods,” said the sword, “I can’t wait for this chapter of my history to come to a close.”
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After a couple of hours of walking and a few bathroom breaks along the way they arrived at a tower.
The tower seemed mighty tall, about three to four stories in height. Its topmost floors peering out above the trees with ease. Trees bordered the black stoned tower on all sides while an old goat grazed a couple of feet away. As the pair approached the goat stared at them, shortly after vanishing with a quizzical look on its face, drawing the same response from the kobold.
“I guess we are about here,” she said, continuing to walk up the short stairs to the door, “I don’t remember them having a goat last I came here though.” As she knocked on the door the sword replied, “It's understandable, species like you don’t have that good of a memory anyway.” Drawing a slight scowl from the kobold as the sounds of somebody rushed down the stairs to answer the door.
With a grumbling a multitude of locks clinked the door then creaking open, revealing a wiry figure. Seeming confused he looked left and right before looking down, jumping in surprise. The sword rolled his eye, “This is the magic practitioner you were talking about? He barely looks,” before the kobold cut him off. “Are you the apprentice to Murkins?” the kobold said squinting at the tall figure before her. Snapping his fingers and nodding he leaned down to shake the kobold’s hand. “Apprentice Sal, and I assume you’re the sandwich Kobold?” he asked.
A bit confused, the kobold shook her head, “No, I’m not here to deliver a sandwich.” As Sal withdrew his hand she reached back to draw out the runed shortsword from her backpack. While pointing at the sword she continued, “I’m here about this, this sword somehow bonded to me and I want to reverse that bond.”
Sal, confused, stared at the kobold beneath him, goading her to continue on. “I’m Bix, I’ve worked with Murkins before in the past with some magical items that needed a professional opinion." Tilting her head and smiling with, "I assume he’s said something about me before?” Causing Sal to nod back, “Oh yeah, he’s mentioned you.
“Occasionally.” Trailing off then continuing with, “You said something about a sword bond you want to get rid of?” Bix responded with, “Yes, yes, can I come in?” Nodding Sal gestured inside, stepping out of the way to let her pass.
As Bix walked through the door she exhaled as a small tingle flushed through her body. She also noticed the array of floating candles illuminating the inside of the tower. Books and bottles as well cluttered the walls of the tower’s insides. The bare stone a glistening white in contrast to the tower's black exterior. In the middle of the room sat an old worn out couch and table, stains of many colors freckling it, with a similar chair sitting across.
Sal gestured to the couch as he began walking towards it. Pausing as a vibration swept through the room. As Bix continued to walk towards the couch Sal turned around and went back to the door. Opening it to reveal a disembodied hand clutching a wrapped item. As Bix sat down Sal exchanged some coin with the hand before vaulting into the seat across from Bix. As he began unwrapping the meal Sal asked, “Can you let me take a look at the sword you’re having problems with?” Nodding, the Kobold lay the sword across her hands as Sal unwrapped the sandwich.
As Sal began examining the sword, eating as he went the sword sighed. “Listen, can you tell him not to get crumbs on me?,” the kobold nodding at his request. As she turned to look at Sal he swallowed and said, “Yeah, I can back up a bit so he doesn’t get dirty,” surprising both Bix and the sword.
As Sal leaned back he chuckled, “No, I can’t really hear what your sword is saying.” Continuing by taking another bite out of his sandwich as Bix stared at him in confusion. After he swallowed he explained, “You just get this glassy look in your eyes when he talks to you.” Taking another bite then continuing after swallowing with, “I’ve even seen that sort of look before from other weapon wielders before.”
As he continued his inspection of the sword Sal finished his sandwich. Grunting after he took his last bite and leaning back in the chair in thought. As he furrowed his brow Bix put the sword on the stained couch and waited for the apprentice to finish thinking. The sword almost seemed to sigh in relief. After a couple of minutes of thought Sal straightened up and asked “Does it... have a name?” Bix frowned as the sword sighed, saying “Its Claiomh Solais, lizard, don’t sully it too much with your forked tongue.” The kobold then relayed the name to the apprentice as he nodded in response.
“I’m not familiar with that sword, but each sword can have quite varied unbonding rituals, if any.” Sal said continuing with, “Honestly I should look it up before I even guess what we would need to do.” Getting up off of his chair and gesturing for the kobold to follow him as he walked towards the stairs.
Sword in hand, and backpack left on the sofa the kobold followed, almost jumping up each step as she climbed the stairway. As she entered the second floor she found herself surrounded by bookcases bursting with books and scrolls of all shapes and sizes.
The bookshelves towered above her as she followed the apprentice to a desk in the center of the room. She then watched as the apprentice sat down at the table and began gesturing at the air, mumbling as he did. Bix observed a slow greenish glow spreading throughout the room as the gesturing continued. She was also feeling a thrumming crescendo through her teeth that faded away as the glow rippled over her.
As the glow entangled the books they began to vibrate one at a time as if someone ran their hand down each book’s spine. Some of the books even lifted out of their shelves and began floating to the desk Sal sat at. As a couple more books arrived, Bix felt the sword let out a huge sigh as he commented, “Half brain apprentice doesn’t even know the sorting system so he uses his vast magical powers to cast a nearly worthless spell.” Bix frowned as the sword said this whispering back, “He’s getting the task done for us, why in the nine hells do you have to be a jagoff about it?” The sword gritting his teeth and retorting with, “God I can’t wait to never have to deal with you again.”
After minutes of roiling silence Sal stopped, breathing outward in relief at the now tenth book and one scroll high stack now next to him. He then muttered a quick incantation at the stack wincing as all but three of the books rocketed back to the bookshelf. Turning to look at Bix, Sal said pointing at the small stack, “So, in these books are mentions of your sword.” Bix could feel a slight twinge of anger from the sword at the apprentice's explanation.
Sal continued on as he started flipping through the books, “It's only two of these as one should be, ‘Unbinding Rituals for the Magically Inclined’ but let me just look here in the index.” As Sal scanned the index muttering to himself Bix sat down. Seeming to find the listing in the index he fanned to a prior page groaning a minute or two later. Turing to face the kobold Sal presented the book to her, pointing with a line on the page. “Of course, it's just a bloody mention.”
Bix squinted reading with some difficulty, “And Tal the Tyrant was struck down by George the Valiant, dropping his runed blade. This blade is presumed to be the Claiomh Solais due to its description by historical scholars and the accounts of it burning the hand of George the Valiant when he attempted to pick it up.” She paused and continued reading aloud squinting harder at the text, “George was also only able to strike Tal down with the remains of his sword as Claiomh broke it in during the fight.”
The sword chuckled at this saying, “That was a battle to remember, for sure!” The kobold took the book as Sal began rifling through the next. “Cutting through flesh and bone is a magical feeling, but steel, that is an acquired taste to be sure.” As Sal continued his search Bix let in a little sound of surprise saying under her breath, “I, remember that.” Almost dropping the book in the process, scrabbling to prevent it from hitting the ground.
After catching her breath Bix closed the book, calming down as she placed it next to the desk. As she straightened up the apprentice leaned down and picked up the last book, flipping through it. Clearing his throat before saying, “So with the short description of your sword I was able to find in the other book, it seems it's your sword is likely a Beta-mallable-telepath with its creation dating back to the Icelandic Ages.” Smiling, he grabbed the last book in the pile, turning its pages with excitement. After a minute he paused on a page and began reading aloud, “For weapons with beta level intellect, malleable form, and telepathic abilities the following ritual is likely to reverse their magical bond with a user.”
Sal coughed then continued saying, “The ingredients for this ritual are 2 animal sinews; enough to wrap around the user’s wrist, a handful of dirt from a hill, and around 100 milliliters of Dragon's blood.” Putting the book down Sal stood up then turned to Bix, “We should have these ingredients on hand, minus the dirt, but there is a hill really close to us anyway,” gesturing in a direction as he mentioned the dirt. Bix nodded and began following the apprentice back to the stairs after he got up.
As Sal entered the first floor of the tower he walked to a rather old cupboard, pulling its door open as Bix entered the floor as well. Mumbling to himself Sal pulled out a jar and placed it on the floor. Then bening down to examine the cupboard’s lower shelf. Interested, Bix walked to examine the bottle that the apprentice had placed on the floor. It was a medium sized glass jar, much akin to one that someone might use to hold jam. Inside was what seemed to be long white straight rope, these seeming to be the sinews that he mentioned.
As Bix further examined the jar she heard the apprentice say something from within the cupboard. Turning around she watched as he held up another large jar full of a red substance from its lid. She then also watched as the lid slipped open and the jar began falling to the ground.
Scrabbling to catch the jar before it fell Bix leapt forward. With her hands outstretched she barely touched the jar, somehow managing to push it away from her. Then both her and the jar slammed into the floor seconds apart, the jar shattering as it hit. Splattering blood onto Bix and the crouching apprentice. Sal slowly turned to see what had happened. Gasping as he saw the now splattered blood, the silence that followed was deafening.
After what seemed like minutes of shock Bix got up wincing a bit as she did. She started to try and get at least some of the blood that had splashed onto her wiped off. As she began inspecting her shirt the apprentice sat down and began massaging his forehead. He groaned as he said, “Gods, Murkins is going to kill me for this.”
The sword up to this point had been silent, but as the kobold began grooming her face, he spoke up. Saying with a gritting of teeth, “You need to ask him if we can get more dragon blood someway reptile.” His suggestion however fell on deaf ears as the kobold only started grooming a bit harder. “Are you ignoring me, you overgrown second rate lizard?!” The sword then yelled, the kobold continuing to ignore him. Further angered, a pounding began emanating from the sword.
As the pounding began to peak, Bix felt her movements impaired. Finally causing her to stop her incessant grooming as a result, the sword calming down with her. Almost like a bruxist the sword then said, “Talk. To. Him. New dragon blood shouldn’t be hard to come by, and I don’t want to be stuck with you.” Bix nodded and walked over to the apprentice who was still sitting and massaging his forehead in shock.
“I, are you ok?” said the kobold to Sal. Sal responded by lowering his hands and shaking his head. Almost strained Bix said, “I’m sor,” before being interrupted by Sal saying, “It, wasn’t your fault.” Continuing with “I know it slipped out of my grip. I know you just tried to catch it. I could feel it.” Bix stood there teeth and hands nervously clenching as the apprentice went on, “Pretty much all of all that blood is tainted beyond use now, and we just got that batch recently too, sigh.” Pausing, he continued saying, “I don’t think I can help you now, at least not without more dragon’s blood.”
Bix swallowed while also scratching her scales saying, “Can’t you get more?” with her hands outstretched a look of confusion and hope painted on her face. Sal stood up and said, “Yes, but, no.” Continuing to explain, “It's hard to get new blood nowadays, best methods have waitlists nearly years long, and the other option is dangerous as all hell.” As he began making arcane gestures he sighed, “Not to mention half the battle of slaying a dragon nowadays is simply finding one.”
Completing his gestures the shards of glass reformed back into their previous form. The blood was also being drawn up from the floorboards and the two’s clothes to go back into the jar. The blood however looked different from its previous reddish color, looking almost purple instead. Something Sal looked rather dejected about.
Groaning as he did, Sal put the now complete jar back in the cupboard. Then turning to look at Bix. Seeing her confusion he said, “Dragon’s blood is a unique magical reactant, the problem is it also loves to react with most everything else.” Continuing he gestured to the cupboard saying, “Bright red dragon’s blood works great but the moment it changes to purple the best you can do is use it for spells that don’t require the reactive properties of pure dragon’s blood. The spell I looked up was almost screaming for that reactive property along with the property of the blood, so as I mentioned I really can’t help you with this now.”
Bix frowned at the explanation given, pursing her lips almost in thought. After thinking about it for a bit she asked, “Is it possible someone else might have these components to perform the needed ritual?” Sal grimaced then said, “I mean, maybe but wizards are so spread out anyway and it's not like they couldn’t do such a ritual but rather would likely not be willing to spend the materials and time to do so.” He continued saying “I would say waiting till Master Merkins comes back from his call would be more time efficient than anything.”
Bix nodded begrudgingly. Sal then placed his hand on her shoulder and said, “Listen, I can send you a message when he shows up but it will likely be weeks before he comes back.” Thanking him, Bix sighed and walked back to the door exiting the tower, Sal waving as she left.
Closing the door behind her, Bix started walking to the worn path that led back to town, the sword humming with the frustration of the events that had unfolded before him. As Bix walked he muttered, “I hope this whole two clown carnival isn't destiny driven.” Bix, woken out of her disassociation raised her brow in response.
The sword sighed and explained, “My creator had this whole thing about how destiny is greater than all magic." Solais continued with a slight chuckle and said, “Of course for all his talents I still feel like he was incorrect as with some of the stuff I’ve seen, such an idea still feels half baked.” As he finished speaking, Bix didn't respond allowing the forest silence to wash over the group. A little annoyed at the lack of any response, the sword fell silent too, lacking the yellow bile to belittle the Kobold for the entire walk back.
As they grew closer to their destination the sword almost seemed a little on edge. Something the Kobold attributed to how she had snubbed him hours prior. The sword then broke that assumption by asking, “Wait, you smell smoke right?”
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