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Four of Swords - A NaNoWriMO Entry
Chapter 3 - You Were Always Nice To Me

Chapter 3 - You Were Always Nice To Me

Zyrell's family came to say goodbye. Zyrell didn't have much. A few tunics. A old pair of boots and an image of his mother made from a special paper. A light mage had been traveling through town introducing one of his new gadgets. This had been right before she got sick. She paid a small fee for the light mage and Zyrell and her posed for a picture--a photograph is what the mage called it.

Today of all days it was sunny and warm. The moth of Chrysanthemum's was the 11th month and it was the start of the colder seasons. Zyrell had expected rain and cloudy weather. But today had the audacity to be warm and sunny. It was like the universe was excited he was leaving. The universe was excited and so was his Aunt.

Auntie Barbara was dancing. She would use Zyrell's new found position as "The Azure Sword" as social leverage. She probably had already told her friends about it. Not to mention there was one less mouth to feed in the household.

Meanwhile Uncle Logi wasn't so excited. He had a nervous look on him and was gazing around carefully as he loaded the few bags into the carrier wagon. Zyrell finally got the nerve to approach him and apologize for all the trouble he caused.

"What are you apologizing for?" Uncle Logi said with a smile. "Listen kid. When your mother was born I was the happiest big brother ever. She wasn't just my sister she was my friend. She had a way of seeing past the bad. I can tell you have the same heart she does. No matter what happens, don't ever lose that."

Uncle Logi pulled something out of a rolled up blanket. Inside the blanket was a sword with a single edge. It was a falchion. However it looked more ornate than the other flachions Logi had made in the past. It was completely black with a black guard and grip. The grip was etched into a winding design that swirled downwards ending at the pommel.

"Holy shit! This is amazing."

"Some of my best work. Your father commissioned it years ago and then never paid."

Zyrell's eyes narrowed at the mention of his father. "Yeah figures he'd do that."

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Uncle Logi just let out a hurumphf. "That's when I learned to take payment upfront." Uncle Logi jested with a smile.

Zyrell took the sword and swung it as if he were an expert. There was a warm ting to the blade. tiny needles pricked at his hand. The kind he'd get when his leg or arm would go numb but not as bad. In fact the feeling was actually pleasant. Zyrell squeezed the sword tighter in his hand.

"It has slight magic to it. It repairs itself from damage and self-sharpens so you'll need very little maintenance, just basic cleaning."

Zy knew Uncle Logi barely used magic in his items. For one the price of magic'd items was ridiculous. The sword probably costs 500 to 600 gold coins.

"If you sell that you'd make a ton."

"Huh? What? No, Boy. No one in Huntsville could afford this. This is yours."

"What?"

"Yeah your father commissioned it. And I know you'll be getting a fancy magic sword soon that'll make my sword look like a toy. But it's yours if ye want it."

Zyrell felt a wave of cold come off his Uncle. The cold stung Zyrell's body and pricked at his eyes. Zyrell fought back tears. He had already cried enough for one week when the mark had burned itself on his hand. Zyrell hugged his Uncle. He took the sword and wrapped it up and placed it in the wagon with everything else.

"Come back and visit sometime when you're a famous hero."

"Of course I will. I have to come back and pay for the sword my idiot father commissioned." Zyrell looked down. "You were always nice to me uncle. The truth is I don't know if I could ever repay you."

Uncle Logi laughed. "Just don't tell your Aunt. She'll kill me if she learns what that sword if worth."

Zyrell jumped into the wagon. "Ready to go boy?" Trevor, the Vermilion Sword, said.

"If I say no can I stay?"

Trevor shook his head and pulled the reins to start the horses. The wagon groaned and then began to move slowly forward. Zyrell watched from the back of the wagon as his cousin's waved goodbye. his uncle stood there mournfully and his Aunt Barbara waved and danced. After 30 of so minuets they disappeared into the distance.

"You got a girlfriend of something, Boy?" Trevor asked.

"Uhh... no."

"Boyfriend?"

"What? No."

"I don't judge kid. I'm an asshole but who you put your little dick in is none of my--"

"No," Zyrell said finally. "No girlfriend. No boyfriend."

"Then what are you so sad for? Didn't seem like you were leaving much behind. Huntsville is kinda' a shit place."

"Maybe you're right." Zy said. Something brushed against Zyrell's leg. It was the sword his Uncle just given he was leaving Huntsville behind but he was also leaving his Uncle behind. Last of his mother's siblings and the only person who was ever nice to him.

He'd be back. And when he did get back he repay his uncle for the sword. Take his cousins out for a fancy dinner and then find Thomas and kick HIM off a bridge.