Odd. ''How come?''


    You''re holding back on purpose. OK, I won''t push you. ''I haven''t been back to the island for a while. Is there anything new? Anything interesting happening?''


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    By my bed? ''What was it?''


    ''Sword?'' The sword Niall gave me. ''What about it?''


    This woman... I suppose I don''t really need it, but Niall did give it to me. ''I don''t know...'' It was a prize, a gift even. I can''t just give it away... ''I''ll tell you what: if I give you the sword, you tell me what the problem is... and give me twenty gold on top.''


    Just like that? She really wants that sword. ''I''ll go get it for you, it''s below deck.''


    She really likes you, why? He looked at the hilt, it was leather bound and long. The guard, as short and useless in combat as it was, was a dirty bronze, inscribed with intricate swirling patterns. The pommel too was bronze, a small, flat and round ornament, inscribed on the underside with similar patterns to the guard. ''It does look nice.'' I should have looked at it properly much earlier on.


    Beautiful.


    Niall seemed impressed by it, but he wouldn''t part with anything special. ''I suppose I can give it away, I have no need for it.'' Dolon leant his elbow on one of the wooden steps behind him, using it to support himself. Quickly it creaked and then split and cracked. He panicked and came away from the wood. Better not step on that when I head back up. The thing''s as weak as cardboard. He quickly sheathed the blade and headed upstairs, skipping over the cracked step.


    Wonderful... ''Only if you don''t mind me giving you the sword then too.''


    Weapons are just weapons. Some are better than others, but it''s the skill of the warrior who makes them work. ''I don''t get it.''


    Don''t you look down on me. Dolon pouted. ''Anyway, you owe me a story.''