#earthrunes

**********

The norm situation settled, and the squire situation somewhat in flux, August finds himself with some free time as it were, as much as his studies and more allow. Leonora was a delight s a distraction not so long ago. But one thing that he didn't expect was his son to pester him early one morning. Magnus, as a rule, is a late sleeper.

Indeed, the normally groomed Liam is positively rumpled when he answers the door to their chambers. "Magnus?" Quietly, with a glance behind him. He steps out wearing a robe that he adjust and ties off, and shuts the door. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing wrong, just trying to gather you and sparrow for a bit of a family surprise for Coradel. Interested?"

A sunny smile as he combs his hair back with his fingers. "Yes, of course."

"Great, our dear flame haired liege has been busy with Norm, to the point where she's been walking around without a weapon since that redcap took a bite of her treasure. I'm thinking we should quest for a new one for her."

August nods. "I've thought about that. I wondered if a Dougal or nocker might be able to repair it?" He pauses, and asks casually. "Maybe you could ask Squire Honoria what she thinks? She would probably have a good guess."

"Well, we have an older Dougal still though Agincourt's specialty is siege engines. I asked about repair, it's possible. Might be just as easy to get her a shiny new singing sword"

"Or just as difficult, depending" He admits

"Quests for weapons are relatively well documented." He rubs his chin, fairly smooth despite his just-up state. "What did you have in mind?"

"well, like I said, Sparrow might want in on this. Sis needs to stretch her wings now and then, pun intended," He pulls out a scroll, "I was nosing through the library, and pretending there wasn't a sluagh watching me as if I were a kid who might five finger discount candy from a convenience store , looking for the perfect sword for mom. I took notes gathered details, and I think I've got it narrowed down to three options."

His fingers clearly itch for the scroll, but he waits.

"I..." He pauses and notices, "You'd me hand this over and let you read for yourself wouldn't you? I mean, you're just aching to make sure the notes are valid and see if I cited sources, aren't you?"

A shy smile. "Repairing or replacing Coradel's sword one of my top three concerns, now. Anything that moves it forward......"

"So it doesn't matter if I read it out loud to you instead?" Testing

"No." He folds his hands behind him.

'oh fine," He says and reads , quoting "The Sword of Joyous Refrain, may seem a morbid blade, for it can sound quite happy, as enemy's wounds are made. Upon it's hilt, a symbol of trumpet crossed with flute! And it's every stroke rallies making allies resolute. You'll find it in a den of thieves, in a master bandit's hands. Reclaim the blade and free the people of his greedy hands"

August nods. "Very mythic."

Moving onto the next one "Luckbringer is a lively dueling blade, thin and prone to find, the weak points in an enemy's hide, it looks oh quite refined, but its greatest gift that is best known, and sung in bardic verses, the copper hilted blade (From Lucky Pennies made) can help one parry curses"

"Another singing one?"

"Ah, no?" He looks back, "No, it's sung OF not a singer itself"

"Ah! Ok, yes. I like that one." Shy smile. "Lucky."

"Righto, the last one" He moves on "Kindly Cutter has an edge that carves right through steel, but tis the hilt's power than may covet, for its wielder it can heal. Know it by the feline figure, that races along the blade. A slash quite deep, a lick, then sleep, the steel's as dark as shade"

"Oh, forgot to mention where those last two ARE believed to be, sorry"

His eyes lit up at the description, but he asks, "Where?"

"Which one? Right, both..." Ahem "Luckbringer dwelling place is lost, but if you'd claim it, friend. Go to a place where wages are made, it just might turn up then" then back to the last blade "Kindly Cutter's in the hoard, of a Dragon true. Defeat the dragon or strike a deal? The path is up to you"

"A dragon...." he murmurs.

"Maybe we'll luck out and it's not bigger than Bronte? I take it that's the one you think is best for her?"

"A blade that can cut through steel, -and- heal? Both sides of the coin. I think I might trust that more than luck, not that there's anything wrong with luck." He muses, and nods. "Yes. Cutter."

"But we should talk to Sparrow, too."

"Oh definitely" He says, "wanted it to be a family surprise for mother after all"

August frowns, thinking.

"I wonder.... " He stops, frustrated. "Damn it, just make a decision already." He mutters to himself.

"Dad?" He raisses a brow "If you have an idea, why not share it with Sparrow and I? We're pretty savvy. Might have opinions."

"Mmph." A frustrated sound, and he shrugs sheepishly. "If the three of us could go on a quest, and send someone else we trusted with the broken sword to see if it could be repaired. Like, a squire."

"that might be a lot to lay on the squire. It's also a quest"

"Do you have information on that too?" Curious.

"Not not as much detail, but apparently there's a list of things needed, new starmetal just the start."

"You have the list?" He peers.

"No. I was thinking of getting her a shiny NEW sword," he says "Did She mention something about the old one?"

"Well, she loved... loves... it. She Chrysalized with it. And it has a matching archery set."

He looks at his carefully gathered notes, then sighs.

"Magnus, she'd love a new one, too. Especially if it came from you."

"well,seems a bit redundant. I can't help but feel i'm missing something though. Some obvious option."

August chuckles. "Welcome to my world."

He smiles at that

then pauses, "wait...I got it."

"My thought was to figure out how to pursue both avenues at once. It's a win either way; a repaired blade, and a new one, or a new one, or a repaired one."

"Yes?"

"well, does... Sis have a sword? i mean, a magic ooo it does neat things' sword? I don't think the one she has even lights up"