�Tell me again of my father, Noig.�

�How many times have I told you, boy? If you must call me by my name use my full name. And, haven�t you heard this story enough? You ask to hear it almost everyday.�

�But, Noignar, your name is so difficult to say. And besides, I like hearing about my father. I never knew him and your stories are all I have.�

�And that is all they are Blaylock, stories. Stories that I collected from the townspeople after growing tired of your constant begging to hear about your parents.�

�A man should have the right to know who his parents were, should he not?�

�He should, but you are not a man yet, Blaylock. Remember that.�

�But my eighteenth birthday is in but a weeks time. Surely I am ready to become a man. And call me Blay, Noig. I would think that after all this time, we would be friends.�

�Friends we are Blaylock. But to call a man by half his name is to call him half a man. And I am your teacher before I am your friend. Remember that. I am here to teach you how�..

��to fight the forces of evil and darkness so that peace might be restored to the kingdoms of the world.� Blaylock finished Noignar�s sentence with ease. �Yes, I know all this. I have heard it too many times. But, how I am supposed to fight evil I am but one man. I cannot possibly defeat the evil alone. You have told me of the good king�s armies and even he cannot defeat his own brother. A brother, who I remind you, has made a pact with the Dark Goddess Mei to live forever that he might accomplish his goal of total world domination. I ask again. How am I supposed to defeat the forces of evil? I am only one man!�

�One man can make a difference Blaylock. Your father gave his life so that you might have the chance to live. And it was his dying wish that you grow to be strong and to fight and destroy the evil that he could not.�

�How am I supposed to destroy evil if I am stuck here? In this forest, sparring with a dwarf and beating tress with sticks? Is not the evil out there? In the outside world. That is where all the peoples of the kingdoms are suffering. If I am going to save those people, why am I still in here?�

�You are not yet ready to go into that world and fight, Blaylock. The outside world is harsh and deadly. If you are not fully prepared, you will die before you have the chance to help anyone.�

�When will I be fully prepared? I have trained with you and the others all my life. I have learned the art of the sword, even though I have no sword. I have learned how to listen to the world around me and how to use its power. I have even learned how to shoot a bow.�

�Shoot is hardly the word for it. You seem to have a natural talent that, dare I say, even many elves do not possess. You can hit a running deer from 100 yards, every time. And�you do have a sword.�

�No I don�t. All I have is a wooden stick in the shape of a sword.�

�Yes, you do have a sword. It was your fathers before he fell to Zager. And it was to become yours when you were ready.� Blaylock�s eyes lit up at this turn of fortune.

�My father�s sword? Why did you not tell me you had it? When did you get it? When can I see it?�

�Slow down boy. It was with you when you came to us. It was among the things that were left to you. And I did not tell you because I knew you would want to see it after hearing of your father. But, now I think you are ready to see it, and to train with it. A real sword is much different than a wooden stick. You must remember that.�

�Yes. Yes. Can I see it now?�

�I suppose. Stay here and wait for me. I will go get it from the smiths. Unless you want to come with me to get it.�

�Ha Ha. Very funny, Noig. You know I can�t fit into those tunnels anymore. I outgrew them long ago. Did you forget that it was you who built me this house out here on the surface? How long ago was it that I came to live up here? It has been too long for me to remember.�

�You moved up here when you were ten. You kept hitting your head on the ceilings and demanded that we raise them. That was not something we could do so we decided to build you a house and move you to the surface where there is no ceiling to bump into.�

�Ah yes. Now I remember. Now hurry and get my sword from that blasted tunnel system you call home.�

�All right Blaylock. I will be back shortly.�

�Shorter? I did not think that possible.�

�Now who�s trying to be funny? Just wait here.�

With that, the short grey-haired dwarf left the humble hut and disappeared into the tunnel jutting from the earth next to the house. Blaylock stepped out of his wooden and stone home into the morning sun. He had been training all his life to be a warrior for the light. He never really understood why his dwarven friend insisted upon teaching him how to fight. But, he had never once questioned him. All of it seemed somehow natural to him. It was something he wanted to do; something his soul needed him to do.

Blaylock washed his face in the cool water collecting in the bucket outside his door. He thought himself ready to go out into the world but his teachers told him he was not ready. And deep down, he himself felt it too. There was something missing, something that would tell him he was ready to go forth and do battle with the evil. He didn�t know what that something was, but he was patient. He was willing to wait until it came to him.

Blaylock was so lost in thought that he didn�t here Noignar calling his name.

�Blaylock! Wake up boy. You slept last night. The day was not made to be daydreamed through.�

�Oh, I am sorry teacher. I was just thinking that you were right and that I am not ready to go out into the world. I feel there is something missing. Something I need to find, something that will tell me I am ready.�

�Well, let us hope you find it soon. The outside world only grows darker and more filled with evil every day. And to fight that evil you will need a strong sword. I hope that this is that sword.�

Noignar held in his arms a huge bundle of folded cloth. He carefully pulled back the fabric to reveal an intricately worked leather and silver scabbard. He held it up to Blaylock, who took hold of the swords handle and drew the large shining broadsword from its sheath. It fit perfectly in his grip as if it were made for him and him alone. He swung it through the air and the sword seemed to sing, happy to be held and used by its rightful master.

�This was your fathers. When we found you it was broken in pieces. Knowing that you would need it, we reforged it using elven steel. It is the strongest blade our smiths have ever made. It took a whole year to create, and has been waiting since then for this day. Miraculously it has not tarnished nor dulled over the years. Though elven steel is strong and holds its edge longer than human blades, this sword surprised even us dwarves. It�s as if the gods themselves created it. With this you can fight the evil and banish the demons back to the darkness.�

�All it needs now is a name. A sword is not complete until its one true owner has blessed it with a name.�

�I shall name it, Danbira, in honor of my father. It feels almost as if his very spirit were inside this sword.�

�Then Danbira is now yours to do with as you see fit. Use it well and may it protect you �til the end. Today there will be no training. Instead, use this day to get more acquainted with your new sword. Not until you are as comfortable with it as you are your own body will it truly become a weapon. Remember that.�

�I will. What are you going to do today if we are not going to train?�

�I have some things I need to do and this is a good chance to get them done.�

�Anything I can help you with?

�No. I can handle it. You stay up here and work with your sword. And try not to get into any trouble.�

�What kind of trouble can I get into? There is nothing up here but me, the animals and the trees.�

�There are also elves. But they live far from here so you shouldn�t run into any of them. Still, watch out and stay alert. There are some animals in the forest that are dangerous even to you and your sword. Remember that.�

�Okay, okay I get it. Stay out of trouble.� Blaylock looked down at Noignar and said in his best imitative voice, �I�ll remember that.�

�You mock me, boy?!� Noignar started running after Blaylock �Get back here you ungrateful snit.�

The dwarf chased after the human but could not possibly keep up with him.

�You need to run faster than that, teacher.�

Blaylock ran off into the woods brandishing Danbira and cutting down saplings on his way to nowhere in particular.

�That boy is not yet ready. If he doesn�t find that �something� soon we are all in great danger.�

Noignar disappeared back into the underground tunnel system and headed straight for the library. There he met up with Quopdu and Fergred.

�I gave him the sword and he ran off, hopefully to learn to handle it.�

�What did he name it?� Asked Fergred.

�Danbira.� Answered Noignar.

�After his father. Good choice.�

�Yes, but he is not ready, and we three need to get him so, soon. There is not much time left before the end.� Noignar turned to Quopdu. �What do the ancient scrolls say about when he is to start his journey?�

�It only says after he has become a true man that he can begin to face the evil. And the scrolls and texts say nothing about when that happens. Dwarves become true men after we grow our first beard. But he is human and they have no definite occurrence that defines them as men. They are the only peoples who don�t.� Quopdu began to pace back and forth at the table.

Fergred spoke up again. �Then if the humans don�t know when their boys become men how do we know when Blaylock becomes a man? We can�t use our traditions, dwarves and humans are too different. What about the elves? Didn�t the human race derive from the elves?�

�It has been too many generations to know if the elven traditions would still apply to humans,� answered Noignar.

�What if we ask the elves if they can help us? We can take Blaylock to them and they can tell us when he becomes a man.�

�You know elves don�t like us, Fergred. They would never help us of their own free will. We would have to coerce them into helping. You remember how hard it was to get their steel to reforged Blaylock�s sword. It was only after we spoke to the Elder and explained who the sword was for that he ordered his smiths to give us the steel.�

�We could tell them of the impending doom. Surely they would help if they knew of Blaylock�s part in bringing peace to the world of man� suggested Quopdu.

�Elves care only about themselves. Not for man and surely not for dwarves.�

�But if Zager completes his quest to take over the human world, what is to stop him from coming after us or the elves?�

�You do have a point, Quopdu.� Now it was Noignar who was pacing the length of the library. After much thought he turned back to his two friends. �Try and arrange a meeting with the Elder. He is wise, and if we can convince him, we can get the elves help.�

�I�ll dispatch a message right away.� Quopdu left the library headed for the aviary to send a message to the Elder.

�We can only hope that we are not too late to stop Zager and his Dark Goddess Mei.�

Blaylock spent the entire morning practicing with his new sword. He had gone through all of the stance and attacks that he had learned through the years. While he had not had trouble with the moves yesterday, today they were sluggish and nowhere near anything Noignar would call passable. And Blaylock knew it. He knew it was the weight of the sword that was slowing him down. He was determined to replicate all of the stances perfectly by the end of the day and show Noignar what he had accomplished.

It was near noon and Blaylock was covered in sweat. His brow glistened with the proof of his fierce training and unrelenting drive to master his new sword. He stopped his training knowing that it was time for a break. He sat with his legs crossed and concentrated on the forest around him. He listened to the birds, the squirrels, and the trees. A faint whisper escaped his lips as he sat. A simple question asked of nature itself.

�Water?�

A bird twittered overhead and landed on Blaylock�s shoulder. Blaylock opened his eyes and carefully stood. The bird took flight and circled around before heading off into the forest to Blaylock�s right.

�That way? All right then.�

Blaylock collected his shirt and sword and started running after the bird. It wasn�t long before he caught sight of the bird and followed it through the forest weaving around trees and through brush. A few minutes later the forest thinned and gave way to a huge lake. He looked up at the bird that had landed on a branch above his head and thanked the little creature for guiding him to this spot.

�But, how will I find my way back? Will you show me?�

The bird fluttered its wings and sang a little song finally settling down and quietly sat on the branch.

�Thank you little friend. You�re one of the nicest birds I�ve ever met.�

Blaylock wasted no time undressing and throwing himself into the icy cold water. He swam around the lake for about half an hour spending as much time as he could under the surface trying to hold his breath for as long as he could. He resurfaced each time in a different part of the lake but he always kept his clothes in sight.

After what seemed like an eternity under the surface Blaylock finally broke through the surface of the water and swam his way back to his clothes. He lay out on the soft grass and dried in the soft warm sun of midday. When Blaylock thought himself sufficiently dry, he dressed, picked up his sword and looked for his bird friend.

The bird, seemingly bored with watching Blaylock swim, had left his perch and was nowhere in sight. Blaylock walked around the edge of the lake looking for his bird guide and looking to see if he saw anything that was familiar to him. He made it about half way around the lake and was staring off into the woods hopelessly lost when he heard a splash behind him. He turned and looked into the lake but saw only ripples on the surface. He leaned and looked closer to see if it was just a fish when a head popped up from the depths. Curious, Blaylock made his way around the lake hiding behind trees and bushes keeping quiet so as not to draw any attention to himself. Blaylock was intently watching the person swimming in the lake and almost tripped over an exposed root but caught himself in time to avoid making any suspicious noises.

In the distance Blaylock could see a green cloak hanging on a tree. Blaylock made his way to it and found more clothes in a pile on the ground. He picked up one article and held it up to examine it. He was slightly confused by its design but it reminded him of a dress. Up to this point in his life he had only seen female dwarves wear dresses. He figured that whoever owned this dress must be female because he could not figure any guy would want to wear a dress.

Having never seen any females besides the dwarves he lived with all his life, he was naturally curious as to what they might look like. Determined to see a full sized female for the first time, Blaylock went deeper into the forest and waited for the swimming female to finish and come out of the water. It wasn�t long before Blaylock heard the splashing of water get closer and closer to the shore. It was clear to him that she was swimming back to retrieve her clothes.

The view that Blaylock was treated to as she walked onto the shore would have broken the heart of any man. Rivulets of shimmering water ran from her long light brown hair onto her beautiful angular face down her perfect neck around her tanned and firm breasts then cascaded down her exposed ribs. The sound in Blaylock�s ears was deafening. Never before had he even imagined a creature as beautiful and lovely as this vision before him. His heart beat against his chest and he was sure that she could hear it even from where he was hiding. His eyes feasted upon her form and devoured her every detail.

Blaylock�s revelry was broken by the distinct sound of the air being torn apart and the shaft of an arrow shaking against itself as it flew through the air at his head. He dropped to his knees, barely avoiding the arrow as it dug itself into the tree where Blaylock�s head had just been. His vision of beauty forgotten, he turned toward the direction the deadly projectile had flown from. He picked up his sword and, forgoing all higher reason to run toward cover, sprinted at his unseen attacker. Arrow after arrow flew at him and with an unknown natural ability he swung and Danbira swatted them away like flies. Blaylock heard a sword being drawn from its sheath and stopped, preparing himself for combat.

�You have defiled my sister�s honor with your perverse spying, and as her brother I, Eloryn, will have your head. Step forth and prepare for death.�

�I wasn�t spying on anyone. I was merely looking for the owner of the clothes I came across. And if you want a fight, you shall have one.�

�I saw you clearly from here. You were gawking at her and I will not forgive you for such a base act.�

A cloaked elf stepped from behind a tree. He was tall and slender with short brown hair and a clean face. His pointed ears and angled features were red with rage and he held in his hand an elven long sword.

�An elf? What are you doing this far out into the forest?�

�I am not the one who is far from home, human. You trespassed on Elven lands, spied on my sister, denied it, and then question why I am out of place? You will die a fool, human.�

�We will see about that.�

�NO! NO ONE WILL SEE ANYTHING TODAY!!!�

The voice boomed from what seemed like the entire forest. It echoed off every tree and resounded through the very ground itself. Blaylock and Eloryn were shocked by the fierce and determined statement.

�Who said that? Show yourself! I demand it!� Shouted Eloryn.

Noignar appeared from seemingly nowhere and walked forcefully with resolve toward the two fighters.

�It was I who spoke and here I am.�

�Who are you to stop this duel between men?�

�I am this boy�s teacher and guardian. He knows nothing of the elven peoples and has stumbled upon your lands unknowingly. Forgive him of his na�vet� and allow me to take him from this place and bother you no more.�

�A dwarf is this man�s guardian. If you are his teacher why did you not teach him of the elves and why did you allow him to wander this far into our territory?�

�He has no need for knowledge of your race and I was unaware that he even knew how to make it to his lake. I ask again. Will you put away your sword and allow me to take my charge and leave you and your sister in peace?�

�There will be no peace for me and my sister until this man has paid for his immoral deeds. According to Elven customs and traditions I have the right to challenge him to a duel to the death. And I do just that. Will you accept this duel and face your fate like a man or decline and dishonor yourself, your father, and your entire family?�

�No one speaks of my father in such a manner. I accept your challenge.�

�Blaylock, have you any idea what you are doing? I beg of you, decline his challenge and return home. You have nothing to prove to him.�

�Noignar, as a man, this is something I must do. I cannot back down now or I would disgrace my father�s memory.�

�Then I ask for a stay of time. Elven customs and tradition do not dictate when the duel must occur. I propose that you allow one week for me to try and talk him out of this foolish venture. If he still wishes to fight you, I will not stand in his way. How does that sound to you two?�

�I will not back down from this fight, but I accept your terms Noignar. I will use this week to prepare for my duel.�

�I also accept your proposal. Bring him to the Arena in one week�s time. If you do not show up I will hunt you down and claim my vengeance.�

�Very well, kind sir. Now, Blaylock, we must leave this place before you get into anymore trouble.�

�Yes, boy. Run back to your hovel and hide. Only men can enter the Arena.�

Blaylock yelled back over his shoulder as Noignar led him back to the tunnels.

�And only men will, El!�

Eloryn was left standing alone in the woods fuming at Blaylock�s last comment.

�Did you hear what he said, sister? He called me �El�. My name is Eloryn. How dare he insult me like that! I will have that boy�s heart at the Arena.�

Eloryn�s sister quietly walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

�I feel something strange in that man. His aura resonates differently than yours and mine. I fear that if you fight him, you might lose. Please, brother, please do not go through with this challenge.�

�Not fight? You know I can�t do that Andraenna. I issued the challenge. To back out of a duel I started would dishonor me and our family.�

�Some things are bigger then honor, Eloryn. I fear this is one of them. If you must fight him, I beg for you to be careful.�

�Of course, dear sister. You know I will. Now, let�s go back home and get you some rest.�