The Sheriff and Valeria came out the building just as Redwar and I pulled apart.

"This woman said you had a traitor-" the Sheriff broke off when he saw the Elected One tied up. "What! What's going on here! Jordan what are you doing-"

The Elected One, otherwise known as Jordan, cut him off with a sneer. "It's Dissol to you." He slid off his horse.

The Sheriff stepped back, surprise etched on his face. Then the surprise hardened into anger. "I'll take you in myself," he growled.

And just like that, friends became enemies.

Redwar held up his hand. "Wait. Where's the stable?"

The Sheriff pointed to the building in front of us. "Back behind there."

Redwar grabbed both of the horses reins. "Take us there."

"Sure, just let me take this filthy-"

"No, before you take him away," Redwar cut him off.

At this we looked at him in surprise. What was he up too?

The Sheriff looked reluctant, but he respected Redwar. "Alright, follow me."

He led us around back to small but comfy stable.

Redwar turned to Dissol. "I know what your horse means to you," he said quietly. "Your horse fought valiantly for you. Therefore, I'll untie you so you can tend to him. But do not try anything."

Something changed in Dissol's expression. "You have given me this honor. You have my word: I will not try anything."

Redwar eyed him for a moment, then nodded. He untied the rope from Dissol's wrist. "You are free to move about the stable and use whatever you believe your horse needs."

"Sir, he might-" Redwar cut the Sheriff off with a glare.

"He gave his word Sheriff."

"But he's a Ravager!"

Dissol and Redwar glared at him.

"So? A Ravager's word binds him more closely than yours does. If he breaks it, his honor is stripped from him. Many will think him worthy of death. He will not try anything." Redwar's tone silenced any more protests.

With that he untied Dissol. I walked over to the end of the stable and leaned on one of the posts. I trusted Redwar, and left my sword in its sheath.

Slowly and with care, Redwar led Ladine into one of the stalls and took her whole bridle off. The horse lowered her head and sighed deeply. "There you go girl," Redwar murmured.

He hung the bridle outside the stall, then went to the well and drew water. He offered it to her and she drank deeply. Redwar pulled the bucket away before she was finished. "Not so fast dear one. You'll get sick," he cautioned.

He grabbed a stiff brush and with firm strokes straightened her matted sweaty hair. Ladine seemed to enjoy this.

Redwar obviously loved Ladine very much. He honored her loyalty to him. It inspired me to treat Axe the same way.

Dissol took care of his horse with all the love and tender care that Redwar did Ladine. I narrowed my eyes and thought how strange a culture must be that cared more for their animals than their people.

Redwar went immediately went off to find a bed, exhausted from the night's ordeal. Dissol was taken to the cells. By the time his trial commenced, we would have left Ladris.

The Judge had also been captured as he'd been conversing with another Ravager. The other Ravager had fled and the Sherriff's men hadn't been able to find him. Redwar was certain he'd gone to alert others to be on the look out for us, and most likely, set an ambush.

Valeria and I gathered supplies for the trip. She purchased packs to carry our essentials with. I'm afraid I wasn't much help, my mind agitated.

I spent the rest of the day pacing the city on foot, wanting to give Axe a brief rest before we started out for Terreth. Besides, I had extra energy to burn. I stomped up and down vacant alleyways, glaring at anyone who talked to me. I also ran through multiple sword drills till I was drenched in sweat.

But the next day Redwar was refreshed and it was time to leave. He thanked the sheriff for his hospitality and offered to pay him, but the Sheriff refused.

Finally Redwar mounted Ladine. "Ready to go?"

I nodded eagerly. "More than ready. Just point me in the direction of Terreth."

Redwar chuckled. "Fair enough. However, there's one more stop that I'd like to make before we leave the city."

Valeria and I looked at each other in puzzlement.

"Where's that Redwar?" Valeria asked.

"The blacksmith," he replied as he urged Ladine forward.

Valeria and I nudged our horses after him, perplexed and curious expressions on our face. What was Redwar up too?

We wove our way back to the blacksmith, who had just opened his shop. He was pounding away at a horse shoe, sweat beginning to stream down from his brow. As we approached, he lifted the horseshoe and peered at it in judgement. Apparently it meant qualifications, as he put it down with satisfaction.

Spotting us, he put down his hammer. "Ah, you're Redwar Volan aren't you? The one who captured the traitor?"

"Yes I am. I guess word travels fast." Redwar slid down from Ladine.

"Yep, it sure does." He looked behind Redwar as Valeria and I dismounted. "Oh, hello again you two. I'm afraid I don't know anything else about your brother."

"I appreciate you trying to help them earlier," interjected Redwar. "But that's not why we're here now."

The blacksmith nodded. "You come your sword?"

Oh, so that was why Redwar had come. He wanted to pick up a sword.

"Yes. Is it done?"

"Yep, just finished it yesterday. I think it's one of my best yet," said the blacksmith with evident pride. "I'll fetch it for you."

The blacksmith walked back into his shop and came out with a sword wrapped in cloth. With the tender care of a mother unwrapping her infant child, he exposed the blade to the light.

My eyes lit up and a small gasp escaped my lips. The sword was of finely crafted work, razor sharp. The handle was wrapped in black leather, with dyed blue leather weaving throughout. The pattern continued up to the hand guard. It was clear this had taken a long time to craft.

Redwar watched my reaction. "Do you like it Ravine?"

I looked up at him. "It's a splendid blade. You should be proud to own it."

"Oh, but it's not mine Ravine." He took the sword from the blacksmith's hands and held it out to me. "It's yours."

I stared at him as Valeria's words echoed in my mind: "And when they leave, they leave with a horse, with a sword, and with the restoration needed..."

"Are you sure Redwar?"

"Of course I am."

Reverently I took the blade from his hands. Its weight was firm in my hands. Without taking my eyes from it I asked Redwar, "What do I do with the one in my sheath?"

"Give it to me. We'll keep it as a training or spare sword."

I finally shook myself from my awe. "Thank you Redwar." I drew the other sword out of my sheath and handed it to him.

Resisting the urge to brandish my new weapon I slid it into my sheath. This was the first weapon I had borne that was mine. They'd always been borrowed. I borrowed swords to train at home. I 'borrowed', if you could call it that, a Ravager's sword during the raid. And I had borrowed a sword from Redwar.

But this sword was my very own.

I looked up at the blacksmith. "Did... did my brother help with the forging of this sword?"

"He hauled the wood for the fire and watched me fashion it."

I laid my hand over the pommel, the sword already feeling like it belonged to me.

"Let's go. If I remain another moment in this city, I will go mad."

"What will you call it?"

Valeria's question stirred me from my thoughts. "What?"

"What will you call your new blade?"

I starred out along the road and listened to Axe's hoofbeats. "I'm not sure yet." I rubbed the pommel with my thumb. "What did you call yours?"

Valeria looked lovingly down at the sword at her hip. "I named it The Bane. Bane for short."

"Why?"

"Because it's going to be the bane of many men and many things."

I nodded in acknowledgement. I wanted to make sure that I picked the best name for my blade. Something with power, related to me and the mission I would use it on.

Redwar suddenly pulled Ladine to stop. Startled, we halted behind him.

"What is it Redwar?" asked Valeria, tension lacing her voice.

AN: How ironic that I thought I was only going to be able to get a half chapter update out this week, but it turns out to be one of my longer updates.  But hey, it's my 'fun' story and I can do with it what I will ;) What do you think of Ravine's new blade?