The Sword of Karlamac Part 2 (LCC GC2)

They set off at once for the town of Glarce. The excitement was going to be too much for either of them to sleep anyway. They rode through the night and all the way Thomas recited the rhyme in his head.

 

The Blade of Karlamac gave the power to reign

Until the rude knave put Nervig’s arm in pain.

Made of glass, to be its protection

For all those that look will see only refraction.

 

By the time they got to the town square the sun was rising. ‘There she is Thomas.’ called his Uncle Gunnar. ‘Your maiden awaits.’ Thomas looked up at the chapel in front of him. Above the doors, in an alcove in the walls, was a statue of a maiden. The runic words carved into the wall at her feet spelled out the words:

 

–Protect Me from the Ravages of the Elements –

 

‘Ah’ said Thomas, so that makes sense of the third line. Gunnar pushed open the doors to the chapel. ‘Ah yes. Just as foretold. Look Thomas. Not a knave that is rude, but a nave with a rood.'

 

Thomas looked along the rows of pews that ended in a large cross. Above the cross was a sight that made Thomas gasp. The sun was streaming through the chapel window and there outlined in the shimmering sunlight was the artefact they sought. ‘Of course.’ whispered Thomas to his uncle. ‘Another homophone. Nervig’s arm was never in pain, but his arm was put in a pane – a pane of glass.’

 

Gunnar, gave Thomas a leg up to the window where Thomas could just reach the bottom of the sword tip. His fingers felt around and he found the sword was simply hanging in a recess in the glass.

 

‘Hidden in plain sight, for all this time’ whispered Gunnar. Thomas eased the sword out and came back down to the chapel floor. ‘It is made of glass.’ gasped Thomas in awe as he held up the sword. ‘That rhyme works in so many ways it makes me dizzy’, chuckled his Uncle.

Done