We’re almost done with Part 1, and I’m thinking I’ll probably drop the series after that. It’s been a long journey already and I don’t want to post an entire novel on my site. 😛 So in a couple of months, we’ll be back to random stories/poetry/etc. on Saturdays!! Thanks for sticking with the series this long, guys! It’s been a pleasure. *bows*
Recap
Ashan, distant niece of the High Commander’s, has deserted the Leaper forces and has yet to be apprehended. With her on the loose, who knows what secrets might be disclosed?
The Caretaker – Part. 1.16
Calah had already been outfitted by the time Lasha returned to the Weaponry. At Lasha’s prompting she displayed her weapons – a lightweight primary blaster that was already locked to her fingerprints, a tiny collapsible knife secured into her hair, and two Threaded Echoblades. Apparently Mr. Shazen had found out about Calah’s portal-creation problems and was working on adjusting the Echoblades to be compatible with Calah’s specific type of portal energy. Lasha arched her eyebrow at that. Calah made it sound like Mr. Shazen hadn’t even blinked when she’d explained her inability to create portals. Odd.
“How did your call go?” Calah asked, weaving her knife back into her braid. “Anything important?”
“Yes, but nothing I am at liberty to discuss.” Lasha glanced at her armband, taking note of the clock near her wrist. “We’re running out of time. I’m supposed to have dinner with the other Commanders before we leave.”
“When are we leaving, anyway?”
“Tomorrow morning, if all goes according to plan.”
A smile dawned on Calah’s lips. “Does it ever?”
Lasha grunted in response.
“Then I’d best get your things, eh, Lasha?” Mr. Shazen winked at her and hobbled into the back room, returning a moment later with a long rectangular box.
“Remember these?” he asked, setting the box on the counter and removing the lid. Pale blue tissue covered the contents like a cloud.
Lasha repressed a smile as she drew her pistol from the insides of her jacket, sliding it across the counter to Mr. Shazen. “I can’t carry this anywhere but Earth. I used two bullets.”
“No problem,” Mr. Shazen replied, picking up the gun and studying it with a piercing blue eye. “Did you kill anyone?”
Calah’s wide brown eyes grew wider as she turned and looked at Lasha, who shrugged.
“It was just a couple warning shots. Nothing else was needed.”
“Good.” Mr. Shazen whirled and hobbled towards the back of the store, carrying the pistol in a way that would have alarmed Lasha had she not known that he was an expert with them. “Show your Istarin to your apprentice while I put this up!”
“Istarin?” Calah asked once Mr. Shazen had disappeared.
“Yes.” Lasha unfolded the tissue and withdrew twin hilts, examining both of them and tracing the runes engraved down their sides with her thumb. Each were crafted of one smooth piece of steel, made to look like silver wood. It was molded to her hand and worked beautifully when Lasha drew energy from the air and let the pale aura swirl around her fingers. There was a swishing sound and blades extended from the hilts where before there had appeared to be sold metal. They were long and straight, with their single-edges curving slightly up at the ends. Intricate designs wove along the top of the blades.
In short, they were gorgeous.
“These are pretty cool,” Calah admitted. “But they look like normal swords. Why are they so special?”
Lasha let the energy around her hands dissipate, and the blades swooshed back into their hilts. “They’re Threaded and not Threaded,” she explained, “and also locked to my fingerprints just like your blaster is locked on yours. They’re made of a rare ore found only on Anara, harder than diamonds and more flexible than green wood. They retain their sharpness even after a century of use.” She extended one blade, then ran her thumb over its pummel. The blade remained out as the swirling energy around her hand faded. “Try using it.”
Calah took the hilt with a wary look on her face. The instant Lasha’s fingers left the hilt the blade snapped away. Calah almost dropped it in her surprise.
“The blade is at its best when I’m using the Threaded end of things,” Lasha continued, taking back her weapon. The blade re-extended at her touch. “However, since that only works for about half an hour or so before I run out of energy, I can also un-Thread it and use it as a normal blade.”
“Istarin,” Calah murmured, reverence in her voice.
Lasha nodded. “Istarin.”
BTW, you can find a picture of the Istarin in the Art Galleries. 😉
Until next time,
Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth!! 😉
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