Heaven’s Blade Does Not Respond

Lady Recia knew her brother Cedric had gone too far. As she stared into the unconscious girl brought in by some of their Knights she knew they were all heading for a big trouble. She immediately took charge of Lilian, took the girl in her bedroom and locked the doors.

"I cannot believe this." Recia was saying as she changed Lilians clothes.  "The Red Roses have never stooped so low in my fathers time. Kidnapping was well beyond rules. And this hostageLilian Thorne, my goodness. I hate to think what will happen next to us"

A knock sounded on the door.  "Lady Recia, its me. I have the food. Open the door."

Recia stood up and unlatched her door. Louisa de Chardin entered with a tray of food in her arms. Recia stepped aside and let her in before re-locking the door. Louisa flipped her long, blonde hair and set the tray on Recias tea table. She surveyed the unconscious Lilian thoughtfully.

"Altairs sister" she said.

"I do not think it is a very good idea to have this girl brought here." Recia shook her head and bit her lower lip.  "It would have been lighter they just stole Heavens Blade, but they kidnapped Altairs sister as well."

"I foresee a Guild War coming." Louisa spoke in a worried voice.  "We might have the most powerful weapons, but our guildsmens morale are deteriorating. We cant even fight fairly now. Firnheild is a force to reckon with, my lady, and I am deeply worried. Deeply so, for our whole guild."

"I know, Louisa." Recia sighed.  "Altair will definitely get back for this insult."

 Silence

And then Lilian started to wake. She opened her eyes blearily, and realizing she wasnt where she was supposed to be, sat upright, staring at Recia and Louisa with unspeakable fear. The girl pulled the blankets up to her chin as she stared at the tall ladies before her.

Recia smiled kindly.  "Do not worry. We will not harm you."

"You...?" said Lilian, backing away from Recias reaching hand.  "What did you do to my brother? Return me to him!"

"There will be time for that, Lilian." Recia spoke. She signaled for Louisa to bring her the tray of food.  "Please, eat this."

Lilian stared at the food as if it were a horde of Deniro ants waiting to mob her to death.

"It is safe, Lilian." Recia smiled bitterly.  "I am a Knight. I never attack my enemy behind his back."

Lilian clutched the blanket tightly in clenched fists.  "If what you say is right, then why did Knights like you attacked my brother and kidnapped me? Knights like you attacked behind his back; when he wasnt looking. Knights like you stole his sword and me. Now I see. I would not become a Swordsman, because they are so low and treacherous. Id rather a Thief and become an Assassin instead!"

"Lady Recia is not DIRTY like her brother!" Louisa almost shouted.  "How dare you compare her! Cedric is a most vile, most evil!"

"Stop!" Recia commanded.

Louisa breathed deeply and bowed in apology. Lilian shifted her gaze from the food and onto Recias beautiful face.

"Trust me, Lilian." Recia told her.  "Not today, but I shall return you to Altair. For now, let us just trust and help each other. Now eat."

Lilian was just about to partake of the food when a bloodcurdling scream echoed in the whole fortress. Recia rose immediately, staring at the door. Giving hasty orders to Louisa that she never leaves the child, Recia left hurriedly and shut the door behind her with a slam.

"WHY ISNT IT WORKING! WHY ISNT IT WORKING!" Cedric howled loudly as he tore his hair over Heavens Blade, which was lying innocently on the paved floors of the Great Hall.  "WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT?!? WHY ISNT IT WORKING!"

Cedric was acting so violently that his guildsmen did not dare approach him. Instead they surrounded him in a ring, looking at him with fright in their eyes. Earlier Cedric wanted to show the power of Heavens Blade to his guild. He performed a powerful Bash, only to find that the sword did not respond. Heavens Blade was dead. There was no sign of life or power on its blade.

Cedric wheeled around at his alarmed men. He pointed toward Arlbalest, a Blacksmith. Shaking with fright Arlbalest stepped out of the circle, hoping against hope that her life would not be taken from her at this very moment.

"See what is wrong with it!" Cedric ordered in his most dangerous voice. "NOW!"

Arlbalest took Heavens Blade into her hands. She felt the perfect hilt, bladeeverything. She checked the Elemental Stones and Oridecons. And then she spotted the problem. The final Oridecon was missing.

"The final Oridecon is not set, my Lord." She said.  "Without the final Oridecon, Heavens Blade will not work."

"THEN SET ONE!" Cedric yelled.

"II cannot do that!" Arlbalest gasped.  "Thornecraft weapons will only work with Thornecraft Stones and Oridecons! This weapons last Oridecon is the only one in the world! Nobody can imitate or equal it! Such is the gift of Altair Thorne in craftsmanship!"

Cedric walked toward her. Arlbalest quickly dropped the sword and returned to the safety of the circle. Cedric picked up the sword and hurled it across the room with all his strenght. It bounced off the wall and fell to the floor with a clatter. It did not bear any scratch whatsoever.

Recia bent and picked it up.  "Such insolence. You already stole this sword and still you treat it with ill will. I wonder if it will work even if it has its final Oridecon."

Cedric frowned deeply. Recia was really the only one who could insult him at his face and not get a severe beating afterward.

"The Red Roses has changed greatly ever since you came to power, dear Cedric." Recia spoke.  "This guild has definitely become cowardly."

With that, Recia spun on her heels and returned to Lilian and Louisa, aware of Cedrics bloody gaze on her back.

"Shes out cold, Nerva! What on earth did you do to her? Look at how pale she is!"

"I did not do anything to her! I just opened the door! She freaked out andpoof!she fainted!"

 Altair and Nerva bent over Signy anxiously. After she fainted Nerva reluctantly hauled her into the house and locked the door. Altair closed the windows as a precaution. Signy was lying spread-eageled on the floor, her face whiter than her hair.

"Im going to wake her up." Altair said.  "Nervy, youd better step away for a bit"

Nerva obeyed and retreated behind the couch. Altair then slapped Signy. The Huntresss eyes flew open. Signy sat upright, eyes bulging.

"OH MY GOD, ALTAIR! IVE SEEN A GHOST! OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! IT WAS NERVA! IT WAS NERVAS GHOST RIGHT THERE AT YOUR DOOR! OH MY GOD!" Signy was shrieking madly, wringing her hands.

"No, Signy, everythings okay!"

"OKAY?!? WHAT IS OKAY?!?" Signy shouted.  "NERVAS HERE! HES HAUNTING US! OH MY GOD, HE ISNT HAPPY WHEREVER HE IS! OH MY GOD WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING!"

Altair rolled his eyes and covered Signys mouth with his hand. He inclined his head and Nerva approached them. Signys eyes widened some more and she tried to shout, but the sound was muffled by Altairs hand. Tears flowed from Signys eyes as she stared at Nerva with horror and disbelief.

"Its okay, Signy." Altair said.  "Its okaynow calm downeverythings fine"

He slowly removed his hands from her mouth. Signy was still staring unblinkingly at Nerva, her shoulders trembling as she sobbed.

Nerva knelt and reached out.  "Touch me."

Signy held out her hand hesitantly. Finally, she grabbed hold of his gloved hand. She gave a small gasp. Solid! He was solid! He was warm! He was alive!

"Nerva!" Signy gave way to tears completely as she hugged Nerva.  "Oh my god, Nerva, it is you! Im really sorry, Nerva! Youre alive! Youre alive!"

"I wont be alive for long if you keep strangling me." Nerva joked.

Signy let go at once. Tears were coursing down her cheeks as she stared at Altair and Nerva.

"Butbuthow?" she asked, wiping her eyes.  "How on earth?"

"Its a long story" Altair looked at Nerva and gave a laugh.

Nerva straightened up.  "You coming with us? Certainly we can use your help."

"Coming where?" Signy asked.

"Somethings stolen from meNervy and I are getting it back." Altair replied.  "Wed leave tonightas Im still fixing the house."

Signy forgot all about Theodorics letter.

"All right!" She said excitedly.  "Im coming! Oh Nerva, Im so gladso glad youve come back!"

Altair saw Nerva frown. He cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"Stand up, come on, youve been lying there for too long"

"Im sorry"

Signy turned to Nerva and embraced him yet again.  "Im so glad youve returned to us. You can never guess how big our grief wasespecially that dayin Glast Heimyou can never knowSibyl cried like she never cried beforeshe couldnt forget you even after four years"

"Yeah" said Nerva, lying.  "And Im gladIm glad Im back"