The sword and the flame

His hand closed on an object cold and hard. He gulped. Could it be? Yes! It was the sword! The tinker withdrew his hand slowly, and the hollow tree gave up its prize-a long, narrow bundle wrapped in tatters of rags.

“Here ‘tis, Tip! We ‘uns found the sword! Yes, yes! Lookee, Tip, here ‘tis at last!” He cradled the bundle to him and then, just to make certain, peeked between the folds of the rags. He saw a dull gleam of metal and part of an inscription on the blade. “ Tis the veery sword, Tip. The veery one as we ‘uns left behind. Yes, sir.” He glanced guiltily around him like a miser who fears discovery with his treasure. “But we ‘uns dare not stay here, no sir. It’s back to Askelon and give this sword directly into the King’s own hand, eh? Quite right, yes. Directly into the King’s own hand.”

So saying, the tinker took a length of twine from his trousers pocket and wrapped it around the sword’s concealed hilt and tied a loop through which he put his arm. He started off at once, slinging the mighty weapon over his shoulder, making for Askelon Castle to give his present to the Dragon King.

Some way further ahead on the road to Askelon, where Pelgrin thi

Re

Now he was close, very close. The pony stood nipping at the new leaves, unaware of the boy’s presence. Re

“Shhh…” said the boy, as quietly as a sigh. “There, now. Shhh.”

He put out his hand to snag the animal’s bridle. Tarky saw the movement, tossed his head up quickly, and backed away with a loud whi

Re

Then, as if he had been doing it all his life, the farmer’s son led his captured prize down the low sloping hillside to the house. Tarky gentled under the lad’s touch and allowed himself to be led away peaceably.

When they reached the rude farmhouse, the boy loosed one wild whoop which brought his parents into the yard. “Look what I’ve got here,” Re

“Where did ‘ee get that?” asked his father when be recovered from the sight of his son holding a fine horse, both saddled and bridled, in his own yard.

“Where on this green earth?” echoed his mother. “I found him,” replied Re

The farmer stared speechless at his wife, who returned his look with one of equal amazement. If the horse had materialized before them out of thin air, they could not have been any more surprised. And there stood their own flesh-and-blood son holding this creature-it surpassed all belief.

Lest there should be any misunderstanding of his claim or intent, Re

His father came close and raised his hand to stroke the pony’s flank. “Tis a fairly fine horse-no doubt. But ‘ee don’t belong here.”

“He’s mine now.” Re

“This be a nobleman’s mount,” said the fa

“Sooner the better,” added the farmer.

“I’m his owner now,” maintained Re

“No, son,” said his mother gently. She patted the slim shoulders and brushed his shock of hair from his eyes. “Someone’s bound to come looking for him. If you keep him, they’ll take him away.”

“Take him by force, they will. ‘Ee can’t stay.”

“But… I found him!” wailed Re

The farmer frowned and turned stiffly away. Re

At the mention of the reward Re

“Maybe.”

His father turned and added, “Why, that’s the answer! Take him to Askelon and claim your reward. Might bring a coin or two, a fine animal like this. A man’d be most hearty grateful to get him back, might give a good reward.”

“I could ride him?” asked Re

The farmer glanced at his wife and scratched his jaw. “Well, now, Re

“I know how to ride!” Re

“By my lights, ‘ee did,” agreed his father. “But it’s a far ride, and you’d have to walk back all alone.”

“I don’t care,” shouted Re

“If your mother says so, I say so,” hedged his father.

The woman looked at the light dancing in her son’s eyes and did not have the heart to dash it out. She nodded slowly. “I’ll fix ‘ee a rucksack to take with ‘ee so’s ‘ee won’t get hungry on the way.” She turned and went into the low-built farmhouse.

“I’ll ride him all the way to Askelon!” crowed Re