Sword of Doom by James Jennewein Page A

delivering a deathblow if dealt correctly. How many men had been killed with this ancient blade? How had his father come to possess it? And who now possessed the other half of the sword?
    His eyes fell on the bronze serpent’s tail coiled round the handgrip, the beast’s horned head forming the pommel at the end of the handle itself, the two gems set in its eyeholes seeming to glow redder. Something within it seemed to be whispering to him. And then he saw it move! Slowly the serpent’s tail uncoiled, unwrapping itself from the handle, the whole sword then becoming the serpent itself! Unable to move or cry out, Dane watched in growing horror as the thing slithered onto his leg and began to coil around his calf, his knee, and then his thigh, tightening itself ever tighter. Why couldn’t he move? Had the snake—or whatever it was—bitten him with some paralyzing poison? Fearing for his life, he braved another look at the awful creature, its head now sliding slowly up his belly, coming straight for him. Its ruby eyes glowing like hot coals, the serpent’s mouth yawned open, and instead of a tongue, Dane saw his very own head emerge from its mouth, and on his face a look of utter terror—
    â€”Dane awoke with a start, bolting up in the bed, his heart hammering. His breathing calmed as he realized it had only been a nightmare. But what a horror! The serpent come to life? His own head? What did it mean? His eyes went to the sword, which still lay where he had left it, sheathed in its scabbard beside him, its serpent’s-head pommel intact and unmoving just as before.
    Was the sword telling him something? Warning him?Was it a portent, an omen of danger to come? Whatever it was, it had begun.
    Dane quickly rose to get dressed and go see Lut. The old one would know what to make of it all, he thought, and he anxiously pulled on his breeches. But before he could open the door to leave, he heard footsteps out in the hall and a loud knock. He opened it to find his mother, looking very much upset.
    â€œYou must leave at once,” she said urgently. “The boy you wounded still lives. But Godrek says his father is just as hotheaded as his son and fears he’ll come after you. Hurry now—dress yourself! Your horse is being readied. Godrek and his men will get you out the gates and safely away.”
    Dane started to throw on the rest of his clothes. “But what about my friends?”
    â€œThere’s no time to rouse them. They’ll catch up with you later.”
    â€œYou’ll be coming with me, won’t you?”
    She looked at him for a moment, gathering her words. “After you’re safely away, I’m going with Godrek to his village. I’ve decided to marry him.” All he could do was stare at her, openmouthed, shocked to the core. “Godrek is a good man. And he has power and influence. He offers to make Voldarstad a trading port. Our village will be under his protection, it will grow and prosper—”
    â€œDon’t do this, Mother. You do not know this man.”
    â€œI’ve known him for as long as I knew your father.”
    â€œDo not compare him to my father. That insults his memory!”
    â€œI will never stop loving your father. But neither will I grieve forever. It is time I set aside that pain.”
    â€œBut you do not love him!”
    â€œLove is a luxury, son,” she said gently. “Perhaps one day I’ll feel it again. This tie will be good for our people…. It will be good for me, too, for I’m not so young anymore.”
    Dane felt his world collapsing. His father was gone and now his mother was leaving as well, marrying a man not for love but for—what was the term? Practical reasons? She was trading herself to further the safety and prosperity of her people. It was equally true she was also insuring her future, for Godrek was a man of means and property who could support her in comfort. Did it