Corllion was stunned, the blade actually spoke to him, he had been told about such blades, and ther construction, he knew that nothing so grand had been done I. The forging of this blade so he was taken a back, as to why it was able to actually speak. He knew a variety of enchantments had been cast on it after the forging, to make it sharper, stronger, lighter, but nothing in this realm of possibility.
But he did not doubt it was the sword that spoke to him , it had given him its name, Oathkeeper. He did not waste another moment, he grab up Oathkeeper and headed out the tent to the first clearing he could find, there in the moonlight he wasted No time in getting into a proper stance he swung Oathkeeper a few time like a boy who just picked up a sword for the first time and cut down a tall stalk of grass , it was a rebirth of wonderment. As if he was experiencing it again for the first time as his lead foot touched the open glade, he immediately went into a series of cuts and slash's and the blade had a melody that spoke to his ears , for the first time, if anyone was watching that had previously saw Corllion practicing with his sword would immediately notice the Mournful tone was gone, and a light but serious melody was heard, as he fell in to rhythm with the song it appeared as if he was conducting a dance to complement the song the blade was singing. Tosh was on guard duty and heard the song , he quickly rousted the members of the group , all of them followed to sound of the song to its source and stood in rapt amazement, this new recruit, to the guild that had been a member for less that a Fortnite, was fully into a a blade song dance. This performance went on for quite a while, as Corllion and Oathkeeper bonded to each other, she used her song to speak to him and he responded with the dance of his body it was a language they would use to talk to each other the rest of his days. Each blade song dance was unique to the individual, sure there where standard battle moves and and sword skills used by all bladesibgers but the song each persons blade Subtly changed to fit each persons body, blade, and personal fighting style, this first dance as it is called , teachs the welder and the blade how to perfect each other to embody the melding of song and dance.
As Kyra watch she understood now what Avostad saw in the boy, other than a few tips here and there, and actual battle experience, her time instructing him would be short. It was if whatever block had been completely shattered not just unlocked, and he was now in possession of an untold number of possibilities with the blade. He was instinctively performing moved it took centuries to learn and master. It was if he was born to do this. The more Kyra watched the more she knew only a elder or master Avostad would be able to give Corllion any meaningful instruction.
Once Corllion knew he had hit a plateau with Oathkeeper, he brought his dance to an end, only then did he realize, he had an audience, but that's not quite right, he had known they where there, but his mind had subconsciously evaluated them to not be a threat, so his mind stayed open to the interaction between, him and Oathkeeper. The more he reflected on it he had known and seen every facet of the glade. He knew where to step for sure footing, and where to avoid, when to make a turn to have the most room to continue the performance of blade song and dance. This extra dimension of the environment, when added to his skill with the blade, was something he had never experienced before. He knew to pay attention to his surroundings during training, and in practice for the day he eventually would have a real battle. But nothing ever came close to this level of detail. And he wanted to further examine all these details more, so he can incorporate it into his daily routine of sword training, so that this subconscious observation of his environment became second nature. This could only be a boon to him with his fighting ability. He was not willing to just take it for granted for it to always be there for him.
As Corllion walked out of the glade and back to his traveling companions . He walked up to Gorham and extended his hand, Gorham responded in kind and they shared a silent acknowledgment, Corllion was thanking him for the advice that put him on the right track, and also letting him know he owed him one and had made a friend. Gorham nodded his head while returning the firm handshake, letting Silversword know that he was happy to render aid to a brother in need. Kyra was next to them while this silent exchange was happening, when it seemed they where done she spoke, is sounds like your blade is much happier now hat it can talk to you! She stated matter of fact. Yes Oathkeeper is much happier now I have finally heard her song. Corllion said in reply.
You gave your blade a name?, said Teish.
No she told me her name herself! Corllion said bluntly, Almost definitely. He quickly relized he had snap at a member of the guild that far outstripped him in rank and years of service. I'm sorry for my harsh reaction, I apologize Teish. Oathkeeper told me her name as soon as my sacrifice to her was accepted. All the members took on queer looks at Corllion, so he recounted, the earlier conversation with Gorham, his prayer , and the sacrifice he made , how the blood from his body was absorbed into the blade and hilt and although the blood on the hint was no where to be seen the stain on the blades edge was still visible.
Gorham corrected, Corllion's description of his experience. You actually performed a bonding with the blade not a sacrifice to it. For it would have been a true sacrifice and the acceptance of the blood would mark Oathkeeper as an instrument of evil. But that didn't fit with the name or the beauty of her song.
Saltor quietly took note of all that had transpired, in the past hour. By the time the conversation had started to come to an end tosh appeared and let the group know they had prepared a meal in celebration of Corllions breakthrough with his bladesinging.
Saltor nodded to tosh that he had heard him but trailed behind the others and magically reported to master Brizal, all that had transpired. Even though Kyra would do the same once she retired for the even to her tent. But she was unaware that he was doing this. Saltor had his own set of orders to follow known only to masters Brizal and Avostad.
The next morning out upon the road early the group came across a wagon that had been left behind due to damage suffered from what looked like a large blunt weapon, a weapon to large for any elf or most human males for that matter, that left only a few possibilities, orkin, a squat yet supremely muscular creature, a hill giant, a truly monstrous beast that look like a human but only five times the size. Or a forest troll, a beast that looked more like a giant tree come to life with two or more arms and two legs. But the last of these rarely used weapons, but if large enough one of its fists could make such damage.
Saltor and Brosh , examined the wagon and the tracks around it, Teish cast a few spells to determine if anything magically in nature had occurred at the sight of the battle.
Brush spoke up first, this happened less than a hour ago, the attacker chased the owners of the wagon and the other wagons that way, indicating, a eastern direction, into the forest to the right side of the road, you could just make out the old trail, the heavily loaded wagons left the marks from there wheels in the old but soft ground.
A merchant caravan, to be sure with the depth of the tracks stated Saltor.
Gorham, looked to Kyra, and said so do we change direction and render aid or carry on with our tasking ? He ask Kyra directly. She quickly made her mind up to follow the tracks and try and give aid, they are over loaded and being hounded, we are afoot but are traveling light, Tish and Tosh, guard out gear, Teish assuming they didn't use and arcane means to disable the wagon, please stay with them.
With that everyone dropped their traveling packs and headed off at speed, elves could move quit fast and silently, through the forest, Saltor noted that even though Corllikns boots had a hard sole , he did not fall behind note Sid he make even the slightest sound with hos foot falls at full sprint. This was also not lost on Kyra. She was also taking stock of the eagerness in his expression, not a ounce or fear or trepidation at going into a unknow situation and possibly a battle with unknown number and kind of foe. He admitted to herself, that it was something she admired about the young elf.