Chapter 1

One day in the year 1232, there was a man walking along a path. His name was Andy. He lived in a town called Crabtree and it was named this because it was by the sea and by the land. He walked along the path and came to a place were the water was clear blue. He sat down to take in the peacefulness of the sea. He could see water for miles and in the sea there were dolphins and whales and creatures of every kind. While he was sitting he saw a pod of dolphins passing by. He spent half the day there.

Suddenly, he heard a voice that was very familiar to him. It was his friend, Jo. When Jo arrived he sat with Andy and said to him, “There is something you need to know. I have been waiting for a moment to tell you, but the time was never right. I want to tell you a story about your family. Let’s take a walk.”

So, they left and headed towards Jo’s place. Jo started to tell Andy the story of his own life.

“I was not born in Crabtree and I am not the person you think I am. I came from another realm called Zim. It was a very beautiful place with lots of trees and flowers and animals of all kinds. You may be surprised to know that I am a wizard – a wizard with good in my heart. Then, one day, I was banished from my land by an evil sorcerer named Jack”.

Jo looked at Andy and saw a bewildered look on his face. “And, the father you know is not your real father, but your adopted father. I brought you to this place when you were an infant.” When Andy heard all this he froze in his tracks and stared dumbfounded at his friend. Jo put a comforting hand on him. “I know it’s a lot to take in but, in time you will get to know more of your true self”.

When they reached Jo’s place he told Andy to wait on the porch. “I have something for you.” He went inside and into a room that had a chest. The chest had a round top and points on the front and back. In the chest was a sword. Jo took the sword and pulled it out of its scabbard. The sword had a gold handle with an Elrho head on it - which is cross between an elephant and a rhinoceros - as well as four diamonds on either side. It was serrated on one edge. It was also light-weight. The scabbard was made with a very fine material of gold and blue thread. Its point was made of pure gold. The blade had no visible markings and that pleased him.

Jo put the sword back in its scabbard and closed and locked the chest. He went outside to Andy and gave the sword to him.

Andy had amazement in his eyes because it was a sword shaped like no other. Jo saw the look in Andy eyes and told him the story of the weapon that he now possessed.

“The weapon you now hold in your hands was made by a very special sword-maker in the land I came from. There is one thing that you need to understand: whenever there is danger this sward will vibrate and take on a greenish glow. When it does, take heed of the warning. As you go on your journey, there will be a change in the sword. One is a good sign and one is a bad sign.”

Andy took the sword and thanked him.