Writing Contest #2 - Write about the first weapon that you ever had and how you got it. If someone gave it to you, who was it?
LanLoong
By Vaikasa Darkpaw
By Flameblood Quickblade
But tales are tales, and to the warrior
there is no truth in them. They are but
tales, conjured up by the mind when it
is in a state of delusion.
I first heard of the northlands when I
was but a youngbeast. They were typical
stories - "Listen to your elders, or
the Raukafolk that eat their flesh raw
will come, and what happens then I dare
not tell ye!"
When I grew older, I ventured to seek
out these Raukatribes. I had my wits
and my cunning, so what did a young one
like I care? I hadn't any weapons, but
that didn't matter. I felt sure I could
defeat whatever barbarian came upon me.
I traveled north, finally coming upon a
pole, which I decided to use as a
makeshift staff. Before long I came
upon the mighty force of barbarians -
the Rauka!
Their rules were simple. Defeat the
leader, and they would give me his
weapon and I could safely pass. If he
defeated me, I would die.
Anybeast that reads this must remember,
I was young, headstrong, and - now I
must admit - foolish. I snorted
impudently and waved a paw, challenging
the leader to bring it on. I now know
that was a stupid risk I took, but I
realize it was partially for my own
good.
The leader smiled and spoke in the
strange northland speech - not so
unique from the Painted Ones' speech.
"Karrakkacha! D'weaselbeast, he fight
Highbeaster! You, youdie thisanight!"
He then spread his paws and
called, "Harrakkachokka! Bring
d'seablade! Seablade seablade seablade!"
It was a fencing saber, and as I looked
around and saw the other Rauka only
wielding stone axes, I knew the blade
came from some unfortunate beast
unlucky enough to lose to the Rauka
leader. Myself...I too was unlucky.
Whoever heard of a beast defeating
another armed with a simple staff?
I went into a fighter's crouch and
circled the leader, looking for a weak
spot.
Fortunately for me, the leader was
unused to the blade and did not attack
by strategy. He rushed me, sword waving
in all directions. I sidestepped him
and struck him on the neck. He stopped
short and charged me again. I dodged
once more, and,as he passed, cracked
his back with one blow. He gasped and
dropped down onto the cold ground.
I grabbed the sword and swung, neatly
decapitating him with one blow. I spun
around, waiting for the Raukabeasts to
attack, dripping saber in paw. They did
not. A chilling cry came from all
directions:
"Raukaaaaaaaaaaa! Raukadoooooown!"
I wiped my new weapon on the leader's
headless body and left.
As soon as I was back in the warm
southlands, I glanced at the blade. It
was a plain weapon, but with a sapphire
set into the pommel, and two tiny blue
diamonds on the crosshilt. When
sunlight glanced off of it, the blade
gave off a blue tinge. I named it Lan
Loong, "blue dragon," in a language I
knew long ago. I realize now that
ignorance was my only weapon. Had I
known what I now know, I would never
have gained my fencing saber...
The Rauka leader, Raukachief, was my
father.
By Flameblood Quickblade