[ TT ] There were two swords in the stone . You pulled out one . Who pulled out the other ?

King Cadeyrn stood before his people. He knew he was not long for this world, but he would be damned if the last image his people had of him was of weakness and feebleness. So, forgoing comfort, King Cadeyrn squared his shoulders and faced the crowd. He scanned the crowd, looking for a face he would recognize. He knew there would n't be, of course. He had never married and never had children. His friends had long since died. His court had been replaced. He did n't recognize anyone in the town, and no one recognized him. They all knew of the king, but he was rarely seen outside of the castle. Nevertheless, King Cadeyrn stepped forward and began to speak. 
 
 `` Hello, everyone,'' King Cadeyrn began slowly, as if unsure of his words, his breath, or both. `` It is wondrous to see all of you gathered here. I have news that I wish to share. In fact, I feel it is only right to share it.'' King Cadeyrn grew bold as he talked, seeming to shrug off everything that weighed him down. `` I am not long for this world. In fact, I feel that my time is coming to a close very shortly. Now, as you all may or may not know, I have never beared children, never married, and had no other family then my father. This means that when I inevitably leave this world, there will be no rightful heir to ascend to the throne.'' The crowd was silent, offering no reaction to any of the news. `` I have discussed this at length with my court, for a kingdom must have a king. So, starting today, a challenge has been put into effect. Deep within the heart of the Elmswood, there lies a lake. In the middle of this lake lies a stone. Within this stone is two swords. Now, one represents what a king should stand for, and one represents what a king *wants* to stand for. This is a very important distinction, and those seeking the throne would do well to remember it. The first person, man or woman, to return with one of these swords in hand shall be named my successor. But be wary, as the journey to the Elmswood is fraught with danger of extraordinary kinds. Let the hunt... begin!'' With a flourish, King Cadeyrn pointed the way to the Elmswood and the previously docile crowd turned into a pack of jackals as they tore at one another to get to the lake first. King Cadeyrn sat down with a large smile on his face, and did n't stand back up. 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
 
 Caiside was not strong, this much he knew. But what he lacked in brawn, he made up for in bravery. Well, actually, no he did n't. Caiside was n't particularly strong *or* brave. But he was smart! Well, actually no, not really. He only barely passed in his classes. To tell the truth, Caiside was n't good at much of anything. Maybe that was why he was so determined to get to the lake and get one of those swords. Why, If I could just get one of those swords, Caiside thought, maybe people would think differently of me! And so, Caiside set off with the rest of the pack, moving through the Elmswood in search of the lake. 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 
 
 One by one, the pack slowly thinned. Some of the townsfolk died, some just left, citing children or farms to get back to. Eventually, there were only five townsfolk left, including Caiside. Caiside did n't know them personally, but he knew their names from various interactions throughout the town. There was Cynbel, the blacksmith's son. Big, strong, and deadly with a blade. Then came Galchobhar, a kind man who rarely spoke but could easily kill you with one swipe of his gargantuan hands. Next, there was Feidlimid, the beautiful wife of a crusading knight. Finally, there was Andraste. She did n't talk much, and was somewhat... small compared to the others. Caiside decided he liked her the best of all. 
 
 Despite traveling together, the quintet did not speak. They rested together, to avoid a dagger in the back while asleep. They ate together, to avoid poison placed in their meals. Despite doing everything together, the members of the group were independent of one another. 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
 
 They fought many battles together, with Caiside and Andraste taking up the rear guard while the others took charge. The group fell foul goblins, huge wasps, merciless bandits, and even an ent at one point. Finally, the group arrived at the fabled lake. It was beautiful, with fireflies dancing around the water and a light fog giving a feel of... comfort. Yes, thought Caiside, that's certainly what I'm feeling. Comfort. The middle of the lake was not visible, save for a faint outline on the horizon. The group elected to swim out one by one. First came Cynbel, who ripped off his shirt and dove into the water. He was gone for all of five minutes before returning to the bank of the lake, putting his shirt back on, and returning home. The group exchanged looks, but Galchobhar had faith. He elected to swim completely nude, his huge arms making broad cuts through the water's surface. He was gone for 10 minutes before he returned. He too climbed onto the bank, put his clothes back on, and started back towards home. Feidlimid was in the water before Galchobhar had taken his first step towards home. Caiside and Andraste waited on the bank. Secretly, Caiside hoped that Feidlimid too would wind up empty handed. He had come to know these people, and by extension, their desires for nobility. While none of the reasons were any more worthwhile than Caiside's, they were more selfish, or arrogant, or downright cruel. Only Andraste's reasoning remained a secret. Caiside did n't have much time to dwell on what Andraste would do with the crown, as within five minutes, Feidlimid came back and repeated the process the two before her had. Andraste gave a timid smile and stepped into the water. Expertly, she sailed forward, with what seemed like no actual motion on her part. Caiside waited. And waited. And waited some more. 10 minutes passed... 20 minutes... 40 minutes... a whole hour! Finally, Caiside decided to go into the water himself. Electing instead to keep his clothes on, he stepped forward into the water. 
 
 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 
 
 The water was warmer than he expected. Less of a lake and more of a bath, Caiside thought. Swimming was another thing he was n't particularly good at, but he mimicked the movements he had seen earlier. Slowly but surely, he began to glide forward. In the river by his home, Caiside swam like a drunk fish on land. But here? In the fabled Elmswood lake? He swam like he had been born in water. He swam and swam, unaware of just how long it had been since he had started his trek. After what felt like ten minutes, Caiside spotted land. Thanks to the fog, he could n't make it out very clearly, but he knew it was definitely land. In an instant, Caiside was on the bank of the small island. He stood up and found his clothes to be completely dry. That's odd, thought Caiside. He could clearly see the stone, with the hilt of a sword sticking out of it. Its twin was missing from the stone, and there was no one else in sight. Caiside knew that it could n't have been one of his predecessors, as he would have either seen the person or the sword. During their travels, Galchobhar had taught him how to spot traps, and this certainly seemed like one. Warily, Caiside stepped forward. The sword seemed to be filled with anticipation, like it knew something Caiside did n't. He reached forward and felt the cool steel of the hilt underneath his palm. By now, the sword felt almost as if it was vibrating due to its eagerness. Caiside grasped the sword's hilt and pulled. The sword slid out easily, as if released from its prison. The sword felt... right in Caiside's hand. Almost as if it were made for him. While admiring the sword, the hairs on the back of Caiside's neck stood on end. Something in the back of his mind said `` move'', and move he did. Possessed by an feeling never felt before, Caiside rolled to his right, hopefully out of the way of whatever was coming. He heard a ferocious grunt and the sound of metal hitting stone. He looked up, just in time to duck as another swipe was made at his head. Scrambling to his feet, Caiside moved backwards, away from his attacker. He could n't see them well enough to discern who it was, and his mind reeled, searching for anything King Cadeyrn might have said about a guardian of the lake. He had n't, of course, but Caiside refused to believe it could be Andraste. She would n't turn on him like this... would she? Another ferocious strike was levied at Caiside, as he just barely moved out of its way. The sword felt like a wild horse in his hand, bucking and vibrating with ferocity. It hungered to fight. No. It hungered to *win*. To protect its new owner at any cost. Caiside's opponent's next strike came in, just as strong as the previous ones. This time though, Caiside was ready. He parried the blow and rolled behind his opponent. He slashed at their back, knocking them to the ground. They got up without a moment's hesitation and swung. Again, Caiside blocked it, shedding his sword off his opponent's and towards their chest. He felt the flesh give as he pierced their breastbone. The sword was no longer vibrating. It seemed as if it had collected itself and was focused only on keeping its wielder alive. In a flurry of sparks and sound, Caiside and his opponent danced. They clashed for what felt like hours, until finally, Caiside's opponent made an error. In a brash and tired strike, his opponent swung in a huge overhead arc. Carried by the weight of the sword, the faceless opponent tripped and fell onto the stone sheath. Caiside knew this had to be the end, so with a massive roar, he brought his sword down on his opponent's neck, cutting their head off. Instantly, the fog, which had only seemed to get thicker with time, cleared. 
 
 **CONTINUED BELOW**
