[ WP ] A sketchy salesman attempts to sell a perfectly normal sword to the hero , passing it off as the sword of legends .

“ Woe-bringer, demon-slayer, evil ’ s-bane. The sword of a thousand names, passed down from one hero to another for generations. ” The cloaked man drew the sword from his bag with a practiced flourish, setting it point first into the dirt in front of the young man. “ It appears before you now, in this the darkest age of man. ” The sword vibrated slightly from the impact. To the untrained eye of the boy it certainly seemed like a legendary sword: it had a diamond encrusted pommel, a wide, gold encrusted cross guard, and a blade of black steel. 
 
 The Hero unintentionally took half step back from the longsword, eyes wide behind his pristine metal helmet. “ S-Sorry sir but I think you might have the wrong man. I have never heard of such a weapon, and am not yet worthy of such a powerful relic. ” He tried to speak the words valiantly, but he edged ever so slightly away from the sword with each word. 
 
 “ Ah. I see you do not yet know your own destiny lad. Our meeting may seem but a chance encounter between a peddler and a traveler, but everything is not always as it appears to be. ” 
 
 At the word destiny, the Hero stood up a little straighter and squared his shoulder. “ I ’ m still quite sure you do not have the right man. I am no one, just a boy from a town of little renown, sent to join the King ’ s army and bring what glory he can to his village. ” 
 
 “ Aye that is what you are now, but it is not what you will be. ” The man paused for his moment, waiting for his words to sink in, then continued “ Do they have stories in the village you are from? Tales of great heroes who slay demons and dragons? ” 
 
 The Hero leaned in eagerly at the mention of stories. “ Of course! I know all the tales our bard would tell me of heroes, they are what that I aspire to. ” 
 
 “ Then you know that all the greatest stories start with a gift. A shriveled old man gives the hero a rusted sword that bursts into flames in his time of need, or a princess gives the lowly squire a token of favor that gives him unparalleled strength, or sometimes... ” he dropped his voice to a whisper and stepped closer to the Hero, “ a traveling merchant sells a young boy a sword of special significance. ” 
 
 “ But those are just stories sir, legends! That is not the way of the real world, ” he protested, though he did not seem as if he completely believed the words himself. 
 
 The merchant response was swift and urgent. “ That is what they would have you believe, but it is not for them to know the truth. It was more than chance that brought me to you, that brought this sword to you. ” 
 
 The Hero continued his feeble resistance “ If all this is true, why have I never heard of this sword? Surely a weapon of such fame would be in at least one story. ” 
 
 “ That is the great secret my boy. It is not a famous sword. It is the famous sword, wielded by all the greatest heroes of the land. Every time a great evil appears in the world, this sword reappears and finds a hero to fight it off, as it has found its way to you. ” 
 
 The boy could no longer contain his excitement. He stepped forward and placed a hand upon his sword. “ I do not wish to have such a heavy burden placed upon me of course… ” 
 
 “ Of course, ” the merchant echoed somberly. 
 
 “ But if it is the will of the world that I carry this burden, then what right do I have to deny it? ” He continued, picking the sword up with attempted dignity and holding in front of him. 
 
 “ Well-spoken my young hero. Now there is only the matter of payment… ” 
 
 “ Payment? Surely if it is the sword of legend you would not charge me for it? ” 
 
 The merchant knelt at the ground in front of the boy, speaking up to him with reverence “ I apologize my hero. I meant no disrespect. I of course have no need for the money, but this is the beginning of your legend, most legends begin with the hero paying a traditional amount. Perhaps a coin of every color? Or all of your money but a single penny? I simply do not wish for your story to begin in a mundane way. If it is your will to take the sword with no payment that is of course what I will do. ” 
 
 The boy put a comforting hand on the man ’ s shoulders, trying to speak as heroically as he could. “ Stand you have nothing to apologize for. You are right. My legend begins here, and since I am destined to be a hero, then the only just price would be my entire coin purse, as thanks for you bringing me my sword. ” 
 
 “ If that is your will my hero, it is what my price shall be. ” He pulled his cloak farther down his face to conceal his smile. He accepted the money gratefully, and bid the boy well on his journey. He watched as the hero continued down the path, waiting until he had faded into the horizon, then walked over to his wagon and pulled aside a loose bored in the bottom, drawing forth an identical copy of the sword, and emptied the coins into an already heaping pile, quietly laughing to himself. “ One day they will learn that legends are not for everyone, but in the meantime… ” 
 
 
 Thank you for reading. I'm pretty new to this so I would love some feedback! 

