Swift and the Sword - Inktober 2017 (COMPLETE!)

SatS - Chapter 6: Sword

Working in conjunction to Inktober I decided I am going to create a story based on the prompts of Inktober, along with the artwork, creating some cohesion of my pieces as well as a tale for you all to read (^_^)

Make sure to check out the other chapters to come — one posting every day of October 2017

Chapter 6: Sword

"So what, or who exactly is it that we are looking for?" Barnes asked as we trudged down the forest floor going in the opposite direction of the kingdom. We had long passed the grounds where the witches goons scattered over, successfully making it out of the borders without getting caught,

"When I had defeated Safina and seen what she had... done, I had left the sword with an old friend," Sensei said, distractedly.

"An old friend?" I questioned with interest.

Sensei rarely ever talked about his past. To hear he had a friend, seem so strange.

I wonder what happened to their friendship...

In my years of training, I have yet to see anyone visit.

"Yes, Jack Spade"

"What?" Barnes questioned, intrigued "Jake Spade? Like, the Jack of spades?"

"Yes," Sensei replied, eyes scanning the area as he nodded.

"And that's the name his parents gave him?" Barnes continued prodding curiously as he took out his old notebook to jot down a note or two.

"I should think so," Sensei mused.

"But why the Jack of spades? Why not a better name?" Barnes questioned.

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking over to his thoughtful expression.

His eyes brows drew close as his nose wrinkled in thought making him look cute.

A smile tugged at my lip.

"Well, the ace of spades is known as the highlighted card in the deck, but in legend and folklore, it is also known as the death card. And many will link the Jack of Spades to be of similarity. So it seems weird for someone to want to name their own child that..."

"Interesting thoughts you have there, boy," a voice above us said.

Or is it around us? No, wait under us? I can't tell...

"But that is only one type of the spade"

We all stopped, trying to find where it came from, but with no success.

"Come on out Jack" Sensei abruptly said, his tone bored.

Barnes and I shared a look.

"Wait, you mean that's..." I said as a chuckle ripped through the air.

Abruptly, the tree before us started to move.

Its form shifted and trembled until it came to resemble some form of... a man?

"While the ace of Spades may be known for that, my child, the 'Jack of spades' is actually not! It is more known for its wisdom, labour and power!" the male said as his tree barked patterned skin, that shone with a soft orange hum, started to resemble that of normalcy.

"Hello travelers!" he called with a bow. before direction his sharp, but playful gaze, to Sensei "And old friends"

There is a moment, a pause, that seemed to take eons but also only one second as their gazes locked.