The Stone of Salazara (Book 1 of Saga of the Stones)

Chapter 11

Now this was the point in the plan where I took things into my own hands. The others didn't know what I was planning to do. Matt had mentioned that I was gonna be the only one who could defeat Massadonic. My plan was to sneak up behind him and... stab him... that was the only plan I had. And it was a horrible one.

I turned to go behind the rocks to the back of Massadonic's throne. As I did, a crack in the rocks caught me eye. There was a glint of light.

"What?" I whispered to myself. I walked over to the crack and looked in.

A sword was lodged into the stone. The handle was made of polished wood wrapped in leather, with a purple gem in it. The blade was made of iron.

I contemplated pulling it out. I was about to but then I hesitated. I had heard of swords in stones that were supposed to tell who a lost king was. You've heard of them. You know what I'm talking about.

Finally I decided to just grab it. I hoped that it wasn't that kind of sword. If I couldn't pull it out, too bad. If I could... I would worry about my possible newfound royal origins later. But a sword was better than a dagger against Massadonic.

I reached for it and wrapped my hand around the handle. A tingling ran up my arm and through the rest of my body. I jumped back, my hand coming off the hilt. Suddenly, the tingle- and small feeling of power- was gone.

I touched it again. The tingling ran back through my body, then stopped. I breathed in deeply, and pulled.

Half expecting it to stay stuck, or at least come out with some trouble, I fell backwards as it slid out easily. I grabbed it before I could clang to the floor. I stood, breathing heavily. Is this... is this the Sword of Silvander?

I didn't have time to think on it though, because right then I heard a roar from outside the cave. I jumped and looked around the stone I was hiding behind.

In the doorway stood a purple dragon with dark blue eyes. "Kansans?" I muttered.

Matt confirmed my suspicions as he nodded at the dragon while fighting a dwarf. "Thanks for showing up, Kansans!"
"My pleasure, Matt!" cried the dragon. He charged into the battle, knocking aside dwarves and quilatoes. Behind him came flooding in a wave of elves. Levilan smiled and called to them in elvish. They ran to his aid and formed a wall against the enemy. I grinned, and started on my part.

I crept around a few rocks, then slid against the back of Massadonic's throne. Then I thought about my newly found weapon. If this is the Sword of Silvander, then it should have magical powers... what can I do with it?

I saw a small weed growing by my foot. I stepped away from the throne, and pointed the sword at it.

I didn't know how to use the sword, so I just imagined what I wanted to the plant to do and hoped the sword would help.

The weed started growing slowly. Come on... come on... It shot up and wrapped around the throne. I expected to hear Massadonic shout in shock, but only the noises of battle could be heard.

"Good try," chuckled a voice behind me. I spun around, trying to wield the sword like I had seen Matt hold his. Massadonic stood behind me, trying to look evil, but failing, as he now saw the sword I was holding. "Where did you get that?!"

"Wouldn't you like to know," I said, trying to think of a plan.

"Yes that's why I asked! Now where did you get it! Where was it! The Invisible Isles? The Silver Elven Kingdom? Where was it!?"