Note/L10N/Myths_and_Legends_Weapon2/2.4.8/Books/BookMALCheyd?
題名 † 
原題 †
訳題 †
本文 †
原文 † 
<BR>Myths and Legends:
<br>Volume 1
<br> by Draskal Ratden
<br><br>
-Foreword-
<br><br>
These collected volumes are the result of my travels throughout Tamriel, where I have spent my life listening to the many wonderful myths and legends that are abundant throughout our magnificent world. Though I am no adventurer, I truly do believe many of these stories are based on fact, though how much of them is true and how much the fantastical elaboration of imagination, I cannot say, for I am just another conduit through which they shall live.
<br><br>
<br><br>
--------------------------
<br><br>
<br><br>
Author's Note:
<br><br>
Before I delve into the core of this book, I would first like to thank you for purchasing it, and I hope that I, Draskal Ratden, will be able to successfully indulge your hunger for adventure and excitement.
<br><br>
For several years I have traversed the many wide and wonderful countries and territories that comprise our fair Tamriel, listening to stories and legends from various people of all walks of life, from the unbelievably fantastical to the completely serious.
<br><br>
During one of these numerous excursions throughout Cyrodil, I was ambushed and taken hostage by bandits. Though I was injured and initially used as a bargaining piece to gain extra money by them, my stay was not completely uncomfortable and, in truth, they were the party responsible for supplying me with some of the most interesting and wondrous stories I have heard throughout my journeys.
<br><br>
After exchanging stories and listening intently to every word spoken by them, the bandits had a change of heart and decided to release me. Thus I arrived in Cheydinhal, finding myself in the company of kindly mages and priests who healed me there at the Temple of the Nine.
<br><br>
As I rested and regained my strength from the enervating, though not unwelcome, experience with the group of bandits, I began examining the scrawlings of my notes and journals. While I reminisced about my fond journeys through Tamriel and the myths and legends I had heard, I began to examine and collect the valid information I had gathered, piecing together what truths, if any could be labeled as such, I had been the receptacle of.
<br><br>
In the few weeks it took me to regain my former strength, I found I had compiled a lengthy list of fantastical stories pertaining to many legendary artifacts throughout the known world, easily enough to fill several volumes with text. Thus I have compiled the first of these stories into my first volume, and, as a way of portraying my thanks to the benevolent people of Cheydinhal, it is a myth they may be quite familiar with.
<br><br>
- Draskal Ratden
<br><br>
<br><br>
--------------------------
<br><br>
<br><br>
- Tyadara and the Giant -
<br><br>
Throughout her childhood, Tyadara always enjoyed playing with the boys rather than her fellow girls, a practice which continued through her life until the day finally arrived when she could, to no surprise of the people of Cheydinhal, join the Town Guard. With this echelon in her life achieved, Tyadara quickly became known by the populace of the town as a fair and truthful warrior who upheld the law honorably, thus attaining the trust and respect of those she helped and protected.
<br><br>
Which is why, when Brum Omtar, a farmer who lived outside the village, came running into town, he went straight to her for help.
<br><br>
"Tyadara! Tyadara! I need your help," he gasped between heavy breaths, his eyes wild and afraid.
<br><br>
After offering him her cool waterskin and having him sit down to catch his breath, she inquired what the urgent problem was.
<br><br>
"A GIANT has just destroyed my entire farm!" He cried, wiping sweat from his dirty brow. �And it nearly got me, too, but I was too fast, and it stopped following me and continued destroying my house!� He said, his now calmed demeanor not belaying his fright.
<br><br>
Quickly thinking over the dilemma, Tyadara sent Brum to repeat his story to the Captain of the Guard so she could set out immediately to his farm to investigate the incident, hopefully either spotting the Giant or some indication that could lead her to its lair.
<br><br>
As Brum's Farm came into view through the thick trees of the Cheydinhal forest, Tyadara realized that Brum had in fact not been exaggerating at all, for his house was completely demolished, even the foundations barely recognizable amidst the pulverized dust. And sitting in the middle of the ruins on a large piece of rubble was the most monstrous Giant she had ever seen, using a shattered wooden pole from the now decrepit balcony as a toothpick.
<br><br>
Creeping closer through the swaying umbrage of the placid, viridescent shadows of the tranquil trees, Tyadara silently drew her steel longsword, hoping to remain unseen as she drew nearer.
<br><br>
As Tyadara emerged into the rubble-ridden clearing and came closer to the ruined house, the Giant stiffened, and, with uncanny agility, sprang to its gargantuan feet, thundering swiftly through the forest to the south before she could even react.
<br><br>
Tyadara immediately gave chase, not really thinking about the possible outcome of chasing a Giant of that size, and certainly not wanting to imagine what would occur should it decide to cease fleeing and fight her.
<br><br>
Rather than simply pursuing the beast as quickly as she could, Tyadara remained silent as she moved swiftly through the trees, fluidly gliding around the wooden pillars without a sound, a practice she had perfected through her long years of living near the forest.
<br><br>
Even moving as fast as she was, Tyadara was barely able to keep pace with the Giant, though retaining sight of it was fairly irrelevant considering the enormous amount of noise it made as it crashed through the forest, leaving a wake of visible destruction in its path.
<br><br>
After about five minutes of this quirky procession the Giant was much further off in the forest, the sound of its rampaging growing fainter with each fleeting second. And then the noise suddenly stopped, as if someone had covered Tyadara's ears; not even the oblivious birds dared break the silence with their melodious songs.<br><br>
Tyadara stopped, listening carefully with her honed ears, the ubiquitous beating of her heart the only sound, which seemed to thunder like a drum in the unnerving silence... She heard nothing.
<br><br>
Slowly, Tyadara advanced forward hesitantly, scanning the trees ahead for any sign to signify the trick that the trepidation in her mind assured her was coming. Yet nothing happened, and, as she lifted herself over a fallen log from the Giant's senseless rampaging, she saw something truly shocking; the trail simply stopped.<br><br>
"That's impossible, no beast that size could simply vanish!" she whispered to herself, the slight noise seeming to reverberate through the empty forest. Assuring herself that her eyes and ears were not deceiving her, Tyadara leaned against a nearby tree, contemplating how a beast so large could vanish so completely as she searched the depths of the forest for any indication to explain the Giant's disappearance.
<br><br>
Looking to the firmament of the sky through the emerald curtain of leaves, Tyadara noticed the sun had long since passed its apex in the sky and had begun its slow descent towards the opposite horizon, attributing a myriad of color to the azure sky, heralding in the ensuing darkness of night. Realizing how far she had come, Tyadara recalled that there was a small lake nestled between two valleys near her, and thus she set out towards it, hoping the serene water had attracted the Giant as well.
<br><br>
Dismayed that she reached the water's edge without incident, Tyadara stooped and filled her waterskin with the cool, crystalline liquid of the mountain pond. Allowing herself a drink to both catch her breath and her thoughts, Tyadara noticed that it was getting darker now, and she did not relish the idea of being this far from Cheydinhal during the night.
<br><br>
Without finding any revelation in the lucid waters of the lake, Tyadara decided to give up and use the remaining light of day to return to the village, unhappy that she had allowed the Giant to escape.
<br><br>
Rather than heading directly to Cheydinhal, Tyadara decided to travel North East, up a mountain side just east of the valley between the lake and river, before proceeding north back to town.
<br><br>
Just as she was approaching the peak of the mountain, a deep and penetrating laugh erupted from behind her, and, as she spun around in surprise, was succeeded by another from where she had been facing, then another to her side.<br><br>She froze, and, as the laughter died off, its loud echoes reverberating down the hillside, all was quiet once again.
<br><br>
Slowly she turned, peering into the trees, searching for what must be the Giant, obviously accompanied by whatever hideous company a beast like that must keep. Everywhere she looked, her mind told her there was a face grinning back at her in the shadows, yet she saw no tangible enemy, nor did she hear another sound but for the faint singing of birds.
<br><br>
Quickly turning back to the east, Tyadara began descending the gentle slope down towards the opposite river valley, moving as silently as she could, placing all of her attention on the sounds of the forest around her.
<br><br>
Tyadara had gone no more than six steps when she was hit in the back by a crushing blow, falling hard to the ground, face first in the green grass, dazed from pain and surprise.
<br><br>
And now she could hear the sounds of the Giant's feet, strangely muffled as they approached her.
<br><br>
As she rolled onto her back and drew her sword, she saw a Giant, significantly smaller than the one she had seen back at Brum's farm, standing above her, grinning, its foul teeth stained from whatever sick foods it had consumed.
<br><br>
In its large hand was grasped a crude club, formed from an upturned tree stump, dirt still clinging to its roots, which the Giant rested casually on its shoulder as it glared menacingly at her.
<br><br>
With a flex of its mountainous muscles, the beast raised its slab-like arm, club and all, high above her, preparing for the final swing.
<br><br>
Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere an arrow appeared in mid-air, striking the Giant on the wrist. Dropping its club inches from Tyadara, the beast spun around in rage to find its assailant.
<br><br>
Finding nothing but the gloomy shadows, the Giant went to remove the arrow in its wrist, only to find that there was no arrow lodged in its flesh.
<br><br>
With a look of confusion on its gruesome face, the Giant turned its attention vehemently back towards Tyadara, who was climbing to her feet, sword ready to fight.
<br><br>
Without hesitation, Tyadara lunged forward, jabbing her longsword deep into the beast's exposed belly, releasing a guttural, earth shaking roar of pain and anger from the Giant's throat. As it staggered back, the Giant threw its monstrous hand wildly at its wound and grabbed the protruding sword by its hilt, crushing Tyadara's hand as it attempted to remove the bloody weapon from its punctured stomach.<br><br>
Without any warning, two more arrows appeared from the gloom and struck the Giant in its throat. But these were no illusion, and, as the beast clutched at its perforated throat in an attempt to ameliorate the wound, it toppled backwards onto the ground, splintering a small tree with its monstrous girth. With a hissing gurgle escaping its throat, the beast ceased to move.
<br><br>
Letting her sword fall with the corpse, Tyadara turned her attention to the burning pain of her crushed hand.
<br><br>
"Big one, that," laughed a cloaked figure as he stepped out from the impenetrable shadows of the surrounding forest, facing her.
<br><br>
Jumping back in astonishment, Tyadara reached for her dagger.
<br><br>
"Fear not, Tyadara, those were my arrows that felled the beast. You are lucky I was following you, or that may be you lying on the ground rather than the Giant,� whispered the man, not unkindly.
<br><br>
"Who are you?� Inquired Tyadara. �And how do you know my name?" She added, still holding her dagger warily.
<br><br>
"Valid and worthy questions," he replied, "but ones best left until after we have taken care of the other two beasts."
<br><br>
With a golden flash that was gone before Tyadara even noticed it, a perfectly golden long bow appeared in the man's left hand and an equally shining arrow in his right. Notching the arrow, he pulled back quickly and released the arrow into the gloom.
<br><br>
In the near distance a roar of pain echoed from the shadows, followed by the crashing of a rushing Giant.
<br><br>
As Tyadara made a lunge to retrieve her longsword, which was still lodged in the belly of the fallen beast, the man shot out a hand. �Here, use this,� he said, referring to a strangely designed blade clutched in his hand. The sword was ornate and finely crafted, its sleek shape complementing its lavish but simple designs perfectly.
<br><br>
Tyadara took the weapon, and immediately she felt like the sword and herself were one, its grip comforting her and giving her confidence, as if she had always had the blade in her hand but had just now realized it.
<br><br>
At that moment the Giant came charging into view, dark blood flowing from a terrible laceration on its neck, but no arrow visible amidst the crimson flesh.
<br><br>
With a roar, the beast charged straight for the mysterious cloaked man, who boldly remained in place, not flinching or revealing any sense that he would move. Tyadara was about to push him out of the way when, as the Giant was about to collide with him, the man stepped aside, sending the beast tumbling passed, slamming head first into a sturdy tree.
<br><br>
With one swift move, the man produced another beautiful blade, identical to the one he had given Tyadara, and slashed across the Giant's exposed back, then whipped the blade fluidly up and under the beast's chin as it reeled in pain. Without another sound, the second Giant fell to the ground.
<br><br>
As the Giant crashed to the now bloody ground, a large, imposing figure materialized out of the fog, clutching a small log to which was tied an amorphous boulder, which was nearly the size of Tyadara herself. Tyadara recognized the gargantuan beast immediately as the very Giant that had led her into this.
<br><br>
With one swift swing of its intimidating weapon, the Giant splintered two nearby trees, whipping the improvised flail about with practiced control.
<br><br>
"Hmmm..." mumbled the cloaked figure in thought as he stepped between Tyadara and the Giant. Sword in hand, he advanced slightly on the beast.
<br><br>
Faster that she would have believed possible, the Giant swung its flail again, striking the cloaked man directly in the chest before he could even react and sending his body flying through the air and colliding with a tree, where he slumped to the ground.
<br><br>
Spreading her feet, Tyadara readied her new blade and prepared for the worst as the Giant approached, quickly taking a great overhead swing at her, the large boulder slamming down with all the might of the earth itself.
<br><br>
Surprising even herself, Tyadara easily side-stepped the blow, and gracefully jumped towards the beast, slashing the Giant across its massive chest, and then again across its exposed arm.
<br><br>
With its free hand, the Giant reached out and grabbed her, lifting her clean off the ground, and began to squeeze with all its might.
<br><br>
Again, seemingly out of nowhere, three arrows appeared lightning fast and lodged in the beast's forearm. The Giant's hand went limp, releasing Tyadara back to the ground.
<br><br>
As the Giant searched for the man it thought it had killed, Tyadara bounded off the ground in a magnificent arc, the beautiful sword readied in front of her body, and pierced the great beast directly through its heart.
<br><br>
Immediately the Giant vanished, and, as Tyadara fell unexpectedly to the ground, so did the body of the first beast which was lying just a few feet away. Directly in front of her stood the cloaked man, seemingly perfectly fine.
<br><br>
"Are you hurt, Tyadara?" He inquired softly, sheathing his sword.
<br><br>
"No, I will be fine. But what about yourself? I saw you get hit! Are you not hurt at all!?" She asked in astonishment.
<br><br>
"Far from it, I am afraid, it seems I am actually getting a little cocky in my old age," he replied with a chuckle. "I must go now and rest, as the task for which I came is complete." He added, turning away and looking out into the gloom.
<br><br>
"What do you mean? Why did those Giants just vanish, and who are you?" Tyadara asked in a hurry, the many questions in her mind manifesting themselves in her confused demeanor.
<br><br>
"All valid questions, all valid questions... We will meet here again, maybe then it will be time for answers," he replied, fading ephemerally into the surrounding darkness as he spoke. Before Tyadara could say anything, he was gone. Looking down, she realized she was still grasping the magnificent sword in her hand, as if it were a part of her.
<br><br>
"What about your sword?" She shouted to the darkness, holding it up into the air. There was no reply.
<br><br>
Lowering the blade, Tyadara solemnly began her journey back west up the hill, where she would turn north to return to Cheydinhal. A strange wind rustled her hair, and, as it passed, seemed to whisper in her ears.
<br><br>
"War Brand it is called. Keep it well for me, Tyadara, and some day I may return for it....." whistled the wind before it moved off towards the horizon.
<br><br>
Upon her return, Tyadara told her story to any who would listen, and every Sundas she would return to the place where she last heard his voice, awaiting his return and the fulfillment of her silent promise. As the years flew on, taking with them her youth, Tyadara's trips lessened until one day she made her voyage one last time with her husband, carrying with her a silk covered package.
<br><br>
When she returned, the package was gone, and the beautiful sword known as War Brand was never seen again.
<br><br>
Many people speculate (and with good reason) that this obscured package was the sword given to her by the mysterious cloaked man. While there are many other theories concerning the legend, it seems that many who are familiar with it consistently remark upon the great, magical stone covered in vegetation and a remarkable array of flowers that now stands near where she reportedly buried her treasure, somewhere south and a little west of Cheydinhal, on a hill between two bodies of water. Some even believe that the faint green glow of the stone is in fact an indication that the figure who bestowed the sword upon Tyadara is still around, awaiting a new wielder for his blade, War Brand.
訳文 †
【訳文記述エリア】
<BR>Myths and Legends:
<br>Volume 1
<br> by Draskal Ratden
<br><br>
-Foreword-
<br><br>
これらの纏まった書物は、私がTamriel中を旅して得た成果です。私が全人生を費やして得た素晴らしい神話や伝説、沢山の私達の壮大な世界を至る所で聞いてきました。私は冒険者ではありません。私は本当にこれらの物語が事実に基づいているものだと信じています。しかし、それらのいくらが本当か、あるいは空想の作品なのか私は言う事は出来ません。私は彼らのが生きるための導管にしか過ぎませんので。
<br><br>
<br><br>
--------------------------
<br><br>
<br><br>
著者による注記:
<br><br>
本題に入る前に、まずはこの本をご購入頂いた事に感謝をしたいと思う。私Draskal Ratdenは、この本があなたの冒険心と興奮を満たすに足る事を切に願う。
<br><br>
私は数年間に渡ってTamrielを構成する多くの広大な国々や地方を旅してきた。素晴らしい旅であった。旅の中で全階級のさまざまな人々から物語や伝説を聞くことがあったが、それらの中にはびっくりするほど幻想的なものから、真にせまった現実的なものまであった。
<br><br>
これまでCyrodilをまたに掛け、数え切れないほど旅してきたが、ある時山賊の待ち伏せを受けて人質に取られる事があった。確かに囚われて最初の頃は怪我もしていたし、金づるというか取引の道具として扱われてはいたが、不快な体験ばかりでは無かった。事実、私は彼らのおかげでこれまでの旅で聞いた中で最も興味深く、驚きに満ちた物語に出会う事が出来たのである。
<br><br>
彼らから物語を聞く時は、お返しに自分の手持ちの物語を話すようにした。また、物語の一言一句も聞き漏らさぬよう、一心不乱に耳を傾けた。そうしているうちに山賊たちも心を入れ替えてくれたので、私は解放され、Cheydinhalにたどりつく事が出来た。次に気が付いた時、私は魔術師と神官たちに囲まれていた。彼らは親切にもTemple of the Nineで私の傷を癒してくれたのである。
<br><br>
私は休養し、衰弱から回復していった。同時に、捕虜の身でこそあったが決して不愉快ではなかった山賊団との日々が思い出され、当時の日記や走り書きのメモなどを読み返すようになった。Tamriel中を旅した楽しい思い出や、各地で聞いた神話や伝説を思い起こしてはそれらの情報を検証し繋ぎ合わせて、いわゆる[Quote]真実[Quote]を描き出す作業を開始するようになったのだ。
<br><br>
体調がすっかり回復するまで数週間かかったが、その頃までには世界中に存在する伝説のアーティファクトにまつわる素晴らしい物語の数々を記したリストが出来上がっていた。リストは膨大で、巻数にして軽く数冊分に及んだ。かくして、最初に聞いた物語をこの第1巻にまとめる次第となったのである。この場を借りて、Cheydinhalの心温かな人々に感謝の意を示したい。以下に記す神話は彼らにとって至極なじみ深い物語なのだ。
<br><br>
- Draskal Ratden
<br><br>
<br><br>
--------------------------
<br><br>
<br><br>
- Tyadara and the Giant -
<br><br>
子供の頃のTyadaraは、周囲に女友達はいたものの、いつもきまって男友達とつるんで遊んでいた。彼女の習癖はずっと続き、事ここに至って街の衛兵隊に加入（この就職自体、Cheydinhal市民の誰も驚かなかったが）する段になるまで、止めようとしなかった。そして念願かなって衛兵となった彼女の名は、すぐに市民の間に知れ渡った。法を遵守し公正かつ真摯な態度で職務に臨み、助けた人々や守った人々から信頼と尊敬を勝ち得たのだ。
<br><br>
そういう人柄であったので、村外れに住んでいた農夫のBrum Omtarもまた、まっすぐ彼女に助けを求め街に駆け込んだ。
<br><br>
[Quote]Tyadara！Tyadara！助けてくれ！[Quote]彼は肩で息をし、その目は恐怖で大きく開かれていた。
<br><br>
彼女は冷たい水の入った水筒を渡し、座って息を休めるよう言うと、何の一大事かと彼に尋ねた。
<br><br>
[Quote]巨人がやって来て、俺の農場ぜんぶ滅茶苦茶になっちまった！[Quote]。彼は汚れた眉にかかる汗を拭きつつ叫んだ。[Quote]危うく捕まる所だったけど、俺は足が速いから捕まらなかったんだ。そしたら奴ら、追いかけるのを止めて俺の家を壊しに戻って行きやがった！[Quote]。彼の語る様子こそ落ち着いていたが、怖れは隠せないようであった。
<br><br>
Tyadaraはすぐに緊急事態を察し、Brumを衛兵隊長のもとに向かわせて同様の説明をさせた。即断の甲斐あって、彼女は直後には農場の調査に出発する事が出来た。巨人が発見出来るかさもなくば、ねぐらに向かう手がかりを得られればと願っていた。
<br><br>
木々の密集したCheydinhalの森を進みBrumの農場が見えてくるにつれ、Brumの話には何の誇張も無かったのだという事がTyadaraにも実感出来た。彼の家は完全に破壊され、粉々になった建材の間に土台があらわになっていた。そして大きな瓦礫の上、廃墟の中心には彼女が今まで見た中で一番強大な巨人が、壊れたバルコニーを楊枝がわりに使いながら座っていた。
<br><br>
Tyadaraは静かな森の緑の木陰の中を、そっと見つからないように忍び足で進んだ。静かに鋼の剣を抜きつつ、見つからないようにと祈りながら敵に接近した。
<br><br>
Tyadaraが瓦礫を踏み分けて壊れた家に近づくと、巨人はビクッと身をこわばらせ、巨大な足で跳躍するなり電光石火の速さで森を南に走り去っていった。彼女が何か行動をとる隙も与えず、あっという間の出来事であった。
<br><br>
Tyadaraはすぐに気を取りなおし、追跡を開始した。あれほど巨大で恐ろしい巨人を追いかけて、何の得になるかなど考えもしなかった。また、標的が逃げるのを止めて自分に襲い掛かってきたらどうしようかなど考えたくもなかった。
<br><br>
ただ全速力で追跡するだけではなかった。木々の間をぬって素早く進むTyadaraの動きは流れるようで、音一つ立てる事もなかった。この動きは長年森の近くで育ってきた彼女の習練の賜物であった。
<br><br>
彼女は力の限りを尽したが、巨人の進むペースについて行くのがやっとであった。視界に映るその姿は、行く先々の木をなぎ倒し大音響を上げて逃げて行く様子と比べて違和感を覚えるほどに小さく、その通り道にはあからさまな破壊の痕跡が残された。
<br><br>
この奇妙な行進が始まって5分ほどが経過した。巨人の姿は遠く森の奥へと消えてゆき、けたたましい破壊音も瞬く間に静まっていった。そして突如、静寂が訪れたのである。Tyadaraはまるで自分の耳が誰かに塞がれたかのように感じた。鳥たちの歌の旋律も止み、誰一人としてこの沈黙を破る者はいなかった。<br><br>
Tyadaraは立ち止まり耳に神経を集中させたが、聞こえたのは自分の心臓の鼓動だけであった。それは不気味な静寂の中、さながらドラムが鳴り響くかのように感じられたが、他に何も聞こえなかったのである。
<br><br>
ゆっくり、慎重に、Tyadaraは進んだ。前方の森を用心深く注視し、きっと来るであろう騙し討ちの気配を確認しつつ進んだ。しかし、何も起こらなかったのである。そして彼女が、倒木（これも巨人の見境いない大暴れで倒されたのであるが）に足を掛けると、驚くべき光景が目に入ってきた。ここで痕跡がすっかり途絶えてしまっていたのである。<br><br>
[QUOTE]あり得ない。あんなデカブツがすっかり消えてしまうなんて有るわけがないじゃない！[QUOTE]。彼女の小さな呟きが、無人の森に響いた。自分は耳も目も正常だ。Tyadaraは改めて確認すると近くの木に寄りかかり、一体どうやったらあれほど大きな怪物の姿を完全消してしまえるのかと考えをめぐらした。森の奥深くに分け入って捜索したが、巨人の消失を説明できるような示唆は何も得られなかった。
<br><br>
木々の葉が織りなす緑のカーテン越しに天空を見つめると、とうの昔に正午も過ぎ、日没が近いと分かった。太陽に照らされた藍色の空は無限の色に染まり、今や闇夜の訪れは近かった。思えば遠くに来たものだとTyadaraは思った。そして近くの谷間に小さな湖があった事を思い出し、そこに向けて出発した。巨人が清らかな水におびき寄せられるかも知れないという期待もあった。
<br><br>
しかし、彼女は落胆した。湖畔に到着したが、何の事件も起こらなかったのである。Tyadaraは足を止め、山湖の冷たく澄んだ水を皮水筒に汲んだ。水を口にするとリラックスでき、思考も明晰になった。周囲はもう暗くなってきている。Cheydinhalからこれ程離れた場所で夜を過ごすのは御免であった。
<br><br>
きれいな水を湛える湖の発見ぐらいしか首尾も上がらず、Tyadaraはあきらめて日没までの時間で村に戻る事にした。巨人を取り逃がしてしまった事が悔まれた。
<br><br>
TyadaraはまっすぐCheydinhalには戻らなかった。北に直進する前に、湖と川にはさまれた谷の、ちょうど東にある山べりを北東に向けて登っていく事にしたのである。
<br><br>
そして山頂に差し掛かった時の事であった。
Just as she was approaching the peak of the mountain, a deep and penetrating laugh erupted from behind her, and, as she spun around in surprise, was succeeded by another from where she had been facing, then another to her side.<br><br>She froze, and, as the laughter died off, its loud echoes reverberating down the hillside, all was quiet once again.
<br><br>
Slowly she turned, peering into the trees, searching for what must be the Giant, obviously accompanied by whatever hideous company a beast like that must keep. Everywhere she looked, her mind told her there was a face grinning back at her in the shadows, yet she saw no tangible enemy, nor did she hear another sound but for the faint singing of birds.
<br><br>
Quickly turning back to the east, Tyadara began descending the gentle slope down towards the opposite river valley, moving as silently as she could, placing all of her attention on the sounds of the forest around her.
<br><br>
Tyadara had gone no more than six steps when she was hit in the back by a crushing blow, falling hard to the ground, face first in the green grass, dazed from pain and surprise.
<br><br>
And now she could hear the sounds of the Giant's feet, strangely muffled as they approached her.
<br><br>
As she rolled onto her back and drew her sword, she saw a Giant, significantly smaller than the one she had seen back at Brum's farm, standing above her, grinning, its foul teeth stained from whatever sick foods it had consumed.
<br><br>
In its large hand was grasped a crude club, formed from an upturned tree stump, dirt still clinging to its roots, which the Giant rested casually on its shoulder as it glared menacingly at her.
<br><br>
With a flex of its mountainous muscles, the beast raised its slab-like arm, club and all, high above her, preparing for the final swing.
<br><br>
Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere an arrow appeared in mid-air, striking the Giant on the wrist. Dropping its club inches from Tyadara, the beast spun around in rage to find its assailant.
<br><br>
Finding nothing but the gloomy shadows, the Giant went to remove the arrow in its wrist, only to find that there was no arrow lodged in its flesh.
<br><br>
With a look of confusion on its gruesome face, the Giant turned its attention vehemently back towards Tyadara, who was climbing to her feet, sword ready to fight.
<br><br>
Without hesitation, Tyadara lunged forward, jabbing her longsword deep into the beast's exposed belly, releasing a guttural, earth shaking roar of pain and anger from the Giant's throat. As it staggered back, the Giant threw its monstrous hand wildly at its wound and grabbed the protruding sword by its hilt, crushing Tyadara's hand as it attempted to remove the bloody weapon from its punctured stomach.<br><br>
Without any warning, two more arrows appeared from the gloom and struck the Giant in its throat. But these were no illusion, and, as the beast clutched at its perforated throat in an attempt to ameliorate the wound, it toppled backwards onto the ground, splintering a small tree with its monstrous girth. With a hissing gurgle escaping its throat, the beast ceased to move.
<br><br>
Letting her sword fall with the corpse, Tyadara turned her attention to the burning pain of her crushed hand.
<br><br>
"Big one, that," laughed a cloaked figure as he stepped out from the impenetrable shadows of the surrounding forest, facing her.
<br><br>
Jumping back in astonishment, Tyadara reached for her dagger.
<br><br>
"Fear not, Tyadara, those were my arrows that felled the beast. You are lucky I was following you, or that may be you lying on the ground rather than the Giant,� whispered the man, not unkindly.
<br><br>
"Who are you?� Inquired Tyadara. �And how do you know my name?" She added, still holding her dagger warily.
<br><br>
"Valid and worthy questions," he replied, "but ones best left until after we have taken care of the other two beasts."
<br><br>
With a golden flash that was gone before Tyadara even noticed it, a perfectly golden long bow appeared in the man's left hand and an equally shining arrow in his right. Notching the arrow, he pulled back quickly and released the arrow into the gloom.
<br><br>
In the near distance a roar of pain echoed from the shadows, followed by the crashing of a rushing Giant.
<br><br>
As Tyadara made a lunge to retrieve her longsword, which was still lodged in the belly of the fallen beast, the man shot out a hand. �Here, use this,� he said, referring to a strangely designed blade clutched in his hand. The sword was ornate and finely crafted, its sleek shape complementing its lavish but simple designs perfectly.
<br><br>
Tyadara took the weapon, and immediately she felt like the sword and herself were one, its grip comforting her and giving her confidence, as if she had always had the blade in her hand but had just now realized it.
<br><br>
At that moment the Giant came charging into view, dark blood flowing from a terrible laceration on its neck, but no arrow visible amidst the crimson flesh.
<br><br>
With a roar, the beast charged straight for the mysterious cloaked man, who boldly remained in place, not flinching or revealing any sense that he would move. Tyadara was about to push him out of the way when, as the Giant was about to collide with him, the man stepped aside, sending the beast tumbling passed, slamming head first into a sturdy tree.
<br><br>
With one swift move, the man produced another beautiful blade, identical to the one he had given Tyadara, and slashed across the Giant's exposed back, then whipped the blade fluidly up and under the beast's chin as it reeled in pain. Without another sound, the second Giant fell to the ground.
<br><br>
As the Giant crashed to the now bloody ground, a large, imposing figure materialized out of the fog, clutching a small log to which was tied an amorphous boulder, which was nearly the size of Tyadara herself. Tyadara recognized the gargantuan beast immediately as the very Giant that had led her into this.
<br><br>
With one swift swing of its intimidating weapon, the Giant splintered two nearby trees, whipping the improvised flail about with practiced control.
<br><br>
"Hmmm..." mumbled the cloaked figure in thought as he stepped between Tyadara and the Giant. Sword in hand, he advanced slightly on the beast.
<br><br>
Faster that she would have believed possible, the Giant swung its flail again, striking the cloaked man directly in the chest before he could even react and sending his body flying through the air and colliding with a tree, where he slumped to the ground.
<br><br>
Spreading her feet, Tyadara readied her new blade and prepared for the worst as the Giant approached, quickly taking a great overhead swing at her, the large boulder slamming down with all the might of the earth itself.
<br><br>
Surprising even herself, Tyadara easily side-stepped the blow, and gracefully jumped towards the beast, slashing the Giant across its massive chest, and then again across its exposed arm.
<br><br>
With its free hand, the Giant reached out and grabbed her, lifting her clean off the ground, and began to squeeze with all its might.
<br><br>
Again, seemingly out of nowhere, three arrows appeared lightning fast and lodged in the beast's forearm. The Giant's hand went limp, releasing Tyadara back to the ground.
<br><br>
As the Giant searched for the man it thought it had killed, Tyadara bounded off the ground in a magnificent arc, the beautiful sword readied in front of her body, and pierced the great beast directly through its heart.
<br><br>
Immediately the Giant vanished, and, as Tyadara fell unexpectedly to the ground, so did the body of the first beast which was lying just a few feet away. Directly in front of her stood the cloaked man, seemingly perfectly fine.
<br><br>
"Are you hurt, Tyadara?" He inquired softly, sheathing his sword.
<br><br>
"No, I will be fine. But what about yourself? I saw you get hit! Are you not hurt at all!?" She asked in astonishment.
<br><br>
"Far from it, I am afraid, it seems I am actually getting a little cocky in my old age," he replied with a chuckle. "I must go now and rest, as the task for which I came is complete." He added, turning away and looking out into the gloom.
<br><br>
"What do you mean? Why did those Giants just vanish, and who are you?" Tyadara asked in a hurry, the many questions in her mind manifesting themselves in her confused demeanor.
<br><br>
"All valid questions, all valid questions... We will meet here again, maybe then it will be time for answers," he replied, fading ephemerally into the surrounding darkness as he spoke. Before Tyadara could say anything, he was gone. Looking down, she realized she was still grasping the magnificent sword in her hand, as if it were a part of her.
<br><br>
"What about your sword?" She shouted to the darkness, holding it up into the air. There was no reply.
<br><br>
Lowering the blade, Tyadara solemnly began her journey back west up the hill, where she would turn north to return to Cheydinhal. A strange wind rustled her hair, and, as it passed, seemed to whisper in her ears.
<br><br>
"War Brand it is called. Keep it well for me, Tyadara, and some day I may return for it....." whistled the wind before it moved off towards the horizon.
<br><br>
Upon her return, Tyadara told her story to any who would listen, and every Sundas she would return to the place where she last heard his voice, awaiting his return and the fulfillment of her silent promise. As the years flew on, taking with them her youth, Tyadara's trips lessened until one day she made her voyage one last time with her husband, carrying with her a silk covered package.
<br><br>
When she returned, the package was gone, and the beautiful sword known as War Brand was never seen again.
<br><br>
Many people speculate (and with good reason) that this obscured package was the sword given to her by the mysterious cloaked man. While there are many other theories concerning the legend, it seems that many who are familiar with it consistently remark upon the great, magical stone covered in vegetation and a remarkable array of flowers that now stands near where she reportedly buried her treasure, somewhere south and a little west of Cheydinhal, on a hill between two bodies of water. Some even believe that the faint green glow of the stone is in fact an indication that the figure who bestowed the sword upon Tyadara is still around, awaiting a new wielder for his blade, War Brand.
