the Tale of the Sword

Fred was not only confused by this strange man, he was offended. "Now listen here!" said Fred, but before he could say another word Bert broke in.

"No sir, little girlie... you listen. See this here sword? It once belonged to the great Count Karnstagg. Now you probably never heard o' him, but he was a great man." And with that Bert went into a story that took the better part of that night, the next morning and the afternoon to finish!

Once upon a time in the Independent County of Kull just this side of the independent Duchy of Cogan there lived the Family Karnstagg. There was Papa Karnstagg, Mama Karnstagg, and wee wittle baby Karnstagg. They lived a happy life of tilling the soil and tending the animals. Then one day they were visited by a god. That changed everything.

They were given riches and fame and wondrous abilities by this god. The little son was joined by brothers and sisters and they grew into fine men and women. They came to be advisors to the ruler of the land, but as is the want of Man somebody got greedy, somebody got nervous, and not a soul was content with the lot they were handed.

Suffice it to say a war broke out with sides being drawn round the various leaders, warriors and metalurgists. Great cries of pain and anguish was the song of the land as its rivers ran red with the blood of leaders, warriors, and metalurgists. But in the end one man was standing, and that man was Count Zhephrahm Karnstagg. He stood upon the parapets of the only castle with stones left standing. And from that castle he created anew the power that is Kull.

But that was nigh seventy years ago. Trade and riches flowed in for a time, but fads come and go, merchants are a fickle bunch, and few in the East could ever hope to compete with the curiosities from the desert West.

In time Count Karnstagg had to hand down his power, but he had no son. A tournament was arranged, the great sword of Karnstagg was placed in a secret place and the one who discovered its hiding place and could then retrieve it would become the new Count of Kull.

Many men and even some women tried to reach this prize. Once one intelligent youth had found the sword word spread of its location, and then crowds of would-be rulers came to attempt to take it. But no one could. It was too well protected.

Then came the dreadful night of the white rain and black snow. Many people in Kull and the other duchies roundabout lost there lives in that storm. When the sun finally came back to the land the people of Kull were astounded to discover that the sword was gone!

No one claimed the Countship, no one claimed the power of the god given to Karnstagg. No one, not a one. Eventually a Consortium was created made of minor leaders, warriors and metallurgists. The people liked it that way, it reminded them of the old ways. Nostalgia, you know. But no one has ever forgotten the Sword of Karnstagg and its awful, eerie disappearance.

Fred yawned a bit as the noon sun swung over a palm tree. He rocked slightly on his chair within Bert's shanty. "So, uh, that's the sword?"

"Shhhhh," said Bert. "Not so loud."

"And, uh, how'd you get it?" asked Fred.

1. the Tale of How Bert got the Sword....

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