Minoc was different from how she had remembered it. It had grown and expanded, and there were new people. She did not recognise the place at all, but she followed a road to try to get to the shipwright, and got lost. Puzzled, she stopped and asked a woman how to get there.
"Good day, milady," Lora greeted the stranger.
"Greetings friend. How may I help thee?"
"I seek the way to the shipwright. How may I find him?"
"Thou art heading in the wrong direction, my dear! Thou must head south!"
"Oh, thank thee milady!" Lora gratefully thanked the woman.
"Call me Gwenno, friend."
"Gwenno? A companion of the Avatar?" Lora studied Gwenno's face in awe and astonishment, this expression showing on her face.
"Yes, I helped the Avatar on an occasion when he needed help," Gwenno confided with a look of modesty in her eyes, "But I did not do much, so I do not deserve much praise." She winked.
After spending half an hour in conversation, Lora visited the shipwright. Trebor, the shipwright, would sell a ship for 250 gold crowns. "But I do not have that much!" Lora protested, "And I just want to borrow a ship!"
"To borrow a ship, you still need 250 gold crowns. I need a deposit to ensure my vessel returns whole."
"But 'tis an emergency!" Lora pleaded.
"Yes, yes, they all say that." Trebor mocked.
Lora placed her sword on the counter. "Tell thee what." she explained, "I will leave my precious sword as a deposit, and I will have it back once I bring back thy ship."
"'Tis no deal." Trebor disagreed, "A mere sword is not worth a ship."
"But 'tis no mere sword! This is a Mystic Sword, that the Avatar used in battle!"
"Oh yes, I'm sure." Trebor grabbed an ordinary hammer, and showed it to Lora. "If thy sword was used by the Avatar, then this hammer was used by Lord British! Hah!" His sarcasm irritated Lora.
"Alright!" she shouted, and took her sword. She removed her armour and sat it on the counter. "I will leave this in exchange for the ship! This is Mystic Armour, and was also used by the Avatar!"
Although the shipwright did not believe her, the armour was certainly beautiful and precious. Lined in gold and bearing an ankh, it was worthy of a king. Besides, armour was worth much more than weaponry, so Trebor accepted her offer and handed her a ship's deed. Lora left the building and boarded a ship, and set sail for Blackthorn's Isle.
Lora had no protection at all now, just a thin, tight dress, that she wanted to change as soon as she could. But the temporary sacrifice of her armour was necessary, as she hoped it would be fruitful. By reaching Blackthorn's Isle, she hoped to retrieve all the Mystics, and then return for the final armour she left with Trebor.
© by Daniel D'Agostino 2002-2025