fidelacchius

I nodded. Then I said, "And I have a favor to ask two of you."
I put the bag down and pulled Fidelacchius from where I'd tied it. The ancient katana-style Sword had a smooth wooden handle that perfectly matched the wood of its sheath, so that when the weapon was sheathed it looked innocuous, appearing to be a slightly curved, sturdy stick of a good size to carry while walking. The blade was razor-sharp. I had dropped a plastic drinking straw across it as an experiment once. The rate of fall had been all the exquisite weapon had needed to slice the straw neatly in half.
"Karrin," I said, and held out the Sword.
Sanya's eyebrows climbed toward the roof.
"I've . . . been offered that Sword before, Harry," she said quietly. "Nothing's changed since then."
"I'm not asking you to take up the mantle of a Knight," I said quietly. "I want to entrust it to you for this night, for this purpose. This sword was made to fight darkness, and there's going to be plenty to go around. Take it up. Just until my girl is safe."
Murphy frowned. She looked at Sanya and said, "Can he do this?"
"Can you?" Sanya asked, looking at me.
"I was entrusted as the Sword's guardian," I said calmly. "Exactly what am I supposed to do with it if it is not my place to choose the Sword's bearer to the best of my ability?"
Sanya considered that for a moment, then shrugged. "Seems implicit to me. They gave you the power of choice when they entrusted you with the Swords. One of those things they seem to tell you without ever actually saying anything that sounds remotely related."
I nodded. "Murph. Used for the right reasons, in good faith, the Sword is in no danger. You're the only one who can know if you're doing it for the right reasons. But I'm begging you. Take it. Help me save my daughter, Karrin. Please."
Murphy sighed. "You don't play fair, Harry."
“Not for one second," I said. "Not for something like this."
Murphy was quiet for a moment more. Then she stood up and walked to me. She took the Sword from my hand. There was an old cloth strap fixed to the sheath, so that the weapon could be carried over one shoulder or diagonally across the back. Murphy slipped the weapon on and said, "I'll carry it. If it seems right to me, I'll use it."
"That's all I can ask for," I said.


Changes Chapter 39, Page 411-412