THE SPELLING MISTAKE
The old wizard wasn't exactly happy with Valder, who'd led the enemy to
his hut. Now hut and magical supplies were destroyed. But he'd promised
the young army scout a magic sword to get him safely back to his own lines – and a much enchanted sword Valder would get!
The resulting sword
gave perfect protection – sometimes! It could kill any man – or even
half-demon. In fact, once drawn, it had to kill before it could be put
down or sheathed.
Army wizards told Valder that the sword would keep
him alive until he'd drawn it 100 times; then it would kill him! It
wouldn't prevent his being wounded, maimed or cut to pieces, but it
wouldn't let him die. If his new job as Chief Assassin for the army
didn't make him use up the spell, he'd be practically immortal.
Not bad, it seemed. But there had to be a catch somewhere – and there was!