THE THIRD MAGE 9 Names And Swords

Meanwhile, Denaire and Prince Amon, were talking heatedly, forgetting the status gap between them.

"So you say, this is the first time this ever happened in your pieces?"

"Yes. Maybe giving it a name brings it life. You said earlier that name gives power to things."

"Yeah. But Papa's sword never moved!"

"Hmmm, I guess it depends on the nature of the thing. Like if it's likened to a living thing, it moves like it's original. But if it's just a thing, like a sword, it would still be a sword. Ugh, did you understand that? I think I'm going dumb."

"No, I seriously understand. I'll ask Papa later if his sword does something wonderful. Or just plain dumb sword."

"Why don't you try naming one of my pieces. Maybe there is indeed power in a name."

The Prince nodded, and together they went to the pottery room.

"So choose anything you like to name."

"I'll try the mouse, because it's small. The dragon would be scary if it comes alive, wouldn't it?"

Denaire nodded at the Prince's question. "So, go on. Give it a name."

The Prince thought for a bit, then, "I name thee Squeaky, the great General of all mice."

They both waited for it to move, but it remained immobile like it is, a clay figure.

Prince Amon looked at Denaire. "Why don't you try naming it."

"Okay, I'll just copy what you said."

So Denaire stepped forward and said to the clay mouse, "I name thee Squeaky, the great General of all mice."

And the mouse squeaked and ran towards Denaire.

Denaire felt gooseb.u.mps all over her body. "Well, this is scary. I don't understand any of this."

"Maybe you have magic."

"I am a no-mage, remember?"

"But how could you bring something to life?"

"Well, I don't know. But it doesn't belong to any magical attributes."

"Water could be, knowing some water magicians could preserve life with their magic."

"But still, I am a no-mage."

"Yeah. Well, are you sure you're a third child?"

"Of course I am! My Mama and Papa would never lie about it!"

"Well, we have to make sure. You could get arrested for this Denaire! You have to ask your parents. And I'll ask our royal sword smith of the effects of naming a thing, and my Papa's sword."

"Okay. Lady Samarra's having a music lesson later. Mama's going to accompany brother Dior. I'll have to ask her politely."

"And I'm going back to the palace to ask Papa and the royal smith. I'll meet you at your room later tonight."

"Are you even allowed to go out at night?"

"No. But I have my ways. We need to solve this thing." Prince Amon said and winked at Denaire.

Denaire laughed. "Yeah sure, Prince Investigator Amon."

And they both laughed, to be interrupted by a lion's roar.

"What are we going to do with Raj?"

"Let's go first and talk to him. Maybe he could talk."

"Hi Raj!" Denaire beamed at the lion. The lion stared back at him.

"Okay, he doesn't talk."

"Well, let's just say we're going away, and we'll be back tomorrow."

"Okay." Denaire looked back at the lion. "Raj, we have to get home as of now. Could you wait here in the mean time? Please. We'll be back tomorrow, okay?"

'Then make me talk Master,' Raj thought.

"Does he eat normal meal?"

The Prince replied, "Well, we really don't know. We'll bring lots of food tomorrow. Let's go. Raj, goodbye."

"Bye Raj." Denaire patted the lion's head and left with the Prince.

'Master, don't leave me!' Raj roared in frustration and sadness.

***

Prince Amon met the royal sword smith after his sumptuous lunch.

"Hey Liam!"

Liam, who was currently wiping his made weapons, looked up and bowed to the Prince. "Good day, Your Highness. What can I do for you?"

"Oh, I just have a few questions."

"Ask away, my dear Prince." He put down his wiping cloth and ushered the Prince to sit on a high stool.

"Uh, so, I remembered that you gave the name Aiden to my Papa's sword."

"Ah yes. Aiden. Do you know where this name came from?"

The Prince shook his head.

"You know Prince Amon, Aiden was a name of a G.o.d of an ancient civilization. He was a sun G.o.d of the Celtics. I named it so because I see King Vasillia as a great ruler in all of Oniro, just like the sun that rules the heavens. Added to the fact that he's a wielder of both the air and the fire, Aiden is a name that suits his companions.h.i.+p. A great duo to govern all of us. A mighty, fiery King."

The Prince nodded, understanding Liam's whole reasoning. "So Liam, does giving a name to the sword made it more extraordinary?"

"I believe, if one finds it extraordinary, it becomes one."

The Prince's brows furrowed in confusion.

"You see, my Prince, giving a name adds to the prestige and power of a certain object. If it's name greatly enhances the power and fame of a person, then it is, indeed powerful."

"So, if it adds power, then the bearer would be super powerful."

Liam smiled a creepy smile, his mouth full of s.p.a.ces because of lost teeth in different places. "I am afraid we don't understand each other, my Prince. You see, the sword does not give physical power. It's power lies on the fear it's name brings. And if the bearer uses this fear to trample on his enemies, then the sword and the bearer would be invincible, indestructible."

"Fear?"

"Yes. Names have that infinite power, fear. But, if it's bearer couldn't live up to the expectation of his sword's name, then it's power and prestige loses. They would both become ash, and be lost in history."

He was muddle-headed when his talk with Liam finally ended. 'So names doesn't really mean giving power to an object.' He was still contemplating about their conversation that he didn't notice the King approaching him.

"Amon?" the King called out to his son, who was still thinking, lost in his own thoughts.

King Vasillia called out again, louder this time. "Amon!"

Prince Amon jumped in fright. "Papa!"

"What were you thinking, son?"

Prince Amon composed himself, and braved to ask his father. "Papa, can I see your sword?"

"Sure." He unsheathed Aiden from its scabbard and gave it to his son.

"Papa, does it do something marvelous to you?"

"Well, in every battle, only Aiden could give me the confidence to win. When I hold it, I would instantaneously feel victorious, and victory is always there. So, I think that is marvelous."

"Doesn't it give you more power?"

"Power? It gives me that confidence to push more and - "

"No Papa. I mean, does it give you something more magical?"

The King thought for a bit. "Hmmm, no Amon. It is what it is, a sword. A normal but my most trusted sword."

And Prince Amon went to his room muddle-headed even more.