“But... if they are worthless, why should a King care?”
“Because he is the man I love. And he alone knows the story of these items”.
“I see”.
“And will you do as I say?”
She nodded.
“Now tell me, what are you planning to do with the monster? You mentioned not being armed, so... how might you kill him?”
At that point, I took the handle and head of the Hammer of the Alliance out of my bag. “I am not entirely unarmed. And yet I may not wield this weapon unless you help me...”
She observed the wonderfully wrought thing in her utter amazement, even allowing herself to whisper a 'Wow!' she had not meant to.
“Help you? And how might I do that?”
“You see, once the two halves are joined, the Hammer can only be wielded by two people. Its inscription says only the joint hands of those who ac
