responsibility to bear.”
“No, I suppose not. Right, so . . . what are your powers?”
“I have three powers within me. I can deem the Truth, enact Justice, and bestow Grace.”
“And how do you do that?”
“Which one?”
“All three.”
The sword paused for a minute before finally answering. “It’s complicated.”
“That’s what cheating boyfriends say on Facebook when they want to hook up with random ho-bags.”
“A ho-bag? What is that? Some type of monster?”
“Not exactly, although we do all live in fear of becoming one.”
I don’t understand, please explain.”
“Never mind . . . it’s complicated. Look, what do you want from me?”
“I want you to claim me and become a true Daughter of Freya.”
“But what does that mean? What would I be doing?”
“Simply put, when a woman or female child is in need, I seek her out and defend her against tyranny and abuse.”
“Well, that’s sounds pretty cool. What do you do to protect them?”
“It depends on the situation, but usually you geld the rapists and take the heads of the murderers.”
Jessie’s mouth went dry. She knew gelding was essentially castration. And beheading, that was just barbaric. “ . . . What?”
“Geld or behead the guilty, after the Truth has been determined, of course. You would be the hand of Freya and dispense her Justice as you see fit. Unless, of course, you choose to extend your Grace.”
“What happens then?”
“You could set someone free if they pay restitution to the woman or child’s satisfaction.”
“I see.”
“You sound unsure. Are there no geldings in this day and age? Surely you behead murderers?”
“Not in America. Besides, I’ve never even held a sword, and I’d likely get arrested and locked up for life. I could be put to death myself.”
“When you hold me, you have all the skills a sword bearer would need. And you would have the protection of a fine suit of armor. Much nicer and lighter than Jürg there.”
“Where is this armor?”
“It’s contained within me. You call on me, and I instantly sheath you in a layer of mystic armor to protect you from harm.”
“That’s incredible. Are you heavy to carry? Wait, how can I carry a sword in broad daylight?”
“I’m very light for a sword, and my enchantments make me feel nearly weightless until you need me. The power of Grace can also be used to veil me at your side if you need me to remain hidden.”
“That all sounds very cool, but I can’t really go around killing men who wrong women. I mean, there’d be dead bodies everywhere. And gelding rapists? Eew, I’d be busy all day and night.”
“Are there that many murderers and rapists?
“Yes.”
“Well, that could be a problem.”
“What about guys who cheat? My ex is a cheater, and he took the TV and computer when I kicked him out last night. They were in his name, but I paid for half.”
“I’m not sure what a ‘TV’ is, but I have seen people bring in things they refer to as computers. I’m not exactly familiar with everything that happens now. I get most of my information from my hosts through the years and from the conversations I overhear when visitors to this museum are near me.”
“Well, that explains why you sound like a cross between a Midwestern accent and a French one.”
“It probably is the case. Tell me Jessie, is a cheater the same as a cardsharp?”
“No, it’s more like . . . an adulterer . . . except we aren’t married . . . or engaged. It’s someone who has sex with someone other than the person they are in love with, and then lies about it.”
“You were living with a man and he had sex with someone else? Then you told him to leave, and he did, but took stuff you shared away with him?”
“Yes. As embarrassing as it is.”
“Did he beat you, or perhaps violate you sexually?”
“Uh, no. Pretty sure I would have kicked his ass if he did.”
“Well good for you, but I’m sorry, there isn’t really anything I can do about that. Though it does seem to me that you are better off without him.”
Jessie thought for a minute. A lawyer could certainly use a way to tell who was lying. “You said you could divine the truth? How do you do that? Could I find out who’s telling the truth just by carrying you?”
“Yes. I can even do so while veiled.”
“And what keeps me from using you to rob a bank or kill someone innocent?”
“Truth prevents that from happening.”
“How?”
“I’ve never had a true Daughter of