"Welcome to the Annual Snath and Scythe Convention" read the large sign hanging over the entrance to the Kamchatka Ballroom in the Arctic province. Never had such a large gathering of people been squashed into the gaily lit hall. There were farmers and their wives, townies from Kugnae and Buya and even Barbarians, nomads and wanderers from the far off lands of the wilderness regions. Leaders, Elders, dignitaries, wealthy merchants and common folk stood shoulder to shoulder in the mass of humanity that milled around the hall. Of course the Spies were there, but nobody knew where they were, as they flitted invisibly around the hall gaining information.
This was no ordinary Snath and Scythe convention. There was talk and rumors of a Golden Scythe with magical powers that was to be exhibited for the first time and going to be auctioned to the highest bidder! "Where did this Golden Scythe come from?" asked many a voice. "Does it really have magical powers?" asked another. "Would it be any good for reaping the harvest?" yet another asked.
Nobody seemed to know the answers, so speculation and rumors abounded, and each story becoming more fanciful than the last. There were tales of magical spells that the Golden Scythe would cast upon the user, the more they swung the scythe into action, the more magic it would cast. It was said to enable the user to harvest twice and even triple the usual amount of wheat in a single blow of its golden blade. One tale told of its magic spreading over the ground where it was used and ensuring a double crop the following season. It was reportedly so light to use that the bearer of Golden Scythe could wield it all day without becoming weary.
Those who tilled the soil and worked the land were eager to be the owners of such a scythe to make their work easier. The wealthy merchants were counting coins in their minds if they could engrave it and resell it for a huge profit. The wealthy folk and dignitaries were thinking that it would make a nice exhibition for others to see. The Leaders were thinking how important they would feel walking around town with such a Golden Scythe in their hands for all to see and admire. The Muses imagined the many uses for it as a prop in their presentations. The Barbarians were picturing in their minds what a great weapon it would be in a battle. The Spies wanted to be first to know its "Stats" to sell the information. Some were just curious to see what it looked like, being such a unique item. There was one small group though, who just quietly watched and waited, for they knew that the powerful magic must not fall into the wrong hands. They had seen this Golden Scythe already, in a vision, and had been drawn here by supernatural forces to claim that which was rightfully theirs.
At last, a little man wearing a merchant vest came to the stage and silenced the crowd by just raising his hands.
There was a hush that came over the hall, with just the odd quiet whisper to be heard.
"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the Annual Snath and Scythe Convention" he began. And after another 5 minutes of official welcome and sales talk, he finally got to the subject that everyone had come to hear - The Golden Scythe. He was not about to let his audience get away that easily and promised them that at the end of the convention it would be brought out into public view and be awarded to its rightful owners. Many a grumble and mumble was heard from those who wanted to see it then and there, however, everyone had to bide their time and sit through the whole convention on the technicalities of having a good snatch (handle) for your scythe, one that should be custom made for the user and the options that were available. The sharpness of a good scythe blade and how to care and maintain were next on the agenda and about then, the Barbarians had grown impatient and were threatening to demonstrate how good the blades were in their hands, if the Golden Scythe was not produced soon.
The little man could do nothing else but give the signal for the Golden Scythe to be brought out on the stage. Everyone in the hall craned their necks to get a good view, some pushing and shoving was going on as everyone waited in anticipation as a large box was brought out by 2 burly ogres, placing it on a table, then the ogres stood guard over the box, looking with a menacing gaze at the audience.
The little man opened the box with meticulous care and finally lifted the lid to reveal the most beautiful, shining, golden scythe shaped as a crescent moon that emitted a bright glare into the room. It's short snatch was golden like the blade, and appeared to have writing on it. Everyone gasped in awe of such a beautiful and wondrous item.
The little man did not dare touch such a wondrous item with his own hands; he just held the box up higher, for all to see its wondrous contents. He then went on to explain the story behind the Golden Scythe:
"It is said that this wondrous implement was created by the gods as a special gift for Lugh, the god of sun, light and the grain harvest. Lugh was an interesting god, he was held as a hero, a god of war, yet they called him the shining one and he was multi skilled. The Golden Scythe befitted his status, it was a weapon of war, but also a weapon for reaping the harvest and it was made to never lose its shine for all eternity. It was blessed by the gods with magical powers that could only be used by the bearer of this Golden Scythe. Lugh was extremely happy with his gift and very grateful to receive it, but before he could place his hand on its magical snatch, there was a lightning bolt and darkness swept over the region and the Golden Scythe was snatched away, still in its box, by evil forces. They had stolen it away and kept it hidden in this box, and cursed it so that its magic would never shine upon the earth. The gods could not take off the curse; however, they changed it so that the curse would expire after a certain time. Lugh searched and searched for his Golden Scythe and never found it and it is said that he was given a magical spear in its place, which became his symbol, but he never gave up looking for his wondrous Scythe."
Not a noise was heard around the great hall as all listened intently and took in every word of this story and each in their own heart wanting even more to own this wondrous implement. "How did it come to light now? you might ask. Well, we truly do not know. It was found in a field of grain by a poor farmer in the wilderness on the outskirts of Nagnang. He came across the box and could scarcely believe his eyes when he peeked inside the box. Scared that he would be arrested for stealing this expensive looking item, he quickly handed it to the justice authorities in the hopes of gaining a reward. The authorities were just as puzzled, and knowing of my expertise in Snaths and Scythes, they of course summoned my help."
He let his words sink in a few seconds before continuing: "I have done my research to discover the story behind this Golden Scythe and today I present it to you for the highest bidder" At this, the bidding came fast and furious, each one yelling out amounts of coins that got higher and higher, some bid expensive items as well as coin - even a sevenleaf and a big axe were offered in exchange. This was tough bidding and the prices skyrocketed beyond the little man's wildest dreams. People were glaring at each other as they tried to outbid each other. Some had to drop out of the contest, as they didn't have that amount of wealth. It was finally down to the wealthiest merchant and a tribal leader of the Barbarians, each trying their hardest to gain the highest price. The noise in the hall was incredible, as people voiced their disapproval at those who were left bidding, and called it "rigged and unfair".
Then, as if the time were just right, Aiyana, the druid elder walked serenely to the front stage, right up to the little man. A hush descended upon the crowd, and they watched as she whispered to the little man, who looked shocked and startled at whatever she had said. He quickly signaled the ogres to stand back, and Aiyana gracefully stepped to the box and lifted out its prize. She held the wondrous Scythe in her hands, and gently caressed its snatch and the golden blade. It was as if the Golden Scythe took a life of its own, it suddenly shone even brighter and emitted out such a bright flash of light that everyone within the hall was momentarily blinded. When they could readjust their eyes, there was no sign of Aiyana - she was gone, vanished - and the Golden Scythe with her. The crowd murmured and muttered, "what happened?" "what could this mean?" They were perplexed and yet they knew that something supernatural had just occurred before their very eyes.
The little man was still standing on the stage, recovering from all that had just happened, he put up his hands and said "Kinsmen and ladies, I am sorry, but the rightful owners of the Golden Scythe, the Druids, have just claimed it. It seems that I had not uncovered the complete story of this Golden Scythe, there was a parchment missing, which revealed that at the time when the evil curse lifted, the Golden Scythe would reappear and be awarded to those who had diligently worshipped and upheld the true balance of nature. Those who understood who Lugh truly was and what he stood for and would uphold his virtues of good. This is the Druids, and it is also said that if anyone unworthy had even touched the Golden Scythe, they would be smitten with disease and poverty."
The merchants recoiled in fear at this suggestion, and others were just as thankful that they had not dare to touch it. "I don't believe you - it is a scam!" came a call from the back of the hall. The little man was not upset by this, he calmly said "Well, visit with the Druids and lay your hand upon the Golden Scythe and try it for yourself, sir!" At this, the man lowered his head; he was not willing to take that risk. "The Druid Aiyana has declared that the druids will not keep this Golden Scythe hidden away. The Druids will carry this Golden Scythe for all to see and its magic will be used for the good of nature and to maintain peace, prosperity and a balance to all things of nature."
At this, people quickly started to wander out of the great hall and make their way back home, still talking about the wondrous sight of this Golden Scythe, and yet happy to know that its wonder and magic would be seen again.
~Seraphi