“What is it?  Is it alive?” a voice said from somewhere above.  It seemed so distant, and yet somehow, Ajal knew that it was actually very close by.

            Something poked her in the ribs and she twitched, trying in vain to move her body.  She didn’t have the strength to open her eyes or moan a protest.

            “It is alive,” the voice said.  “I think it’s human.”

            “A full human?” a second voice said, sounding incredulous.  “I didn’t think they existed.”

            “Not around here, but there are some of them in the cities I think.  Why don’t we take the sword and get out of here?”

            “It should fetch a small fortune.  Even the sheath looks like it’s made of solid gold.”

            Ajal, Jeki’s voice interrupted her thoughts.  You don’t have time to be lying around on the forest floor.  Get up.

            “Jeki?” she murmured, trying desperately to regain consciousness.

            “It spoke!” one of the would-be-thieves declared.  “Let’s hurry.”

            There was a scuttling sound beside her and a grunt of exertion.

            “Come on, Jynx.  What is taking you so long?” the first voice was further away now.

            “I can’t lift it.”

            “What do you mean you can’t lift it?”

            “I can’t lift it, Maze.  It must weigh five hundred pounds.”

            “Nonsense,” Maze said, his voice growing closer again.

            Ajal cracked her eyes open.  The forest interior was dim and her vision was blurred with weariness.  She could just make out the unfocused shapes of two figures several yards away.  Maze had returned to stand beside Jynx and was now trying to lift something off the ground.  His companion was looking on with interest.

            “It’s heavy,” Maze grunted.  “Let’s try it together.”

            Both thieves grunted as they tried with all their strength to lift the sword from the ground.

            Ajal, Jeki’s voice entered her thoughts again.  Are you just going to let them steal me?  I can’t keep this heaviness spell up forever, you know.

            “Jeki!” she cried and sat up.  The two who had been trying to steal her sword fell over in surprise.  As Ajal’s vision cleared, she gasped in disbelief.  The pair of men had short, stocky bodies like men, but the facial features of weasels.  Gray fur covered their narrow faces and small black ears stuck up from the tops of their heads.  Their beady eyes were wide in surprise.  Both were dressed in baggy green britches, white shirts, and drab brown vests.  Their backpacks were full to bursting, most likely with stolen goods.

            Ajal spotted the beautiful ornate sword on the ground beside her and instantly recognized Jeki.  She reached for the sword and lifted it in one hand.  The two weasel-men stared at her in disbelief.

            “She lifted it, Maze,” Jynx cried.

            “With one hand!”

            “Leave me be,” Ajal demanded, struggling to climb to her feet.  It was not because the sword in her hand was heavy, but because she hadn’t yet recovered from the spiritual energy that had weighed her down on Mount Trinity.  She pulled the sword from its sheath with a metallic ringing sound and pointed the shining blade at the two creatures.  Both of them were at least a foot shorter than she, and apparently unarmed.

            “I suggest you run away before I am forced to use this,” she warned, sounding a thousand fold more invigorated than she felt.

            “Run, Jynx!” Maze cried before realizing Jynx was already dashing into the trees as fast as his short legs could carry him.  He squeaked with dismay and dashed after his companion.

            Ajal waited until both of them were out of sight before she allowed her weariness to steal over her once more.  She sank to her knees, propping herself up by leaning heavily on her sword.

            Are you all right, Ajal? Jeki’s conscious asked in her head.

            “Yes,” she said quietly.  “I’m just so tired.”

            What do you require?

            “A safe place to rest where no one will discover me.”

            I can handle that.  Find a comfortable place beneath a tree and I shall cover you in blanket of warmth and camouflage.

            Ajal crawled over to the nearest tree, dragging her sword with her, and collapsed on the ground.  The sword in her hand began to change form.  Soon, a warm and comfortable blanket covered her.

            You are safe to sleep, Ajal.  As long as you stay beneath this blanket, no one will be able to see you.  It blends in perfectly with your surroundings and hides you from view.

            “Thank you, Jeki,” she murmured, flushing as she realized she was draped in the warmth of Jeki’s protective body.

            Sleep, precious rebel.  You will need your strength.

            Ajal slept.