Melcorka sighed. 'Your delay was my fault. If you had not tried to help me, you might have been faster with the Siddhars.' She glanced at Bradan. 'If Bradan agrees, we will stay in this Bharata Khanda and help remove these rakshasas.'
Chaturi shook her head. 'You cannot, Melcorka. Although you are a skilled warrior with a fine sword, you cannot kill them. No mortal blade can kill a rakshasa.'
Melcorka tapped the hilt of Defender. 'My sword was not made by mortal hands. The People of Peace made Defender. She is a thousand years old and absorbs all the skill and cunning of each warrior who wields her. Calgagus, Arthur, Bridei Mac Bili and Angus MacFergus are only some of the warriors who have held her.'
'I do not know these names,' Chaturi said.
'There is no reason why you should,' Melcorka replied. 'They come from Alba, my country, many thousands of miles to the north and west of here. Calgagus fought the Romans; Arthur fought the invading Angles and Saxons; Bridei led the Picts to a famous victory over invading Angles at Dunnichen; Angus MacFergus was a great Pictish leader.' Melcorka smoothed her hand over Defender's hilt, enjoying the sensation of power. 'I am not immortal. I am only the latest in a sequence of warriors chosen to carry this sword. I can be killed in battle, or I will die of disease or old age, and then Defender will pass to somebody else and somebody after that, until the days of swordplay are over.'
'May I touch your sword?' Chaturi asked.
Melcorka passed Defender over.
'I can feel nothing.' Chaturi sounded sceptical. Brushing against Melcorka, Kosala also reached forward and put a hand on the hilt of Defender.
Kosala looked disappointed. 'I also feel nothing.'
'If Defender chose you, then you would feel a thrill of power that heightens your senses, increases your vision and hearing, and quickens your reflexes, so you move and think faster.' Melcorka was smiling as she spoke. 'With Defender, I am a good warrior. Without her, I am not. I'm really a bit clumsy,' she said, 'and I do love to eat sweet things. I might even put on too much weight!' When she slapped her bony right hip, even Chaturi joined in her laughter.
'Did you choose the sword's name?'
'I chose her name. Every owner of this sword, if indeed we own her and she does not own us, chooses whatever name they think best. For instance, Arthur broke his first sword, Caliburn, in a fight. Only then did this sword think him suitable to be chosen. Some versions of the old tale call her Caledfwlch, others say she is Excalibur or Cut-steel. Some say that Arthur drew her from a stone, others say a lady rose from a lake to hand her over.'
'Which is true?' Chaturi seemed interested.
'Maybe one of the legends is true, perhaps neither. I do not know.' Melcorka accepted Defender back and slid her into the scabbard. 'I had to climb a sea-stack to gain her, and she came with certain rules. I cannot use Defender for an evil purpose, or wield her in revenge.' Melcorka patted the hilt. 'She is a force for good, if killing can ever be good.'
'Killing rakshasas must be good.' Chaturi steered the conversation back to the main subject.
'I have things to straighten out with Dhraji,' Melcorka reminded her, 'so I have to be careful that I fight her for the correct reason and not for revenge.'
'A human female is only its shape in this realm,' Chaturi said. 'A rakshasa can assume any form it wishes, on land and at sea.'
'I am not concerned about her other shapes,' Melcorka said. 'I am more concerned with the female form it used with Bradan.'
Chaturi frowned. 'I see. What do you intend doing now?'
'I will escort you and your people back to the coast near to Ceylon,' Melcorka said, 'and then I will attend to Dhraji and her pirates of Thiruzha.'
'You did not understand me, Melcorka,' Chaturi said. 'Dhraji is only one of the demons. There are others. They could turn up anywhere, in human form or otherwise.'
'Well,' Melcorka shrugged, 'if they come, they come. I'm sure that Defender will take care of herself.'
'I hope you are right, Melcorka,' Chaturi said, but Melcorka saw the shadow of doubt that crossed her face.
Chapter Fifteen
The Singhalese filed into their boats, with a warm wind from the north ready to ease them toward their island of Ceylon.
'You will be safe now,' Melcorka said. 'You are nearly home. Just keep clear of Thiruzha raiding parties in future.' She raised her voice and stamped her feet on the ground. 'Come, Bradan, we have work to do.'
'Are you sure you must leave us?' Chaturi asked. 'You are welcome to stay with us as long as you like.'
'Thank you, Chaturi.' Bradan salaamed. 'I am not yet ready to settle down, and Melcorka has a mission to fulfil.'
'In times of war, the enemies of our enemies are our friends,' Melcorka said. 'We are going into the Chola Empire.'
'They are a great people,' Chaturi said. 'They might welcome you, or they might kill you.'
Melcorka nodded. 'That is true of any empire.'
'Are you sure you wish to visit the Cholas alone?' Kosala half-drew his sword. 'Another warrior might be useful, Melcorka.'
'Your people will need your sword if the Thiruzha come again.' Melcorka touched Kosala's arm. 'I thank you for your offer and your companionship. I have decided to get rid of this Dhraji creature. I might be victorious and I might not. She, or it, has a large and well-led army and Raja Bhim is undoubtedly a good tactician. Bradan has informed me of his skills.' Melcorka chewed on a hunk of pork as she spoke. 'Dhraji and Bhim have already defeated the Cholas in at least two encounters. I aim to ensure that the Cholas are successful next time.'
'One sword, even a magic sword, will not make much difference.' Chaturi said. 'Stay with us and welcome.'
'Perhaps Defender will kill a rakshasa, perhaps she
