Oelander's Hammer                                               Krowle                                                                                                                                                             )	   N  M    "
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  )      Oelander's Hammer:    An Instructive Tale  For Children         The two children, Froedwig and his younger sister Silvanda, had been exploring all morning. The noon sun was directly overhead and everything was warm and bright. The had left their Redguard village, Granitsta, early that morning for a day in the wildnerness, a picnic, and with a stern warning from their father to be home before dark. They crossed a huge field that was bare save a single rose bush right in the middle.   The little girl asked Froedwig about it.   "Well," he said, "according to father a great battle was fought in this place many years ago. The battle was visited by the God of all warriors, Reymon Ebonarm, who caused the leaders to end the battle and return to their homes. It is said that the rose bush grows where he stood that day."   "Oh, how exciting," giggled Silvanda.   The children continued their trek approaching some woods. As they entered the forest the air became very cool and a deep quiet seemed to envelope them.    "What is that?"   Silvanda pointed to a large hole in the ground from which protruded a long, thick pole. Around the hole thorny plants had grown into an impenetrable wall.   "I don't know," said Froedwig, "but let's see if we can get a closer look."   "Stop!"   They did.   Looking beyond the hole, the children saw an elderly Redguard of many years. His gray beard, scraggly hair and stooped shoulders certainly did not support the authoritarian command he gave. But the children stopped just the same as he approached.   "Who are you?" stammered Froedwig as Silvanda carefully tucked herself behind her brother's back.   "My name is Hoennig Groevinger, and I live in these woods."   "Why can't we examine yon hole, Master Groevinger?" asked Froedwig.   "Because, my dear children, it and what it holds are cursed. Now just wh-h-h-o are you?" he stuttered, mimicing Froedwig.   Finally gaining his composure, Froedwig said, "I am Froedwig-aj- Murr of the village Granitsta. This is my sister Silvanda. We are on an outing. Can you tell us about this mysterious hole?"   "Well," said the old man as he slowly settled to the ground, "Why don't you sit here with me for a while and I will tell you about Oelander's Hammer. That's the handle of the fabled weapon sticking out from yonder chasm."   With this the children also settled into sitting positions in front of the old Redguard ranger.   Groevinger began, "Many year's ago there was a huge battle fought in this very field ..."   "Oh, yes, I know," said Silvanda, interrupting the old man. "It was ended by the Warrior God Reymon Ebonarm, and the magic rose bush grows where he stood that day..." she continued breathlessly.   The old man sternly cleared his throat causing the little girl to again shrink behind her brother.   "Now, if I may continue without interruption... On the day that battle ended, a young Redguard soldier stopped in this spot as he was leaving to go to his home. He carried the equipment he had used on the field which included a marvelously fashioned war hammer that had been given to him by his father. The weapon  was beautifully made and unknown to the young warrior carried an enchantment that had protected him through the vicious battle just ended."   "The young man, Oelander by name, rested by this very tree. Suddenly he was confronted by a wizard dressed all in black from head to toe. Without so much as a how-do-you-do, the wizard demanded that Oelander give him his hammer. Still flushed from the battle, the young man just looked at the dark man and  laughed. The wizard shaking with rage raised his hands to cast a horrible spell against the soldier. However, the young man was quicker. The huge war hammer whistled through the air smiting the wizard a mortal blow just as the spell left his fingers. There was a loud explosion."   The children stared at the old man. He surpressed a grin and continued.   "Clouds of dusk and smoke covered the forest clearing, and when the air settled, yon hole was there with the hammer's handle protruding from it. Oelander and the wizard had vanished! The thorny vines you see grew up immediately around the hole, and to this day no one has been able to approach it close enough to remove that marvelous weapon. Many have tried and all have failed. It is said that only someone of tremendous merit can take it."   All of a sudden, both children in unison stood and shouted, "Oh, look how the day has gone. We must go. If we are late getting home, our father will be most unhappy with us."   As they turned to leave, Froedwig said to the old man, "Thank you, Master Groevinger, for telling us of Oelander's Hammer. You know, I may just come back one day and try to retrieve it!"   As they disappeared from his view, the old man said to himself, "Ah, yes, Master Froedrig aj-Murr, you just  might do that."  