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Kankai clicked her tongue in amusement at Thetin.
"Yes, you seemed disappointed we would chose Irabeth even if you did like the choice. I have a book that I was forced to memorize that I think you would find quite enjoyable to hear. Maybe over the camp fire I can quote it chapter by chapter and let you memorize it."
Her eyes studied him. "It is called the Art of War. I had to be able to quote the entire thing even when engaged in battle. Ahh, to be a trainee again."
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The next morning, before Dawn broke Kankai woke up Kyra and took her to a spot that the sun would touch with its first rays.
Kneeling she would hold Kyra's sword in her hands. Praying in her native tongue for Sarenrae's blessing to be upon the blade and its wielder.
As dawn approached she turned to Kyra.
"Kyra, you have granted me a great honor to speak with the blade and allow me to name it. I have fasted and spoke with it. Watched you dance and fight along side it. This is what I have learned."
Kankai plucked the feather that she had painted for this and slowly tied it to the hilt. The feather itself was painted but Kankai made it a point that Kyra couldn't see it yet.
"Redemption can be found in many places but, like the Phoenix that dances in the sky to celebrate its life before burning to ash, life must sometimes end in flames.
Take heart that the phoenix even in death is not gone forever, and a new life is formed. With this new life, there are new possibilities and a new chance to redeem their souls.
Considering Sarenrae's feather went into the making this blade I can understand why it chose the name it did.
Not many realize what a feather can do and how important it is. A single feather seems weak, and easy to snap by our standards. The opposite is true though. Feather's serve many purposes but flight feather's especially. On the down stroke of a wing, it presses against the air and allows lift and flight, but on the upstroke it is designed to give and allow air to flow around it. Both hard and soft, both cutting and comforting. Much like the steps of a dancer as they move through a dance.
Feather's are used for communication, keeping one warm, and even sometimes to warn others.
This blade does all of that and it is why it has chosen to awaken itself to you. It enjoys being in your hands and believes in you. It quite enjoys it when you dance with it and the passion you express. It makes it feel like it can fly again and you are a worthy soul to burn those that can not be redeemed so they have another chance in the next life."
Kankai hands the sheathed blade to Kyra.
"Draw the sword that will be your partner Kyra. Say hello to Dancing Phoenix."
The sun cresting the horizon hit the blade as she did so and as the feather twirled in the wind it showed the scene of a woman and a phoenix dancing together.
