William pressed his black fur coat closer to his body as the snowstorm worsened.
William had left his town hoping to find fortune, but had no skills to mention.  He was neither strong nor smart.  But William was determined and hopeful.
So, William had set out and was now certain he would die from cold or hunger.  But then, William heard a small voice call out to him.  He followed the voice and came upon a most peculiar sword.
The sword’s blade was sharp and very dark.  The black hit had a beautiful design.  But most noticeable was the glowing blue eye that seemed to stare up at William.
“Hear me, William,” said the sword.  “I once served a tyrant who used me to slaughter thousands of people.  When his kingdom fell, he blamed me and abandoned me here in the wilderness.  I have laid here many years and have never been given a place of glory in an armory or hall.  If you grant me that one favor, I shall bring you your fortune.”
Impressed, William agreed, for how could you doubt a talking sword.
“Travel north and you shall find the Kingdom, Kita.  Tell them you are a mighty warrior and speak to King Leska”
After traveling many days, William did just that.  The king looked upon him with skepticism.  The small pale figure could not possibly be a great warrior.
“Strike me into the ground,” said the sword.
William drove the blade through the stone floor impressing the king.
“A terrible ogre is stealing my people from their homes and taking them to his castle to eat them.  If you can save my people and stop this monster, I shall knight you and give you a vast fortune and home right beside my castle.”
William agreed, confident the sword would protect him.
After traveling even more, William reached the ogres castle and entered.  William surprised the ogre as no one had dared enter his castle willingly before.
“Who dares come here?”
“I, William, have come to kill you and free your captives.”
William charged the ogre, but the ogre just tossed him aside and toke his sword.  He then shattered the swords blade with his massive hands, laughing loudly.
The hilt landed next to William.
“William, the ogre might be strong, but he is thick and dim.  You must outsmart him.”
“Foolish human, did you think you could defeat me.  I am stronger than anything and fear nothing.”
“Oh,” said William.  “And how scared are you of nothing?”
“What?” growled the ogre.
“Does it terrify you?  It is horrifying.”
The ogre was confused.  He had never seen nothing, but William made it sound frightening.
“You know, I have vast amounts of nothing in my pockets.  Shall I show you?”
“No!  Anything but nothing!”
“Then you shall release the prisoners and if you ever attack that kingdom again, I shall unleash endless amounts of nothing upon you.”
“I promise,” said the ogre.
So, William returned with the citizens and the kingdom was overjoyed.  William was knighted and given a massive home and fortune, as promised.  William hung the sword hilt as promised and the ogre never struck again.  And the kingdom remained at peace for many years.

THE END