A TIME LIFE book
Volume 17 of Legendary Heroes
Introduction
Every adventurer needs secret and legendary items.
These items may be a legendary thing needed to complete a legendary quest, or a secret bauble used to complete a legendary quest.
Let us now embark on a journey into the History of Ages Past to uncover the mystery of these Secret Items of Legendary Heroes...
The Star Belt of Sir Alouicious
Sir Alouicious was one of the lesser knights of the round table. Lancelot was known for his valour, Percival for his purity, and Arthur for his wisdom. Alouicious was known for being the fastest gunfighter in the Wild Wild Northumberland.
Alouicious was said to possess a sturdy belt to which he affixed his guns and tools. This belt was given to him by Merlin, on an equinoxal new moon near a special river.
One day, Sir Alou set out to find the great Slime Demon. This demon could not be hurt by bullets, but only by a zap from a magic wand (er, Merlin also gave him a wand but that's another story.)
``Slime Demon! I a-here a-declare a-thee to be a-a-beast most-a foule! Prepare-a to die!''
The Slime Demon had a secret attack. If he saw that the attacker had drawn a magic wand (his Bane) it would open it's maw and spit forth a thousand black bats. So instead of drawing his wand, Sir Alou drew his pistol.
``Gurrrllll!'' Gurrrllll'd the Slime Demon. It knew that Sir Alou would die, for it was impervious (mostly) to bullets.
The Slime Demon began it's attack. Raising up to attack Sir Alou, it opened it's great Slimy Maw to reveal one hundred thousand great Slimy Teeth.
However, before it knew what was happening, Sir Alou used his Legendary Star Belt to draw his magic wand ever-so-quickly. The Slime Demon could not counter attack, and so was zapped.
It's death-cry echoed through the valley, and that very night there was feasting and a prize maiden for Sir Alou. All because of his quick-drawing Star Belt.
THE END.
The Eye of Cornelius
Once upon a time lived a great Samurai named Cornelius. He lived in the south part of the island of Honshu, in modern day Japan.
Cornelius was very skilled with a bow and arrow, and feared by all evil-doers.
One day, Cornelius' arch-nemesis Denki Gravy sought out the services of a witch, who's name has been forgotten but was said to be the offspring of a Buffalo.
``Oh great Buffalo Daughter, I am forever being stymied by the Supreme Samurai Archer Cornelius. If you agree to help me, I will deliver all the infants from the village to you as a reward.''
``Eeeee!'' Said the Witch, her lips not quite in sync with her words. ``I can help you, but if you do not hold your end of the bargain you shall regret it!''
And she gave Denki Gravy a strange brew, telling him to feed it to Cornelius.
Because Cornelius was a noble warrior, he could not reject an invitation to a feast. So, Denki Gravy recruited several armed bandits to waylay him by the side of the road and so feed Cornelius the concoction.
When Cornelius drank from it, he instantly became blind. ``I am blind!'' He cried out.
Then, the bandits bound him hand-and-foot and stole off to tell Denki Gravy and claim their reward.
However, it was just then that three forest fairies, who guard all noble warriors, appeared to Cornelius. ``Cornelius, we are Puffy, Ami and Yumi. We are hear to bring you a gift from your ancestors.'' And they placed in his hand a smooth marble.
When Cornelius held the marble, he found he could see perfectly. In fact, his sight was so good that he could tell where the bandits had gone, even in the dark.
Quickly, he untied his hands and feet, put the marble on a chain around his neck, and retrieved his bow and quiver from their hiding place in the bushes.
The bandit's footprints led straight for the witches lair. There he found Denki Gravy with them, laughing at their evil deeds. Not wasting time, he loosed an arrow, right through one of the bandit's throat.
Realizing what was happening, Denki Gravy cried out in fear: ``Alas! It is Cornelius! He has found us out, and even blind, his aim is true! We are doomed.''
And indeed, they were.
THE END.
Rodan the Runner
Rodan was an old farmer in the country of Denmark. One night, he had a dream in which his long-dead sister appeared to him.
``Rodan, the Gauls are preparing to attack Denmark. You must warn the King of Denmark!''
Immediately he awoke. The King of Denmark's castle was 25 miles to the north, however, and Rodan was an old man.
``How will I make it? For I have not a horse, and no villager will lend me theirs for I could scarce handle it anyways.'' And so Rodan wept, for he knew that no matter what he told the villagers they would not believe him, for they considered him a raving lunatic.
After he had wept, he raised his head, took a deep breath, and stood. And drawing in a nervous breath, he pronounced:
``Then I shall run to the King.''
And so Rodan began to run. At first, it was as if a thousand vices were gripping his every joint, and he cried out in pain. His back bent over double. Red bags formed under his eyes and from behind his drooly beard he wheezed loudly.
But Rodan's was a holy quest. And just as his last breath was about to give out, an Angel appeared along side him. Suddenly, Rodan felt new strength in his legs. The Angel did not look his way, but Rodan found, miraculously, that he could keep up, and he knew it was the Angel's power had come to help him.
And so it was that Rodan, a feeble old man, was able to reach the Castle and warn the King of Denmark about the invading Gaul army.
Once the battle was over, the Gauls soundly defeated, the King gave Rodan a special medal made of Gold:
``Rodan, men younger than you would have given up before even starting their run. But you had the bravery and strength to carry this out, old though you are.''
The King drew his sword, and Rodan knelt before him. Touching the sword by turns to Rodan's shoulders, the King said:
``I hereby knight you Sir Rodan of Denmark, and award you the Medal of Running, for you have saved Denmark.''
Then all the people rose up and cheered, for Rodan the Runner.
THE END.
Epilogue: Author's Note
These are but three legends told of legendary items. More abound in the folk lore of people. But do the items themselves exist?
That is a question that we leave up to you to answer.