Arthur yawned and stretched. Being orphaned at birth, he was being raised and apprenticed by the wizard Merlin.

Cautiously, Arthur poked around the magical odds and ends cluttering the wizard's shelves.

Dragons, knights, and mythical beasts adorned glimmering tapestries of an unusual hue and material. Eyeing an ugly griffin statue suspiciously, waiting for it to spring to life, Arthur almost bumped into Merlin, who was rooting around in his prize potion collection, muttering.

"Faugh! Gnomes and bones, where is that loosestrife elixer?"

"Hey, Merlin, um, do you need any help? I mean, I'd be glad to help if you need anything."

"Jumping jackalopes, you surprised me! Karma Smythe, a student of mine, owns a little shop, and probably has some loosestrife elixer you can buy; however, you must be back by sundown, or it will spoil, so get going!"

Leaving the little hut, which magically was much smaller outside than inside, Arthur strode along the riverbank, thinking of Merlin's dingy, disheveled hut; and before long, came upon the door of Karma's equally dingy, disheveled hut.

"Merlin was no friend of mine. Now leave, or you shall find yourself crawling along the riverbank!"

"Oh, I didn't mean to intrude," Arthur startledly replied to the wizened old woman who had poked her head from the small hut. "Perhaps I can do something for you in return for the loosestrife elixer I need."

Quizzically, Karma stuck her head out a little farther. "Really, one so young, willing to face the Vanaji of legend?"

"Sure," Arthur replied shakily, as far from sure as possible, "I'll be back in a flash!"

Ten minutes later, Arthur found himself staring down the jaws of what could only be the Vanaji.

"Urgh," Arthur groaned, explaining much of his feelings at the moment. "Vanaji, if you let me go, I can help you!"

"Wily boy not get treasure sword," the Vanaji grunted, putting Arthur down to gesture towards a gleaming scabbard hanging on a nearby cave wall, "I not let you out of-HEY!"

'Xcalibur' read the name on the scabbard. "Yes; a sword!" Arthur exclaimed, raising the mighty blade high.

Zooom! The beast disappeared immediately, making Arthur grin, wondering what adventures awaited on the way home.