When you grew up, you were told about the trickster Eurmal, and how he found the sword called Death. They told you that Eurmal killed Grandfather Mortal with it, which was true. They said he showed it to Humakt, which was true. They even told you that Humakt used the sword to cut his family ties to Orlanth and his brothers. But that was not true.
We allow them to say it, because of what was decided in the true story, the one I tell you today, on the day you cut your old ties to your kin and form a new one to Humakt. You are not to tell the true story to others; this is part of your test, to see if you really are strong enough to cut those ties and keep them cut.
When Orlanth saw the thing called Death, he was not a king yet. Before Humakt could lend Orlanth the new thing, he had to be sure that Orlanth would show proper respect for it.
The first time Orlanth came to Humakt, seeking his gift, he tried to treat Humakt like a thrall.
Humakt told him that he had the wind and bearing of a god who would rule over most things, but that he would never rule over Death.
So they fought, and the fight went on for sixteen days and sixteen nights. Orlanth was not slain, but many of his thanes were. Orlanth wept.
So Orlanth came to Humakt a second time, and this time he treated Humakt like he was a cottar.
Humakt told him that safety and shelter were small things, compared to the might of Death. It was not a fair exchange.
So they fought, and the fight went on for four days and four nights. Orlanth was not slain, but many of his carls were.
The third time he came to Humakt, he treated our god like he was a carl.
Humakt told him that a thing, once killed, could never be the same.
So they fought, and the fight went on for two days and two nights. Orlanth was not slain, but many of his cottars and thralls were.
Then some enemies came. Orlanth was too tired to fight, but Humakt was refreshed, for these were his special foes. There were many of them, so it took a day and a night to dispatch them all to hell, but Humakt did so. Then Orlanth had an idea.
"You protected me. You shall have a new place, that of champion. You shall be a thane, a weaponthane among weaponthanes, and you shall sit at my side. You shall sit on the ring, and your weaponthanes shall answer to you. You shall be separate from the clan, yet connected to it lawfully. We are partners."
"Now I humbly beg of you, let me borrow that sword of yours."
And Humakt gave him the sword. A sword like the sword I give to you, now.