The sword offers no useful answers! It’s in a soft leather scabbard, with silver embroidery, although it’s fallen out slightly, enough to see a black hilt and a hint of silver blade.

Swords are impractical implements for the modern soldier, but they're still interesting and probably valuable. He pulls it all the way from the scabbard. Does this look like steel or something else?

…something else! Definitely something else! Half of the blade is black, but clearly not tarnishes, and it seems to be the same material as the silver, or at least seamlessly integrated. 

Also, it telepathically conveys “Greetings, wielder,” into his head, which would seem to indicate that it’s not steel as well.

He doesn't drop the sword. He doesn't drop things, pretty generally.

Well, he's a goddamned shape-shifting hawk who ran away from his murderous and hide bound family. A talking sword is not that much weirder than that.

"I don't think I'm your wielder. I just found you here."

You are the first to find and unsheathe me. You are now my wielder.

Gather information, first.

"You weren't here before? You're not these peoples' inheritance? Who made you? What do you expect of a wielder?"

No. No. My parent/creator/past-self/dead-self/forger.  To do great and terrible things.

"Laconic. Hmm."

...

"I didn't expect this, you know. I think it's likely we can work something out, you're clearly magic, but the problem is I don't really understand magic and I barely understand mechanical engineering, at this point... If you talk to - probably anyone else, actually - the Witch Hunters will try to kill me and melt you down, to be clear."

We will defeat and kill them, for daring to challenge us. No mortal flame can melt me; I would give the same gift to you, if you allow me.

"Perhaps. I'm already tougher than most - the real problem is ambush, and poison, there are poisons that are utterly debilitating to Lilithians but mostly harmless to humans. Thankfully, they're expensive."

Are poisons a concern? I can work on making you immune to them. Do you know how they work?

"Well, the body is a complicated thing that's not totally well understood. Essentially - it's things that I do not want in my blood and flesh, getting in my blood and flesh and interfering with it. An engine dies if you foul it with water, or put sand in the oil, but a body is so much more complicated than an engine and we don't really understand it... It tries to maintain itself, but can only do so much. I think there's - something holy about Gravewood too. Beyond a mere physical, chemical. I'm not sure. What would giving me gifts entail, what would 'working on it' entail, exactly? Would you be offended if I was-" Uhhhhh. "-If I decided I was not worthy of you and could not wield you, not that I have, I am trying to understand, what would you say or think?"

God knows he doesn't want to get too involved in magic stuff with unclear unspoken systems of duty and social credit unless it's worth it - does he have a way out.

The bond cannot be undone, except by your death. If/when that occurs, I will return to the void-between.

"Okay, so. Time, and information. Those are two critical resources of power. Can we speak while I'm not holding you? I would not want to be discovered, er, before I'm ready, and you're quite noticeable."

Hmm. Yes, although it will be more difficult. It may be more prudent for me to disguise myself. What weapons are common in this world?

"If you're not a soldier? Daggers and swords, yes, but - plainer ones, shorter and thinner. Carrying a weapon, especially a big one, especially a large and good-looking sword, has social connotations of wealth and status, and my clothes and, er, current situation don't quite match, I don't have the bearing, it would be incongruous. There are also guns," Stock and receiver and barrel and firing pin and powder and loading and revolving mechanisms and sights flash through their link half-consciously "-Which are becoming more popular and might be less incongruous for an engineer to have. Swords specifically are a nobility thing."

A flash of - focus, maybe? - through the bond, and then the sword seems to almost melt. It has an almost oily appearance as it shifts, until it solidifies as a well-made, but moderately ornate, dagger. The scabbard becomes a more simple leather sheathe.

Is this form acceptable, Wielder?

"Very nice. Great and terrible things, hmm...?" Sigh. "I am, sadly, terrible at doing great things. All I've accomplished is running away, in some ways. I come here, I hide who I am to learn of steam and steel, thought I was going to have a fine life... And then I find you and start wondering what now, what screws everything up now, again-"

...What goal have I disrupted?

"-Safety, stability. Finding a new home. Learning the Empire's technology."

The sword feels… puzzled, maybe?

I will not endanger you. We will be secret until it is our time to strike, and I shall defend you. I do not see how I will disrupt the other issues and goals.

"How do I- Change is a cost. Surprise is a cost. There are routines, expectations built into the mind with which we judge the world around us, and new factors disrupt that, for me as well as any 'enemies'. Not something that can't be worked around, not even necessarily bad, but- I didn't know what you were, before I became your wielder. I don't know what you can do, or have a good picture of what you want, and I don't think you know what I want, either. Or where we are and what it's like. I - might not have chosen to become your wielder, if the choice was presented clearly."

Ah. Understandable. I will answer any questions that I am able, if that will help. I can’t/won’t/?? apologize for obeying my nature, but I recognize your objections.

"Yeah, well. I'm going to be upset and kind of bitter about it. I hope you understand."

The sword gives a flash of acknowledgement, and goes into a state of waiting - not quite asleep, but not quite awake.