pugh@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU (09/09/85)
From: "pugh jon%b.mfenet"@LLL-MFE.ARPA I am surprised that no one has brought these books up before. Since we have been talking about magic and technology, these handle the two quite well. The books I refer to are Fred Saberhagen's Book of Swords (the 1st, 2nd & 3rd). You may remember Fred for his Berserker stories, but he is no slouch at the epic fantasy either. The technology is in the form of "Old World" artifacts, such as flashlights and other items. However, magic and Gods are present, as are the twelve magic swords arouond which the story revolves. As every epic must have a poem, this one is no exception. I include it here as a teaser. It doesn't spoil, since it is recited in parts throughout the story. I found these books so enjoyable that I read the 2nd and 3rd in one sitting each. Good Stuff! Jon Pugh The Twelve Swords of the Gods Who holds Coinspinner knows good odds Whichever move he make But the Sword of Chance, to please the gods, Slips from him like a snake. The Sword of Justice balances the pans Of right and wrong, and foul and fair. Eye for an eye, Doomgiver scans The fate of all folk everywhere. Dragonslicer, Dragonslicer, how d'you slay? Reaching for the heart in behind the scales. Dragonslicer, Dragonslicer, where do you stay? In the belly of the giant that my blade impales. Farslayer howls across the world For thy heart, for thy heart, who hast wronged me! Vengeance is his who casts the blade Yet he will in the end no triumph see. Whose flesh the Sword of Mercy hurts has drawn no breath, Whose soul it heals has wandered in the night, Has paid the summing of all debts in death Has turned to see returning light. The Mindsword spun in the dawn's gray light And men and demons knelt down before. The Mindsword flashed in the midday bright Gods joined the dance, and the march to war. It spun in the twilight dim as well And gods and men marched off to hell. I shatter Swords and splinter spears; None stands to Shieldbreaker. My point's the fount of orphan's tears My edge the widowmaker. The Sword of Stealth is given to One lowly and despised. Sightblinder's gifts; his eyes are keen His nature is disguised. The Tyrant's Blade no blood hath spilled But doth the spirit carve Soulcutter hath no body killed But many left to starve. The Sword of Siege struck a hammer's blow With a crash, and a smash, and a tumbled wall. Stonecutter laid a castle low With a groan, and a roar, and a tower's fall. Long roads the Sword of Fury makes Hard walls it builds around the soft The fighter who Townsaver takes Can bid farewell to home and croft. Who holds Wayfinder finds good roads Its master's step is brisk. The Sword of Wisdom lightens loads But adds unto their risk.