The Complete Book of Swords Author:Fred Sabehagen This is a book club edition and comprises the First, Second and Third books. — The Swords were forged on a lifeless, wind-scoured mountaintop, with fire drawn from the Earth's belly, and metal that fell from the sky. They were tempered with human sweat and human blood by the hand of the god Vulcan, Master Smith. There were 12 swords, created as t... more »he playing pieces in a whimsical game of the gods. Into each sword was placed an awesome power - to vanquish in battle, or slay by even more horrible means...to deceive an enemy's eyes, or destroy his soul...to bestow unfailing luck or heal... Only one man had seen the forging of the Swords of Power, a human smith named Jord. And for the arm that Vulcan took from him that unforgettable might, Jord received one of the Swords. It would be his legacy to his son. Mark grew up with the Sword hangin on his father's wall. He knows well its keen edge and its unearthly perfection. But he does not realize its power
until Duke Fratkin's men arrive one day to wrest the Swrod from Jord. Mark watches, the Sword strikes out, screaming with an inner fury that cares little for the safety of its wielder. When the fight is over, the Duke's men are dead; but Jord and Mark's older brother , too have fallen. The book is about Mark's adventures with the Sword once he flees from the Duke's vengeance.« less