The tale is told in Saberhagen's bestselling FIRST, SECOND, and THIRD
BOOK OF SWORDS of how the gods forged Twelve Swords of Power and
threw them on the gameboard of life to watch men scramble. But they
had forged too well: the Swords could kill the gods themselves.
Now, the gods gone, the Swords are scattered across the land, some
held by those of good heart... others by those whose purposes are
evil.
Mark, Prince Consort of Tasavalta, and his wife, Princess kristin,
have a seven-year-old son Adrian, who has been blind and racked by
seizures since birth. The magic Sword Woundhealer, the Sword of
Healing, is said to be held at the White Temple far to the south.
Mark is convinced that if he can find Woundhealer, Adrian will be
cured.
Thus Mark embarks on his perilous journey in search of
Woundhealer. But the evil wizard Burslam has joined in partnership
with Mark's enemy, Baron Amnitor, and they are also intent on gaining
the lost Swords. Baron Amintor has stolen Woundhealer from the White
Temple... and Burslam has lured Mark's nephew Zoltan away, hoping
to use him to gain other Swords in Mark's possession. Zoltan escapes,
only to enter into his own dangerous quest.
Before their missions end, four of the great Swords – Woundhealer, Dragonslicer, Sheidlbreaker and the terrible Sword of
Vengeance – Farslayer – are drawn in battle. And Mark and Zoltan
have encountered far stranger things than the Swords of Power.
