Long ago 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.
The Sword Stonecutter – which can hew mountains and diamonds with
equal ease – is missing. The Sword has been stolen from Prince
al-Farabi's desert caravan, from the tent of young Kasimir, a
physician en route to the city of Eylau in search of employment.
Fortunately, at the next oasis Kasimir encounters the legendary
Magistrate Wen Chang, whose black, glittering eyes (it is said) can
see into the secret hearts of men and women.
It is even greater good fortune that Wen Chang undertakes the
finding of Stonecutter, for his strength is more powerful than magic:
it is intelligence.
As al-Farabi follows the thief's trail into the desert, Wen Chang
and Kasimir make their way toward Eylau. Finding evidence of
Stonecutter's passage – an unmistakably smooth and easy roadway cut
through a ridge – Wen Chang quickly learns of a mysteriously missing
man – and three murders.
In the walled city of Eylau, where the Red Temple, devoted to
sensual pleasures, has engaged the great sculptor Robert de Borron to
create new statuary, Kasimir encounters embarrassment and Natalia, a
young woman who is more beautiful unclothed than clothed.
Meanwhile, Wen Chang has learned of a certain fabulous diamond,
and of Mistress Headmark, the lapidarist whose duty it will be to
cleave it, perfectly.
Either a lapidarist or a sculptor would have great use for
Stonecutter...
But so would the smoothest assassin Eylau has ever seen.
Wen Chang and Kasimir have only a slim chance to find Stonecutter
– if they can stay alive.
Told with Fred Saberhagen's zest and narrative skill,
STONECUTTER'S STORY combines the pleasures of classic detection with
the vibrant magical world of the Swords in an absorbing, many-layered
tale. It will delight the readers who made THE SECOND BOOK OF LOST
SWORDS: SIGHTBLINDER'S STORY a fantasy bestseller.
