FARSLAYER – the Sword whose power is to kill the bearer's enemy even
at the other end of the world – is rediscovered. Its finder is the
beautiful mermaid Black Pearl, herself the victim of a magical curse
that has changed her from a simple fisherman's daughter to a creature
of the river. She gives the sword to the minor wizard Cosmo Malolo,
who has seduced her while promising her that he will restore her to
human form permanently. Unfortunately, the Malolo clan has been
feuding for generations with the Senones, their rival clan across the
river, and Farslayer simply enables them to kill each others' leaders
in a one-night bloodbath that more than decimates the clans.
In the hills that wild and stormy night, the hermit Gelimer finds
a stranded traveler – Cosmo, bearing Farslayer. Cosmo dies
mysteriously, and Gelimer hides Farslayer – just before Prince
Zoltan and the Lady Yambu turn up at this hermitage, victims of a
shipwreck that has altered their continuing pilgrimage. And not long
after their departure, another, more sinister visitor arrives: one
Chilperic, sworn servant of the evil macro-wizard Wood, who will stop
at nothing to obtain the Sword. Chilperic is attended by the demon
Rabisu, placed under Chiperic's command by Wood.
Zoltan encountered the mermaid Black Pearl three years ago, and he
has never forgotten the beautiful creature. In love with her, he has
no idea that her heart is already given to the wretched Cosmo...
Zoltan swears to help her regain human form.
With the arrival of Prince Mark and Ben of Purkinje the plot
thickens further. Mark wants Farslayer (of course), knowing full well
the havoc it can wreak in hands bent on revenge.
And then Tamsin, an enigmatic, sensuous healer, arrives on her
griffin.
This is a rousing tale of action, magic and bittersweet love, told
with all the gusto that characterizes Fred Saberhagen's enormous
narrative gift.
