Fred Saberhagen brings his immensely popular Swords Series to a
thrilling conclusion in the tale of Shieldbreaker – the Sword of
Force, against which there is no defense.
Long ago, the gods forged Twelve Swords of Power and threw them on
the gameboard of life to watch men scramble. But they forged too
well; the Swords could kill the gods themselves.
Now, ages later, the Swords are as powerful as ever – and still
coveted by good and evil men alike. Some have been lost again, and
some destroyed. Prince Mark of Tasavalta holds five Swords:
Woundhealer, Stonecutter, Dragonslicer, Sightblinder, and the
greatest of them all, Shieldbreaker – the Sword of Force against
which no enemy can stand. With their help, he has ruled peacefully,
protecting his people from all dangers.
A year ago, Prince Mark defeated Vilkata, the dark King, who
sought to gain the swords by force. Mark exiled Vilkata beyond the
boundaries of the world, where not even Vilkata's horde of demons
should have been able to find an escape for the mad sorcerer.
But the Dark King has overcome all barriers and returned to seek
revenge. With him he brings Mindsword, the Sword of Glory – with the
power to compel obedience from all who come within its range.
The Dark King's timing is perfect: Prince Mark is in a far corner
of his kingdom, defending his people against a dragon. Vilkata finds
the castle almost undefended, the ultimate power of the Swords almost
in his grasp. Between him and the Sword vault stands only one small
warrior: Prince Mark's son, Prince Stephen, armed with Shieldbreaker,
Sword of Swords. But how can a fourteen-year-old boy, no matter how
well armed, resist the evil power of the Dark King – especially with
the Mindsword in Vilkata's hand?
