The Bane of the Black Sword

A chronological arrangement of selected contents from The Stealer of Souls (1963) and The Singing Citadel (1970); compiled in order to bring them in line with the developing series.

• The Stealer of Souls (1962)
• Kings in Darkness (1962)
• The Flame Bringers (1962)
• To Rescue Tanelorn... (1962)

Battle-thirsty prince, blood-hungry sword...

High in the wintry sky climbed the dragons as Elric urged his charges westwards. Thoughts of love, of peace, of vengeance even were lost in that reckless sweeping across the glowering skies which hung over that ancient Age of the Young Kingdoms. Elric, proud and disdainful in his knowledge that even his deficient blood was the blood of the Sorcerer Kings of Melniboné, became detached.

He had no loyalties then, no friends, and if evil possessed him, then it was a pure brilliant evil, untainted by human drivings.

High soared the dragons until below them was the heaving black mass, marring the landscape, the fear-driven horde of barbarians who, in their ignorance, had sought to conquer the lands beloved of Elric of Melniboné.

"Ho, dragon brothers – loose your venom – burn, burn! And in your burning cleanse the world!"

THE BANE OF THE BLACK SWORD is the fifth epic novel of Elric, complete in itself.