Ardneh's Sword: Continuing the Empire of the East Saga

I've said it more often than not; Fred Saberhagen is my favorite author for several reasons. One that came to mind throughout Ardneh's Sword was the way he satisfied me with recurring details from the previous books to foreshadow events in this one. He has a knack for causing me to smile and say "Yes!" Of course no one in the room around me understands my muttered outburst. Mr. Saberhagen, thank you for the wonderful sequel to my favorite series, Empire of the East. That series, in one paper bound volume, was one of only two books I lovingly covered with plastic just after I read it as a young man.

Ardneh's Sword (2006) is a sequel to the Empire of the East series, following Ardneh's World. It is also a bridge to the Swords series, taking place about one thousand years after the mutual annihilation of Ardneh and Orcus. In this novel, Chance Rolfson is a direct lineal descendent of Rolf, agent of Ardneh in the great war against the Emperor of the East. Chance has been forced by his family into an expedition searching for Ardneh's Sword. They are certain that an opportunity to get out into the fresh air of the countryside will cure him of his dreamy ways. He serves as assistant to the Scholar Jervase, often taking care of the talking owl Mitra. One night, just before dawn, Chance is awakened by a thump on the canvas cover of the wagon. Then a slit is cut in the cover with a sharp claw and an object on a necklace chain falls into this hand. He sees a distorted human face through the tear. Scrambling outside, he finds Mitra on the ground with a wounded wing, but no other bodies. A net is lying nearby. The object on a chain has disappeared, but his hand tingles. Scholar Jervase and Captain Horkos, commander of the military escort, question Chance about the commotion, but seem to class these events with his prior sleepwalking episodes. Enchantress Ayaba checks him for signs of magical influence, but finds nothing unusual. She also checks out the net that had presumably entangled Mitra, yet still finds nothing. Later Lady Ayaba's little helpers vanish and she knows not why or where they are gone. Then Chance goes wandering one evening after the midday meal and finds a very young female creature by the river. She is wearing an unusual garb much like long underwear that she claims is keeping her warm, including her bare feet. She says her name is Zalmo and tries to interest him in wearing another such garment of his size. Then she asks him some strange questions. She disappears as he is leaving. Later Chance meets her older brother, Moxis, further downstream and notices that he is wearing a larger version of the strange garment. Moxis also tries to convince him to wear one of them. Apparently these suits were found, not made, and are old technology. He also tells Chance that the infirmary of the Servants of Ardneh is further downstream. As he is leaving, Chance hears a noise and Moxis informs him that the expedition is being attacked by bandits. Moxis vanishes underwater as Chance leaves. By now, the object on a chain has manifested itself around his neck. When he returns to camp and observes the bandits attacking, he is surprised by two bandits directly behind him. But they do not see him, even when one of them trips over his leg. However, they can hear him and flee anxiously while searching for the source of the sounds, yet never seeing him despite being in plain sight. Both of the strange children have very bright red hair and green eyes. Now their grandmother, an older woman with bright red hair, although graying,

But still a good read. Great tie-in to the Sword series. Anyone who liked Empire East or the Sword books is gonna want this one.

If you enjoyed Empire Of The East and/or the Swords series I expect you will enjoy this at least as much, especially the way he puts the pieces together and brings unity to the Swords and Empire worlds. One thing, though, if you're expecting to learn more about the Emperor, don't.

A thousand years has passed since the rise of the transcendent Ardneh, who along with intrepid warriors like Rolf, saved mankind from extinction from the minion of archdemon Orcus. Orcus and Ardneh died in their critical battle that employed the new magics and the old technology. Over the centuries Ardneh's tale of courage became more myth with few humans believing he ever existed or for that matter his evil adversary. In the present Rolf's descendent Chance Rolfson suffers from stunning nightmares. Hoping to escape his dreams, Chance joins an expedition seeking proof that the legendary Ardneh existed. They seek the great vault that most people insist is fable. In the unknown forests that they trek, bandits and demons attack the band. As they seek shelter from the assaults, Chance concludes that his nightmares are visions that will enable him to find the greatest weapon left behind by the fabled heroes of yore, ARDNEH'S SWORD. This is a fine sequel that fans of Fred Saberhagen especially those who read the EMPIRE OF THE EAST (the tale of Rolf and Ardneh) will enjoy. The story line is filled with non-stop action as Chance joins a quest as a participant, but soon realizes that to his regret he is the man. Chance makes this an interesting epic fantasy as his doubts ring true. Harriet Klausner