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Oathblood (collection)

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This article is for the collection. For the short story, see Oathblood (short story).

Introduction[]

Oathblood is a collection of short stories about Tarma and Kethry, the majority of which originally appeared in one of the Sword and Sorceress anthologies. Mercedes Lackey says about "Turnabout": "It was my very first piece to appear in print!"

Most of the stories are from their wandering days as sell-swords. The last three are after they settle down and establish their school.

Publisher's Description[]

Tarma She was one of the Shin'a'in sword-sworn--the most elite of all warriors--and she had taken blood vengeance upon the brigands who massacred her people.

Kethry She fled her oppressive arranged marriage and became a powerful sorceress of the White Winds School, only to be bonded to a uniquely magical sword which drew her to women in need.

Bound together by sword-spell and the will of the Goddess, Tarma and Kethry swore a blood oath to carry on their mutual fight against evil and injustice.

Now they have pledged to train others to fight for their cause, starting a new school for young, would-be warriors and fledgling White Winds mages. But training young fighters and wizards turns out to be far more complicated and perilous than they expected--and when two of their prize students are kidnapped, Tarma and Kethry must draw upon all of their combined skills to answer the call of their destiny in ways they never imagined!

Stories[]

The contents of Oathblood are as follows:

  • Introduction (c) 1998 (Originally published in Oathblood)
  • "Sword Sworn" (c) 1985 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress III) - Tarma's traumatic story, transformation, and revenge, including how she met Kethry
  • "Turnabout" (c) 1986 (Originally published in Fantasy Book', September 1985) - the pack train (also see "Threes")
  • "The Making of a Legend" (c) 1990 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress VI) - The Bard Leslac finally catches up to Tarma and Kethry, and witnesses one of their "adventures," much to his chagrin (also see "The Leslac Version")
  • "Keys" (c) 1988 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress V) - a locked room mystery, with a combat challenge
  • "A Woman's Weapon" (c) 1992 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress IX) - a Master's health is fading
  • "The Talisman" (c) 1990 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress VII) - a town is troubled by a bear
  • "A Tale of Heroes" (c) 1987 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress IV) - what happens to the tavern-maid "won" by a hero?
  • "Friendly Fire" (c) 1993 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress X) - a run of bad luck
  • "Wings of Fire" (c) 1991 (Originally published in Sword and Sorceress VIII) - a dying shaman and a frantic bondbird lead to a mage's trap
  • "Spring Plowing at Forst Reach" (c) 1998 (First publication) - Lord Kemoc Ashkevron needs Tarma's "horse whispering" skills to reform his recalcitrant horses
  • "Oathblood" (c) 1998 (First publication) - two students at the school are kidnapped

Chronological order[]

Estimated (unofficial) chronological order of these stories:

  • "Sword Sworn" (c) 1985 - Tarma's traumatic story, transformation, and revenge, including how she met Kethry
  • "The Talisman" (c) 1990 - a town is troubled by a bear
  • "Friendly Fire" (c) 1993 - a run of bad luck
  • "A Tale of Heroes" (c) 1987 - what happens to the tavern-maid "given" to a victorious hero?
  • "Keys" (c) 1988 - a locked room mystery with a combat challenge (also incorporated in The Oathbound)
  • "Turnabout" (c) 1986 - the pack train job (also incorporated in The Oathbound)
  • "The Making of a Legend" (c) 1990 - the Bard Leslac is appalled to see how unexciting his heroines are in action.
  • "A Woman's Weapon" (c) 1992 - a Master Guildsman's health is failing
  • "Wings of Fire" (c) 1991 - a dying shaman and a frantic bondbird lead to a mage's trap
  • "Spring Plowing at Forst Reach" (c) 1998 - Lord Kemoc Ashkevron needs Tarma's "horse whispering" skills to reform his recalcitrant horses
  • "Oathblood" (c) 1998 - two students at the school are kidnapped

There are two other stories not included in Oathblood: "A Dragon in Distress" and "Landscape of the Imagination."

There is an intricate, unofficial list of every story and where they fit chronologically with the book chapters.

Major characters[]

These characters appear in every, or nearly every, story.

Translations[]

Japanese:

  • The book was published as a manga in Japanese.

Gallery of cover images[]

See also[]

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