WW: ss - La Verdad: The Magic Sword

The Sorcerer's Conspectus:

A comprehensive view of Andre Norton's Witch World

by Lotsawatts

La Verdad: The Magic Sword

A Novella in the [Witch World Saga] by A. R. Major

[Expanded Reading Order] [Bibliography Page] [Read it Here] [Return to Contents]

Edition Used for Analysis:
[Tales of the Witch World 2] (1989) Published by TOR, PB, 0-812-54757-8, 978-0-812-54757-3, $3.95, 343pg ~ cover by Victoria Poyser

Synopsis:

La Verdad: The Magic Sword was not of this world. As no one of Power had ever heard of a sword with the ability to mind-speak. A sword so powerful it picks its own master and this time it picked two. Eudora the Wise Women and Caldon a young border guard. They have to battle with Malfeitor as Gunnora’s champion in an effort to contain the Toads of Grimmerdale once and for all.

Timeline Points:

The Abbey Halstead is the last of the Flame Abbeys before the Grey Towers in the north.¹
Eudora, a woman of Old Race and Dales blood comes asking them to open a Gate on the behest of Gunnora to prevent the Toads of Grimmerdale from finally escaping their prison. It's mentioned that the vineyards of Gunnora which can produce a few drops of Essence of Life capable of restoring health or even reviving the dead. Left with a choice between opening the Gate and an invasion of demon toads, the Abbess of Halstead orders them to begin research on opening the Gate immediately.
The story switches to Earth and one João de Brancho who is dying from wounds he's received. His beloved, Elizabet killed by the captain of the bishop's guard aftergetting proof of the bishop's wrongdoings. He manages to go into an old abandoned area that had rumors of people vanishing in it. He's drawn to a blue stone, but dies after laying his sword on it. The sword, La Verdad, however, is gated through and searches for someone to wield it.
Eudora returns, with a cat she can telepathically communicate with. The cat informs her of the sword and its odd mind-sending abilities. Eudora thinks it is an answer to their sending and goes to investigate. Though a Borderer tries to pick up the sword, he's hurt by it. Eudora is, however, allowed to pick it up and communicate with the spirits of Elizabet and João within.
At the abbey the weapon master shows the value of the sword and after winning is compelled to give the sword to Caldon, who is reluctant to accept it and when he does finds he can't be rid of it. They leave by ship and need to reach Gunnora's shrine by the full moon.²
Their ship is attacked by a cloud warrior but Eudora is able to use La Verdad to repel it, though it leaves her exhausted afterwards.³ When they are halfway to Gunnora's shrine they are attacked again by men under the second Malfeitor's control. After Eudora is able to conjure the shade of a veteran warrior for Caldon to fight to show him the value of the sword and the need for it and her in the upcoming battle.
When they reach the Shrine all three are welcome in and told that Gunnora will destroy the shrine rather than let the Toads have it. She also suggest Eudora consider a different way of Power than that of the virgin. They leave and arrive at an inn in Grimmerdale where an innkeeper greets them. They go to where the circle is and Caldon faces the new Malfeitor. Eudora is involved countering the Toads. Caldon kills Malfeitor (in reality the innkeeper) and they seal the Toads once more.⁴
They carefully replace La Verdad exactly as they found it, but put a drop of Essence of Life on the hilt and tie a tiny flask as well. Though weeks had passed in the witch world, it was later the same night back on Earth. The drop revives João who vaguely remembers everything as if it were a dream. He takes the flask and goes to revive his beloved Eudora.

Sorcerer's Note:
There are so many things wrong with this story it may have to be declared non-canon. Nothing in it really works with anything that exists in any other stories.

Footnotes:

1. Dames in Arvon? Since when? The Dames are an order of Daleswomen dedicated to veneration of the Flame which was brought into High Hallack by the Bards. (see: Horn Crown.) They are a contemplative order who generally eschew the use of magic and it's only a rare few like Dame Math or Past-Abbess Malwinna who have such gifts/learning. Are these "Dames of Abbey Halstead" a previously unheard of magical order of women of Arvon whose flame symbol represents "the Change" mentioned in Peacock Eyes?

The Sorcerer’s recommend that you read next: Darkness Over Mirhold

Formatted and Edited by Jay Watts ~ May, 2022

Duplication of this collection (in whole or in part) for profit of any kind NOT permitted.

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