Falcon Blood

~ A Short Story in the Witch World Saga by Andre Norton

falcon blood 1979

 

Synopsis ~

What is the reason why Falconers hate all women? When a Sulcar woman and a Falconer are shipwrecked on an uncharted land, we will learn the answer to that question. But will the answer destroy them both?

 

Write-ups from fans ~

A woman of the Sulcars, and a Falconer are shipwrecked together on the beach of a rocky isle.  Tanree, the woman, is mostly unharmed, but the Falconer has a broken arm.  Their only hope of escape is to climb the cliffs surrounding the beach.  But with his broken arm, the Falconer can't manage that, so he has to accept the help of a hated woman.  Once at the top, they discover an ancient citadel, with men, horses, and falcons immobile in the courtyard.  Inside the Great Hall, there are more people, women included, also frozen into immobility.  The Falconer recognizes the setting as an incident out of the Falconers' past, when the Queen killed the King, under the influence of Jonkara, an evil Wise Woman who sought rulership over the entire Falconer race.  Her spirit still lives, and she tries to influence Tanree into killing her Falconer companion, which would give Jonkara entre to her body and allow her to retake dominion over the Falconers.  Tanree is of stronger stuff and manages to redirect the sword blade to fall on the "stone statue" that was Jonkara.  With that blow, the figure of Jonkara crumbles into dust, taking all the others with it. ~ SL

 

Tanree is a young Sulcar woman stranded on a beach after a storm destroyed her ship. A young Falconer is also on the beach, and Tanree sees no signs of anyone else. The Falconer is untrusting of her, because she is a woman, but she persuades him in cooperate with her. They must climb a cliff to get away from the beach and to safety.
At the top of the cliff, they find themselves in the ruins of a strange place that the Falconer calls Salzarat. A giant falcon head guards the doorway into the stone buildings. A regiment of ancient stone men and horses and falcons face a doorway to a roofed building. This building had protected the statues from the weather. The statues were of hungry-looking women who watch their queen kill the king.
Another stone woman stands apart from the others and watches. This statue looks alive to Tanree and she cannot break eye contact with the evil red eyes. The Falconer calls the woman a she-devil and breaks the spell the holds Tanree for a moment. However, in the next moment, a voice commands Tanree to kill the man. When Tanree refuses, the voice becomes stronger and tells her that women stay together and when the blood of a man flows then she will come again into her power.
Tanree fights the power, but her body acts without her control. With the stone sword in hand, Tanree resists the urge to kill the trapped Falconer. She breaks her own bonds for a moment and strikes the statue that crumbles. The voice of the woman, Jonkara, calls her a fool and fades away. Salzarat crumbles around Tanree and the Falconer as they escape the ruins.
The Falconer explains that Jonkara controlled all women and that curse also gave her power over the men. Part of curse lifted when the queen killed the king. That is why the Falconers hated and mistrusted women so much. It also explains why they moved themselves to the mountains to live with their falcons-so that no woman could ever gain that kind of control over them again. He tells her that his name is Rivery, and he agrees with her that they must put the past curses behind them. They must face the future in the light, and they walk away together with the falcon flying overhead. ~ DB

 

Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • Amazons! (1979) Edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonson, Published by DAW, PB, 0-879-97503-2, 978-0-879-97503-6, $2.25 US $2.50 Canadian, 206pg ~ cover by Michael Whelan

Write-up from the back of Amazons ~

Taking the challenge of the great fantasy heroes such as Elric and Conan that only men can be sword-wielding masters of the worlds of fantasy, this is an original collection of new stories of warrior-women in combat against dragons and demons, devils and despots.

Amazons have always been with us in legend and history - and it is the amazons of the imagination we meet in this unique anthology. Here are the writers whose novels have placed them among the leaders in fantasy who have written for this volume original and exciting adventures of women who dare to pick up the sword and go a'venturing.

The cast is fabulous: Andre Norton, C. J. Cherryh, Tanith Lee, Josephine Saxton, Joanna Russ, Elizabeth Lynn and many more. Join us - well challenge you!

Contains:

    0 • Amazons • (1978) • poem by Melanie Kaye
    7 • Introduction: Our Amazon Heritage • (1979) • essay by Jessica Amanda Salmonson
    16 • The Dreamstone • (1979) • short story by C. J. Cherryh
    31 • Wolves of Nakesht • (1979) • short story by Janrae Frank
    51 • Woman of the White Waste • (1979) • short story by T. J. Morgan
    61 • The Death of Augusta • (1979) • poem by Emily Brontë and Joanna Russ
    67 • Morrien's Bitch • (1979) • short story by Janet Fox
    84 • Agbewe's Sword • (1979) • novelette by Charles R. Saunders
    107 • Jane Saint's Travails (Part One) • [Jane Saint] • (1979) • short story by Josephine Saxton
    117 • The Sorrows of Witches • (1979) • short story by Margaret St. Clair
    126 • Falcon Blood • (1979) • short story by Andre Norton
    143 • The Rape Patrol • (1979) • short story by Michele Belling
    153 • Bones for Dulath • (1979) • short story by Megan Lindholm
    171 • Northern Chess • (1979) • short story by Tanith Lee
    188 • The Woman Who Loved the Moon • (1979) • novelette by Elizabeth A. Lynn
    204 • Additional Reading • (1979) • essay by Jessica Amanda Salmonson and Susan Wood

  • Lore of the Witch World (1980) Published by DAW, PB, 0-879-97560-1, $1.95, 223pg ~ cover by Michael Whelan (Re-released in 2012)
  • Wizards’ Worlds (1989) Edited by Ingrid Zierhut, Published by TOR, HC, 0-312-93191-3, $17.95, 500pg ~ cover by Lucy Synk (Re-released in 2012)

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • (1982) Published in Netherlands by Gradivus, Eidted by Jessica Amanda Salmonson, PB, 978-9-03175-63-4, 322pg ~ translation by Rie Neehus ~ cover by Oliviero ~ Dutch title Amazones [Amazons]
  • (1984) Published in Germany by Bastei Lübbe, Edited by Jessica amanda Salmonson, PB, 978-3-40424-02-34, 389pg ~ translation by Andrea Dorfmüller ~ German title Amzonen! [Amzones!]
  • (1986) Published in Norway by Bok og Magasinforlaget / Bokklubben Nova, Edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonson, PB, 225pg ~ Norwegian title Amasoner! [Amazons!]
  • (1987) Published in Italy by Enciclopedia Fanucci, Edited by Jessica Salmonson, PB, 978-8-83470-00-99, 389pg ~ translation by Maria Teresa Tenore ~ Italian title Amazonni ed Eroine [Amazonni and Eroine]

 

Russian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (1992) Published in Nizhny Novgorod, by Phlox, 5-871-98016-3, HC, 416pg ~ cover by V. Vasiliev ~ Russian title Год Единорога [Year of the Unicorn]

Contains:

    • Natalia Rezanova. Roads of the Witching World (foreword), pp. 3-4
    • "The Crystal Gryphon" as "Crystal Griffin" ~ translation by T. Pronina, pp. 5-156
    • "Dragon Scale Silver" as "Dragon in silver scales" ~ translation by V. Chernykh, pp. 157-210
    • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by T. Pronina, pp. 211-248
    • "The Year of the Unicorn" ~ translation by T. Pronina & G. Ivlenkova, pp. 249-354
    • "Amber Out of Quayth" as "Amber Hale" ~translation by T. Pronina, pp. 355-400
    • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by L. Deutsch, pp. 401-415

 

  • (1994) Published in Moscow, by Sigma Press and in Zelenograd by Zelenograd, 5-863-14029-1, HC, 448pg ~ cover by D. Avvakumov ~ Russian title Кошачьи врата [Gate Cat]

Contains:

    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the witching world" (collection)
      • "Spider Silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 4-48
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 48-99
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 100-117
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "Inheritance from the Sorn Mire" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 118-128
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of disbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 129-163
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale toads" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 163-220
      • "Changeling" as "The changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 220-252
    • "The Gate of the Cat" as "Feline Gate" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 253-444

 

  • (2001) Published in Moscow, by AST and St. Petersburg, by Terra Fantastica, 5-170-07078-0 and 5-792-10403-4, HC, 640pg ~ Russian title Преданья колдовского мира. Гнев оборотня. Сокровище Зарстора. [Traditions of the Witching World. Wrath of the werewolf. Zarstor's Treasure]

Contains:

    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the Witching World"
      • "Spider Silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 7-62
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 63-129
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 130-152
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The inheritance of the Sorn bog" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 153-167
      • "Sword of Unbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 168-210
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by N. Mikhailov, pp. 211-324
      • "Changerling" as " The changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 285-324
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Wrath of the Werewolf" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, p. 325-372
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "Treasure of Zarstor" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, p. 373-538
    • History of the Witching World (reference materials), p. 539-635

 

  • (2021) Published in Moscow, by Azbuka-Atticus, HC, 978-538-91915-25; 608pg ~ cover by E. Salamashenko ~ Russian title Колдовской мир. Тайны Колдовского мира [The Witch's World. Secrets of the Witchcraft World] limited to 4000 copies

Contains:

    • "The Jargoon Pard" as "Magic belt" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 5-166
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "The Curse of Zarstor" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 167-290
    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Secrets of the Witchcraft World"
      • "Spider Silk" as "Spider silk" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 293-334
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 335-383
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Falcon Blood" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 384-400
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The Legacy of the Thorn Quagmires" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 401-411
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of Disbelief" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 412-442
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 443-497
      • "Changeling" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 498-526
    • "Ully the Piper" as "Ully-piper" ~ translation by by G. Solovyova, pp. 527-537
    • "One Spell Wizard" as "The Talentless Mage" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 538-551
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Werewolf's Wrath" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 552-584
    • "Earthborn" as "Daughter of the Earth" ~ translation by G. Solovyova, pp. 585-605

 

Ukrainian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (2010) Published in Kyiv, Ukraine by Globe, (Fanzine) ~ 784pgs. ~ cover by Rodney Matthews ~ Ukrainian title Колдовской мир-4 [Sorcerer's World -4] ~ Limited to 10 copies and not released until November 2018

Contains:

    • "The Jargoon Pard" as "A leopard belt" ~ translation by K. Prilypko, pp. 5-149
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "The Curse of Zarstor" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 151-247
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Wrath of the Werewolf" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 249-277
    • "One Spell Wizard" as "Mediocre magician" ~ translation by E. Drozd, pp. 279-295
    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the Witching World"
      • "Spider Silk" as "Spider silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 299-332
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 333-372
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 373-386
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The inheritance of the Sorn bog" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 387-395
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of Disbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 396-421
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 422-465
      • "Changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 466-489
    • "The Turning" as "The Consequences of the Great Shift"
      • "Port of Dead Ships" as "Port of the dead ships" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 491-636
      • "Seakeep" by Pauline Griffin as "Sea Fortress" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 637-781

 

View the Original contract

See Also: The Sorcerer's Conspectus entry for this title.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://andre-norton.com/works-of-a-master/series-of-a-master/the-witch-world-saga/371-falcon-blood#sigProId21dd7c43c5

 

 

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