Artos, Son of Marius

~ A Novelette by Andre Norton

dragon.magic

 

 

Note: A part of the novel Dragon Magic treated as a separate story because it is published on its own in the anthology The Pendragon Chronicles: Heroic Fantasy from the Time of King Arthur

 

Synopsis ~

Artos, the Pendragon, is the only thing standing between the realm and a long fall into barbarism, in these latter days after the fall of Rome, but he faces rebellion. Young Artos, the son of one of the Pendragon's faithful supporters, chances to learn of a conspiracy, and acts as a messenger to try to warn the king in time.

 

Write-up from a fan ~

Artos, though he is the son of Marius, Troop Commander under the High King of Britain (Authur) works in the fields with the rest of the men and takes his hard knocks during warrior training. The Roman Legions have all been recalled to Rome, leaving the Britians to defend themselves against the sea wolves Saxens. King Authur has ridden out with his Companions, leaving his bastard son Modred to hold the palace. But Modred says it would be better to make peace with the Saxons; to this end, he steals the red dragon war banner King Authur used and plans treason. Artos has risen in the night and overheard their plans. The Legate, once told of Modred's planned treason, sends Artos as a messenger to the King and to Marius. Forewarned, Authur and Marius are able to intercept Modred and the Saxons, and to win the battle. However, Athur is fatally wounded, and Artos helps to bury him on an island near the temple to three ancient Briton Goddesses. ~ SL

 

Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • Dragon Magic (1972) Published by Crowell, HC, 0-690-24489-4, LCCN 70158697, 213pg ~ illustration by Robin Jacques
  • The Pendragon Chronicles: Heroic Fantasy from the Time of King Arthur (1990) Edited by Mike Ashley, Published by Peter Bedrick, HC, 0-872-26335-5, $18.95, 417pg ~ cover by Les Edwards

Contains:

    1 • Introduction (The Pendragon Chronicles) • (1990) • essay by Mike Ashley
    3 • Dramatis Personae (The Pendragon Chronicles) • (1990) • essay by Mike Ashley
    10 • Chief Dragon of the Island • (1983) • short fiction by Joy Chant
    32 • The Dragon's Boy • [Merlin's Booke] • (1985) • novelette by Jane Yolen
    50 • The Knight with Two Swords • (1977) • short fiction by John Steinbeck
    70 • Morte D'Alain • (1952) • short story by Maxey Brooke (variant of Morte d'Alain: An Unrecorded Idyll of the King)
    78 • King's Man • (1990) • short story by Sasha Miller
    89 • Sir Percivale of Wales • (1953) • short fiction by Roger Lancelyn Green
    101 • For to Achieve Your Adventure • (1951) • short story by Theodore Goodridge Roberts
    120 • The King's Damosel • [The Three Damosels • 2] • (1976) • novel by Vera Chapman
    204 • The Lady of the Fountain • (1990) • short fiction by Anonymous
    227 • Buried Silver • (1981) • short fiction by Keith Taylor
    260 • Jaufry the Knight and the Fair Brunissende • (1990) • novella by Anonymous
    322 • Son of the Morning • (1983) • novelette by Ian McDowell
    344 • The Lady of Belec • (1989) • short story by Phyllis Ann Karr
    354 • Artos, Son of Marius • (1972) • short fiction by Andre Norton
    372 • An Entry that Did Not Appear in Domesday Book • (1988) • short story by John Brunner
    385 • Midnight, Moonlight, and the Secret of the Sea • [Julian] • (1981) • short story by Darrell Schweitzer
    402 • The Pendragon Chroniclers: A Survey of Arthurian Fiction • (1990) • essay by Mike Ashley

 

  • The Pendragon Chronicles: Heroic Fantasy from the Time of King Arthur (1990) Edited by Mike Ashley, Published by Peter Bedrick, TP, 0-854-87014-9, £6.99, 417pg ~ UK printing ~ cover by Les Edwards
  • The Pendragon Chronicles: Heroic Fantasy from the Time of King Arthur (1990) Edited by Mike Ashley, Published by SFBC, HC, # 17471, $9.98, 417pg ~ cover by Les Edwards
  • The Pendragon Chronicles: Heroic Fantasy from the Time of King Arthur (1991) Edited by Mike Ashley, Published by Peter Bedrick, TP, 0-872-26228-6, $9.95, 417pg ~ cover by Les Edwards
  • The Pendragon Chronicles: Heroic Fantasy from the Time of King Arthur (1993) Edited by Mike Ashley, Published by Wing Books, 0-517-09371-5, 978-0-517-09371-9, HC, 417pg

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • (1997) Published in Warsaw, Poland; by Amber, 83-716-9651-5, 144pg ~ translation by Karolina Bober ~ Polish title Smocza magia [Dragon magic]
  • (1998) Published in Warsaw, Poland; by Amber, 83-716-9713-9 ~ translation by Karolina Bober ~ cover by Jean Targete ~ Polish title Smocza magia [Dragon magic]

 

Russian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (1995) Published in Zelenograd, by Zelenogradskaya Books, 5-863-14040-2, HC, 384pg ~ cover by D. Avvakumov ~ Russian title Драконова магия [Dragon Magic]

Contains:

    • "Operation Time Search" as "Operation Search in Time" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 3-206
    • "Dragon Magic" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 207-383

 

  • (2003) Published in Moscow, by Eksmo, 5-699-01931-6, HC, 480pg ~ cover by E. Savchenko ~ Russian title Магия стали [Steel Magic]

Contains:

    • "Steel Magic" as "The Magic of Steel" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov, pp. 5-86
    • "Octagon Magic" as "The magic of an octagonal house" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov, pp. 87-240
    • "Fur Magic" as "The Magic of Shaggy" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 241 - 362
    • "Dragon Magic" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 363 - 478

 

  • (2013) Published in Moscow by Eksmo, 9785699660315, HC, 864pgs ~ cover art by A. Dubovik ~ Russian title Магия [Magic] ~ Limited to 5000 copies

Contains:

    • "Steel Magic" as "The Magic of Steel" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov, pp. 7-96
    • "Octagon Magic" as "The Magic of the Octagonal House" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov, pp. 99-230
    • "Fur Magic" as "The Magic of Hairy" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 233-362
    • "Dragon Magic" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 365-532
    • "Lavender-Green Magic" as "The Magic of Lavender Greens" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 535-712
    • "Red Hart Magic" as "The Magic of the Red Deer" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 715-861

 

  • (2015) Published in Moscow by Eksmo, 9785699809639, PB, 416pgs ~ cover art by Merkor3D ~ Russian title Магия дракона [Dragon magic] ~ Limited to 3000 copies

Contains:

    • "Fur Magic" as "The Magic of Shaggy" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov, pp. 5-182
    • "Dragon Magic" ~ translation by O. Kolesnikov, pp. 183-413

 

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://andre-norton.com/works-of-a-master/short-works-of-a-master/496-artos-son-of-marius#sigProIddff972fd80

 

 

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