Oath of Swords
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| Oath of Swords | |
| Author | David Weber |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Larry Elmore |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | War God series |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Baen Books |
| Publication date | 1995 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) & E-book |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-671-87642-2 |
| Followed by | The War God's Own |
Oath of Swords is the first novel in fantasy series the War Gods by David Weber. It follows the adventures of Bahzell Bahnakson and his friend Brandark.
[edit] The Characters
Bazhell Bahnakson of the Horse Stealer hradani. The son of Bahnak, the prince of Hurgrum.
Brandark Brandarkson of the Bloody Sword hrandani.
Crown Prince Harnak of Navahk of the Bloody Sword hrandani.
Kilthandahknarthos (Kilthan) A dwarf merchant who hires Bazhell and Brandark on as caravan guards.
Zarantha a lost noblewoman who befriends Bazhell and Brandark.
Wencit of Rum an ancient white sorcerer.
Tomanak Orfro God of War and Justice.
[edit] Plot Summary
This novel begins when Bazhell Bahanakson is an exchange hostage in Navahk. While taking the back way out of the palace to meet his friend Brandark, he hears screaming. He stands there cursing himself for his own stupidity and then goes to see what the screaming is about. He finds a hradani woman named Farmah being raped by the crown prince Harnak. He subsequently loses his temper and bashes in Harnak's head. He frees Farmah and takes her to his chambers. He, Farmah, and a serving maid escape out of Navahk, where Bazhel then sends them to his home town of Hurgurm. He then draws off the entire Bloody Sword army after him in an attempt to keep the women out of it. Brandark joins him and together they set off east to try to find work. Bahzell gets his first taste of utter hostility just because of what he is instead of anything he had done personally. As the two unlikely friends travel, the Dark God Sharna sends assassins after them in futile attempts to kill them. They sign up as caravan guards up Kilthandahknarthos, and then leave him later after Tomanak tries to reach Bahzell in his dreams, who cannot remember what is going on.
A week after they leave Kilthan they come to a city called "Riverside". They stay there for awhile, trying to find jobs. Bahzell finds a job as a bar bouncer but was kicked out after another assassination attempt failed. While walking to the inn where he and Brandark were staying, he hears screaming. Again he cursed himself for being stupid but he saves a noblewoman named Zarantha. She saves him from staying the night in the dungeons in exchange for getting her safely to her home. Bahzell is reluctant, but agrees, feeling forced. Brandark takes on the new job happily and begins to start a song in honor of Bahzell, called Lay of Bahzell Bloody Hands. He and Zarantha immediately become fast friends and together they work on the ditty that Brandark is making up, much to Bahzel's sorrow.
Zarantha, her maid Rekah, and her guardsman Thomas, Bahzell, and Brandark start out on a wild journey across the continent. Halfway through the trip a God of Light comes and tells Bahzell that he is needed to become a champion of Tomanak. Bahzell refuses, wanting nothing to do with gods. Light or Dark. Shortly after that divine visit Rekah is badly hurt and Zarantha is kidnapped. Thomas is left behind to watch Rekah as Bahzell and Brandark both set off to rescue Zarantha. They meet up with Wencit on their way, who aids them in the successful take over of the camp. But Zarantha was badly hurt in the mind and Wencit needed someone to draw off the army that would chase them. So Bahzell volunteered, and Brandark followed, unwilling to leave his friend.
Together they flee across the country side and while fleeing, Bahzell is forced to battle a demon. He wins, and finally agrees to be the champion of justice for Tomanak. Then, he and Brandarak once again run.
