Tales of Erana: The Warrior’s Curse

Protagonist: Saelth

Antagonist: Relana

I am Saelth, warrior-king. Slayer of beasts and men. I came to Eadsham to slay the monster blighting the land, for all before me have failed. In return, I was promised riches, power and the hand of a beautiful princess. This part of the bargain I received, in abundance. Yet there was another bargain struck on a stormy night… a bargain struck with magic.

I am Relana, fae lady and witch, those titles will suffice for now. I go where I please, or at least I did then. The monster slain was my poor son, denied his birthright by his father. This mortal took my child from me and bargained away his soul. What a man will do when confronted by a beautiful woman, the chance of riches and reputation is great. Such a man thinks not with his head, but with his loins, and his greed. Such men are but my toys.

Saelth: You deceived me, fell-witch. You tricked me.

Relana: I did not. I merely did not present all the facts. I recall you were keen to acquiesce to my terms. Your seed in my belly for all the wealth and power you could hold. If you did not question the terms, or heed the warnings given then the fault is yours. You added terms to which I did not agree. Nowhere in our bargain did I say you would be free from me.

Saelth: You used magic against me.

Relana: I am a witch – where did you think all the jewels, the riches and the magnificent hall came from? The belly of the mountain in which you stood? He who bargains with witches beware.

Saelth: You are a monster, and mother of monsters.

Relana: (Laughs). Monsters come in many forms. Some are clad in ugliness and ignorance, while others reside in a hall filled with gold. Some take a life for revenge, others for a pretty face or a share of the spoils. Truth is rarely what it appears. Monsters can oft be clad in silk and furs, and honour bought and sold upon a kiss.

Synopsis

He who bargains with monsters beware! A hero forges an unholy bargain with a witch and learns magic never forgets.
#Mythic #tales in a land of forbidden magic.
A Tales of Erana dark #fantasy #novella.
#audio #ebook #paperback
Universal Link https://www.books2read.com/WarriorsCurse

Title: Tales of Erana: The Warrior’s Curse

Author: A. L. Butcher

Genre: Fantasy/Mythic/Dark Fantasy/Short Stories

Main character description (short).

“I am Saelth and I have come to slay your monster,” he announced. His words were bold and his demeanour bolder. Behind him rode the fiercest of his band, axemen and archers, trackers and swordsmen. A mean crew indeed and feared about the land; fur-clad and blooded, they were blades for hire.

Synopsis: He who bargains with monsters beware! A hero forges an unholy bargain with a witch and learns magic never forgets.

In a land of forbidden magic, a mysterious cave holds both riches and danger for three adventurers who discover a mighty treasure and a terrible secret.

Tales of Erana: The Warrior’s Curse Excerpt

On the nights when the moon rose to its fullest, its light a silver sheen upon the roof of the Great Hall, a terrible monster came. His voice was like the rasping of flesh on a blade, his countenance blighted and ugly, twisted like melted flesh with great weeping sores and a putrid smell. Many warriors had tried to vanquish this foul creature, and now their bones lay with the prince’s in the barrow to the east of Eadsham, the settlement that had been forged by blood and toil by the first king, Aedwin. Widows were aplenty and many children made fatherless from this awful beast. Doors were bolted and barred, and not even the lord himself dared to face it. Such was his shame.

The king grew ever older and wishing to marry a man of bravery and honour to his daughter messengers once more rode out north, south, east and west in search of a hero, one with the fortitude to face this cursed beast, as they had done so many times before. On a night when clouds covered the moon’s light and rain fell in drops the size of marbles, the sky was rent with lightning as a great human warrior rode to the gates of the village. “I am Saelth and I have come to slay your monster,” he announced. His words were bold and his demeanour bolder. Behind him rode the fiercest of his band, axemen and archers, trackers and swordsmen. A mean crew indeed and feared about the land; fur-clad and blooded, they were blades for hire.

“We have slain creatures from nightmare and beasts that made grown men piss their drawers. Your curse will be lifted if the price is right!” His band nodded, for their rates were high indeed so that only lords and kings could afford their blades.

“No weapon forged by man can vanquish it! You’ll simply earn your place in the Hall of the Dead,” someone called.

Saelth looked around for the one who had spoken. “Then I shall go to the Halls of the Dead a hero, not one who cowers behind the table, or beneath the bed. I am no coward, nor simpering woman. Nothing is all powerful, or unable to be vanquished, save the gods.”

Why should readers buy this book?

The Warrior’s Curse is a tale of greed, adventure, monsters and the price of magic, set in a dark fantasy world. But it’s also a tale of people, their weaknesses and what some will do for power. It is a story within a story, as we start with a group of adventurers plundering a cave and learn of dark deeds and unholy bargains.

If you like mythic style fantasy, fast-paced adventure with a twist then you’ll love this.

Warriors Curse