Fritz Leiber’s stories about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser have kept me coming back for more. So this week, I’m exploring Swords Against Wizardry.
As soon as I finished the underwhelming Swords In The Mist, I dove into the fourth book in the series. More so than any of the books since Swords And Deviltry, Swords Against Wizardry reads like a series of connected stories instead of a compilation of stand-alone short stories written over a span of years. Although it still doesn’t read like a novel with an overarching plot, Leiber basically gives us two novellas, one written in 1965 and the other in 1964, along with two short stories designed to tie the longer works together.
The book begins with an uber-short story, “In The Witch’s Tent.” The tale, which concerns Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser’s attempt to consult a crazy old witch before embarking on their next adventure, is a light-hearted introduction to “Stardock,” the first novella.
In “Stardock,” the heroes go on a mountain-climbing expedition up Nehwon’s version of Mount Everest. Their goal is a treasure horde mentioned in a cryptic note whose riddle is slowly unraveled throughout the tale. There’s plenty to like about “Stardock,” including its snow serpents and an ice-cat named Hrissa. There are also several mysterious happenings that create intrigue, as well as rival treasure hunters who are racing the heroes to the mountaintop. What the story lacked was a compelling antagonist, and for that reason, it wasn’t my favorite.
The next short story, titled “The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar,” provides the connective tissue between “Stardock” and “The Lords of Quarmall,” the second novella. Like “In The Witch’s Tent,” the story is more amusing than anything else as Fafhrd and the Mouser discover that they are not, in fact, the two best thieves in Lankhmar.
The end of “Two Best Thieves” sets up “The Lords of Quarmall,” which might be the best Fafhrd and Gray Mouser tale since Swords And Deviltry. The once-great kingdom of Quarmall has dwindled to nothing more than an above-ground keep ruled by a wizard-king and deep levels of dungeons controlled by the king’s two warring sons. The underground levels are kept habitable by great fans that bring in air, reminding me of Mount Weather in The 100. This may be more evidence that so much of our SciFi and fantasy today was influenced by vintage fantasy writers such as Fritz Leiber.
When the story begins, Fafhrd and the Mouser have had one of their falling outs, and each one, unbeknownst to the other, has been hired to protect one of the two siblings. The brothers are obsessed with killing each other before overthrowing their father to rule Quarmall. To this end, each brother employs a cabal of gray-bearded sorcerers, as well as their hired champion, Fafhrd and the Mouser. Suffice it to say, neither hero is a fan of their new employer. And, for the first time since Swords And Deviltry, the Mouser tries his hand at magic—with laugh-out-loud results.
Each of the brothers is a memorable character, with one being more despicable and the other more cunning. Their sibling rivalry propels a well-crafted plot that results in one of Leiber’s better twist-endings. That’s not to suggest Leiber has given us a masterpiece, but this is solid vintage fantasy and a very entertaining read.
With this book finished, I’m off to explore The Swords of Lankhmar. I’ll report back soon!