This
Robert E. Howard story opens with Kosru Malik in the camp of an
aspiring Persian leader named Muhammad Khan. However, a clash with a
hated foe among the camp followers leads to Kosru's hasty flight. He
hides from a small caravan headed toward the camp and is surprised to
see a Frankish girl among them. He continues his flight and meets Sir
Eric de Cogan, an English knight. Normally, Kosru was not fond of
`Franks' but Sir Eric was different. Ten years earlier, Sir Eric had
saved him during the sack of Jerusalem (1099 AD) so Kosru gladly pledges
himself to his service. Moments later, he discovers that Sir Eric is
chasing after Ettaire de Brose, the Frankish girl, who was sold to
Mohammad Khan. Seeing only death at the end of such a quest, Kosru
nonetheless guides Sir Eric.
The pair manage to snatch the girl in the night but are soon caught by Ali bin Sulieman and his band of 500 Arabs. While Eric and Kosru were busy tracking Ettaire, Muhammad's Kurdish cavalry was herding Ali and his men into a trap. Sir Eric convinces Ali to join forces in order to escape the trap; he has just been in the enemy camp and has key information. Ali grudgingly accepts. The early morning battle of Ali's Arabs vs. Muhammad's troops soon turns into a route after Ali bin Sulieman is cut down. However, Sir Eric, Kosru, and Ettaire escape.
Fleeing south and east, the trio soon comes to the Persian Gulf. Surprisingly, a mixed band of shipwrecked Vikings and Saxons confront them. They are led by King Harold Godwinson, who supposedly died when William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066. Both the Saxons and the Vikings want to leave the trio to their fate but King Harold decides otherwise for the sake of Ettaire. The epic final battle finds Muhammad leading his 500 men against the 100 Saxons and Vikings. Sir Eric chose the ground well so that the battle is all afoot and King Harold's shield wall proves to be death for men used to fighting on horseback.
When Kosru slays Muhammad in battle, the Persians retreat. Only a handful of Harold's men remain but another Viking ship lands on the beach. Kosru sees that the unconscious Sir Eric and Ettaire are safely on the ship before he rides off. He traveled the Road of Azrael and lived (Azrael is the Angel of Death).
This is a fun and lively story, told in first person from Kosru's point of view. There is plenty of action, entertaining chases, and great atmosphere. However, it has some serious problems. The idea of King Harold Godwinson being on a Viking ship in the Persian Gulf at the age of 87 is ludicrous. First, he died in 1066. Well, the story says he lived. But then, why would he be here? His sons both sought to reclaim their father's kingdom but Harold remained `dead' through that? I did like that he had only one eye since it is reported that he took an arrow in the eye during the battle. How is it that he is fighting in the shield wall and survives? 87 back in 1109 is downright ancient and wouldn't be able to last an extended battle. Also, as he did in Spears of Clontarf, Howard has put horns on the Viking helmets; there were no horns. Lastly, and perhaps most egregious, how did the Viking ships get to the Persian Gulf? They would have to have found portage for their ships across the Suez into the Red Sea and then sailed around the Arabian Peninsula. For what purpose? Obviously, to be on hand should some unfortunates need to be rescued. That is just crazy.
The pair manage to snatch the girl in the night but are soon caught by Ali bin Sulieman and his band of 500 Arabs. While Eric and Kosru were busy tracking Ettaire, Muhammad's Kurdish cavalry was herding Ali and his men into a trap. Sir Eric convinces Ali to join forces in order to escape the trap; he has just been in the enemy camp and has key information. Ali grudgingly accepts. The early morning battle of Ali's Arabs vs. Muhammad's troops soon turns into a route after Ali bin Sulieman is cut down. However, Sir Eric, Kosru, and Ettaire escape.
Fleeing south and east, the trio soon comes to the Persian Gulf. Surprisingly, a mixed band of shipwrecked Vikings and Saxons confront them. They are led by King Harold Godwinson, who supposedly died when William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066. Both the Saxons and the Vikings want to leave the trio to their fate but King Harold decides otherwise for the sake of Ettaire. The epic final battle finds Muhammad leading his 500 men against the 100 Saxons and Vikings. Sir Eric chose the ground well so that the battle is all afoot and King Harold's shield wall proves to be death for men used to fighting on horseback.
When Kosru slays Muhammad in battle, the Persians retreat. Only a handful of Harold's men remain but another Viking ship lands on the beach. Kosru sees that the unconscious Sir Eric and Ettaire are safely on the ship before he rides off. He traveled the Road of Azrael and lived (Azrael is the Angel of Death).
This is a fun and lively story, told in first person from Kosru's point of view. There is plenty of action, entertaining chases, and great atmosphere. However, it has some serious problems. The idea of King Harold Godwinson being on a Viking ship in the Persian Gulf at the age of 87 is ludicrous. First, he died in 1066. Well, the story says he lived. But then, why would he be here? His sons both sought to reclaim their father's kingdom but Harold remained `dead' through that? I did like that he had only one eye since it is reported that he took an arrow in the eye during the battle. How is it that he is fighting in the shield wall and survives? 87 back in 1109 is downright ancient and wouldn't be able to last an extended battle. Also, as he did in Spears of Clontarf, Howard has put horns on the Viking helmets; there were no horns. Lastly, and perhaps most egregious, how did the Viking ships get to the Persian Gulf? They would have to have found portage for their ships across the Suez into the Red Sea and then sailed around the Arabian Peninsula. For what purpose? Obviously, to be on hand should some unfortunates need to be rescued. That is just crazy.
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