This 4th book in the series sees the duo back in Nehwon and up to their old antics. The first and third story are written mainly to link the other tales, but still prove entertaining.
In the Witch’s Tent (1968)
Having returned to Nehwon, Fafhrd and Gray Mouser consult a witch to divine the fate of their expedition. While they await a result, a spear stabs through the tent. They have been ambushed by a rival group who plan to go on the same expedition and want to eliminate the competition! They are vastly outnumbered and all looks hopeless. Fafhrd grabs the center post of the tent and yanks it from the ground. The tent is built like an umbrella, the outerwalls being little more than drapes. The tent is now in motion and Mouser deals with any threat that slips into the tent while Fafhrd flees through the dark streets of the town. The pair miraculously escape, killing some of their foes in the process.
Stardock (1965)
In search of a fabled treasure in the Cold Wastes of the far north, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser arrive in the shadow of a tremendous range of mountains. Towering above them all is Stardock, a titan among the mountains and rumored to be the path the gods took to the heavens, thus its name. On this particular adventure, they are joined by a large cat named Hrissa. The pair commence their climb of the mountain along the tougher of the known routes. All along the way, they are troubled by dreams of a woman watching them and a flying beast that is like a giant bat. When they reach the top, they find that the mountain is inhabited by an invisible race who are hostile to visitors. In fact, the competing team that climbed the mountain is slaughtered by the invisible mountain residents. Fafhrd and Mouser are whisked away by a pair of invisible princesses who make love to them to add fresh blood to the race of invisible folk. Most of the story involves climbing the mountain and the various difficult legs of the ascent. Though that sounds like it would be dreary, it was quite well written and exciting. That was certainly the best part. The invisible race felt hokey and proved to be a let down after such an epic telling of the climb.
The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar (1968)
Having returned to Lankhmar, Fafhrd and Gray Mouser are loitering near the fencing district and note the various hoods and criminals in the area. Each commends the other as being a particularly talented thief, and they agree that they are the 2 best in the city. As it happens, each is in the district to sell the invisible gems that they were given by the invisible princesses of Stardock. Each has secured his share in an ingenious way to avoid them being stolen and each has selected a different person to buy them. The two part company. Mouser meets with Ogo the Blind, a fence who only operates in the dark and uses his fingers to inspect jewels. In this meeting, a lithe young woman serves as the Eye of Ogo and inspects the invisible gems in a gloomy room. A brief sound makes Mouser look over his shoulder to see the vague outline of a hulking figure, presumably Ogo. The Eye says to come back tomorrow for payment. He departs with his gems. Meanwhile, Fafhrd meets with Nemia of the Dusk, an older though still attractive woman. The two lay arm in arm after making love and Nemia agrees to Fafhrd’s price for his gems. Then there is a hiss! Fafhrd turns to see a cat at the head of the bed. He then hears a click! Turning back to Nemia, he sees that she has placed a bracelet on his wrist, beside his ingenious container for his gems. “A sign of my affection,” she tells him. On the morrow, she will pay him for his gems. Fafhrd and Mouser meet at the Silver Eel to celebrate their coming wealth. However, each discovers that their gems are gone, having been stolen! Enjoying one another’s company, Nemia and the Eye of Ogo chuckle at how they have stolen the invisible gems from Fafhrd and Mouser. Each commends the other on their skills and declare themselves to be the two best thieves in Lankhmar.
The Lords of Quarmall (1964)
Quarmall is an ancient realm that is ruled by powerful sorcerers. At the moment, the ruler is Quarmall. He has two sons – Hasjarl and Gwaay – who hope to succeed him. Each son has soldiers and sorcerers but each opted to hire a champion. As chance (?) would have it, Hasjarl hired Fafhrd and Gwaay hired Gray Mouser. Neither is aware that the other is in Quarmall. Not only are the sons plotting how to do away with one another, but also ridding themselves of their father to provide a vacant throne. Obviously, neither Fafhrd nor Gray Mouser are particularly loyal to the brothers, always keeping an eye out for quick profit. When Quarmall's death is announced, the clashes come. There is a hilarious bit where Mouser tries a powerful spell that will disintegrate any sorcerer below the first rank who is within range; all of Gwaay's sorcerers assure him that they are 1st rank. That proves not to be true. While Mouser accidentally topples Gwaay's magical defenses, Fafhrd finds himself on the run from Hasjarl in order to save a lovely servant from torture. The story is full of twists and turns, betrayals and surprises. Can Fafhrd and Mouser escape the underground mazes of Quarmall; none have escaped before!
Most entertaining and highly recommended.
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