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Hired Swords

Hired Swords
Author: Karl F. Friday
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Total Pages: 282
Release: 1996-03-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 0804726965

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Tracing the evolution of state military institutions from the seventh through the twelfth centuries, this book challenges much of the received wisdom of Western scholarship on the origins and early development of warriors in Japan. This prelude to the rise of the samurai, who were to become the masters of Japan's medieval and early modern eras, was initiated when the imperial court turned for its police and military protection to hired swords--professional mercenaries largely drawn from the elites of provincial society. By the middle of the tenth century, this provincial military order had been handed a virtual monopoly of Japan's martial resources. Yet it was not until near the end of the twelfth century that these warriors took the first significant steps toward asserting their independence from imperial court control. Why did they not do so earlier? Why did they remain obedient to a court without any other military sources for nearly 300 years? Why did the court put itself in the potentially (and indeed, ultimately) precarious situation of contracting for its military needs with private warriors? These and related questions are the focus of the author's study. Most of the few Western treatments see the origins of the samurai in the incompetence and inactivity of the imperial court that forced residents in the provinces to take up arms themselves. According to this view, a warrior class was spontaneously generated just as one had been in Europe a few centuries earlier, and the Japanese court was doomed to eventually perish by the sword because of its failure to live by it. Instead, the author argues that it was largely court activism that put swords in the hands of rural elites, thatcourt military policy, from the very beginning of the imperial state era, followed a long-term pattern of increasing reliance on the martial skills of the gentry. This policy reflected the court's desire for maximum efficiency in its military institutions, and the policy's succes


Swords Are My Business

Swords Are My Business
Author: Alex Bledsoe
Publisher: Tor Books
Total Pages: 941
Release: 2013-11-05
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1466854316

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Alex Bledsoe introduced the world to Eddie LaCrosse, the hard-boiled but soft-hearted detective known as a "sword jockey" who, for twenty-five gold pieces a day, plus expenses, will take on any case short of murder for hire. Like Philip Marlowe in shining armor or Sam Spade with a sword, Eddie goes down his mean medieval streets trying to walk the straight and narrow in a crooked, twisting fantasy world. Over the course of four novels, LaCrosse has encountered dragons, pirates, sea monsters, goddesses, ghosts, and magic, all the while keeping his cool and doing what's right. In this collection you'll receive the complete text of the first four Eddie LaCrosse novels. The Sword-Edged Blonde When a childhood friend, now a king, asks Eddie's help in clearing his queen of a murder charge, Eddie's long-buried past refuses to stay hidden. Burn Me Deadly Someone will go to any lengths, including torture and murder, to locate the last remaining dragon eggs. But dragons aren't real, are they? Dark Jenny A poisoned apple sets off political turmoil that threatens to destroy an entire Camelot-like kingdom, and take Eddie with it. Wake of the Bloody Angel Eddie searches for the vanished pirate Black Edward Tew and his legendary treasure, but even the help of a tough former pirate queen may not be enough to save him from what he finds. Swords Are My Business also includes a sample of the fifth Eddie LaCrosse novel, He Drank, and Saw the Spider. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.


The Spikatur Cycle

The Spikatur Cycle
Author: Alan Burt Akers
Publisher: Mushroom eBooks
Total Pages: 1175
Release: 2011-03-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1843198428

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Four hundred light years from Earth, Kregen is a marvelous world, peopled by wonderful beings, filled with light and clamor and furor of life lived to the hilt. But Kregen has its darker side, where horror and terror bind innocent people, where sorceries rend reason, where injustice denies light. The Spikatur Cycle brings Prescot closer to the realization of many of his dreams. He is determined to do what he feels is laid upon him; but he finds it is not so easy, particularly when the Empress Delia and his comrades are determined to keep him out of trouble. But, he is Dray Prescot, Lord of Strombor and Krozair of Zy, and that canny old leem hunter will not be prevented from buckling up the brave old scarlet breechclout and hurtling off beneath the Moons of Kregen into fresh headlong adventure with a sword in his fist... The marvelous adventures of Dray Prescot on Kregen, the world of wonders that orbits the twin suns of Antares in Scorpio, have become a science fiction saga to rival and perhaps surpass the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and others of the heroic fantasy band. Beasts of Antares:Dray Prescot, lone Earthman, once a pawn of cosmic powers, rallies the warriors of Vallia for a final stand against the foes that encircle them. Then, in an act of true Prescot bravado, undertakes single handed to rescue three old friends from slavery in a distant land. The beasts of Antares are many and terrifying, but Prescot does not belong to the faint hearted and he will need every ounce of courage this time! Rebel of Antares:At last Prescot has come in sight of his goal to overthrow the slavers and their evil empires, that he shares with the Star Lords. On the island kingdom of Hyrklana his course now seems clear: overthrow its decadent queen, lead a rebellion against the cruel Arena, and free the princess who is its rightful ruler. It is a hard task, but for Dray Prescot, against whom sorcerers and swordsmen have contended, it is the only course he could follow. Legions of Antares:For too long the iron legions of the evil empress of Hamal have devastated the neighboring lands and islands of Kregen. Dray Prescot has battled Empress Thyliss all the way, and at long last finds himself nearing the end of his long campaign. Gathering about himself old allies and former enemies, Dray prepares to challenge the empress at the very doors of her capital city, until he discovers that she is about to spring her secret weapon: the super-science of the mad wizard of Loh. Allies of Antares:Dray Prescot has made himself into a rallying point of strength on Kregen. Now, after the worst war between the humanoid lands has finally concluded, Prescot again confronts the Star Lords, only to learn that the hard won peace is just a transition to a great hemispheric invasion that was even then raiding over the horizon. This book contains a glossary of the Spikatur cycle.


Sword's Call

Sword's Call
Author: C.A. Szarek
Publisher: C.A. Szarek
Total Pages: 318
Release: 2013-02-21
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1941151000

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For generations, the Ryhans, ruling family of the Province of Greenwald have been keepers of a sword rumored to possess enough magic to defeat kings. Lord Varthan, a former archduke and betrayer of the king, covets the sword and invades Greenwald. Lady Ceralda Ryhan, daughter of the murdered duke, gains the sword and flees, trusting only her white wolf, Trikser—magically bonded to her. Cera needs nothing more to aid in her fight. Jorrin Aldern, half elfin and half human, left his home in the mountains of Aramour to find his human father who disappeared twenty turns before, but finds Cera with Varthan and his shades on her tail instead. His dual heritage and empathic magic will tempt Cera in ways she never thought she’d desire. But can he convince her trust and love can pave the path to redemption or will the epic battle end in tragedy and evil conquer them all?


SILVATICI

SILVATICI
Author: Declan Croghan
Publisher: Story Donkey
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2022-07-29
Genre: History
ISBN: 1739671503

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1066. William The Conqueror takes England. Wrong. That version of history is Norman revisionism and propaganda! The truth is that England did not surrender to The Bastard Duke’s rule. For the next 40 years they fought a war of resistance in the forests and moorlands. This fighting force of proto-guerrillas were called the Silvatici and became the stuff of Norman nightmares. This is their origin story. It follows Edgar The Atheling (the legitimate King of England), Princess Margaret (who becomes Queen of Scotland and Saint Margaret), Kallín of the Rohán ( the young Chieftain of a clan of indigenous mercenaries) and Luna (a ferocious young female warrior). Their adventures take us from the great courts of Normandy, London and York to the wilds of Northumbria and the moorlands which will become the killing fields of the war of resistance to come.


Knights of the Sword

Knights of the Sword
Author: Roland Green
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2012-06-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0786963379

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The greatest order of chivalry in the history of Krynn. After a knight has achieved the Order of the Crown, he must then begin his training in the virtues of courage and heroism in order to achieve the Order of the Sword. This is the second tale of Sir Pirvan the Wayward, whose reluctant and inauspicious beginnings bore few clues to his potential as a Knight of the Sword or as a Knight of the Crown, nor as a mentor for another similarly dubious prospect for Krynn's greatest order of chivalry. Roland J. Green is the author of the Starcruiser Shenandoah and Wandor series and numerous Conan novels, and is coauthor (with Jerr Pournelle) of the Jannisaries series. The Warriors series details the exploits of the heroes and villains of the War of the Lance.


Japanese Swords

Japanese Swords
Author: Colin M. Roach
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Total Pages: 589
Release: 2014-08-19
Genre: Antiques & Collectibles
ISBN: 1462915752

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With over 300 stunning photographs and woodblock prints along with extensive historical and cultural commentary, Japanese Swords is the ultimate authority on Samurai weaponry. Historically, Japanese warriors considered their swords to be far greater than simple weaponry. Their swords were both lethal tools and divine companions -- social and religious icons. Traditionally worn by the samurai as a sign of social status, the Japanese sword represented the junction between the reigning military class and those whom they ruled. Moreover, the samurai sword was a technological and artistic marvel. Many scholars consider it to be the finest sword ever constructed. In terms of symbolism and historical importance, no other blade comes close to the Japanese sword. With a historical, iconographical, and technological perspective, author Cohn M. Roach provides an in-depth study of these magnificent weapons in Japanese Swords. This richly illustrated sword book weaves the blade's primary influences together, tracking its history and illuminating its progress from infancy to grandeur. By studying the evolution of the Japanese sword from this perspective, we better understand Japan and its warrior archetype. Combining research materials from multiple disciplines, Roach uses his expertise as an educator to guide readers through the sword's rise to greatness in a unique way. This book discusses the history, development, and spiritual symbolism of the sword, as well as the esoteric metallurgical techniques used in making it. It also covers the difficult training practices used by skilled swordsmen. Japanese Swords also includes a companion video content featuring a beautifully-filmed documentary that explores the traditional swordmaker's craft. The video content also contains an introduction to the Japanese sword at a sword shop in Kyoto and a visit to a dojo for a beginner's class in the medieval sword-drawing art called iaido.


Swords Against Cthulhu

Swords Against Cthulhu
Author: Rogue Planet Press
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 157
Release: 2015-06-20
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1326318047

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Swords against Cthulhu, an anthology of sword and sorcery/Cthulhu Mythos crossovers. Mighty thewed barbarians battle alien wizardry and cosmic terror in a blind, unreasoning universe where only the strong survive... The Cthulhu Mythos is best known as a horror genre, but its influence was felt on the work of seminal sword and sorcery writers Robert E Howard and Clark Ashton Smith, and its pessimistic tone has continued to predominate in the genre to this day. However mighty the hero, the forces of chaos, the blasphemous powers of an insouciant universe, are stronger-or are they? All a doomed swordsman can do is face the outer darkness, blade in hand, a song of defiance on his lips, and hope to die fighting... Including stories by Damir Salkovic, Mark Sims, Sergio Palumbo and many more!


Murtagh

Murtagh
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 656
Release: 2023-11-07
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 177488299X

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Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy! “Christopher Paolini is a true rarity.” —The Washington Post The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled, where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch. A witch who is much more than she seems. In this gripping novel starring one of the most popular characters from Christopher Paolini’s blockbuster Inheritance Cycle, a Dragon Rider must discover what he stands for in a world that has abandoned him. Murtagh is the perfect book to enter the World of Eragon for the first time . . . or to joyfully return.


The War God's Own

The War God's Own
Author: David Weber
Publisher: Baen Publishing Enterprises
Total Pages: 400
Release: 1999-02-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 161824180X

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THE ROAD HOME Bahzell Bahnakson of the Horse Stealer hradani never wanted to be a champion of the War God. Unfortunately, Tomandk had insisted. Even more unfortunately, Bahzell's own sense of responsibility hadn't let him say, "No." Which was how he found himself in the Empire of the Axe, where even people who didn't actively hate hradani regarded them with suspicion and fear. Of course, that was only the start of his problems. Next, there was the Order of Tomanak, many of whom were horrified by the notion that their deity had chosen a hradani as a champion . . . and intended to do something about it. And assuming he survived that, he had to go home-across three hundred leagues of bitter winter snow-to face a Dark God who threatened to destroy all hradani. Throw in the odd demon and brigand ambush, and add a powerful neighboring kingdom with no intention of letting Bahzell (or anyone else) save his people, and you have the makings of a really bad day. But one thing Bahzell has learnea champion of Tomanak does what needs doing. And the people in his way had better move. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).