Durandal

Durandal -- one of the greatest epics of heroic fiction ever written -- has been an influence upon and model for a score or more tales of swordplay and adventure. Durandal, the fabled sword of history and legend, somehow found its way into the Near-East after the death of Roland, knight of Charlemagne. The tale of two Crusaders whose band of 800 has been betrayed by the Christian Emperor Theodore and butchered by the Turks. "Simply brilliant!" wrote one critic. "It is the foundation of modern heroic fantasy". (Somber and moody, this title is included among my all-time favorites -- Donald M. Grant.)