Whore of Jericho

That header should see a spike in hits for the site, although I imagine anyone who come here after Googling “Whore” will be disappointed.

One of my favorite authors working today is Steven L. Shrewsbury, and of his work, I have a particular affection for his stories about the barbarian warrior Rogan. They are somewhat hard to find, however (a publisher who collected the Rogan stories would be doing a very good thing), so I was happy when a copy of the 2006 chapbook Whore of Jericho, featuring Rogan fell into my hands courtesy of my friend Mark Hickerson. It is obscure enough I couldn’t find any information about the publisher Pitch Black, LLC, so I imagine there aren’t that many hanging around.

The story opens in the ancient city of Jericho, with some exposition from the seer Kira, the wizard Elajac, and the artist Teragram, a scene that I found reminiscent of the three witches scene in MacBeth. Rogan and his woman Keevah have been hired, along with their fellow Kelts, to defend the city, and are in the process of concluding their final battle. Rather than being paid off, the pair are taken prisoner by Teragram and Elajac. It seems that Teragram practices a very peculiar sort of art, transforming humans directly and painfully into glass sculptures and she has her eyes set on Rogan as her next subject. Unfortunately for the sorcerous trio, Rogan has a knack for escaping from confinement, and isn’t the type to forgive and forget.

As always, Shrewsbury delivers a hard-hitting story in the grand tradition of sword & sorcery. Seek it out and read it.
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