Zaragoz

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The castle of Zaragoz was legendary - a citadel which could never be taken. But it was not so. An army came treacherously from below to seize the castle and depose the Duke. They killed the strongest, the bravest, the most virtuous, and sought to cow the rest.

"If justice cannot come again, then Zaragoz is doomed!"

The first in a trilogy of tales, told by the minstrel Orfeo, of the grim struggle against the Dark Powers of Chaos which threaten the Warhammer world. Orfeo's saga continues in Plague Daemon and Storm Warriors.

"A highly enjoyable fantasy novel... Strongly recommended " - Phil Stephensen-Payne, Locus

"Brian Craig and his hero, the minstrel Orfeo, conduct us through the labyrinth of a city-state where politics, religion, lineage, magic and morality twist and turn like a bundle of snakes...Zaragoz is lucid, fast-paced and satisfying dark fantasy, with all its wits about it" - Faren Miller, Locus

Cover by John Blanche

Published in 1989 by Games Workshop Publishing (as by Brian Craig)
ISBN:1-85515-003-4

"I can tell you a tale," he said. "A tale of Zaragoz. A tale of betrayal which happened long ago, but whose tangled threads extend, as the threads of treason do, across the centuries to the present day."

The castle of Zaragoz was legendary - a citidel which could never be taken. It was said that nce justice reigned within the fortress its rule would be absolute and unassailable, but to the great misfortune of the land it was not so. An army came treacherously from below to seize the castle and depose the Duke. They killed the strongest, the bravest, the most virtuous, and sought to cow the rest, taking away their hope and proving to them that justice could never return.

"If justice cannot come agian, then Zaragoz is doomed!"

The first in a series of macabre fantasies told by the minstrel Orfeo of the struggle against the Dark Powers that threaten the Warhammer world.

Published in 1994 by Boxtree Limited (as by Brian Craig)
ISBN:0-7522-0950-7
Cover Illustration by Dave Gallagher

The speaker was standing before the doors which had been opened to admit the dry night air. It was Arcangelo, the priest of law. 'I can tell you a tale,' he said. 'A tale of the citadel of Zaragoz. A tale of betrayal, which happened long ago, but whose tangled threads extend, as the threads of treason always do, across the years and the centuries to the present day. 'I come to warn you all that the choice is soon to be made. If justice cannot come again to Zaragoz, then I promise you that Zaragoz is doomed!'

Riven by political intrigue, the countless petty kingdoms of Estalia are a dangerous land to travel through. When he rescues a mysterious priest from brigands, the minstrel Orfeo is drawn into a deadly power struggle for the citadel of Zaragoz. He is forced to use all the power of his wits and skill at arms to survive enemies fair and foul, human and monstrous.

'Satisfying dark fantasy with all its wits about it.' - Locus
'Really bring the world of Warhammer to life.' - SFX

Published in 2002 by Games Workshop Publishing (as by Brian Craig)
ISBN:1-84154-231-8
Cover illustration by Clint Langley

Translated into Japanese.
Translated into Polish.

Review by Ian Braidwood

Cast of Characters:
Orfeo, Marcantonio 'Maro' Giraldi, Caliph of Mahabbah and Lord of the Twin Seas Alkadi Nasreen, Arcangelo, Don Rodrigo Cordova, Don Theo Calvi, Don Estevan Sceberra, Lady Marguerite Cordova, Lady Veronique diAvila, Tomas diAvila, Semjaza, Duke Marsilo diAvila, Morella d'Arlette, Fernand Arrigo, Lady Serafima Quixana, Cristoforo, Jacomo Falquero.

Zaragoz is the first of three fantasies told by Orfeo, who wakes up a prisoner in Arjijil Castle after the ship he is sailing on is raided by pirates.

Suffering from a broken arm, he finds himself the unwilling guest of Alkadi Nasreen, Caliph of Mahabbah and Lord of the Twin Seas. Orfeo agrees to tell the Caliph what happened to him in Zaragoz, which happens to be Alkadi's home town.

The story begins on the road to Zaragoz, when Orfeo helps a priest who is being robbed. Together, they head into the city and the priest warns Orfeo that Zaragoz is a nest of intrigue.

Despite the warning, Orfeo is soon caught up, not only with Estevan Sceberra, Duke diAvila's henchman, but also the evil wizard Semjazza.

The Warhammer stories appear to be set in a close analogue to medieval Europe, in which magic exists. This story has a Spanish flavour and is enjoyable enough, but not what fans of The Werewolves of London are looking for.

The Brian Stableford Website