Vandermine: The Sword's Errand

About the Book

Now Available: Vandermine: The Sword’s Errand* 9 CD audio book at www.audiorealms.com Downloadable MP3 file at www.theaudiobookshop.com *Contains bonus sample from the sequel Vandermine: Children of the Apocalypse

Jon Andrews is a fun-loving college football player who defies the stereotype by being as well-studied and thoughtful as he is physically intense. He enjoys studying medieval history almost as much as sacking quarterbacks. A trip to a medieval exhibit at a local museum sends a pair of bullets from the gun of a panicked robber his way and brings a stolen broadsword mysteriously into his possession. Before he can return it, the ancient weapon spirits him away to its own world. Gritty pain and true fear soon convince him that he is not simply dreaming when he finds himself in what appears to be medieval Europe. Captured by the king’s soldiers, a wizard of the Holy Order reveals that the stranger carries the legendary sword Vandermine and that it is dead iron in the hands of anyone else. Jon is soon pressed into service joining a desperate quest to slay Cravos, the would-be conqueror of the kingdom and violator of all the laws of the Holy Order in unleashing forbidden and wildly destructive magics—power that once loosed threatens to bring to pass the prophesied second apocalypse.

Jon’s companions on the quest are a veritable dream-team—the king’s champions—the best in their respective disciplines. The further the reluctant hero travels the more he sees things that seem to have leapt straight out of books of mythology—not history. It is soon painfully obvious that being in great physical shape and wielding a magic sword is not enough. Thrust into a life or death struggle in a world he can’t understand, Jon relies on his faithful comrades to give him the skills he needs to command Vandermine’s full power before the reality of this impossible world catches up with him.

The journey for Jon is not merely physically daunting and dangerous, but mentally and emotionally taxing as well. Before he was torn out of the world he once knew, he was accustomed to being one of the stronger and more competent members of his team. However, the harsh realities of the ancient world that has called for him soon humiliate him making him feel like the weakest-link. Through training, suffering, and conquering with the king’s picked men as he strives to fulfill the sword’s errand, Jon gains the respect due a battle-hardened veteran—earning it the hard way.

About the Author

Murray R. Clay is the author of the Vandermine novels including The Sword’s Errand and Children of the Apocalypse. After attending the US Air Force Academy, Murray served as an intelligence officer for special operations forces during his five years on active duty. Three of those years were spent in England where the numerous historical sites provided inspiration for his fantasy writing. After serving in the Air Force, Murray attended the University of Chicago where he earned his MBA degree. He currently works for an investment fund. In addition to writing, Murray enjoys martial arts, collecting medieval armor and weapons, and spending time with his wife and five children.