The Jewel in the Skull

The Jewel in the Skull, Michael Moorcock, Lancer Books, 1967

First of a series, this fantasy story is about Count Brass, a man who runs the small kingdom of Kamarg, in what we know as southern France. He wants to spend his remaining years in peace and serenity, so he has no interest in allying with anyone, against anyone. Kamarg is also the last holdout against the forces of Granbretan, the Dark Empire, who have been uniting the many warring factions in Europe.

Baron Meliadus, the right-hand man to the Granbretan king, pays a visit to talk alliance between Kamarg and Granbretan. Count Brass is not interested. Meliadus is infatuated with Brass's daughter, Yisselda, and attempts to kidnap her. It doesn't work, and Meliadus is thrown out of the castle.

Back in Granbretan, Meliadus decides to send someone else to kidnap Yisselda. Dorian Hawkmoon, Duke of Koln, is a recent loser against Granbretan, and has been held prisoner for a while. Promised his lands and title if he succeeds, his loyalty is assured by a black jewel implanted in his forehead. It will let Granbretan see everything Hawkmoon sees, and it can be used to destroy Hawkmoon's mind, if necessary.

The people of Castle Brass are able to temporarily neutralize the black jewel, rendering it useless to Granbretan. A large force is sent from Granbretan, to take care of Hawkmoon and Castle Brass, once and for all. Even with a 20 to 1 advantage, a combination of Hawkmoon's military knowledge and several high-tech weapons stationed around the castle leads to a huge defeat for Granbretan.

The neutralizing of the black jewel will not last forever, so Hawkmoon undertakes a journey far to the southeast (approximately present-day Iran) to find Malagigi, the only person with enough sorcery to permanently neutralize the jewel. When he arrives, Hawkmoon finds himself in the middle of a civil war brought about by an attack from Granbretan and Meliadus.

This one is really good. It has plenty of action. Moorcock is a veteran in the fantasy field, so he very much knows what he is doing. For Conan fans looking for something else to read, look here. It is well worth reading.