SOLVED. YA Fantasy Anthology. First story: a black sword makes the earth swallow armies; knight asks witch for a weapon to destroy enemy's armies. Cover: stylized dragon/ sea serpent, white border. Read 1999-2000. [s]

[Stephanie]

I read a fantasy anthology book in my middle school library in either 1999 or 2000. The book was brand new so I assume it was published around that time. The cover had a heavily stylized dragon or sea serpent framed by a white border. I remember the first story being about a knight approaching a witch that turns out to be his childhood friend to request a weapon to destroy the armies of an enemy kingdom and is granted an evil black sword that causes the Earth to swallow people alive. I can't remember the other stories now.

[Becca]

Can you remember of the stories were all by one author, or was it a compilation of stories from different authors?

[Stephanie]

Becca wrote: "Can you remember of the stories were all by one author, or was it a compilation of stories from different authors?"

I think it was a variety of different authors now that you bring it up.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

It is mandatory to include genre and plot details in your topic header, as per the Group Rules.

Because this group is so huge, we will close threads that don't adhere to this requirement.

Please add more plot details to your topic header from what you've already written.

[Kris]

Stephanie, thanks for editing the header/ topic title.

I copied a few more details to the header. Feel free to edit it.

[Stephanie]

Kris wrote: "Stephanie, thanks for editing the header/ topic title.

I copied a few more details to the header. Feel free to edit it."

You're welcome. Thank you for adding more details.

[Rainbowheart]

Book of Enchantments



The story you're thinking of is "Earthwitch."

Evan walked slowly forward and reached for the hilt of the black sword. As he touched it, he saw Mariel—no, the Earthwitch—throw something toward the orange lake of fire. A cloud of smoke grew swiftly beside him, and in a moment he was surrounded by swirling, featureless gray. He lifted the sword.

Cold struck through his arm, and his eyes began to burn. The gray smoke cleared or became transparent in front of him. Looking through it, he saw, not the mountains, but a field, black with the Dhainin army. He shouted and held the sword aloft. Power ran down his arm in a wave of cold fire that continued on through him until it melted into the ground beneath his feet. A ripple of motion went through the Dhainin army, and then, with a terrible slowness, they began to sink.

[Stephanie]

Thank you so much, Rainbowheart! This is it!

[Rainbowheart]

You're welcome, glad to help out!

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Stephanie.

"Enchanted Forest Chronicles" series by Patricia C. Wrede - https://www.goodreads.com/series/4039... - Rainbowheart's find.