Aging warrior Otchigen safeguards Vasyllia, Mother of Cities, Jewel of the World, with his sword and his heart. Nobleman and beggar alike adore him. But after a routine training exercise goes horribly wrong, Otchigen fears he is going mad. To make matters worse, his city crumbles in fear and corruption around him. But is it madness... or are there darker forces intent on destroying the city? The Rusted Blade is a prequel novella to the Raven Son epic fantasy series inspired by Russian fairy tales. Dostoyevsky meets Tolkien in an intense, poignant tale of a rich and complex character who is neither hero, nor villain, but