Season 2, Episode 2: Sword Woman

 

"Aye, Dark Agnès!” said Étienne, lifting himself on elbow. “A star of darkness shone on her birth, of darkness and unrest. Where ever she goes shall be blood spilling and men dying. I knew it when I saw her standing against the sunrise that turned to blood the dagger in her hand.”

“I have paid my debt to you,” I said. “If I placed your life in jeopardy, I have bought it back with blood.” And casting his dripping sword at his feet, I turned toward the door.
Guiscard, who had been staring like one daft, shook himself as if from a trance, and strode after me

“Nails of the Devil!” quoth he. “What has just passed has altered my mind entirely! You are such another as Black Margot of Avignon. A true sword-woman is worth a score of men. Would you still march with me?”

“As a companion-in-arms,” I answered. “I’m mistress to none.”

“None save Death,” he answered, glancing at the corpses.



Art by Stephen Fabian

Art by Ken Kelly



Art by John Watkiss

Hail, Cromrades! We have returned from the pages of deep history to discuss another thrilling adventure with you! This time, we join the swashbuckling sword woman Agnes de Chastillon on her quest. Does she search for lost gold, or magical artifacts? Nay, brave traveler, she seeks that most elusive treasure - equality.

We weren't able to find an open source copy of this tale for you this time. However, you can snag a copy from eBay or Amazon.com, or better yet, peruse your local book store. Luckily, these Dark Agnes tales aren't hard to find!

Next time, we'll cover the second Dark Agnes tale, Blades for France! Join us!


This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Ending theme: "Violence of the Red Sea" by Earthless. Used without permission. Purchase their album here!

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!

The music included in this episode's discussion is used without the permission of the creators. All music was obtained legally. We hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase their work. Support the artists!

The Cromcast - Bonus Episode: Interview with publisher and author Jason Sizemore

Hello Cromrades! This week we are joined by our friend Jason Sizemore, author of the short story collection Irredeemable, and owner of the excellent sci-fi and fantasy publishing house Apex Publications! Get ready for some insight into small press, submitting short stories, and the weirdest story submission Jason has ever seen. It's a good episode folks, and we hope you enjoy getting to know Mr. Sizemore.

Some links:

Jason's blog: A Writer's Vanity

Jason's book Irredeemable on Amazon

Website for Apex Magazine

Justin Stewart's website

Steel yourselves, for next time we join Dark Agnes in a journey of awakening and self discovery. Sword Woman - NEXT on The Cromcast!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Call us! (859) 429-CROM!

Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!

Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!

The music included in this episode's discussion is used without the permission of the creators. All music was obtained legally. We hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase their work. Support the artists!

Season 2, Episode 1: The Isle of Pirate's Doom!

"Satan's throne! There is a great ruby ring you've overlooked!"

Now I looked for the first time at the face. It was a delicate oval with red lips that curled in mockery, large grey eyes that danced, and only then did I realize that I was looking at a woman and not a man. One hand rested saucily on her hip, the other held a long ornately-hilted rapier-and with a twitch of repulsion I saw a trace of blood on the blade.

 "Do you know who I am'?"

"There could be only one name you could wear-what with your foppery and cold-blooded manner."

"And that's-?"

"Helen Tavrel."

Garrgghhh! Here be a pirate's tale for ye!!!



We kick off Season 2 with the tale of Helen Tavrel.... Download the episode directly here!

REH wrote this tale back in the '20's, but it didn't see print until a chapbook in 1975. The art from that publication (see above) was from Steve Fabian. You can read the story on Wikisource, or it has been recently included in a collection offered by the Robert E. Howard Foundation!

Looking to listen to some classic pulp stories? Check out Protecting Project Pulp!

Looking for some great music? Check out Flogging Molly! We close out the episode with a portion of "Seven Deadly Sins," which is the sea shanty to end all sea shanties! Within a Mile from Home is an unbelievable album and, if you're inclined towards the punk or a bit o' the Irish, it belongs in your collection. Pick it up directly from the band here, or if you get the chance, be sure to check 'em out if they have a show in your area!

Thanks for listening, ye scurvy lads and lassies!

We hope you're reading along with us! Our next story with be The Sword Woman. There's lots of publication options for this story, so dig it up at your local bookstore!

This episode is freely available on archive.org and is licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Beginning theme: "Sudden Defeat" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Questions? Comments? Curses? Email us! (thecromcast at gmail dot com)

Call us! (859) 429-CROM!
Follow us on Twitter! Or on Facebook!
Subscribe to our feed on FeedBurner! Or, check us out on iTunes!


The music included in this episode's discussion is used without the permission of the creators. All music was obtained legally. We hope our discussion of this content makes you want to go out and purchase their work. Support the artists!