The 12 Fables of Ealdræd
1. Written in Salt 2. The Aberstowe Brethren 3. Witchery in Wehnbria Part 1 4. Witchery in Wehnbria Part 2 5. Witchery in Wehnbria Part 3 6. Mercenary Justice 7. Daughter of the Steppes8. A Tower in Piccoli9. The Matriarchs of Gathkar10. A Scattering upon the Sea 11. The Canbrai Accursed12. The Exiled YouthMaps of Ealdraed's World Why Another Fantasy Hero? Readers Comments Search this Website How to Buy the Stories Return to the Homepage
Readers Comments and Reviews
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Comments on the Fables of Ealdræd from our readers are very welcome, as are reviews of particular episodes. We want to hear what you have to say about the aspects of these tales you most enjoy and what suggestions you may have for improvements. Your contribution will be much appreciated . . . . and possibly acted upon in future stories!
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may reveal certain elements of the overall storyline.
Readers Comments and Reviews
My comment is that the best thing about Ealdraed is that it avoids the misandrist comments that are increasingly common in fantasy literature. So many contemporary fantasy writers don't seem to be able to avoid having their female characters make anti-male statements; equating the idea of a "strong" woman with that of a feminist woman, which is just bullshit. But your stories have a genuine sex-equality in them, especially the characters of Maev de Lederwyrhta and Eiji. They are both very strong women but neither of them treats men as inferiors. I really approve of that.
Zack, USA
Music to our ears, Zack, thank you. We have a motto here at the Fables of Ealdraed: "To every (fantasy) age, its own beliefs and values". Putting 21st century feminist attitudes into a story that is not set in the 21st century always rings false. All the characters in a story should reflect the time and place they live in, even if its a fantasy age. They are more believable that way.
"What some call reality is but one unreality" - very cool.
Anonymous, England.
We thought so, too! 
Eiji should be given her own stories. She doesn't need Ealdraed. Not disrespecting him or anything, good guy, but Eiji on her own would be something special! See everything from her POV. Eiji solo, get me.
Seth, St Albans, UK.
A single stand-alone episode about Eiji, likely to be entitled simply "Eiji of the Kajhin" and taking place after the death of Ealdræd, is in the pipeline but will probably not appear for some time as we have a lot on our plate at the moment trying to get the original cycle of 12 Ealdræd episodes recorded (see comment below). But it should appear eventually.
You are a rude man to have a hero who whips a woman for sexual pleasure. Real heroes would not do this.
Janka, Hungary.
What can we say? Ealdræd's the kind of hero who does. Its because of the sexual / erotic elements in some of the stories that we have put the "Mature Content" parental warnings on the website. This is S&S for an adult audience.
Mercenary Justice is the best episode because of the ending. Tragic. First time a fantasy tale ever got me misty eyed. More like that would be good. Matriarchs of Gathkar was a bit political for my taste. I would like Ealdraed to return to the Torvig Steppes because the Czechu were great - adore the word 'poltroon'. More tragedy, less politics, and lots of cowardly Czechu!
Anonymous
It's good to hear that you like the ending of Mercenary Justice. We were a little worried about whether readers would accept that ending or not. Thanks for the reassurance. Tate (our worthy author) insists upon an occasional bit of politics (that's why the tales are called "fables" - short stories that make a moral point) and claims that The Matriarchs of Gathkar is an allegory of contemporary feminist England. You decide. A return to the Torvig Steppes would seem to be ruled out as the story Daughter of the Steppes suggests that this is the first time that Ealdræd has been there and Tate (yes, him again) says that any future Ealdræd stories will be set in his younger days. But maybe a Czechu poltroon or two might turn up in one of those stories, if they ever get written, who knows?
Where are the audio versions? I have been back to your site a number of times and it always says 'available soon'. It is frustrating. The samples you have online have sold me, so okay where are the actual full recordings of the stories?
Mason, USA.
We hang our heads in contrite and humble apology. Yes, we know you're right. It takes us absolutely ages to record and edit each story. The first five episodes are all now available and we hope to add further episodes as soon as possible. Sorry and thank you for your patience. The whole of Ealdræd on audio will slowly but steadily appear, we promise.
Reply from Mason, USA.
Thanks, I'll try to be patient! IMHO the three-part "Witchery in Wehnbria" is better for being longer. I also liked the mass slaying of the Brethren in episode 2 - funny as well as bloodthirsty!