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Woundhealer

The open hand symbol of Woundhealer, the Sword of Mercy.

Woundhealer (alternatively, the Sword of Mercy, or the Sword of Love) is one of the Twelve Swords of Power featured in the The Books of Swords series by Fred Saberhagen.

History[]

Coming soon.

Appearance[]

Woundhealer is virtually indistinguishable from the other Swords of Power (barring Soulcutter), save for the open hand symbol engraved in its hilt. It is a one-meter, double-bladed Sword with a black hilt, forged by Vulcan from a meteorite. Like the other swords, Woundhealer retains its edge and luster regardless of use.

Abilities[]

Woundhealer possesses the power to repair any injury, or cure any other ailment (blindness, poisoning etc.), regardless of severity or how long ago received. As long as the subject is not in fact dead, the Sword of Mercy has proven effective against the terrible wounds given by Farslayer, and regrew an amputee's (Jord's) arm, even after being administered years after the original injury. The Sword of Love is widely regarded as the one Sword (or sword) in the world that is not a weapon. As such, it is the only Sword that Shieldbreaker cannot break.

Unlike several of the Swords, Woundhealer does not make a noise when wielded, but makes a sound like a human sigh or exhaled breath when used to heal.

Verse[]

From "The Song of Swords":

Whose flesh the Sword of Mercy hurts has drawn no breath;

Whose soul it heals has wandered in the night,

Has paid the summing of all debts in death

Has turned to see returning light.