While Elric was a pawn of the gods, he at least had volition. His own encounter with them leaves him missing an eye and a hand. Corum very quickly learns that the Mabden are on the move, trying to wipe out the last of the Vadhagh.
Moorcock does make it clear that the Vadhagh aren't the only race on the world, there are the equally decadent Nhadragh and the upstart Mabden. On a whim, and possibly so he can find himself a wife, Corum's father sends him on a circuit to the other Vadhagh castles on the continent to learn what has been happening, although since the other Vadhagh are equally reclusive, it doesn't seem like Corum will be able to learn a lot. When the novel opens, Corum is one of the last members of his race, the Vadhagh, living in seclusion with his family in Castle Erorn. However, Corum's initial outing doesn't quite live up the the expectations set by Moorcock's other novels. Just like Elric, Corum has distinguishing characteristics, traverses a fantastic realms with unique landscapes, and deals with the Lords of Chaos. One of his characters, perhaps the one closest in spirit to Elric, is Prince Corum Jhaelen Irsei, the Vadhagh prince of the scarlet robes. While Michael Moorcock's best known creation may be Elric of Melnibone, part of the intrigue of his concept of the multiverse and the Eternal Champion is that all of his characters can become interconnected in some way and allow him to explore different fantastic worlds. THE KNIGHT OF THE SWORDS by Michael Moorcock Mayflower 0-7 176pp/£.25/April 1971
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