This is Gardner F Fox's third paperback attempt at writing Sword & Sorcery that would rival Robert E. Howard. There are 4 books in this series. Mr. Fox's was heavily inspired by Robert E. Howard's Sword & Sorcery stories: Conan, Kull & Bran Mak Mor. From the world beyond--or past--time Kothar comes. His Sword & Sorcery books read like Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. All they need is a great Game Master to orchestrate the adventure. Kyrik, the great and glorious warrior, had battled the fiercest foes imaginable, drawing on his amazing and incredible warlock powers. His tremendous gifts are put to the ultimate test as he is forced to a life and death battle with the Wizard and the Wizard's Sword.THE STAFF OF LIFEHe shook some of them off him by the sheer power of his muscles. He was not above using his booted feet, driving a heel or a toe into a belly or groin. The captain kept trying to force his horse into that wild melee of shouting, cursing men, his sword naked in a fist. But there was no opportunity to use it.Kyrik fought on, baring his teeth in a feral grin. This was living, this giving, and taking of blows! He had been a long time entombed in that statue--a thousand years, by Illis so that this battling was as bread and ale to him.