"The Woman in the Witch-Wood" by Gardner F. Fox (1976)

Originally appeared Kothar-Barbarian Swordsman (1970)

Plot: Entering a haunted wood, Kothar comes across Alaine, the former Lady of Shallone. She has been ousted by a wizard named Gorfroi. Kothar agrees to go to Murrd and free the people from Gorfroi. He can do this by getting back a single strand of Alaine's hair. Alaine is trapped inside the wood by a magic wall that would destroy her if she passed through it. While sleeping she enchants Kothar's sword Frostfire. She also shows herself to be none other than the witch Red Lori. Kothar goes to Murrd where all the people live in fear. He meets Mellicent, a barmaid. She explains that at night one person is called magically, through a moon-shaped tatoo, to go to the castle and are never seen again. She tells him that Alaine was only slightly better than Gorfroi. Kothar gives himself a false tattoo with ink and a needle. In the night a mummy-like wraith comes to give Kothar an actual tattoo. He destroys the monster with his sword. Kothar sees the next victim being drawn to the castle. He knocks the man down and ties him to a tree, then goes to the castle himself. Entering the hall a magical wind carries him off to face a demon that tries to pull him into a void. Whenever he chops it with Frostfire he feels a little of the magic cast on it by Alaine fade. Kothar goes through a black wizard door and finds himself in a world of insanity. There he is attacked by the wizard-demons of Daemonia. He fights and kills many before the survivors flee, all the while draining his sword of its enchantment. Gorfroi appears as two burning eyes and tries to tempt Kothar with riches, then potions of immortality, agelessness and invulnerabilty. Kothar refuses. Gorfroi laughs and confesses if Kothar had chosen any of the treasures he would have died instantly. Kothar's attack on the wizards has angered Gorfroi's masters. To settle things, Gorfroi must fight Kothar hand-to-hand. Kothar's blade has been drained of its magic but Gorfroi must face him without magic either. Gorfroi loses, ending up on Kothar's sword. The Cumberian takes the hair in its case and goes back to Murrd, where he frees the man he tied up. Mellicent reminds him not to trust Alaine. Kothar returns to the wood and gives Alaine the hair. Freed from the spell, she turns Kothar into a dog and leaves the wood. When she crosses the barrier she burns up, cancelling her spells. Kothar has tricked her. The hair is from his horse Greyling. Kothar returns to Murrd and the barmaid Mellicent.

Monsters:

The Mummies of Gorfroi - These undead creatrures are the servants of Gorfroi. They tattoo the townswfol, guard his castle and do whatever he commands.

The Cockscomb Demon - This huge monster is humanoid in shape with fangs larger than a man and giant bulging eyes. it has a cockscomb on its purple reptilian head. The monstr isn't intent on killing Kothar so much as casting him into the void it dwells in.

The Wizards of Daemonia - These wizards are so beyond human they have become monsters.

History: The Cockscomb demon says: "Ifn thagn Gorfroi!" which is awfully reminiscent of Mythos speech. Fox certainly was aware of Lovecraft and may have taken a little inspiration there.

Rating

3

2

1

2