Thorn's Sword
A blade that cuts through lies and limbs alike, marking the turning point of a war.
Thorn's sword is a weapon she uses in the valley, though the source does not give it a specific name or describe its material. In the volume *The Dragonslayer*, Thorn uses a sword to cut off Kingdok's right arm during an attack on the party. Later, Phoney Bone uses Thorn's sword to free the Great Red Dragon from a trap. The sword is also left at Barrelhaven at one point, and four Veni Yan monks return it to Thorn when she collapses on the way to the farmhouse.
- Wielder
- Thorn
- Primary Function
- Combat and defense against Rat Creatures and Kingdok
- Status
- Active throughout the main saga
Lore & Background
Thorn's sword first appears in *The Dragonslayer* when Kingdok attacks the party. Thorn slices off Kingdok's right arm, and in his pain, Kingdok identifies Gran'ma Ben and Thorn as the queen and crown princess of old. Later, after Thorn leaves Barrelhaven, she collapses from exhaustion, and four Veni Yan monks return her sword to her—she had left it at the tavern. In a dream, the Great Red Dragon convinces her not to run away. The next morning, Phoney Bone rallies the townsfolk to capture a dragon, and when the Great Red Dragon deliberately walks into the trap, the townsfolk urge Phoney to kill it. Thorn stops him, showing the townsfolk smoke from the Rat Creature army advancing toward Barrelhaven. A pack of Rat Creatures attacks, and Thorn, with the four Veni Yan monks, drives them back. Phoney then uses Thorn's sword to free the dragon.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled through the hollows of the valley, carrying the scent of damp earth and impending storm. Thorn stood atop a crumbling ridge, her silhouette sharp against the bruised purple sky. In her hand, the sword hummed with a low vibration, sensing the approach of the Maggot Men's vanguard. She did not fear them; she had faced worse in the shadows of Bone. With a fluid motion that seemed to dance rather than strike, she brought the blade down, the dark metal singing as it severed the chain of an oncoming brute. The light caught the edge for a fleeting second—a promise of justice delivered with cold precision.
Reader's Guide
Thorn's sword is used in combat against Rat Creatures and Kingdok. In *The Dragonslayer*, Thorn uses it to cut off Kingdok's right arm. The sword is also used by Phoney Bone to free the Great Red Dragon from a trap. The sword is left at Barrelhaven at one point, and four Veni Yan monks return it to Thorn when she collapses. The sword is not described as having any special properties beyond being a functional blade. It is wielded by Thorn throughout the volume, and Phoney Bone also handles it briefly.
Did You Know?
- Thorn uses her sword to cut off Kingdok's right arm in *The Dragonslayer*.
- Phoney Bone uses Thorn's sword to free the Great Red Dragon from a trap.
- Thorn leaves her sword at Barrelhaven, and four Veni Yan monks return it to her when she collapses.
- The sword is not given a specific name or described in terms of material in the source.
- Thorn's sword is used to drive back a pack of Rat Creatures alongside four Veni Yan monks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wields Thorn's Sword?
Princess Thorn is the primary wielder of this blade throughout her journey in the Valley of Bone. It serves as her main instrument for defense against Rat Creatures and other hostile forces.
What are its major feats?
The weapon famously cut off Kingdok's right arm during a fierce battle in The Dragonslayer. Additionally, Phoney Bone later utilized the sword to free the Great Red Dragon from a trap.
Is it ever lost or separated from Thorn?
Yes, she once left the weapon behind at Barrelhaven while traveling toward a farmhouse. Four Veni Yan monks eventually found it and returned it to her after she collapsed on the road.
Does the sword have magical properties?
While described as cutting through lies and limbs, no specific enchantments or materials are officially named in the series. Its power lies primarily in Thorn's skill and its symbolic role in ending wars.
What is the current status of the artifact?
The sword remains active throughout the main saga as a key part of Thorn's arsenal. It continues to be with her as she fights for peace within the Valley.
More in Powers & Artifacts
Elsewhere in the Bone universe
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