#swords and sorcery
The Noose of Light by Mark Harrison
Usually, the words we choose were never meant to be weaponized; they weren’t assembled for use in any way other than which we’d initially intended. But sometimes, not unlike during a duel, it’s those unplanned, unforeseen situational factors of timing, environment and outside interference that can change everything.
When you become a mage, however, you have the power to change and do so much more than you ever could before - far beyond the capabilities and limitations of your body or weapon alone. Unfavorable environment? You can change the weather or terrain. Outside interference? You can mitigate and control multiple opponents. Suddenly, it’s your words that are transformed into a real ability to attack or defend. What you say determines whether or not you invoke the literal means to either destroy, or restore. And I now have the power to undo just about any damage, be it from spell or sword.
But as powerful as my magic has become, there’s absolutely nothing I can do to heal a wound caused by words.