Combat in fantasy can be more than spectacle
March 14, 2026
Hello,
My bloodthirsty son plots stories that have me killing people on a regular basis. He has no problem slaughtering main characters—and bit players alike. Sometimes he even creates a character just so they can die in a dramatic fashion.
In a fantasy book—or a thriller—or any other sort of fiction, this feels reasonable. As readers, we can experience death without truly embracing the consequences. It raises the stakes in the storyline. And it keeps us engaged.
But there is another side to death that needs to be explored.
One of my favourite passages in Rebels of Halklyen comes right after Fleta performs her first assassination. Aidan did not plot it. This was pure me.
The duke Fleta kills is evil. He is selfish. His death will make life better for thousands of people. She has trained her entire life to be ready to do what needs to be done.
But as soon as she is safely away from the palace, she is struck with a remorse that leaves her twisted inside.
“You were fantastic, Flint,” said Gode. “Dell and I have used that ploy before, but the crowd loved you!”
Flint’s face split into a wide grin. “And I love flying,” he said. The plan had played out perfectly. As soon as Fleta hopped down from the wall, Gode had ended the show, and even passed a hat for a shower of coins.
“You went so high, you had me worried for a moment,” said Gytha. “I didn’t want it to turn into a rescue mission.”
Everyone laughed and Hulda dropped back to ride beside Fleta. “You did well,” she said softly, watching Fleta’s face.
“Yes,” Fleta answered, looking straight ahead. “The plan worked. It was easy.” She pressed her lips together.
Hulda eyed her. “Too easy?” she asked.
Fleta sagged in her saddle. She had spent her life training to throw daggers with deadly accuracy. However, having put those skills to use for the first time, she felt terrible. It was not like hitting a practice target.
Hulda settled a hand on her arm. “You aren’t supposed to like it,” she said with a twist of her mouth. “We aren’t meant to kill people. The fact that we train to do so does not make it any more acceptable to take a life. We do this—” she struggled to find the words. “This—killing—because we have learned it is the only way to stop the evil in Abbarkon. Even so, we must remember that it is not the way we want to live our lives. We kill to stop the killing.” She let out a long breath. “When we win, I never want to have to kill again.”
“Does this feeling go away?” Fleta asked.
Hulda ran a hand through her hair. “No,” she said bluntly, shaking her head. “It always feels horrible to kill another human being. Unfortunately, if it happens often enough, you get used to it.”
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The funny thing about a mom and son writing together is that you get two points of view woven together in the story. I know Aidan never considered the impact of killing when we first started writing. I like to believe that he does now.
I respect that our young readers are thrilled with the action, but something in me wants them to reflect on the consequences of that action.
Happy reading.
Warm regards,Paula Baker (and Aidan Davies)
paula@bakerdavies.ca
bakerdavies.ca
P.S. Thrust into a world of magic, monsters, aliens and secrets, Lori’s in way over her head. And now she must pass a series of treacherous trials… or die trying. Check out Lara Wray’s Alius Academy.
Plus, check out Risingby Charity Mae. In ancient times, a family was endowed by the Creator, to defend the world from unknown evil.
