Sunrunner's Fire

infobox Book |
name = Sunrunner's Fire
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Melanie Rawn
cover_artist = Michael Whelan
country = USA
language = English
series = Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = DAW Books
release_date = 1990
media_type = print (hardcover & paperback)
pages = 320 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-7564-0305-7
preceded_by = The Star Scroll
followed_by = Stronghold

"Sunrunner's Fire" is a fantasy novel written by Melanie Rawn. It concludes the Dragon Prince trilogy.

Plot introduction

This book starts almost immediately after the last novel, The Star Scroll. Andry is made Lord of Goddess Keep and immediately starts making changes to Sunrunner traditions. A rift forms between Goddess Keep and the High Prince due to many such changes. Meanwhile, Ianthe's oldest sons plan their revenge for the deaths of their mother, grandfather, and brother. The enlist the aid of Miyon, Prince of Cunaxa, and enspell Chiana in order to claim Princemarch and Feruche.

Plot summary

Part One: Andry, the new Lord of Goddess Keep, has visions of war and death. He sees the destruction of Radzyn, it's proud towers ablaze. To prevent his visions, he reworks the teachings and rituals of Goddess Keep based on the findings of the Star Scroll. He also trains Sunrunners in sorcery. Meanwhile, true sorcerers ready themselves to challenge Pol's right to Princemarch. Ruval, Ianthe's oldest, undisputed son, prepared for the challenge by learning sorcery, while Marron infiltrates Chiana of Meadowlord's personal guards. When he gets close enough, he allows Mireva to enter Chiana's chamber and enspell the Princess with a mirror. Chiana then begins to amass an army, which will invade Princemarch.

Part Two: Year 728: Pol, now Ruling Prince of Princemarch, seeks to become the man and Prince that his parents, High Prince Rohan and High Princess Sioned raised him to be, but his spirit is impatient and restless. When word comes that dragons are being hunted, Pol follows Riyan and Sorin to Elktrap Manor. They find a dying dragon nearby, who shows them that men had attacked it using sorcery. The attackers were Ruval and Marron, who had been trying to get Pol's attention. A battle ensues. Sorin is killed.

As the Desert mourns, Ruval enlists Prince Miyon of Cunaxa's aid in overthrowing Pol. He and Marron hide in Miyon's entourage as the Prince travels to Stronghold on business before the "Rialla", while Mireva becaomes a servant of Miyon's illegitimate daughter, Meiglan. Meiglan would - unknowingly - be used to ensnare Pol.

As Pol prepares for the challenge Ruval will make, he begins to fall for Meiglan despite his suspicions of her. Before Ruval can make his challenge, however, Marron challenges Pol himself for Feruche, their birthplace. Riyan, who had only moments ago had been made Lord of Feruche, accepts Marron's challenge of sorcery. As Marron forms his first spell, Andry turns it back on the sorcerer by using his knowledge of the Star Scroll. He kills Marron in retribution for Sorin's death. This act results in Andry's banishment from the Desert.

When Ruval's challenge finally comes, on starlight, Rohan realizes that Pol needs to be told the truth about birth: that Ianthe bore him and he was a "diarmadhi". Pol is horrified and angry, but uses his new found knowledge to study the sorcery in the scrolls. He and Ruval meet at Rivernrock and the "rabikor" begins. During the battle, Ruval tries to pull a dragon from the sky, but Pol bonds with it. The dragon, Azhdeen, kills Ruval, ending the threat to Pol's claim on Princemarch.

Quotes

*'"Barbarians know only one definition of a crime and only one punishment for it... Civilization's privilege and duty is to think, reason, and be merciful. But to seek compassionate justice is also civilization's curse. After all, simple, barbaric restitution is so much easier."' - Sioned