A Cavern of Black Ice

infobox Book |
name = A Cavern of Black ice
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = J. V. Jones
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Sword of Shadows
genre = Fantasy
publisher = Aspect
pub_date = 1999 March 30
english_pub_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback)
pages = 736 pp
isbn = ISBN 044652414X
preceded_by =
followed_by = A Fortress of Grey Ice

A Cavern of Black Ice is the first book in the "Sword of Shadows" fantasy series by J. V. Jones. It is followed by "A Fortress of Grey Ice" and "A Sword from Red Ice".

Plot summary

The story begins with a woman named Tarissa giving birth to a girl outside the Vaingate one of the gates of the city, Spire Vanis. The girl, Ash March, is taken in by Penthero Iss, surlord of Spire Vanis. While originally treating her as his own daughter, it is later discovered he kept her for the sole purpose of utilizing her powers as a Reach once she reaches maturity. After discovering that she will soon be moved to more prison like quarters, she escapes.

The book also relates the tale of a young clansman of the Blackhail clan named Raif Sevrance. Raif possess the ability to heartkill any living being, though he lacks the same accuracy on inanimate objects. He and his brother, Drey, return from hunting one morning to discover their party has been slain by blades that draw no blood. After dispensing final rites to their clansmen, the brothers return home to find the foster son of the chief, Mace Blackhail relating a different version of the tale implicating Clan Bludd in the death of their friends and family. Mace becomes chief of Clan Blackhail after raping the widow of the chief and obtaining her support. As tensions increase between Clan Bludd and Clan Blackhail, Raif participates in a raid on what they thought was a Clan Bludd battle party; it is instead a wagon and train transporting the family of the chief of Clan Bludd. Refusing to slaughter innocent women and children, Raif returns to the clan and is exiled for breaking his oath to follow orders.

His uncle, Angus Lok, takes him to the city of Spire Vanis. There, Angus and Raif's fates becomes intertwined with that of Ash March as they discover her as the Rive Watch attempts to capture her and return her home. After rescuing her, the trio travels to Ille Glaive. Along the way, Marafice Eye, head of the Rive Watch, and Sarga Veys, a sorcerer, and seven men. Most of the sept is lost as they follow Ash onto the ice of a lake, and subsequently drown. Marafice Eye and Sarga Veys survive, though Marafice now sports a limp from his brush with frostbite. Once in Ille Glaive, the group meets with Heritas Cant, a sorcerer. Heritas explains Ash's abilities to reach the Blind, resting place of all manner of dark creatures sealed away in ancient history. To aid in their journey to the cavern, Heritas places magical wardings upon Ash to help her suppress the everpresent voices of the creatures of the Blind. Angus, Ash, and Raif then proceed northward to the cavern.

As the group heads north they become captured by Clan Bludd who has recently take over the roundhouse of Clan Ganmidditch. Raif is beaten severely for days for his hand in slaughtering children and for the death of the three Bluddsmen outside of an inn shortly after his exile. Vaylo, chief of the Bludd, fears Ash and contacts Penthero to return her while Angus's fate is unknown. Ash forces Vaylo to postpone the execution of Raif, which allows his escape during a raid by Clan Blackhail. Drey, present at the raid, allows Raif to escape. Marafice, in retribution for the loss of his men at the lake, attempts to rape Ash. She awakes before this occurs and unleashes the dark power within her, killing all but Sarga and Marafice once more.

Ash again travels towards the Cavern of Black Ice and chances upon Raif. The pair heads for Mount Flood though with each passing day, it becomes colder and Ash succumbs more and more to the calls of the Blind. After being attacked by ice wolves, and with no other option, Raif draws out a circle using powdered guidestone to beseech the aid of his Stone Gods. This acts calls a pair of Sull Far Riders, a mysterious culture that most fear. The Sull save them both and lead them to the Cavern where Ash successfully and safely discharges her powers as a Reach.