- Magic's Pawn
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Magic's Pawn Author(s) Mercedes Lackey Country United States Language English Series The Last Herald Mage Genre(s) Fantasy Media type Print (Hardcover and Paperback) Pages 349 p. ISBN 0886773520 Followed by Magic's Promise Magic's Pawn is a 1989 fantasy novel by Mercedes Lackey. The first of The Last Herald Mage trilogy (followed by Magic's Promise and Magic's Price), it centers around a powerful Herald-Mage named Vanyel Ashkevron, in the kingdom of Valdemar; the planet is called Velgarth. Mages are those who can do magic. Heralds are people with extrasensory or psychic abilities who have devoted their lives to using their abilities to help others, specifically, the kingdom of Valdemar. A small number of Heralds have mage capabilities and are called Herald-Mages. Both sets of abilities are clearly and distinctly defined in the Valdemar universe.
Plot summary
Vanyel Ashkevron, age sixteen, is the heir to a great estate, Forst Reach, though he does not measure up to what his father, Lord Withen, deems to be a "proper" man. He is devoted to music and cultivating an elegant appearance. Withen sends Vanyel to school in Haven, the capital of Valdemar, under the supervision of Vanyel's aunt Savil.[1]
Savil has little interest in Vanyel because he has no psychic or magic powers, but realizes he is not as arrogant as Withen described. Vanyel finds schooling at Haven more suited to his nature, but is told he does not have the Bardic gift, and cannot become a true Bard. Feeling he has lost his dream, he becomes depressed.[2]
Vanyel develops feelings for Tylendel Frelennye, one of Savil's protegés. He learns that Tylendel is shay'a'chern, or homosexual. They become lovers and later find they are lifebonded, that is, soulmates. For the first time, Vanyel is truly happy. Tylendel introduces Vanyel to Gala, his Companion; one of the intelligent horse-like creatures that bond with Heralds.[3]
Staven, Tylendel's twin brother, is assassinated by a family enemy. Tylendel senses his brother's death and goes mad with grief. Not understanding Tylendel's trauma, Vanyel continues supporting him as he seeks revenge. Using Vanyel's dormant energies Tylendel 'Gates' them to the enemy family. Tylendel casts a complicated spell summoning deadly wyrsa to kill members of the enemy family. Gala repudiates Tylendel and dies sacrificing herself to give time for Heralds to arrive to stop the massacre. Tylendel commits suicide, and the backlash from the 'Gate' spell tears open Vanyel's dormant magic potential.[4]
Suffering from psychic and emotional damage, Vanyel is "chosen" by a Companion, Yfandes, who reassures him of her love and friendship and his worth. Vanyel begins recovering, but is unable to control his newly "opened" powers. He telepathically overhears thoughts blaming him for Tylendel's death. Vanyel attempts suicide, but is rescued, and the Heralds see that his love for Tylendel was real.[5]
Savil, realizing Vanyel needs special assistance, takes him to the Tayledras, human beings who live in K'Treva, an environment immersed in magic. They teach him how to control his abilities, and convince him that being gay is not wrong or sinful. Vanyel does not want to be a Herald or a Mage, and suspects the people around him value his powers, not himself. He runs away, but comes to realize that Savil and the others have shown that they care about him. Just when he realizes that and moves to return he discovers a village being terrorized by a Colddrake. He kills the Colddrake just after it kills an old man this timing gives Vanyel the impression that he is a coward which is swiftly rebutted by the Tayledras.[6]
Vanyel is about to return to the Tayledras when he receives a telepathic cry for help and assists a village in overcoming a mad wizard along with his aunt and teachers. With a combination of strategy and half-learned magic, he defeats the wizard, believing he will die as well. Vanyel wakes to find himself with his aunt in K'Treva as she presents him with the white robes of a full-fledged Herald-Mage[7].
Books in the Velgarth series by Mercedes Lackey The Mage Wars The Last Herald-Mage The Collegium Chronicles Foundation · IntriguesThe Legend of Lavan Firestorm Vows and Honor The Oathbound · Oathbreakers · OathbloodHeralds of Valdemar Kerowyn's Tale By the SwordThe Mage Winds The Mage Storms Darian's Tale Anthologies Sun In Glory · Sword of Ice · Crossroads · Moving Targets · Changing the World · Finding the Way- ^ p. 1-73 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
- ^ p. 73-93 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
- ^ p. 99-134 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
- ^ p. 172-209 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
- ^ p. 209-231 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
- ^ p. 255-320 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
- ^ p. 331-348 Magic's Pawn Mercedes Lackey ISBN-0886773520
Categories:- 1989 novels
- American fantasy novels
- Novels by Mercedes Lackey
- Valdemar Universe
- 1980s fantasy novels
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