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Exile's Honor

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Synopsis[]

Alberich spent most of his youth in the Karsite military schools training to be an officer. At thirteen he was chosen from among the male children of Karse by the most powerful priests, the Voices of Vkandis Sunlord. Strong of body, quick of mind, but also lowborn--and therefore grateful to the Voices for the opportunity he had been given--he was the perfect candidate for officer training. For Alberich there was no other place to go, no way to get into a trade, no hope for any but the most menial of jobs--no way for the bastard son of a tavern worker to advance in Karse except in the army. He was required to leave his loving but impoverished mother, never to see her again.

Alberich rose in the ranks with almost unnatural speed. He worked extra hours at his academic studies and weapons training, pushing himself ruthlessly. This lean, tall, hawk-faced young man got up before dawn for extra exercise, spent all his spare time practicing against older boys, and studied by the light of Vkandis' lamps in the Temple until the priests came in for midnight prayers.

In battle, Alberich had an uncanny way of knowing what the enemy's next move would be, and when and from where the attack would come. He had always had a sort of "sixth sense" about things which were about to happen. He hid this ability with the utmost care, for the Sunpriests kept careful watch for anyone exhibiting "demon powers" - Mind-Gifts or Magic. Those they caught were "cleansed" in the fires of Vkandis Sunlord.

When his cavalry captain was killed, Alberich was promoted by a Voice, becoming one of the youngest captains in the army. He also received a gift--a handsome white stallion reputedly bred by the barbaric Shin'a'in nomads. But Alberich was promoted ahead of two older officers with seniority. They were not half as effective as Alberich, but they wanted revenge. But the Voices had laid a trap which even Alberich's ForeSight Gift could not predict.

Alberich's stallion is actually Companion Kantor in disguise. He rescues Alberich from the Fires of Cleansing and takes him to Valdemar, where he is treated for his injuries. King's Own Talamir informs him that he is now a Herald Trainee. Alberich had been taught that Heralds were demons along with their "Hellhorses" - the Companions. He resists joining the "enemy," yet he cannot return to Karse. A priest of Vkandis and his assistant counsel him, as they had fled from Karse as well.

The Heralds find meaningful work for Alberich as the Weaponsmaster's Second, which he realizes is his own ideal job. Some Valdemarans dislike the idea of a Karsite Herald, especially those who had lost family or friends to Karse.

Alberich settles into life at the Collegia, training students in the work he knows so well. Princess Selenay requests him as her bodyguard when she is training at the city courts. He also takes on the aging Weaponsmaster's night job as a spy in Haven.

Karse and Valdemar have been at war for generations, and Karse hires a nation of unscrupulous mercenaries, the Tedrels, to fight on their behalf. Alberich helps to train spies, but worries that Valdemar will have to kill innocent Karsites as well as the evil Sunpriests and the Tedrels. The Tedrel Wars go on season after season. In a dramatic final battle, Valdemar fights the entire nation of Tedrels. When all seems lost, King Sendar, Selenay's father, charges into battle and is killed. His heroism turns the tide, and Valdemar defeats the Tedrels. Talamir loses his Companion Taver, and Heralds usually die when their Companion dies. However, a Companion named Rolan arrives to pull him back from the grave. Selenay becomes queen, and Herald-spy Laika gets Valdemar to rescue the captive orphans in the Tedrel Camp. A funeral procession carries Sendar back to the capitol city of Haven. The old Weaponsmaster, Dethor, retires, and makes Alberich take his place. Alberich finally settles into his new life in Valdemar.

Characters[]

Characters appearing or mentioned in the book.

Main characters[]

Major characters[]

Minor characters[]

Referenced characters[]

  • Smoke
  • Captain Anberg
  • Leftenant Klaus - one of Alberich's rival Karsite officers
  • Herald Aren - brings Healer at the Karse Border
  • Lord Wordercan
  • Companion Pahshen
  • Companion Trevor
  • Companion Mik
  • Berthold - weaponsmaster for young Karse army cadets
  • Aksel Tarselein - weaponsmaster for older Karse army cadets
  • King Ortrech - titular ruler of Karse
  • Father Kentroch - Alberich's benevolent childhood Sunpriest
  • Lord Realard

Places[]

Terminology[]

Chronology[]

According to the Official Valdemar Timeline, Sendar's reign ends in 1376. His death is in the fourth year of the Tedrel Wars.

See also[]

 Translations[]

French:

  • L'Honneur de l'Exilé, translated by Claire Kreutzberger, Bragelonne, 2011

Japanese:

  • The book was also published as a manga in Japanese.

Gallery of cover images[]

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