The High Lord
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| First edition cover | |
| Author | Trudi Canavan |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Black Magician trilogy |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | ATOM Books |
| Released | 2003 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 1-904233-68-6 |
| Preceded by | The Novice |
The High Lord is the third book in The Black Magician trilogy by Trudi Canavan. Published in 2003 it is the sequel to The Novice and The Magicians' Guild.
[edit] Plot introduction
In the Novice, Sonea has earned the respect of most other novices, however Regin ignores her. But she has witnessed something in High Lord Akkarin's hidden underground place. A stranger offers to assist Cery, he knows he should shouldn't accept this type of help. Akkarin reveals more of what he knows, but Sonea is not sure who to believe, or fear.
[edit] Plot summary
A year has passed since Sonea had challenged Regin to a public duel. Since that victory, she has finally won the respect she deserves, not only as a novice with exceptional power, but also the High Lord's favourite. But even with this new respect, she still has one challenge left to face: Akkarin. Still unable to shake off the memory she has after the duel, she continues to avoid Akkarin.
Cery, Sonea's old friend, has now a powerful position with the Thieves. He has a task which he must perform which could cost him his life. But that task is not a secret. A strange woman, called Savara, with great skill knows of this task and wishes to help Cery. But Cery will not accept the aid of Savara as he does not trust her.
Akkarin surprises Sonea by showing her a book which is an autobiography of Corin, a famous architect. This book reveals that Corin himself had discovered and no doubt used black magic. Sonea is amazed at this knowledge. Akkarin is pleased that Sonea has read the book and gives her another one which is nearly 500 years old. From reading it, Sonea discovers that at that period of time, black magic was referred to 'higher magic.' The book goes on about a novice who desired power and used the higher magics to obtain more power. The Guild, in the end, suffered greatly from confronting the novice. So they decided to store the knowledge of the higher magic and rename it to black magic. They sealed the knowledge, hoping that no one would take advantage of that power, but only use it in the greatest need. The author also tells of a threat from Sachaka, that the Sachakans will have vengeance for losing an ancient war. As Sonea starts to absorb this new information, Akkarin takes her into the city in disguise. Sonea realises that the Thieves are in on a secret with Akkarin as they use their 'private road.' Sonea and Akkarin eventually come face to face with a beaten up Sachakan. Akkarin starts to search the man, and finds a gold tooth with a red gem inside it. Akkarin then tells Sonea that he will teach her to read minds. Struggling at first, Sonea discovers the name of the Sachakan. She also discovers that Akkarin was a slave! Amazed and shocked, Sonea starts seeing memories of an Ichani, powerful magicians that labelled as outcasts by the Sachakan King. Sonea is then taken outside while Akkarin stays inside.
Back at the Guild, Sonea starts to question everything she knows and has been told. She is met by Akkarin in a secret hiding area where Akkarin and Lorlen used to go while they were young. Akkarin begins telling Sonea about his past, about how he entered Sachaka and was captured by an Ichani named Dakova who easily overpowered Akkarin. While in servitude, Akkarin was constantly robbed of his power along with a group of slaves. For five years, Akkarin was a magical source of energy for Dakova, but everything changed when Dakova was attacked by a fellow Ichani. Though Dakova won, he was left weak. He borrowed slaves from his brother Kariko. After some time Dakova found a previous enemy of his and decides to kill him. Upon arriving at an abandoned mine, the floor gives way and Akkarin falls down, only to be saved by another Ichani. This Ichani wouldn't kill Akkarin as long as he went back and kill Dakova. Akkarin then learnt black magic from this Ichani. Akkarin headed back with wine laced with a sleeping drug. While Dakova drank the wine, Akkarin killed the slaves, but when he came to Takan, he could not take his dormant power. But when he came to Dakova, he took his power as quickly as possible. With the deed done and now free, Akkarin then started his long journey home, with Takan following behind him. Akkarin ends the tale and tells Sonea to get back to her classes.
Lord Dannyl has now entered the Dem's circle of trust and has begun teaching Farand who has not learnt Control. Slowly, Dannyl gains more trust from the Dem. When Dannyl enters Farand's mind, he realises the Elyne King used Farand for eavesdropping. Farand even saw the King deal with an outlaw, and because of that Farand is unable to join the Guild.
Meanwhile back at the Guild, Sonea is unable to sleep. She is continuously replaying what Akkarin had told her, and why he told her. She even starts to believe that black magic isn't at all bad, only the wielder of the magic can determine that. She starts to wonder what would happen if Akkarin was to die and no one would be able to carry on the secret fight. So she decides to tell Akkarin that she wants to learn black magic. The next day when Sonea tells Akkarin that she wants to learn, he refuses. He starts to turn her mind saying that if she is caught, she will be executed. But her mind is made up. But Akkarin has another use for Sonea. He informs her that, if she was willing, she can be a source of power for him. But Akkarin also has made up his mind, he will only teach her if the Ichani invade Kyralia. Even though she isn't helping in the way she thought she would, she is still pleased to assist Akkarin.
Lord Dannyl visits Farand once more to assure everyone that he has learnt Control. When in Farands mind, Dannyl starts questioning him. Before Dannyl can get any answers, Farand is aware of what Dannyl is doing and breaks the connection. Revealing him as a traitor, Farand tells everyone that more magicians are on their way, but don't know Dannyl's location. However Dannyl informs the group of rebels that that won't be the case. Farand perceives Dannyl's and the other magician's conversation and agrees with him. Everyone surrenders.
At night, Sonea is worried about Akkarin, since he is not back yet. Once he returns, Sonea realises that the fight must have been terrible, and that Akkarin lost. Akkarin starts filling in the details about the new spy. Akkarin believes that this new spy is another slave, but Takan tells Akkarin that she must be an Ichani, as she is cunning and strong. He once agin tells Akkarin to teach Sonea black magic. Akkarin finally agrees that he will teach Sonea tomorrow night.
Cery is surprised that Akkarin lost to the latest spy, and vowing to find her again. Savara enters Cery's room saying that if Cery had trusted her, she could have dealt with the new spy, unlike Akkarin. Savara then continues saying that she knows the spy and wishes revenge for a past act. But she realises that now that Akkarin knows about the new spy, she can't intervine. But she is promised the next spy.
The next day, while Lorlen and Lord Sarrin discuss building plans, Lord Osen informs that there has been a massacre from last night. All of the victims have shallow cuts which arn't fatal wounds. Osen also reports that there was a major battle between magicians. Lorlen decides that someone should go to the location of the fight and see if it was magical.
At night, Sonea makes her way to the underground passage to start her training in black magic. Akkarin informs Sonea that all living things have a natural barrier. With black magic, the idea is to break the barrier. Sonea, under Akkarin's instructions, starts to learn how to take power, with her source being Takan. Once she is done, she heals him and is told to read some more books.
While heading back to Immardin, Dannyl and Farand start talking about the future, and what consequences he and the other rebels would have to face. Realising that he is tired, Dannyl tells him to get some sleep. But when Dannyl goes to leave, he notices that Farand's lips are blue. He comes to the conclusion that he was poisoned. Dannyl then calls on Lady Vinara using telepathy. She informs him of how to purge the poison, but it isn't a pretty way. Dannyl decides to barricade the door hoping no one would come in and prevent Farand from healing.
The Magicians Guild learn that Akkarin and Sonea use Black Magic and so they are banished to Sachaka. The only reason they are not executed is that the Guild are unsure whether to believe Akkarin's story of an imminent attack by the Ichani being the reason he and Sonea practise Black Magic and the Guild are unable to quash the fear that they may need Akkarin and Sonea's help in the future.
We then come to the invasion of the guild by the Ichani, in an attempt to overrun King Merin, and the only possible competition the Ichani might have in getting vengeance for the Sachakan war. Now the only two that can possibly stop the Ichani, Sonea and Akkarin, are making their way back towards the guild in a last ditch attempt to destroy the Ichani once and for all before it is too late.
[edit] Release details
- 2003, Australia, ? (ISBN ?), Pub date ? ? 2003, paperback
- 2004, UK, Orbit (ISBN 1-84149-315-5), Pub date 4 November 2004, paperback
- 2004, USA, Eos (ISBN 0-06-057530-1), Pub date ? September 2004, paperback
- 2005, UK, Orbit (ISBN 1-904233-68-6), Pub date 3 November 2005, hardback
