The Lord of Castle Black
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Author | Steven Brust |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Khaavren Romances |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
| Released | 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Preceded by | The Paths of the Dead |
| Followed by | Sethra Lavode |
The Lord of Castle Black is the second volume of The Viscount of Adrilankha, a three-volume novel by Steven Brust that collectively serves as the third novel in his Khaavren Romances. As with the other novels in that series, the book is heavily influenced by the d'Artagnan Romances by Alexandre Dumas.[1] It features the backstory of Morrolan e'Drien, a character originally introduced in the Vlad Taltos novels, which are also set in Brust's fictional world of Dragaera.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
Khaavren, Piro, and their respective friends embroil themselves in the conflicts between the newly-restored Empire and the forces of the Pretender, Kâna.
[edit] Plot summary
Morrolan reaches his birthright, the County of Southmoor, which is in ruins. He enlists a number of Vallista architects and Teckla laborers to restore his family's castle into a temple.
Meanwhile, Piro, Tazendra, and their company pursue Grita, believing that she has caused the death of Zerika. Grita gathers up the bandits that previously fled her service and attacks again. Again the heroes quickly outfight the bandits and force their surrender, while Grita again flees. After the fighting, Khaavren, Aerich, and their companions happen upon the scene by chance and join with their friends. Pel, who is scouting ahead for a group of Kâna's troops, sees his friends and realizes that his service to Kâna puts him in opposition to them. He reveals himself and renounces his service, joining his friends once again. Kâna's troops attack. The bandits join with Khaavren, Piro, and the rest out of necessity and manage to outfight the troops. Realizing that they are surrounded by enemies, the group sets out for Dzur Mountain.
Morrolan's construction is progressing so well that he decides to build a castle instead of a temple. His retainers discover that the Orb has returned. Morrolan learns of the existence of sorcery and throws himself into its research while his construction continues. He decides to call his new home Castle Black, after the color symbolizing sorcery. During his study, he learns of Kâna's forces bearing down on his county and receives an Imperial order from Zerika to hold them off. Though he is not sure if he holds any loyalty to this new Empire, Morrolan needs no order to defend his land. He enlists the help his most experienced Dragonlord retainer, Fentor, to see to the county's defences.
While preparing for battle, Morrolan learns of the existence of Sethra Lavode, who is technically his vassal due to her home, Dzur Mountain, residing within Southmoor county. Insulted that she has never sent him a tribute, he rides to Dzur Mountain and demands at swordpoint his due. Sethra quickly realizes that Morrolan has no idea of the scope of her power, and refrains from killing him. After her servant call her attention to a certain prophecy, she gives Morrolan a Great Weapon called Blackwand to stand for her tribute. She also lends him the services of the Necromancer, a demon sent by the gods to help Zerika's cause, to assist in the defence of Southmoor.
Khaavren and Piro's company ride in and are admitted into Castle Black, but they can provide little help. Kâna's troops close in and the battle begins. Fentor's hastily assembled defences and small conscripted army are no match for their opposition. Morrolan's various magical allies, including the Necromancer, the Warlock, and his circle of witches all lend their aide to the struggle, but it is still not enough. Morrolan consults his new guests and his various retainers and decides to have his circle of witches levitate the Castle and his troops up to safety. He then has most of his army, which becomes the new Imperial Army, teleported to Dzur Mountain.
Grita joins with Kâna's forces and gives him information about Khaavren's companions as well as the soul that she has trapped within a staff. With these tools, Kâna and his cousin Habil begin plotting their alternate plans to seize the Empire. Habil gives an Athyra necromancer Grita's staff and guides Kâna in the rituals of contacting the god Tri'nagore.
After a stay in Dzur Mountain, Khaavren, Piro, and company return to Whitecrest. Piro tells his father that he has fallen in love and wants to marry Ibronka, who is a Dzur. Having lived his life during the Interregnum, Piro does not appreciate the serious taboo of marrying outside of one's House in the Empire. Khaavren is mortified, and categorically refuses to consider such a breach of protocol. Piro leaves home with Ibronka and his friends and together they take up banditry.
[edit] Trivia
- Grita's staff contains the soul of Aliera, which became lost at the end of Five Hundred Years After. The necromancer who receives her soul is Loraan, who serves as an antagonist in Athyra and Taltos of the Vlad Taltos series.
