He longed for a way to determine who would be a worthy successor to the throne, so that Valdemar the kingdom need never become less free than it was at that moment. He knew that his son and Heir was a worthy, honest man-but what of his son's sons, and theirs? Now Valdemar had led his people out of the hands of a tyrannical monarch and had no wish to see them fall again into the hands of tyranny. Long ago, in the days of the first King, for whom the Kingdom of Valdemar is named, it came to the King that he was growing old. It is left up to Darkwind to take up his dormant powers and train Elspeth in becoming the First Herald-Mag since Vanyel Ashkevron's time.ĭedicated to the memory of Donald A. During this book, Elspeth's and Darkwind's paths meet and they decide they need to help eachother, for a dark and mysterious mage is trying to destroy the k'Sheyna Vale. Darkwind's father has changed and his mother was killed, so he vowed not to be a mage anymore. These are troubled times for his clas an well because their HeartStone went rogue, killing half the mages holding a Gate open and destroying the Gate, leaving half the clan somewhere out beyond their reach. We are introduced to another main character, Darkwind k'Sheyna who is a Tayledras and a Mage.

Elspeth and Skif set off to go to Kethry and Tarma's Mage schools that are in Tale'sedrin. She becomes bound to Kerowyn's Sword Need and through Elspeth, the Sword 'awakens.' and tells her story. Elspeth, Herald and Heir to the throne of Valdemar, must take up the task and go to seek outside help. But now, magic is slowly coming back and Ancar, an evil bloodpath-mage from Hardorn knows it.

A mage couldn't even go into Valdemar before he was driven out because of the unseen 'eyes' watching him or her. Since Herald Vanyel's time, all forms of magic, except for Mind magic, ceased to exsist in Valdemar's borders.

Winds of Fate by Mercedes Lackey