Magic's Price

Author

Mercedes Lackey

Publication date

3 July 1990

Published by

DAW

Book sources

978-0886774264

Sub-series

The Last Herald-Mage

Volume

3

Chronological Order
Preceded by	Followed by
Magic's Promise	Foundation

Publication Order
Preceded by	Followed by
Magic's Promise	By the Sword

This article is for the novel. For the song, see Magic's Price (song).

Synopsis[]

The story begins with four of the last Herald-Mages, Vanyel among them, creating a magic barrier around their nation of Valdemar. This barrier prevents hostile mages from using magic. Vanyel intends to add other defenses when he has the time.

Valdemar's King Randale is dying of a mysterious ailment. He is barely able to move from bed and only has a few years to live. Vanyel has taken over nearly all the responsibilities of the throne, while young Prince Treven is trained.

A young bard named Stefen is discovered in the Bardic Collegium. He has the unusual ability to block pain with his music. Vanyel arranges for Stefen to play for Randale during an official audience, proving his ability.

Stefen is openly shaych (homosexual) and falls in love with Vanyel. Vanyel hesitates to love anyone because he fears his enemies will attack those he cares about, but finds that he and Stefen have become lifebonded -- a type of psychic link. It is unheard of to have more than one lifebond in one lifetime, and Vanyel had already had such a link with (now dead) Herald-Mage apprentice Tylendel when very young.

While visiting his family with Stefen and his aunt and mentor Savil, Vanyel wanders alone to think things over and is ambushed by a rogue mage, whom he overcomes and delivers to the family priest. The mage escapes and attacks a group of women who are listening to Stefen's music. Yfandes tries to help but is injured; Vanyel shows up just in time to step in front of a thrown dagger meant for his mother.

Savil recognizes the dagger as a leech-blade, which sucks life energy from its victim. Savil Gates away to the land of the Tayledras Hawkbrothers, to ask for help; she returns with Moondance and Starwind. They discover that Vanyel's lifebond with Stefen may have saved his life and speculate that Stefen is the reincarnation of Tylendel. Vanyel is not told, as the Hawkbrothers think it would complicate his relationship with Stefen.

Vanyel, Stefen and Savil return to Haven, bringing Vanyel's parents along for their protection. King Randale has deteriorated further. Queen Shavri has decided to provide him with strength through an unrestricted psychic link. When Randale dies, so will Shavri.

To make matters worse, Karse, the traditional enemy of Valdemar, is about to declare a holy war. Vanyel departs to negotiate a treaty with the land of Rethwellan.

Upon his return he finds that Herald-Mages are dying in what look like accidents. Savil doesn't believe it and asks Vanyel to strengthen the protective wards around her home. Vanyel is tired and puts it off; the same night a mage-made creature murders Savil. Vanyel is now the last Herald-Mage.

Vanyel sets out to find the mage behind the deaths, followed by Stefen. They are ambushed by bandits who work for the mage, whom they call Master Dark. As instructed, Stefen runs away to hide and returns later. He finds Yfandes injured and Vanyel kidnapped.

A blocking spell has been put on Vanyel to prevent him from using his powers. The bandits rape and beat Vanyel brutally; nearly killing him. The bandits then send for a healer to revive him. This man sees the magical block on Vanyel's mind and removes it. Vanyel revives, and temporarily loses his sanity, killing everyone in sight. Stefen and Yfandes arrive and so do a pack of kyree, who take the humans in and help them.

Vanyel is healed, but is determined to find "Master Dark", whom he now suspects of having been behind a number of mysterious deaths in Valdemar. Vanyel finds a mountain pass, where the mage intends to take his troops down into the heart of Valdemar. Vanyel sends Yfandes and Stefen to the Guard post for help; knowing he may never see them again.

The dark mage's army shows up. Vanyel defeats them and finally faces Leareth, "Master Dark" himself. Yfandes returns and together they invoke the ultimate spell, Final Strike, which kills not only one's enemy but oneself. Vanyel and Yfandes die together. Stefen, who has felt Vanyel die, finds only a cracked and burned amber focus-stone -- a present he had given Vanyel -- and a few strands of blood-soaked horse hair.

Some months later, King Randale and Queen Shavri have died. Lost in grief and despair, Stefen returns to the site of Vanyel's death, intending to commit suicide, but Vanyel's spirit appears before him. Vanyel tells Stefen that in order for Stefen to be free to join him, he must convince all of Valdemar that Herald-Mages are no longer necessary, and that Heralds are enough; a nearly impossible task. Stefen agrees and spends the rest of his life working for this change, until his death when he is able to join Vanyel at last.

Characters[]

Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron
Herald Tantras
Companion Yfandes
Companion Esten - King Randale's Companion
Bard Medren
Herald-Mage Savil Ashkevron
Bard Breda
Jervis
Herald Tashir
King Randale
Herald-Healer Shavri
Herald Ariel Ashkevron - Mekeal Ashkevron's daughter
Companion Darvena - Ariel Ashkevron's Companion
Herald Joshel
Herald Treven
Jisa
Companion Taver
Mekeal Ashkevron
Melenna
Bard Stefen
Bard Lynnell
Berte
Herald-Mage Lissandra
Herald-Mage Kilchas
Companion Rohan - Kilchas' Companion
Companion Shonsea - Lissandra's Companion
Bard Dellar
Moondance k'Treva
Healer Liam
Archpriest Everet
Seneschal Arved
Lord Marshal Reven
The Prophet
Herald Kera
Queen Lythiaren - Queen of Rethwellan
Lord Preatur - a Valdemaran noble
Companion Kimbry - Joshel's Companion
Companion Eren - Treven's Companion
Father Owain - priest of Astera who marries Treven and Jisa
Herald Liam
Companion Orser - Liam's Companion
Lord Withen Ashkevron
Mekeal Ashkevron
Lady Treesa Ashkevron
Roshya Ashkevron
Radevel Ashkevron
Herald-Mage Tylendel Frelynne
Father Tyler
Companion Kellan - Savil's Companion
Firesong k'Treva - Tayledras scout
Windblade k'Treva - Tayledras scout
Hawkflight k'Treva - Tayledras scout
Dreamseeker k'Treva - Tayledras scout
Suncloud k'Treva - Tayledras scout
Starwind k'Treva
Brightstar k'Treva
Asheena - Starwind's gyrfalcon bondbird
Lytherill - a young woman in the Ashkevron family at Forst Reach
Tallo - Moondance's previous identity
Lord Enderby - Council representative for the Forst Reach region
Companion Delian - Tantras' Companion
Lord Taving - Council representative from the South
Guildmaster Jumay - Council representative
Lord Marshal Reven
Featherfire k'Treva - one of Vanyel's children
Arven - one of Vanyel's children
Berd - Palace groom
Countess Bryerly - Valdemaran noble, distantly related to the Brendewhins
Lady Gellwin - Valdemaran noble who mentored Treesa
Post Commander - commander of the northernmost Guard post
Damen
Lord Rendan
Gerth the Axe - one of Lord Rendan's bandits, killed when he ambushed Vanyel
Herverd - one of Lord Rendan's bandits, killed when he ambushed Vanyel
Jess - one of Lord Rendan's bandits, killed when he ambushed Vanyel
Resley the Liar - one of Lord Rendan's bandits, killed when he ambushed Vanyel
Lord Gelmar
Kef Hairlip - one of Lord Rendan's bandits
Tan Twoknives - one of Lord Rendan's bandits
Master Dark - another name for Leareth
Brodie
Geof Larimar - farmer
Aroon
Hyrryl
Leareth
Herald Andros
Companion Toril - Andros' Companion
Joserlyn Ashkevron - one of the Ashkevron family living at the time of Bard Stefen's death