Exile's Honor (Valdemar prequels Book 1)

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## POV Information

**Gender**
**Char Name**

Male
Alberich

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## About the Book

Part of the Valdemar Universe by Mercedes Lackey.

* **Genres**: Epic Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery,
* **Theme**:
* **Narrative style**:

## Description

Alberich had spent most of his youth in the Karsite military schools training to be an officer. As the son of an impoverished mother, he had no other career choice open to him. And Alberich had risen in the ranks with almost unnatural speed. He developed expertise with many weapons and excelled in academic subjects with an ease that was the envy of his classmates. But in fact, the reclusive Alberich studied long and hard, pushing himself ruthlessly.

In battle, Alberich had always had a sort of “sixth sense” about things which were about to happen—when and from where the enemy would attack. Instinctively, he his this ability, for the Sunpriests kept careful watch for anyone exhibiting “demon powers” which were the hallmark of Karse’s greatest enemy—the witch-nation of Valdemar. Those they caught were “cleansed” in the fires of Vkandis Sunlord.

Both Alberich’s skill and secret served him well in the army of Karse, and when Alberich became one of Karse’s youngest captains, he received a special gift—a powerful white stallion “liberated” from the enemy. But this honor was merely a distraction, for the Sunpriests had laid a trap which even Alberich’s strange foresight could not predict…

Saved from burning as a witch when this odd white stallion braved flames and carried him over the border into Valdemar, he was healed by the same enemies he had been taught to hate his entire life. Though he knew he could never again return to his home, Alberich also knew he could never truly become a Valdemaran. How could Alberich remain true to his own people and still retain his honor while helping to train the direst enemy of Karse?

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### Synopsis

Alberich had spent most of his youth in the Karsite military schools training to be an officer. At thirteen he had been 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. And 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 whore to advance in Karse except in the army. Knowing this, he had left his loving but impoverished mother, never to see her again.

Alberich had risen in the ranks with almost unnatural speed. He had developed expertise in many weapons with an ease that was the envy of his classmates, and picked up his lessons in academic subjects with what seemed to be little or no effort. But in fact, the reclusive Alberich studied long and hard, 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. Instinctively, he hid this ability with the utmost care, for the unpriests kept careful watch for anyone exhibiting the "demon powers" which were the hallmark of Karse's greatest enemy--the witch-nation of Valdemar. Those they caught were "cleansed" in the fires of Vkandis Sunlord.

Both Alberich's skill and secret served him well in the army of Karse, and when his cavalry captain was killed during a skirmish with bandits at the border, Alberich was honored by a Voice, becoming one of the youngest captains in the army of Karse. And with this commission came a gift--a handsome white stallion "liberated from the enemy" and reputedly bred by the barbaric Shin'a'in nomads. But both the commission and the horse came with burdens of their own. Alberich had been promoted ahead of two older and more seasoned officers. It did not matter that those other two together hadn't been half as effective as Alberich had been alone--those men would want revenge. And riding a white stallion, no matter how powerful its gait and excellent its temperament, made him feel as if he had a target on his back.

But these problems were merely distractions, for the Voices had laid a trap which even Alberich's strange foresight could not predict...

Alberich is unwillingly taken to Valdemar, where he recovers from his injuries. When he recovers, he is informed by King's Own Talamir that he is now a Herald Trainee. Alberich had been taught that Heralds were demons along with their "Hellhorses" - the Companions. Alberich now has to deal with this fact, as well as the realization that he no longer can return to Karse. A priest of Vkandis and his acolyte are able to help Alberich accept matters in Valdemar as they had fled from Karse as well.

His choosing was not well-received by some people of Valdemar, including Heralds and Companions who had lost family or friends to Karse. A few young Companions went so far as to attack him in the Companion's Field one night.

Alberich settles into life at the Collegium as the Weaponsmaster's Second. Alberich is later made the bodyguard of Princess Selenay and accompanies her when she does her circuit training at the courts in the city. Karse and Valdemar have been at war for generations, and Karse hired a nation of mercenaries not tied to the Mercenary Guild to fight on their behalf. Alberich helps Valdemar fight what are later known as the Tedrel Wars. Alberich uses his connections in the Karsite military to acquire intelligence on the Tedrel mercenaries as the battles go on season after season. In a dramatic final battle, Valdemaran forces fight the entire nation of Tedrel mercenaries. When all seems lost, King Sendar, Selenay's father, rushes into battle and is killed. King's Own Talamir loses his Companion, Taver, as well and another King's Own Companion named Rolan arrives to pull him out of his grief. Selenay becomes queen, and a funeral procession is arranged for Sendar to return to the capitol city of Haven. Upon his return, Alberich is made full Weaponsmaster, the old one deciding to retire, and he finally settles into his new life in Valdemar.

### Characters

Characters appearing or mentioned in the book.

**Main characters**

* Captain Alberich
* Companion Kantor "Silver"

**Major characters**

* Herald Talamir
* Princess Selenay
* Weaponsmaster Dethor

**Minor characters**

* Leftenant Herdahl
* Companion Taver
* Herald Joyeaus
* Companion Aren - Companion of Herald Joyeaus
* Father Henrick
* Father Gerichen ("Geri")
* King Sendar
* Companion Lorenil
* Herald Jadus
* Herald Elcarth
* Guard Kimel
* Herald-trainee Tammas
* Herald-trainee Jahan
* Herald-trainee Theela
* Companion Caryo
* Companion Jasker
* Herald Mirilin
* Companion Estan
* Herald Myste
* Companion Aleirian
* Aarak Benshane
* Herald Orven
* Healer Crathach
* Herald Wethes
* Crance
* Lysander Fleet
* Guard Locasti Perken
* Guard Berda Lunge
* Guard Haydee Dellas
* Herald Keren
* Herald Ylsa
* Guard Lotte
* Lord Gartheser
* Lord Orthallen
* Lord Tholinar
* Lady Donrevy
* Companion Dantris (unnamed)
* Companion Felara (unnamed)
* Lieutenant Chorran
* Nort Halfden
* Koan
* Companion Rolan
* Herald Laika
* Herald Kulen
* Kantis
* Bard Lellian
* Patriarch Pellion d'Genrayes

### Places

Locations appearing or mentioned in the book.

* Sunsdale, Karse
* Haven, Valdemar
* Asherbeg, Karse
* Companion's Bell Tavern, Haven
* Blue Boar Tavern, Haven
* Exile's Gate, Haven
* Home Farms, Valdemar
* Royal Farm, Valdemar
* Broken Arms Tavern, Haven
* Compass Rose Tavern, Haven
* Virgin and Stars Tavern, Haven
* Boarsden, Valdemar

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Valdemar wiki - Exile's Honor