Dragonlance War Wizard

Genres: Fantasy; Fantasy action & adventure; Dragons & Mythical Creatures; Epic Fantasy; General Fiction

Synopsis

The first volume of a new epic trilogy set in the world of Krynn, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the creators of Dragonlance.

Vinus Solamnus wrote: The practice of magic is secretive, inherently deceitful, and dishonorable. Those who practice magic are forbidden to enter the knighthood, nor should they be connected to the knighthood in any way.

The boy with a rare gift for magic was born in Solamnia, a nation that despised and distrusted mages. His father tried to beat the magic out of him. The knights threatened him with imprisonment and exile. He endured tragedy and heartbreak. Yet he persisted with his magic, for the sake of the magic.   

One friend stood by him when others persecuted him, a young man who was studying for the knighthood. No one could understand this unlikely friendship. 

The knight was Huma. The boy took the name, Magius. The two would one day become famous in Solamnic history, fighting together to defeat the Queen of Darkness. 

But that future is distant, far down the River of Time. 

For now, this is the story of an unlikely friendship that would one day change the world.

Release date: August 4, 2026

Publisher: Random House Worlds

Print pages: 368

Sample

Chapter One

Jasper Ayrshire was thirty years old, in the prime of life, when he decided he should marry and produce an heir. The woman was to be the daughter of a knight—­he didn’t particularly care which one, just as long as she was of noble blood. He believed he had many qualities to recommend himself as a husband. He was master of Castle Ayrshire, an imposing palace located near Maelgoth, the capital of the Hinterlund province. He was extremely wealthy, for he owned a wool mill in Maelgoth, where all the principal processes of wool-­manufacture, such as carding, spinning, and weaving, were performed. He employed thirty workers, men and women, to produce fine quality fabric.

Jasper counted several members of the knighthood as friends. He donated money to the knighthood, invited various members of the knighthood to Castle Ayrshire, and spent money lavishly entertaining them.

But the knights never reciprocated. They never invited him to their manors, and whenever he mentioned that he was interested in forming an alliance by marrying into one of their families, they would always smile politely and say their daughters were already betrothed.

“I am worth more than ten of those knights,” Jasper complained peevishly to the owner of the neighboring estate, Sir Richard Feigaard. “I can trace my ancestors back to the time of Vinas Solamnus, yet because I am in trade, they consider me inferior. Not you, of course, Richard,” Jasper added hastily.

Sir Richard Feigaard was a member of the Knight’s Council, and Jasper never missed an opportunity to ingratiate himself with his neighbor.

“I meant no offense,” Jasper added.

“None taken,” said Richard heartily. “In fact, I agree with you. A man should be considered on his merits as a person, not by his title or how much land he owns or the amount of gold in his strongbox. If a man is generous, openhearted, caring, beneficent, and compassionate, those qualities should be the true test.”

Jasper cast Richard a sharp glance, suspecting he was mocking him, for no one would have said Jasper Ayrshire possessed any of those qualities. But Richard was regarding him with a good-­natured smile, apparently quite innocent of guile.

“I am traveling to Maelgoth to visit the mill,” said Jasper. “I was wondering if I could do anything for you or your lady wife while I am in the city.”

“Thank you for thinking of us, but we were in Maelgoth only last week to purchase supplies,” Richard replied.

Jasper came at last to the real reason he had paid a visit to his neighbor. “I’m planning to wed, as you know, and I was wondering if you could put in a good word for me with those noble friends of your acquaintance who have eligible daughters.”

“Have a safe journey,” said Richard, as if he hadn’t heard him. “And now you must excuse me. I am late for a meeting with my steward.”

Jasper realized bitterly that Richard wasn’t going to help. Jasper did not give up but proceeded with his plans to try to find a wife among the members of the nobility. He might have been successful had he persevered, for even though he had a reputation among servants and tenants as a tyrant and a bully, he was a wealthy tyrant and bully. Unfortunately, Jasper fell in love.

The young woman’s name was Clara Hinson. One of ten children, she was a worker in his mill and an astonishing beauty. She had long hair the color of ripe corn and blue eyes that did not lower in maidenly modesty when he smiled at her but met his admiring stare frankly and boldly. Jasper first saw her carding wool, and he was infatuated.

He owned a house in Maelgoth, and he could have undoubtedly made her his mistress and kept her there, but he didn’t want to hide her away. He wanted this beauty to grace his castle. He wanted his neighbors to envy him. He wanted to lie down beside her every night. He wanted her to be the mother of his children. The only way to make this dream come true was marriage.

Jasper Ayrshire was a fine-­looking man. He was about medium height, well formed, with fair hair that he wore tied at the back. He had gray eyes, high cheekbones, and a strong jaw. He was much older than Clara, who was about eighteen, but that apparently made no difference to the young woman. She made it clear that if he wanted her, he could have her.

He took her out walking. She clung to him with affection, gazed at him in adoration, and flung herself into his arms when he asked her to marry him. They were wed in three days’ time, in the fall of 986.

Jasper and Clara spent a blissful two months in Maelgoth. Jasper doted on her and paid for seamstresses to sew her fine dresses and cloaks. Cobblers made new shoes for her. She had jewels for her fingers and her own lady’s maid to help her dress. He tried to educate her in her duties as mistress of a castle, but Clara always looked bored and insisted they go walking instead, to show off her new finery.

Jasper decided at last to take her home to Castle Ayrshire. He knew she would be impressed. The castle had originally been a walled fortress of simple, practical design, square in shape with four enormous guard towers. The castle had been divided in two, with the lord and his family living in one area and servants and soldiers in the other. Over time, the Ayrshires had made numerous additions to accommodate their increasing fortunes. They had added stables, built entire new wings with additional guest rooms, expanded the kitchen, and added a buttery and a pantry and a grand hall, complete with a marble bust of Vinas Solamnus.

Clara was in rapture when she saw it, saying she felt just like an Ergothian princess.

The neighborhood turned out to greet Clara. Children of Jasper’s tenants gave her flowers. Then everyone went home, leaving Clara mistress of Castle Ayrshire.

Sir Richard and Lady Louise allowed the couple a fortnight to get settled, then rode over to greet their new neighbors. Both of them were intensely curious to see the young woman whose beauty was the talk of Lentia.

Jasper had been eagerly waiting for them to come. He introduced them to Clara. She made a proper curtsy, keeping her eyes shyly lowered. Jasper observed with pride that they were both suitably impressed.

“I recently purchased a horse, and I’d like your opinion on him, Richard,” said Jasper. “Let’s walk over to the stables and leave the womenfolk to get acquainted. Clara, why don’t you ask Lady Louise to join you in the solar.”

“Yes, Husband,” said Clara dutifully.

After Jasper and Richard had left, Clara heaved a long-­suffering sigh. “The solar’s cold and ugly as a tomb, but you can come if you’d like.”

Louise was startled, but she thought the young woman was perhaps being modest. Once they reached the solar, Clara flung herself into a chair.

“What do you do for fun around here, Louise?” she demanded. “I’m bored out of my skull stuck in this moldering heap of a castle.”

Louise was taken aback by Clara’s question, not to mention her vulgar familiarity, but she managed to respond. “I am fond of riding and working in my garden, Mistress Clara. I have my duties, as you have yours—­”

“Duties!” said Clara, scoffing. “Jasper told me about all my duties. Visiting the tenants, helping the poor, and nursing the sick. Not likely! I told him I’d do what I pleased. Especially since he got me with child. Two months gone.”

“I am also pregnant,” said Louise. “About two months, as well. We will both give birth near the same time in the spring—­”

“I can’t wait to get this brat out of me,” Clara continued, as though she hadn’t heard. “Who would have thought that old man had any seed left in him? He’s thirty if he’s a day. I certainly didn’t! I’m not half pleased, either. I hope it won’t ruin my figure.”

She ran her hands over her shapely breasts.

Louise was speechless. She was only a few years younger than Jasper, and she did not appreciate being termed old at the age of thirty.

She had at first admired Clara’s golden, blue-­eyed beauty, knowing she had no claim to beauty herself. Louise was stoutly built, with brown hair that she stuffed into a cap to be out of her way. Her skin was brown from being outdoors in all weather. Her mouth was too wide, and she had what was politely termed a “strong” nose. But she now found Clara’s beauty considerably tarnished.

Louise decided that it was time for the visit to end and rose to her feet.

“Must you go so soon?” Clara asked fretfully. “You could at least stay to talk to me. No one ever talks to me. I could show you my new dresses and my jewels. Do you like this?” She displayed an emerald ring on her finger. “Jasper gave it to me when he found out I was having his kid. I earned it, let me tell you.”

Louise stated firmly that she had work to do at home and took her leave. Clara did not stir to walk her to the door but sulkily ordered the servant to show her out.

Richard assisted Louise in mounting the carriage for the ride back to their manor house. They traveled in silence until they were some distance from the castle.