In Owlflight and Owlsight, the
first two novels in Darian's Tale, best-selling authors Mercedes
Lackey and Larry Dixon told the moving story of a rebellious orphan boy
who escaped the sacking and burning of his village by barbarians and
found sanctuary with the mysterious Taledras Hawkbrothers, deep in
Pelagiris Forest. During Darian's stay with the Hawkbrothers, he
discovered his magical Gift - to be a Healing Adept - and began to
forge a diplomatic alliance between these exotic, magical people and
his own people of Valdemar.
When Owlknight opens, six years have passed since
Darian's fateful flight into the forest. This once-troubled youth has
grown into a mature, responsible adult. Not only is he a Master Mage,
but he is the head of a new community - the Vale of k-Valdemar, located
near Darian's home village of Errold's Grove - which houses a
diplomatic council comprised of Hawkbrothers, Valdemarans, and
representatives of the more peaceful barbarian clans of the north.
The once-obscure community of Errold's Grove has now grown in
stature as well as size, due largely to Darian's efforts, and a veteran
Hearald of Valdemar - along with his young Herald-trainee - has been
sent from the capital city of Have to join the council.
But despite Darian's glowing success, life is not completely
rosy. For though he has found the woman he hopes will be his life-mate
- a young Healer, Keisha Alder - she repeatedly refuses to marry him.
Keisha is wedded to her work - caring for the people of Errold's Grove
- and worries about what might happen in the future as Darian becomes
more and more involved in negotiating the disputes and policies of
k'Valdemar Vale. At some point surely Errold's Grove and the Vale could
have conflicting interests, and wouldn't that cause discord between
herself and Darian?
However, his romantic problem is not the only issue plaguing
Darian. For he is haunted by the pain of not knowing what happened to
his parents - not even knowing if they are alive or dead. Now that he
has become a Master Mage, his skill is finally sufficient to try to
resolve this mystery. And when clues lead Darian to hope that his
parents may indeed be alive, he mounts a small search party to try to
locate them. But the trail leads deep into little-known territory, rife
with hostile barbarian tribes. And though Darian is desperate to know
what became of his praents, he can't be certain that they are alive or
totally confident that he can find them. Is it worth risking his life
and the lives of his companions to chase what could be a dream?
