Zandru's Forge

Did You Know?

• Chapters 35 and 46–50 of Zandru's Forge overlap with the novel Hawkmistress!.
• The book takes place before Two to Conquer.
• Varzil Ridenow is also known as Varzil the Good.

Plot summary

Rumail Deslucido, a bitter and defeated laranzu, recounts his twisted story to his only son, Eduin MacEarn. He has sent each of his sons to kill the Hasturs, and each has died; now he charges Eduin with entering Arilinn Tower to befriend all while secretly killing any Hasturs he can. Varzil Ridenow presents himself for admission to Arilinn Tower but is initially turned away for lacking his father's permission; his father eventually relents. At Arilinn, Varzil befriends Carolin Hastur, heir to the Hastur throne, and Eduin MacEarn. At midwinter, Carolin returns to court with Varzil and Eduin, where Varzil becomes aware of the Byzantine nature of court politics. Riding to Lake Hali, Varzil wades into the cloud-lake and perceives a matrix circle working with a large artificial matrix alive with non-human energy, realizing he is seeing the destruction of Hail Tower by Aldaran; Carolin drags him out and takes him to Hali Tower for treatment. At the Midwinter Ball, Carolin experiences a seizure that Varzil believes was caused by Eduin. On a ride to Blue Lake, Carolin and Varzil discuss a pact banning laran weapons; Varzil averts an attack on Carolin with a trap matrix weapon. Varzil and Eduin return to the Tower, while Carolin marries the woman his relatives selected. Felicia Leynier of Nevarsin Tower arrives at Arilinn; Varzil learns she is the only surviving child of Coryn Leynier and Queen Taniquel Hastur-Acosta, but is sworn to secrecy. Eduin receives word his father is ill and travels to the Hellers; while attempting to heal his father's lung ailment, Eduin is overshadowed by his father's vengeful personality.