The Highwayman (novel)

The Highwayman is a 2004 fantasy novel by American author R. A. Salvatore. It takes place in Corona, the same world as his Demon Wars Saga. The story centers on Bransen Garibond, a young boy born crippled and orphaned. His mother was the Jhesta Tu mystic Sen Wi, and his father was the Abellican priest Brother Dynard. Bransen eventually overcomes his physical limitations by learning to focus his body, using this skill to become the vigilante known as the Highwayman.

The plot unfolds in Pryd Holding, a region plagued by powrie dwarves, threats from rival kingdoms, and religious strife. The brutal Samhaists, led by the evil Bernivvigar, clash with the more benevolent brothers of Blessed Abelle, to whom Brother Dynard belongs. Prince Prydae, the last of his line, is left impotent after a battle injury. Dynard returns from a mission to the south, where he was meant to teach others but instead became fascinated by the local people, marrying the Jhesta Tu mystic Sen Wi. She accompanies him to Pryd Holding to explain her people's ways to the Abellican brothers.

One night, a young woman named Callen Duwornay is sentenced to death for adultery. As punishment, she is stripped naked, bitten by a poison snake, and left hanging over a new road. Sen Wi and Dynard find her, rescue her from attacking dwarves, and Sen Wi heals her with her training. They take Callen to Dynard’s friend Garibond. After recovering, Callen leaves, still naked, and later gives birth to a daughter named Cadayale.

When Dynard and Sen Wi appear before the brothers of Abelle, the brothers are horrified that Dynard was "enlightened" by the people of Behr instead of enlightening them. They refuse to recognize Sen Wi as his wife, calling her his concubine. Sen Wi realizes she is pregnant, but her baby is suffering because she absorbed the poison and pain from Callen into herself. She dies giving birth in Garibond’s home, using her last strength to save her son. Garibond names the boy Bransen, combining his parents’ names. Dynard is later killed by a dwarf on the highway while traveling to see the higher order of Abelle.

Garibond adopts Bransen, who endures constant ridicule and abuse from local bullies due to his disfigurement. Only Cadayale, Callen’s daughter, shows him kindness. As Garibond ages, Bernivvigar plots to sacrifice Bransen, and Garibond is badly injured. He makes a deal with the brother