The Swordbearer — Glen Cook

HIS WAS A POWER TOO DANGEROUS TO KEEP!

On the day his town was laid to waste, Gathrid, a newly made orphan, escaped into a cave, and there was wedded to a woman, a legend, and a sword.

Forged on the anvil of death, imbued with the souls of his victims and bearers, the sword had chosen Gathrid. In his hands it would taste the blood of soldiers, spirits, sorcerer, and kings. It would cleave its own path through the chaos of war.

To Gathrid now fell the power to avenge mortal and immortal treachery. To Gathrid now fell the challenge--to pierce a heart more savage than his own, and free the world forever from the gift that made him the most dangerous of all men...