Keeper of the Keys — Janny Wurts

"THE FIRELORDS HEIR MUST BE HUNTED DOWN AND SLAIN!"
cry the Accursed as they sweep through the ruins of doomed Elrinfaer. Their prey is Ivainson Jaric, Keeper of the Keys, Firelord's heir. The geas placed by the Stormwarden on Firelord has passed down to his son, and Jaric must guard the Keys that keep the Mharg-demons bound.

His blood gifts him with raw power--but not enough. Jaric had hoped to renounce his duty, and pass the Keys back to their maker. But the Stormwarden sleeps within ice cliffs of his own making. Now, Jaric must become a Vaere-trained sorcerer, and embrace the Cycle of Fire--the mastery of which consumed Firelord's soul, drove him to madness, led him to betray his own people.

Will the same price be demanded of Jaric? Or can he master...THE CYCLE OF FIRE