The Heroes Return — Hugh Cook

MEET TOGURA: SWORDMASTER, DEATH DEALER, DRAGON TAMER, AND QUESTING HERO EXTRAORDINAIRE

...at least that's how would-be hero Togura likes to think of himself! Yet he can't fool the wise old wizard of Drum, who took him in, spruced him up, and taught him some tricks of the warlock's trade. Now, armed with magical words of power and command, Togura has resumed his quest with confidence that he will return a hero. But with killer rocks, restless natives, and Rovac warriors to contend with, he just can't remember which magic words do what--or even what it is he's questing for! Which is too bad. Because if Togura does not find the index--the key to that ancient eccentric receptacle known as the odex--he will never rescue his lady love from its mysterious depths.