Fortress of Frost and Fire — Mercedes Lackey; Ru Emerson

ONCE A NECROMANCER ALWAYS A NECROMANCER

At least that's what all the other elves are telling the young human Gawaine about his master, the Dark Elf Naitachal. Of course Gawaine doesn't believe them; Naitachal has always treated him well and honorably, explaining that though he once was a necromancing Dark Elf, and still has the ebon skin of the breed, he long ago forsook all things black in order to be-come the first elven Bard.

But though Naitachal means every word he says, and though Gawaine has known all along that things might get a little uncomfortable for a human with a Dark Elf master, neither has guessed what temptations the future might hold: for Gawaine to forsake his master, and for Naitachal to go back to his old necromancing ways.

Publisher's Note: This novel takes place about twenty years after the events chronicled in Castle of Deception, and like that highly successful genre bestseller it is set in the universe of the most popular role playing computer game of all time: The Bard's Tale! Again as with Castle of Deception, no familiarity with the game is required, but those who have played The Bard's Tale will find they enjoy it even more after reading Fortress of Frost and Fire! (The Bard's Tale characters and descriptions are the sole property of Electronic Arts and are used by permission. The Bard's Tale is a registered trademark of Electronic Arts.)