Magic's Pawn

Groundbreaking epic fantasy series in Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar universe . Lambda-Award winning novels with heartfelt high adventure and magic   Though Vanyel has been born with near-legendary abilities to work both Herald and Mage magic, he wanted no part in such things. Nor does he seek a warrior's path, wishing instead to become a Bard.   Yet such talent as his, if left untrained, may prove a menace not only to Vanyel but to others as well.
So he is sent to be fostered with his aunt, Savil, one of the fame Herald-Mages of Valdemar.   But, strong-willed and self-centered, Vanyel is a challenge which even Savil cannot master alone. For soon he will become the focus of frightening forces, lending his raw magic to a spell that unleashes terrifying wyr-hunters on the land.   And by the time Savil seeks the assistance of a Shin'a'in Adept, Vanyel's wild talent may have already grown beyond anyone's ability to contain, placing Vanyel, Savil, and Valdemar itself in desperate peril.