''A Gathering of Heroes'' is a 1987

fantasy novel Fantasy literature is literature set in an imaginary universe, often but not always without any locations, events, or people from the real world. Magic, the supernatural and magical creatures are common in many of these imaginary worlds. Fa ...

by American writer

Paul Edwin Zimmer Paul Edwin Zimmer (16 October 1943 – 18 October 1997) was an American poet and author. He was also an accomplished swordsman and founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. His sister Marion Zimmer Bradley was also a science ...

. It is the third book in the Dark Border books and fuses classic high fantasy with

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

Plot

''A Gathering of Heroes'' is a prequel, taking place approximately twenty years before the events in ''The Lost Prince'' and ''King Chondos' Ride.'' Istvan Divega, a mercenary and famed swordsman, is approached by a mysterious figure with an urgent request for aid. He joins a band of heroes on a journey to defend the fortress city of Rath Tintallain against a great army that includes sorcerers, goblins, demons and werewolves. Goblins, demons and worse spill over the Dark Border, attacking Rath Tintallain and the priceless treasure it holds. The Hasturs fear that the fall of Rath Tintallain will bring utter destruction, and summon a gathering of the greatest heroes-elves, dwarves, and mortal men- for a desperate stand. And Istvan DiVega is called to join the fray, fighting shoulder to shoulder with men of legend. They are the last defense against the Shadow.

Dark Border books

* The Lost Prince * * * Novels by Paul Edwin Zimmer High fantasy novels 1987 American novels {{1980s-fantasy-novel-stub