''Heir of Sea and Fire'' is a fantasy novel by American writer

Patricia A. McKillip Patricia Anne McKillip (February 29, 1948 – May 6, 2022) was an American author of fantasy and science fiction. She has been called "one of the most accomplished prose stylists in the fantasy genre", and wrote predominantly standalone fantasy n ...

and the second book of the Riddle Master trilogy. It was published in 1977.

Plot summary

The focus shifts from the previous

protagonist A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

of Morgon of Hed to Raederle of An. Raederle, the titular heir of sea and fire, was promised by her father to the man who won a riddle game with a ghost. In the previous book, this was revealed to be Morgon. As the book opens, Morgon has been missing for a year; he is presumed dead, as the land-rule he possessed over the land of Hed has passed on to his heir. Raederle sets out for Erlenstar Mountain, which Morgon was trying to reach when he disappeared. Along the way, she is assisted by Lyra, the Morgul of Herun's heir, and by Morgon's sister. Along the way, Raederle grows to understand her own significant powers as a descendant of both

shapechanger In mythology, folklore and speculative fiction, shape-shifting is the ability to physically transform oneself through an inherently superhuman ability, divine intervention, demonic manipulation, sorcery, spells or having inherited the ...

s and

witch Witchcraft traditionally means the use of Magic (supernatural), magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In Middle Ages, medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually ...

es. Her ancestry makes her related to Morgon's enemies. Midway through the story, Reaerle discovers that Morgon is alive, with both shapechangers and Ghisteslwchlohm, an ancient, traitorous and extremely powerful wizard, pursuing him. Sensing a powerful force pursuing her, Raederle uses her abilities to confound it, thinking she is protecting Morgon; but discovers that the force she thought was Ghisteslwchlohm is Morgon himself, who had stolen much of Ghisteslwchlohm's power during his long captivity, while the helpless man he pursued was Deth, who had betrayed him. Confronted with this, and realizing how he appears, Morgon forsakes his revenge and allows Deth to escape.

External links

* 1977 American novels 1977 fantasy novels American fantasy novels Fiction about shapeshifting Novels by Patricia A. McKillip Atheneum Books books {{1970s-fantasy-novel-stub