Heroism and Sexuality
The protagonist of the trilogy, Vanyel, and the secondary protagonist of this particular novel, Stefan, are not just homosexuals, but stereotypically gay. They are both slightly built, semi-effeminate men with a taste for the arts, especially music. Unlike Vanyel, Stefan also adds the attribute of promiscuity which is so often misguidedly attached to homosexuals. Despite all the various stereotypes that conclusively identify them as homosexuals, however, they both prove themselves utterly stereotypical heroic figures in the end. This theme makes the trilogy truly revolutionary in that it does not take the easier path of making its homosexual hero gay while studiously avoiding characterizing his homosexuality in a stereotypical fashion. Rather than simply limiting this aspect of the character to sexual partners, the author makes it clear that one can be both a homosexual and an admirable heroic leader.
Rape
Late in the narrative, Vanyel is brutally gang-raped by vicious bandits in a disturbing scene. In the wake of this assault which is portrayed as quite graphically—a hostile expression of power rather than a display of any kind of sexual gratification being met—Vanyel undergoes a complete transformation. Leaving behind everything about him that the reader has come to know through two-and-a-half books, the protagonist seeks vengeance, slaughtering anyone who gets in his way. Magic is involved here as a “lock” placed on Vanyel’s mind in order to keep him from using his powers and, ironically, this is how he was able to be assaulted in the first place. A truly unfortunate by-product of this lock is that his catatonic state is such that not only can he not fight back, but he also can’t fully process what is taking place. Once a healer is able to remove that lock, Vanyel gets back his ability to use his powers but in the process also loses his mind. This sequence of events becomes a metaphor for what often happens in sexual assaults when the victim’s subconscious mercifully blocks out all sensation and subsequent memory of the event. The reaction of Vanyel upon losing this mercy is highly suggestive as he uses all his powers to exert the ultimate control over his abusers by taking away their power to resist.
Unnecessary magic
The trilogy to which this novel belongs is known collectively as The Last Herald-Mage Series. It is known from the very beginning that Vanyel is destined to fulfill that titular role of being the final herald-mage in the realm. The difference between a mere herald and a herald-mage is that the latter is endowed with a gift for magic. Once Vanyel is pulled from his temporary lapse into insanity, he sets about on his death march toward becoming the last herald-mage with the full intention that the title will be true forever. Following his death, he communicates from the afterlife with Stefan to keep him from committing suicide with the promise that they will be reunited in the future, but that for now, Stefan needs to commit to a single goal. He must pull off the unlikely and difficult task of convincing the Bards that magic is not necessary to ensure the safety of the people. The goal is to create a realm in which magic disappears because knowledge, incorruptible morality, and empathy are enough to defeat the forces of darkness.
