Rajan

by Tim Lukeman

He left his father's farm with an ancient sword and the tattered remains of his honor -- and before the moon had travelled a full cycle he had traded both to a mysterious silk-clad sorcerer in return for a promise of protection. Rajan had a price on his head for the murder of a nobleman. No matter that it had been an honorable duel, or that the other man had issued the challenge, insulting the honor of Rajan's house; the simple fact remained: he was a farmer, and he had murdered a lord. Now he is hunted by the feared Lhas'kar, those silent assassins from whom no man has ever escaped; and his only hope of life lies with Duhaur the sorcerer, who controls the thunder with a word and the lightning with a wave of his hand.

In desperation Rajan has pledged himself to this man of his own free will; now he is bound to Duhaur's service unto death -- and even beyond, bound until he performs the task that his master requires of him. And the service Duhaur demands chills him to the very bone:

"Rajan, we hunt my son. And when we find him, you will kill him for me...

Genres: Fantasy

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

It leans into a samurai movie impression, with Rajan wandering from situation to situation towards a confrontation with a necromancer. It's never described as such, but I got the feeling that everything was surrounded by fog and mist.

Rajan contemplates and deals with themes of honor, but the undercurrent here is familial piety and the succession of father figures, and what each of them provide to Rajan's understanding of himself.

[Nemo Erehwon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rajan was born a farmer in a family which once had imperial connections, as evinced by the royal sword he wears. With the sword comes a sense of honor, which forces Rajan to duel a nobleman. But winning the duel has its costs, and Rajan is forced into the wild lands. There he befriends a marmoset, and meets the mighty river-travelling magician Duhaur who wishes to use Rajan's sword skills to soothe his own besmirched honor by killing Duhaur's own son.

Lushly written and unfolds like a Zen koan. A good read if you can get a hold of it.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rajan is a peasant farmer who hopes to become a warrior. He dreams of his family’s former honor, fame and fortune. In a duel initiated by a neighboring young nobleman, he kills the man, heir to the father’s estates. Duel of honor or not he must flee because the family is out for revenge.

Rajan’s father disowns him when he tells him of the duel and his ambitions. Discovering that highly skilled paid killers, the Lhas’kar, are hunting him, he seeks refuge. Reluctantly, Rajan goes to work for Duhaur, sorcerer of Khe’chin, because Dunhaur promises the protection he needs.

Rajan’s journey with Dunhaur finds him facing more sorcery and deadly treachery, as he tries to discover who he really is. Before it ends, Rajan must face the Lhas’kar and Duhaur if he is to overcome his own fears. He must also fight Harin, Dunhaur’s son., another sorcerer, to fulfill his obligation to Dunhaur and avenge Jathan, his sweetheart’s father. If he succeeds, he can return to N’lissa, the woman cherishes and live the life he wishes safely. This is an easy read and well written story that is quite entertaining.

[Christopher Tennant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quaint, classical novel. No punches pulled, a fun read

[Stephen Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it as a teenager. Let my son read it when he was old enough. Not bad, fast read.