Gom Series by Grace Chetwin

Gom, the son of a poor woodcutter and his wife, grows up with his father after his mother leaves home and his siblings go to stay with townsfolk and discovers he has unusual abilities which bring him trouble, yet lead him to envision a different sort of life for himself.

Gom sets forth to seek his destiny, discovering that he has new powers and a gift for making friends such as the magnificent horse, Stormfleet, who accompanies him through many adventures.

Temporarily reunited with his wizard mother, Gom learns the identity of his evil nemesis Katak and finds himself a key figure in the battle to save the world of Ulm from destruction.

Apprenticed to a wizard, Gom begins to learn how to use the powers that help destroy the evil Katak and recover the lost emerald Seal. Sequel to "The Riddle & the Rune".

The first book in the series Tales of Ulm from Hester's Hearth. (The four books of the series comprise this stand-alone first book and a trilogy, The Lords of Aelyth-Kintalyn.) After the Battle of Sundor, which ends The Starstone, Gom holes up in his mother's house to study magic, a period spanning ten years. During this time, life goes on outside, including some important events foreshadowing Gom's final ordeal. Plot: Gerrad, the son of Leochtor, Lord of the Lakes, dearly wishes to meet Gom... moreThe first book in the series Tales of Ulm from Hester's Hearth. (The four books of the series comprise this stand-alone first book and a trilogy, The Lords of Aelyth-Kintalyn.) After the Battle of Sundor, which ends The Starstone, Gom holes up in his mother's house to study magic, a period spanning ten years. During this time, life goes on outside, including some important events foreshadowing Gom's final ordeal. Plot: Gerrad, the son of Leochtor, Lord of the Lakes, dearly wishes to meet Gom. To be Gom. Does he achieve his goal? Maybe. He certainly goes through much grief in trying. Theme: friendship, loyalty, redemption, learning through experience; finding oneself. less

Urolf, Lord of Aelyth-Kintalyn, falls in love with Leana, sister-in-law of Leochtor, Lord of the Lakes. (The events in The Crystal Stair occur within this timeframe. On one trip to the Lakes, Urolf captures Gom, demanding his immortal horse, without success.) Winning Leana's heart, Urolf weds her eventually and takes her off to his domain. (Apprenticed to the wizard Folgan, Gom is present at the wedding (The Starstone). From the moment Leana sets foot in her new home, her troubles begin... moreUrolf, Lord of Aelyth-Kintalyn, falls in love with Leana, sister-in-law of Leochtor, Lord of the Lakes. (The events in The Crystal Stair occur within this timeframe. On one trip to the Lakes, Urolf captures Gom, demanding his immortal horse, without success.) Winning Leana's heart, Urolf weds her eventually and takes her off to his domain. (Apprenticed to the wizard Folgan, Gom is present at the wedding (The Starstone). From the moment Leana sets foot in her new home, her troubles begin. As Gom studies magic in Harga's house, things in the woodland realm go from bad to worse, culminating in a terrifying cataclysm. less

"Far into the west of Ulm, almost to the sea, runs a high mountain range, stretching from north to south. Beneath the highest peak, Snawbyr Crygg, live Cryggmoren, an ice folk so secret that even Gom who's living right beside the peak has no idea of their existence...." So begins Book II of the trilogy that leads into the thrilling finish of Gom's saga... more"Far into the west of Ulm, almost to the sea, runs a high mountain range, stretching from north to south. Beneath the highest peak, Snawbyr Crygg, live Cryggmoren, an ice folk so secret that even Gom who's living right beside the peak has no idea of their existence...." So begins Book II of the trilogy that leads into the thrilling finish of Gom's saga. Growing up among the Cryggmoren, right over Gom's unsuspecting head, Wycan (meaning "from another place") is not allowed to leave or even to go Outside. Gradually, the urge to seek out his true identity becomes too strong to resist. When he comes across the Kyr, a beautiful and dying woman, his desire to go find help for her becomes an urgent quest. As he searches for a way out of the mountain, his enemies conspire against him and he's soon racing for his life! less

The final volume in the series, Tales of Gom in the Legends of Ulm. This book brings together both the Ulm and the Gom series in a stunning climax to Gom's quest.Plot: After the rebirth of Aelyth-Kintalyn, Gom goes back to work in growing fear of the second Spohr. Called to Pen'langoth for a signing ceremony, a peace pact between the Lakefolk and the Yul Kinta, Gom reluctantly obeys. Wycan, who turns up at that moment, goes with him, grumbling all the way... moreThe final volume in the series, Tales of Gom in the Legends of Ulm. This book brings together both the Ulm and the Gom series in a stunning climax to Gom's quest.Plot: After the rebirth of Aelyth-Kintalyn, Gom goes back to work in growing fear of the second Spohr. Called to Pen'langoth for a signing ceremony, a peace pact between the Lakefolk and the Yul Kinta, Gom reluctantly obeys. Wycan, who turns up at that moment, goes with him, grumbling all the way. To keep Wycan from leaving before the ceremony is over, Gom bribes him with a quick trip to a wood Wycan has found. An unwise move, since Gom has not entirely mastered the moving spell - the same one that lifted him from the Solahinn's clutches on the High Vargue. And thereby hangs not only the tale but the completion of Gom's quest. less