Fantasy novel about a guard of some kind [s]

[Vicki]

I read this book at least six-seven years ago, and it has bothered me because I can't even remember if I liked it or not.

Anyway, there is very little I can remember about it. The protagonist is some sort of guard (probably a caravan guard) who is stuck guarding a bunch of aristocratic people he doesn't really like. Events happen, and it turns out he is somehow important for some reason. And he saves them when they are attacked for some reason. And he is slowly turning evil? Maybe?

If this doesn't sound familiar and/or you don't want to know the ending, don't read this:(view spoiler)[at the end, his hand becomes somehow black and evil so he cuts it off with an axe. And I can't remember why, which is irritating. (hide spoiler)]

[Lou]

The Anvil of the World

[Vicki]

That looks like it! Thanks for figuring it out so quickly.

[Lou]

I'm very familiar with Baker, so no problem.