SOLVED. Fantasy book in which young man goes with stranger/ warrior to fight evil. [s]

[GayeLynn]

I read this years ago and can’t remember the author or title. It begins with a young man in an inn or tavern. A hooded stranger/warrior comes and takes the young man with him to fend off some evil force. Any help appreciated!

[David]

Hi, GayeLynn.

Going to need more details, as that description is likely to be common.

At the very least, how long did you read it (a range of years is fine)
Any detail about the cover?
Did the young man had any special ability?
Were only those two fighting against the evil? No help of any kind?

[GayeLynn]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, it’s been so long I don’t remember the cover or when I read it. Could be 10 to 15 years ago. Possibly more. This could be a YA fantasy book.
Here’s everything I remember about it:
Young man lives with uncle or at least not parents. They run an inn or tavern. One night a hooded stranger comes and tells the boy he has to leave with him. They run in the night hiding from this flying evil creature as they go. The stranger is some kind of warrior who knows what the creature is or how to fight it. I think they are traveling to a castle or keep where there is a possible ally.
Hopefully I’m not mixing up books!
Thanks for any help and sorry so long.

[Jade]

As David said that could be a lot of fantasy books! But this one comes to mind for me. The Baker's Boy

Full disclaimer it's been years since I read that book (it's first in a series) and I might be mixing different plots, but I think I remember that scene in The Baker's Boy, or either of the other books in the trilogy. A Man Betrayed, Master and Fool.

Or I could be completely off. lmao

[GayeLynn]

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I will check it out now!

[GayeLynn]

That’s not it, but thank you for trying!

[Capn]

The Sword of Shannara for the link, and here are some covers for it:



GayeLynn, would you mind editing your header to include some of the required info? Otherwise a Mod will be asking you to shortly (or locking your thread until you do). :S Just need "read 2005-2012ish", "YA?", "Flying evil creature" added. ;)

[GayeLynn]

Great suggestion, thanks so much. I will check that out.

[GayeLynn]

Steven, you were right! It is The Sword of Shannara. Thank you so much - glad to get that out of my head! Funny thing, a friend who is a huge Shannara fan gave me the Elfstones of Shannara a while back but I never could get into it. Enjoy the Sword now so maybe there’s hope…