Touched by the Gods (Tor Fantasy) - Tapa blanda

"Definitely entertaining."-"-Locus"

When the baby Malledd is born to an ordinary smith in a small country town, a high priest comes to his mother's bedside to confirm what he has heard from the oracles: Malledd has the claw mark of the god Ba'el across his day-old face. He is the true chosen Champion of the Domdur. Should the Empire find itself at war, though the claw mark will have long since faded, Malledd will be the one to lead them to victory, by the gods' decree. The Empire has been more than four generations without an enemy, however, and many doubt the existence of a chosen Champion - including Malledd himself. But when the oracles stop speaking to the priests, everyone begins to wonder. In the dark hills of the Eastern lands, a centuries-old promise has come to its end, and an army of undead soldiers led by a dark magician gathers to challenge the empire. An Imperial Army is quickly gathered, and the Champion sought for. Will he answer his call? Or will the Empire fall because of one man's refusal to be anything other than normal?