This note contains spoilers for the book.

First of the "Clan Wars" books.

A group of martial tribes get kicked out of the kingdom where they've been working as mercenaries for quite a while, and take enough ships (and loot) to make a good beachhead on an island kingdom nearby.

Turns out there's also magic available, though it's not thought honorable in the tribes. Hence, they're ignorant, and our hero doesn't know what to do (other than keep it secret) when he discovers he has native talent as a sorcerer (that's the native talent form; wizardry is the learned form, with books and all).

The arrangement they have with the King on the island goes sour almost at once, and our hero sets out on a trip to find a wizard to help them defend against sorcerous attacks that kill over a dozen people one night. Turns out they killed mostly the wrong people, and the king used up all his sorcerers doing it, so it's not much of a threat any more.

And he ends up acquiring a female wizard who he wants to wed (she's not so sure) and a new very fine sword, with a name and lineage even. And starting a new house and line. And making powerful enemies.

Seems to end a bit abruptly, too, but there's another (and a third forthcoming).