Looking for a fantasy book about a slave girl with magical powers

[sillycakes]

I cannot for the life of me remember what the title of the book is. I remember a fair amount of the plot, however:

To the best of my recollection, the book takes place in a cold winter/world, and it operatas a caste society. The lowest, the slaves, do menial labour, and are considered dirty to those higher up. Each slave individual is branded on the eye or face to disinguish them from their superiors. The highest individual in the society is a magican of sorts, who either uses a stone to find water or another valuable resource, or he uses his power to find stones. I remember the stones to be onyx or a black stone of some kind. There is a slave girl who the magician takes under his wing to tea, since he senses she has the same power, and he wishes to teach her. The man dies at some time in the book, and the girl must prove herself that she has this magical power.

Does anyone know which book I am speaking of? I have searched high and low for it. I remember reading it when I was quite young, maybe about ten years ago.

If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[zaelyel]

Any chance it might be :
Pellinor: The Gift / The Naming by Alison Croggon, with the girl's name being Maerad?

 

[Cat0523]

I cannot for the life of me remember what the title of the book is. I remember a fair amount of the plot, however:

To the best of my recollection, the book takes place in a cold winter/world, and it operatas a caste society. The lowest, the slaves, do menial labour, and are considered dirty to those higher up. Each slave individual is branded on the eye or face to disinguish them from their superiors. The highest individual in the society is a magican of sorts, who either uses a stone to find water or another valuable resource, or he uses his power to find stones. I remember the stones to be onyx or a black stone of some kind. There is a slave girl who the magician takes under his wing to tea, since he senses she has the same power, and he wishes to teach her. The man dies at some time in the book, and the girl must prove herself that she has this magical power.

Does anyone know which book I am speaking of? I have searched high and low for it. I remember reading it when I was quite young, maybe about ten years ago.

If anyone has any ideas, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

I think it is a Bait of Dreams by Jo Clayton

 

[Cat0523]

Good book