Seeking book with character of Singer

[moon333]

Years ago I read a book that I had borrowed from the library. Now, I cannot recall the title or the author, but parts of the story have stayed with me. The main character was named Singer, and he had been made to leave his village. The book opens with him walking through the woods, making his way back to his home. It turns out that he has some telepathic powers and apparently his people feared him, thus had made him go away years ago. Does anyone know what book this is?

 

[CassFrank]

This is ALSO Masters of Solitude by Marvin Kaye and Peake Godwin (1978), though unlike the OP looking for the Kriss -> rat -> plague angle, this post is about the character of Singer.

Per Wikipedia: “Judith is heartbroken and eventually dies years later, alone and embittered. She leaves behind their son, known simply as Singer, who lives a self-imposed life of solitude….

“…Singer, who is rumored to have telepathic ability well beyond that of any Covener…”

The Masters of Solitude - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I could go on but trust me.