Ah! Then -- he's the first male in centuries to have enough of the Flame (vital power thing whatever) to use, and he's kind of on his own for figuring out how to use it because all the women who have it won't or can't teach him how to access and control it.

Also there's stuff about how Herewiss' lover Freelorn is the rightful king, but, um, honestly I am a lot more interested in the romance and the magic than the politics. *shallow*