King's Dragon

Nebula Award nominee 1998.

Though King Henry holds the crown of Wendar, his reign has long been contested by his elder half-sister Sabella, who is making her second attempt to take the throne. There are many eager to flock to her banner, and Sabella has ways to bring others to her cause. Aside from this internal strife, Wendar also faces raids from the north by an inhuman race, the Eika, who seem nearly impossible to defeat. And terrifying portents of otherworldly power have begun to manifest across the land.

Into the midst of these conflicts come two innocents: Liath, who has spent years fleeing from unknown enemies, and whose knowledge and power could be her salvation or her downfall; and Alain, pledged to the Church, but through a vision granted by the Lady of Battles set on a different path, and whose true parentage will determine his destiny. As Liath and Alain work through their personal struggles, they are each drawn into a far greater battle, one which will change the shape of the world itself.