The country of Garowain used to be a land of chivalry, honour and bravery. But that was the past. At some point, the knights, protectors of the people, turned into thugs. The just kings turned into tyrants. The dragons almost disappeared, leaving behind only a few human ancestors with a trace of dragon blood. In this world, there are three people whose paths are destined to intersect: a young prince, a draconic human and a mysterious wanderer with a hidden past.
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Content warnings: violence, war, character death, prejudice between species and cultures, mention of trauma, captivity
The picture of scales on the cover was uploaded to Pixabay by a user called sipa. It's a public domain image, but I wanted to give credit anyway.
Upon his death, the king had dictated that the queen would rule until she remarried, but her refusal to do so has the nation of Ethios in turmoil. Greedy for power and her cruelty knowing no limits, the queen has even reinstated the slave trade long since outlawed by her husband upon his ascension.
A glimmer of hope for a suffering nation arises in a small baby. The Royal Sage has procured the late king's bastard son and has stolen him away to the city slums to live with Harren, a man who bravely rescues orphans from slavery.
Naming the boy Kyran, Harren takes him in with the promise of one day returning him to his rightful place on the throne. Ten years later, these plans are dashed when Kyran is exposed to the queen. Harren must race to the safety of the Riverlands, who hold no love for the queen, if there is any chance to save his son, and future king.
Saving Kyran saves the nation. If the queen is to be dethroned, the boy must claim his Birthright.