High Kingdom, Volume 2: The Heir, Pierre Pevel

The Onyx Guard, guarantors of the sovereign's authority, are in mourning. After the events that tore the High Kingdom apart, Prince Alan took command of these men while the queen, as ambitious as she is ruthless, is determined to rule in place of her dying husband. Threatened by civil war and power struggles, the High Kingdom continues to weaken... For the designs of the Dragon of Destiny are obscure, but always come to fruition.