Fractured Throne by Lee H. Haywood

Emethius Lunen has never been one for killing. Although he is one of the best swordsmen in the land, as captain of the Red Company, he usually orders his men to do the fighting. But when Prince Meriatis attempts to overthrow the throne, Emethius can’t keep his hands clean.

Now Prince Meriatis is dead, and Emethius is to blame. Everyone believes the prince was simply insane, but Emethius has his own dark theory. It appears Prince Meriatis was afflicted by the Blackheart, a sickness that causes one to slowly lose their mind to an ancient deity known as the Shadow.

There are rumors of a sorceress who can cure the affliction, but she has gone into hiding somewhere in the fallen Empire of Cella. With more and more people contracting the Blackheart, Emethius sets out to find her. He only has two leads: a map written in blood, and the advice of a dragon who clearly has ulterior motives.

Category: Fantasy – Epic