The Shattered Reigns Series by Bryce O'Connor, Luke Chmilenko

Despite his youth, Declan Idrys knows of the evils of the world. He knows of the bastards and brigands who plague the King’s lands, of the monsters skulking in the wooded depths of the realm. Together with his companion, Ryn – a horse of rather peculiar talent – he has spent the last decade of his life beneath the bloody banners of a half-dozen mercenary guilds, hunting precisely such festering wickedness within the borders of Viridian... moreDespite his youth, Declan Idrys knows of the evils of the world. He knows of the bastards and brigands who plague the King’s lands, of the monsters skulking in the wooded depths of the realm. Together with his companion, Ryn – a horse of rather peculiar talent – he has spent the last decade of his life beneath the bloody banners of a half-dozen mercenary guilds, hunting precisely such festering wickedness within the borders of Viridian. Unfortunately, fate is quick to pull on the leash of its favorite children. When one particularly troubling contract goes sideways, Declan and Ryn find themselves thrust into a war thought legend and long-ended, a conflict so old it is synonymous with a time in which dragons still ruled the western skies. Now, as dead men rise from their graves and the terrible beasts of the northern ranges descend into the kingdom with an appetite for savagery and flesh, Declan is faced with a profane choice. He can turn, can flee an ancient rising horror that would see the realms of man left as shattered death and wind-blown ash. Or, Declan can face this mounting threat, can come to terms with the fact that his oldest friend might just be more than he appears, and learn to wield an ageless power all his own. Centuries pass, after all, but the Blood of Kings does not fade… less

Ryn has fallen. Ester could be dying. Bonner is too far away to help. No matter how Declan Idryslooks at his situation, he comes to the same conclusion every time: He is about to die at the hands of the first dark elf seen in seven hundred years. Fate, fortunately, is not so cruel though, and after barely surviving this initial encounter with theer’endehn of Eserysh, Declan and his friends find themselves in a tentative truce with the war-lovingelves... moreRyn has fallen. Ester could be dying. Bonner is too far away to help. No matter how Declan Idryslooks at his situation, he comes to the same conclusion every time: He is about to die at the hands of the first dark elf seen in seven hundred years. Fate, fortunately, is not so cruel though, and after barely surviving this initial encounter with theer’endehn of Eserysh, Declan and his friends find themselves in a tentative truce with the war-lovingelves. They share a common enemy, after all, and their mutual hate for the Endless Queen and hergrowing legions is enough for the two groups to set aside their mistrust for one another, if only fornow. Sehranya, however, is not one to rest easy while her enemies join forces, and Declan and hiscompanions soon find themselves assaulted by new horrors as they set out to make at last for thelegendary city of Ysenden in truth. But the Queen has made a mistake. Within Declan the slumbering might of his line is at last stirring,prodded into life by the guiding hands of Bonner yr’Essel. Fire. Power. Strength. Sehranya will rue the day she did not throw everything she had into slaying the one of King’sblood… less