Dragonhouse Chronicles

He came to be known as World Winner. Most Merciful Firstlord. Greatest of the Dragonhorses. Monster. Murderer. But before that, before ten thousand years of tradition forced him to trade a life that was rich and real and comfortable for the destiny he was bred to, he was a teacher, a father, a husband grieving the loss of the only woman he had ever loved. Born and raised in anonymity, he couldn't have known his fate. He expected certainty and instead found himself the hope of his people - the most powerful single entity in the known galaxy, ruling the most unassailable eleven planets in the Seventh Galactic Alliance. And at the center, mighty Equus, agricultural powerhouse, oldest of the civilized planets, his to rule. All that glory in the blink of an eye, and he was not the one who wanted it. And thus begins the story of how one very surprised individual found his future, and his future found him, and bound him. What he did and how he did it. Who he loved, and who he killed.

Where is Konik? The man, who spared his life and stopped a war, is missing. His wife's father hates him. His son resents him. He has an alien delegation on his doorstep. It is his first year as the Thirteenth Dragonhorse, and he still cannot fathom how he, has to be the most powerful single entity in the known galaxy. He has more questions than answers, but he knows that the fate of millions of people hangs on what he chooses to do next.

What unseen force, what unseen power, is making these people behave as they do? Why do they believe that the verdant planet above them is the Witch World, where sinners go to burn? Why are they living like rats in the old sewer system of a ruined city? Who are the fanatically religious Flamen, and what is their real agenda? Morality is corrupted, civility for the privileged few. With Teal and Konik beside him, Ardenai begins carving a confusing, demoralizing and dangerous path into a society based on fear, suspicion and hatred.

The first planetary survey of Lebonath Jas is about to begin, and the uncertainty of what the Expeditionary Forces will find is palpable. So much of what has happened makes no sense. No sense at all. Its citizens have no concept of coming together for protection or to affect positive outcomes, savagery is the norm, and religion is based on fear and self-righteousness. Why did the institutions fail? Who is responsible and where are they? What happened to the people? Why are whole continents empty? What is the terrible secret Lebonath Jas is holding? Konik, Ardenai and Teal are about to find out, amid unspeakable terror and unbearable sorrow.