Dragon-Born: The Stone of Destiny
an excerpt

“Fools.” The shadows parted, letting the tall figure of a human walk through them. They were all smaller than he– shadow demons, fire demons. None had much more than a child’s height. “All of them. The heir is still alive.”
“And we have lost a half dozen of our troops, Amhar,” The voice that crackled like flame replied, “From the report of a survivor, there was someone protecting the boy.”
“Who?” Snapped Amhar.
“Unknown,” The shadow at his left shoulder replied, “But they did know the old words, and ways.”
“The old words shouldn’t have any effect anymore.” The reply came quickly, “The Emperor has no claim on this world any longer—if he even remembers that it exists.”
“The old ways are not banished so easily, my lord.”
“True, however there should not be anyone who knows of them left to oppose me. All the seers either have sworn their loyalty to me, or died, Trice.”
“That I understand,Lord Amhar.” Humor was not one of the traits that Shadow Demons possessed. Sometimes Amhar regretted that lack—however serious plans required that there be no room for idleness.
“Shall I arrange for another purge?” Trice asked with all the sincerity Amhar expected. “Magic users, Sages and Seers in the northeastern mountains?”
“I think that would be a start,” Amhar strode towards the throne room with a humorless smile. “My uncle should never have left.”
“He would have been executed—as these loyalists should be executed.”
“Very true, Trice, however…” Amhar paused. “It would have made this whole business of the throne so much easier.”
The vacant throne lay before him now, bright against the backdrop of shadows that Trice had brought with him. Four dark shapes marrd the edges of the armrest. Empty holes that could only be filled by their respective keys. It was the a power that should be his. And would be his, once the boy was out of the way—once the relics had been found.
Once Amhar found the Rion, it would be all the easier.
“If you find the boy again, bring him here alive.” Amhar gave the order with a certain amount of satisfaction. The child had been born here. The child was his relative, after all.
“But so long as he lives, the throne will never yield to you.” Protested Trice. “His sacrifice will mean that—“
“You misunderstand me, Trice.” Amhar said coolly. “His life is nothing more than an inconvenience. But he was born in this place, and he will die here. A fitting end for a prince. And his presence may draw out the one whose knowledge will seal the fate of this world.”
“You believe that Rion will return for his child then?”
“I’m betting on it.”