Knighthood of the Dragon — Chris Bunch

Storm arced around a towering cumulus cloud, and dove through a tunnel in the next one....The dragon seemed just as happy to be up here sporting about, no one else in the shy, instead of snarling after enemies like Hal....

Having proved his mettle as a dragon flier in the heat of battle, Hal Kalais has earned his place as Dragonmaster of Deraine's aerial forces. Taking advantage of the Roche retreat, Hal leads three squadrons in a combined land and air assault to push the enemy back to their capital and end the war.

But the Roche turn the tide by wounding and capturing Hal. Now, bound by dark sorcery to a prison castle, Hal plans a daring escape to secure not only his freedom, but also the freedom of his people....