When Dragons Rage — Michael A. Stackpole

At the head of her merciless armies, the tyrant, Chytrine pursues her quest to become empress the world in a brutal campaign of bloodshed an unholy sorcery. While cities and kingdoms topple, her agents search the conquered lands for the shattered DragonCrown--which, if reassembled, will make her unstoppable.

Opposing Chytrine is the beautiful and determine Alexia, Princess of Okrannel. As she struggles to save the life of Kedyn's Crow, a mysterious humai warrior accused of treachery, she gathers an unlik alliance of would-be heroes, including Resolute, exiled Vorquelf out for vengeance; Kerrigan Reesi a mage with uncertain potential; and the young orphan thief Will, who may fulfill an ancient prophecy--or become its victim.

Yet not even a vital fragment of the DragonCrown itself may be able to save them from Chytrine's terrifying horde of warriors, ghouls, and undead slaves--nor all the magick and courage left in the world stem the rising tide of ultimate darkness about to engulf them all....