Dawn of a Dark Age

The first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy by British author Jane Welch.

Dawn of a Dark Age begins with Prince Rollo's world being shattered by the death of his mother, Queen Ursula. But even before he can grieve, he faces the bitter disappointment of being overlooked as his mother's heir in favour of his younger sister. Only the female line in Artor's Royal family inherits the magical power to control the Great Bears of Artor, a talent every sovereign must possess. Seething with self-loathing, grief, and disappointment, Rollo focuses his anger and resentment upon his father.

Deeply concerned for his son, Spar decides to leave his daughter, now Artor's Queen, and take 13-year-old Rollo halfway across the world to Torra Alta, his barony in Belbidia, to claim the only birthright left to him.

However, fifteen years have passed since Spar left Hal and Brid as guardians of his remote fortress, and in the intervening years, many things have changed. Beasts of legend have grown in strength and will. A huge golden dragon plagues the mountains, and swarms of Hobs ransack the fertile plains of Belbidia.

Fourteen years ago, the Chalice of Önd was lost. A sacred artefact with the power to transfer the magic of one object to another, the chalice is the only explanation for the rising threat. If this powerful weapon has fallen into the wrong hands, the dawn of a dark age will come to Belbidia.