Laeryk's Proving, Book One of The Saga of Thorns

Laeryk Thorn has always wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Wyvern Knight of Valdaran, restoring his family to the prestige it held before his father's death. Belok Frostwind, Laeryk's cruel uncle, has blocked every effort Laeryk has made to earn his Proving, the final test Laeryk needs to pass to earn his right to be Chosen by the wyverns of Valdaran and become a Wyvern Knight. Time is running out for Laeryk – he has only a few short months to earn his Proving before he turns twenty-one and is declared to have spent too long as a squire to become a Wyvern Knight.

When Laeryk distinguishes himself in battle while accompanying his uncle and the other Wyvern Knights of Steel Wing on a mission in a foreign land, Laeryk finally earns the recognition he has needed from Steel Wing's leader, Wing Lord Garon Wyvernclaw. On the return home, Laeryk earns a further chance to distinguish himself when Wing Lord Garon sends Laeryk to investigate reports of bandits outside of the town of Kaerodan where the Wyvern Knights are staying. Accompanying Laeryk is the Wyvern Knight Gavain Whiterose, and a local girl named Krayna, whose medicinal talents are used to hide her talents as a thief. Laeryk's investigation turns up far more than he had expected, revealing that the ancient enemies of the Wyvern Knights, the serpent-men called naelfarn, who were long thought to be extinct have returned. Laeryk and his companions barely survive the naelfarn assault on Kaerodan, rescuing comatose Wing Lord Garon before the town is lost.

Returning to Valdaran to warn the Allking and the other Wyvern Knights of the return of the naelfarn, Laeryk and his companions discover that strange events are occurring in the mountain nation that hint at greater trouble soon to come. Laeryk discovers that what he thought he knew of his past is not the complete truth, but his search for answers only leads to more questions. To find the answers he seeks and complete his Proving, Laeryk is sent to find Alchamedus, the leader of the mystical Triumvirate who can cure the ailing Wing Lord. But before Alchamedus can tend to Wing Lord Garon, he sends Laeryk into the homeland of the naelfarn to seek out the monster they are breeding, the Devourer. For only the awakening power within Laeryk and the mysterious sword once wielded by Laeryk's father, the Sharynwyn Fangs, can slay the Devourer before the demonic gods of the naelfarn, the Surok'tarn, use it as a vessel to return to Aerth and destroy the world.