Riding a Black Horse (The Night Maiden) (Volume 1)

In a land devastated by plague, invaders and lawless brigands, magic has all but disappeared and the masses live in misery and depravity. But a strange young maiden appears with a powerful gift and a promise to restore the rightful king to the throne of Orloins and a magical order to the world. But her gift may come at high risk-- to herself and her people. Meanwhile, across the sea, an ambitious inventor toils in his workshop, developing a device he hopes can end the war between the totalitarian regime of the Fiorian Empire and kingdoms of Orloins. However, he begins to worry that the technology he's developing in the wrong hands could be used for evil ends.