Century of Sand Series by Christopher Ruz

As a young mercenary, Richard followed a mysterious Magician on a quest to steal a treasure from a demon and overthrow a king. The two men started their journey as strangers, became lovers along the way, and ended as master and loyal soldier... moreAs a young mercenary, Richard followed a mysterious Magician on a quest to steal a treasure from a demon and overthrow a king. The two men started their journey as strangers, became lovers along the way, and ended as master and loyal soldier.Twenty years later, that kingdom is steadily falling into ruin and Richard has realized that time and power have twisted the Magician into more monster than man - children disappear nightly into his dungeons and the only things that leave are terrible creatures crafted in the shadows.To save his own daughter, Richard flees into the desert wastes where magic boils beneath the sand and monsters walk the dunes in the shape of men. He will return to the burning heart of the desert and restore the demon's treasure, or die in the trying.What Richard doesn't know is that Ana is the key to the Magician's plans and he and his favorite monster will lay waste to the world to get her back. less

They ran halfway across the desert to escape the Magician. It wasn't far enough.After narrowly escaping the burning ruin of the ant tower, Richard and Ana flee with their ally the Kabbah to the Empire of Reason. There, they hope to find directions to the demon Eluah, who can protect them from the Magician and his army of nomads.But the desert won't give up its secrets so easily, and there are mysteries buried in the sands that no man was meant to uncover... moreThey ran halfway across the desert to escape the Magician. It wasn't far enough.After narrowly escaping the burning ruin of the ant tower, Richard and Ana flee with their ally the Kabbah to the Empire of Reason. There, they hope to find directions to the demon Eluah, who can protect them from the Magician and his army of nomads.But the desert won't give up its secrets so easily, and there are mysteries buried in the sands that no man was meant to uncover. Forgotten alchemical experiments, blood rituals and chained demons are waiting for Richard in the wastes, and old enemies have their own plans for his daughter Ana...Century of Sand 2: The Ragged Lord is an epic dark fantasy in the style of Michael Moorcock and Gene Wolfe where Richard, Ana and the Kabbah will be pushed to the limits of their wits and strength in a battle for survival. The Ragged Lord is a direct sequel to Century of Sand and should not be read out of sequence. less