Gauntlet Trilogy Series by Cheryl Dyson, Xina Marie Uhl

Revised edition: December 2012. Brydon's quest was simple. Borrow the fabled Gauntlet of Ven-Kerrick, bring it home to prove his worth, marry the princess, and ascend the throne. He had planned for the dangerous terrain and Redolian assassins, but he did not expect the gauntlet to be missing, nor to find the Kerrick royal family murdered. Luckily, his worst enemy was there to help him out.

In the second book of The Gauntlet Trilogy, we rejoin Brydon Redwing as his quest for the Gauntlet of Ven-Kerrick continues. The mysterious Dark Master sends him on an unexpected journey that will take him through ruined cities and forgotten castles. On the way, he gathers new friends and new enemies, but will time run out before he can save his former companions?The First Book of the series, The Gauntlet Thrown, is available for free at xcpublishing.net