The L'Chaim Covenant, Book One of Darius the Conqueror Series

It hasn't been long since the times of troubles that everyone calls `before.' Everyone who survived that time was hidden away in the bowels of the earth, or so it was believed. Disease, famine, and evil men forced those buried under the great mountain out into a new world. Men carry swords, drive wagons, ride horses, and live a life free of all the things that created the great desolation. Seeking Power Darius the Conqueror overthrew King Franklin and put his family to the sword. Tareate was wounded but escaped, as did a few others, and there was a rumor of the survival of a rightful heir to the throne. It's been twenty years since that evil act. A sword maker, a magician, and a thief found themselves all condemned by King Rinus of Sareno. They escaped his prison and stumbled onto a quest forged by fate for just those three. Plagued by demons, evil, and injustice, they form the L'Chaim Covenant, a pledge of life to one another and perhaps to their whole world, too.