Storm Clouds Gather, part A. Tales of the Sanguine Empire, #2

The Dragon War or as it was known on the other side, the Hagorian Civil War, rages on with no end in sight. With conflict finally bearing down on the nascent proto-state of the Sanguine Protectorate, the vicious Hagorian Alliance was slow to rouse but that juggernaut is finally awake and now moving against the upstart state created by a resentful slave girl. Unfortunately, with a portion of their skilled officers having defected, and that slave girl being more charismatic than they thought possible, can the Hagorian Alliance crush the rebellion in their midst? The epic showdown between the empress of the upstart Sanguine Empire and the Archminister of the Hagorian Alliance draws ever closer.
Both sides hate each other and will rip each other to shreds while the larger Praetorian League is content in their stance of neutrality and more than happy to let their hated enemy tear itself apart while watching from the provrbial sidelines. Both sides trade key planets, star systems, resources, and territory in this epic next installment of the Sanguine Empire chronicles! This is part A of a 2-part mini-saga that comprises book 2.