A Diamond in the Rough

In A Diamond in the Rough, author George Fleming tells the story of Jason Adams IV, the heir to his comatose father's throne in a small village outside of Gordon.  As the story unfolds, Jason treks across the desert to attend a gala and select a husband for King Richard of North Gordon's daughter.  Along the way, Jason battles bandits hired by his uncle, and a mythological beast called the rhynrat.  But it isn't long before his uncle gets Jason and his best friend Prince Erik involved in his convoluted plans to conquer King Richard and annex his kingdom.