The Steel Rites - The Banished Legend, #2

After many long years of serving as a squire, Odin returns to the capitol to participate in the annual knighting ceremonies-where victory, and the title of knight, comes from a test of arms. Confident that he will win, Odin prepares himself for the next phase of his life. But higher powers would rather see him fail. When he is stripped of his title by the court, Odin packs his bags and prepares for his journey home.
But before he can leave, he is summoned by the king himself, who offers him the chance to secure his place in history by becoming the king's champion. Things seem well-too well, even. And after a shocking attempt on the king's life reveals that there are dark forces amassing in the lands beyond the kingdom, it will be up to Odin, and old friends, to not only set right what is wrong, but save the kingdom.