The Warrior Lives by Joel Rosenberg

When Karl Cullinane, warrior, champion of the forces fighting the Slavers Guild, and Emperor, is declared dead, Jason, his son and heir, must take on the responsibilities of leadership. Now, trying to fill his father's legendary shoes, he commands the inner circle of warriors and the dragon Ellegon to track down the deadly Slavers Guild. But soon rumors surface about unauthorized raids. The appearance of a dwarf brings untimely death to those who traffic in human suffering. And a cryptic message is left on the corpses of the enemy -"The Warrior Lives!" could it be -against all odds-that Karl and his comrades have survived? Jason must learn the truth...and to do so he will use the very same tactics his father would have used...

Annotation The word arrives that Karl Cullinane is dead. Jason, his son and heir, assumes command. He leads the inner circle of warriors and the dragon Ellegon against the evil Slaver's Guild. Then Jason learns his father still lives. When a dwarf appears, signaling death, Jason faces a choice and the full weight of kingship.