Kull: The Conqueror

Kull of Atlantis is a former slave and retired pirate who volunteers to join the elite Dragon Legion of the "civilized" kingdom of Valusia. Despite nearly matching General Taligaro in a sword-fight, Kull is refused entry into the Legion. The Valusians see him as a mere "barbarian", and dislike him because of his lack of noble blood. Shortly after, the paranoid King Borna personally slays most of his potential heirs. Kull tries to stop the bloodshed, and ends up in a battle-to-the death with Borna. The mortally wounded Borna decides to bypass the surviving members of the royal family (who he dislikes), and to appoint Kull as his heir. Kull soon learns that being a king means having people constantly scheming against you. A necromancer manages to resurrect the long-dead sorceress-queen Akivasha of Acheron, in order to use her against Kull. Unfortunately for the necromancer and his allies, Akivasha is using her considerable powers in an attempt to rebuild the destroyed empire of Acheron. She has no intention of serving their cause.