A Shadow of All Night Falling: Book One of A Cruel Wind (Chronicles of the Dread Empire -Glen cook)

Before there was Black Company,

“Across the mountains called Dragon’s Teeth, beyond the chill reach of the Werewind and the fires of the world’s beginning, above the walls of the castle Fangdred, stands Windtower. From this lonely keep the Star Rider calls forth the war that even wizards dread, fought for a woman’s hundred-lifetime love. A woman called Nepanthe, princess to the Stormkings…”–Page [4] of cover.

8 short (250ish pages) books

Also collected in omnibus here :

Book one

Book two

Book three

Book four