Books like Dragon and Herdsman by Timothy Zahn

Jack Morgan, orphaned at three and bereft of an uncle ten years later, finds new purpose when he meets Draycos, the sole survivor of a refugees’ raid. Draycos, a K'da poet‑warrior, must bond with a host or die. Together, Jack and Draycos form a fragile alliance, determined to expose the forces that slaughtered Draycos’ team. Their quest is nearly halted when Jack hacks a hacker’s office of the notorious Malison Ring, forcing the mercenaries to close in. Rescued by Alison Kayna, a reluctant mercenary who once worked with Jack, they flee to Rho Scorvi. In that world’s vast forest, they discover a small, lost K'da colony—the Phookas—who are slow and unintelligent. Jack realizes that the Phookas are the last hope for the K'da race, and he must become a herdsman, guiding and protecting them from the Malison Ring’s mercenaries. While guarding the herd and guarding Draycos’ fatal secret, Jack must decide whether he can survive Rho Scorvi and continue his quest for justice.|

First publish date: 2006