Book Cover Feedback Needed

I am currently going back and forth with my book cover designer (Luke Fitzsimons). He has been a great to work with and I love his art.

The patron toolbox has been a lifesaver for cover design and making sure that the cover will fit the Dark fantasy vibe I am going for, but humans shall win out.

Your feedback on some of these concept would be greatly appreciated: Which version do you like more? And are there any problems you see? Keep in mind this these are just concept pose sketches:

(I should clarify that this is no where near the final versions, these are just design sketches, and the typography is not final but rather there to give us an idea of how it will fit in later)

With Flag:

Without Flag:

Blessings!