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Ardus Malnari is the Commander of Zuran, a massive fortress barrier separating mankind from the Slad. A reptilian race of great warriors imbued with magic that nearly destroyed the empire long ago in a war that abruptly ended without reason. Once every decade, emissaries from both races meet and discuss the continued terms of the armistice. When the ten-year meeting cycle arrives, Ardus is tasked with escorting the human emissaries to the sacred meeting place. A treacherous act begins a chain of events that threatens the lives of every man, woman and child in the empire. The Slad are coming for retribution, and the humans have no chance of stopping them. From the capital city of Jersalik, the insane Emperor Fellonus is drunk with power as he executes acts of terror upon his people. Ardus receives a mission of importance to find his old master Bartalos and return him to the capital city. That’s when Fellonus attempts to have them assassinated. They learn the emperor is consorting with dark forces and was behind the assassination of the Slad delegates as an intentional act to force war with the Slad once more. The emperor must be stopped at all costs. But the Captain of the Imperial Guard, a man with deep conflict and connection to the girl Ardus rescues from the royal harem, must decide if he is to betray them or join their cause. Tracked by an elder demonic Shadesparr, Ardus and Bartalos unite with others to form a unique party. Their mission is to escape the borders of the empire and enter the realm of the Slad to seek an audience with their king. None of them could foresee fighting demons, encountering a goddess, or laying eyes upon the majestic capital city of the Slad. But all of that was trivial compared to the terrifying war humanity wasn’t even aware was taking place far to the north. This is their story of adventure, loyalty, tragedy and companionship in the fight between good and evil as the gods meddle with their lives. Comparable works include The Lord of the Rings