Böcker av Xenon

In the bloody civil war against the tyrannical emperor Laomedon, the rebels' advance has stalled before the impregnable fortress of Gla.

Eugenia, the niece of the new, tyrannical Emperor, observes a battle against the rebels. It does not turn out as anticipated. She decides to manipulate her captor, Telamon, to regain her freedom, but manipulation is a two-edged sword.

Troilus, the grandson of Kal (None So Blind), sees his town razed to the ground and all the inhabitants slaughtered. He swears revenge and finds that the trauma has swept all pity and warmth from his makeup. He finds himself caught up in the turmoil of rebellion. It is a long way back.

The year is 499. The place is Gea - a largely ethnic, linguistic and cultural unity, though not a political one. Its history has been one of intermittent warfare between its fifteen independent states and with surrounding countries.