The
ruling class within the Eastern Empire is governed by a council comprised of
members from the original Ten Families. Each family controls a specific region
within the empire. The emperor can be a male member of any family, but once a
ruler is cursed with no male heir, then upon his death the other Nine Families
will put forth a Challenger to compete for the Throne in a contest decided upon
by all parties.
At
the time of the ascension of Vivienne to the title of Guardian, Adal of the
Family Fisal is emperor of the East. His son is Crown Prince Zhan, a strong
contender for his father’s throne. But dissension is growing among the families
lead by General Yuan and his Family. A lesser House, it has been seven
generations since the Family Yuan ruled the Empire and the general is anxious
to change the future. But to challenge Adal is to bring the other Families into
open warfare.
In
a bid to force a new competition for the Empire, Yuan approves the
assassination of Adal and his son Zhan. While the emperor is killed, the crown
prince escapes. Mortally wounded he makes his way to the Priory of Cassandra
where he meets Kai, daughter of Family Heret. Kai is the only virgin daughter
in the Ten Families; her fate is to be married to the next Emperor.
Zhan has known Kai all of his life; their
fathers are best friends. For most of her twenty-four years it has been assumed
Zhan would be her husband. Now with Yuan’s treachery spreading rumors of Zhan’s
fratricide, only a miracle will save the young prince’s throne and love from
being ripped away and given to a lesser Family. Forced to flee the empire to
save his life, Zhan promises to return for Kai.
But
General Yuan has an ally none of the other Families have met, a druid exiled
from his place at the Druid Fortress, a man whose attempt to wrestle control of
the Books of Forbidden Knowledge has already toppled one kingdom and brought
unimaginable power forth in the person of the Guardian. Alastyre has survived
and intends to unleash the full might of the Eastern Empire upon the other four
Kingdoms.
At
the time of Vivienne’s conquest of the Pinnacle Valley, the Families are firmly
divided into two camps: those who support Family Yuan and those who support Family
Fisal. They are as follows: For Family Yuan is: Yuan, Asan, Shaud, Landa and
Bechts; For Family Fisal: Fisal, Heret, Pavan, Vasra and Tshen.
So
the stage is set, for a world war encompassing the Five Kingdoms. For the
Prophecy of Aedan still stands hanging over the earth, awaiting the touch of
purifying fire to gift the land with the promised second rebirth. The path of
destiny has been set.
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