A classical confrontation between the armies of history's two most powerful empires. The characters of the previous four books are propelled into the intrigue, violence and death surrounding a legendary battle which is likely the creative mythic spark for all subsequent escalations. These lead like self-fulfilling prophecies to the Armageddon so many ardently desire today. But this story is about those long-ago warriors, princes and noble women who must fend off their own dark age. The options they have are grim. It is up to the Boy-king and his Nubian armies, a soon-to-be emperor of a collapsed realm and the peace-bride who has nothing to offer except her need for vengeance. Choosing sides, as they all must do, are the giants, Kee and Bussil, assassin H'ktir, Shargo the Strong, Twice-born Twi and Canni, the homeless priestess. Ugan the Glott and Waaloo slide like warm oils between the factions. But it is Parro, the far-sighted entertainer who spins herself into the creases of our psyches.              

H’ktir made his way north alone. He traveled the foothills and rough ground where sheep and goat herders must be hiding to avoid the refugees, famine and plague which still rode like equine hordes out of the Great Beyond. The chaos had slowed now, having devoured its own energy, but despair had enough power to erupt occasionally. The Amaz assassin watched all sides with long honed skills.

Rounding a narrow bend he laughed. The sound surprised him. It had been a soft, scoffing note, self-deprecating. Seers spoke of four horsemen, one for each of the cardinal points of a compass. But recently he had learned of new directions, new points. There was north, of course. Also south, east and west.

The new ones were up and down, and the one which made him laugh - where he stood. The place he occupied was forever changing, continuously blind as the corner he had just navigated with only his senses projected like invisible cilia, filaments to guide him day and night.

He stopped, suddenly remembering the girl who had told him about it, that place that was only his. Tyrana. Tyrana of the Four Winds and Kriti Labyrinth. Tyrana the Tawannanus, Queen of Shadows. Tyrana the adventurer. They had so much in common. Like the sun and moon they had come from different places and, for a short time, crossed paths.

Fighting a sudden urge to turn around, he threw out his sensors and continued north.