In the wake of Arkus’ terrible war, Prince Richius Vantran, the Jackal of Nar, has fled into exile with his wife, Dyana, and their young daughter, Shani. Meanwhile, with the emperor’s death, Nar has exploded in civil war. Now a new conflict is being waged between the religious fanatics of Bishop Herrith, who follow the Light of God, and the ruthless followers of Count Biagio and his Black Renaissance. Each man believes he has been chosen to lead, and as the terrifying slaughter mounts, fueled by the development of hideous new war machines, Vantran is offered the chance to ally with a third faction and take his revenge against his ancient enemy Biagio.
But Biagio, a master of deception and intrigue, has a grand design to gain total power, and part of it involves luring Vantran’s new allies into a clever and deadly trap. As for Vantran, Biagio’s own most hated enemy, the count has a far mor devious plan: to strike the warrior-prince’s only weakness…Vantran’s innocent daughter. And Vantran himself will unwittingly seal his daughter’s fate.