From John Marco comes the epic sequel to his thrilling debut military fantasy, The Jackal of Nar. An infamous warrior is once again caught between two irresistible forces, and his choice may change the world....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 more devious plan: to strike the warrior-prince's only weakness...Vantran's innocent daughter. And Vantran himself will unwittingly seal his daughter's fate.Count Renato Biagio was bred in the lap of luxury, but this pampered fop has a steel core of determination.  Bishop Herrith is a man of God, equally determined to defend his beliefs.  With the emperor Arkus's death, each believes he has been chosen to lead Nar.  But when Richius Vantran, hero of the previous war and now an exile in a foreign land, is called to defeat Biagio, he finds himself with a bitter choice.  Is Herrith really the best leader for Nar, or is Richius's lust for vengeance blinding him to Biagio's potential? --> Read Less