There is no one more powerful than the Emperor. The defeated barbarians who swore allegiance to him know this, the proud servants of the Fire-born Mithras remember this, although they do not like to remember it, his enemies whisper about this with curses... The masters of the brotherhood of Astarte, the powerful order of those who can control even death, are the only ones who for the sake of revenge is ready to step over fear. And so it all begins... A younger heir who does not know about his origins, a young witch who must protect him, a northern barbarian who once refused to cross the ghostly line, but is ready to do it for the sake of his brothers in arms. Which of them will turn out to be a real hero, who will become a villain, and who will simply turn into another victim of a ruthless empire? A world of sword and magic, where real men and women decide the fate of their future. The text is original, but the general concept is inspired by the novels of George R.R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie and some other similar books.