Three thousand years before the birth of Christ. An epic conflict is about to begin. The price of victory? Civilization. The price of defeat a return to the dark ages. The hopes of civilization rest on one mans shoulders: Eskkar once a barbarian now a warrior in charge of defending a small town which lies in the path of a vast barbarian war party. The last time the invaders came to Orak they spared no one & the tiny candle of trade & agriculture that had begun there the first in all of human history was extinguished. But Eskkar & Trella the beautiful slave girl he has been given by the grateful townsfolk & the raggle-taggle army he has inherited are not going to flee. They will fight against the overwhelming odds with foolhardy bravery subtle ingenuity & the last drop of their blood. On this tiny band the lathe of history will turn: victory or darkness?