The Eagle and the Owl

"The right thing and the easy thing are rarely the same." The mighty Calidian Empire is teetering on the brink; whether it is the brink of downfall or the brink of unprecedented stability depends upon one man. This burden falls upon the reluctant young Duke Macien of Jorbus, who has the mantle of Dictator thrust upon him by the ill Emperor. He inherits a political mess, and at a dangerous time for those who sit on the throne. The Empire is in the midst of it's largest conflict in history, and the open war with it's rival Homitha has taken a toll on the lands and the people within it's borders. Enemies are everywhere, both outside and inside the gates. The controversial war has been put on hiatus, just when Calidia had started to get the upper hand. At home, assassins lurk in the shadows and political conspiracies are bubbling up from the cracks. The Empire is divided and a civil war now appears imminent. With faltering support and growing resentment, Macien may have to do some previously unthinkable things to keep Calidia from crumbling. Even if he does succeed in doing so, he still needs to keep the Empire from being seized by a tyrannical political foe who will take drastic measures to claim the throne he feels is his by right. Macien begins to understand that the right thing and the easy thing are rarely the same. A high profile murder in the capital city sends a jaded detective and his new partner headlong into a political conspiracy. A boy and his two friends dream of joining the mighty Imperial Legions, and they set out to do so despite the risk. A member of the Imperial Guard is tangled into a web of deceit and not sure whom he can trust after thwarting an assassination attempt in the Imperial Palace. An outcast Sentinel, who happens to be half Calidian and half Homithan, must protect an Empire and a people that don't accept him. A young and talented cavalry officer will rise to the challenge of the coming conflict, and carve out his place in the long history of the Legions. In the midst of it all is Macien. Perhaps there is a reason why that is. Exotic locales, mythical beings, rich characters, military adventure, Prophecy, intrigue, suspense, twists and turns, and all taking place in a world that echoes our own ancient one...