It is said the gods play games with the lives of men. Beside the Silver Sea, one game has been going on for three hundred years. The lands of Kingdom and Empire are dying and the war is never-ending. So, in one dangerous last gamble, the Emperor kidnaps five children. Altered, cursed, destroyed, these five are the Guards: the last line of defence. But the ties of old friendship run deeper and the Guards find themselves enticing rebellion and plotting assassination. And each of them has their own past to avenge....