The Empire was falling apart and yet no one seemed to care. After a thousand years of imperial rule, the Empire of the Sol Elves was showing signs of weakness. Its Emperors were now little more than puppets to powerful warlords. These great houses carved up the land and waged regular civil wars for control. The only thing keeping it together now was the hegemony brought on by the Heshimite family. But this could never last. Orcs have begun crossing the northern border and their arrival heralds new and terrible days. ***** Two Sol Elven boys, Ellen'Gran and Sol'Rel, have grown up most their lives at Zou's Watch. This keep, far removed from the heartland's of the Empire, is presided over by a man known as Tres'Va'Nar the Crow. These two young men are closest of friends but neither could be any different if they tried. Ellen'Gran is the second son of the most powerful warlord in the Empire. He was sent to this far flung keep so that the elements would harden him for a life of soldiering. But Ellen'Gran has only ever wanted to be free to choose his destiny. Sol'Rel has been in the priesthood for as long as he could remember. The other members of the clergy being the only family he has ever known. It is here, at Zou's Watch, that Rel has spent his entire life while wishing he could be like Ellen or the other squires. But darkness looms on the horizon. Orcs are crossing the borders and people are having strange visions. Will the two boys be able overcome the dark days ahead or will they be consumed by them? This book is great for fans of fantasy novels with darker themes. Written for those who enjoy the likes of Gorge R R Martin's A Game of Thrones or Glen Cook's The Black Company.