Life After the Monastery

The men of Kelrock live completely separated from women. In the aftermath of a world war, the women have taken control and cast the men out the capital city, now known as Fort Ellahos. They selectively allow men into the fortress for the purposes of reproduction, but no man who has ever gone into the fort has come out to tell others of what lay inside.

All male children are sent away from Ellahos at birth and given to the monks, who raise them into young men in the safety of the monasteries. When a man reaches the age of twenty, he is cast out from the monastery and must make his own way in a harsh world.

The world is a dangerous place for young men who have lived sheltered lives in the monasteries. Bands of men roam with little purpose, and a lot of pent up sexual frustration.

Yet for Jove and his friends, who are rapidly reaching their twentieth year, this is something they are each going to have to deal with very soon. When a roaming war-band passes by their monastery, one of Jove's closest friends is taken after catching the eye of one of their leaders.

Against his better judgement, Jove follows in pursuit. He knows that if he does nothing, then his friend will be subjected to a life of absolute misery. What initially seems like a suicide mission, continues to seem just like one, as Jove comes across peril at every turn.

Will Jove and his friends transition safely into the adult male world? Or will it destroy them?