It was the battle to end all battles and everyone lost. The dead and wounded stretch as far as the eye can see. Captain Kars foresees the lawlessness that will follow for there would be few left to rule and fewer that will be able to keep the peace. He also sees the opportunity. Survival is dependent on decisive leadership, so it falls to Kars to gather the survivors of his company and others who will be useful. With his small band of thirteen warriors, he sets out to find a safe haven.Kars and his band scavenge what is needed to survive, knowing that there will be many who will want to take it. They are faced with danger as they fight their way to safety. Kars also finds something unexpected, a woman who steals his heart. Together with their followers, they establish their new home, but peace is elusive. They find the danger is not over. Ambitious men want to take what they have built from the ashes. Again they find themselves having to fight to survive, but now they are fighting to save a people and a realm.