When Princess Atossa's father, Cyrus the Great of Persia, dies suddenly, both her brothers want to follow him as King of Kings. Should she support the ruthless cleverness of the more competent Bardiya or the rash honesty of her father's choice, Cambyses? Why are the gods taking an interest in her now? She dare not let them control her but she dare not offend them. And as she makes her choice, navigating politics and honor just get harder, what price will she have to pay to support her choices?

In 530 B.C. the Kingdom of the Meads and the Persians is the greatest Empire in the world. But that doesn't mean the royal family is safe. King Cyrus usurped the throne from his grandfather, and many empires have risen and fallen in the Fertile Crescent before. It was a time of ancient powers and new legions being made.