About the book: year / Heavy black-bellied autumn clouds hung over the Empire... Supreme Chancellor Mark Rossenbrock is already too old to help the young emperor in this difficult hour. Grand Duke Ferdinand, who became the sole ruler of Aveggia after the “sudden” death of his father and brother, is hatching insidious and very far-reaching plans. Prides of ogres, obedient to the will of the great Father, attack border settlements. Pirate galleys appeared in coastal areas. A blind old man from Nork raises peasant uprisings. A half-forgotten prophecy about monsters ruling the world is quickly gaining strength. In general, wherever you look, there is trouble everywhere. And so, at this difficult moment, one of the best fighters of the empire, nicknamed the Blade Bird, receives a dangerous task...