Southerner Sergeant Kearney "Red" Redguard is the last son of a disgraced family and a loyal guardsman. And with a murderer stalking the streets, the city guard is his city's best defense. But in the North, King Caedmon Taranisaii is gathering his army, and the cruel Night God prepares for the downfall of the South. A new dark griffin roams the land, warning of the war to come. Betrayed and sent on the run, Red must fight to save his homeland. But it may already be too late... Guards stay at their posts, and die to defend their cities...