When the teenager Lo'thar of the Fikir clan rescued a younger Lorelei of the Kar clan from a horrible death at the claws of the Titian, the ages-old warring between their clans came to an end and with the marriage of the two five years later, peace was to brought to the land. Their magical skills would be used for the benefit of all the rather than for the destruction of their once former enemies. It was just the choice of a random number, however, that sealed their fate and the fate of all of Caelus. The Fifth Conquistador Fleet of the galactic-spanning Va'Shan Empire came to Caelus that day and began their Suppression of the planet to ready it for colonization. Lorelei was taken to the Archus Superus' Sanctum to become just one of many sex-slaves for his pleasures. Lo'thar, along with Maegil -- Lorelei's best friend -- and Jo'tal of the Dragor Clan, an enemy to both, and the younglings who happened to be studying with Lo'thar are all that is left alive on the planet and as they fight their way to find a safe place, they realize that it doesn't exist. The Fingers of the Destructor's Hand hunt them down mercilessly, for there are to be no inhabitants left alive on the planet. Thus begins the epic saga of friends and enemies forced to work together, to find the missing Lorelei and exact revenge for the total destruction of all they once knew. Finding themselves in a world of star-ships and plasma rifles of which they understand nothing, Lo'thar and companions will have to change all they once knew and learn an entirely new set of rules and morals if they are to survive in the cruel and depraved world of the Va'Shan. R. Peter Ubtrent was born in New York City but moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of eight. Although he has lived in both Florida and California, he seems to have settled in Edgewood, New Mexico for the moment.Writing since high school, Peter has self-published seven science fiction novels, six in one series called 'Dark Pilgrim' and one stand-alone titled 'Eternity's Handmaiden.'Peter has obtained bachelor's degrees in astrophyics, history, and Secondary Education, has a Master's degree in military history and has a Doctorate in military studies.When he's not writing, Peter works in his gardens or builds wooden and plastic models. He has been married to Genevieve for over sixteen years. When the primitive world of Caelus is attacked by the advanced Va'Shan Empire and Suppressed, only a hand-full of refugees escape to begin an epic quest to find each other and avenge the destruction of their home-world and their way of life.
