How far would you go to rescue your sworn enemy?

Two adversaries on opposite sides of an eternal conflict meet by chance and become allied against a new and sinister third power that has entered the fray.

Kelso Hart: “The Ebon Knight”. Outcasted from the Light and bearer of the fabled sword “Argenta”—a sentient monster in her own right.  The latest in a long line of grim Knights of myth and legend that are cursed to carry the sword, whomsoever unsheathes Argenta becomes nigh unstoppable—and a completely unscrupulous killer.

Ava Pentran: “The Dark Witch”. The youngest Princess of the ruling house of the Dark who harbors a secret known to none. Exiled and hunted by her parents, she lives still only due to her intimidating battle prowess and unique relationship to the Furies. She is a predator of predators, and her justice is brutal and always fatal.

Carmen Salazar: The newest to enter the Conflict due to circumstance and tragedy, she is buffeted into situations beyond her control by chance and fate. She is made of sterner stuff than most realize, however, and her actions may well decide the outcome of the war.

Jesslyn Pentran: The premier Assassin of the Dark and the main antagonist to Ava and Kelso. She is the oldest Princess of the ruling house; her brutal and cruel gifts have earned her the nickname of “The Spider”. Cunning in the extreme—she strikes from the shadows with overwhelming lethality.

“The Furies”: One of the “classes” that make up the rough armies of the Dark, these warriors are the traditional guardians of the royal family. Recent events have strained their loyalty, however, and the time approaches when the Sisterhood must decide its course. Women all, from all walks of life and all countries, they are implacable enemies when threatened… or angered. Several of these savage—yet noble—women accompany Ava even in exile, and are her only companions, friends, and protectors.

“The Other”: A new and unknown complication in the Conflict, but malevolent and chaotic beyond understanding. The overall series antagonist to all—whether of the Dark, Light, or the Mundane (the “normal” world). Its power grows exponentially as the series progresses, and its goals and desires are both twisted and foreign.

A few others: “Cass”, a mysterious Priestess of the Light who has interceded on Kelso’s behalf previous to the series start; she is a wild card in the Struggle with secrets and motivations far beyond seeming. “Charlie”, my real-life eighty-pound English Bulldog that I lent to Kelso for the duration of the books. I was having trouble keeping him fortified with sufficient snacks anyways. You can see the “Nine Faces of Charlie” under the author tab.

The Eternal War: Not a “character”, but it is important to note that the Conflict has been raging since time began—and here in this place, at this time, those named above are part of the cast that are fighting it. Those who have not ascended into the Conflict cannot perceive the truth of the world, so when battles rage the combined powers of the Dark and Light can cause typhons, tornados, avalanches, and other disasters to cover and obscure the fights, and to explain the hundreds—or even thousands—of slain unaware humans (called “sleepers” or the “oblivious”).
 
In the world of the Ebon Knight, not all natural disasters are natural.