Living on your knees is the only way to save a small people from the wrath of the Amorian Empire, created by the descendants of the Romans and now ruling the entire world. This is the grim choice facing Krun, Duke of Narbonnian Gaul. His son Varg dreams of freedom and becomes an enemy of his father.
The young princess Sophia Justina, the real ruler of the Empire, tries to help Krun and stop Varg’s rebellion. The currents of sympathy between her and Varg grow stronger, but they are enemies—this is not their choice, but the choice of the gods themselves, who divided the barbarians and the Amorians.