About the book: 2020 / Born into a family of hereditary military men, Sashka Shabalin did not imagine any other destiny for himself other than military service, and after graduation he was ready to go to the border of the empire to continue the work of his glorious ancestors. But it is true what they say: “If you want to make the gods laugh, tell them about your plans.” Fate had slightly different plans for the place of service of the newly minted lieutenant. And he did not have a chance to see the distant borderland, the Ginkush mountains, covered with glaciers, and valleys immersed in greenery, he did not manage to take part in skirmishes with the highlanders, and had to go overseas to the kingdom of Rovalia to serve as an adjutant military attaché. Not the most heroic duty station, it would seem. But the young lieutenant still doesn’t know that a ball in the royal palace can be more dangerous than a raid in the wild mountains, and the killers of the secret order of dark elves are much deadlier than all the mountain tribes combined.