The Time of Troubles

The thousand cities: Abrivard, marshal of Makuran, has been given an impossible task by his King: destroy the mighty Empire of Videssos. Even as he pondered how to obey, Videssos's legions are on the march, attacking Makuran first. Abrivard finds himself fighting a defensive war, putting his great battle skills to the task of driving the invaders from his home, the land of the Thousand Cities. But even as he struck back at the invader, he realized that force of arms alone would not carry the day, for Videssos's powerful sorcerers were the stuff of legend, and a strong sword arm could not stand against a potent battle spell which could strike the mightiest warrior dead from miles away.
Videsso besieged: The Emperor Maniakes had waited impatiently for spring, when good sailing weather would allow him to carry the war to the enemy, Makuran. The cherry trees bloomed, bees buzzing around them, and Maniakes led the Videssos military against the Thousand Cities, expecting at any moment to be attacked by the Makuran despot's irresistible cavalry. But no attack came, and Maniakes learned that the Makuraners had launched an unexpected attack on the very gates of Videssos. And unless Maniakes can break the siege, it will be the end of his reign and of Videssos itself.