The Crystal Empire — L. Neil Smith

ONE MAN AGAINST A LIVING GOD

After the plague wiped out all of Europe in the -Middle Ages, the world was ruled by three empires. The Saracen-Jewish Empire led by the enlightened Caliph of Rome dominated Europe and part of Asia; the Mughal-Arab Empire to the east was bent on destroying its neighbor by whatever sly and violent means were necessary.

But across the ocean, on the western shore of America, lay the seat of the most powerful and unknown force on the Earth: the Sino-Aztecs' Crystal Empire. Ruled by the legendary living Sun-God, it dwarfed all other empires in its technological sophistication and the dominion it exerted over its subjects. All the Earth was in awe of the might of this empire and its ruler.

All the Earth except for Sedrich Sedrichsohn. Charged with bringing to the Emperor his future bride, the beautiful and far-seeing Ayesha, daughter of the caliph, Sedrich was a heretic, an outcast, and a legendary fighter. His past lay in ruins, littered with the tragic deaths of those he loved most dearly. Now he had a last chance at happiness...and revenge.