Part One When the earth was new, through a gateway to an underground sanctuary called the Underworld, a gargoyle named Kaing does his best to live his personal life as simply as possible. As his nation prepares for war, Kaing resumes his not-so-simple duties as a military trainer when plots of treason and murder are set into motion-pointing to him as the perpetrator. Struggling for survival, Kaing assumes a life of exile. As war ensues between his nation and the kingdom on the outside world, Kaing and his family begin to catch glimpses of their unusual abilities and the roles they are to play in a purpose much larger than they had imagined. Saul Rip Hansen was born in Spokane, Washington, and has degrees in architecture and illustration.