Book excerpt: An Epic Journey in a Post-Apocalyptic World Immerse yourself in the mystical realms of Empire of the East, a profound science fiction novel meticulously crafted by Fred Saberhagen. Journey into a distant, bleak future where humanity's downfall echoes amidst the crumbling vestiges of a once-great society. Dark forces cruelly rule the lands, relentlessly crushing the last embers of human spirit. In this godforsaken dystopia, whispers of a revolt ripple through dark corners, painting a silver lining in a world shrouded in despair. A fiercely determined group of rebels brews in the swamps, outnumbered yet brimming with a burning resolve to reclaim their stolen freedom. The key to their mighty rebellion lies shrouded in the legends of the ancient world, a time before the advent of magic, when technology ruled–the mighty Elephant. One young man, determined to avenge the death of his family, sets out to join the rebellion and find Elephant. What he discovers will change everything. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.