In the shadow of an impenetrable fortress, First Templar Arthur leads a desperate defence against an overwhelming demonic horde. The Iron Gates, ancient structures forged by an Archangel, have never been breached, but they've never faced a threat like Naberius, the three-headed hound and high demon of Hell.
When reports arrive of a massive army marching south, Arthur must unite a fractured group of defenders: his eleven fellow Templars with their supernatural abilities, mercenaries seeking glory and gold, and common soldiers who know they face certain death. Among them stands Phillip, the newly-appointed Twelfth Templar with a dark past that haunts him, seeking redemption through sacrifice.
As the enemy's numbers blacken the land like locusts, Arthur knows the odds are impossible. Yet strategic brilliance, desperate heroism, and the Angel's Light might be enough to stem the tide if only they can find Naberius's weakness. But Arthur's greatest battle may be with his own demons, as he balances duty against despair, using whiskey to drown his nightmares while trying to maintain the strength his followers need.
With each fallen comrade, the defence grows more desperate. When a mountain avalanche provides a fleeting opportunity, Arthur must decide whether to risk everything on one final, audacious gambit to defeat the demon hound. The price of victory may be higher than any of them are prepared to pay.
A tale of sacrifice, redemption, and unwavering courage in the face of overwhelming darkness, "Battle of the Iron Gates" examines the true cost of war and the burden of leadership. This significantly expanded edition delves deeper into the epic prequel to the Wild Green Flame series, where the Light and the Darkness clash in a battle that will determine the fate of nations, while Arthur confronts the question that haunts every leader: how much blood is victory worth?