The Shires of York is a Fantasy Series, aimed at young adults who like books by Terry Prachett (with maybe a little Philip Pullman and a smidgen of J.K. Rowling) or fantasy in general, but of interest to anyone who likes a historical dimension, conflicts of building a new order or political intrigue.The novels are set in the Shires of York, mirroring the ancient and venerable three Ridings of Yorkshire. It is a series of six parts, each representing a different stage of Yorkshire's history from the departure of the Romans, through the arrival of the Vikings, Norman Conquest, the rise of the Cistercian order, the pestilence of the Black Death and, finally, the War of the Roses.The Shires of York are ruled by the immortal D�monen; more accurately, they would like to rule but the Elven have exiled them and closed the four Veils that provide a path between D�monen and the Shires of York. The Veils are controlled by twelve Crystals of the Veil and three crystals are required by each Veil for it to open. The D�monen have the Crystal Chamber, the home of the crystals, and a single crystal; they desperately want more and at least a further two so that they can open a Veil. If the Veils are opened, the D�monen, demons possessing powers that only the Elven can match, probably, will cause an age of darkness to descend upon the Shires.The Age of Darkness is the first book in the Shires of York Fantasy Series. The human population are ruled by Romans who are in a hurry to leave, so much so that they create a power vacuum that many rush to fill, including Queen Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes. She will do anything to keep her position, even colluding with the devils.The D�monen, demons who desire to control the Shires of York, have been exiled by The Elven and their only way into the Shires, through the Veils of the Shires of York is blocked because they do not have at least three of the twelve Crystals that can open a veil.Tanwen, the Fire Manon, the name dragons give to their Queen, and her mate Padrig hold the key to preventing the D�monen from achieving their objectives. Will they succeed and be good guardians for the Crystals of the Veils?