By agreement with the Byzantine basileus Nikephoros, Svyatoslav sets out on a campaign against the Bulgar kingdom. Along with him leads his retinue a man from our time—Serigey, the voivode. And at the same time, a great Pecheneg horde approaches the capital of the empire created by Svyatoslav with the sword… The book vividly describes large-scale battles, sieges of fortresses, and everyday life of the early Slavs.
The second most important character after Dukharev is Prince Svyatoslav. He became the leader of a small principality on the Dnieper, yet before his mind and will both the Khazars and the Bulgar kingdom bowed. He gathered the bravest from the Varangians and Vikings, the best of the Hungarians and Pechenegs under his banner. He fought and conversed on equal terms with the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire. He did not manage to build his own personal empire—but he managed to secure eternal glory. He managed to raise enemies on his swords. He managed to plant fear of Rus’ in their hearts, and he managed to lay a powerful foundation for Rus’ itself.