People with Sun Reins

They say that the White Creator wove from heavenly radiance a wondrous horse, Desegey—one who knew only good and did not know evil. Then there appeared, in his wake, the three-faced blacksmith Kudaї: he sang the beauty of all things and could infallibly tell where light was and where darkness.

Later, on Orto, people of the Desegey line began to be born—sákhа with sunlit reins behind their backs, inheriting the craft artistry of Kudaї. In their hearts, good and evil lived side by side, but each was allotted their own portion.

In the Month of Falling Leaves, the autumn sun cast a cold glow over the valley of the great river Élen. The fearless warlord Khorsun was preparing for a dangerous campaign together with his company, leaving at home his wife—the quiet, gentle Naryána, who was carrying their first child.

One must not anger the forest spirit and must not break the ban—such a transgression is never left unpunished. Khorsun should have stayed near his wife and waited for the child to be born, but his hot-tempered, domineering nature would not let him send his warriors without himself.

And trouble was already drawing near to Naryána—and to the girl not yet born, who is destined to become the most powerful udagan.

To save her child, Naryána makes a desperate choice.