The story begins on the island of Ortelga, on the far outskirts of the powerful Beklan Empire. The Ortelgians worship a god in the form of a bear and believe that one day Shardik—God’s Strength—will return and rescue them from their many-year exile. One day a young hunter, Kelderек—called Play-with-the-Kids—finds a gigantic bear. Convinced the beast is none other than Shardik, he decides to attempt what seems impossible. Ahead of him lies a battle for the empire, the throne of a priest-king, unexpected love, and a painful search for himself…