Year 914. The Battle on the Itil devastated the world between the Khazars and the Rus’, stirred up peoples and lands. Sveneld and his brother Godred plan a campaign to the western edge of Khazar territories: Olav’s daughter, Ulvkhild, will marry Godred if he takes revenge for her husband—killed by the Khazars. Yardar, a young warlord of a Khazar watch-city on the Upa, longs for glory and power; Zaranka, the young daughter of a sorceress (vedunya), promises to weave him a belt that will bring good luck if, in return, he takes her as his wife. But when the belt is ready, Yardar will have to make a choice that will determine his entire fate. Love will save from death—or doom to death—and in brutal battles it will be decided who the Silver Path belongs to…