Attacking the capital of Byzantium is an incredible act of courage and risk. The mighty walls of Constantinople remained unassailable, and its waters guarded dromons armed with Greek fire. Nevertheless, Oleg the Wise dared to do it. He brought nearly a thousand ships to the city walls, and the Rus’—along with the Slavs—surrounded Tsargrad. However, surrounding this great medieval city is not the same as capturing it. A strait may be easier to cross than to leave afterward. Decisive battles begin, and the young prince-varangian Vartyslav fights shoulder to shoulder with Oleg. By the nickname “The Bold,” he is not without courage and recklessness—qualities that can lead to great victories or to crushing defeats.