With nothing but a sword and a gritty determination to live Woden the son of a Germanic exslave from the land of the steppe stumbles into the far reaches of the eighthcentury empire of Byzantium. He quickly learns that a soldierampamprsquos skills and the right blend of ruthlessness cunning and luck will win him women wealth status and power.His quest for worldly rewards propels him through primeval forest lands vast empty deserts the great city of Constantinople Saracen hordes tribal armies and walled cities. His skills in handtohand combat and brutal military slaughter and his cunning strategizing gain the respect of his men the favor of generals and the adoration of the Empire.A faithless man among the faithful Woden lives by the sword as others die by his sword.