Byzantine Chronicles

With nothing, but a sword and a gritty determination to live, Woden, the son of a Germanic ex-slave from the land of the steppe, stumbles into the far reaches of the eighth-century empire of Byzantium. He quickly learns that a soldier's 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 forestlands, vast empty deserts, the great city of Constantinople, Saracen hordes, tribal armies, and walled cities. His skills in hand-to-hand 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. But, is there more to life than surviving? Will Woden's desperate search for a mental edge to sustain him within the violence surpass his quest for riches?

The Byzantine Empire, one person's past, another's present, and still another's future. He came like a thunderclap into this golden kingdom. Woden, the warrior from the land of the steppe, one whose very name carried with it the stories of glorious battle, came into this world with a lust for blood and high adventure. This godless man who feared nothing, and wanted nothing, left something to this ever changing world... two sons. One was born within the wealth and privilege of the Byzantine Empire, another outside the empire, within a primitive forest world of farmers, hunters, and simple industries. And much like their father, they learn that life is confrontation and violence. And in the midst of this deceit, lies, manipulation, clever philosophies, brutal force, chaos and fear they must find their birthright of strength if they are to survive, to conquer, and to endure a life beyond their doorway to manhood.