The ancient kingdom has long experienced its heyday, but still considers foreigners to be barbarians. Here they laugh at small nations, and the King of Kings is called the ruler of the world - but they are afraid of witchcraft like the plague. The sorcerers spent many years in captivity, not daring to leave the monastery. However, there is a limit to everything. One of the magicians commits a murder - and tries in vain to cover his tracks. The followers of the holy dervish, who was tortured by the magicians of ancient times, are about to start a war. Meanwhile, the King of Kings is old and sick, and the nobles are locked in a fight for the throne... Meet the second book of the “Ankhara cycle” by Vsevolod Alferov, written in the best traditions of classic fantasy!